Texas Department of Insurance State Fire Marshalls Office

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Texas Department of InsuranceState Fire
Marshalls Office

• Sixth Report on
• State University Fire Safety
• January 2002

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Graduate Alive!

• State Appropriations Act for 2002-03, Article
  III,
• 36, Fire Safety Issues at State Universities
• The State Fire Marshals University Inspection
  Program
• Prior Occupied, residential housing --
  inspected 1,500 buildings
• Current focus All university buildings
• New Initiatives
• Campus-Wide Inspections
• Off-Campus Inspections (remote sites, rental
  facilities, etc.)
• Inspection Verification Program
• Fire Safety Program Continuation Maintenance

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Fire Inspections

• 48 University Campuses
• 10 Adjunct Campuses Remote Facilities

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Serious Campus Fires - Fall 2001

• Angelo State University - San Angelo
• TAMU - Commerce
• TAMU - Commerce

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TAMU - College Station

• Last Inspected
• 11-Dec-2001
• 70 Buildings
• Next Inspection
• Anticipated within 6 months

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Expected Focus

• NFPA-101
• Life Safety Code
• Protect People
• Protect Property Facilities
• Protect Continuity of Operations
• Applies to both
• New construction
• Existing buildings

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Expected Focus

• NFPA-45
• Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories
  Using Chemicals
• Examples of Coverage
• 2, Flammable Liquid Storage in Laboratories
• 8, Compressed or Liquefied Gas Cylinders in
  Laboratory Work Areas

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 1. Remove all devices used to hold exit corridor
  doors open. If corridor doors need to be in the
  open position, automatic release devices
  connected to the buildings fire alarm system
  shall be installed. The automatic release
  devices will allow the doors to automatically
  close when the building fire alarm system is
  activated.
• Building Proctors Safety Officers should
  identify list of specific problems. Report
  deficiencies to TAMU Physical Plant.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 2. Remove panic hardware with latch hold-open
  devices and install fire exit hardware on fire
  exit doors.
• Building Proctors Safety Officers should
  identify list of specific problems. Report
  deficiencies to TAMU Physical Plant.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 3. Remove obstructions from paths of egress.
• All employees are responsible for keeping
  hallways, walkways, evacuation egress paths
  free, clear and unobstructed.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 4. Repair or replace inoperative emergency
  lighting. Conduct functional testing on
  emergency lighting systems and maintain written
  records of visual inspections and tests.
• Report emergency lighting needs to TAMU Physical
  Plant.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 5. Ensure that fire alarm panels have current
  inspection tags.
• Report out-of-date inspections to TAMU Fire
  Safety at 845-2132.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 6. Verify that the water supply line for the
  fire department standpipe is open.
• Report any issues to TAMU Utilities.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 7. Maintain written records of standpipe hose
  system testing and inspections.
• CS Fire Dept has requested TAMU to remove old
  hoses they bring their own.
• Report any hoses still in place to TAMU Fire
  Safety at 845-2132.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 8. Remove extension cords that are being used as
  permanent wiring, installing additional circuitry
  and outlets as needed by a licensed electrician.
• TAMU safety rules, in compliance with the
  National Electrical Code, do not permit extension
  cords to be used for powering laboratory
  equipment.
• Do not permanently affix/mount extension cords.
• Use only ONE fuse protected power strip per
  extension cord, for computers and non-lab
  equipment.
• Install permanent wiring in compliance with NEC.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 9. Install smoke detectors in the ductwork of
  ventilation units.
• Report any concerns to TAMU Physical Plant.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 10. Close unattended fume hood sashes.
• Ensure that fume hood sashes are kept closed at
  all times when not in use.
• Cables, hoses equipment should not be installed
  through the sash opening.
• Hoods should not be used for storage.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 11. Label household refrigerators in laboratories
  with a tag stating, Do not store flammable
  solvents in this refrigerator. Purchase
  refrigerators approved for flammable materials as
  necessary.
• Prudent Lab Practice does not permit food drink
  consumables in laboratories.
• All refrigerators in labs should be appropriately
  labeled.
• Never store flammables in non-rated
  refrigerators.
• Never store food in refrigerators with flammables
  or other hazardous materials.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 12. Seal penetrations in fire-rated walls.
• Building Proctors should report all fire wall
  penetrations and other safety-related maintenance
  issues to Physical Plant. Report on Work Request
  form flag as safety issue.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 13. Remove candles, incense, and other decorative
  open flame items from laboratories, offices and
  other areas.
• All employees are responsible for improving fire
  safety.

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COMMON FIRE SAFETY ISSUES

• 14. Ensure that compressed gas cylinders are
  properly secured, stored and handled in accord
  with the requirements of NFPA-45, Standard on
  Fire Protection for Laboratories.
• Faculty/PI, Department Safety Officers Lab
  Managers