Does "Subpart F - Fire Protection and Prevention" Apply to You?
Subpart F provides the requirements for fire protection, fire prevention, flammable liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, and temporary heating devices. It also includes definitions applicable to this subpart such as:
Closed container - a container so sealed by means of a lid or other device that neither liquid nor vapor will escape from it at ordinary temperatures.
Fire brigade - an organized group of employees that are knowledgeable, trained, and skilled in the safe evacuation of employees during emergency situations and in assisting in firefighting operations.
Safety can - an approved closed container, 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.
Many employers need to comply with the standards in subpart F. To find out what standards in subpart F may apply to you, click on the tabs below.
Subpart F - Fire Protection and Prevention
If yes, then you need to comply with the fire protection standard as it requires that the employer have a fire protection program during all phases of construction and demolition work and providing for the firefighting equipment. It also provides requirements for portable and fixed firefighting equipment, a water supply, fire alarm devices, and fire cutoffs. You also need to comply with the fire prevention standard which provides the requirements pertaining to ignition hazards, temporary buildings, open yard storage, no smoking signs, fire extinguishers. and indoor storage.
Additional related information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topic page for fire prevention plans, fire brigades, and emergency response .
If yes, then you need to comply with the flammable liquids standard. Paragraph (a) provides general requirements for using only approved containers and portable tanks for storage and handling of flammable liquids including not storing them in areas used for exits, stairways, or areas normally used for the safe passage of people. Paragraph (f) provides the requirements pertaining to handling liquids at point of final use (i.e., containers closed when not in use, spillage, ignition sources).
Do you store flammable liquids indoors? If yes, then you need to comply with paragraph (b) as it provides requirements pertaining to container quantity, specifications for storage cabinets, labeling of cabinets, extinguishing systems, and wiring. Also reference paragraph (d) regarding fire control for flammable liquid storage as it provides requirements pertaining to fire extinguishers, and sprinklers.
Do you store flammable liquids in outside buildings? If yes, then you need to comply with paragraph (c). It provides requirements pertaining to container quantity, separation of containers, outdoor portable tank storage, weed control, and emergency venting. Also reference paragraph (d) regarding fire control for flammable liquid storage as it provides requirements pertaining to fire extinguishers, and sprinklers.
Do employees dispense flammable liquids? If yes, then you need to comply with paragraph (e) as it provides the requirements pertaining to transferring liquids from tanks and containers.
Do you have servicing and refueling areas? If yes, then you need to comply with paragraph (g). It provides requirements pertaining to storage in containers, and tanks underground and aboveground. It also provides requirements for hoses, switches, heating equipment, smoking signs, fire extinguishers, and not abandoning tanks.
Do employees handle, store, and/or use flammable liquids with a flashpoint at or below 199.4 ºF (93 ºC) that is not for bulk transportation or fuel oil tanks and containers connected with oil burning equipment? If yes, then you need to comply with paragraph (h) - (k). This paragraph does not apply to:
- Bulk transportation of flammable liquids; and
- Storage, handling, and use of fuel oil tanks and containers connected with oil burning equipment.
Paragraph (i) provides requirements pertaining to tank storage including design and construction for atmospheric tanks, low pressure tanks, and pressure vessels; installation of outside aboveground tanks; installation of underground tanks; installation of tanks inside of buildings; supports, foundations, and anchorage for all tank location; sources of ignition; and testing. Paragraph (j) provides requirements pertaining to piping, valves and fittings including design, materials, pipe joints, supports, protection against corrosion, valves, and testing. Paragraph (k) provides the requirements pertaining to marine service stations and includes requirements for dispensing, tanks and pumps, and piping.
Marine service station - That portion of a property where flammable liquids used as fuels are stored and dispensed from fixed equipment on shore, piers, wharves, or floating docks into the fuel tanks or self-propelled craft, and shall include all facilities used in connection therewith.
Flammable liquid - Any liquid having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 pounds per square inch (absolute) at 100 ºF (37.8 ºC) and having a flashpoint at or below 199.4 ºF (93 ºC). Flammable liquids are divided into four categories as follows:
- Category 1 shall include liquids having flashpoints below 73.4 ºF (23 ºC) and having a boiling point at or below 95 ºF (35 ºC).
- Category 2 shall include liquids having flashpoints below 73.4 ºF (23 ºC) and having a boiling point above 95 ºF (35 ºC).
- Category 3 shall include liquids having flashpoints at or above 73.4 ºF (23 ºC) and at or below 140 ºF (60 ºC).
- Category 4 shall include liquids having flashpoints above 140 ºF (60 ºC) and at or below 199.4 ºF (93 ºC).
Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topic page for flammable liquids.
If yes, then you need to comply with the liquefied petroleum gas standard. It provides requirements pertaining to approval of equipment and systems, container valves and container accessories, safety devices, dispensing, requirements for appliances, containers and regulating equipment installed outside of buildings, containers and equipment used inside of buildings or structures, multiple container systems, Storage of LPG containers, storage outside of buildings, fire protection, damage from vehicles, and markings.
Do you have systems utilizing containers other than DOT containers? If yes, then you also need to comply with paragraph (m) which applies specifically to systems utilizing storage containers other than those constructed in accordance with DOT specifications. This paragraph provides design pressure and classification of storage containers.
Liquefied petroleum gases, LPG and LP Gas - Means and includes any material which is composed predominantly of any of the following hydrocarbons, or mixtures of them, such as propane, propylene, butane (normal butane or iso-butane), and butylenes.
Containers - All vessels, such as tanks, cylinders, or drums, used for transportation or storing liquefied petroleum gases.
Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topic page for flammable liquids. The NCDOL Library is available for assistance regarding access to consensus standards (i.e., ANSI, ASME, NFPA).
If yes, then you need to comply with the standard on temporary heating devices. It provides requirements for ventilation, heaters used in confined spaces, clearance and mounting, stability, solid fuel salamanders, and oil-fired heaters.
More information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics page for confined spaces.