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 Fire Prevention Plan

Purpose

OSHA's Fire Prevention Plan regulation, found at 29 CFR 1910.38, 29 CFR 1926.24 and Subpart F requires a written plan that contains specific program elements. This plan addresses fire emergencies that could possibly occur on the campus of BYU-Idaho.

This Fire Prevention Plan is intended to provide pertinent information to students and employees of the university to promote the reduction of the possibility of fires and to specify the type of equipment to use in case of fire. This plan addresses the following issues:

• Major university fire hazards and proper handling and storage procedures.
  
• Potential ignition sources for fires and their control procedures.
  
• The type of fire protection equipment or systems which can control a fire involving them.
  
• Personnel responsible for maintenance of equipment and systems installed to prevent or control ignition of fires and for control of fuel source hazards.

Under this plan, students and employees will be informed of the plan's purpose, preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies, types of evacuations to be used in various emergency situations, and the alarm system. The plan is closely tied to our emergency action plan where procedures are described for emergency escape route assignments, accounting for all employees after emergency evacuation has been completed, and rescue and medical duties for those employees who perform them.  Please see the emergency action plan for this information.

The university safety office has overall responsibility for the plan. The written program is posted on the safety office web page and can be accessed from the main university web site by clicking on "students" or "employees" and then in the "services" columns, clicking on "safety office"; or a paper copy of the plan can be obtained from the safety office, located in Physical Plant room 136 during normal business hours.

The FPP communicates to employees, policies and procedures to follow when fires erupt. This written plan is available, upon request, to employees, their designated representatives, and any OSHA officials who ask to see it.

If after reading this program, you find that improvements can be made, please contact the safety office at 496-2457 or at Physical Plant room 136. All suggestions are encouraged because university is committed to the success of the emergency action plan. Clear understanding, safe behavior, and involvement in the program from every level of the university is the objective of the safety office.

Responsibilities of the Safety Office

The BYU-Idaho Safety Office is responsible for the following activities:

1. Development of the written fire prevention plan for regular and after-hours work conditions.

2. Immediate notification of the campus police and Rexburg Fire department, and the campus emergency operations counsel in the event of a fire affecting the university.

3. Integration of the fire prevention plan with the existing general emergency plan covering the occupied facilities.

4. Dissemination of procedures for reporting a fire, the location of fire exits, and evacuation routes to each employee.

5. Provision of training with respect to drills to acquaint employees with fire procedures.

6. Facility inspections and fire code compliance consultation.

7. Training of designated employees in the use of fire extinguishers and the application of medical first-aid techniques.

8. Facilitation of planning and training with campus police, university personnel and local fire officials  to promote a coordinated response to fire emergencies and accessibility of equipment and resources needed for management of the fire scene and displaced persons.

9. Monitoring fire response activities and communication of pertinent information to the university emergency operations counsel.

10. Training of building coordinators with respect to evacuation procedures to ensure that:

• All employees are notified and a head count is taken to confirm total evacuation of all employees.
  

• When practical, equipment is placed and locked in storage rooms or desks for protection.
  

• Appropriate security protection is provided at fire scenes to protect persons and property.

It is the intent of this university to assure that hazardous accumulations of combustible waste materials are controlled so that a fast developing fire, rapid spread of toxic smoke, or an explosion will not occur. Employees should contact the safety office (496-2457) for information concerning the hazardous properties of materials in their workplaces, and the degree of hazard each poses.

Accumulated hazardous wastes should be managed in harmony with the institutional toxic and hazardous wastes contingency plan which can be viewed on the safety office web page. Quantities should be kept to a minimum and the safety office should be promptly notified when disposal is needed.

Fire prevention measures must be developed for all fire hazards found. Once employees are made aware of the fire hazards in their work areas, they must be trained in the fire prevention measures developed and use them in the course of their work. For example, oil soaked rags must be treated differently than general paper trash in office areas. In addition, large accumulations of waste paper or corrugated boxes, etc., can pose a significant fire hazard. Accumulations of materials which can cause large fires or generate dense smoke that are easily ignited or may start from spontaneous combustion, are the types of materials with which this fire prevention plan is concerned. Such materials include paints, solvents, aerosols and other flammable or combustible materials that may be easily ignited by matches, welder's sparks, cigarettes and similar low level energy ignition sources. It is the intent of this university to prevent such accumulation of materials.

Certain equipment is installed at specific locations to control heat sources or to detect fuel leaks. An example is a temperature limit switch found on deep-fat food fryers found in cooking operations. There may be similar switches for high temperature dip tanks, or flame failure and flashback arrester devices on furnaces and similar heat producing equipment. If these devices are not properly maintained or if they become inoperative, a definite fire hazard exists. Again employees and supervisors should be aware of the specific type of control devices on equipment involved with combustible materials in their workplaces and should make sure, through periodic inspection or testing, that these controls are operable. Manufacturer's recommendations should be followed to assure proper maintenance procedures.

Fuels and flammable gases are used throughout the university physical plant as energy sources for various systems or equipment. Generators, snow removal equipment, grounds maintenance equipment, small internal combustion engines, motor vehicles, laboratory gas appliances, welding acetylene, stored liquid or gaseous fuels, etc. are located within and without many campus buildings. These fuels or compressed gases can be a significant fire hazard and must be monitored and controlled by the employees responsible for the use.

Potential fire hazards typically exist in the following locations on the campus of BYU-Idaho:

       Chemistry Chemical Storage Room, Romney Building; flammable and combustible chemicals

       Biology Department Chemical Storage Room, Benson Building; flammable and combustible chemicals

       Physical Plant Paint Shop; combustible paints and flammable solvents

       Physical Plant Vehicle Maintenance; combustible and flammable fuels, oil and solvents

       Automotive Laboratories, Austin and Farm/Agriculture Buildings, combustible and flammable fuels and oil

      Welding Operations, Austin Laboratory, Physical Plant shops; acetylene and oxygen cylinders

        Stores and Receiving; institutional storage of solvents and oil for various campus entities

       Art Department, Spori Building; combustible and flammable paints and solvents

       Theater Scene Shop, Snow Building; combustible and flammable paints and solvents

       Food Services, Manwaring Center; combustible cooking oils and kitchen operations

Flammable or combustible materials will generally not ignite without an external source of ignition.

The following procedures shall be used to control known ignition sources at this university:

1. All cutting torch operations should be supervised and conducted in accordance with university hot work policies, procedures and/or permit requirements.

    2. Cooking appliances shall be periodically inspected and maintained in proper working condition.

    3. Lighted candles are not permitted in university buildings.

    4. The university fire protection officer shall be contacted for approval of any anticipated use of open flames for performances and such activities shall be conducted under his/her direction and in compliance with governing fire code regulations.

    5. Electrical outlets shall not be overloaded. Electrical appliances and cords shall be monitored by responsible employees and shall be maintained in good working condition at all times. Defective equipment or cords shall promptly be taken out of service until adequate repairs can be made.

    6. Smoking is not permitted in university facilities.

    7. Small internal combustion engines shall be routinely maintained and kept in proper working condition. Equipment with hot manifolds shall not be utilized or placed in close proximity to flammable or combustible materials.

The following fire detection, notification and suppression equipment is installed, inspected and maintained in operational condition in campus facilities.

1. Fire extinguishers are installed pursuant to NFPA standards in all campus buildings. They are inspect on a monthly basis.

2. Smoke and heat detectors are installed in pertinent campus areas and are inspect on an annual basis.

3. Heat activated sprinkler systems are installed in many, but not all campus buildings and water flow is tested on a quarterly basis.

4. Fire hose cabinets, although not required by current fire code regulations, are located in many older facilities.

5. Warning horns and/or strobe lights are installed in campus buildings and are tested on an annual basis.

6. A computerized notification system is monitored on a 24 hour-a-day basis by the university police department. The system has generator back up and a redundant capability.

7. Emergency phones with direct notification to the university police communications enter are strategically located throughout campus and in all elevators.

8. The university telephone system has an enhanced 911 capability that immediately notifies the university police communications center of the location of any emergency call.

Maintenance of Fire Protection Equipment

As indicated, campus fire protection systems are periodically inspected to insure functionality by the university fire protection officer. Any maintenance issues are immediately reported to the Physical Plant fire systems maintenance technician through a computerized work order system and needed repairs are promptly accomplished.

The safety office web page has an electronic hazard reporting system that is accessible to all university students and employees. Individuals are encouraged to use the system to promptly report any observed hazards or needed equipment repairs. People can also telephone the safety office directly at 496-2481 or Physical Plant secretarial personnel at 496-2431 to report observations.

The university endeavors to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues so that they do not contribute to fire hazards. University waste generators should follow the instructions contained in the Toxic and Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan located on the safety office web page and periodically notify the safety office for the transportation and disposal of hazardous waste accumulations. At no time should individual waste generators accumulate more that 55 gallons of hazardous waste at their respective workplaces and they are encouraged to request removal and disposal whenever five or more gallons of flammable or combustible waste is generated. Hazardous waste shall be accumulated by the safety office at a remote campus site and shall be disposed of according to EPA and DOT regulations by a contracted, licensed transportation, storage and disposal company.

Regulated accumulations of flammable and combustible liquids should be stored in UL listed flame retardant storage cabinets pursuant to fire code regulations. Any questions concerning regulated accumulations should be conveyed to the safety office (496-2457).

All university employees are expected to maintain their work areas in a relatively clean and orderly condition so as to minimize the unwarranted accumulation of combustible materials.

Training

1. Fire Prevention Plan

At the time of a fire, employees should know what type of evacuation is necessary and what their role is in carrying out the plan. In cases where the fire is large, total and immediate evacuation of all employees is necessary. In smaller fires, a partial evacuation of nonessential employees with a delayed evacuation of others may be necessary for continued plant operation. Employees are expected to take the personal initiative to learn what is expected of them during a fire to assure their safety. The safety office web page is a valuable resource for information concerning fire protection and emergency evacuation. Safety office personnel may be contacted (496-2457) to provide individualized training, to answer questions and to otherwise assist students and employees with learning fire safety procedures. The safety office also conducts periodic fire safety training available to all university personnel. The schedule is disseminated via the institutional e-mail system and the faculty and staff bulletin.

Fire safety training includes:

• What to do if employee discovers a fire
  

• Demonstration of alarm, if more than one type exists
  

• How to recognize fire exits
  

• Evacuation routes

• Assisting employees with disabilities
  

• Measures to contain fire (e.g., closing office doors, windows, etc. in immediate vicinity)
  

• Head count procedures (see EAP for details)
  

• Return to building after the "all-clear" signal

Any students or employees who do not understand the available training information are encouraged to contact the safety office for additional instruction. Because failure to comply with university policy concerning fire prevention can result in OSHA citations and fines as well as employee injury, an employee who does not comply with this program may be subject to disciplinary action through established procedures.

2. Fire Prevention Equipment

The safety office provides training for each employee who may utilize fire prevention equipment. Employees shall not use fire prevention equipment without appropriate training. Fire fighting training includes instruction related to:

• Types of fires
  

• Types of fire prevention equipment
  

• Location of fire prevention equipment
  

• How to use fire prevention equipment
  

• Limitations of fire prevention equipment
  

• Proper care and maintenance of assigned fire prevention equipment and
  

• Risk minimization techniques

Employees must demonstrate an understanding of the training and the ability to use the equipment properly before they are allowed to use of the equipment.

If a previously trained employee does not have the understanding or skill required to utilize fire protection equipment, the employee must be retrained.

All persons who receive fire protection training shall be tested for verification of attendance at a training session and shall sign a training record as documentation of the receipt of such training.