WAC 296-24-58503   Scope, application and definitions applicable.  (1) Scope. This section contains requirements for fire brigades, and all portable and fixed fire suppression equipment, fire detection systems, and fire or employee alarm systems installed to meet the fire protection requirements of this chapter.

     (2) Application. This section applies to all employments except for maritime, construction and agriculture.

     (3) Definitions applicable to this section.

     (a) "After-flame," means the time a test specimen continues to flame after the flame source has been removed.

     (b) "Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF)," means a fluorinated surfactant with a foam stabilizer which is diluted with water to act as a temporary barrier to exclude air from mixing with the fuel vapor by developing an aqueous film on the fuel surface of some hydrocarbons which is capable of suppressing the generation of fuel vapors.

     (c) "Approved," means acceptable to the director under the following criteria:

     (i) If it is accepted, or certified, or listed, or labeled or otherwise determined to be safe by a nationally recognized testing laboratory; or

     (ii) With respect to an installation or equipment of a kind which no nationally recognized testing laboratory accepts, certifies, lists, labels, or determines to be safe, if it is inspected or tested by another federal agency and found in compliance with the provisions of the applicable National Fire Protection Association Fire Code; or

     (iii) With respect to custom-made equipment or related installations which are designed, fabricated for, and intended for use by its manufacturer on the basis of test data which the employer keeps and makes available for inspection to the director; and

     (iv) For the purposes of (c) of this subsection:

     (A) Equipment is listed if it is of a kind mentioned in a list which is published by a nationally recognized testing laboratory which makes periodic inspections of the production of such equipment and which states that such equipment meets nationally recognized standards or has been tested and found safe for use in a specified manner;

     (B) Equipment is labeled if there is attached to it a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of a nationally recognized testing laboratory which makes periodic inspections of the production of such equipment and whose labeling indicates compliance with nationally recognized standards or tests to determine safe use in a specified manner;

     (C) Equipment is accepted if it has been inspected and found by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to conform to specified plans or to procedures of applicable codes;

     (D) Equipment is certified if it has been tested and found by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to meet nationally recognized standards or to be safe for use in a specified manner or is of a kind whose production is periodically inspected by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, and if it bears a label, tag, or other record of certification; and

     (E) Refer to federal regulation 29 CFR 1910.7 for definition of nationally recognized testing laboratory.

     (d) "Automatic fire detection device," means a device designed to automatically detect the presence of fire by heat, flame, light, smoke or other products of combustion.

     (e) "Buddy-breathing device," means an accessory to self-contained breathing apparatus which permits a second person to share the same air supply as that of the wearer of the apparatus.

     (f) "Carbon dioxide," means a colorless, odorless, electrically nonconductive inert gas (chemical formula CO₂) that is a medium for extinguishing fires by reducing the concentration of oxygen or fuel vapor in the air to the point where combustion is impossible.

     (g) "Class A fire," means a fire involving ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cloth, and some rubber and plastic materials.

     (h) "Class B fire," means a fire involving flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, greases and similar materials, and some rubber and plastic materials.

     (i) "Class C fire," means a fire involving energized electrical equipment where safety to the employee requires the use of electrically nonconductive extinguishing media.

     (j) "Class D fire," means a fire involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium.

     (k) "Dry chemical," means an extinguishing agent composed of very small particles of chemicals such as, but not limited to, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, urea-based potassium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, or monoammonium phosphate supplemented by special treatment to provide resistance to packing and moisture absorption (caking) as well as to provide proper flow capabilities. Dry chemical does not include dry powders.

     (l) "Dry powder," means a compound used to extinguish or control Class D fires.

     (m) "Education," means the process of imparting knowledge or skill through systematic instruction. It does not require formal classroom instruction.

     (n) "Enclosed structure," means a structure with a roof or ceiling and at least two walls which may present fire hazards to employees, such as accumulations of smoke, toxic gases and heat similar to those found in buildings.

     (o) "Extinguisher classification," means the letter classification given an extinguisher to designate the class or classes of fire on which an extinguisher will be effective.

     (p) "Extinguisher rating," means the numerical rating given to an extinguisher which indicates the extinguishing potential of the unit based on standardized tests developed by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.

     (q) "Fixed extinguishing system," means a permanently installed system that either extinguishes or controls a fire at the location of the system.

     (r) "Flame resistance," is the property of materials, or combinations of component materials, to retard ignition and restrict the spread of flame.

     (s) "Foam," means a stable aggregation of small bubbles which flow freely over a burning liquid surface and form a coherent blanket which seals combustible vapors and thereby extinguishes the fire.

     (t) "Gaseous agent," is a fire extinguishing agent which is in the gaseous state at normal room temperature and pressure. It has low viscosity, can expand or contract with changes in pressure and temperature, and has the ability to diffuse readily and to distribute itself uniformly throughout an enclosure.

     (u) "Halon 1211," means a colorless, faintly sweet smelling, electrically nonconductive liquefied gas (chemical formula CBrC1F₂) which is a medium for extinguishing fires by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of fuel and oxygen. It is also known as bromochlorodifluoromethane.

     (v) "Halon 1301," means a colorless, odorless, electrically nonconductive gas (chemical formula CBrF₃) which is a medium for extinguishing fires by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of fuel and oxygen. It is also known as bromotrifluoromethane.

     (w) "Helmet," is a head protective device consisting of a rigid shell, energy absorption system and chin strap intended to be worn to provide protection for the head or portions thereof, against impact, flying or falling objects, electric shock, penetration, heat and flame.

     (x) "Incipient stage fire," means a fire which is in the initial or beginning stage and which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus.

     (y) Industrial fire brigade: An organized group of employees whose primary employment is other than firefighting who are knowledgeable, trained and skilled in specialized operations based on site-specific hazards present at a single commercial facility or facilities under the same management.

     (z) "Inspection," means a visual check of fire protection systems and equipment to ensure that they are in place, charged, and ready for use in the event of a fire.

     (aa) "Interior structural firefighting," means the physical activity of fire suppression, rescue or both, inside of buildings or enclosed structures which are involved in a fire situation beyond the incipient stage.

     (bb) "Lining," means a material permanently attached to the inside of the outer shell of a garment for the purpose of thermal protection and padding.

     (cc) "Local application system," means a fixed fire suppression system which has a supply of extinguishing agent, with nozzles arranged to automatically discharge extinguishing agent directly on the burning material to extinguish or control a fire.

     (dd) "Maintenance," means the performance of services on fire protection equipment and systems to assure that they will perform as expected in the event of a fire. Maintenance differs from inspection in that maintenance requires the checking of internal fitting, devices and agent supplies.

     (ee) "Multipurpose dry chemical," means a dry chemical which is approved for use on Class A, Class B and Class C fires.

     (ff) "Outer shell," is the exterior layer of material on the fire coat and protective trousers which forms the outermost barrier between the firefighter and the environment. It is attached to the vapor barrier and liner and is usually constructed with a storm flap, suitable closures, and pockets.

     (gg) "Positive-pressure breathing apparatus," means self-contained breathing apparatus in which the pressure in the breathing zone is positive in relation to the immediate environment during inhalation and exhalation.

     (hh) "Predischarge employee alarm," means an alarm which will sound at a set time prior to actual discharge of an extinguishing system so that employees may evacuate the discharge area prior to system discharge.

     (ii) "Quick disconnect valve," means a device which starts the flow of air by inserting of the hose (which leads from the facepiece) into the regulator of self-contained breathing apparatus, and stops the flow of air by disconnection of the hose from the regulator.

     (jj) "Sprinkler alarm," means an approved device installed so that any waterflow from a sprinkler system equal to or greater than that from single automatic sprinkler will result in an audible alarm signal on the premises.

     (kk) "Sprinkler system," means a system of piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards and installed to control or extinguish fires. The system includes an adequate and reliable water supply, and a network of specially sized piping and sprinklers which are interconnected. The system also includes a control valve and a device for actuating an alarm when the system is in operation.

     (ll) "Standpipe systems:"

     (i) "Class I standpipe system," means a two and one-half-inch (6.3 cm) hose connection for use by fire departments and those trained in handling heavy fire streams.

     (ii) "Class II standpipe system," means a one and one-half-inch (3.8 cm) hose system which provides a means for the control or extinguishment of incipient stage fires.

     (iii) "Class III standpipe system," means a combined system of hose which is for the use of employees trained in the use of hose operations and which is capable of furnishing effective water discharge during the more advanced stages of fire (beyond the incipient stage) in the interior of workplaces. Hose outlets are available for both one and one-half-inch (3.8 cm) and two and one-half-inch (6.3 cm) hose.

     (iv) "Small hose system," means a system of hose ranging in diameter from five-eighths-inch (1.6 cm) up to one and one-half-inch (3.8 cm) which is for the use of employees and which provides a means for the control and extinguishment of incipient stage fires.

     (mm) "Total flooding system," means a fixed suppression system which is arranged to automatically discharge a predetermined concentration of agent into an enclosed space for the purpose of fire extinguishment or control.

     (nn) "Training," means the process of making proficient through instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment, including respiratory protection equipment, that is expected to be used in the performance of assigned duties.

     (oo) "Vapor barrier," means that material used to prevent or substantially inhibit the transfer of water, corrosive liquids and steam or other hot vapors from the outside of a garment to the wearer's body.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040. 99-05-080, § 296-24-58503, filed 2/17/99, effective 6/1/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].050 and [49.17].060. 95-22-015, § 296-24-58503, filed 10/20/95, effective 1/16/96. Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. 94-06-068 (Order 93-17), § 296-24-58503, filed 3/2/94, effective 3/1/95; 88-23-054 (Order 88-25), § 296-24-58503, filed 11/14/88; 87-24-051 (Order 87-24), § 296-24-58503, filed 11/30/87. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 82-02-003 (Order 81-32), § 296-24-58503, filed 12/24/81.]