514 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 30-37

Sections

37-8. General Requirements.

Debris Reduction

The contractor must notify the local fire department and arrange for fire suppression support in case of fire beyond the contractor’s firefighting capability
Use a fire watch when the site is not being actively worked and the potential exists for spontaneous combustion or other fire hazard.
Do not mix hazardous materials with debris, maintain a safe distance from groundwater for pits, and adhere to emission standards.
Provide safety measures such as eye wash stations, adequate lighting for night operations, and proper signage for restricted areas.

Debris/Mulch Piles Management

Maintain safe distances between debris/mulch piles and burn areas, occupied dwellings, and transmission lines.
Keep fire lanes clear around debris/mulch piles and limit the height of mulch piles to prevent spontaneous combustion.

Air-Curtain Incinerator Operations

Contractors must develop and brief employees on written AHA and SOP, and have incinerator placements inspected by a USACE SOH professional.
Optimize air-curtain operations for efficient burning and minimal smoke emission, and ensure machinery is properly equipped.
Construct pits with specific materials and dimensions, maintaining structural integrity and environmental protections.

Open Burning Operations

Adhere to specific guidelines for open burning based on wind speeds and maintain control over the burn area dimensions and safety barriers.
Pause or adjust burning operations based on wind conditions to control fire spread and ensure safety.

Ash Management

Extinguish burns properly before ash removal and apply dust control measures during ash handling.

Temporary Roofing

Allow for specific worker attire adjustments during emergency roofing operations while ensuring fall protection and weather monitoring.

Tower Safety Requirements

All towers must be designed by an RPE, marked with weight capacities, and not modified without RPE approval.
Ensure electrical safety and visibility protocols are followed, and tag compliant portable generators accordingly.
Scissor lifts may be used with occupancy and safety gear restrictions, and towers require traffic barrier protection.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

37-8. What is required when the site is not being actively worked and the potential exists for spontaneous combustion or other fire hazard?

Use of a fire watch

A local fire department

A site fire suppression team

A Site Safety and Health officer (SSHO)

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 37-8 (i.–k.).

37-8. General Requirements. (i.–k.).

i.  Debris Reduction.  (37-8.i)

(1)  General Information.

(a)  The contractor must notify the local fire department and arrange for fire suppression support in case of fire beyond the contractor’s firefighting capability.

(b)  Make readily available adequate supplies of water or fire extinguishers and use fire watches.  Use a continuous fire watch at debris collection/reduction sites whenever there is reduction taking place or there is a visible flame. Use a fire watch when the site is not being actively worked and the potential exists for spontaneous combustion or other fire hazard.  The fire watch must have at least one 20 lb. ABC fire extinguisher available and the means to expediently communicate with the site supervisor and designated fire response agencies.  (See chapter 9)

(d)  Do not excavate pits to closer than 1 foot (0.3 m) of the ground water table.
        Line the pits with a compacted clay layer, or similar, to minimize migration of ash to the aquifer.

(e)  Do not exceed particulate emissions of state and EPA standards for burning operations. The site manager must be continuously aware of wind conditions and adjust accordingly to control smoke encroachment into residential areas.  Install wind meters onsite to track wind conditions.  Personnel must work outside of direct smoke streams.

(f)  Provide eye wash facilities at all burning and grinding operations (see chapter 6).

(g)  For night operations, provide adequate lighting of 55 Lux (5 fc) in all outdoor work areas (see chapter 7).

(h)  Post a Notice sign stating, “AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY” at entrances to debris collection/reduction areas.  See graphics standard in EP 310-1-6a or
        ANSI Z535  series equivalent.

(i)  Post a Danger sign stating, “Keep Back” at the edge of the 100 feet (30.5 m) setback from air curtain incinerators and open burn areas as a warning to personnel. See graphics standard in EP 310-1-6a or ANSI Z535 series equivalent.

(j)  Clear a minimum 30 feet (9.1 m) wide fire lane around the full perimeter of the site and install a silt fence along the perimeter.  Keep the fire lane clear of all combustible materials.

(k)  Conduct all burning operations, including air-curtain incinerators, at a distance of no less than 1,000 feet (305 m) from an occupied dwelling or business, or a dwelling or business in such condition that it can be occupied.

(l)  For outbuildings such as barns, sheds, structures destroyed by storms, tree lines and similar, the minimum separation distance is 300 feet (91.4 m), subject to local authority approval.

(m)  Do not conduct burning operations within 100 feet (30.5 m) of overhead utility lines.

(2)  Debris/Mulch Piles.

(a)  Maintain at least 100 feet (30.5 m) between the debris/mulch piles and the burn area or incinerator.

(b)  Maintain at least 1000 feet (305 m) between the debris/mulch piles and the nearest occupied dwelling or business or a dwelling or business in such condition that it can be occupied.

(c)  Do not place debris/mulch piles directly under transmission lines nor locate them within 100 feet (30.5 m) of transmission towers.

(d)  Clear a minimum 30 feet (9.1 m) wide fire lane around each debris/mulch pile. Keep the fire lane clear of all combustible materials.

(e)  Do not stack mulch piles higher than 20 feet (6.1 m) high for more than seven consecutive days due to the increased risk of spontaneous combustion.

(3)  Air-Curtain Incinerator Operations.

(a)  Prior to operating an air-curtain incinerator, the contractor must develop a written AHA and SOP. Brief employees on the AHA and SOP and make it readily available for their review.  In addition, the contractor must have all incinerator
        placements inspected by a USACE SOH professional prior to the start of burning and ensure that the installed unit is maintained throughout the life of the activity.

(b)  The design of air-curtain operations must provide for efficient burning of materials.  If operating optimally, there should be minimal to no visible smoke plume above the pit.

(c)  Equipment (for example, trackhoes) that feed burn pits/debris piles must have a fully enclosed cab equipped with an air filtration and pressurization system.  Workers requiring respirators must be enrolled in the RPP and meet all applicable requirements according to chapter 5.

(d)  Install a 1 foot (0.3 m) high warning barrier the length of the charging side of the pit to warn equipment operators.  Construct it out of non-combustible material.

(e)  Construct pits out of highly compactable material that will hold their shape.

(e-1)  If a manufactured fire box is not provided, the incineration pits must be made of Type B soil (that is., cohesive soil), and be reinforced with earth anchors, wire mesh, or other items in order to support the weight of loaders.

(e-2)  Check the edges of the pit for integrity on a regular basis to prevent unexpected cave-ins or collapse.

(e-3)  Install an impervious layer of clay, or similar, on the bottom of the pit to seal the ash from the aquifer.  Repair or replace the clay liner if scraped by dozers.

(e-4)  The air-curtain pit must not extend more than 6 inches (15.2 cm) further at each end than the blower system.

(e-5)  The ends of the pit must be near vertical and extend to the top of the pit. (f)  If a pick-and-drop debris pile is located within 100 feet (30.5 m) of the air curtain incinerator, the total volume of the pick-and-drop debris pile(s) supporting an incinerator must not be more than four times the volume of the incinerator pit.

(g)  Place a 12-inch (30.5 cm) soil seal on the lip of the air curtain incineration pit to seal the blower nozzle.  The nozzle must be 3 inches (7.6 cm) to 6 inches (15.2 cm) from the edge of the pit.

(4)  Open Burning Operations.

(a)  Open burning may involve one of the following:

(a-1)  Ignition of brush piles in rows on top of the ground.    (a-2)  Digging a fire pit in the ground or constructing the pit above ground using berms.

(a-3)  Constructing a 3-sided bermed pit open at one end to allow equipment tending the fire to push the brush pile to one end and continue feeding.  All brush is contained below the top of the bermed area.

(b)  When open burning and sustained wind speeds reach 15 mph (24.1 km/h), do not add additional material to the burn pile.

(b-1)  Full burning may resume when sustained wind speeds drop below 15 mph
            (24.1 km/h).

(b-2)  When sustained wind speeds reach 20 mph (32.1 km/h), fires must be wetted or knocked down to control spread of fires.

(c-1)  If space permits the use of multiple open burning areas, maintain a 30 feet
            (9.1 m) fire lane between the open burning areas.

(c-2)  The load approach area of the pits must be able to support the loading equipment without damaging the structural integrity of the pit walls.

(c-3)  Construct a stop of non-combustible material no closer than 10 feet (3 m) of the edge of the pit to prevent equipment from falling into the pit.

(d)  When burning in pits:

(d-1)  AND the top of the brush pile remains below the top of the pit AND
            sustained winds reach 25 mph (40.2 km/h), do not add additional material to the pile.

(d-2)  AND sustained wind speeds reach 30 mph (48.3 km/h), fires must be wetted or knocked down to control spread of fires.

(d-3)  AND the brush pile extends above the top of the pit AND sustained wind speeds reach 15 mph (24.1 km/h), do not add more to the burn pile.

(d-4)  AND the brush pile extends above the top of the pit AND sustained wind speeds reach 20 mph (32.2 km/h), all fires must be wetted or knocked down.

(d-5)  Do not stack debris in the burning area higher than 10 feet (3 m) above the original ground level.

(5)  Ash Management.

(a)  Extinguish the burn approximately two hours before anticipated removal of the ash mound. Remove the ash mound before it reaches 2 feet (0.6 m) below the lip of the incineration pit.

(b)  The contractor must exercise dust control measures while handling ash, especially during transport.  Do not transport ash until it is proven fully extinguished (that is, soaked with water, producing no steam, having no visible evidence of residual hot embers).

j.  Temporary Roofing. (37-8.j)

(1)  During emergency operations that involve residential temporary roofing, RFO Commanders may permit:

(a)  The use of athletic footwear by workers performing only temporary roofing operations.

(b)  The removal of hard hats by workers on roof tops.

(2)  Provide and use fall protection according to chapter 21 and figure 37-1. (3)  While workers are on the roof, monitor the weather.

k.  Tower Safety Requirements.  (37-8.k)

(1)  An RPE must design all towers.  Clearly mark them with weight capacities.  Do not exceed the weight capacities under any circumstance.  An option in place of
    wooden towers, is to use an engineered internal stairs scaffold designed by an RPE and that meets all manufacturer recommendations for safety concerns.  Use of the engineered internal stairs scaffold still requires environmental protection.  Contractors must comply with the design criteria included in the debris removal contracts.

(2)  All towers must be ground-fault current interrupter protected, receptacles must have gasket weather-proof coverings, and both electrical boxes and conduit must be rated for outdoor use (see chapter 11).

(3)  Do not make modifications to a tower that will affect its structural stability without first obtaining approval of the RPE.

(4)  Personnel must not lean out of tower windows nor use stools or other steps to decrease the fall protection provided by the window height.  If visibility of a load is obstructed, use a mirror or other tool.

(5)  Tag all portable generators green after having been inspected and deemed in compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, especially in regard to proper grounding.

(6)  The KO or COR may approve the use of scissor lifts during the first 72 hours of the emergency operation while the tower is being constructed.

(a)  No more than two workers may simultaneously occupy a scissor lift unless the manufacturer allows additional occupancy.

(b)  Provide all personnel with and require them to wear proper fall protection with restraint lines while in the scissor lift (see chapter 21).

(c)  Protect scissor lifts from impact by suitable impact protection equal to that required by a tower in the same location.

(7)  Provide all towers with traffic barrier protection.  The traffic barrier protection must consist of a minimum of eight precast concrete barriers measuring 10 feet long x 24 inches wide x 32 inches (3 m long x 61 cm wide x 81.3 cm wide) tall and must meet the ASTM C825 design specifications.  Place three concrete barriers end to end parallel to the tower on each side.  Place one concrete barrier on each end of the tower, with
the concrete barrier nearest the stairs being offset 32 inches (81.3 cm) for pedestrian access to the tower.