Fire Extinguisher

The potential for fire can occur from many different sources such as: heat-producing equipment, storage of flammable chemicals, and faulty electrical wiring.

Possible Solutions

OSHA Fire Safety requirements include:

• Adequate exit routes for evacuation during fires and other emergencies [29 CFR 1910.34)].
  
  
  • Employers must provide exit routes in accordance ith OSHA Standard on Exit Routes 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E, including:
    
    
    • An adequate number of exit routes [29 CFR 1910.36(b)].
      
    
    
    • Exits must discharge to a safe area [29 CFR 1910.36(c)].
      
    
    
    • Exits must be of adequate capacity and width [29 CFR 1910.36(f) and 29 CFR 1910.36(g)].
      
    
    
    • Exits must be clearly lighted and marked [29 CFR 1910.37(b)].
      
    
    
    • An employee alarm system is provided [29 CFR 1910.37(b)] and complies with 29 CFR 1910.165.
  • Employers must maintain exit routes in accordance with OSHA Standard on Exit Routes [29 CFR 1910 Subpart E]:
    
    
    • Exit doors must be unlocked [29 CFR 1910.36(d)].
      
    
    
    • Access to exits must remain free and unobstructed at all times [29 CFR 1910.37(a)].
      
    
    
    • During construction, exit routes must be compliant prior to employee occupancy [29 CFR 1910.37(d)(1)].
      
    
    
    • During repairs or alterations, exit routes must be compliant during employee occupancy or alternate protective measures provided [29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1)].
• Alternatives: Employers may use the corresponding provisions of the following codes as alternatives to the Subpart E provisions above [29 CFR 1910.35].
  
  
  • The 2009 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Code
    
  
  
  • The 2009 International Fire Code
• Emergency Action Plans: must be provided in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.38 when required by another OSHA standard. See OSHA's Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool - Emergency Action Plan page.
  
  
  • Must be writing if over 10 employees [29 CFR 1910.38(b)].
    
  
  
  • Elements to include in the plan are listed in 29 CFR 1910.38(c).
• Fire Prevention Plans: must be provided in accordance with 1910.39 when required by another OSHA standard. See OSHA's Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool - Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) page.
  
  
  • Must be writing if over 10 employees [29 CFR 1910.39(b)].
    
  
  
  • Elements to include in the plan are listed in 29 CFR 1910.39(c).
• Hazardous Materials are used in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 Subpart H, which includes:
  
  
  • Oxygen [29 CFR 1910.104]
    
  
  
  • Nitrous Oxide [29 CFR 1910.105]
    
  
  
  • Flammable and Combustible Liquids [29 CFR 1910.106]

• Electrical wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use [29 CFR 1910.305].
  


• Fire Brigades: if provided, must meet 29 CFR 1910.156.
  


• Fire Protection Systems: if provided, must meet 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L, which includes:
  
  
  • Standpipe systems [29 CFR 1910.158]
    
  
  
  • Fixed extinguishing systems [29 CFR 1910.159 through 1910.163]
    
  
  
  • Fire Detection systems [29 CFR 1910.164]
    
  
  
  • Employee alarm systems [29 CFR 1910.165]

Additional Information:

• Fire Safety. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page. Covers general fire safety measures.
  


• Fire Safety [55 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
  


• Emergency Exit Routes [71 KB PDF^*, 3 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.