New England
Roofing Industry
Partnership
Fire Protection and Prevention
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Training Objectives
 After
completing this unit, you will know:
– The components of fire and related hazards.
– How to control fires by removing a
component.
– The employer’s responsibilities for a fire
fighting program and its basic components.
– Your role in fighting a fire.
– The types of fire extinguishers and their
limitations.
– How to effectively use a fire extinguisher.
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
References
 29
CFR 1926.150-159; Subpart F, Fire
Protection and Prevention
 National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA)
2
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
The Main Dangers of Fire
 Smoke
inhalation kills more people
than burns.
– Three out of four workers who die in fires
die from the smoke.
– Fires produce intense heat above 10000 F.
– Fires will use up the oxygen you need to
breathe.
– Smoke is toxic and contains gases like
carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride &
carbon dioxide.
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
What is Fire?
4
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Preventing Fires
 We
can prevent fires by taking away one
of the triangle’s sides (Fuel, Heat, or
Oxygen).
– We can make sure there is no fuel.
– We can make sure there is no heat
(ignition).
– We can’t do much about the oxygen, but we
can use an extinguisher to take away the
oxygen after the fire starts!
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
6
Controlling or Eliminating Fuels
 Storing
Flammable & Combustible Liquids
– Store away from heat sources and in
approved containers only.
– Store fuels in quantities greater than 1 gallon
in an approved safety can.
– Store fuels of 1 gallon or less in original
container, approved container, or safety can.
– Do not store fuels near exits or on stairways.
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Controlling or Eliminating Fuels
 Storing
Flammable & Combustible Liquids
– Do not store more than 25 gallons of fuel in any one
room unless in an approved storage cabinet.
– Do not store more than 60 gallons of flammable
liquids or 120 gallons of combustible liquids in a
single approved storage cabinet.
– Outside: containers, maximum 60 gallons each; shall
not exceed 1,100 gallons in each pile.
– Do not store portable tanks closer than 20 feet
to buildings.
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Controlling or Eliminating Fuels
 Using
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
– Store in closed containers when not in use.
– Never use within 50 feet of open flames and
ignition sources.
– Dispose of leaks and spills quickly.
– Never work in saturated clothes!
– Never use gasoline or other flammable to start
a fire!
8
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Flash Point

The temperature
the liquid must
reach to give off
enough vapors to
ignite.

Flammables have a
lower flash point
and are therefore
more dangerous.

Check the MSDS
9
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
A Liquid’s Flammable Limits


Range of fuel to air concentrations that allow a
fire of explosion to occur.
Between the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and the
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL), ignition source will
cause an explosion. Check the MSDS.
10
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
NFPA Label
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
 The higher the number in the red box (max is 4), the
greater the fire hazard. Check the MSDS.

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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
12
Controlling or Eliminating Fuels
 Pouring
Flammable & Combustible Liquids
– Dispensing operations where more than 5
gallons are dispensed at a time must be
separated from other operations by at least 25
feet.
– Dispensing valves must be self-closing.
– Transfer only when containers are grounded
and/or bonded.
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Controlling or Eliminating
Ignition Sources (Heat)
 We
can control ignition sources by:
– Not smoking or having open flames.
– Keeping welding, grinding, and cutting at
least 50 feet from flammables.
– Not cutting on tanks, vessels, or drums.
– Keeping engine exhausts away from
flammables.
– Making sure electrical devices comply
with OSHA’s Subpart K.
13
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
What About Static Electricity?
Pouring
from one container to another
can cause static electricity:
– Transfer only when containers are
grounded and/or bonded together.
– Never attach or detach bonding clips in
hazardous concentrations of gases or
vapors.
– Don’t fill a gas can in the bed of a truck
that has a bed liner or in a trunk of a car.
Always place can on ground!
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Controlling or Eliminating
Ignition Sources (Heat)
 Temporary
Heaters:
– Keep tarps and canvas at least 10 feet
away.
– Keep combustible materials at least 18”
away from chimney of circulating room
heaters.
– Keep combustibles materials at least
36” away from the rear of heaters.
– OSHA does not allow solid fuel heaters
indoors or on scaffolds!
15
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
LP Gas Heaters
• Must have manufacturer’s affixed safety
data plate.
• Must use according to manufacturer’s
instructions.
• Must have a fresh air supply.
• Must have automatic shut off valve to
prevent gas build-up during a flame-out!
16
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
17
Propane-LP Gas Precautions
Store, transport, & use LP gas
only in approved containers.
 Never weld on LP containers.
 Don’t point heaters towards
containers.
 Don’t store LP containers inside.
 Don’t roll on side or bottom
edge – use a dolly.
 Keep valve protection in place.
 Don’t lift by the ring.

SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Propane Storage
18
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Fighting Fires
 Fire
Fighting Program:
– Required throughout construction
activities
– Written program required by OSHA:
• Procedures for calling fire department
• Training for workers in how to identify &
correct hazards and use extinguishers.
• Water supply
• Detectors, alarms, and fire fighting equipment
• Explained to every worker
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Types of Fire Extinguishers

There are four basic types:
– Type A - for wood, cardboard,
and paper
– Type B - for flammable liquids
and grease
– Type C - for electrical
– Type D - for combustible
metals
• Never use a water based
Type “A” on an electrical or
flammable liquid fire!
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
21
Fire Extinguisher Requirements
 OSHA requires:
– At least one 2A rated extinguisher for each 3,000 sq. ft.
– At least one per floor and one next to stairway.
– At least 1 within 100 feet of every part of protected
building.
– At least one 10B within 50 feet of 5 gallons or more of a
flammable liquid or 5 lbs. of flammable compressed gas.
– One 20B extinguisher between 25-75 feet of 60 gallons
or more outside.
– One 20B on tank trucks.
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
22
Before You Fight a Fire
 Before
fighting a fire, make sure:
– You have a way out.
– You have called the fire department.
– The fire is small enough to fight.
– The area is not filled with too much smoke.
– You know what is burning and have the right
extinguisher.
– You use the P.A.S.S. method!
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
P.A.S.S.
P
- Pull Pin
 A - Aim at base
 S - Squeeze
 S - Sweep from
side to side
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
A Roofing Fire
Hazard Situation
If you are involved with BUR, consider the following:
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Hazards and Controls
With Kettles

The kettle is propane-fired – where should
the tanks(s) be placed?

How close to the building and combustible
materials can the kettle be?

The asphalt has a Flash Point of 4500F.

What kind of Fire Extinguishers are needed?

Where should they be placed?
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Kettle Set-up for Fire Prevention

Tanks should be no closer than 10 feet,
or 2 feet if the kettle is insulated.

Minimum 20 feet to combustible material,
building surface or building opening.

Temperature in the kettle must be kept
below 4500 F at all times.

A minimum 20-B:C fire extinguisher must
be kept within 30 feet.
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
27
Another Roofing Fire Hazard:
Using Torches
This operation
utilizes an open
flame – have
sufficient precautions been
taken?
Photo courtesy of NRCA, “Hot Times: An NRCA Review of Torch Safety Essentials”
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Precautions for Use of Torches
Survey site for combustibles on or under
deck.
 Tanks should be no closer than 10 feet.
 Check hose connections for leaks.
 No combustibles or flammables nearby.
 No heat directly on combustible substrate.
 No flame near or into openings.
 Adequate PPE for torch user.
 Fire watch after torch application.

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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
29
Case Study: What went wrong?
Propane gas was being
used to fuel a portable
heater. The heater
flamed out, allowing gas
to gather in the bilge
area of a construction
barge. The accumulated
gas exploded with great
force, killing the worker.
SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Fire Protection & Prevention
(1926.150 – .159)
Common OSHA Citations:
– .150(c)(1)(I): 2A fire extinguishers – Building Area
– .152(a)(1): Storage of LP Containers
– .153(j): Fire Protection Program/equipment
– .150(a)(1): 10B Fire Extinguisher w/in 50 feet of
combustible/flammable liquids
– .150(c)(1)(vi): Approved containers for
flammables/combustibles
How can the hazards addressed by these
Standards best be corrected, controlled, or
eliminated?
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Review Questions
 True
or False?
1. Smoke kills more people than the fire itself.
2. Fire is fuel, heat, and oxygen.
3. Flammable liquids of one gallon or less,
must be stored in an approved safety can
or original container.
4. Welding, grinding, and smoking can not be
done within 50 feet of flammable and/or
combustible liquids.
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Review Questions
 True
or False?
5. Gasoline can be used to start scrap lumber
fires.
6. Flammable liquids have a higher flash point
than combustible liquids and therefore are
more dangerous.
7. Flammable/combustible liquids should be
transferred only when containers are
grounded and/or bonded due to static
electricity.
8. LP Gas tanks can be stored inside.
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SUBPART
F
Fire Protection and Prevention
Review Questions
 True
or False?
9. Employers are required to explain fire
protection programs to workers.
10. There are only 2 types of fire extinguishers
usable in construction.
11. OSHA requires at least one 2A rated
extinguisher for each 3,000 square feet of
building and one per floor.
12. Workers should be within 100 feet of an
extinguisher at all times.
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