Fire Prevention Plans
A fire prevention plan (FPP) is intended to prevent a fire from occurring in a workplace. The FPP identifies fuel sources (hazardous or other materials) on site that could initiate or contribute to the spread of a fire, and includes the building systems, such as fixed fire extinguishing systems and alarm systems, in place to control the ignition or spread of a fire.
Fire Prevention Plans
What are the hazards associated with fire prevention plans?
Failure to have an effective fire prevention plan may allow for ignition sources to cause fires, allow for lack of fire protection equipment needed to control each major fire hazard leading to property loss, and more importantly, may cause loss of human life.
What can I do to protect myself?
If the employer has a fire prevention 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.
What resources are available to assist employers?
Safety and Health Programs
The workplace self-inspection checklist includes a discussion of exits and exit routes and can be adapted for use in the workplace. This fire prevention plan and emergency action plan can also be modified to fit the workplace.
Training and Outreach Services
The presentation on exit routes, emergency action and fire prevention plans can be used by employers to assist in their employees' training and should be modified to reflect specific conditions and hazards in their workplaces.
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).
A-Z Safety and Health Topics
More related information can be found on the A-Z topics pages for emergency action plans and exits and exit routes.
Consultation Services
The consultative services bureau provides free and confidential onsite consultation regarding worksite safety and health hazards.
Which standards apply?
OSH has adopted the following standards which are applicable to fire prevention in North Carolina. 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
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29 CFR 1910.39 - fire prevention plans
Construction
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29 CFR 1926.24 - fire protection and prevention
Maritime, Shipyard Employment
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29 CFR 1915.502 - fire safety plan
OSH standards requiring fire prevention plans:
General Industry
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29 CFR 1910.1047 - ethylene oxide
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29 CFR 1910.1050 - 4,4'-methylenedianiline
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29 CFR 1910.1051 - 1,3-butadiene
Construction
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29 CFR 1926.60 - methylenedianiline (29 CFR 1910.39)
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29 CFR 1926.1147 - ethylene oxide (29 CFR 1910.39)
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
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Operational Procedure Notice 130B, Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans, establishes the enforcement policy and provides an explanation of when they are required to ensure uniform enforcement.
Industry Guides
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Industry Guide 48 - OSHA Construction Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, provides requirements for standards related to emergency action plans, exit routes and fire prevention plans in construction.
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Industry Guide 49 - OSHA General Industry Standards Requiring Programs, Inspections, Procedures, Records and/or Training, includes requirements for fire prevention plans, exit routes and emergency action plans in general industry.
Technical Assistance
If you would like to receive interpretive guidance on this or any other OSH standard or topic, you can submit your questions using the Ask OSH web form, by e-mail to ask.osh@labor.nc.gov or by calling 919-707-7876.