[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 5]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1910.165]

[Page 507-530]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR

 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 

                                OF LABOR

 
PART 1910_OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 
                        Subpart L_Fire Protection

 
Sec. 1910.165  Employee alarm systems.


    (a) Scope and application. (1) This section applies to all emergency 

employee alarms installed to meet a particular OSHA standard. This 

section does not apply to those discharge or supervisory alarms required 

on various fixed extinguishing systems or to supervisory alarms on fire 

suppression, alarm or detection systems unless they are intended to be 

employee alarm systems.

    (2) The requirements in this section that pertain to maintenance, 

testing and inspection shall apply to all local fire alarm signaling 

systems used for alerting employees regardless of the other functions of 

the system.

    (3) All pre-discharge employee alarms installed to meet a particular 

OSHA standard shall meet the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) through 

(4), (c), and (d)(1) of this section.

    (b) General requirements. (1) The employee alarm system shall 

provide warning for necessary emergency action as called for in the 

emergency action plan, or for reaction time for safe escape of employees 

from the workplace or the immediate work area, or both.

    (2) The employee alarm shall be capable of being perceived above 

ambient noise or light levels by all employees in the affected portions 

of the workplace. Tactile devices may be used to alert those employees 

who would not otherwise be able to recognize the audibile or visual 

alarm.

    (3) The employee alarm shall be distinctive and recognizable as a 

signal to evacuate the work area or to perform actions designated under 

the emergency action plan.

    (4) The employer shall explain to each employee the preferred means 

of reporting emergencies, such as manual pull box alarms, public address 

systems, radio or telephones. The employer shall post emergency 

telephone numbers near telephones, or employee notice boards, and other 

conspicuous locations when telephones serve as a means of reporting 

emergencies. Where a communication system also serves as the employee 

alarm system, all emergency messages shall have priority over all non-

emergency messages.

    (5) The employer shall establish procedures for sounding emergency 

alarms in the workplace. For those employers with 10 or fewer employees 

in a particular workplace, direct voice communication is an acceptable 

procedure for sounding the alarm provided all employees can hear the 

alarm. Such workplaces need not have a back-up system.

    (c) Installation and restoration. (1) The employer shall assure that 

all devices, components, combinations of devices or systems constructed 

and installed to comply with this standard are approved. Steam whistles, 

air horns, strobe lights or similar lighting devices, or tactile devices 

meeting the requirements of this section are considered to meet this 

requirement for approval.

    (2) The employer shall assure that all employee alarm systems are 

restored to normal operating condition as promptly as possible after 

each test or alarm. Spare alarm devices and components subject to wear 

or destruction shall be available in sufficient quantities and locations 

for prompt restoration of the system.

    (d) Maintenance and testing. (1) The employer shall assure that all 

employee alarm systems are maintained



[[Page 508]]



in operating condition except when undergoing repairs or maintenance.

    (2) The employer shall assure that a test of the reliability and 

adequacy of non-supervised employee alarm systems is made every two 

months. A different actuation device shall be used in each test of a 

multi-actuation device system so that no individual device is used for 

two consecutive tests.

    (3) The employer shall maintain or replace power supplies as often 

as is necessary to assure a fully operational condition. Back-up means 

of alarm, such as employee runners or telephones, shall be provided when 

systems are out of service.

    (4) The employer shall assure that employee alarm circuitry 

installed after January 1, 1981, which is capable of being supervised is 

supervised and that it will provide positive notification to assigned 

personnel whenever a deficiency exists in the system. The employer shall 

assure that all supervised employee alarm systems are tested at least 

annually for reliability and adequacy.

    (5) The employer shall assure that the servicing, maintenance and 

testing of employee alarms are done by persons trained in the designed 

operation and functions necessary for reliable and safe operation of the 

system.

    (e) Manual operation. The employer shall assure that manually 

operated actuation devices for use in conjunction with employee alarms 

are unobstructed, conspicuous and readily accessible.



[45 FR 60713, Sept. 12, 1980]



               Appendices to Subpart L of Part 1910--Note



    Note: The following appendices to subpart L, except appendix E, 

serve as nonmandatory guidelines to assist employers in complying with 

the appropriate requirements of subpart L.



          Appendix A to Subpart L of Part 1910--Fire Protection



Sec. 1910.156 Fire brigades.

    1. Scope. This section does not require an employer to organize a 

fire brigade. However, if an employer does decide to organize a fire 

brigade, the requirements of this section apply.

    2. Pre-fire planning. It is suggested that pre-fire planning be 

conducted by the local fire department and/or the workplace fire brigade 

in order for them to be familiar with the workplace and process hazards. 

Involvement with the local fire department or fire prevention bureau is 

encouraged to facilitate coordination and cooperation between members of 

the fire brigade and those who might be called upon for assistance 

during a fire emergency.

    3. Organizational statement. In addition to the information required 

in the organizational statement, paragraph 1910.156(b)(1), it is 

suggested that the organizational statement also contain the following 

information: a description of the duties that the fire brigade members 

are expected to perform; the line authority of each fire brigade 

officer; the number of the fire brigade officers and number of training 

instructors; and a list and description of the types of awards or 

recognition that brigade members may be eligible to receive.

    4. Physical capability. The physical capability requirement applies 

only to those fire brigade members who perform interior structural fire 

fighting. Employees who cannot meet the physical capability requirement 

may still be members of the fire brigade as long as such employees do 

not perform interior structural fire fighting. It is suggested that fire 

brigade members who are unable to perform interior structural fire 

fighting be assigned less stressful and physically demanding fire 

brigade duties, e.g., certain types of training, recordkeeping, fire 

prevention inspection and maintenance, and fire pump operations.

    Physically capable can be defined as being able to perform those 

duties specified in the training requirements of section 1910.156(c). 

Physically capable can also be determined by physical performance tests 

or by a physical examination when the examining physician is aware of 

the duties that the fire brigade member is expected to perform.

    It is also recommended that fire brigade members participate in a 

physical fitness program. There are many benefits which can be 

attributed to being physically fit. It is believed that physical fitness 

may help to reduce the number of sprain and strain injuries as well as 

contributing to the improvement of the cardiovascular system.

    5. Training and education. The paragraph on training and education 

does not contain specific training and education requirements because 

the type, amount, and frequency of training and education will be as 

varied as are the purposes for which fire brigades are organized. 

However, the paragraph does require that training and education be 

commensurate with those functions that the fire brigade is expected to 

perform; i.e., those functions specified in the organizational 

statement. Such a performance requirement



[[Page 509]]



provides the necessary flexibility to design a training program which 

meets the needs of individual fire brigades.

    At a minimum, hands-on training is required to be conducted annually 

for all fire brigade members. However, for those fire brigade members 

who are expected to perform interior structural fire fighting, some type 

of training or education session must be provided at least quarterly.

    In addition to the required hands-on training, it is strongly 

recommended that fire brigade members receive other types of training 

and education such as: classroom instruction, review of emergency action 

procedures, pre-fire planning, review of special hazards in the 

workplace, and practice in the use of self-contained breathing 

apparatus.

    It is not necessary for the employer to duplicate the same training 

or education that a fire brigade member receives as a member of a 

community volunteer fire department, rescue squad, or similar 

organization. However, such training or education must have been 

provided to the fire brigade member within the past year and it must be 

documented that the fire brigade member has received the training or 

education. For example: there is no need for a fire brigade member to 

receive another training class in the use of positive-pressure self-

contained breathing apparatus if the fire brigade member has recently 

completed such training as a member of a community fire department. 

Instead, the fire brigade member should receive training or education 

covering other important equipment or duties of the fire brigade as they 

relate to the workplace hazards, facilities and processes.

    It is generally recognized that the effectiveness of fire brigade 

training and education depends upon the expertise of those providing the 

training and education as well as the motivation of the fire brigade 

members. Fire brigade training instructors must receive a higher level 

of training and education than the fire brigade members they will be 

teaching. This includes being more knowledgeable about the functions to 

be performed by the fire brigade and the hazards involved. The 

instructors should be qualified to train fire brigade members and 

demonstrate skills in communication, methods of teaching, and 

motivation. It is important for instructors and fire brigade members 

alike to be motivated toward the goals of the fire brigade and be aware 

of the importance of the service that they are providing for the 

protection of other employees and the workplace.

    It is suggested that publications from the International Fire 

Service Training Association, the National Fire Protection Association 

(NFPA-1041), the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and 

other fire training sources be consulted for recommended qualifications 

of fire brigade training instructors.

    In order to be effective, fire brigades must have competent 

leadership and supervision. It is important for those who supervise the 

fire brigade during emergency situations, e.g., fire brigade chiefs, 

leaders, etc., to receive the necessary training and education for 

supervising fire brigade activities during these hazardous and stressful 

situations. These fire brigade members with leadership responsibilities 

should demonstrate skills in strategy and tactics, fire suppression and 

prevention techniques, leadership principles, pre-fire planning, and 

safety practices. It is again suggested that fire service training 

sources be consulted for determining the kinds of training and education 

which are necessary for those with fire brigade leadership 

responsibilities.

    It is further suggested that fire brigade leaders and fire brigade 

instructors receive more formalized training and education on a 

continuing basis by attending classes provided by such training sources 

as universities and university fire extension services.

    The following recommendations should not be considered to be all of 

the necessary elements of a complete comprehensive training program, but 

the information may be helpful as a guide in developing a fire brigade 

training program.

    All fire brigade members should be familiar with exit facilities and 

their location, emergency escape routes for handicapped workers, and the 

workplace ``emergency action plan.''

    In addition, fire brigade members who are expected to control and 

extinguish fires in the incipient stage should, at a minimum, be trained 

in the use of fire extinguishers, standpipes, and other fire equipment 

they are assigned to use. They should also be aware of first aid medical 

procedures and procedures for dealing with special hazards to which they 

may be exposed. Training and education should include both classroom 

instruction and actual operation of the equipment under simulated 

emergency conditions. Hands-on type training must be conducted at least 

annually but some functions should be reviewed more often.

    In addition to the above training, fire brigade members who are 

expected to perform emergency rescue and interior structural fire 

fighting should, at a minimum, be familiar with the proper techniques in 

rescue and fire suppression procedures. Training and education should 

include fire protection courses, classroom training, simulated fire 

situations including ``wet drills'' and, when feasible, extinguishment 

of actual mock fires. Frequency of training or education must be at 

least quarterly, but some drills or classroom training should be 

conducted as often as monthly or even weekly to maintain the proficiency 

of fire brigade members.



[[Page 510]]



    There are many excellent sources of training and education that the 

employer may want to use in developing a training program for the 

workplace fire brigade. These sources include publications, seminars, 

and courses offered by universities.

    There are also excellent fire school courses by such facilities as 

Texas A and M University, Delaware State Fire School, Lamar University, 

and Reno Fire School, that deal with those unique hazards which may be 

encountered by fire brigades in the oil and chemical industry. These 

schools, and others, also offer excellent training courses which would 

be beneficial to fire brigades in other types of industries. These 

courses should be a continuing part of the training program, and 

employers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these excellent 

resources.

    It is also important that fire brigade members be informed about 

special hazards to which they may be exposed during fire and other 

emergencies. Such hazards as storage and use areas of flammable liquids 

and gases, toxic chemicals, water-reactive substances, etc., can pose 

difficult problems. There must be written procedures developed that 

describe the actions to be taken in situations involving special 

hazards. Fire brigade members must be trained in handling these special 

hazards as well as keeping abreast of any changes that occur in relation 

to these special hazards.

    6. Fire fighting equipment. It is important that fire fighting 

equipment that is in damaged or unserviceable condition be removed from 

service and replaced. This will prevent fire brigade members from using 

unsafe equipment by mistake.

    Fire fighting equipment, except portable fire extinguishers and 

respirators, must be inspected at least annually. Portable fire 

extinguishers and respirators are required to be inspected at least 

monthly.

    7. Protective clothing. (A) General. Paragraph (e) of Sec. 1910.156 

does not require all fire brigade members to wear protective clothing. 

It is not the intention of these standards to require employers to 

provide a full ensemble of protective clothing for every fire brigade 

member without consideration given to the types of hazardous 

environments to which the fire brigade member might be exposed. It is 

the intention of these standards to require adequate protection for 

those fire brigade members who might be exposed to fires in an advanced 

stage, smoke, toxic gases, and high temperatures. Therefore, the 

protective clothing requirements only apply to those fire brigade 

members who perform interior structural fire fighting operations.

    Additionally, the protective clothing requirements do not apply to 

the protective clothing worn during outside fire fighting operations 

(brush and forest fires, crash crew operations) or other special fire 

fighting activities. It is important that the protective clothing to be 

worn during these types of fire fighting operations reflect the hazards 

which are expected to be encountered by fire brigade members.

    (B) Foot and leg protection. Section 1910.156 permits an option to 

achieve foot and leg protection.

    The section recognizes the interdependence of protective clothing to 

cover one or more parts of the body. Therefore, an option is given so 

that fire brigade members may meet the foot and leg requirements by 

either wearing long fire-resistive coats in combination with fully 

extended boots, or by wearing shorter fire-resistive costs in 

combination with protective trousers and protective shoes or shorter 

boots.

    (C) Body protection. Paragraph (e)(3) of Sec. 1910.156 provides an 

option for fire brigade members to achieve body protection. Fire brigade 

members may wear a fire-resistive coat in combination with fully 

extended boots, or they may wear a fire-resistive coat in combination 

with protective trousers.

    Fire-resistive coats and protective trousers meeting all of the 

requirements contained in NFPA 1971-1975 ``Protective Clothing for 

Structural Fire Fighters,'' are acceptable as meeting the requirements 

of this standard.

    The lining is required to be permanently attached to the outer 

shell. However, it is permissible to attach the lining to the outer 

shell material by stitching in one area such as at the neck. Fastener 

tape or snap fasteners may be used to secure the rest of the lining to 

the outer shell to facilitate cleaning. Reference to permanent lining 

does not refer to a winter liner which is a detachable extra lining used 

to give added protection to the wearer against the effects of cold 

weather and wind.

    (D) Hand protection. The requirements of the paragraph on hand 

protection may be met by protective gloves or a glove system. A glove 

system consists of a combination of different gloves. The usual 

components of a glove system consist of a pair of gloves, which provide 

thermal insulation to the hands, worn in combination with a second pair 

of gloves which provide protection against flame, cut, and puncture.

    It is suggested that protective gloves provide dexterity and a sense 

of feel for objects. Criteria and test methods for dexterity are 

contained in the NIOSH publications, ``The Development of Criteria for 

Firefighters' Gloves; Vol. I: Glove Requirements'' and ``Vol. II: Glove 

Criteria and Test Methods.'' These NIOSH publications also contain a 

permissible modified version of Federal Test Method 191, Method 5903, 

(paragraph (3) of appendix E) for flame resistance when gloves, rather 

than glove material, are tested for flame resistance.

    (E) Head, eye, and face protection. Head protective devices which 

meet the requirements



[[Page 511]]



contained in NFPA No. 1972 are acceptable as meeting the requirements of 

this standard for head protection.

    Head protective devices are required to be provided with ear flaps 

so that the ear flaps will be available if needed. It is recommended 

that ear protection always be used while fighting interior structural 

fires.

    Many head protective devices are equipped with face shields to 

protect the eyes and face. These face shields are permissible as meeting 

the eye and face protection requirements of this paragraph as long as 

such face shields meet the requirements of Sec. 1910.133 of the General 

Industry Standards.

    Additionally, full facepieces, helmets or hoods of approved 

breathing apparatus which meet the requirements of Sec. 1910.134 and 

paragraph (f) of Sec. 1910.156 are also acceptable as meeting the eye 

and face protection requirements.

    It is recommended that a flame resistant protective head covering 

such as a hood or snood, which will not adversely affect the seal of a 

respirator facepiece, be worn during interior structural fire fighting 

operations to protect the sides of the face and hair.

    8. Respiratory protective devices. Respiratory protection is 

required to be worn by fire brigade members while working inside 

buildings or confined spaces where toxic products of combustion or an 

oxygen deficiency is likely to be present; respirators are also to be 

worn during emergency situations involving toxic substances. When fire 

brigade members respond to emergency situations, they may be exposed to 

unknown contaminants in unknown concentrations. Therefore, it is 

imperative that fire brigade members wear proper respiratory protective 

devices during these situations. Additionally, there are many instances 

where toxic products of combustion are still present during mop-up and 

overhaul operations. Therefore, fire brigade members should continue to 

wear respirators during these types of operations.

    Self-contained breathing apparatus are not required to be equipped 

with either a buddy-breathing device or a quick-disconnect valve. 

However, these accessories may be very useful and are acceptable as long 

as such accessories do not cause damage to the apparatus, restrict the 

air flow of the apparatus, or obstruct the normal operation of the 

apparatus.

    Buddy-breathing devices are useful for emergency situations where a 

victim or another fire brigade member can share the same air supply with 

the wearer of the apparatus for emergency escape purposes.

    The employer is encouraged to provide fire brigade members with an 

alternative means of respiratory protection to be used only for 

emergency escape purposes if the self-contained breathing apparatus 

becomes inoperative. Such alternative means of respiratory protection 

may be either a buddy-breathing device or an escape self-contained 

breathing apparatus (ESCBA). The ESCBA is a short-duration respiratory 

protective device which is approved for only emergency escape purposes. 

It is suggested that if ESCBA units are used, that they be of at least 5 

minutes service life.

    Quick-disconnect valves are devices which start the flow of air by 

insertion of the hose (which leads to the facepiece) into the regulator 

of self-contained breathing apparatus, and stop the flow of air by 

disconnecting the hose from the regulator. These devices are 

particularly useful for those positive-pressure self-contained breathing 

apparatus which do not have the capability of being switched from the 

demand to the positive-pressure mode.

    The use of a self-contained breathing apparatus where the apparatus 

can be switched from a demand to a positive-pressure mode is acceptable 

as long as the apparatus is in the positive-pressure mode when 

performing interior structural fire fighting operations. Also acceptable 

are approved respiratory protective devices which have been converted to 

the positive-pressure type when such modification is accomplished by 

trained and experienced persons using kits or parts approved by NIOSH 

and provided by the manufacturer and by following the manufacturer's 

instructions.

    There are situations which require the use of respirators which have 

a duration of 2 hours or more. Presently, there are no approved 

positive-pressure apparatus with a rated service life of more than 2 

hours. Consequently, negative-pressure self-contained breathing 

apparatus with a rated service life of more than 2 hours and which have 

a minimum protection factor of 5,000 as determined by an acceptable 

quantitative fit test performed on each individual, will be acceptable 

for use during situations which require long duration apparatus. Long 

duration apparatus may be needed in such instances as working in 

tunnels, subway systems, etc. Such negative-pressure breathing apparatus 

will continue to be acceptable for a maximum of 18 months after a 

positive-pressure apparatus with the same or longer rated service life 

of more than 2 hours is certified by NIOSH/MSHA. After this 18 month 

phase-in period, all self-contained breathing apparatus used for these 

long duration situations will have to be of the positive-pressure type.

    Protection factor (sometimes called fit factor) is defined as the 

ratio of the contaminant concentrations outside of the respirator to the 

contaminant concentrations inside the facepiece of the respirator. 

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR25SE06.011





[[Page 512]]





Protection factors are determined by quantitative fit tests. An 

acceptable quantitative fit test should include the following elements:

    1. A fire brigade member who is physically and medically capable of 

wearing respirators, and who is trained in the use of respirators, dons 

a self-contained breathing apparatus equipped with a device that will 

monitor the concentration of a contaminant inside the facepiece.

    2. The fire brigade member then performs a qualitative fit test to 

assure the best face to facepiece seal as possible. A qualitative fit 

test can consist of a negative-pressure test, positive-pressure test, 

isoamyl acetate vapor (banana oil) test, or an irritant smoke test. For 

more details on respirator fitting see the NIOSH booklet entitled ``A 

Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection'' June, 1976, and HEW 

publication No. (NIOSH) 76-189.

    3. The wearer should then perform physical activity which reflects 

the level of work activity which would be expected during fire fighting 

activities. The physical activity should include simulated fire-ground 

work activity or physical exercise such as running-in-place, a step 

test, etc.

    4. Without readjusting the apparatus, the wearer is placed in a test 

atmosphere containing a non-toxic contaminant with a known, constant, 

concentration.

    The protection factor is then determined by dividing the known 

concentration of the contaminant in the test atmosphere by the 

concentration of the contaminant inside the facepiece when the following 

exercises are performed:

    (a) Normal breathing with head motionless for one minute;

    (b) Deep breathing with head motionless for 30 seconds;

    (c) Turning head slowly from side to side while breathing normally, 

pausing for at least two breaths before changing direction. Continue for 

at least one minute;

    (d) Moving head slowly up and down while breathing normally, pausing 

for at least two breaths before changing direction. Continue for at 

least two minutes;

    (e) Reading from a prepared text, slowly and clearly, and loudly 

enough to be heard and understood. Continue for one minute; and

    (f) Normal breathing with head motionless for at least one minute.

    The protection factor which is determined must be at least 5,000. 

The quantitative fit test should be conducted at least three times. It 

is acceptable to conduct all three tests on the same day. However, there 

should be at least one hour between tests to reflect the protection 

afforded by the apparatus during different times of the day.

    The above elements are not meant to be a comprehensive, technical 

description of a quantitative fit test protocol. However, quantitative 

fit test procedures which include these elements are acceptable for 

determining protection factors. Procedures for a quantitative fit test 

are required to be available for inspection by the Assistant Secretary 

or authorized representative.

    Organizations such as Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Lawrence 

Livermore Laboratory, NIOSH, and American National Standards Institute 

(ANSI) are excellent sources for additional information concerning 

qualitative and quantitative fit testing.



               Sec. 1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers.



    1. Scope and application. The scope and application of this section 

is written to apply to three basic types of workplaces. First, there are 

those workplaces where the employer has chosen to evacuate all employees 

from the workplace at the time of a fire emergency. Second, there are 

those workplaces where the employer has chosen to permit certain 

employees to fight fires and to evacuate all other non-essential 

employees at the time of a fire emergency. Third, there are those 

workplaces where the employer has chosen to permit all employees in the 

workplace to use portable fire extinguishers to fight fires.

    The section also addresses two kinds of work areas. The entire 

workplace can be divided into outside (exterior) work areas and inside 

(interior) work areas. This division of the workplace into two areas is 

done in recognition of the different types of hazards employees may be 

exposed to during fire fighting operations. Fires in interior 

workplaces, pose a greater hazard to employees; they can produce greater 

exposure to quantities of smoke, toxic gases, and heat because of the 

capability of a building or structure to contain or entrap these 

products of combustion until the building can be ventilated. Exterior 

work areas, normally open to the environment, are somewhat less 

hazardous, because the products of combustion are generally carried away 

by the thermal column of the fire. Employees also have a greater 

selection of evacuation routes if it is necessary to abandon fire 

fighting efforts.

    In recognition of the degree of hazard present in the two types of 

work areas, the standards for exterior work areas are somewhat less 

restrictive in regards to extinguisher distribution. Paragraph (a) 

explains this by specifying which paragraphs in the section apply.

    2. Portable fire extinguisher exemptions. In recognition of the 

three options given to employers in regard to the amount of employee 

evacuation to be carried out, the standards permit certain exemptions 

based on the number of employees expected to use fire extinguishers.

    Where the employer has chosen to totally evacuate the workplace at 

the time of a fire



[[Page 513]]



emergency and when fire extinguishers are not provided, the requirements 

of this section do not apply to that workplace.

    Where the employer has chosen to partially evacuate the workplace or 

the effected area at the time of a fire emergency and has permitted 

certain designated employees to remain behind to operate critical plant 

operations or to fight fires with extinguishers, then the employer is 

exempt from the distribution requirements of this section. Employees who 

will be remaining behind to perform incipient fire fighting or members 

of a fire brigade must be trained in their duties. The training must 

result in the employees becoming familiar with the locations of fire 

extinguishers. Therefore, the employer must locate the extinguishers in 

convenient locations where the employees know they can be found. For 

example, they could be mounted in the fire truck or cart that the fire 

brigade uses when it responds to a fire emergency. They can also be 

distributed as set forth in the National Fire Protection Association's 

Standard No. 10, ``Portable Fire Extinguishers.''

    Where the employer has decided to permit all employees in the 

workforce to use fire extinguishers, then the entire OSHA section 

applies.

    3. Portable fire extinguisher mounting. Previous standards for 

mounting fire extinguishers have been criticized for requiring specific 

mounting locations. In recognition of this criticism, the standard has 

been rewritten to permit as much flexibility in extinguisher mounting as 

is acceptable to assure that fire extinguishers are available when 

needed and that employees are not subjected to injury hazards when they 

try to obtain an extinguisher.

    It is the intent of OSHA to permit the mounting of extinguishers in 

any location that is accessible to employees without the use of portable 

devices such as a ladder. This limitation is necessary because portable 

devices can be moved or taken from the place where they are needed and, 

therefore, might not be available at the time of an emergency.

    Employers are given as much flexibility as possible to assure that 

employees can obtain extinguishers as fast as possible. For example, an 

acceptable method of mounting extinguishers in areas where fork lift 

trucks or tow-motors are used is to mount the units on retractable 

boards which, by means of counterweighting, can be raised above the 

level where they could be struck by vehicular traffic. When needed, they 

can be lowered quickly for use. This method of mounting can also reduce 

vandalism and unauthorized use of extinguishers. The extinguishers may 

also be mounted as outlined in the National Fire Protection 

Association's Standard No. 10, ``Portable Fire Extinguishers.''

    4. Selection and distribution. The employer is responsible for the 

proper selection and distribution of fire extinguishers and the 

determination of the necessary degree of protection. The selection and 

distribution of fire extinguishers must reflect the type and class of 

fire hazards associated with a particular workplace.

    Extinguishers for protecting Class A hazards may be selected from 

the following types: water, foam, loaded stream, or multipurpose dry 

chemical. Extinguishers for protecting Class B hazards may be selected 

from the following types: Halon 1301, Halon 1211, carbon dioxide, dry 

chemicals, foam, or loaded stream. Extinguishers for Class C hazards may 

be selected from the following types: Halon 1301, Halon 1211, carbon 

dioxide, or dry chemical.

    Combustible metal (Class D hazards) fires pose a different type of 

fire problem in the workplace. Extinguishers using water, gas, or 

certain dry chemicals cannot extinguish or control this type of fire. 

Therefore, certain metals have specific dry powder extinguishing agents 

which can extinguish or control this type of fire. Those agents which 

have been specifically approved for use on certain metal fires provide 

the best protection; however, there are also some ``universal'' type 

agents which can be used effectively on a variety of combustible metal 

fires if necessary. The ``universal'' type agents include: Foundry flux, 

Lith-X powder, TMB liquid, pyromet powder, TEC powder, dry talc, dry 

graphite powder, dry sand, dry sodium chloride, dry soda ash, lithium 

chloride, zirconium silicate, and dry dolomite.

    Water is not generally accepted as an effective extinguishing agent 

for metal fires. When applied to hot burning metal, water will break 

down into its basic atoms of oxygen and hydrogen. This chemical 

breakdown contributes to the combustion of the metal. However, water is 

also a good universal coolant and can be used on some combustible 

metals, but only under proper conditions and application, to reduce the 

temperature of the burning metal below the ignition point. For example, 

automatic deluge systems in magnesium plants can discharge such large 

quantities of water on burning magnesium that the fire will be 

extinguished. The National Fire Protection Association has specific 

standards for this type of automatic sprinkler system. Further 

information on the control of metal fires with water can be found in the 

National Fire Protection Association's Fire Protection Handbook.

    An excellent source of selection and distribution criteria is found 

in the National Fire Protection Association's Standard No. 10. Other 

sources of information include the National Safety Council and the 

employer's fire insurance carrier.



[[Page 514]]



    5. Substitution of standpipe systems for portable fire 

extinguishers. The employer is permitted to substitute acceptable 

standpipe systems for portable fire extinguishers under certain 

circumstances. It is necessary to assure that any substitution will 

provide the same coverage that portable units provide. This means that 

fire hoses, because of their limited portability, must be spaced 

throughout the protected area so that they can reach around obstructions 

such as columns, machinery, etc. and so that they can reach into closets 

and other enclosed areas.

    6. Inspection, maintenance and testing. The ultimate responsibility 

for the inspection, maintenance and testing of portable fire 

extinguishers lies with the employer. The actual inspection, 

maintenance, and testing may, however, be conducted by outside 

contractors with whom the employer has arranged to do the work. When 

contracting for such work, the employer should assure that the 

contractor is capable of performing the work that is needed to comply 

with this standard.

    If the employer should elect to perform the inspection, maintenance, 

and testing requirements of this section in-house, then the employer 

must make sure that those persons doing the work have been trained to do 

the work and to recognize problem areas which could cause an 

extinguisher to be inoperable. The National Fire Protection Association 

provides excellent guidelines in its standard for portable fire 

extinguishers. The employer may also check with the manufacturer of the 

unit that has been purchased and obtain guidelines on inspection, 

maintenance, and testing. Hydrostatic testing is a process that should 

be left to contractors or individuals using suitable facilities and 

having the training necessary to perform the work.

    Anytime the employer has removed an extinguisher from service to be 

checked or repaired, alternate equivalent protection must be provided. 

Alternate equivalent protection could include replacing the extinguisher 

with one or more units having equivalent or equal ratings, posting a 

fire watch, restricting the unprotected area from employee exposure, or 

providing a hose system ready to operate.

    7. Hydrostatic testing. As stated before, the employer may contract 

for hydrostatic testing. However, if the employer wishes to provide the 

testing service, certain equipment and facilities must be available. 

Employees should be made aware of the hazards associated with 

hydrostatic testing and the importance of using proper guards and water 

pressures. Severe injury can result if extinguisher shells fail 

violently under hydrostatic pressure.

    Employers are encouraged to use contractors who can perform adequate 

and reliable service. Firms which have been certified by the Materials 

Transportation Board (MTB) of the U.S. Department of Transportation 

(DOT) or State licensed extinguisher servicing firms or recognized by 

the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors in Chicago, 

Illinois, are generally acceptable for performing this service.

    8. Training and education. This part of the standard is of the 

utmost importance to employers and employees if the risk of injury or 

death due to extinguisher use is to be reduced. If an employer is going 

to permit an employee to fight a workplace fire of any size, the 

employer must make sure that the employee knows everything necessary to 

assure the employee's safety.

    Training and education can be obtained through many channels. Often, 

local fire departments in larger cities have fire prevention bureaus or 

similar organizations which can provide basic fire prevention training 

programs. Fire insurance companies will have data and information 

available. The National Fire Protection Association and the National 

Safety Council will provide, at a small cost, publications that can be 

used in a fire prevention program.

    Actual fire fighting training can be obtained from various sources 

in the country. The Texas A & M University, the University of Maryland's 

Fire and Rescue Institute, West Virginia University's Fire Service 

Extension, Iowa State University's Fire Service Extension and other 

State training schools and land grant colleges have fire fighting 

programs directed to industrial applications. Some manufacturers of 

extinguishers, such as the Ansul Company and Safety First, conduct fire 

schools for customers in the proper use of extinguishers. Several large 

corporations have taken time to develop their own on-site training 

programs which expose employees to the actual ``feeling'' of fire 

fighting. Simulated fires for training of employees in the proper use of 

extinguishers are also an acceptable part of a training program.

    In meeting the requirements of this section, the employer may also 

provide educational materials, without classroom instruction, through 

the use of employee notice campaigns using instruction sheets or flyers 

or similar types of informal programs. The employer must make sure that 

employees are trained and educated to recognize not only what type of 

fire is being fought and how to fight it, but also when it is time to 

get away from it and leave fire suppression to more experienced fire 

fighters.



               Sec. 1910.158 Standpipe and hose systems.



    1. Scope and application. This section has been written to provide 

adequate coverage of those standpipe and hose systems that an employer 

may install in the workplace to meet the requirements of a particular 

OSHA standard. For example, OSHA permits the substitution of hose 

systems for portable fire



[[Page 515]]



extinguishers in Sec. 1910.157. If an employer chooses to provide hose 

systems instead of portable Class A fire extinguishers, then those hose 

systems used for substitution would have to meet the applicable 

requirements of Sec. 1910.157. All other standpipe and hose systems not 

used as a substitute would be exempt from these requirements.

    The section specifically exempts Class I large hose systems. By 

large hose systems, OSHA means those 2\1/2\<gr-thn-eq> (6.3 cm) hose 

lines that are usually associated with fire departments of the size that 

provide their own water supply through fire apparatus. When the fire 

gets to the size that outside protection of that degree is necessary, 

OSHA believes that in most industries employees will have been evacuated 

from the fire area and the ``professional'' fire fighters will take 

control.

    2. Protection of standpipes. Employers must make sure that 

standpipes are protected so that they can be relied upon during a fire 

emergency. This means protecting the pipes from mechanical and physical 

damage. There are various means for protecting the equipment such as, 

but not limited to, enclosing the supply piping in the construction of 

the building, locating the standpipe in an area which is inaccessible to 

vehicles, or locating the standpipe in a stairwell.

    3. Hose covers and cabinets. The employer should keep fire 

protection hose equipment in cabinets or inside protective covers which 

will protect it from the weather elements, dirt or other damaging 

sources. The use of protective covers must be easily removed or opened 

to assure that hose and nozzle are accessible. When the employer places 

hose in a cabinet, the employer must make sure that the hose and nozzle 

are accessible to employees without subjecting them to injury. In order 

to make sure that the equipment is readily accessible, the employer must 

also make sure that the cabinets used to store equipment are kept free 

of obstructions and other equipment which may interfere with the fast 

distribution of the fire hose stored in the cabinet.

    4. Hose outlets and connections. The employer must assure that 

employees who use standpipe and hose systems can reach the hose rack and 

hose valve without the use of portable equipment such as ladders. Hose 

reels are encouraged for use because one employee can retrieve the hose, 

charge it, and place it into service without much difficulty.

    5. Hose. When the employer elects to provide small hose in lieu of 

portable fire extinguishers, those hose stations being used for the 

substitution must have hose attached and ready for service. However, if 

more than the necessary amount of small hose outlets are provided, hose 

does not have to be attached to those outlets that would provide 

redundant coverage. Further, where the installation of hose on outlets 

may expose the hose to extremely cold climates, the employer may store 

the hose in houses or similar protective areas and connect it to the 

outlet when needed.

    There is approved lined hose available that can be used to replace 

unlined hose which is stored on racks in cabinets. The lined hose is 

constructed so that it can be folded and placed in cabinets in the same 

manner as unlined hose.

    Hose is considered to be unserviceable when it deteriorates to the 

extent that it can no longer carry water at the required pressure and 

flow rates. Dry rotted linen or hemp hose, cross threaded couplings, and 

punctured hose are examples of unserviceable hose.

    6. Nozzles. Variable stream nozzles can provide useful variations in 

water flow and spray patterns during fire fighting operations and they 

are recommended for employee use. It is recommended that 100 psi 

(700kPa) nozzle pressure be used to provide good flow patterns for 

variable stream nozzles. The most desirable attribute for nozzles is the 

ability of the nozzle person to shut off the water flow at the nozzle 

when it is necessary. This can be accomplished in many ways. For 

example, a shut-off nozzle with a lever or rotation of the nozzle to 

stop flow would be effective, but in other cases a simple globe valve 

placed between a straight stream nozzle and the hose could serve the 

same purpose. For straight stream nozzles 50 psi nozzle pressure is 

recommended. The intent of this standard is to protect the employee from 

``run-away'' hoses if it becomes necessary to drop a pressurized hose 

line and retreat from the fire front and other related hazards.

    7. Design and installation. Standpipe and hose systems designed and 

installed in accordance with NFPA Standard No. 14, ``Standpipe and Hose 

Systems,'' are considered to be in compliance with this standard.



               Sec. 1910.159 Automatic sprinkler systems.



    1. Scope and application. This section contains the minimum 

requirements for design, installation and maintenance of sprinkler 

systems that are needed for employee safety. The Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration is aware of the fact that the National Board of 

Fire Underwriters is no longer an active organization, however, 

sprinkler systems still exist that were designed and installed in 

accordance with that organization's standards. Therefore, OSHA will 

recognize sprinkler systems designed to, and maintained in accordance 

with, NBFU and earlier NFPA standards.

    2. Exemptions. In an effort to assure that employers will continue 

to use automatic sprinkler systems as the primary fire protection system 

in workplaces, OSHA is exempting from coverage those systems not 

required by a particular OSHA standard and



[[Page 516]]



which have been installed in workplaces solely for the purpose of 

protecting property. Many of these types of systems are installed in 

areas or buildings with little or no employee exposure. An example is 

those warehouses where employees may enter occasionally to take 

inventory or move stock. Some employers may choose to shut down those 

systems which are not specifically required by OSHA rather than upgrade 

them to comply with the standards. OSHA does not intend to regulate such 

systems. OSHA only intends to regulate those systems which are installed 

to comply with a particular OSHA standard.

    3. Design. There are two basic types of sprinkler system design. 

Pipe schedule designed systems are based on pipe schedule tables 

developed to protect hazards with standard sized pipe, number of 

sprinklers, and pipe lengths. Hydraulic designed systems are based on an 

engineered design of pipe size which will produce a given water density 

or flow rate at any particular point in the system. Either design can be 

used to comply with this standard.

    The National Fire Protection Association's Standard No. 13, 

``Automatic Sprinkler Systems,'' contains the tables needed to design 

and install either type of system. Minimum water supplies, densities, 

and pipe sizes are given for all types of occupancies.

    The employer may check with a reputable fire protection engineering 

consultant or sprinkler design company when evaluating existing systems 

or designing a new installation.

    With the advent of new construction materials for the manufacuture 

of sprinkler pipe, materials, other than steel have been approved for 

use as sprinkler pipe. Selection of pipe material should be made on the 

basis of the type of installation and the acceptability of the material 

to local fire and building officials where such systems may serve more 

than one purpose.

    Before new sprinkler systems are placed into service, an acceptance 

test is to be conducted. The employer should invite the installer, 

designer, insurance representative, and a local fire official to witness 

the test. Problems found during the test are to be corrected before the 

system is placed into service.

    4. Maintenance. It is important that any sprinkler system 

maintenance be done only when there is minimal employee exposure to the 

fire hazard. For example, if repairs or changes to the system are to be 

made, they should be made during those hours when employees are not 

working or are not occupying that portion of the workplace protected by 

the portion of the system which has been shut down.

    The procedures for performing a flow test via a main drain test or 

by the use of an inspector's test valve can be obtained from the 

employer's fire insurance company or from the National Fire Protection 

Association's Standard No. 13A, ``Sprinkler System, Maintenance.''

    5. Water supplies. The water supply to a sprinkler system is one of 

the most important factors an employer should consider when evaluationg 

a system. Obviously, if there is no water supply, the system is useless. 

Water supplies can be lost for various reasons such as improperly closed 

valves, excessive demand, broken water mains, and broken fire pumps. The 

employer must be able to determine if or when this type of condition 

exists either by performing a main drain test or visual inspection. 

Another problem may be an inadequate water supply. For example, a light 

hazard occupancy may, through rehabilitation or change in tenants, 

become an ordinary or high hazard occupancy. In such cases, the existing 

water supply may not be able to provide the pressure or duration 

necessary for proper protection. Employers must assure that proper 

design and tests have been made to assure an adequate water supply. 

These tests can be arranged through the employer's fire insurance 

carrier or through a local sprinkler maintenance company or through the 

local fire prevention organization.

    Anytime the employer must shut down the primary water supply for a 

sprinkler system, the standard requires that equivalent protection be 

provided. Equivalent protection may include a fire watch with 

extinguishers or hose lines in place and manned, or a secondary water 

supply such as a tank truck and pump, or a tank or fire pond with fire 

pumps, to protect the areas where the primary water supply is limited or 

shut down. The employer may also require evacuation of the workplace and 

have an emergency action plan which specifies such action.

    6. Protection of piping. Piping which is exposed to corrosive 

atmospheres, either chemical or natural, can become defective to the 

extent that it is useless. Employers must assure that piping is 

protected from corrosion by its material of construction, e.g., 

stainless steel, or by a protective coating, e.g., paint.

    7. Sprinklers. When an employer finds it necessary to replace 

sprinkler system components or otherwise change a sprinkler's design, 

employer should make a complete fire protection engineering survey of 

that part of the system being changed. This review should assure that 

the changes to the system will not alter the effectiveness of the system 

as it is presently designed. Water supplies, densities and flow 

characteristics should be maintained.

    8. Protection of sprinklers. All components of the system must be 

protected from mechanical impact damage. This can be achieved with the 

use of mechanical guards or screens



[[Page 517]]



or by locating components in areas where physical contact is impossible 

or limited.

    9. Sprinkler alarms. The most recognized sprinkler alarm is the 

water motor gong or bell that sounds when water begins to flow through 

the system. This is not however, the only type of acceptable water flow 

alarm. Any alarm that gives an indication that water is flowing through 

the system is acceptable. For example, a siren, a whistle, a flashing 

light, or similar alerting device which can transmit a signal to the 

necessary persons would be acceptable. The purpose of the alarm is to 

alert persons that the system is operating, and that some type of 

planned action is necessary.

    10. Sprinkler spacing. For a sprinkler system to be effective there 

must be an adequate discharge of water spray from the sprinkler head. 

Any obstructions which hinder the designed density or spray pattern of 

the water may create unprotected areas which can cause fire to spread. 

There are some sprinklers that, because of the system's design, are 

deflected to specific areas. This type of obstruction is acceptable if 

the system's design takes it into consideration in providing adequate 

coverage.



          Sec. 1910.160 Fixed extinguishing systems, general.



    1. Scope and application. This section contains the general 

requirements that are applicable to all fixed extinguishing systems 

installed to meet OSHA standards. It also applies to those fixed 

extinguishing systems, generally total flooding, which are not required 

by OSHA, but which, because of the agent's discharge, may expose 

employees to hazardous concentrations of extinguishing agents or 

combustion by-products. Employees who work around fixed extinguishing 

systems must be warned of the possible hazards associated with the 

system and its agent. For example, fixed dry chemical extinguishing 

systems may generate a large enough cloud of dry chemical particles that 

employees may become visually disoriented. Certain gaseous agents can 

expose employees to hazardous by-products of combustion when the agent 

comes into contact with hot metal or other hot surface. Some gaseous 

agents may be present in hazardous concentrations when the system has 

totally discharged because an extra rich concentration is necessary to 

extinguish deep-seated fires. Certain local application systems may be 

designed to discharge onto the flaming surface of a liquid, and it is 

possible that the liquid can splatter when hit with the discharging 

agent. All of these hazards must be determined before the system is 

placed into operation, and must be discussed with employees.

    Based on the known toxicological effects of agents such as carbon 

tetrachloride and chlorobromomethane, OSHA is not permitting the use of 

these agents in areas where employees can be exposed to the agent or its 

side effects. However, chlorobromomethane has been accepted and may be 

used as an explosion suppression agent in unoccupied spaces. OSHA is 

permitting the use of this agent only in areas where employees will not 

be exposed.

    2. Distinctive alarm signals. A distinctive alarm signal is required 

to indicate that a fixed system is discharging. Such a signal is 

necessary on those systems where it is not immediately apparent that the 

system is discharging. For example, certain gaseous agents make a loud 

noise when they discharge. In this case no alarm signal is necessary. 

However, where systems are located in remote locations or away from the 

general work area and where it is possible that a system could discharge 

without anyone knowing that it is doing so, then a distinctive alarm is 

necessary to warn employees of the hazards that may exist. The alarm can 

be a bell, gong, whistle, horn, flashing light, or any combination of 

signals as long as it is identifiable as a discharge alarm.

    3. Maintenance. The employer is responsible for the maintenance of 

all fixed systems, but this responsibility does not preclude the use of 

outside contractors to do such work. New systems should be subjected to 

an acceptance test before placed in service. The employer should invite 

the installer, designer, insurance representative and others to witness 

the test. Problems found during the test need to be corrected before the 

system is considered operational.

    4. Manual discharge stations. There are instances, such as for 

mechanical reasons and others, where the standards call for a manual 

back-up activation device. While the location of this device is not 

specified in the standard, the employer should assume that the device 

should be located where employees can easily reach it. It could, for 

example, be located along the main means of egress from the protected 

area so that employees could activate the system as they evacuate the 

work area.

    5. Personal protective equipment. The employer is required to 

provide the necessary personal protective equipment to rescue employees 

who may be trapped in a totally flooded environment which may be 

hazardous to their health. This equipment would normally include a 

positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus and any necessary 

first aid equipment. In cases where the employer can assure the prompt 

arrival of the local fire department or plant emergency personnel which 

can provide the equipment, this can be considered as complying with the 

standards.



        Sec. 1910.161 Fixed extinguishing systems, dry chemical.



    1. Scope and application. The requirements of this section apply 

only to dry chemical systems. These requirements are to be used



[[Page 518]]



in conjunction with the requirements of Sec. 1910.160.

    2. Maintenance. The employer is responsible for assuring that dry 

chemical systems will operate effectively. To do this, periodic 

maintenance is necessary. One test that must be conducted during the 

maintenance check is one which will determine if the agent has remained 

free of moisture. If an agent absorbs any moisture, it may tend to cake 

and thereby clog the system. An easy test for acceptable moisture 

content is to take a lump of dry chemical from the container and drop it 

from a height of four inches. If the lump crumbles into fine particles, 

the agent is acceptable.



       Sec. 1910.162 Fixed extinguishing systems, gaseous agent.



    1. Scope and application. This section applies only to those systems 

which use gaseous agents. The requirements of Sec. 1910.160 also apply 

to the gaseous agent systems covered in this section.

    2. Design concentrations. Total flooding gaseous systems are based 

on the volume of gas which must be discharged in order to produce a 

certain designed concentration of gas in an enclosed area. The 

concentration needed to extinguish a fire depends on several factors 

including the type of fire hazard and the amount of gas expected to leak 

away from the area during discharge. At times it is necessary to 

``super-saturate'' a work area to provide for expected leakage from the 

enclosed area. In such cases, employers must assure that the flooded 

area has been ventilated before employees are permitted to reenter the 

work area without protective clothing and respirators.

    3. Toxic decomposition. Certain halogenated hydrocarbons will break 

down or decompose when they are combined with high temperatures found in 

the fire environment. The products of the decomposition can include 

toxic elements or compounds. For example, when Halon 1211 is placed into 

contact with hot metal it will break down and form bromide or fluoride 

fumes. The employer must find out which toxic products may result from 

decomposition of a particular agent from the manufacturer, and take the 

necessary precautions to prevent employee exposure to the hazard.



    Sec. 1910.163 Fixed extinguishing systems, water spray and foam.



    1. Scope and application. This section applies to those systems that 

use water spray or foam. The requirements of Sec. 1910.160 also apply 

to this type of system.

    2. Characteristics of foams. When selecting the type of foam for a 

specific hazard, the employer should consider the following limitations 

of some foams.

    a. Some foams are not acceptable for use on fires involving 

flammable gases and liquefied gases with boiling points below ambient 

workplace temperatures. Other foams are not effective when used on fires 

involving polar solvent liquids.

    b. Any agent using water as part of the mixture should not be used 

on fire involving combustible metals unless it is applied under proper 

conditions to reduce the temperature of burning metal below the ignition 

temperature. The employer should use only those foams that have been 

tested and accepted for this application by a recognized independent 

testing laboratory.

    c. Certain types of foams may be incompatible and break down when 

they are mixed together.

    d. For fires involving water miscible solvents, employers should use 

only those foams tested and approved for such use. Regular protein foams 

may not be effective on such solvents.

    Whenever employers provide a foam or water spray system, drainage 

facilities must be provided to carry contaminated water or foam overflow 

away from the employee work areas and egress routes. This drainage 

system should drain to a central impounding area where it can be 

collected and disposed of properly. Other government agencies may have 

regulations concerning environmental considerations.



                 Sec. 1910.164 Fire detection systems.



    1. Installation and restoration. Fire detection systems must be 

designed by knowledgeable engineers or other professionals, with 

expertise in fire detection systems and when the systems are installed, 

there should be an acceptance test performed on the system to insure it 

operates properly. The manufacturer's recommendations for system design 

should be consulted. While entire systems may not be approved, each 

component used in the system is required to be approved. Custom fire 

detection systems should be designed by knowledgeable fire protection or 

electrical engineers who are familiar with the workplace hazards and 

conditions. Some systems may only have one or two individual detectors 

for a small workplace, but good design and installation is still 

important. An acceptance test should be performed on all systems, 

including these smaller systems.

    OSHA has a requirement that spare components used to replace those 

which may be destroyed during an alarm situation be available in 

sufficient quantities and locations for prompt restoration of the 

system. This does not mean that the parts or components have to be 

stored at the workplace. If the employer can assure that the supply of 

parts is available in the local community or the general metropolitan 

area of the workplace,



[[Page 519]]



then the requirements for storage and availability have been met. The 

intent is to make sure that the alarm system is fully operational when 

employees are occupying the workplace, and that when the system operates 

it can be returned to full service the next day or sooner.

    2. Supervision. Fire detection systems should be supervised. The 

object of supervision is detection of any failure of the circuitry, and 

the employer should use any method that will assure that the system's 

circuits are operational. Electrically operated sensors for air 

pressure, fluid pressure, or electrical circuits, can provide effective 

monitoring and are the typical types of supervision.

    3. Protection of fire detectors. Fire detectors must be protected 

from corrosion either by protective coatings, by being manufactured from 

non-corrosive materials or by location. Detectors must also be protected 

from mechanical impact damage, either by suitable cages or metal guards 

where such hazards are present, or by locating them above or out of 

contact with materials or equipment which may cause damage.

    4. Number, location, and spacing of detectors. This information can 

be obtained from the approval listing for detectors or NFPA standards. 

It can also be obtained from fire protection engineers or consultants or 

manufacturers of equipment who have access to approval listings and 

design methods.



                 Sec. 1910.165 Employee alarm systems.



    1. Scope and application. This section is intended to apply to 

employee alarm systems used for all types of employee emergencies except 

those which occur so quickly and at such a rapid rate (e.g., explosions) 

that any action by the employee is extremely limited following 

detection.

    In small workplaces with 10 or less employees the alarm system can 

be by direct voice communication (shouting) where any one individual can 

quickly alert all other employees. Radio may be used to transmit alarms 

from remote workplaces where telephone service is not available, 

provided that radio messages will be monitored by emergency services, 

such as fire, police or others, to insure alarms are transmitted and 

received.

    2. Alarm signal alternatives. In recognition of physically impaired 

individuals, OSHA is accepting various methods of giving alarm signals. 

For example, visual, tactile or audible alarm signals are acceptable 

methods for giving alarms to employees. Flashing lights or vibrating 

devices can be used in areas where the employer has hired employees with 

hearing or vision impairments. Vibrating devices, air fans, or other 

tactile devices can be used where visually and hearing impaired 

employees work. Employers are cautioned that certain frequencies of 

flashing lights have been claimed to initiate epileptic seizures in some 

employees and that this fact should be considered when selecting an 

alarm device. Two way radio communications would be most appropriate for 

transmitting emergency alarms in such workplaces which may be remote or 

where telephones may not be available.

    3. Reporting alarms. Employee alarms may require different means of 

reporting, depending on the workplace involved. For example, in small 

workplaces, a simple shout throughout the workplace may be sufficient to 

warn employees of a fire or other emergency. In larger workplaces, more 

sophisticated equipment is necessary so that entire plants or high-rise 

buildings are not evacuated for one small emergency. In remote areas, 

such as pumping plants, radio communication with a central base station 

may be necessary. The goal of this standard is to assure that all 

employees who need to know that an emergency exists can be notified of 

the emergency. The method of transmitting the alarm should reflect the 

situation found at the workplace.

    Personal radio transmitters, worn by an individual, can be used 

where the individual may be working such as in a remote location. Such 

personal radio transmitters shall send a distinct signal and should 

clearly indicate who is having an emergency, the location, and the 

nature of the emergency. All radio transmitters need a feedback system 

to assure that the emergency alarm is sent to the people who can provide 

assistance.

    For multi-story buildings or single story buildings with interior 

walls for subdivisions, the more traditional alarm systems are 

recommended for these types of workplaces. Supervised telephone or 

manual fire alarm or pull box stations with paging systems to transmit 

messages throughout the building is the recommended alarm system. The 

alarm box stations should be available within a travel distance of 200 

feet. Water flow detection on a sprinkler system, fire detection systems 

(guard's supervisory station) or tour signal (watchman's service), or 

other related systems may be part of the overall system. The paging 

system may be used for nonemergency operations provided the emergency 

messages and uses will have precedence over all other uses of the 

system.

    4. Supervision. The requirements for supervising the employee alarm 

system circuitry and power supply may be accomplished in a variety of 

ways. Typically, electrically operated sensors for air pressure, fluid 

pressure, steam pressure, or electrical continuity of circuitry may be 

used to continuously monitor the system to assure it is operational and 

to identify trouble in the system and give a warning signal.



[45 FR 60715, Sept. 12, 1980; 46 FR 24557, May 1, 1981]



[[Page 520]]



   Appendix B to Subpart L of Part 1910--National Consensus Standards



    The following table contains a cross-reference listing of those 

current national consensus standards which contains information and 

guidelines that would be considered acceptable in complying with 

requirements in the specific sections of subpart L.



------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Subpart L section               National consensus standard

------------------------------------------------------------------------

1910.156................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 1972; Structural

                                           Fire Fighter's Helmets.

                                          ANSI Z88.5 American National

                                           Standard, Practice for

                                           Respirator Protection for the

                                           Fire Service.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 1971, Protective

                                           Clothing for Structural Fire

                                           Fighters.

                                          NFPA No. 1041, Fire Service

                                           Instructor Professional

                                           Qualifications.

1910.157................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 10, Portable

                                           Fire Extinguishers.

1910.158................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 18, Wetting

                                           Agents.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 20, Centrifugal

                                           Fire Pumps.

                                          NFPA No. 21, Steam Fire Pumps.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 22, Water Tanks.

                                          NFPA No. 24, Outside

                                           Protection.

                                          NFPA No. 26, Supervision of

                                           Valves.

                                          NFPA No. 13E, Fire Department

                                           Operations in Properties

                                           Protected by Sprinkler,

                                           Standpipe Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 194, Fire Hose

                                           Connections.

                                          NFPA No. 197, Initial Fire

                                           Attack, Training for.

                                          NFPA No. 1231, Water Supplies

                                           for Suburban and Rural Fire

                                           Fighting.

1910.159................................  ANSI-NFPA No. 13, Sprinkler

                                           Systems.

                                          NFPA No. 13A, Sprinkler

                                           Systems, Maintenance.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 18, Wetting

                                           Agents.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 20, Centrifugal

                                           Fire Pumps.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 22, Water Tanks.

                                          NFPA No. 24, Outside

                                           Protection.

                                          NFPA No. 26, Supervision of

                                           Valves.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72B, Auxiliary

                                           Signaling Systems.

                                          NFPA No. 1231, Water Supplies

                                           for Suburban and Rural Fire

                                           Fighting.

1910.160................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 11, Foam

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA 11A, High Expansion

                                           Foam Extinguishing Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 11B, Synthetic

                                           Foam and Combined Agent

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 12, Carbon

                                           Dioxide Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 12A, Halon 1301

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 12B, Halon 1211

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 15, Water Spray

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA 16 Foam-Water Spray

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 17, Dry Chemical

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA 69, Explosion

                                           Suppression Systems.

1910.161................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 11B, Synthetic

                                           Foam and Combined Agent

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 17, Dry Chemical

                                           Systems.

1910.162................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 12, Carbon

                                           Dioxide Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 12A, Halon 1211

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 12B, Halon 1301

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 69, Explosion

                                           Suppression Systems.

1910.163................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 11, Foam

                                           Extinguishing Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 11A, High

                                           Expansion Foam Extinguishing

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 11B, Synthetic

                                           Foam and Combined Agent

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 15, Water Spray

                                           Fixed Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 16, Foam-Water

                                           Spray Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 18, Wetting

                                           Agents.

                                          NFPA No. 26, Supervision of

                                           Valves.

1910.164................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 71, Central

                                           Station Signaling Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72A, Local

                                           Protective Signaling Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72B, Auxiliary

                                           Signaling Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72D, Proprietary

                                           Protective Signaling Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72E, Automatic

                                           Fire Detectors.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 101, Life Safety

                                           Code.

1910.165................................  ANSI/NFPA No. 71, Central

                                           Station Signaling Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72A, Local

                                           Protective Signaling Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72B, Auxiliary

                                           Protective Signaling Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72C, Remote

                                           Station Protective Signaling

                                           Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 72D, Proprietary

                                           Protective Signaling Systems.

                                          ANSI/NFPA No. 101, Life Safety

                                           Code.

Metric Conversion.......................  ANSI/ASTM No. E380, American

                                           National Standard for Metric

                                           Practice.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NFPA standards are available from the National Fire Protection

  Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

ANSI Standards are available from the American National Standards

  Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.





[45 FR 60715, Sept. 12, 1980, as amended at 58 FR 35309, June 30, 1993]



  Appendix C to Subpart L of Part 1910--Fire Protection References For 

                           Further Information



    I. Appendix general references. The following references provide 

information which can be helpful in understanding the requirements 

contained in all of the sections of subpart L:

    A. Fire Protection Handbook, National Fire Protection Association, 

Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

    B. Accident Prevention Manual for Industrial Operations, National 

Safety Council; 425 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.



[[Page 521]]



    C. Various associations also publish information which may be useful 

in understanding these standards. Examples of these associations are: 

Fire Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) of Arlington, VA 22204 

and the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) of 

Chicago, IL 60601.

    II. Appendix references applicable to individual sections. The 

following references are grouped according to individual sections 

contained in subpart L. These references provide information which may 

be helpful in understanding and implementing the standards of each 

section of subpart L.

    A. Sec. 1910.156. Fire brigades:

    1. Private Fire Brigades, NFPA 27; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    2. Initial Fire Attack, Training Standard On, NFPA 197; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    3. Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, NFPA 1001; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    4. Organization for Fire Services, NFPA 1201; National Fire 

Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    5. Organization of a Fire Department, NFPA 1202; National Fire 

Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    6. Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting, ANSI/NFPA 1971; 

.

    7. American National Standard for Men's Safety-Toe Footwear, ANSI 

Z41.1; American National Standards Institute, New York, NY 10018.

    8. American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye 

and Face Protection, ANSI Z87.1; American National Standards Institute, 

New York, NY 10018.

    9. American National Standard, Safety Requirements for Industrial 

Head Protection, ANSI Z89.1; American National Standards Institute, New 

York, NY 10018.

    10. Specifications for Protective Headgear for Vehicular Users, ANSI 

Z90.1; American National Standards Institute, New York, NY 10018.

    11. Testing Physical Fitness; Davis and Santa Maria. Fire Command. 

April 1975.

    12. Development of a Job-Related Physical Performance Examination 

for Fire Fighters; Dotson and Others. A summary report for the National 

Fire Prevention and Control Administration. Washington, DC. March 1977.

    13. Proposed Sample Standards for Fire Fighters' Protective Clothing 

and Equipment; International Association of Fire Fighters, Washington, 

DC.

    14. A Study of Facepiece Leakage of Self-Contained Breathing 

Apparatus by DOP Man Tests; Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los 

Alamos, NM.

    15. The Development of Criteria for Fire Fighters' Gloves; Vol. II: 

Glove Criteria and Test Methods; National Institute for Occupational 

Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH. 1976.

    16. Model Performance Criteria for Structural Fire Fighters' 

Helmets; National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, 

Washington, DC. 1977.

    17. Firefighters; Job Safety and Health Magazine, Occupational 

Safety and Health Administration, Washington, DC. June 1978.

    18. Eating Smoke--The Dispensable Diet; Utech, H.P. The Fire 

Independent, 1975.

    19. Project Monoxide--A Medical Study of an Occupational Hazard of 

Fire Fighters; International Association of Fire Fighters, Washington, 

DC.

    20. Occupational Exposures to Carbon Monoxide in Baltimore 

Firefighters; Radford and Levine. Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 

MD. Journal of Occupational Medicine, September, 1976.

    21. Fire Brigades; National Safety Council, Chicago, IL. 1966.

    22. American National Standard, Practice for Respiratory Protection 

for the Fire Service; ANSI Z88.5; American National Standards Institute, 

New York, NY 10018.

    23. Respirator Studies for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; 

October 1, 1977--September 30, 1978. Evaluation and Performance of Open 

Circuit Breathing Apparatus. NU REG/CR-1235. Los Alamos Scientific 

Laboratory; Los Alamos, NM. 87545, January, 1980.

    B. Sec. 1910.157. Portable fire extinguishers:

    1. Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, ANSI/NFPA 10; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269

    2. Methods for Hydrostatic Testing of Compressed Gas Cylinders, C-1; 

Compressed Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 

22202.

    3. Recommendations for the Disposition of Unserviceable Compressed 

Gas Cylinders, C-2; Compressed Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis 

Highway, Arlington, VA 22202.

    4. Standard for Visual Inspection of Compressed Gas Cylinders, C-6; 

Compressed Gas Association, 1235 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 

22202.

    5. Portable Fire Extinguisher Selection Guide, National Association 

of Fire Equipment Distributors; 111 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 

60601.

    C. Sec. 1910.158. Standpipe and hose systems:

    1. Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, ANSI/NFPA 13; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    2. Standard of the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, ANSI/

NFPA 14; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, 

Quincy, MA 02269.

    3. Standard for the Installation of Centrifugal Fire Pumps, ANSI/

NFPA 20; National Fire



[[Page 522]]



Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

    4. Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection, ANSI/NFPA 

22; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    5. Standard for Screw Threads and Gaskets for Fire Hose Connections, 

ANSI/NFPA 194; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, 

Quincy, MA 02269 .

    6. Standard for Fire Hose, NFPA 196; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

    7. Standard for the Care of Fire Hose, NFPA 198; National Fire 

Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

    D. Sec. 1910.159. Automatic sprinkler systems:

    1. Standard of the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, ANSI-NFPA 13; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    2. Standard for the Care and Maintenance of Sprinkler Systems, ANSI/

NFPA 13A; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, 

Quincy, MA 02269.

    3. Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 

ANSI/NFPA 14; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, 

Quincy, MA 02269.

    4. Standard for the Installation of Centrifugal Fire Pumps, ANSI/

NFPA 20; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, 

Quincy, MA 02269 .

    5. Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection, ANSI-NFPA 

22; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    6. Standard for Indoor General Storage, ANSI/NFPA 231; National Fire 

Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

    7. Standard for Rack Storage of Materials, ANSI/NFPA 231C; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

    E. Sec. 1910.160. Fixed extinguishing systems--general information:

    1. Standard for Foam Extinguishing Systems, ANSI-NFPA 11; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    2. Standard for Hi-Expansion Foam Systems, ANSI/NFPA 11A; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    3. Standard on Synthetic Foam and Combined Agent Systems, ANSI/NFPA 

11B; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    4. Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems, ANSI/NFPA 12; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269 .

    5. Standard on Halon 1301, ANSI/NFPA 12A; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

    6. Standard on Halon 1211, ANSI/NFPA 12B; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    7. Standard for Water Spray Systems, ANSI/NFPA 15; National Fire 

Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    8. Standard for Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems and Foam-Water Spray 

Systems, ANSI/NFPA 16; National Fire Protection Association, National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269

    9. Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems, ANSI/NFPA 17; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    F. Sec. 1910.161. Fixed extinguishing systems--dry chemical:

    1. Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems, ANSI/NFPA 17; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    2. National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269.

    3. Standard for the Installation of Equipment for the Removal of 

Smoke and Grease-Laden Vapor from Commercial Cooking Equipment, NFPA 96; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    G. Sec. 1910.162. Fixed extinguishing systems--gaseous agents:

    1. Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems, ANSI/NFPA 12; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269 .

    2. Standard on Halon 1301, ANSI/NFPA 12B; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    3. Standard on Halon 1211, ANSI/NFPA 12B; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    4. Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems, ANSI/NFPA 69; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    5. National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    6. Standard on Automatic Fire Detectors, ANSI/NFPA 72E; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    7. Determination of Halon 1301/1211 Threshold Extinguishing 

Concentrations Using the Cup Burner Method; Riley and Olson, Ansul 

Report AL-530-A.

    H. Sec. 1910.163. Fixed extinguishing systems--water spray and foam 

agents:

    1. Standard for Foam Extinguisher Systems, ANSI/NFPA 11; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    2. Standard for High Expansion Foam Systems, ANSI/NFPA 11A; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .



[[Page 523]]



    3. Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection, ANSI/

NFPA 15; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, 

Quincy, MA 02269 .

    4. Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems and 

Foam-Water Spray Systems, ANSI/NFPA 16; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    I. Sec. 1910.164. Fire Detection systems:

    1. National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    2. Standard for Central Station Signaling Systems, ANSI/NFPA 71; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269 .

    3. Standard on Automatic Fire Detectors, ANSI/NFPA 72E; National 

Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    J. Sec. 1910.165. Employee alarm systems:

    1. National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70; National Fire Protection 

Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 .

    2. Standard for Central Station Signaling systems, ANSI/NFPA 71; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    3. Standard for Local Protective Signaling Systems, ANSI/NFPA 72A; 

National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    4. Standard for Auxiliary Protective Signaling Systems, ANSI/NFPA 

72B; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    5. Standard for Remote Station Protective Signaling Systems, ANSI/

NFPA 72C; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, 

Quincy, MA 02269 .

    6. Standard for Proprietary Protective Signaling Systems, ANSI/NFPA 

72D; National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 

02269.

    7. Vocal Emergency Alarms in Hospitals and Nursing Facilities: 

Practice and Potential. National Bureau of Standards. Washington, D.C., 

July 1977.

    8. Fire Alarm and Communication Systems. National Bureau of 

Standards. Washington, D.C., April 1978.



[45 FR 60715, Sept. 12, 1980, as amended at 58 FR 35309, June 30, 1993]



   Appendix D to Subpart L of Part 1910--Availability of Publications 

       Incorporated by Reference in Section 1910.156 Fire Brigades



    The final standard for fire brigades, Section 1910.156, contains 

provisions which incorporate certain publications by reference. The 

publications provide criteria and test methods for protective clothing 

worn by those fire brigade members who are expected to perform interior 

structural fire fighting. The standard references the publications as 

the chief sources of information for determining if the protective 

clothing affords the required level of protection.

    It is appropriate to note that the final standard does not require 

employers to purchase a copy of the referenced publications. Instead, 

employers can specify (in purchase orders to the manufacturers) that the 

protective clothing meet the criteria and test methods contained in the 

referenced publications and can rely on the manufacturers' assurances of 

compliance. Employers, however, may desire to obtain a copy of the 

referenced publications for their own information.

    The paragraph designation of the standard where the referenced 

publications appear, the title of the publications, and the availablity 

of the publications are as follows:



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Paragraph designation                 Referenced publication                  Available from

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1910.156(e)(3)(ii)......................  ``Protective Clothing for           National Fire Protection

                                           Structural Fire Fighting,'' NFPA    Association, Batterymarch Park,

                                           No. 1971 (1975).                    Quincy, MA 02269.

1910.156(e)(4)(i).......................  ``Development of Criteria for Fire  U.S. Government Printing Office,

                                           Fighter's Gloves; Vol. II, Part     Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock No.

                                           II: Test Methods'' (1976).          for Vol. II is: 071-033-0201-1.

1910.156(e)(5)(i).......................  ``Model Performance Criteria for    U.S. Fire Administration, National

                                           Structural Firefighter's            Fire Safety and Research Office,

                                           Helmets'' (1977).                   Washington, D.C. 20230.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



    The referenced publications (or a microfiche of the publications) 

are available for review at many universities and public libraries 

throughout the country. These publications may also be examined at the 

OSHA Technical Data Center, Room N2439-Rear, United States Department of 

Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210 (202-219-

7500), or at any OSHA Regional Office (see telephone directories under 

United States Government-Labor Department).



[45 FR 60715, Sept. 12, 1980, as amended at 58 FR 33509, June 30, 1993; 

61 FR 9239, Mar. 7, 1996]



[[Page 524]]



   Appendix E to Subpart L of Part 1910--Test Methods for Protective 

                                Clothing



    This appendix contains test methods which must be used to determine 

if protective clothing affords the required level of protection as 

specified in Sec. 1910.156, fire brigades.

    (1) Puncture resistance test method for foot protection.

    A. Apparatus. The puncture resistance test shall be performed on a 

testing machine having a movable platform adjusted to travel at \1/4\-

inch/min (0.1 cm/sec). Two blocks of hardwood, metal, or plastic shall 

be prepared as follows: the blocks shall be of such size and thickness 

as to insure a suitable rigid test ensemble and allow for at least one-

inch of the pointed end of an 8D nail to be exposed for the penetration. 

One block shall have a hole drilled to hold an 8D common nail firmly at 

an angle of 98[deg]. The second block shall have a maximum \1/2\-inch 

(1.3 cm) diameter hole drilled through it so that the hole will allow 

free passage of the nail after it penetrates the insole during the test.

    B. Procedure. The test ensemble consisting of the sample unit, the 

two prepared blocks, a piece of leather outsole 10 to 11 irons thick, 

and a new 8D nail, shall be placed as follows: the 8D nail in the hole, 

the sample of outsole stock superimposed above the nail, the area of the 

sole plate to be tested placed on the outsole, and the second block with 

hole so placed as to allow for free passage of the nail after it passes 

through the outsole stock and sole plate in that order. The machine 

shall be started and the pressure, in pounds required for the nail to 

completely penetrate the outsole and sole plate, recorded to the nearest 

five pounds. Two determinations shall be made on each sole plate and the 

results averaged. A new nail shall be used for each determination.

    C. Source. These test requirements are contained in ``Military 

Specification For Fireman's Boots,'' MIL-B-2885D (1973 and amendment 

dated 1975) and are reproduced for your convenience.

    (2) Test method for determining the strength of cloth by tearing: 

Trapezoid Method.

    A. Test specimen. The specimen shall be a rectangle of cloth 3-

inches by 6-inches (7.6 cm by 15.2 cm). The long dimension shall be 

parallel to the warp for warp tests and parallel to the filling for 

filling tests. No two specimens for warp tests shall contain the same 

warp yarns, nor shall any two specimens for filling tests contain the 

same filling yarns. The specimen shall be taken no nearer the selvage 

than \1/10\ the width of the cloth. An isosceles trapezoid having an 

altitude of 3-inches (7.6 cm) and bases of 1 inch (2.5cm) and 4 inches 

(10.2 cm) in length, respectively, shall be marked on each specimen, 

preferably with the aid of a template. A cut approximately \3/8\-inch (1 

cm) in length shall then be made in the center of a perpendicular to the 

1-inch (2.5 cm) edge.

    B. Apparatus. (i) Six-ounce (.17 kg) weight tension clamps shall be 

used so designed that the six ounces (.17 kg) of weight are distributed 

evenly across the complete width of the sample.

    (ii) The machine shall consist of three main parts: Straining 

mechanism, clamps for holding specimen, and load and elongation 

recording mechanisms.

    (iii) A machine wherein the specimen is held between two clamps and 

strained by a uniform movement of the pulling clamp shall be used.

    (iv) The machine shall be adjusted so that the pulling clamp shall 

have a uniform speed of 12 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq> 10.5 inches per minute 

(0.5<plus-minus<ls-thn-eq> .02 cm/sec).

    (v) The machine shall have two clamps with two jaws on each clamp. 

The design of the two clamps shall be such that one gripping surface or 

jaw may be an integral part of the rigid frame of the clamp or be 

fastened to allow a slight vertical movement, while the other gripping 

surface or jaw shall be completely moveable. The dimension of the 

immovable jaw of each clamp parallel to the application of the load 

shall measure one-inch, and the dimension of the jaw perpendicular to 

this direction shall measure three inches or more. The face of the 

movable jaw of each clamp shall measure one-inch by three inches.

    Each jaw face shall have a flat smooth, gripping surface. All edges 

which might cause a cutting action shall be rounded to a radius of not 

over \1/64\-inch (.04 cm). In cases where a cloth tends to slip when 

being tested, the jaws may be faced with rubber or other material to 

prevent slippage. The distance between the jaws (gage length) shall be 

one-inch at the start of the test.

    (vi) Calibrated dial; scale or chart shall be used to indicate 

applied load and elongation. The machine shall be adjusted or set, so 

that the maximum load required to break the specimen will remain 

indicated on the calibrated dial or scale after the test specimen has 

ruptured.

    (vii) The machine shall be of such capacity that the maximum load 

required to break the specimen shall be not greater than 85 percent or 

less than 15 percent of the rated capacity.

    (viii) The error of the machine shall not exceed 2 percent up to and 

including a 50-pound load (22.6 kg) and 1 percent over a 50-pound load 

(22.6 kg) at any reading within its loading range.

    (ix) All machine attachments for determining maximum loads shall be 

disengaged during this test.

    C. Procedure. (i) The specimen shall be clamped in the machine along 

the nonparallel sides of the trapezoid so that these sides lie along the 

lower edge of the upper clamp and the upper edge of the lower clamp with



[[Page 525]]



the cut halfway between the clamps. The short trapezoid base shall be 

held taut and the long trapezoid base shall lie in the folds.

    (ii) The machine shall be started and the force necessary to tear 

the cloth shall be observed by means of an autographic recording device. 

The speed of the pulling clamp shall be 12 inches <plus-

minus<ls-thn-eq>0.5 inch per minute (0.5<plus-minus<ls-thn-eq> .02 cm/

sec).

    (iii) If a specimen slips between the jaws, breaks in or at the 

edges of the jaws, or if for any reason attributable to faulty 

technique, an individual measurement falls markedly below the average 

test results for the sample unit, such result shall be discarded and 

another specimen shall be tested.

    (iv) The tearing strength of the specimen shall be the average of 

the five highest peak loads of resistance registered for 3 inches (7.6 

cm) of separation of the tear.

    D. Report. (i) Five specimens in each of the warp and filling 

directions shall be tested from each sample unit.

    (ii) The tearing strength of the sample unit shall be the average of 

the results obtained from the specimens tested in each of the warp and 

filling directions and shall be reported separately to the nearest 0.1-

pound (.05 kg).

    E. Source. These test requirements are contained in ``Federal Test 

Method Standard 191, Method 5136'' and are reproduced for your 

convenience.

    (3) Test method for determining flame resistance of cloth; vertical.

    A. Test specimen. The specimen shall be a rectangle of cloth 2\3/4\ 

inches (7.0 cm) by 12 inches (30.5 cm) with the long dimension parallel 

to either the warp or filling direction of the cloth. No two warp 

specimens shall contain the same warp yarns, and no two filling 

specimens shall contain the same filling yarn.

    B. Number of determinations. Five specimens from each of the warp 

and filling directions shall be tested from each sample unit.

    C. Apparatus. (i) Cabinet. A cabinet and accessories shall be 

fabricated in accordance with the requirements specified in Figures L-1, 

L-2, and L-3. Galvanized sheet metal or other suitable metal shall be 

used. The entire inside back wall of the cabinet shall be painted black 

to facilitate the viewing of the test specimen and pilot flame.

    (ii) Burner. The burner shall be equipped with a variable orifice to 

adjust the flame height, a barrel having a \3/8\-inch (1 cm) inside 

diameter and a pilot light.

    (a) The burner may be constructed by combining a \3/8\-inch (1 cm) 

inside diameter barrel 3 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>\1/4\ inches (7.6 <plus-

minus<ls-thn-eq>.6 cm) long from a fixed orifice burner with a base from 

a variable orifice burner.

    (b) The pilot light tube shall have a diameter of approximately \1/

16\-inch (.2 cm) and shall be spaced \1/8\-inch (.3 cm) away from the 

burner edge with a pilot flame \1/8\-inch (.3 cm) long.

    (c) The necessary gas connections and the applicable plumbing shall 

be as specified in Figure L-4 except that a solenoid valve may be used 

in lieu of the stopcock valve to which the burner is attached. The 

stopcock valve or solenoid valve, whichever is used, shall be capable of 

being fully opened or fully closed in 0.1-second.

    (d) On the side of the barrel of the burner, opposite the pilot 

light there shall be a metal rod of approximately \1/8\-inch (.3 cm) 

diameter spaced \1/2\-inch (1.3 cm) from the barrel and extending above 

the burner. The rod shall have two \5/16\-inch (.8 cm) prongs marking 

the distances of \3/4\-inch (1.9 cm) and 1\1/2\ inches (3.8 cm) above 

the top of the burner.

    (e) The burner shall be fixed in a position so that the center of 

the barrel of the burner is directly below the center of the specimen.

    (iii) There shall be a control valve system with a delivery rate 

designed to furnish gas to the burner under a pressure of 2\1/2\ <plus-

minus<ls-thn-eq>\1/4\ (psi) (17.5 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>1.8 kPa) per 

square inch at the burner inlet (see (g)(3)(vi)(A)). The manufacturer's 

recommended delivery rate for the valve system shall be included in the 

required pressure.

    (iv) A synthetic gas mixture shall be of the following composition 

within the following limits (analyzed at standard conditions): 55 <plus-

minus<ls-thn-eq>3 percent hydrogen, 24 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>1 percent 

methane, 3 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>1 percent ethane, and 18 <plus-

minus<ls-thn-eq>1 percent carbon monoxide which will give a specific 

gravity of 0.365 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>0.018 (air = 1) and a B.T.U. 

content of 540 <plus-minus<ls-thn-eq>20 per cubic foot (20.1 <plus-

minus<ls-thn-eq>3.7 kJ/L)(dry basis) at 69.8 [deg]F (21 [deg]C).

    (v) There shall be metal hooks and weights to produce a series of 

total loads to determine length of char. The metal hooks shall consist 

of No. 19 gage steel wire or equivalent and shall be made from 3-inch 

(7.6 cm) lengths of wire and bent \1/2\-inch (1.3 cm) from one end to a 

45 degree hook. One end of the hook shall be fastened around the neck of 

the weight to be used.

    (vi) There shall be a stop watch or other device to measure the 

burning time to 0.2-second.

    (vii) There shall be a scale, graduated in 0.1 inch (.3 cm) to 

measure the length of char.

    D. Procedure. (i) The material undergoing test shall be evaluated 

for the characteristics of after-flame time and char length on each 

specimen.

    (ii) All specimens to be tested shall be at moisture equilibrium 

under standard atmospheric conditions in accordance with paragraph (3)C 

of this appendix. Each specimen to be tested shall be exposed to the 

test flame within 20 seconds after removal from the standard atmosphere. 

In case of dispute, all testing will be conducted under Standard 

Atmospheric Conditions in accordance with paragraph (3)C of this 

appendix.



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    (iii) The specimen in its holder shall be suspended vertically in 

the cabinet in such a manner that the entire length of the specimen is 

exposed and the lower end is \3/4\-inch (1.9 cm) above the top of the 

gas burner. The apparatus shall be set up in a draft free area.

    (iv) Prior to inserting the specimen, the pilot flame shall be 

adjusted to approximately \1/8\-inch (.3 cm) in height measured from its 

lowest point to the tip.

    The burner flame shall be adjusted by means of the needle valve in 

the base of the burner to give a flame height of 1\1/2\ inches (3.8 cm) 

with the stopcock fully open and the air supply to the burner shut off 

and taped. The 1\1/2\-inch (3.8 cm) flame height is obtained by 

adjusting the valve so that the uppermost portion (tip) of the flame is 

level with the tip of the metal prong (see Figure L-2) specified for 

adjustment of flame height. It is an important aspect of the evaluation 

that the flame height be adjusted with the tip of the flame level with 

the tip of the metal prong. After inserting the specimen, the stopcock 

shall be fully opened, and the burner flame applied vertically at the 

middle of the lower edge of the specimen for 12 seconds and the burner 

turned off. The cabinet door shall remain shut during testing.

    (v) The after-flame shall be the time the specimen continues to 

flame after the burner flame is shut off.

    (vi) After each specimen is removed, the test cabinet shall be 

cleared of fumes and smoke prior to testing the next specimen.

    (vii) After both flaming and glowing have ceased, the char length 

shall be measured. The char length shall be the distance from the end of 

the specimen, which was exposed to the flame, to the end of a tear (made 

lengthwise) of the specimen through the center of the charred area as 

follows: The specimen shall be folded lengthwise and creased by hand 

along a line through the highest peak of the charred area. The hook 

shall be inserted in the specimen (or a hole, \1/4\-inch (.6 cm) 

diameter or less, punched out for the hook) at one side of the charred 

area \1/4\-inch (.6 cm) from the adjacent outside edge and \1/4\-inch 

(.6 cm) in from the lower end. A weight of sufficient size such that the 

weight and hook together shall equal the total tearing load required in 

Table L-2 of this section shall be attached to the hook.

    (viii) A tearing force shall be applied gently to the specimen by 

grasping the corner of the cloth at the opposite edge of the char from 

the load and raising the specimen and weight clear of the supporting 

surface. The end of the tear shall be marked off on the edge and the 

char length measurement made along the undamaged edge.

    Loads for determining char length applicable to the weight of the 

test cloth shall be as shown in Table L-2.



                              Table L-2 \1\

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                           Total tearing

                                                             weight for

Specified weight per square yard of cloth before any fire   determining

          retardant treatment or coating--ounces            the charred

                                                           length--pound

------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.0 to 6.0...............................................          0.25

Over 6.0 to 15.0.........................................          0.50

Over 15.0 to 23.0........................................          0.75

Over 23.0................................................           1.0

------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ To change into S.I. (System International) units, 1 ounce=28.35

  grams, 1 pound=453 grams, 1 yard=.91 metre.



    (ix) The after-flame time of the specimen shall be recorded to the 

nearest 0.2-second and the char length to the nearest 0.1-inch (.3 cm).

    E. Report. (i) The after-flame time and char length of the sample 

unit shall be the average of the results obtained from the individual 

specimens tested. All values obtained from the individual specimens 

shall be recorded.

    (ii) The after-flame time shall be reported to the nearest 0.2-

second and the char length to the nearest 0.1-inch (.3 cm).

    F. Source. These test requirements are contained in ``Federal Test 

Method Standard 191, Method 5903 (1971)'' and are reproduced for your 

convenience.



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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.032





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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.033





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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.034





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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC27OC91.035





[45 FR 60715, Sept. 12, 1980; 46 FR 24557, May 1, 1981]