Facilities Services has specific responsibilities under the Fire Prevention Plan (FPP). This supplement to the University Fire Prevention Plan is intended to address the requirements in the Cal/OSHA regulation found 8 CCR 3221 (b)(2)(3) and (e).
Application
This FPP supplement applies to SF State employees within Facilities Services and their hired contractors. This supplement addresses the fire suppression or control equipment and systems purchased and/or installed by the University.
Quick Links
- Back to main University Fire Prevention Plan
- Portable Fire Extinguishers (under construction)
Responsibility for Maintenance of Equipment and Systems
The University will regularly and properly maintain, according to established procedures, equipment and systems installed in the workplace to prevent accidental ignition of combustible materials.
Names or regular job titles of those responsible for maintenance of equipment and systems installed to prevent or control ignitions or fires.
| Job Title | Equipment or Systems |
|---|---|
| Manager, Fire and Life Safety Systems | Fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems including standpipes and fire hoses |
| Chief Engineer | Operate and maintain HVAC, electrical systems and other equipment in a manner that reduces the risk of fire |
| Manager, Structural Maintenance | Maintain and install structures in a manner that reduces the risk of fire |
Responsibility for Control of Flammable/Combustibles Accumulation
Names or regular job titles of those responsible for the control of accumulation of flammable or combustible waste materials.
| Job Title | Location of Control of Flammable or Combustible Materials |
|---|---|
| Director, Custodial Services and Waste Management | university buildings and walkways and universal waste storage and trash collection areas |
| Custodial Manager | janitorial closets and storage rooms |
| Director of Facilities Operations | mechanical and electrical room and other areas under the control of Facilities Services |
| Manager of Grounds | outdoor areas and storage areas belonging to Grounds |
| Director, Facilities Operations EOS Campus | indoor and outdoor areas at the Tiburon location |
Maintenance of Fire Safety Equipment and Systems
All fire safety equipment will be maintained according to manufacturer requirements and applicable regulatory standards.
- Only qualified personnel are allowed to maintain fire safety equipment.
- The Fire and Life Systems Manager will keep maintenance records for fire safety equipment.
Fire Safety Inspections
Facilities Services conducts fire safety inspections to look for hazards at least annually.
The University will install and maintain automatic sprinkler systems as required by 8 CCR 6170 and applicable California Fire and Building codes and NFPA 13, 2022.
- The fire sprinkler system shall be tested at least every 5 years and an inspection tag posted on the riser.
- A main drain test shall be conducted quarterly at each system riser to determine if a change has been made in the condition of the water supply piping and control valves.
- All waterflow alarms shall be tested quarterly.
- For sprinkler waterflow alarm tests an actual waterflow using a test connection shall be the method employed for testing the reliability of the sprinkler alarm unit as a whole.
Fire Sprinkler System Details
Buildings that have a fire sprinkler system use the automatic wet pipe type. This system uses closed head fusible link sprinklers that immediately discharge water when exposed to extreme heat and has local and remote alarms, check valves and isolation valves.
Sprinkler System Installation or Alteration
Upon completion of a sprinkler system installation or alteration, the Fire and Life Safety Manager will ensure that satisfactory tests of the entire system are made.
- All functions of the system will be tested, including operation of the system in various alarm and trouble modes for which it is designed.
- Where additions are made to existing systems, piping shall be hydrostatically tested to 200 pounds per square inch (psi) for 2 hours or 50 psi over normal pressure for systems over 150 psi.
Post Indicator Valve (PIV)
- The PIV stem extends upward from grade elevation within an enclosure which houses the valve stem; a window at the top of the housing indicates if the valve is open or closed.
- The PIV are locked open to prevent accidental closing, except for isolating the affected zone for maintenance.
A valve handle is attached to the housing for opening and closing the valve. - Only close the PIV under instruction from the fire department.
- The Post Indicator Valve (PIV) is supervised and if shut will send an alarm to the building’s Fire Alarm Panel & UPD dispatch if the PIV has Flow sensor device installed. Not all PIVs have a flow sensor installed.
The Fire and Life Safety Manager will ensure that fixed fire extinguishing systems that use gas as the extinguishing agent are maintained as required by 8 CCR 6181, 8 CCR 6175, NFPA 12 (and NFPA 12A) and applicable California Fire Codes.
Facilities Services is responsible for the purchase, installation, testing, and inspection of portable fire extinguishers. Installation, distribution, and testing will be in accordance with 8 CCR 6151.
Inspections and Testing
Facilities Services visually inspects each fire extinguisher monthly as specified in 8 CCR 6151 (e)(2). They arrange for a qualified vendor to perform the required annual maintenance checks on each unit. Report any missing fire extinguishers to the Fire and Life Safety Systems Manager.
The annual maintenance date is recorded and kept on file for at least one year.
Hydrostatic testing is done based on the type of extinguisher and as described in 8 CCR 6151 (f). Because this testing requires special training and equipment, it needs to be performed by an approved extinguisher servicing company.
- Every 5 years – Pressurized water, carbon dioxide and wet chemical extinguishers
- Every 12 years – Dry chemical extinguishers
Monthly Visual Check
Facilities Services conducts monthly visual inspections of more than1600 fire extinguishers. The monthly visual check includes the items listed below:
- Look to make sure the extinguisher is where it is supposed to be.
- Check the gauge to make sure the extinguisher is fully charged.
If the pressure gauge indicator is not in the green, remove the unit from service and replace it. - Check that the seal device is present and intact.
- Look it over to check for damage or leaks.
Smoke detectors and other fire detection systems will be installed and maintained as required by Cal/OSHA, 8 CCR 6183 and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Servicing, maintenance and testing of fire detection systems, including cleaning and necessary sensitivity adjustments will only be performed by a trained person knowledgeable in the operations and functions of the systems.
- Facilities Services is responsible to restore all fire detection systems and components to normal operating condition as promptly and possible after each test or alarm.
- All smoke detectors will be tested at least annually to ensure that each detector is operative and produces the intended response.
- Smoke detectors will be cleaned as necessary to assure proper operation
- Smoke detector sensitivity shall be checked within one year after installation and every alternate year thereafter.
- Keep on file manufacturer information and records of testing and maintenance.
Facilities Housekeeping Practices
Facilities Services must control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues in their areas so that they do not contribute to a fire emergency.
Janitorial Closets
- The janitorial/custodial service staff are expected to remove combustible material such as cardboard on a regular basis to prevent buildup of combustible materials.
- Check for potential sources of ignition, such as electrical appliances or open flames, and remove these items.
Mechanical and Electrical Rooms
- Mechanical and electrical rooms are inspected periodically to prevent the accumulation of combustible materials and improper storage of combustible or flammable liquids.
- Remove cardboard boxes and other combustible materials that are being stored in these spaces promptly.
Campus Work Areas
- Keep work areas free of dust, lint, sawdust, scraps, and similar material.
- Minimize the storage of combustible materials.
- Dispose of combustible waste, such as used oily rags, in covered, airtight, metal containers.
- Make sure that doors, hallways, stairs, and other exit routes are kept free of obstructions by providing a minimum 33 inch clearance.
- Use flammable materials or open flames in well-ventilated areas away from ignition sources and combustible materials.
- Store flammable liquids in approved flammable storage cabinets.