Fire Safety Program

Control areas are designated spaces within buildings that are separated by fire-rated construction, creating compartments designed to resist the spread of fire. Each of these compartments is treated as a separate storage area for flammable liquids, effectively controlling fire spread throughout the building. Commonly, control areas include wings of buildings, individual floors separated by stairwells and fire doors, or portions of these spaces.

Exceeding the storage limitations within a control area can classify the building as a 'hazardous occupancy,' which imposes extensive and costly fire safety regulations. Many buildings are not designed to meet these stringent standards, often requiring significant renovations.

To ensure compliance with code limitations for control areas, it is essential to maintain a thorough and accurate inventory of stored materials and routinely assess the necessity of the quantities kept. For more information about the control areas in your building and any applicable limitations, please contact your building administrator or department head.

Many liquids can generate an electrical potential when poured or pumped, leading to static electricity buildup, especially in environments with low humidity. This poses a significant risk, as sparks created during dispensing can ignite flammable vapors, potentially resulting in dangerous fires or explosions. To prevent this hazard, it is essential to equalize electrical potential.

Bonding the vessels involved in the dispensing process is required to eliminate the possibility of static discharge. This practice ensures that any static charge is safely dissipated, reducing the risk of ignition and enhancing safety during liquid handling. Proper bonding techniques are important for maintaining a safe working environment, particularly in laboratories and industrial settings where flammable liquids are frequently used.

Smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers, and emergency lighting are vital for your safety during an emergency. Blocked or damaged equipment cannot provide the necessary early warning or suppression when needed.

Never tamper with emergency equipment, and ensure that fire extinguishers, alarms, and sprinklers are always clearly visible and unobstructed. Familiarize yourself with the locations and conditions of safety devices in your area. Avoid hanging anything from fire sprinklers or their piping and keep storage or shelving at least 18 inches below a sprinkler to prevent damage to the head.

Outside, do not block fire lanes or access to fire department connections by parking vehicles in these areas.

All campus buildings are equipped with automatic fire alarm systems that include ceiling-mounted smoke and heat detectors, which should never be covered or obstructed. Avoid using aerosols or performing activities nearby that could generate dust, mist, steam, or smoke.

Fire alarm manual pull stations are available at all building exits and on each floor for activating fire alarms during an emergency. These stations should always remain visible and accessible. If you find any damaged devices, report them to Facilities immediately for repair or replacement.

In the event of a fire alarm or other emergency, it is essential that all occupants can evacuate the building in a timely manner. This requires a clear and unobstructed path to exit the building, and a well-known evacuation plan that everyone can execute.

All university employees and students should familiarize themselves with emergency evacuation procedures. Environmental Health and Safety has developed general procedures, which each department should enhance with specific information relevant to their area. These procedures should be prominently posted in every department and distributed to all building occupants.

Events on the University of Idaho Moscow campus present unique challenges, particularly regarding fire safety. Large gatherings can impact the campus community, including parking and traffic, and require careful planning to ensure safety. All events must be approved through administrative channels to address these concerns.

With many people congregating in one or more buildings, egress issues can arise, and specific fire code requirements must be followed. To ensure compliance and safety for your event, please contact the facility manager of the proposed venue. They will assist you in reviewing your plans and ensuring all fire safety regulations are met.

In an emergency, corridors must allow for the rapid movement of people to evacuate safely. Reduced widths or obstructions can impede this process. Fire doors are installed to protect occupants using exits and corridors from fire and smoke, and it is vital that they operate properly and remain closed at all times. Fire doors are clearly marked with signage, and all stairway doors are designated as fire doors.

Lighted EXIT signs are strategically placed throughout buildings to guide individuals during emergency evacuations. These signs are illuminated and will function on emergency power if the building's electrical systems fail.

To ensure safety, do not obstruct or block exit doors or signage. Avoid placing any items in the exit path or anywhere that could reduce the width of doorways or corridors. Never place objects in corridors without specific approval and be sure to review the Corridor Use Exemption form before doing so.

Never prop open a fire door or place anything nearby that could prevent if from closing properly. If you notice a fire door that is damaged or does not close correctly, contact Facilities immediately for repair. EXIT signs should always be visible and unobstructed; if they appear damaged or are not illuminated, report this to Facilities right away to ensure they are repaired promptly.

Laboratories pose the highest risk of fire among university buildings, making it essential to maintain an orderly environment and store materials safely. To minimize fire hazards, keep flammable liquids to a minimum and store them in designated flammable liquid storage cabinets, ensuring that no more than ten gallons of liquid are outside of these cabinets at any time.

Additionally, always keep compressed gases with valve caps on when not in use, and ensure that cylinders are securely anchored in place. Store incompatible substances in separate areas, keeping oxidizers well away from flammable liquids and gases, and avoid storing flammable liquids in fume hoods to prevent dangerous conditions.

Environmental Health and Safety conducts periodic fire safety inspections of campus facilities to ensure compliance with state fire codes and to maintain a safe environment for occupancy. EHS also assists the state fire marshal by performing follow-up inspections to evaluate the status of corrective actions.

Each department is responsible for addressing any code violations reported by EHS. Departments must submit corrective action reports to EHS within the specified time frame outlined in the notice.

To maintain safety standards, it is recommended that individual departments conduct self-inspections monthly. You are encouraged to utilize our Self-Inspection Checklist for these audits to ensure that conditions remain safe and compliant.

Flammable and combustible liquids include any liquid or aerosol that can ignite at room temperature, such as solvents, cleaning products, spray paints, oils, lubricants, and many laboratory chemicals. These liquids are responsible for most fires and injuries in the workplace.

To minimize risks, avoid purchasing more than you need and keep quantities to the minimum required for a 30-day period. Always store flammable liquids in U.L. listed flammable cabinets and never store them near heat or ignition sources to ensure a safer environment.

Reference:

• Maximum Allowable Quantity of Flammables

Being aware of conditions that may lead to a fire emergency is crucial for ensuring the safety of everyone in the workplace. Major causes of fire include overloaded electrical outlets and extension cords, misuse of space heaters, mishandling of flammable materials, improper storage of combustibles, and improper disposal of smoking materials on campus grounds. Implementing fire prevention measures is key to protecting yourself and others.

Remember, fire occurs when three elements come together: fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source. The primary method to prevent fires is to keep these elements apart as much as possible.

Prevention measures

• Ensure that a copy of emergency procedures is posted in a visible location in each work area.
• Familiarize yourself with the Unit Emergency Response Procedure.
• Regularly check emergency evacuation routes, fire extinguishers, and emergency exit lights. Report any missing equipment or issues to EHS immediately.
• Keep corridors and stairwells clear of obstructions at all times.
• Ensure all exits are unobstructed and accessible at all times.
• Report any tampering with fire alarms, smoke detection, and suppression systems to EHS.
• Regularly check that fire doors are closed and report any inoperable doors.
• Prohibit the use of candles or any open-flame devices in university buildings.
• Adhere to the "No Smoking" policy in all facilities.
• Enforce all safety regulations.
• Contact EHS with any questions or concerns.

Haphazard storage and poor housekeeping practices are among the leading causes of workplace fires. Combustible materials should never be stored or used near ignition sources, and they should never be placed in exit paths or corridors.

To prevent fire hazards, it is essential to follow proper storage practices:

• Store materials on secure and sound shelving or in separate storage rooms.
• Keep items stacked at least two feet away from ceilings.
• Ensure that fire sprinklers are unobstructed — maintain at least 18 inches of clearance.
• Avoid placing items in exit corridors or exit enclosures.
• Do not store materials in boiler rooms, mechanical rooms, or electrical equipment rooms.
• Refrain from placing items in attics, under floor spaces, or concealed spaces unless these areas are protected by one hour of fire-resistive construction or a fire sprinkler system.

Maintaining orderly workspaces and minimizing excessive combustible waste materials is vital for fire safety.

Open flame use can ignite nearby materials, leading to rapidly growing fires that pose significant risks to safety. It is essential to be vigilant and adhere to safety guidelines to prevent fire hazards in our campus environment.

To prevent fire hazards, remember the following guidelines:

• Never use candles or other open flame devices in campus buildings.
• All outdoor open burning, including campfires, bonfires, and fireworks, requires a permit.
• Gas or charcoal barbecues are permitted only when used at least 10 feet away from buildings, flammable landscaping, or other readily ignitable fuel sources, and must be placed on a hard, noncombustible surface (such as concrete or asphalt).
• Do not dispose of charcoal or other spent fuel in dumpsters, trash containers, or on the landscape.

By following these precautions, you can help create a safer campus environment for everyone and reduce the risk of fire emergencies.

References:

• BBQ and grilling authorization form
• Open burning authorization form