Fire Prevention Plan (FPP)

The Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) describes necessary fire prevention measures for the university that are in compliance with California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 8, § 3221.

Scope

This Program applies to all personnel of the University. Outside contractors will be expected to comply with SF State’s Facilities Employees' and Contractors' Safety Handbook  as well as sound fire prevention techniques and methods during their contracted jobs.

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Revision Date

Updated December 16, 2024

FPP Administration

To implement an effective FPP, Cal/OSHA requires testing and maintenance of fire suppression systems, regular inspections of fire extinguishers, managing fire hazards and providing training on the plan. The FPP is reviewed annually and updated as needed.

The Fire Prevention plan serves to reduce the risk of fires at SF State in the following ways:

  1. Helps employees identify materials and equipment that are potential fire hazards or ignition sources
  2. Describes fire protection equipment and/or systems used to control fire hazards;
  3. Identifies persons responsible for maintaining the equipment and systems installed to prevent or control ignition of fires
  4. Identifies persons responsible for the control and accumulation of flammable or combustible materials
  5. Describes good housekeeping procedures necessary to ensure the control of accumulated flammable and combustible waste materials and residues to avoid a fire emergency; and
  6. Provides training to employees about fire hazards to which they may be exposed.

Supervisors (including principal investigators) will ensure that their employees have been trained about fire hazards associated with the materials and processes in the Fire Prevention Program and will maintain or submit for retention documentation of their training.

The Emergency Action Plan training assigned to all employees includes the FPP topics listed below:

  • The elements of this Fire Prevention Plan
  • Good housekeeping practices.
  • Proper response and notification in the event of a fire.
  • Evacuation procedures.

Fire Extinguisher Training and Education (8 CCR 6151(g))

The university has provided portable fire extinguishers that employees can use to fight incipient-state fires (small office trash can size) on a volunteer basis if they have been trained.

  • Training to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting is included in the Emergency Action Plan assigned training.
  • Periodic hands-on fire extinguisher training is available to university employees and students to learn the proper technique for using a portable fire extinguisher.  
  • The university has no employees designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of their job.

This program will be reviewed every three years and updated as needed.

Current edition: October 2024

The Assistant Vice President for CPDC and Facilities Services has delegated responsibility for the annual, semi-annual, and five-year testing of the Institute's fire suppression and detection systems to the Fire and Life Safety Manager.  These systems include:

  • Fire sprinkler systems (wet, dry, pre-action, deluge, and gaseous extinguishing agents
  • Heat, smoke, and infrared detection systems.
  • Monthly fire extinguisher inspections
  • Annual fire extinguisher servicing

In the event of a fire, the building fire detection system will activate and put the building into alarm. Upon hearing the alarm, building occupants will evacuate and proceed to the building’s emergency assembly area to await further instructions.

Emergency Procedures - SFSU Office of Emergency Services

Assignment of Responsibility

Fire safety is everyone's responsibility. All employees should know how to prevent and respond to fires and are responsible for following university fire emergency procedures. EH&S is responsible for the written plan and periodically monitoring FPP implementation.

The Associate Vice President of Capital Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) and Facilities Services has overall responsibility for the identification and installation of fire detection and fire suppression systems for new construction and existing facilities' renovation projects.

The Fire and Life Safety Manager is responsible for selection, inspection, installation, testing, and maintenance of fire safety equipment and suppression systems at the university. Keeping records of testing, servicing, and manufacturer documentation is a key part of this function.

The Director of Custodial Services and Waste Management is responsible for the control of accumulation of combustible waste materials in public areas and their storage and use facilities.

At the Tiburon Campus, the responsible person is the Director of Facilities Operations.

Administrators, Deans, Directors, Chairs, and Principal Investigators are responsible for controlling the accumulation of flammable and combustible materials and wastes in their respective offices, laboratories, workshops, mechanical rooms, art studios, and storage areas. They are also responsible for ensuring employees receive fire safety training and for enforcing fire prevention and protection policies.

Employees play an integral role in making the fire prevention program effective and are expected to do the following:

  • Complete all required training
  • Conduct operations safely to limit the risk of fire
  • Remove excess accumulation of flammable and combustible materials 
  • Report potential fire hazards to their supervisors
  • Follow fire emergency procedures

Fire Hazards and Prevention

Overloading circuits and faulty or damaged components/wiring are the most common causes of electrical fires. Electrical fires are Class C fires.

Preventing Overloaded Circuits

  • Don't overload power strips or surge protectors with electrical devices that draw a lot of current.
  • Never "gang" or "daisy chain" multiple power strips or surge protectors.
  • Never use extension cords as substitutes for permanent wiring.
  • Use only approved power strips with surge protectors [i.e., those with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or FM Global (FM) label].

Checking for Damaged or Faulty Equipment or Components

  • Make sure worn wires, plugs, or cords are replaced.
  • Never break off a third prong (Ground Pin) on a plug to plug it into a two-pronged outlet.
  • Always disconnect an electrical plug by pulling the plug not the cord.
  • Check wiring in hazardous locations where the risk of fire is especially high.
  • Check electrical equipment to ensure that it is either properly grounded or double insulated.

Approved Fire Extinguisher Type for Class C Fires

  • Multi-purpose dry chemical (ABC)
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Halon or Halon-substitute
     

Check out more information on general electrical safety from the University of Oregon

Even though a space heater does not have an open flame, the heating elements of some are hot enough to cause nearby combustibles to ignite. They can cause fires when they tip over and continue to operate. Because they cycle on and off, they can overload a wall outlet or power strip especially if other high-draw equipment is plugged in as well.

Portable space heaters are responsible for 1,700 house fires a year, on average, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Feb 22, 2024.

Safe Use of Portable Electric Space Heaters

  • Use only units that are UL (Underwriter's Laboratory) or FM (Factory Mutual) listed.
  • Only use units that are equipped with a functioning tip-over shut down feature
  • Maintain adequate clearance ( ~3 feet) between the heater and combustible furnishings or materials.
  • Do not overload power strips or wall outlets with multiple portable heaters.
  • Shut off and unplug the heater when the space is unoccupied.

Portable Propane Space Heaters (Salamanders)

Salamander-type space heaters typically use propane fuel instead of electricity to provide heat. Because of this, the present a risk of both open flame and carbon monoxide generation in poorly ventilated areas. Below are some basic safety precautions:

  • Do not leave propane heaters unattended when in use.
  • A hot work permit is required before turning them on. 
  • Use only in open well-ventilated areas

At SF State, these units are used in large open-space buildings or areas, such as the Annexes. For more information, check the SF State Facilities Employees' and Contractor's Safety Handbook. Contact EH&S to obtain a hot work permit.

SFSU Policy

  • Portable electrical heaters must have tip-over protection that automatically shuts off the unit when it is tipped over.
  • Heaters with unprotected heating elements are prohibited
  • CSU Policy is that all portable space heaters used on university property must be approved by the campus Building Official. At SF State, this is the Associate Vice President of Capital Planning, Design and Construction (CPDC) and Facilities Services. 
  • SFSU Space Heater Guidelines

Approved Fire Extinguisher Type

  • Multi-purpose dry chemical (ABC) 

Office fires are more common than you think. There were 16,500 office and store fires in the United States in 2020 that caused $932 million in direct property damage.  Source: National Fire Incident Reporting System

Common causes of fires in office areas include portable heaters, cooking appliances that can overheat, overloading electrical circuits, and using damaged cords or equipment with faulty wiring.

Fire Prevention Guidelines

  • Avoid overloading circuits with office equipment.
  • Turn off nonessential electrical equipment at the end of each workday.
  • Keep storage areas clear of rubbish.
  • Keep anything that can burn away from space heaters and coffee makers.
  • Ensure that power strips or surge protectors are not placed under carpets or rugs.
  • Do not store an excessive amount of paper files and other combustibles.
  • Check for damaged or overloaded electrical outlets, cords, cables and heating appliances. Correct identified electrical hazards.

Approved Fire Extinguisher Type for Offices

  • Multi-purpose dry chemical (ABC)

Hot Work is work that involves, or may generate naked flames or sparks that may ignite a fuel source. Hot work includes electrical based tasks where the equipment may inadvertently cause a spark where explosive atmospheres of gases, vapors or dust can accumulate.

Fire Prevention Precautions

  • Obtain all necessary hot work permits. 
  • Establish fire watches prior to starting any work.
  • When sprinkler protection is out of service, do not perform hot work in the area.
  • Perform hot work tasks in designated areas or where approved by authorized personnel.
  • Provide adequate ventilation to prevent building up fumes or combustible dusts.
  • Use only torches, regulators, pressure-reducing valves, and manifolds that are Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or FM Global (FM) approved.
  • Ensure oxygen-fuel gas systems are equipped with listed and/or approved back-flow valves and pressure relief devices.

Important! Do not allow hot work in areas where explosive atmospheres of gases, vapors or dusts could develop in confined spaces.

Approved Fire Extinguisher Type for Hot Work

  • Multi-purpose dry chemical (ABC)

Flammable and Combustible Materials Management

Common combustible materials include wood, paper, cloth, and some plastics that can act as fuel. Fires from these materials are Class A fires.

How to handle combustibles safely

  • Keep trash in receptacles.
  • Dispose of waste in a timely manner.
  • Keep work areas clean.
  • Keep combustibles away from potential ignition sources.
  • Store oily rags in metal bins with lids.
  • Do not store excessive amounts of combustibles.

Approved Fire Extinguisher Type for Class A Fires

  • Water
  • Multi-purpose dry chemical (ABC),

 

These include flammable and combustible liquids (oils, greases, and lacquers), flammable gases, and flammable aerosols. How to handle flammables and combustibles safely:

Dispensing

  • Use only pumps to dispense liquids from tanks, barrels, drums, or similar containers that are intended for the specific liquid.
  • Do not dispense flammable liquids into containers unless the nozzle and container are electrically interconnected by contact or by a bonding wire and either the container or nozzle is grounded.

Storage

  • Five gallons or more of a flammable must be stored in a flammable liquid storage cabinet equipped with a self-closing mechanism.
  • Store materials such as oxidizers and organic peroxides in an area separate from flammable liquids and gases.

Consider the Location

  • Store, handle, and use flammables only in locations where vapors are prevented from reaching ignition sources, such as heating or electric equipment, open flames, or mechanical or electric sparks.
  • Do not use, handle, or store flammables or combustibles near exits or stairwells.
  • Do not weld, cut, grind, or use faulty electrical equipment near flammables.
  • Do not allow an open flame or other ignition source near flammables.

Approved Fire Extinguisher Type for Class B Fires

  • Multi-purpose dry chemical (ABC)
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Halon or Halon-substitute

 

Commercial Kitchens

Kitchens, such as those in university eateries, are subject to cooking oil and grease fires, typically from animal fat or vegetable oils. Dry chemical ABC extinguishers are effective but can be very difficult to clean up after using them. A better choice is a Class K extinguisher if available.

Kitchens with open grills may have a fire suppression system installed by the ventilation hood.

Brazing and Welding – Control procedures are described in the SF State Hot Work Program and Facilities Employees' and Contractors' Safety Handbook.

Electrical Sources – Control procedures are described in the Facilities Employees' and Contractors' Safety Handbook and Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Open Flames and Spark Sources - Control procedures are described in the SF State Hot Work Program, Facilities Employees' and Contractors' Safety Handbook, and the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Poor Housekeeping practices are known increase the risk of fires and slow evacuation of building occupants. The table below describes the fire prevention practices in place.

Type of Fire Hazard Fire Prevention Practices
Paper accumulation Office trash cans are emptied twice a week. Inspections conducted under the Injury and Illness Prevention Program and laboratory inspection program that include common fire code violations
Plastic accumulation Recycling cans are emptied at least weekly.
Flammable Gases Handling and storage procedures are outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Flammable Solids Handling and storage procedures are outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Handling and storage procedures are outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan and Facilities Fire Prevention Plan.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

The requirements of the Cal/OSHA Portable Fire Extinguishers standard (8 CCR 6151) apply to the placement, use, maintenance, and testing of portable fire extinguishers provided for the use of employees.The selection, use, maintenance and inspection of portable fire extinguishers at the university will meet these requirements.

►The university has no employees designated to use the available portable fire extinguishers as part of their job duties.

Fire Extinguishers at SF State

The portable fire extinguishers listed in the table below are in use at SFSU. For more information on their use, installation, distribution and maintenance, go to the Fire Extinguisher web page (under construction).

Fire Extinguishers Types Used at SFSU
Class of Fires Extinguishing Agents Examples of Fire Types Where Used
Class A Pressurized water (H2O) Paper, wood Rarely used. Cardboard or wood storage
Class B/C Pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2)
Halon or halon-substitute		 Electrical, wiring, solvents, gasoline Server rooms, computer labs, specialty analytical equipment areas
Class A/B/C Dry chemical (monoammonium phosphate) Paper, wood, electrical, solvents, gasoline, diesel, motor oil Most common. Widespread distribution. Works for most types of fires.
Class D Dry powder (sodium chloride, copper, graphite),  Sand (in a pail) Combustible metals i.e., magnesium, zinc, lithium Chemistry labs that have fine particles of such metals
Class K Wet mist (potassium carbonate) Kitchen grease fires  Commercial kitchens