Fire Protection and Prevention
These handouts and documents with attachments are not final, complete, or definitive instruments. This information is for guidance purposes
only. You should independently verify and satisfy yourself as to its accuracy. The AHBSIF does not assume any liability for damages arising
from the use of this information or exhibits and attachments thereto and renders no opinion that any of the terms, conditions, and/or cited federal
standards in this document and the exhibits and attachments should be explicitly followed by the fund member. Seek specific guidance from the
appropriate regulator (OSHA) or professional advisor.
Fire Terms Defined
• Conduction – Heat transfer by direct contact
• Convection – Heat transfer by an intermediate
source (air, gas, liquid)
• Radiation – Energy traveling through space
similar to a wave (light, radio, x-rays)
• Flash Point – The temperature at which a
liquid gives off ignitable vapors
• Ignition Temperature – The temperature at
which a substance ignites
Fire Basics
See Appendix “B”
• Components of
combustion
Oxygen
– Oxygen – sustains
combustion
– Heat – raises the material
to the ignition temperature Heat
– Fuel – combustible material
– Chemical Reaction –
exothermic release
• Suppression of any one of
these components stops
the fire
Fuel
Chemical Reaction
Products of Combustion
fire
Thermal
Products
Flame
Heat
Non-Thermal
Products
Smoke
Gases
Signage
• Flammable and Combustible
Liquids
– Storage cabinet where flammable and
combustible liquids are stored must be
conspicuously labeled
• Spray Finishing
– “NO SMOKING”
– All spraying areas and paint storage
rooms
• Extinguishers
– Location of extinguishers shall be
labeled so location is easily identifiable
• Personal Protective Equipment
– For processes that require specific
protective equipment
Signage
• Exit Routes
– Each exit must be clearly visible and marked
– “EXIT” must be legible and no less than six inches high and
three quarters of an inch wide
• Hazardous Material Storage
– Location must be fenced and posted to prevent entrance from
unauthorized personnel
• Electrical
– Breaker panel must display manufacturer’s name, trademark,
or other descriptive identification
– Must provide voltage, current, wattage, and other ratings
– Labels must withstand the environment
– All breaker switches inside the panel must be labeled
Material Storage
• Combustible scrap, debris, and waste materials
(oily rags, etc.) should be stored and removed
from the worksite as promptly as possible
• Proper storage practiced to minimize the risk of
fire including spontaneous combustion
• Keep combustible materials away from potential
ignition sources
• Never store flammable or combustible liquids in
access or egress areas
Flammable Liquid Classification
Flammable Liquid refers to any liquid
having a flash point below 100° F
FP - Flash Point BP - Boiling Point
Class IA
Class IB
Class IC
FP < 73°
FP < 73°
FP ≥ 73°
BP < 100°
BP ≥ 100°
BP < 100°
Combustible Liquid Classification
Combustible Liquid refers to any liquid
having a flash at or above 100° F
FP - Flash Point
Class II
Class IIIA
Class IIIB
FP ≥ 100°
FP ≥ 140°
FP ≥ 200°
FP < 140°
FP < 200°
Flammable and Combustible Liquids
• The quantity of flammable or combustible
liquid that may kept outside of a storage
room or cabinet inside the building shall
not exceed:
– 25 gallons of Class IA liquids in containers
– 120 gallons of Class IB, IC, II, III liquids in
containers
– 660 gallons of Class IB, IC, II, III liquids in a
single portable tank
Inside Storage Rooms
• Shall be of fire resistant construction
• Liquid tight were the walls join the floor
• Have approved self closing doors at all
openings
• At least 4” sills, ramps, or depressed floors
or open integrated trench which drains to
safe location
Inside Storage Rooms
• A ventilation system that provides at least
six room changes / hour
• For Class I liquids, electrical wiring
approved for hazardous locations
• Explosion resistant lighting fixtures
• Wood at least 1 inch nominal thickness for
shelving, racks, dunnage, scuffboards,
floor overlay, and similar installations
Flammable Storage
• All solvent wastes and flammable liquids must
be kept in fire-resistant, covered containers until
they are removed from the worksite
• Firm separation should be placed between
containers of combustibles or flammables, when
stacked one upon another, to assure their
support and stability
• Permanently installed sprinkler system heads
must not spray into operating electrical switch
boards or equipment
Flammable Liquids
• Spills of flammable or combustible liquids must be
cleaned up promptly
• Storage tanks must be adequately vented to prevent the
development of excessive vacuum or pressure as a result
of filling, emptying, or atmosphere temperature
changes
• Storage tanks must also be equipped with emergency
venting that will relieve excessive internal pressure
caused by fire exposure
• Insure that all connections on drums and combustible
liquid piping and vapor are liquid tight
Flammable Liquids
• Use compliant metal safety cans for handling of
any flammable liquids in quantity greater than a
gallon
• Keep flammable liquids in closed containers
when not in use (example: parts cleaning tanks,
pans, etc.)
• Ground and bond
bulk drums of
flammable liquids
to containers
during dispensing
Flammable Liquids
• Spills of flammable or combustible liquids must
be cleaned up promptly
• Storage tanks must be adequately vented to
prevent the development of excessive vacuum or
pressure as a result of filling, emptying, or
atmosphere temperature changes
• Storage tanks must also be equipped with
emergency venting that will relieve excessive
internal pressure caused by fire exposure
Compressed Gas Cylinders
 Cylinder valves must be protected




at all times
Cylinders should be stored in an
upright and secure position
The tilt and roll method is
accepted practice for movement,
never attempt to hoist with
chokers
Valve caps must be secure any
time the cylinder is not in use
When stored, compressed
cylinders should be segregated.
The required separation is 20’ or a
five foot high fire wall with an
approved fire-resistance rating
Welding-Cutting-Burning
 Extinguishing equipment should be located in
an obvious place and be easy to reach
 Remove all flammable materials within a 35 ft
radius
 Remove all combustible materials within a 50 ft
radius
 Remove all explosive materials within a 100 ft
radius
Housekeeping
 Potential sources of fire on the
jobsite due to poor housekeeping
 Scrap lumber piles
 Discarded Building materials
 Flammable liquid/chemical spills
 Trash
 Reactive chemicals
 Unprotected cords in traffic areas
Protection Measures
• Develop a system to alert
employees in the event of a fire
• Alternate extinguishment systems
are acceptable; water drums,
hoses, smothering agents
• Easiest means is to provide at
least one extinguisher per house
• make sure employees know
extinguisher location
• Train workers on proper
extinguisher operation
Fire Extinguishers
• Fire extinguishers must be selected and provided for the
types of materials in areas where they are to be used
– Class A, Ordinary combustible material fires.
– Class B, Flammable liquid, gas or grease fires.
– Class C, Energized-electrical equipment fires.
• Fire extinguishers should be mounted within 75 feet of
outside areas containing flammable liquids, and within
10 feet of any inside storage area for such materials
• Access to extinguishers should be free from obstructions
or blockage
• Fire extinguishers must be serviced, maintained, and
tagged at least once a year
Fire Extinguishers
Ordinary Combustibles
Includes materials such as wood and
paper
Flammable Liquids
Includes fuels, grease, other liquids
Electrical Fires
Contains non-conductive smothering
agent
Fire Extinguisher Inspection
• Body of the extinguisher;
rust, cracks, dents
• Check hose for cracks,
dry-rot
• All fittings snug, no signs
of leaks
• Lever and hinge assembly
• Safety pin in place, safety
tie present
• Inspection tag, present
and up to date
• Pressure gauge, needle in
the green
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
P-A-S-S
Pull -- Pull the pin at the top of the
extinguisher that keeps the handle from
being activated
Aim -- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
Squeeze -- Maintain a distance of eight to ten
feet away from the fire and squeeze the
handle. Discharge will only occur if the
handle is being squeezed.
Sweep -- Sweep the nozzle back and forth at
the base of the fire until it appears to be
out.
On-site Burning
• When burning trash
on site be aware of
all surrounding
factors;
–
–
–
–
–
Local Burning restrictions
Wind direction
Proximity to structures
Materials to be burned
Means for
extinguishment if things
get out of control