Hospital-wide Hazards » Fire Hazards

Hazard

The potential for fire can occur from many different sources, such as heat-producing equipment, storage of flammable chemicals, and faulty electrical wiring.

Requirements

  • OSHA requires adequate exit routes for evacuation during fires and other emergencies. [29 CFR 1910.34)]
    • Employers must provide exit routes in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 Subpart E, as follows:
      • There must be an adequate number of exit routes, as required by the standard. [29 CFR 1910.36(b)]
      • Exits must discharge directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside, and the street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space to which an exit discharge leads must be large enough to accommodate the building occupants likely to use the exit route . [29 CFR 1910.36(c)]
      • Exit routes must be of adequate capacity and meet minimum height and width requirements, as required by the standard. [29 CFR 1910.36(f) and 29 CFR 1910.36(g)]
      • Exit routes must be adequately and appropriately lighted and marked, as required by the standard. [29 CFR 1910.37(b)]
      • Employers must install and maintain an operable employee alarm system, as required by the standard, and the employee alarm system must comply with 29 CFR 1910.165 [29 CFR 1910.37(b)]
      • Exit doors must be unlocked. [29 CFR 1910.36(d)]
      • Exit routes must remain free and unobstructed at all times. [29 CFR 1910.37(a)]
      • During new construction, employees must not occupy a workplace until the exit routes required by 29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart E are completed and ready for employee use for the portion of the workplace they occupy. [29 CFR 1910.37(d)(1)]
      • During repairs or alterations, employees must not occupy a workplace unless the exit routes required by 29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart E are available and existing fire protections are maintained, or until alternate fire protection is furnished that provides an equivalent level of safety. [29 CFR 1910.36(d)(2)]
    • Compliance with alternate exit-route codes: OSHA will deem an employer demonstrating compliance with the exit-route provisions of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, Life Safety Code, 2009 edition, or the exit-route provisions of the International Fire Code, 2009 edition, to be in compliance with the corresponding requirements in 29 CFR 1910.34, 1910.36, and 1910.37. [29 CFR 1910.35]
  • An employer must have an emergency action plan in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.38, whenever an OSHA Standard in 29 CFR Part 1910 requires one. See OSHA's Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool - Emergency Action Plan page.
    • When an emergency action plan is required, the plan must generally be in writing, kept in the workplace, and available to employees for review. However, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees. [29 CFR 1910.38(b)]
    • The minimum elements to include in the plan are listed in 29 CFR 1910.38(c).
  • An employer must have a fire prevention plan in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.39 whenever an OSHA Standard in 29 CFR Part 1910 requires one. See OSHA's Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool - Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) page.
    • When a fire prevention plan is required, the plan must generally be in writing, be kept in the workplace, and be made available to employees for review. However, an employer with 10 or fewer employees may communicate the plan orally to employees. [29 CFR 1910.39(b)]
    • The minimum elements to include in the plan are listed in 29 CFR 1910.39(c).
  • Use the following hazardous materials in accordance with the requirements in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart H:
  • For requirements on electrical wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use, see 29 CFR 1910.305.
  • Requirements for the organization, training, and personal protective equipment of fire brigades established by the employer are contained in 29 CFR 1910.156.
  • Comply with the requirements in 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L for fire protection systems installed to meet the fire protection requirements of 29 CFR Part 1910:

Additional Information