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12.1 PolicyThe fire prevention and protection policy at LBNL is to ensure that fires create no threat to the public or hazards to employees, and to prevent unauthorized, unregulated, and unplanned fires. Property damage from fire must be held to a minimum, as must the impact of fire and related perils on the LBNL mission and programs. This policy requires adherence to and compliance with all applicable laws, orders, regulations, codes, standards, guides, policies, and good practices pertaining to fire prevention and protection. General fire prevention requirements and roles and responsibilities are provided by this policy. The LBNL Fire Prevention Program is described in Appendix A. There may be occasions when a specific work activity or facility requires a deviation from these established requirements. In those cases, organizations shall request and obtain written authority to deviate from the requirements. This written approval can take two forms:
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1. Evacuate the immediate area in which there is a fire or a threat of fire and close the door.
2. Call the Fire Department:
From all LBNL telephones, call the number shown on the telephone, which is always 7911 when on site, and 9911 when off site. If you call from a cell phone, dial 911 and be sure to give your address and location, as you will be routed to the California Highway Patrol.When reporting an emergency, it is important to identify yourself and be as detailed as possible. Report the following:
3. Activate the nearest fire alarm to evacuate the occupants of the building.
4. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire involving a building's structure or a building containing explosives, radioactive materials, or highly toxic materials.
5. Do not attempt to extinguish a fire unless you have been trained in the use of fire extinguishers and have a clear escape route.
REPORT FIRES, SMOKE, OR ANY POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL:
Think safety first. Isolate the area and deny entry. Call for help.
To report a hazardous material release or spill, call the Fire Department, ext. 7911 (on site) or ext. 9-911 (on campus).The Fire Department will respond to manage and control the emergency situation. Refer to the LBNL Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan for additional information regarding spill response.
The person reporting the spill should provide the fire dispatcher with the name of chemical(s) involved, quantity, state (gas, liquid, solid), possible contamination, spill locations, other active hazards, and injury information. This person should also offer this same information to the responding firefighters when they arrive on scene.
Portable and fixed fire protection equipment is provided for operating areas. Fire protection equipment in operating areas consists of both fixed and portable items to detect fires, alert personnel, and suppress and minimize the spread of fire. Fixed equipment includes detectors, alarms, fire doors, fire dampers, automatic sprinkler systems, and other automatic fire-suppression systems. Portable equipment consists of fire extinguishers, which are required and available in buildings, and any specialized equipment that a firefighting team may bring to an area.
Fixed fire protection equipment shall be designed, installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the applicable LBNL specifications and standards as well as the applicable NFPA code or standard. Section 3.6 of the LBNL Fire Protection Program (see Appendix A) contains more detailed information on the Laboratory’s fire protection equipment testing, inspection, and maintenance program.
Portable fire extinguishers are provided for employees to use before the Fire Department arrives. However, it is unsafe for personnel to use a fire extinguisher to control a fire if they have not been trained in fire extinguisher operation. Personnel who have not been trained in the use of fire extinguishers shall not attempt to use them. A schedule of training is available through EH&S.
Table 12-1 (below) provides a summary of the recommended types of portable fire extinguishers. For guidance on the details regarding the selection of the proper fire extinguisher, contact the Fire Marshal.
Table 12-1. Effective Fire Extinguishers for Burning Materials
Burning Materials |
Extinguisher |
Ordinary combustible materials, such as cellulose products, wood, paper, cloth, plastics, or rubber |
Water, multipurpose dry chemical (ABC), or Halogenated Agent |
Flammable or combustible liquids, such as oils, gasoline, alcohol, and solvents |
Carbon dioxide, Halogenated Agent, or dry chemical (BC or ABC) |
Energized electrical equipment or wiring |
Carbon dioxide, Halogenated Agent, or dry chemical (BC or ABC) |
Burning magnesium, thorium, uranium, potassium, or sodium metals |
G-1 powder (special graphite) or Met-L-X (sodium chloride) |
Fires in cooking appliances involving combustible media (oils and fats) |
Wet Chemical |
Fire extinguishers are serviced annually. Any used or damaged extinguishers should be reported to the Fire Marshal.
Several types of automatic fire detectors are used at LBNL. All on-site fire detection systems transmit an alarm to the Berkeley Lab Fire Dispatch Center when activated. Signals from fire alarm systems installed in the off-site buildings will be transmitted to fire/burglar alarm monitoring services available locally under contract with the building owner or LBNL. The fire/burglar alarm monitoring services will contact local police and fire departments.
All buildings at LBNL are equipped with evacuation alarm bells or horn strobes. These are activated by either an automatic detector or a manual pull box. In some cases, automatic detectors also activate automatic extinguishing systems. The Berkeley Lab Fire Dispatch Center will dispatch firefighters to the scene when an alarm is activated.
Evacuation procedures for each building and operating area, as well as personnel emergency actions for each building, are published in the respective Building Emergency Plan.
Many buildings at LBNL have automatic sprinkler systems. The sprinklers contain a heat sensitive element that, upon being sufficiently heated, opens that sprinkler, starting water flow. This flow in the piping activates an alarm at the Berkeley Lab Fire Dispatch Center.
When automatic sprinkler heads are installed below 7 feet above the finished floor or are subjected to mechanical abuse, sprinkler guards shall be installed to prevent such damage.
Heat inadvertently applied to a sprinkler head can activate the sprinkler without the presence of fire.
— KEEP NORMAL HEAT SOURCES AWAY FROM SPRINKLER HEADS.
To avoid obstructing sprinklers and altering the sprinklers’ spray patterns, do not place material or furniture near sprinkler heads.
—
FOLLOWING
NFPA 13, ALLOW CLEARANCE BELOW SPRINKLER HEADS, TYPICALLY
18 INCHES.
—
MAINTAIN
ACCESS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO REACH SPRINKLER SYSTEM CONTROL VALVES.
—
MAINTAIN
A MINIMUM CLEARANCE OF 91 CM (3 FEET) AT ALL TIMES AROUND THE VALVES.
Self-closing and automatic fire doors and dampers are located at strategic points. A damper is a door in an air-handling system that closes to prevent smoke from being spread throughout the system.
Automatic fire doors close and latch to block the spread of smoke and fire when automatic detectors are activated.
Fire doors must be maintained in good repair at all times. Never block or otherwise prevent fire doors from functioning.
Self-closing fire doors are designed and installed to reclose automatically after being opened.
—
NEVER BLOCK,
WEDGE, OR TIE OPEN SELF-CLOSING FIRE DOORS.
—
IF THE DOORS
MUST REMAIN OPEN, REPLACE THE SELF-CLOSING MECHANISM WITH AN APPROVED AUTOMATIC
SMOKE-ACTIVATED RELEASE HOLD-OPEN DEVICE.
—
CONTACT THE Work
Request Center IN THE FACILITIES DIVISION, EXT. 6274, FOR ASSISTANCE
WITH THIS CONVERSION.
The Fire Department maintains on-site fire hydrants for emergency use. These must be accessible and in good working order at all times. To use a fire hydrant on a temporary basis, obtain authorization in writing from the Fire Marshal.
Employees or contractors who have temporary authorization to use a fire hydrant must:
LBNL's program to reduce fire hazards includes a hot work permit system. Permits are required for any operation (i.e., hot work) that produces flames, sparks, heat, or a spark-producing operation; this includes but is not limited to the following tasks:
Note: A fire detection system may have to be impaired temporarily while this activity is being carried out.
To obtain a permit or additional information prior to start of work, call the Berkeley Lab Fire Department, ext. 6015.
For more information on the details of the Hot Work Program refer to Section 4.7 of Appendix A.
Combustible materials are divided into five types or classes, described in the following paragraphs:
Class A combustibles include common combustible materials (e.g., wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and plastics) that can act as fuel and are found in nonspecialized operating areas (e.g., offices).
To handle Class A combustibles safely:
The following fire extinguishing agents are approved for Class A combustibles:
(Note: Halons, including Halon 1211, have been identified as ozone-depleting substances and, as such, have been targeted for removal. Federal regulations require that DOE and contract facilities phase out halon (and other chlorofluorocarbons) at prescribed time periods.)
Class B combustibles include flammable and combustible liquids (e.g., oils, greases, tars, oil-based paints, and lacquers), flammable gases, and flammable aerosols such as those found in spray cans. (See the Pressure Safety and Cryogenics chapter of this manual and the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan.)
—
DO
NOT USE WATER TO EXTINGUISH CLASS B FIRES CAUSED BY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS. WATER
CAN CAUSE BURNING LIQUID TO SPREAD, WORSENING THE FIRE.
—
TO
EXTINGUISH A FIRE CAUSED BY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, EXCLUDE THE AIR AROUND THE
BURNING LIQUID.
The following fire extinguishing agents are approved for Class B combustibles:
Technically, flammable and combustible liquids do not burn. They can, however, generate sufficient quantities of vapors to form ignitable vapor-air mixtures.
The flashpoint of a liquid is defined as the minimum temperature at which the liquid gives off sufficient vapor to form an ignitable mixture with the air near its surface or within the vessel used.
Generally, the lower the flashpoint of a liquid, the greater the risk of fire and explosion. Many flammable and combustible liquids also pose health hazards, as discussed in the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan.
Class B combustibles must be properly identified, labeled, handled, and stored. Contact the Fire Marshal, for assistance.
Table 12-2. Maximum Sizes of Containers for Combustible and Flammable Liquids[a]
Flammable Liquids |
Combustible Liquids |
||||
Class IA[d] |
Class IB[c] |
Class IC |
Class II |
Class III |
|
Glass |
1 pt |
1 qt |
1 gal |
1 gal |
5 gal |
Metals (other than DOT drums) or approved plastic |
1 gal |
5 gal |
5 gal |
5 gal |
5 gal |
Safety cans |
2 gal |
5 gal |
5 gal |
5 gal |
5 gal |
Metal drums (DOT specifications) |
60 gal (Labs[d]- |
60 gal (Labs[d]– |
60 gal (Labs[d]- |
60 gal |
60 gal |
Approved portable tanks |
660 gal |
660 gal |
660 gal |
660 gal |
660 gal |
Table 12-2 Notes:
Taken from NFPA 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. Definitions follow this NFPA 30 standard: Class I liquids are flammable, and Class II liquids are combustible; Class 1A liquids have a flash point (FP) below 73°F, and boiling point (BP) below 100°F; Class 1B – FP below 73°F, and BP at or above 100°F; Class 1C – FP at or above 73°F, but less than 100°F (BP not addressed); Class II – FP at or above 100°F, but below 140°F; Class III – FP at or above 140°F. |
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Container exemptions: medicines, beverages,
foodstuffs, cosmetics, and other common consumer items, provided as such. |
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| Items have been packaged according to commonly accepted practices for retail sales. Class IA and Class IB liquids may be stored in glass containers (capacity ≤1 gal) if the required liquid purity (such as ACS analytical reagent grade or higher) would be affected by storage in metal containers, or if the liquid can cause excessive corrosion of the metal container. | |
Laboratories within the scope of NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals. |
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To handle Class B combustibles safely:
— THE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERS A COURSE ON FIRE EXTINGUISHER SAFETY (EHS 530).
— FOR INFORMATION ON FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, CALL THE FIRE MARSHAL.
— FOR
ENROLLMENT, CALL EH&S TRAINING COORDINATOR, 495-2228.
— EMPLOYEES
TRAINED IN FIRE EXTINGUISHER USE MAY USE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WHILE WAITING
FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. REFER TO THE SECTION OF THIS CHAPTER
ON EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR FIRES.
Class C combustibles are energized electrical equipment which, when de-energized, would be classified as Class A or B combustibles.
The following fire extinguishing agents are approved for Class C combustibles:
Class D combustibles are combustible metals such as magnesium, thorium, potassium, or sodium metals. Class D combustibles present special fire safety and extinguishing problems. For guidance on safe handling of combustible metals and selection of the proper extinguishing agent, contact the Fire Marshal.
Class K combustibles are cooking media, such as vegetable or animal oils and fats. This class of combustibles requires extinguishing agents that are specifically listed and labeled for use on Class K fires. For guidance on selection of the proper extinguisher agent, contact the Fire Marshal.
Portable heating devices include portable electric space heaters, coffee pots, and hot plates. Portable heating devices may only be used when there is no chance of injury or fire occurring from their use. This applies both to LBNL and personally owned devices used within LBNL spaces on site and LBNL leased spaces off site.
When an electric space heater is used (propane, kerosene, or solid fuel portable space heaters are prohibited), the following safety rules should be followed:
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Fire Marshal or the Electrical Safety Engineer.
Mechanical equipment rooms house boilers, blowers, compressors, filters, and other electrical equipment. These rooms must be separated from other areas of a building by fire-resistant walls and doors.
— NEVER LEAVE FIRE DOORS OPEN IN A MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ROOM.
Fan rooms house ventilation equipment (e.g., dampers and automatic shutdown equipment). This equipment is often interlocked with a building's smoke and fire detectors.
— NEVER DISABLE FIRE DAMPERS OR OTHER AUTOMATIC SHUTDOWN EQUIPMENT WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE FIRE MARSHAL.
— NEVER USE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ROOMS OR FAN ROOMS FOR STORAGE.
All work related to buildings and their infrastructure must be reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshal Office. Whether the work is prepared by the in-house Facilities Architects/Engineers Group or by outside architects or engineers, the design package, including drawings and specifications at various stages, must be submitted to the Fire Marshal Office for review and approval. See Section 3.4 of the LBNL Fire Protection Program, in the Appendices, for more detail.
Ensure that construction areas under the control of LBNL or outside contractors are safe from the threat of fire. Maintain access for Laboratory emergency response personnel to reach construction areas and access to fire hydrants at all times.
The Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 101) requires emergency lighting within facilities at the following areas:
Emergency lighting that is not required by the code may be installed in areas where egress would be hazardous during a power failure.
Two types of emergency light fixtures satisfy the code specifications:
Use only rechargeable batteries in battery-operated emergency lights. The battery rating must be sufficient to provide illumination for 1.5 hours if normal lighting fails. When emergency lighting is provided by a generator, the delay must not be greater than 10 seconds.
The California Fire Code, California Building Code, and the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 101) require that approved exit signs be provided in specific locations in buildings to designate the means of egress from the buildings. The codes specify the minimum size, graphics, power supply, visibility, and conditions for installation of exit signs.
Exit signs:
Doors, passages, or stairways that are not exits, but could be mistaken as such, must be identified by a posted sign on the door stating: NOT AN EXIT.
Egress path markings (e.g., arrows or stripping) on floors or walls may be necessary to identify exit routes clearly in certain facilities. Markings should be luminous or phosphorescent to be identifiable in case of power failure.
NFPA 101 requires that buildings designed for human occupancy maintain unobstructed exits to facilitate prompt evacuation of building occupants and access for emergency personnel.
NEVER USE EXIT CORRIDORS FOR:
— PERMANENT
STORAGE
—
TEMPORARY STORAGE OF FURNITURE,
EQUIPMENT, OR SUPPLIES
—
STORAGE OF COMBUSTIBLES, INCLUDING
RECYCLABLE WASTE OR PAPER
In the past, installing metal lockers and cabinets in exit corridors was permitted as long as the lockers and cabinets complied with specific location rules, design characteristics, and storage limitations. These storage practices are no longer considered safe and are in violation of fire and life safety codes. The Facilities and Fire Departments are implementing a phased plan to remove existing storage cabinets from exit corridors. To adhere to the new regulations, use the following guidelines:
Section 12.16 (Smoking) shall follow the Laboratory’s Regulations and Procedures Manual, Section 2.23(J).
In observance of certain holidays, some Laboratory facilities are temporarily decorated with Christmas trees and candles. The following precautions shall be taken to ensure safety.
The use and storage of hazardous materials must be in accordance with the California Fire Code as referenced in Section 12.22.
DOE orders require sites to have a self-survey appraisal program in place to ensure that their facilities meet DOE fire protection goals and requirements. Refer to Section 5 of the LBNL Fire Protection Program, in the Appendices, for more details on this program.
The following parties are responsible for implementing the LBNL fire prevention and protection policy:
The Fire Marshal must meet the qualifications of a Fire Protection Engineer as described in the applicable DOE Standard 1066.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) determines the interpretation and application of fire prevention and protection requirements.
Fixed equipment includes detectors and alarms, automatic fire sprinklers, fire doors and dampers, attached fire hoses, and fire hydrants.
NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association.
Portable equipment consists of fire extinguishers.
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