SCF STANDARD - Fire Safety During Construction - 2021 FINALFire Safety During Construction Standard
PURPOSE
The Fire Safety during Construction Standard highlights some requirements for fire safety during
construction. This Standard is not all encompassing and is intended to augment and be
accompanied by IFC chapters 33 and 35. Applicable provisions of the International Fire Code,
City of Jurisdiction Municipal Code and other South County Fire standards also apply.
Fires during construction, alteration, or demolition operations are an ever-present threat. The
fire potential is inherently greater during these operations than in the completed structure due
to the unprotected state of the structure, large quantities of combustible materials and debris,
together with such ignition sources as temporary heating devices, cutting/welding/plumbers
torch operations, and smoking. The threat of arson is also greater during construction and
demolition operations due to the availability of combustible materials on site and the open
access.
Fires during construction, alteration, or demolition operations can be eliminated or controlled
through the early planning, scheduling, and implementation of fire prevention measures, fire
protection systems, rapid communications, and onsite security.
WATER SUPPLY FOR FIRE PROTECTION
■ An approved water supply for fire protection, either temporary or permanent, shall be
made available as soon as combustible material arrives on the site. (3312.1)
• Any hydrant not in service shall be bagged with black plastic and secured against removal.
■ The fire inspector shall be notified 48 hours prior to any shut down of nearby water sources
or roadways.
FIRE REPORTING
• The site address and fire department emergency telephone number shall be posted at the
main entrance to the site, in guard shacks, and in the construction site office (3309.1)
SOUTH COUNTY FIRE
12425 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA 98208 (425) 551-1264 / Prevention@SouthSnoFire.org
SERVING THE CITIES OF • BRIER • EDMONDS • LYNNWOOD • MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS
The site address and fire department emergency telephone number shall be posted at
the main entrance to the site, in guard shacks, and in the construction site office
(3309.1). Address identification characters shall contrast with their background. Address
numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall not be spelled
out. Each character shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum
stroke width of 1/2 inch 12.7 mm).
■ Manually operated gates shall be provided with a Knox brand padlock.
■ Electronically operated gates shall be provided with an Opticom receiver and Knox key
switch.
■ Points of emergency vehicle access shall be designated with signage, minimum 24" by
36", red background with minimum 4" tall white lettering stating "FIRE DEPARTMENT
ACCESS"
■ Address numbers shall be visible from the street and located at the designated fire
access points
Approved vehicle access for firefighting shall be provided to all construction or
demolition sites. Vehicle access shall be provided to within 100 feet of temporary or
permanent fire department connections. Vehicle access shall be provided by either
temporary or permanent roads, capable of supporting vehicle loading under all weather
conditions. Vehicle access shall be maintained until permanent fire apparatus access
roads are available. (3310.1).
EGRESS
Where building construction exceeds 40 feet in height above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access, a temporary or permanent stairway shall be provided. As
construction progresses, such stairway shall be extended to within one floor of the
highest point of construction having secured decking or flooring.
FIRE PROTECTION
In buildings required to have standpipes, not less than one standpipe shall be provided
for use during construction. Such standpipes shall be installed prior to construction
exceeding 40 feet in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
Such standpipes shall be provided with fire department hose connections at locations
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adjacent to stairways. As construction progresses, such standpipes shall be extended to
within one floor of the highest point of construction having secured decking or flooring.
(3313.1).
Fire department connections shall be designated with signage, minimum 24" by 24", red
background with minimum 6" tall white lettering stating "FDC."
PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS
■ Portable fire extinguishers with at least 2A:10BC rating shall be provided:
• At each stairway on all floor levels.
• In every storage and construction shed.
• Where special hazards exist, including the storage area of flammable and combustible
liquids.
FIRE PREVENTION PROGRAM
The owner shall designate a person to be the fire prevention program superintendent who
shall be responsible for the fire prevention program and ensure that it is carried out through
completion of the project. These duties shall include but not limited to:
• Develop a Pre -Fire Plan - Develop a pre -fire plan with the Fire Department.
• Train - Train on basic fire safety.
• Rapid Communications - Designate a means to report a fire (such as a telephone)
on site. Post the street address of the construction site adjacent to the telephone.
• Fire Department Access - Provide access to the job site for Fire Department
apparatus from the start of the project through completion. The all-weather access
roadway must extend to within 150' of all portions of the exterior walls of the building.
• Lighted Stairway - Provide at least one temporary lighted stairway when
construction extends to a height of 50' or more to clearly identify the exit pathway.
Provide appropriate exit signage, including floor designations.
• On -Site Security - Consider including a secured perimeter, guarded entrance
points, video surveillance and guard patrols.
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Good Housekeeping — Remove accumulations of combustible waste material, dust,
and debris from the structure and its immediate vicinity at the end of each work shift,
or more frequently as necessary, for safe operation.
• Extension Cords — Maintain extension cords free from damage, removing all
damaged equipment and cords from service.
• Special Hazards
- Temporary heating equipment - shall be listed, well maintained, and monitored
to assure continued safe operation. Clearances to combustible materials shall be
maintained in accordance with its listing. Fuel supplies for LPG gas fire heaters
shall comply with IFC Chapter 61.
- Smoking - shall be permitted only in designated areas and not in the vicinity of
hazardous operations or combustible/flammable materials.
Storage & use of flammable and combustible liquids and flammable gases -
shall be kept in closed containers, of not more than 5 gallons capacity, having a
flash arresting screen, spring -closing lid, and spout cover, and so designed that it
will safely relieve internal pressure when subjected to fire exposure. (3305.5)
(OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.155(I).
Storage of Class I and Class II liquids - shall not exceed 60 gallons within 15'
of the structure. Storage areas shall be appropriately posted as "No Smoking"
areas. These areas shall also be appropriately posted with marking in
accordance with NFPA 704 - Welding, grinding, roofing operations (hot asphalt or
torch down). A dedicated fire watch shall occur throughout the operations and
continue for 30 minutes after conclusion. Prior to commencement of operations
the area shall be clear of combustibles or the combustibles shall be protected.
• Parking - Assure no vehicles are parked in buildings under construction until the fire
sprinkler system is placed in service (including water flow notification) and the
parking garage has been approved by the building official and fire marshal.
• Job/Dry Shacks - Assure no job/dry shacks are located in buildings under
construction. A job/ dry shack must be separated from the building by not less than
20' unless the building is equipped with a fire sprinkler system that has been placed
in service has adequate emergency egress and ventilation provided.
■ The fire prevention program superintendent shall be responsible for supervising the permit
system for hot work operations in accordance with Chapter 35.
FIRE WATCH
A fire watch shall be provided during non -working hours for new construction exceeding
40 feet in height above lowest adjacent grade (3304.5.1).
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■ Trained personnel shall be provided to serve as an on -site fire watch. The combination of
fire watch duties and site security duties is acceptable. Fire watch personnel shall be
trained in the use of portable fire extinguishers. (3304.5.2).
■ The fire watch personnel shall keep a record of all time periods of duty, including a log
entry each time the site is patrolled and each time a structure under construction is entered
and inspected. The records and log entries shall be made available for review by the fire
code official upon request. (3304.5.3).
HOT WORK
Operational permits are required. Obtain a permit from the appropriate city building
department.
■ Operations shall comply with IFC chapter 35 and the South County Fire Hot Work
Standard.
WASTE MATERIALS
■ Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material shall not be accumulated within buildings.
(3304.2.2).
■ Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material shall be removed from buildings at the
end of each shift of work. (3304.2.3).
■ Rubbish containers with a capacity exceeding 5.33 cubic feet (40 gallons) shall have
tightfitting or self -closing lids. Such rubbish containers shall be constructed entirely of
noncombustible materials (3304.2.3).
■ Materials susceptible to spontaneous ignition, such as oily rags, shall be stored in a listed
disposal container (3304.2.4).
■ Burning of construction debris, rubbish and waste is prohibited.
TEMPORARY HEATING EQUIPMENT
• Temporary heating devices shall be listed and labeled. The installation, maintenance and
use of temporary heating devices shall be in accordance with the listing and the
manufacturer's instructions.
■ Refueling operations for liquid -fueled equipment or appliances shall be conducted in
accordance with Section 5705. The equipment or appliance shall be allowed to cool prior
to refueling.
■ Clearance to combustibles from temporary heating devices shall be maintained in
accordance with the labeled equipment. When in operation, temporary heating devices
shall be fixed in place and protected from damage, dislodgement or overturning in
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
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DEFFERED SUBMITALS
■ No installation/work on fire systems without approved plans.
INSPECTIONS
■ Call for fire inspection prior to delivery of combustibles onto the site.
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