629 Planning for Workplace Emergencies

Sections

Fire Prevention and Protection Plans

Introduction

The most important reason to have a Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) is to prevent loss of life. Developing a FPP is also important to eliminate the causes of fire and prevent loss of property by fire. The FPP should be developed to comply with the OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.39, Fire Prevention Plans. Click on the link below to review the standard.

29 CFR 1910.39 Fire prevention plans.

1910.39(a) Application. An employer must have a fire prevention plan when an OSHA standard in this part requires one. The requirements in this section apply to each such fire prevention plan.

1910.39(b) Written and oral fire prevention plans. A fire prevention plan must be in writing, be kept in the workplace, and be made available to employees for review. However, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees.

1910.39(c) Minimum elements of a fire prevention plan. A fire prevention plan must include:

1910.39(c)(1) A list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard;
    1910.39(c)(2) Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials;
    1910.39(c)(3) Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials;
    1910.39(c)(4) The name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires; and
    1910.39(c)(5) The name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.

1910.39(d) Employee information. An employer must inform employees upon initial assignment to a job of the fire hazards to which they are exposed. An employer must also review with each employee those parts of the fire prevention plan necessary for self-protection.

[FR 67 67963, Nov. 7, 2002]

An effective FPP does all of the following:

Two firefighters fighting a fire at night time.

The FPP gives the employer direction in recognizing, reporting, and controlling fire hazards in the workplace.

It provides employees with information and guidelines that will assist them in recognizing, reporting, and controlling fire hazards.
It identifies materials that are potential fire hazards and their proper handling and storage procedures.
It distinguishes potential ignition sources and the proper control procedures of those materials.
The plan describes fire protection equipment and/or systems used to control fire hazards.
It identifies persons responsible for maintaining the equipment and systems installed to prevent or control ignition of fires.
The FPP identifies persons responsible for the control and accumulation of flammable or combustible material.
It describes good housekeeping procedures necessary to insure the control of accumulated flammable and combustible waste material and residues to avoid a fire emergency.
The plan provides training to employees with regard to fire hazards to which they may be exposed.

For additional free information on developing fire prevention plans, visit the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) free access webpage.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-1. What is the most important reason to have a Fire Prevention Plan (FPP)?

To comply with OSHA

To prevent loss of property by fire

To eliminate the causes of fire

To prevent loss of life

You forgot to answer the question!