Fire Protection and Prevention

Fire protection and prevention includes procedures and practices to prevent fires through housekeeping practices, fire safety training, fire prevention programs, fire watches, use of fire extinguishing systems, alarm systems and other fire safety measures. 

Fire Protection and Prevention

Tab/Accordion Items

What are the hazards associated with fire protection and prevention?

Not having effective fire protection and prevention policies and procedures in place allows for the sources of ignition that can create or cause fires which can lead to property loss and cause loss of human life.

Employers need to ensure that employees are trained, have the necessary equipment for the task (when applicable), and know where to go in the event of a fire. 

What can I do to protect myself?

If the employer has a fire safety plan, employees should become familiar with the content and how the plan may help to protect them in the event of a fire or other similar emergency. Employees should never attempt to respond to an emergency situation unless they have received the appropriate training and are equipped to respond to the incident. Additionally, employees should follow their employer's fire safety procedures and practices in preventing fires.

What resources are available to assist employers?

Safety and Health Programs

This fire prevention plan (General Industry and Construction) can also be modified to fit the workplace. In addition, PPE hazard assessment can be downloaded and customized to fit an individual workplace. Other example safety and health programs are available for employers to download and adapt to their specific conditions.

The workplace self-inspection checklist (General Industry and Construction) includes a discussion of exits and exit routes and can be adapted for use in the workplace.

Training and Outreach Services

The presentation on exit routes, emergency action and fire prevention plans, personal protective equipment, fire prevention (Construction)  and fire extinguishers can be used by employers to assist in their employees' training and should be modified to reflect specific conditions and hazards in their workplaces. Other example presentations are available along with pre-recorded webinars which can be accessed at any time. 

In addition, the education, training and technical assistance bureau provides free online safety and health training and outreach services (i.e., speaker's bureau requests, safety booths) upon request. 

In addition, the NCDOL Library offers free safety and health videos and related research assistance on consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, NFPA, NEC).

Safety and Health Topics

More related information can be found on the safety and health topic pages for emergency action plans, emergency response, fire prevention plans, portable fire extinguishers, fire brigades and exits and exit routes.

Consultation Services

Which standards apply?

OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to fire protection, fire prevention and fire safety in North Carolina. This is not all inclusive.

Note: Please also check the standards information and activity webpage to see if there has been any recent or upcoming regulatory activity on this topic.

General Industry

29 CFR 1910 Subpart E - Exit Routes and Emergency Planning

29 CFR 1910 Subpart H - Hazardous Materials

29 CFR 1910 Subpart L - Fire Protection

29 CFR 1910 Subpart N - Materials Handling and Storage

29 CFR 1910 Subpart Q - Welding, Cutting and Brazing

29 CFR 1910 Subpart R - Special Industries

29 CFR 1910 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances

Construction

29 CFR 1926 Subpart C - General Safety and Health Provisions

29 CFR 1926 Subpart D - Occupational Health and Environmental Controls

29 CFR 1926 Subpart F - Fire Protection and Prevention

29 CFR 1926 Subpart H - Materials Handling, Storage, Use, and Disposal

29 CFR 1926 Subpart J - Welding and Cutting

29 CFR 1926 Subpart K - Electrical

29 CFR 1926 Subpart R - Steel Erection

  • 29 CFR 1926.752 - site layout, site-specific erection plan and construction sequence

29 CFR 1926 Subpart S - underground Construction, Caissons, Cofferdams, and Compressed Air

29 CFR 1926 Subpart T - Demolition

29 CFR 1926 - Subpart U - Blasting and the Use of Explosives

29 CFR 1926 Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances

Maritime, Shipyard Employment

29 CFR 1915 Subpart D - Welding, Cutting and Heating

29 CFR 1915 Subpart P - Fire Protection in Shipyard Employment

Maritime, Marine Terminals

29 CFR 1917 Subpart B - Marine Terminal Operations

29 CFR 1917 Subpart G - Related Terminal Operations and Equipment

North Carolina State-Specific Standards

  • 13 NCAC 07F .0203 - occupational Health and Environmental Controls (29 CFR 1926.54 - non-ionizing radiation)
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0703  - general provisions (29 CFR 1926.900 - blasting, general provisions)
  • 13 NCAC 07F .0705  - surface transportation of explosives (29 CFR 1926.902 - surface transportation of explosives)

Recordkeeping

Other Applicable Standards

The Which OSHA Standards Apply webpage can also help identify other standards that may be applicable to your worksite.

Where can I learn more?

Compliance Documents

Industry Guides

Technical Assistance

  • Inquiries about workplace safety and health requirements can be submitted to Ask OSH online or by phone at 919-707-7876.