Provision of fire-fighting equipment

If fire breaks out in the workplace and trained staff can safely extinguish it using suitable fire-fighting equipment, the risk to others will be removed. Therefore, 

The most useful form of fire-fighting equipment for general fire risks is the water-type extinguisher or suitable alternative. One such extinguisher should be provided for around each 200 m of floor space with a minimum of one per floor. If each floor has a hose reel, which is known to be in working order and of sufficient length for the floor it serves, there may be no need for water-type extinguishers to be provided. 

Areas of special risks involving the use of oil, fats or electrical equipment may need carbon dioxide, dry powder or other types of extinguisher. 

Fire extinguishers should be sited on exit routes, preferably near to exit doors or where they are provided for specific risks, near to the hazards they protect. 

Notices indicating the location of fire-fighting equipment should be displayed where the location of the equipment is not obvious or in areas of high fire risk where the notice will assist in reducing the risk to people in the workplace. 

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Limitation of the loss. The damage and injury caused if an incident occurs pressure relief, plant layout, provision of fire-fighting equipment. 

If demolition or refurbishment is to be undertaken, then hazards associated with structural collapse, fire, working at height, lifting and carrying and electricity must be considered together with health hazards from lead, asbestos, vermin and insects. As mentioned in Chapter 10, a structural survey before work commenced should reduce the risk of unintentional structural collapse. The issue of hot work permits, provision of fire-fighting equipment and suitable storage facilities for flammable substances should control the fire risk. Health risks can be controlled, for example, by the use of licensed contractors for the removal of asbestos, specialist contractors to eradicate vermin and the provision of suitable personal protective equipment. 

In addition to the provision of fire fighting equipment, detection and alarms, the responsible person must, in the light of the findings of the risk assessment, also ... 

The general requirements for provision of fire fighting equipment must also be considered together with the provision of gas monitoring systems that can detect the presence of flammable vapours. 

Site planning and safety rules must include fire detection provisions, supply and maintenance of fire fighting equipment, control of hot work, emergency procedures in the event of fire, control of smoking on site as needed and prevention of the build-up of flammable materials in work areas and in waste skips. Adequate means of escape and access for emergency vehicles must be allowed for during all stages of construction. 

The term engineered safety covers the provision in the design of control systems, alarms, trips, pressure-relief devices, automatic shut-down systems, duplication of key equipment services and fire-fighting equipment, sprinkler systems and blast walls, to contain any fire or explosion. 

Provision of special fire fighting equipment for all electrical installations. 

Regular testing and maintenance of aU pressure vessels and pipelines, fuel storages and gas pipes, electrical overhead travelling (EOT) cranes, hoists and chain pulley blocks, fire fighting equipments, provision of gas detectors for inflammable, and toxic gases are to be carried out as per instructions issued by statutory authorities and inspection personnel deputed by insurance companies. 

Fires in or on offshore wind turbines and substations 33 CER Chapter 1, Subchapter N, Part 145, Fire-Fighting Equipment NEPA, Codes and Standards (e.g., NFPA 12—Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems) NFPA 850 RP for Fire Protection for Electric Generating Plants DNV-OS-J201(2009)—Offshore Substations for Wind Farms (Section 6) Safety of Life at Sea Provisions GL Wind Technical Note Certification of Fire Protection Systems for Wind Turbines, Rev. 2,2009 ed. BS EN 13565-2 2009—Fixed Firefighting Systems... 

The usefulness of an alarm system sounding, for the protection of property and the limiting of damage and loss, depends on the provision of appropriate fire-fighting equipment, not least if the Fire Brigade is unlikely to attend within 10 minutes. 

Another important issue in layout is the provision of safe access to equipment for emergency response needs such as fire-fighting etc. The layout also needs to provide for safe escape and rescue routes. As far as off-site population is concerned, the most important siting factor is the distance between the process... 

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