OAR 437-002-0187: Portable Fire Extinguishers

This rule applies to portable fire extinguishers not in vehicles or vessels. NOTE: The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal and your local fire marshal also have rules that apply to portable fire extinguishers. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: To assure that you provide functional extinguishers and your employees know when and how to use them safely. If another Oregon rule requires you to provide fire extinguishers, the following exemptions do not apply to you. EXEMPTIONS: You are exempt from these rules if: Your portable fire extinguishers are not accessible to employees. AND You have a written fire safety policy that requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees in the event of fire. NOTE: This fire safety policy is not the same as your emergency action plan and fire prevention plan. AND You have an emergency action plan and fire prevention plan that conform to OAR 437-002-0042 and 437-002-0043. PARTIAL EXEMPTION: If extinguishers are present and accessible, but you do not intend employees to use them, AND you have an emergency action plan and fire prevention plan that meet OAR 437-002-0042 and 437-002-0043, then only paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 apply. See Non-mandatory Appendix A — Summary of exemptions and rule requirements for 437-002-0187. [Appendix not included. See ED. NOTE.] Definitions Accessible — capable of being reached without hindrance. Inspection — A quick check that the extinguisher has not been activated and has no damage or condition that would make it ineffective. This includes a check of the gauge or pressure indicator, if there is one. Maintenance — A thorough examination for damage or conditions that would make internal examination or hydrostatic testing necessary more frequently than in Table 2 or 3. [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.] (1) If you provide extinguishers You must: Never provide or allow the use of extinguishers with dangerous or banned agents like carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane. Never provide or allow the use of soda-acid foam, loaded stream, anti-freeze and water (inverting type) extinguishers. (See the latest NFPA 10 for a complete list of obsolete or banned extinguishers.) EXEMPTION: You are exempt from the maximum travel distance requirements in Table 1 of this rule if you have an emergency action plan that complies with OAR 437-002-0042, designating which employees are authorized to use the available fire extinguishers and requiring all other employees to evacuate. Provide and place the correct type and size fire extinguisher according to Table 1. This only applies to extinguishers for use inside buildings. Table 1 [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.] Mount extinguishers in a manner appropriate for their type and location. Not allow extinguishers to sit on the floor, shelves or furniture. Use appropriate signs or other unique markings to identify extinguisher locations. Never block access to extinguishers. (2) Inspection and maintenance You must: Visually inspect each extinguisher monthly. Be sure the extinguishers have a full charge and no defects that prevent effective use. Remove and replace any extinguisher that is not fully operable. Complete annual maintenance on each extinguisher using only persons or companies acceptable to your local fire authorities. Keep a record of the annual maintenance until replaced by a new record. The record must be available to OR-OSHA on request. Provide replacement extinguishers or some method of coverage for the effected area while extinguishers are out of service for the maintenance check. Do internal examinations at intervals not longer than the requirements set in Table 2, using only persons or companies acceptable to local fire authorities. Nonrechargeable extinguishers are good for 12 years from the date of manufacture and then must be taken out of service. Table 2 [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.] NOTE: Nonrechargeable extinguishers do not require internal examinations or hydrostatic testing. (3) Hydrostatic testing You must: Assure a hydrostatic test of each extinguisher at intervals in Table 3 or when the extinguisher shows corrosion or physical damage. Use only persons or companies acceptable to local fire authorities to do hydrostatic testing. Empty and do applicable maintenance every six years on stored pressure extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test. This six-year requirement begins again after recharging or hydrostatic testing. Table 3 [Table not included. See ED. NOTE.] Keep a record of the hydrostatic test until it is replaced by a new record or the extinguisher is no longer in use. The record must have at least the date of test, test pressure, serial number of the extinguisher (or other unique identifier), and the person or company doing the test. (4) Employee training You must: Train employees in the safe use of extinguishers and standpipe hoses when you require or allow their use. Training must be at first hiring and then annually and must include: The general methods and tactics of using an extinguisher. The hazards of using an extinguisher on early stage fires. Hazards associated with using standpipe hoses. [ED. NOTE: Tables & Appendicies referenced are available from the agency.]