Fire Safety is Everyone's Responsibility
Vaughn Pugh, President of Integrity Safety Services, specializes in identifying the many factors that affect a worksite's emergency preparedness. In the case of fire safety and suppression, properly maintained fire extinguishers take top billing. "All buildings have combustibles, so it's important to have working fire extinguishers...The last thing you need is to go get one and find out it doesn't work."
OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) requires a monthly inspection of all fire extinguishers. Examiners should check to make sure the extinguisher's pin is still in place; that the pressure gauge is full; and that the inspection tag is present and properly marked.
During his audits, Pugh frequently finds half-full fire extinguishers. "I look at the pressure in the fire extinguisher and it's down." He explains that the pin and zip tie holding a fire extinguisher's handle in-place can easily be knocked loose; lowering the canister's overall pressure, releasing the extinguishing agent, and partially emptying the fire extinguisher. "So then, when a worker runs to get the fire extinguisher and use it, there's nothing there." Routine checks stop empty extinguishers from ever entering an emergency situation.
Pugh reminds workers to also check the fire extinguishers attached to their vehicles and heavy machinery. The constant motion can easily trip the handle, releasing pressure and emptying the extinguisher.
Frequent inspections ensure extinguishers aren't empty when they're needed most.
Proper Placement
Placement, Pugh asserts, is just as important as maintenance. "Fire extinguishers have to be put in strategic places. In a multistory building, fire extinguishers should be placed at either the top and or the bottom of a stairway. In long hallways, it's best to have one placed at an intermediate location. You're not supposed to travel more than 75-feet to get to one."
Pugh further recommends that managers and supervisors have a toolbox talk to familiarize workers with the location of their worksite's fire extinguishers. "If they don't know where they are, then when an emergency comes up, they're wasting a lot of time trying to hunt them down and find them."
Size Matters
Extinguisher size is an often-overlooked aspect of fire suppression. Standard fire extinguishers typically weigh five pounds, but many situations and locations may necessitate a larger extinguisher. Successful fire suppression hinges on both the size and style of fire extinguisher.
Handling Hot Work
Another issue Pugh frequently encounters is the absence of nearby fire extinguishers when doing hot work. "If they're doing hot work or any sparked fire producing activity, they need to have a fire extinguisher readily available. It doesn't have to be right at their feet, but it has to be just within 10 to 15-feet so they can easily get to it."
When workers do remember, they tend to take fire extinguishers from nearby hallways and stairwells, accidentally creating a dangerous "gap in coverage" that could easily cause problems in an emergency situation. "The ones that are there are not to be used unless there's a fire. They're not to be used for hot work."
Pugh suggests workers obtain a dedicated fire extinguisher for hot work to both avoid additional chaos in an emergency situation and fully comply with OSHA regulations.
Unexpected Danger
Pugh has seen several fires spark from unexpected sources.
Fire watch workers--while tasked with protecting the person doing hot work--can easily forget to check the individual doing the work itself. "Typically they are watching to see if surrounding areas might be catching fire. But one of the common things to catch fire is actually the worker that's doing the hot work." Loose clothes or unprotected skin can quickly combust. Pugh reminds fire watch workers to keep a close eye on both the environment as well as the person doing the hot work. "Fire watch is making sure the person doing the hot work is not catching fire."
Additionally, fires can flare from improperly maintained cords and wires. High-voltage cables can spark an inferno if improperly plugged in, especially those not connected to a circuit breaker or hardwired into a control panel.
"Your source of fire often can come through electrical. So it's important to make sure the electricity is properly grounded and double checked."
Recommended Resources
In addition to the Construction Center of Excellence's own ever-growing toolkit, Pugh recommends the Department of Labor and Industry's website for additional resources regarding fire suppression and safety. Their extensive content achieve contains a wealth of information on today's most relevant topics.
Pugh also suggests browsing the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) website or contacting your local fire department. Professional firefighters are happy to advise and welcome requests for worksite walk-throughs. Their invaluable insight and hands-on experience can reveal hidden fire hazards the untrained eye can easily miss.
Funding and support for this project has been provided by the State of Washington, Department of Labor & Industries, Safety & Health Investment Projects
