FACILITIES SAFETY
Introductory Materials
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Introduction
FACILITIES Facilities and Support Services (FSS) provides a variety of
AND SUPPORT administrative support services for the Environmental
SERVICES Protection Agency. FSS is part of the Office of Admini-
stration and Resources Management in EPA Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. Many FSS programs operate on a nationwide
basis, and this Manual provides uniform procedures through-
out EPA.
FSS has four major components: the Office of the FSS Direc-
tor, and the Communications, General Services, and Facili-
ties Engineering and Real Estate Branches. The FSS Branches
provide services related to communications, facilities
engineering and safety, real estate, physical and document
security, personal property and supplies, transportation,
and emergency preparedness.
THE FSS
MANUAL
The FSS Policy and Procedures Manual is a set of seven
volumes; each volume gives policies and procedures that
pertain to FSS functions.
The volumes are titled as follows:
The Administrative Handbook and
Guide for Updating the Manual, Volume 4810
Communications, Volume 4820
Personal Property Management, Volume 4830
Facilities Management, Volume 4840
Security, Volume 4850
Emergency Preparedness, Volume 4860
Facilities Safety, Volume 4870.
Each volume begins with an Introductory Materials section
consisting of a title page, an introduction, a general
organization of the volume, and a guide for the reader.
The Introductory Materials are followed by the technical
content of the volume.
A separately bound Master Table of Contents provides a
detailed overview of all seven volumes of the manual. It
contains a tables of contents, list of exhibits, and list
of forms for each part.
The entire seven volumes of the FSS Manual were written
with the assistance of JWK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION of
Annandale, Virginia, working under contract 42-83 with
the Office of Personnel Management. The following section
describes the organization and content of this particular
volume.
FEREB
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Introductory Materials
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Introduction
FACILITIES The Facilities Safety Volume (FS 1) provides safety cri-
SAFETY teria and guidelines for buildings occupied by EPA or
VOLUME buildings which are included in the EPA Real Property
Inventory and occupied by other than EPA staff. Subject
areas treated in the Volume include firesafety, con-
struction, interior arrangement, and mechanical and elec-
trical systems.
The facilities safety criteria contained within the volume
apply to occupants of buildings owned or leased by EPA, and
buildings assigned to EPA by GSA or other Government agen-
cies. The organization section on the next page provides a
general overview of the volume contents.
FEREB
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Introductory Materials
Volume 4870, Change 00: 7/16/84
Organization
ORGANIZATION OF THE
FACILITIES SAFETY VOLUME
PART 0: INTRODUCTORY MATERIALS
FS 0-01 INTRODUCTION TO THE FACILITIES SAFETY VOLUME
FS 0-02 ORGANIZATION OF THE FACILITIES SAFETY VOLUME
FS 0-03 GUIDE FOR THE READER
PART 1: FACILITIES SAFETY
FS 1-00 TABLE OF CONTENTS AND LIST OF EXHIBITS
FS 1-01 AUTHORITY, POLICY AND RESPONSIBILITY
FS 1-02 BASIC FIRESAFETY STANDARDS
FS 103 SPECIFIC SAFETY CRITERIA
FS 1-04 INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT
FS 1-05 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
FS 1-06 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
FS 1-07 MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPANCY FEATURES
FS 1A APPENDIX: STANDARDS AND DEFINITIONS
FEREB
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FACILITIES SAFETY Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Introductory Materials Guide for the Reader
OVERVIEW
HOW THE
MANUAL IS
ORGANIZED
Volume
Structure
The Guide for the Reader briefly describes the FSS Policies
and Procedures Manual, including how the Manual is organ-
ized, how a page is read, how a change is initiated, and
how a copy is kept up to date. The Manual is issued by the
Director of the Facilities and Support Services (FSS), in
EPA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
The Manual is organized into seven volumes; each volume
gives policies and procedures that pertain to particular
FSS functions. Exhibit 1 lists the volumes, their author-
ing branches and sections, and the related EPA admini-
strative contact.
Each volume begins with an Introductory Materials section
consisting of a title page, an introduction, a general
organization of the volume, and this Guide. The Intro-
ductory materials are followed by the technical content
of the volume.
Part
Structure
Master Table
of Contents
HOW TO
READ A PAGE
Top of the
Page
The technical content of each volume is divided into
parts and chapters. Each part begins with a detailed
table of contents showing chapter titles and internal
contents, appendixes to the part, and a list of exhibits
used in the part.
A separately bound Master Table of Contents provides a
detailed overview of all seven volumes of the Manual. It
contains the assembled part tables of contents and lists
of exhibits. Following each part table of contents and
list of exhibits will appear a list of forms drawn from
the appendix(es) and exhibits of each part*
Each page of the Manual has identifying information that
is separated from the text by top and bottom horizontal
lines. Text headings are blocked out vertically down the
left side of the page.
To locate yourself in the Manual, look above the hori-
zontal line in the top left hand corner of the page to
find the name of the volume. Directly under the volume
name is the part name. To the right of the part name
on the same lineis the chapter name. Immediately above
the chapter name appears the effective date of issuance of
the material on that page. The initial base manual shows
"Change 00" to the left of the original 7/16/84 issuing
date. Future changes to each volume will be assigned new
dates and change numbers. The volume number appears be-
fore the change number.
FEREB
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Introductory Materials
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Guide for the Reader
Bottom of the
Page
The Code
Index
Text Headings
Body of Text
HOW TO
INITIATE
A CHANGE
In the bottom left hand corner is the name of the issuing
branch of FSS. In the bottom center is the page number.
Each chapter is numbered separately beginning with the Ara-
bic numeral one ("1"). However, the Introductory Materials
in the beginning of each volumeare numbered contin-
uously beginning with the lower case Roman nummeral one
("i"). In the bottom right hand corner is the Code Index.
The Code Index consists of two or three letters that stand
for the name of the volume, the number of the part, a hy-
phen, and the number of the chapter. Thus COM 1-02 means
"Communications Volume, Part I, Chapter 02."
Arranged down the left side of the page are text headings.
Primary headings are the major points in the outline and
are all in capital letters and underlined. Secondary
headings are minor points and are shown with initial
capital letters and not underlined. (See "Text Headings"
next to this paragraph.) Sometimes, detailed tertiary
headings are used. These are underlined and start in the
body of the text with initial capital letters as follows:
Tertiary heading. The text after a tertiary heading be-
gins two spaces after the period.
The body of the text occupies the space to the right of
the text headings between the horizontal lines. Exhibit
2 shows a list of acronyms used throughout the Manual.
Cross references use the Code Index described in "Code
Index" of this Guide.
To initiate a change in the Manual, the reader shall
prepare a memorandum describing the need for and impact
of the proposed change. The memorandum should be submit-
ted to the FSS Branch Chief responsible for the volume or
part of the Manual affected by the proposed change.
The memorandum shall include either a copy of the original
Manual pagemarked up with the proposed changeor a
draft of the proposed change along with a copy of the
Manual pages being revised.
A description of the change review and approval process is
given in the Guide for Updating the Manual, available from
the Manual Coordinator in the Office of the Director, FSS.
v
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Introductory Materials
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Guide 'for the Reader
HOW TO KEEP
YOUR COPY
UP TO DATE
Each individual who has custody of a copy of the Manual
is responsible for ensuring that his or her copy is kept
current by entering all approved changes.
When changes are placed in your copy of the Manual, entries
should be made on EPA Form 1315-4, Checklist of EPA Trans-
mittals. Be certain to give the transmittal number, the
date of entry, and your initials. The instructions on the
transmittal letter should be followed carefully, including
removing old and inserting new pages of all tables of
contents, lists of exhibits, and lists of forms in the
individual volume(s) or the Master Table of Contents.
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Introductory Materials
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Guide for the Reader
EXHIBIT 1
THE FSS MANUAL AND THE FSS ORGANIZATION
VOLUME NAME/CODE/NUMBER
RESPONSIBLE ORGANIZATION
CONTACT
ADMINISTRATIVE HANDBOOK
(ADM) 4810
GUIDE FOR UPDATING THE
MANUAL (ADM) 4810
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Director
Manual
Coordinator
COMMUNICATIONS
(COM) 4820
COMMUNICATIONS BRANCH
Telecommunications
Management Section
Printing and
Distribution Section
Mail Management Program
Branch Chief
Section Chief
Section Chief
EPA Mail Mgr.
SECURITY (SCR) 4850
GENERAL SERVICES BRANCH
Security
Section
Property, Supply and
Transportation Section
HQ Building Operations
Section
Branch Chief
Section Chief
Branch Chief
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
(EMR) 4860
PERSONAL PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT (PMR) 4830
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
(FM) 4840
FACILITIES ENGINEERING
& REAL ESTATE BRANCH
Real Estate Section
Facilities Engineering
Section
Branch Chief
Section Chief
Section Chief
FACILITIES SAFETY
(FS) 4870
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Introductory Materials
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Guide for the Reader
EXHIBIT 2
ACRONYMS USED IN THE FSS MANUAL
B&F
Buildings & Facilities
Co F» R.
Code of Federal Regulations
CO
Contracting Officer
DOD
Department of Defense
E. 0.
Executive Order
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
EPPR
EPA Procurement Regulations
FAR
Federal Acquisition Regulations
FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEREB
Facilities Engineering & Real Estate Branch
FPMR
Federal Property Management Regulations
FSS
Facilities & Support Services
GA0
General Accounting Office
GSA
General Services Administration
GSB
General Services Branch
GP0
Government Printing Office
JCP
Joint Committee on Printing
U.S.C.
United States Code
OARM
Office of the Asst. Administrator for
Administration and Resources Management
OFA
Office of Federal Activities
0MB
Office of Management and Budget
OPM
Office of Personnel Management
POSS
Program Operations & Support Staff
PMR
(Personal) Property Management Regulations
RTP
Research Triangle Park (North Carolina)
SBA
Small Business Administration
S&E
Salaries & Expenses
SF
Standard Form
USPS
United States Postal Service
U.S.
United States
FEREB viii FS 0-03
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1: FACILITIES SAFETY
Page
FS 1-01 AUTHORITY, POLICY AND RESPONSIBILITY
PURPOSE 1
OVERVIEW 1
SCOPE 1
AUTHORITY 1
POLICY 1
OBJECTIVES 1
RESPONSIBLE OFFICERS 2
REFERENCES 2
FS 1-02 BASIC FIRESAFETY STANDARDS
PURPOSE 1
AUTHORITY 1
FIRE RESISTANCE RATINGS 1
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION 1
FIRE WALLS AND FIRE PARTITIONS 1
VERTICAL OPENINGS AND SHAFTS ;.... 3
Atriums 3
Shafts 3
Monumental Stairs 3
Escalators 3
Penetrations 4
PANEL, CURTAIN AND SPANDREL WALLS 4
Panel and Curtain Walls 4
Windows 4
Spandrel Walls 4
Exception No. 1 4
Exception No. 2 4
CEILINGS 4
FIRE-STOPPING 4
FIRE DOORS 5
UTILITIES 5
FS 1-03 SPECIFIC SAFETY CRITERIA
PURPOSE 1
CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCIES 1
Group I, Low Intensity-Low Severity 1
Group II, Full Intensity-Low Severity 2
Group III, Full Intensity-Medium Severity 2
Group IV, Full Intensity-High Severity 3
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Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Table of Contents
Page
FS 1-03 SPECIFIC SAFETY CRITERIA (Continued)
Occupancy Classification Considerations 3
Wood Furniture 4
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER-PROTECTED OCCUPANCIES 4
OPEN PLAN OFFICE SPACE i 4
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION 4
Top Floor 4
Below Grade Floor 6
Multiple Occupancy Building 6
AREA LIMITATIONS 6
ATTACHMENTS AND ADDITIONS 6
FIRE EXPOSURE PROTECTION 6
FS 1-04 INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT
PURPOSE 1
NATIONAL CODES AND TEST METHODS 1
INTERIOR FINISH 1
Sprinkler-Protected Buildings 1
Doors and Door Frames 1
Final Finishing Material 2
Airspace 2
Combustible Substances 2
Restrictions 3
Flooring Materials 3
Draperies and Curtains * 3
FLOORING 3
PARTITIONS 3
Ceiling-High Partitions 3
Wood Stud Partitions 3
Less Than Ceiling-High Partitions 3
EXIT FACILITIES 3
Number of Exits 3
Emergency Egress... 3
Exit Stairs A
Exit Merging 4
Exit Stair Doors 4
Distance Between Exits 4
Latches 4
Continuous Corridors 5
Open Plan Office Space 5
Exit Corridors 5
Exit Discharge 5
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Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Table of Contents
Page
FS 1-04 INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT (Continued)
Two-Doorway Discharge 7
Panic Hardware 7
Smokeproof Towers 7
Timed Exit Calculation 7
Fire Subdivisions 7
Fire Escape 8
HAZARD SEGREGATION 8
Garages 8
Assembly Areas 8
Blind Stands and Self-Service Stores ..... 8
FS 1-05 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
PURPOSE 1
NATIONAL CODES 1
WATER SUPPLIES 2
Fire Department Hose Streams 2
Standpipe Hose Stream... 3
Automatic Sprinklers 3
AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER PROTECTION 4
HALON 1301 FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM 5
Applicability... 5
Use With Solid Fuels 5
Flame-Inhibiting Atmosphere 5
Water Damage Prevention 5
General Requirements 6
Design Requirements 6
Discharge 6
Openings 7
Installation 7
Trouble Signal 7
Acceptance Tests.. 8
DRY CHEMICAL SYSTEMS 8
Design Requirements 8
Acceptance Tests 8
AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS 8
Air Distribution 8
Ducts 8
Smoke Control Systems 9
Shaft Construction.. 9
Automatic Fire Doors and Dampers 9
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Page
FS 1-05 MECHANICAL SYSTEMS (Continued)
Cooling Towers 9
Smoke Detectors 10
Fans 10
VENTILATION SYSTEMS 10
Paint Spraying and Finishing Booths 10
Cooking Equipment . 10
HEATING EQUIPMENT 10
Authority 10
Fuel Storage 11
Shop Operations 11
Burners 11
Space Heaters 11
Gas Piping 11
Gas Meter Regulators 11
Valves 12
Piping Location 12
Gas Meter Rooms 12
Fire-Resistive Shafts or Conduit 12
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES 12
ELEVATORS 12
FS 1-06 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
PURPOSE 1
NATIONAL CODES 1
FUEL POTENTIAL OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT 1
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION 1
PLENUMS, CEILINGS, VOIDS, AND SIMILAR SPACES 2
HIGH-ENERGY COMPONENTS 2
PUBLIC UTILITY TRANSFORMERS 2
INTERIOR TRANSFORMERS ' 2
OUTSIDE SUBSTATIONS AND TRANSFORMER INSTALLATIONS 3
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS 3
WIRE CLOSETS 3
FIRESAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR LIGHTING 4
Mounting 4
Florescent Fixtures 4
Locations 4
Light Diffusers 4
EXIT MARKINGS 4
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS 5
Basic Requirements. . 5
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Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Table of Contents
Page
FS 1-06 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT (Continued)
Manual Systems Input.... 6
Automatic Systems Input... 6
Automatic Systems Output 8
Manual Systems Output 10
Systems Features 10
Reliability 12
EMERGENCY LIGHTING 12
EMERGENCY POWER 12
GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERS 12
Non-Aquatic Laboratories 14
Grounded System 14
Tripout , 15
FS 1-07 MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPANCY FEATURES
PURPOSE 1
NATIONAL CODES 1
TRASH ROOMS 1
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS 2
FLAMMABLE AND OXIDIZING GASES 2
GAS CYLINDERS 5
Size and Quantity in Use 5
Anchoring of Cylinders 5
Ventilation.. 5
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT 6
Housing 6
Separation 6
Construction 6
Occupancy 6
Wet Pipe Sprinkler Protection 6
Halon 1301 6
Smoke Detectors 6
Vital Records 6
Air-Conditioning System 7
Shutoff Switches 7
Emergency Lighting 7
Authority 7
COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT 7
STAGES 7
LABORATORY FUME HOODS 8
Hood Function 8
Conditions Affecting Hood Performance 8
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Page
FS 1-07 MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPANCY FEATURES (Continued)
Face Velocity 9
Operator Effect 9
Air Movement In the Laboratory.... 9
Hood Turbulence 9
Hood Location 10
Fume Hood Systems 10
Fume Hood Types 10
Constant Volume Bypass Type 10
Auxiliary Air Hoods 11
Radioactive Isotope Hoods 12
Perchloric Acid Hoods 12
Other Ventilated Enclosures 12
New Installations 14
Existing Installations... 14
Face Velocities 15
Exhaust System 15
Effluent Cleaning 17
Fume Hood Operation 17
Hood Purchase and Installation 18
LABORATORIES 18
CONSUMER SAFETY OFFICERS 20
SPACE REQUIREMENTS 20
FS 1A APPENDIX: STANDARDS AND DEFINITIONS
PURPOSE 1
NATIONAL REFERENCE STANDARDS 1
DEFINITIONS 2
TEST METHODS AND ACCEPTABILITY 3
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Table of Contents
LIST OF EXHIBITS
PART 1: FACILITIES SAFETY
Page
FS 1-02 BASIC FIRESAFETY STANDARDS
EXHIBIT 1: TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION 2
FS 1-03 SPECIFIC SAFETY CRITERIA
EXHIBIT 1: MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS 5
EXHIBIT 2: AREA LIMITATION (SQUARE FEET)
GROUP CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY 7
FS 1-04 INTERIOR CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT
EXHIBIT 1: FIRE HAZARD CLASSIFICATION OF ADJACENT SPACE 6
FS 1-06 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
EXHIBIT 1: STATUS CONDITION 11
EXHIBIT 2: EMERGENCY POWER REQUIREMENTS 13
FS 1-07 MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPANCY FEATURES
EXHIBIT 1: MAXIMUM QUANTITIES OF FLAMMABIE AND COMBUSTIBLE
LIQUIDS IN LABORATORY UNITS OUTSIDE OF APPROVED
FLAMMABLE LIQUID STORAGE ROOMS 3
EXHIBIT 2: CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR
LABORATORY UNITS 4
EXHIBIT 3: ROOM CONDITION CLASSIFICATION CHART 16
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Authority, Policy, and Responsiblity
PURPOSE
OVERVIEW
The purpose of this Chapter of the Facilities Safety Volume
is to provide safety criteria for buildings occupied by EPA
or which are included in EPA Real Property Inventory and
occupied by other than EPA staff.
The safety criteria in this Chapter describe the full scope
of the facilities safety features required in EPA build-
ings and may exceed building code criteria which generally
describe minimum requirements necessary to protect against
loss of life.
SCOPE
AUTHORITY
The facilities safety criteria apply to buildings owned or
leased by EPA, and buildings assigned to EPA by GSA or
other Government agencies. In this Volume, these buildings
shall be referred to as, "EPA buildings." The criteria in
this Volume are mandatory for new construction. Where it
does not appear to be feasible to meet these criteria at
existing facilities, consult FEREB for advice or a waiver.
Authority for the safety criteria is based on the follow-
ing:
Occupational Safety and Health Act, V of 1970
29 C.F.R. 1910, General Industry Standards
National Fire Codes of the National Fire
Protection Association
POLICY
OBJECTIVES
Building Firesafety Criteria, General Serv-
ices Administration
State and local building codes (unspecified).
Publications referenced above and throughout this Volume
are assumed to be the latest approved editions.
The occupants of EPA buildings shall comply with the re-
quirements provided by the National Fire Protection Associ-
ation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
the General Services Administration, and State and local
building codes.
Safety criteria are provided for EPA buildings in order to
establish these objectives:
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FACILITIES SAFETY Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Authority, Policy, and Responsibility
Provide reasonable safeguards against injury,
illness, and loss of life
Prevent fire exposure and public health
hazards to the community that surrounds EPA
buildings
Prevent loss of Government real and personal
property
Prevent interruption of Government opera-
tions.
Evaluation of the degree of facility safety provided by EPA
is a function of the Facilities Engineering and Real Estate
Branch (FEREB), and the Occupational Health and Safety
Staff. The Branch Chief of FEREB is responsible for the
compliance of the safety criteria of EPA buildings with the
building and firesafety codes described above.
REFERENCES Topics discussed in this Volume were developed from the
following sources:
Building Safety Criteria, General Services
Administration
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
29 C.F.R. 1910, General Industry Standards
Consensus standards for the design and con-
struction of buildings.
RESPONSIBLE
OFFICERS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Basic Flresafetv Standards
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Chapter is to provide the authority and
basic structural firesafety criteria for fire walls, doors
and partitions, shafts, ceilings, and utilities.
AUTHORITY Unless otherwise specified herein, all building materials
and structural components and assemblies shall conform to
the applicable requirements of the following American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Test Methods and
the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards:
Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Building
Construction and Materials (ASTM E 119/NFPA
Standard No. 251)
Types of Building Construction (NFPA Standard
No. 220)
Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA Stan-
dard No. 13)
Fire Doors and Windows (NFPA Standard No. 80)
Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assem-
blies (ASTM E 152).
FIRE The fire resistance hourly ratings shall be determined in
RESISTANCE accordance with ASTM E 119/NFPA Standard No. 251. However,
RATINGS for floor and ceiling assemblies, the ratings shall be
determined in accordance with NFPA 251 and not ASTM E 119.
The reasoning is that NFPA 251 does not permit restrictive
floor loading which the ASTM E 119 does allow. The hourly
ratings for various materials and designs shall be obtained
either by actual fire testing or by conformance to designs
listed by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., or Factory
Mutual. (See Appendix A.)
TYPES OF
CONSTRUCTION
The various types of construction are defined in NFPA
Standard No. 220 with exceptions noted in Exhibit 1.
FIRE WALLS Every fire wall shall be of noncombustible material having
AND FIRE a fire resistance rating of not less than 4 hours and
PARTITIONS sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to
allow collapse of construction on either side without col-
lapse of the wall. The use is limited to Group IV occu-
pancies .
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Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Basic Firesafety Standards
EXHIBIT 1
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
Structural Components
F Ire-
Resistive
Type A
Fire-
Resistive
Type B
Protected
NC/LC
NC/
LC
Heavy
Timber
Ordinary
Wood
Frame
Bearing Walls
4
2
2
2
2
N
N
Nonbearlng Walls
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
N
N
Supporting Members
For More than 1 Floor
4
2
1
NC
1
N
N
Supporting Members
For 1 Floor Only
3
2
1
NC
1
N
N
Vertical Openings and
Shaft Enclosures
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
Floors
2
2
1
NC
1
N
N
Roofs
2
1
1
NC
1
N
N
NC-
Noncombustlble
LC-Limited Combustible
N-No Requirement
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Basic Flreaafety Standards
Fire partitions are fire-resistive walls not meeting one or
more of the requirements for a fire wall. Fire partitions
may be of any specified fire resistance depending upon the
intended use and degree of fire potential involved. All
fire partitions must extend from floor slab to floor slab
or roof deck.
VERTICAL
OPENINGS AND
SHAFTS
Fire resistance ratings for enclosures of vertical openings
and shafts shall conform to the requirements cited in Exhi-
bit 1. Openings into vertical openings and shafts shall be
protected by fire doors or fire dampers as outlined in Fire
Doors of this Chapter and FS 1-05, Mechanical Systems.
Atriums
Shafts
Atriums and other openings not protected by shafts shall be
protected by self-closing or automatic fire doors which
provide adequate fire resistance.
Offices, or other rooms normally used for human occupancy,
shall not open into an atrium. In addition, exit routes
shall not pass through an atrium.
When telephone rooms, electrical closets, and similar
spaces are located one above the other, the enclosure walls
are considered to form a shaft, and protection shall be in
accordance with the requirements contained in Exhibit 1.
Shafts shall not be installed between a structural member
and the fireproofing for the member.
Structural members passing through a shaft shall be fire-
proofed separately from the shaft enclosure. The fire-
proofing shall be of concrete, plaster, or other hard
material that is resistant to mechanical damage and not
subject to rusting or erosion.
Monumental Monumental stairs, not involved in the building exit re-
Stairs quirements, may extend one floor above and one floor below
the main entrance lobby, provided that fire partitions and
self-closing fire doors are installed at the upper and
lower levels. (See Exhibit 1.)
Escalators Escalators shall be enclosed in fire-resistive shafts or
shall be treated in the same manner as monumental stairs.
In lieu of this enclosure protection, curtain boards and
sprinkler protection may be provided as detailed in NFPA
Standard No. 13.
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Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Basic Firesafety Standards
Penetrations
Openings around penetrations in vertical openings and
shafts shall be fire-stopped as described in Fire-Stopping
of this Chapter.
PANEL, CURTAIN Openings between panel, curtain, and spandrel walls, and
AND SPANDREL the building structure or floor slabs around them, shall be
WALLS fire-stopped in accordance with the provisions outlined in
Fire-stopping of this Chapter.
Panel and
Curtain Walls
All panel and curtain walls shall conform to the require-
ments for nonbearing walls in the type of construction
involved and shall be securely anchored to the building in
a manner which will prevent failure of the anchors under
fire conditions.
Windows
Wherever windows extend to within 36 inches from the floor
and the space is at least 4 feet above grade, a suitable
metal barrier shall be provided on the interior window
opening approximately 42 inches above floor level. If the
glass is of the type construction to withstand a horizontal
force of 200 pounds or more, no barriers are required.
(NOTE: Perimeter heating and cooling units may form this
barrier.)
Spandrel
Walls
Except as noted below, spandrel walls shall be provided at
each floor and shall have a height of at least 3 feet and
a fire resistance equivalent to the floor involved.
Exception No. 1. Spandrel walls are not necessary or, if
provided, are not required to have any fire resistance If
the rooms located directly inside the building and on the
floor below contain Group I occupancies or occupancies
which are sprinkler protected.
Exception No. 2. No spandrel walls are required at grade
level.
(NOTE: The above requirements in no way reduce the re-
quirements for protection of walls subject to an exterior
fire exposure. See FS 1-03, Specific Safety Criteria.)
CEILINGS
Suspended ceilings shall not be considered part of a fire-
resistive assembly.
FIRE-STOPPING
Fire-stopping with rigid, noncombustible materials shall be
provided in all walls, partitions, openings between exte-
rior walls and floor slabs, and openings in floors and
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Basic Firesafety Standards
shaft enclosures to form an effective fire and smoke
barrier between stories and between horizontal compart-
ments.
FIRE DOORS Fire doors shall be in accordance with the requirements
contained in NFPA Standard No. 80. Doors, hardware, and
frames shall bear the label of Underwriters Laboratories,
Inc., Factory Mutual, or other appoved laboratory testing
in accordance with ASTM E 152.
Fire doors involved in exits or means of egress shall also
conform to the requirements contained in FS 1-04, Interior
Construction and Arrangements. Fire doors involved in
air-handling systems shall also conform to the requirements
outlined in FS 1-05, Mechanical Systems.
UTILITIES Pipes, wires, cables, ducts, or other utilities or services
shall not be embedded in or between the required fireproof-
ing and structural members unless the assembly has been
tested and has achieved the required fire resistance.
One-inch or smaller steel conduit with wiring to clocks,
receptacles, telephones, thermostats, or switches may be
embedded in the fireproofing if the necessary thickness of
fireproofing is not reduced. In such cases, electrical
boxes shall be steel, limited to 4-inch nominal size, and
securely anchored in place and be at least 2 feet apart or
on opposite sides of the structural member.
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Specific Safety Criteria
PURPOSE This Chapter describes specific safety criteria for various
groups of occupancies, open plan office space and building
attachments.
CLASSIFICATION The type of building construction and height and area limi-
OF OCCUPANCIES tations shall be based on the fuel load classifications of
the occupancy normally expected in the building. See
Appendix A for guidance pertaining to unusual occupancies.
Typical occupancies are grouped as follows.
Group I, Low Group I, Low Intensity-Low Severity occupancies are those
Intensity-Low occupancies containing a small amount of fuel and which do
Severity not present a flash fire or explosion potential. Such
occupancies are limited to those where it is reasonable to
expect that a fire involving only the occupancy will not
develop to a sufficient degree to propagate from the room
of origin. Listed below are examples of such occupancies:
Offices using metal furnishings
Offices using wooden furnishings where occu-
pancy does not exceed one person per 200
square feet of floor area
Open plan office space having a fuel load of
6 pounds per square foot or less (see Open
Plan Office Space of this Chapter)
File room or stock rooms, where material
is contained in metal files, cabinets, or
other closed metal containers
Classrooms, meeting rooms, conference rooms,
auditoriums, and similar assembly areasin
any instance where there is extensive use of
plastic furniture, such as moulded auditorium
chairs or foam cushions, the occupancy class
is to be raised to Group II or higher
Library reading rooms
Restrooms and locker rooms where metal lock-
ers are used
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Specific Safety Criteria
Switchgear rooms with air-cooled equipment,
uninterruptible power service (UPS) areas
and battery rooms
Computer rooms.
Group II, Full Intensity-Low Severity occupancies are those
occupancies containing potential for propagation from the
room of origin but where the maximum expected fire severity
does not exceed a standard 1-hour fire. Listed below are
examples of such occupancies:
Storage areas less than 500 square feet
Open plan office space having fuel load in
excess of 6 pounds per square foot (see Open
Plan Office Space of this Chapter)
t Mechanical equipment rooms
Mechanical, electrical, and similar shops
Draf ting rooms and map making rooms
Offices using wooden furniture where occu-
pancy exceeds one person per 200 square feet
of floor area
Cafeterias and kitchens
Switchgear rooms and transformer vaults with
combustible dielectrics
Automobile parking garages.
Group III, Full Intensity-Medium Severity occupanices are
those occupancies where the maximum expected fire severity
approaches or equals that produced by a standard 2-hour
fire. Listed below are examples of such occupancies:
Storage areas, 500 square feet or larger
Library areas, except open shelving higher
than 9 feet
Printing and reproduction operations
FEREB 2 FS 1-03
Group II, Full
Intensity-Low
Severity
Group III,
Full
Intensity-
Medium
Severity
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Specific Safety Criteria
Laboratories using chemicals, flammable
liquids or explosive materials
Flammable liquids operations
Paint shops
Woodworking shops
Trash rooms without baling operations
Automotive repair, servicing, or fuel facil-
ities
Magnetic tape libraries (tape in plastic
cases or on plastic reels)
Paper recycling storage
Hazardous waste-staging areas where flammable
or combustible waste is not retained in bulk
quantities.
Group IV, Full Group IV, Full Intensity-High Severity occupancies are
Intensity-High those occupancies containing a large amount of fuel or pre-
Severity senting a flash fire or explosive potential. Listed below
are examples of such occupancies:
Trash rooms with baling operations
General storage warehouse
Library stack areas higher than 9 feet
Record centers and archives with open file
shelving
Hazardous waste-staging areas where flammable
or combustible waste is retained in bulk
quantities.
Occupancy The above examples are based on typical operations and
Classification average distribution of combustibles. Professional judg-
Consideratlons ment must be used and the classification of occupancy
increased or decreased where the conditions are not typi-
cal. For example, mailrooms with low activity or drafting
rooms using metal furniture are usually one group lower.
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FACILITIES SAFETY Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Specific Safety Criteria
Wood Furniture
Conversely, if an office equipped with metal furniture
habitually contains very large quantities of paper and
similar combustibles which are not contained within file
cabinets or other metal containers, that office would be
one group higher.
The principal difference in the fire potential between
wood and metal furniture is that wood furniture does not
have the ability to prevent its contents from entering the
fire. File cabinets normally contain the largest single
concentration of papers. A limited amount of wood furni-
ture in an office using steel file cabinets should not
result in a higher group classification for that office.
Conversely, the use of open shelf files In an office of
basically metal furnishings will necessitate assigning
such office a higher group reclassification.
AUTOMATIC Where the occupancy group under consideration is protected
SPRINKLER- by automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with
PROTECTED FS 1-05, Automatic Sprinkler Protection, the classification
OCCUPANCIES of the occupancy shall be one group lower than that Indi-
cated for occupancies under Classification of Occupancies
of this Chapter. For example, a library stack area is
classified as a Group III occupancy; when sprinkler-pro-
tected, the library stack area occupancy classification is
reduced to Group II. No reductions shall be applied to
Group IV occupancies.
OPEN PLAN
OFFICE SPACE
TYPES OF
CONSTRUCTION
The firesafety objective is to maintain this type of occu-
pancy at a Group I classification level. This can be done
by limiting the fuel load to 6 pounds per square foot or by
providing complete automatic sprinkler protection where the
fuel load exceeds 6 pounds per square foot.
Except as noted below, the type of construction shall be
that determined to be the most suitable and economical for
the group classification of occupancy and height limitation
as shown in Exhibit 1.
Top
Floor
If the top floor of the fire-resistive or protective non-
combustible building is exclusively occupied by building
machinery such as air-conditioning fans, which are basical-
ly noncombustible, the roof construction, walls, and col-
umns of that floor may be of unprotected noncombustible
construction, and the floor involved not counted in deter-
mining any height limitations.
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Specific Safety Criteria
EXHIBIT 1
MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
Occupancies
Occupancies
Occupancies
Occupancies
(Low inten-
(Full inten-
(Full inten-
(Full inten-
sity-Low
sity-Low
sity-Medium
sity-High
severity)
severity)
seve rity)
severi ty)
Fire-resistive
AS-U
AS-U
AS-U
AS-U(*)
Type A
NS-5
NS-5
NS-5
NS-NP
Fire-resistive
AS-U
AS-U
AS-U
AS-U(*)
Type B
NS-5
NS-5
NS-1
NS-NP
Protected
AS-U
AS-U
AS-1
AS-1
NC/LC
NS-2
NS-1
NS-1
NS-NP
NC/LC
AS-1
AS-1
AS-1
AS-1
NS-1
NS-1
NS-1
NS-NP
Heavy Timber
AS-5
AS-2
AS-1
AS-1
NS-NP
NS-NP
NS-NP
NS-NP
Ordinary
AS-1
AS-1
AS-1
AS-1
NS-NP
NS-NP
NS-NP
NS-NP
Wood frame
AS-1
AS-1
AS-1
AS-1
NS-NP
NS-NP
NS-NP
NS-NP
AS - Automatic sprinkler protected U - Unlimited height
NS - Not sprinkler protected NP - Not permitted
NC - Noncombustible LC - Limited combustible
1 - Maximum height, 1 story above highest grade
2 - Maximum height, 2 stories above highest grade
5 - Maximum height, 5 stories above highest grade
* Maximum height of 2 stories (Type A) or 1 story (Type B) if Group IV
occupancy is not separated into 5,000 sq. ft. compartments by 4 hour
fire-resistive enclosures.
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Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Specific Safety Criteria
Below Grade Where a floor Is partially or wholly below grade, it and
Floor its supporting members shall have a minimum fire resistance
of two hours.
Multiple In multiple occupancy buildings, the highest group occu-
Occupancy pancy shall determine the type of construction for the
Building floor and all floors below. Where highest group occupan-
cies are compartmented (see FS 1-04), protected by sprin-
klers (see FS 1-05), and do not exceed 5,000 square feet or
25 percent of the area of the floor, they shall not deter-
mine the type of construction. An example of a building
having more than one group classification of occupancy
would be an office building with a library stack area.
AREA Area limitations include the area of any floor of a build-
LIMITATIONS ing, the area between fire walls, or the area enclosed by
fire partitions and exterior walls shall not exceed the
limits set in Exhibit 2. Fire walls and fire partitions
shall conform to the requirements of FS 1-02. The rating
of fire partitions shall be as required in FS 1-04. Where
more than one group classification of occupancy is housed,
the higher group classification shall govern for determin-
ing area limitations.
Penthouses, cornices, marquees, skylights, monitors, and
ventilations shall be of noncombustible construction.
Attachments and additions for the purpose of providing
additional space shall conform to the same construction
height and area limitations as the base building.
FIRE A fire exposure is any building, structure, yard storage,
EXPOSURE industrial operation, or other collection or accumulation
PROTECTION of combustible substance which, if involved in a fire,
would present a danger to the building. Classification of
exposure severity and determination of minimum separation
distance shall be in accordance with National Fire Protec-
tion Association Standard No. 80A, Recommended Practices
for Protection of Buildings from Exterior Fire Exposures.
ATTACHMENTS
AND ADDITIONS
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Specific Safety Criteria
EXHIBIT 2
AREA LIMITATION (SQUARE FEET)
GROUP CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY*
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
AT GRADE
AS
U
U
u
40,000
NS
U
1,000
1,000
NP
ABOVE GRADE
AS
U
u
20,000
5,000
NS
U
1,000
1,000
NP
BELOW GRADE
AS
U
u
20,000
5,000
NS
NP
NP
NP
NP
AS - Automatic
NS - Not sprinkler protected
U - Unlimited
NP - Not permitted
* - The group classification of occupany is that obtained as a result of
the reductions in classification outlined in FS 1-03.
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change,00: 7/16/84
Interior Construction and Arrangement
PURPOSE The purpose of this Chapter is to provide the authority and
specifications for interior construction (e.g., interior
finish, floors, partitions, and exits) as they relate to
safety requirements.
NATIONAL Unless otherwise specified herein, all interior construc-
CODES AND tion and arrangements shall conform to the applicable
TEST METHODS requirements of the following National Fire Protection
Association Standards (NFPA) and test methods:
Fire Doors and Windows (NFPA Standard No. 80)
Life Safety Code (NFPA Standard No. 101)
Test for Critical Radiant Flux of Carpet
Flooring Systems (Federal Test Method Stan-
dard No. 372)
National Bureau of Standards Smoke Chamber
Test (NBS Technical Note 708) - Identical
test methods are NFPA Standard No. 258 and
ANSI/ASTM E 662-79
Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame-
Resistant Textiles and Films (NFPA Standard
No. 701).
INTERIOR
FINISH
Interior finish shall be in accordance with the definitions
contained in Chapter 6 of NFPA Standard No. 101. Unless
otherwise stated below, the firesafety characteristics of
interior finish shall include a flame spread rating not to
exceed 25 and a smoke development rating not to exceed 50.
Sprinkler- In fully sprinkler-protected buildings, the interior finish
Protected in areas not involved in the normal means of egress of the
Buildings building may be of materials having a flame spread rating
of 200 or less and a smoke development rating of 200 or
less. In sprinkler-protected exit accesses or passageways,
interior finish may be composed of materials having a flame
spread rating of 75 or less and a smoke development rating
of 100 or less.
Doors and Doors and door frames not located in exit ways and not in-
Door Frames volved in fire cutoffs and trim materials such as moldings,
window frames, chair rails, and baseboards may be of wood
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FACILITIES SAFETY
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Interior Construction and Arrangement
or any other material having fire characteristics no more
severe than wood. The total area finished with this type
of material in any room or space shall not exceed 10 per-
cent of the aggregate wall and ceiling area involved.
Final Wallpaper, paint, veneer, and other thin final finishing
Finishing materials not over 0.035-inch thick are exempt from the
Material firesafety requirements for interior finish, except that
these materials shall not significantly increase the flame
spread nor the smoke development ratings of the base mate-
rial involved.
Airspace
Whenever an airspace is located behind combustible mate-
rial exists, the space shall be blocked so that no void ex-
tends more than 10 feet in any direction. For example,
paneling applied to wood furring strips will meet the
requirement if the distance betweera the furring strips is
no more than 10 feet in both the horizontal and vertical
direction.
Combustible Materials composed of basically combustible substances,
Substances such as wood or fiberboard, which have been treated with
fire-retardant chemicals by a pressure impregnation process
or other method which provides treatment throughout the
material (as opposed to a surface treatment) to produce
acceptable firesafety characteristics, may be used as in-
terior finish subject to the following conditions: The
treated material shall be installed in full accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions; the treated material shall
not be Installed in any location where conditions, such as
high humidity, exist that may reduce the effectiveness of
the fire-retardant treatment.
Restrictions
Flooring
Materials
Draperies and
Curtains
No material shall be used as an interior finish which will
result in higher flame spread or smoke development ratings
than those permitted herein.
Flooring materials used as wall sections or wall coverings
shall comply with the firesafety characteristics described
within the first three paragraphs under Interior Finish,
of this Chapter.
All draperies, curtains, and similar hanging materials
shall be of a noncombustible (see Appendix A) or flame-
retardant fabric (chemically treated). "Flame-retardant"
means that the fabric or films (e.g., thin plastic sheets
or cellophane) are difficult to ignite, do not spread
flame beyond the area which is exposed, and do not drop
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Interior Construction and Arrangement
flaming parts. Flame-retardant materials shall meet the
performance described for the most appropriate test, small
scale or large scale, NFPA Standard No. 701.
FLOORING Finish floors and floor coverings may be of any material
normal to the intended use. Materials may be either com-
bustible or noncombustible, including wood, asphalt tile,
carpet, rugs, linoleum, concrete, and terrazzo.,
PARTITIONS Partitions requiring fire-resistance ratings shall be
constructed of noncombustible/limited combustible (NC/LC)
materials and listed by UL; or approved by Factory Mutual
Engineering and listed in their Approval Guide.
Ceiling-High Except for ordinary and wood frame construction all
Partitions ceiling-high partitions shall be constructed of NC/LC ma-
terial. Interior finish or trim may be combustible to the
extent permitted by Interior Finish of this Chapter.
Combustible insulation on electrical installations may be
used to the extent described in FS 1-06, Electrical Systems
and Equipment.
Wood Stud Wood stud partitions may be used in ordinary and wood frame
Partitions construction. Wood studs shall not be installed as part of
the initial construction, or part of a major alteration, or
space adjustment in the other types of construction.
Less Than Bank type, acoustical screens, free standing space divi-
Ceiling- ders, and other less than ceiling-high partitions, shall
High conform to the requirements for movable partitions, pre-
Partitions scribed by Federal Property Management Regulations (FPMR)
101-20.109-9.
EXIT Except as noted below or covered elsewhere in this hand-
FACILITIES book, the following provisions of NFPA Standard No. 101
shall be followed.
Number of Exits shall be arranged to ensure that at least two sepa-
Exits rate exits are available from every floor area. Exits
shall be remote from each other and shall be arranged to
minimize the possibility that both may be blocked by an
emergency.
Emergency Emergency egress from the building shall be maintained at
Egress all times the building is occupied.
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Exit Stairs All exit stairs in new construction, and all exit stairs
added to existing buildings, shall conform to the require-
ments for Class A stairs, described in NFPA Standard No.
101 and shall have a minimum width of 44 inches.
Exit Merging
In any instance where the arrangement of stairs is such
that files of persons egressing down from upper floors
may be required to merge with files of persons egressing
up from lower floors through a common stair exit doorway,
the total width of the doorway shall be at least equal to
three-fourths of the width of stairs from above, plus
three-fourths of the width of the stairs from below.
Exit Stair All exit stair doors and all other doors opening onto exit
Doors routes, except those opening directly to the outside, shall
be self-closing or shall be those whose operation is con-
trolled by a smoke detector. Doors shall be located or
recessed in a manner to ensure that they do not swing to
impede pedestrian flow in corridors or other egress routes.
Vision panels shall be provided in those doors where such
panels are permitted (NFPA Standard No. 80) and where
necessary to alleviate potential personnel traffic hazard.
Distance
Between Exits
Latches
The two most remote exits on each floor shall be separated
by a distance equal to at least two-thirds the long rec-
tangular dimension of the floor.
Latches on stair doors shall be operable from both the
stairs and the occupied space side of the stairs. For
security reasons, ingress may be prohibited without
Impeding emergency egress as follows:
Door may open directly to the exterior
Door may open from a stair to an exit dis-
charge route
An individual stair door may be locked
against ingress from the stair when fully
justified in writing, and where no other
reasonable means can be developed to provide
necessary security.
In no instance shall doors at the top and the bottom stair
levels be secured. Each secured door shall be clearly
marked. Directions shall be posted showing the nearest
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Contlnuous
Corridors
Open Plan
Office Space
Exit Corridors
Exit Discharge
floors above and below where re-entrance can be made. In
buildings which are equipped for relocation of personnel
via a voice fire alarm system, the use of security doors
and the mode of re-entry shall be coordinated.
Except in open plan office space, continuous corridors
shall be provided connecting to every exit.
The following conditions shall be met for emergency egress
in open plan office space.
The space layout shall be planned to ensure maintenance of
rational routes with well-marked secondary exits. Color
dynamics and other innovative directional guidance may
be needed In large installations. The height of dividers
and acoustical partitions shall be limited to 5-1/2 feet
so that occupants can quickly identify problems which may
arise from fire in the area and routes available to reach
exits. (Higher partitions should be limited to periphery.)
Free-standing space dividers shall resist a momentary
overturning force of 25 pounds perpendicular to the face
applied at a height of 60 inches above the floor and be
arranged so as not to interfere with egress.
The minimum width of any corridor or passageway serving
as a required exit or means of travel to or from a required
exit shall not be less than 44 inches clear width and shall
not be obstructed by partitions, columns, doors, or other
projections.
Exit access corridors are not required to have any fire
resistance rating where exposed to Group I occupancies.
Refer to Exhibit 1 for fire-resistance ratings of exit
corridors exposed to Group II, III, and IV occupancies.
Except as provided below, and as detailed in the NFPA
Standard No. 101, every exit stair shall discharge directly
to the outside or to a protected corridor leading directly
to the outside. A protected corridor shall consist of a
totally unoccupied passageway or other space, such as a
lobby, separated from all occupied areas by partitions hav-
ing 1-hour or greater fire resistance, with all doorways in
these partitions protected by Class C or higher-classed
fire doors that are either self-closing or automatic-clos-
ing, controlled by ionization smoke detectors located on
the occupied side of a partition.
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EXHIBIT 1
FIRE HAZARD CLASSIFICATION OF ADJACENT SPACE
Fire hazard
classification
of occupancy
Nonsprinklered
space
Group I
Group 11
Group III
Sprlnklered
spaceC)
Group 1
Group 11
Group IV
Fire hazard classification of adjacent space
Nonsprinklered space
II
Group
lit IV
"eTTT
access corr.
NR 1/C/N 2/B/Y 3/A/Y
1/C/H 1/C/N 2/B/Y 3/A/Y
2/B/Y 2/B/Y 2/B/Y 3/A/Y
NR 1/C/N 2/B/Y 3/A/Y
NR 1/C/N 2/B/Y 3/A/Y
3/A/Y 3/A/Y 3/A/Y 3/A/Y
NC/T/N
NC/1/N
1/C/N
NC/T/N
NC/T/N
1/C/N
Sprtnklered space"
I
TT
Group
IV
Exit access corr.
NR NR 3/A/Y
1/C/N 1/C/N 3/A/Y
2/B/Y 2/B/Y 3/A/Y
NR NR 2/B/Y
NR NR 2/B/Y
2/B/Y 2/B/Y 2/B/Y
NC/T/N
NC/T/N
1/C/N
NC/T/N
NC/T/N
1/C/N
(*) The fire hazard classification of occupancies 1n sprtnklered space Is that classification obtained as the result of
those reductions 1n classification prescribed by ch 3
Partitions
NR - No requirement, partitions may be onitted If desired
NC - Noncombustlble or Halted combustible materials aay be used for partitions.
1 - 1-hour fire resistive partition required.
2 - 2-hour fire resistive partition required
3 - 3-hour or higher fire resistive required, actual rating dependent on fuel load Involved.
Door openings
A - Class A fire doors required on all openings
B - Class B fire doors required on all openings
C - Class C fire doors required on all openings.
T - Any type of door - no specific requirement
Ouct penetrations
N - No fire rated damper required in steel ducts piercing required partition.
Y - Fire damper or fire door required In steel ducts piercing required partitions.
Note. See ch 3 for area llnltations of occupancies
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Interior Construction and Arrangement
Two-Doorway When a stair discharges through two separate doorways into
Discharge two separate fire areas at grade, protected corridors may
be omitted. Under these conditions, appropriate exit
markings shall be provided within the stairwell to indicate
termination of that exit and the availability of alternate
exits. For example: the sign over an exit door might read
"Exit to Main Street," and a clearly visible nearby sign
would read "Exit to Market Street - Down One Floor."
Panic Hardware
Panic hardware may be used whenever desired, but it is
required for all exterior exit doors and interior-latched
exit doors from classrooms, theaters, and other places of
assembly having a capacity in excess of 100.
Smokeproof Smokeproof towers conforming with the requirements of NFPA
Towers Standard No. 101 are acceptable, but not required. The
venting of the vestibules required for smokeproof towers
shall be directly to the outside from each floor. The
required vestibules shall be located on the exterior of
the building or in an interior court or shaft having a
minimum horizontal dimension of one-half the height of the
shaft or court or 40 feet, whichever is less. In no in-
stances shall any vestibules leading to exit stairs be
interconnected through ducts or shafts not meeting the
requirements cited above.
Timed Egress from buildings or an area of refuge shall be in
Exit accordance with timed exit calculations. Personnel in the
Calculation fire area can travel toward the fire no more than 15 sec-
onds. They should be able to relocate from the fire area
within 90 seconds. Unimpeded horizontal movement is
calculated at 3.5 feet per second. It should take no
longer than 8 minutes for individuals to exit downward to
the outside of the building or a safe area of refuge.
Fire
Subdivisions
Fire subdivisions may be developed to improve lifesafety
conditions where complete correction of existing stair and
exit deficiencies is not feasible. Fire subdivisions may
be used to develop horizontal exits where large numbers
of handicapped occupants must be provided with safe exit
facilities. Fire subdivisions may be used in conjunction
with a smoke control system. Unless greater fire resis-
tance is required for other purposes, fire partitions
installed to improve exit facilities or for smoke control
shall be of 1-hour fire-resistive construction.
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Interior Construction and Arrangement
Fire Escape Fire escape stairs, as defined in NFPA Standard No. 101,
are not acceptable as a component in the means of egress.
HAZARD
SEGREGATION
Garages
All rooms or areas containing Group I, II, III, and IV
occupancies shall be cutoff from the remainder of the
building by fire-resistive enclosures, as shown in Exhibit
1. In addition, any Group I, II, III, or IV occupancy
exceeding the area limitations outlined in FS 1-03, Spe-
cific Safety Criteria, shall be subdivided into proper size
areas by separations conforming to the requirements shown
in Exhibit 1. Fire areas shall be limited to 40,000 square
feet by appropriate fire-resistive construction. Refer to
FS 1-08, Storage Occupancies for storage occupancies.
Parking garages located within buildings containing other
occupancies shall be cut off from the remainder of the
building by construction having a fire resistance of at
least 2 hours. Entrances between garages and elevators
shall be protected by a vestibule having 1-1/2-hour, Class
B or higher-classed fire door. Doorways between garages
and stairs, building corridors, or other nongarage areas
shall be protected by 1-1/2-hour, Class B or higher-classed
fire doors.
Assembly Areas Because of the concentration of occupants in auditoriums,
cafeterias, and other places of assembly, it is necessary
to provide a greater number of exit passageways from these
locations to the outside of the building. Whenever possi-
ble, such occupancies shall be located on the grade floor
of the building or a floor close to grade.
Blind stands and self-service stores shall be cut off from
the remainder of the building by 1-hour fire-rated enclo-
sures and doors. If the entire floor is protected by auto-
matic sprinklers, fire-rated enclosures are not needed.
Blind Stands
and Self-
Service
Stores
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Mechanical Systems
PURPOSE This Chapter establishes the authority for and safety re-
quirements of mechanical systems in buildings such as water
supply systems, automatic sprinkler systems, fire main sys-
tems, fire extinguishers, air-conditioning systems, heating
equipment and elevators.
NATIONAL CODES Unless otherwise specified herein, all mechanical system
installations shall conform to the applicable requirements
of the following National Fire Protection Association
Standards (NFPA) and American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) Safety Code:
Halogenated Fire Extinguishing Agent Systems
- Halon 1301 (NFPA Standard No. 12A)
Sprinkler Systems (NFPA Standard No. 13)
Standplpe and Hose Systems (NFPA Standard
No. 14)
Water Spray Fixed Systems (NFPA Standard
No. 15)
Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems (NFPA
Standard No. 17)
Outside Protection (NFPA Standard No. 24)
Oil Burning Equipment (NFPA Standard No. 31)
Spray Application Using Flammable and Combus-
tible Materials (NFPA Standard No. 33)
Stationary Combustion Engines and Gas Tur-
bines (NFPA Standard No. 37)
National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA Standard No. 54)
Liquefied Petroleum Gases (NFPA Standard
No. 58)
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) (NFPA Standard
No. 59A)
Protection of Electronic Computer/Data Pro-
cessing Equipment (NFPA Standard No. 75)
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Mechanical Systems
Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems
(NFPA Standard No. 90A)
Blower and Exhaust Systems (NFPA Standard
No. 91)
Removal of Smoke and Grease-Laden Vapors from
Commercial Cooking Equipment (NFPA Standard
No. 96)
Water Cooling Towers (NFPA Standard No. 214)
Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators and Moving
Walks (ANSI A17.1).
WATER SUPPLIES Except as noted below, every building, as a minimum, shall
be provided with a water supply available for use by fire
department mobile pumping apparatus. The water supply
shall normally be provided by fire hydrants suitable for
firefighting apparatus located within 5 feet of paved road-
ways. The hydrants shall be supplied from a dependable
public or private water main system. Other water supplies
shall be available to those buildings where fire protection
needs require them.
The water supply system shall provide ample water to meet
all water uses. Essentially, there are three types of fire
protection water use: outside fire department hose streams
from hydrants; small and large hose streams from inside
building standpipe or hose connections; and automatic
sprinkler systems. See FS 1-03 for intensity and severity
designations to be used in determining the requirements for
the various types of water supplies. The minimum require-
ments for each type of water use are determined as follows.
Fire The flow and pressure must be available from a public or
Department private water main system (see below).
Hose Streams
Occupancy Classification
Intens i ty/Seve ri ty
Unsprinklered Building
Minimum Flow & Pressure
(gpm, @ 20 psi)
Sprinklered Building
Minimum Flow & Pressure
(gpm, @ 20 psi)
Low/Low
500
100
Full/Low
750
250
Full/Medium
1500
500
Full/High
1750
750
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Standplpe This section concerns standplpe hose streams for three or
Hose Stream more stories of a building, one riser per stairwell. The
flow must be available from a public or private water main
system. The minimum pressure from a water main system
shall be 20 psi. Pressure requirements will be provided by
fire department mobile pumping apparatus by use of the
Siamese connection(s) (see below).
Number of Risers Flow at 65 psi at Top Floor
1 250 gpm
2 500 gpm
3 750 gpm
4 1000 gpm
5 or more 1250 gpm
Automatic The following flow and pressure requirements shall be used
Sprinklers except where noted in other sections of this handbook.
Occupancy Classification
With Respect to Severity Only
Minimum Flow at 15 psi at the Most
Remote Sprinkler Head on the Top Floor
Low
150 gpm
Medium
450 gpm
High
See NFPA Standards or other
Chapters of this Volume.
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Mechanical Systems
Automatic sprinkler protection shall be provided in the
following situations:
Throughout all floors of any building which
is six floors or more in height above its
lowest ground level (for six-story buildings
where the sixth floor is occupied strictly
for mechanical building service equipment,
sprinkler protection is not required)
Throughout occupancies exceeding the area or
height limitations allowed in FS 1-03 for un-
sprinklered buildings of various types of
construction
In all areas below grade (50 percent or more
below grade level)
In all areas which contain a Group IV occu-
pancy (see FS 1-03)
In any area above grade of over 1,000 square
feet In size which contains a Group II occu-
pancy (see FS 1-03)
Throughout windowless buildings or windowless
floors of buildings or windowless subdivi-
sions exceeding 1,000 square feet within
buildings
In cooling towers of combustible construction
under the conditions described in Air-Condi
tioning Systems of this Chapter
In any location where maximum fire potential
of the occupancy exceeds the fire-resistance
capabilities of exposed live load-bearing
structural elements (for example: moving of
flammable liquids operation into a former
office area)
Throughout open plan office space which has a
fuel load in excess of 6 pounds per square
foot (see FS 1-03)
In all newly constructed laboratories and in
major modifications to existing laboratories
FEREB 4 FS 1-05
AUTOMATIC
SPRINKLER
PROTECTION
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Mechanical Systems
HALON 1301
FIRE EXTIN-
GUISHING
SYSTEM
Applicability
Use With
Solid Fuels
Flame-
Inhibiting
Atmosphere
Water
Damage
Prevention
that use chemicals, flammable liquids or
explosive materials
Throughout electronic equipment operation
areas, including data storage areas. "On-
off" type sprinkler heads and sprinkler
guards should be used, however, to minimize
water damage in these areas.
Halon 1301 (CF3BR, a halogenated hydrocarbon) in concen-
trations of less than 7 percent has been found to produce
minimal, if any, effects on the central nervous system of
humans; however, unnecessary exposure should be avoided.
Systems using concentrations of more than 7 percent present
much greater personnel hazards.
The exact fire extinguishing mechanism of Halon 1301 is not
known, nor for that matter, is the chemistry of ordinary
flames completely understood. However, it is believed that
Halon 1301 interferes with the flame chemistry and inhibits
flame propagation. In most materials tested, flaming is
stopped with about a 3.5 percent Halon 1301 concentration.
In materials with surface-burning characteristics, such as
flammable liquids and plastics which melt before burning,
extinguishing the flames allows the heat to radiate away
very quickly, and the fire is extinguished almost in-
stantly.
In the case of solid fuels, flaming is stopped just as
easily, but smoldering can continue as long as the heat
generated equals or exceeds the heat lost. Some materials,
such as low-density cellulose fiberboard, will continue to
smolder until totally consumed, even though the Halon 1301
concentration is maintained high enough to prevent flaming.
Most solid materials fall between the two extremes cited,
and a fire can be extinguished by maintaining a flame-
inhibiting atmosphere for an extended period of time. In
practice, in case of fire, it may be adequate to provide
a flame-inhibiting atmosphere (about 5 percent concentra-
tion) and maintain it for as long as it takes for profes-
sional firefighting forces to arrive and complete the
extinguishment.
Halon 1301 systems are most frequently proposed to avoid
water damage. If the occupancy to be protected has an
appreciable amount of ordinary combustibles (e.g., wood,
paper, fiber), a fire suppressed by Halon 1301 may continue
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Mechanical Systems
to generate smoke, causing the fire department to apply
hose streams, resulting in more water damage than sprin-
klers would have caused.
General
Requirements
Halon 1301 has been proposed as an extinguishing agent to
replace automatic sprinkler protection where water damage
is unacceptable or where unacceptable fire damage can
occur before sprinklers operate. Halon 1301 extinguishing
systems shall not be used as a substitute for automatic
sprinkler protection in EPA installations; however, EPA
may elect to augment automatic sprinklers with Halon 1301
protection. On-off types of sprinkler heads may be used in
the sprinkler system as an option. Sprinkler head guards
may be utilized to minimize possible physical damage to
the heads. Although sprinkler protection is strongly
recommended, Halon 1301 may be used as the primary fire
suppression system for Group I occupancies (see FS 1-07),
if an automatic sprinkler system is also provided as a
back-up. As described above, there are inherent limita-
tions other than cost when evaluating the use of a Halon
1301 system. The organization responsible for the elec-
tronic or computer equipment shall justify the need for the
Halon 1301 system, and should be fully informed of the
cost, especially the cost of recharging the system, the
applicability limitation of Halon 1301, and the various
advantages and disadvantages involved in utilizing a Halon
1301 extinguishing system.
Design
Requirements
The design concentration of Halon 1301 shall be a minimum
of 5 percent and no more than 7 percent, both above and be-
low the raised floor. This concentration shall be verified
by an actual Halon 1301 or Halon 122 discharge at an accep-
tance test.
Discharge Discharge of Halon 1301 shall be automatic, controlled by a
system of ionization type smoke detectors arranged in
cross-zoned or equivalent circuits. Actuation of a single
detector must sound an alarm within the room and automat-
ically notify the local fire department.
Activation of a detector on the second circuit must cause
the Halon 1301 to discharge after a preset time delay has
elapsed, area ventilation equipment to shut down, and the
building fire alarm system to activate. The time delay
must be sufficient to permit all occupants to evacuuate
the area prior to Halon 1301 discharge. (The time delay
shall be calculated by dividing the farthest travel dis-
tance inside the area to an exit door of the area by 3.5
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and adding 15 for a safety factor. Therefore, In a room
where the largest travel distance would be 50 feet, the
time delay would be 50 f 3.5 + 15 = 30 seconds.) Consider-
ation shall be given to shutting down power to the computer
after sending the computers a signal on the first alarm.
Detection and activation circuits shall be supervised.
Signs shall be provided to direct occupants to evacuate up-
on the sounding of the alarm within the room. Manual Halon
1301 release stations shall be provided at the exits from
the room. The actuation of the manual release station must
sound an alarm within the room, shut down area ventilation
equipment, discharge Halon 1301, cause the building fire
alarm system to activate, and cause the local fire depart-
ment to be notified. Discharge of Halon 1301 shall occur
only after the activation of at least two smoke detectors
or a manual release station in the room. Abort switches
may be provided to prevent the discharge of Halon 1301 from
smoke detector operation, but shall not override the manual
release stations. Abort switches shall return to the
normal position unless manually held in an abort position.
Area ventilation equipment need not be shut down upon de-
tector or manual release actuation, if the ventilation
system recirculates only volumes of space being protected
by Halon 1301.
Openings All openings in the walls, floors, or ceiling must be
closed in order to maintain the Halon concentration for at
least five minutes. All doors on the perimeter walls of
the room shall be self-closing, and all other openings
shall be equipped with electrically released dampers which
close upon activation of the cross-zoned detectors or halon
manual station. The air handling unit for the room must
shut down upon Halon 1301 system operation, unless the air
handler can be arranged to recycle the air within the room
without introducing outside air.
Installation The system shall be designed and installed by a contractor
fully experienced In the installation of Halon 1301 sys-
tems, in accordance with NFPA Standard No. 12A, except
where In conflict with the provisions of this Chapter.
Trouble Signal Halon 1301 containers shall be supervised to sound a local
trouble signal in the event of Halon 1301 leakage.
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Mechanical Systems
Acceptance After Installation, all mechanical and electrical equipment
Tests shall be tested to ensure correct operation and function.
When all necessary corrections have been made, a full dis-
charge test should be conducted. Halon 122 may be substi-
tuted for the Halon 1301 for this test. The contractor
shall be responsible for providing suitable test equipment
to sample Halon 1301 concentrations continuously at three
separate locations in the space being protected. The test
shall indicate that 5 percent concentration is maintained
for 3 minutes and a 3 percent concentration is maintained
for 5 minutes. A 7 percent concentration limit shall not
be exceeded.
DRY CHEMICAL
SYSTEMS
Dry chemical systems utilize an interaction of flame and
chemical that stop the chain reaction occurring in com-
bustion. Dry chemical is difficult to remove from electri-
cal contacts. Use is generally restricted to cafeteria
exhaust hoods and plenums, deep fat fryers, and grills.
Pre-engineered systems are satisfactory for this use.
Design
Requirements
Systems shall be designed in accordance with NFPA Standard
No. 17 and No. 96. Discharge of dry chemical shall actuate
a pressure switch connected to initiate an alarm on the
building fire alarm system (see FS 1-06).
Acceptance After installation, all mechanical and electrical equipment
Tests shall be tested to ensure correct operation and function.
When all necessary corrections have been made, a full
discharge test shall be conducted. Plastic or cotton bags
shall be attached to each individual nozzle and the system
activated. Cooking appliance nozzles must discharge at
least 2 pounds and duct or plenum nozzles must discharge
at least 5 pounds. Pre-engineered systems which fail to
discharge these amounts will be considered unsatisfactory.
AIR-
CONDITIONING
SYSTEMS
Except as set forth herein, all air-conditioning and ven-
tilating systems for the handling of air not contaminated
with flammable or explosive vapors or dust shall conform to
the requirements of NFPA Standard No. 90A.
Air
Distribution
No vertical portion of the exit facilities or protected
hallways leading from the vertical exit to the outside of
the building shall be used for the normal distribution or
return of air.
Ducts
Ducts shall conform to the requirements of NFPA Standard
No. 90A. Any duct linings or coverings shall be of noncom-
bustible construction and the total assembly of the duct
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Mechanical Systems
Smoke Control
Systems
lining, Including adhesive and any coatings or additives
involved, shall have a fire hazard rating not exceeding 25
for flame spread nor 50 for fuel contribution or smoke
development.
Smoke control systems shall be provided in all facilities
12 stories or more in height.
Shaft
Construction
Automatic Fire
Doors and
Dampers
The construction of shafts containing or used as vertical
ducts shall be installed in accordance with the require-
ments for vertical shafts contained in FS 1-02, Basic Fire-
safety Standards.
Automatic fire doors and fire dampers shall be provided in
the air distribution and air return and exhaust systems per
the requirements of NFPA Standard No. 90A and FS 1-04, ex-
cept where they are omitted in accordance with either a
system analysis or application of smoke control concepts as
stated above under Smoke Control Systems.
Cooling Towers
The casing and fill of cooling towers shall be of noncom-
bustible construction. Plastic fill shall not be used.
Cooling towers over 3,000 cubic feet having a combustible
fill shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler system
designed in accordance with NFPA Standard No. 214 when any
of the following conditions exist:
The continued operation of the cooling tower
is essential for the functioning of the oper-
ations contained in the area serviced by it.
The building is totally sprinkler protected.
A fire in the cooling tower could cause
structural damage or other severe fire ex-
posure to the building.
The value of the cooling tower is 5 or more
times the cost of installing the sprinkler
protection. The cost of the sprinkler pro-
tection shall include all factors involved,
such as the sprinkler piping distribution
system, the heat-sensing system, the control
valve, and any special water supplies or
extension of water supplies required.
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Mechanical Systems
Smoke Smoke detectors as required by FS 1-06 shall not be in-
Detectors stalled in ducts in air handling systems whenever automatic
sprinkler protection is provided throughout the building.
Smoke detectors shall not be provided in air handling
systems scheduled to operate less than 12 hours during a
typical work day.
Fans
If air handling systems supply multiple floors then the
fans affecting airflow for the fire floor shall be automat-
ically shut down upon actuation of the sprinkler system or
manual fire alarm pull stations.
VENTILATION All processes, operations, or other situations which pre-
SYSTEMS sent the possibility of a hazardous accumulation of combus-
tible or explosive vapors, dust, fumes, or other airborne
substances shall be provided with ventilation facilities
in accordance with NFPA Standard No. 91.
Paint Spray-
ing and
Finishing
Booths
All paint spraying and finishing booths and rooms shall be
provided with ventilation equipment in accordance with NFPA
Standard No. 33.
Cooking Cooking equipment used in processes producing smoke or
Equipment grease shall be designed and protected in accordance with
NFPA Standard No. 96. Any insulation shall be of noncom-
bustible materials. If other utilities are included in a
vertical shaft with the grease duct, they shall not be in-
sulated or lined with combustible materials.
HEATING Furnaces and boilers for central heating systems shall be
EQUIPMENT located in a room having 2-hour fire-resistive walls,
floors, and ceilings with openings protected by automatic
or self-closing 1 1/2-hour fire doors. For small units
consisting of a single furnace on a hot air system or a
boiler not exceeding 15 psi pressure or a rating of 10
boiler horsepower, 1-hour fire-resistance is permissible.
Authority Heating equipment will be provided in accordance with the
following standards except as noted otherwise:
Oil-fired - NFPA Standard No. 31
Gas-fired - NFPA Standard No. 54
Liquefied petroleum gas-fired - NFPA Standard
No. 58
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Liquefied natural gas-fired - NFPA Standard
No. 59A.
Fuel
Storage
Shop
Operations
If coal in any quantity is stored within the building, it
shall be in a 2-hour fire-resistive room with openings
protected by automatic or self-closing 1 1/2-hour fire-
doors. Where liquid fuel is used, ramps or curbs shall be
provided at the openings. The height of the ramps or curbs
shall be sufficient to contain all the fuel in case of tank
rupture.
Shop, storage, or other operations, either involving flam-
mable or combustible materials or not directly related to
the operations in the furnace or boiler rooms, shall not be
located in these rooms, unless the room is sprinkler pro-
tected.
Burners
Space Heaters
Regardless of size, burners on suspended oil-fired heaters
shall be provided with flame supervision that will ensure
shutdown in not more than 4 seconds if flame failure occurs
or trial for ignition does not establish a flame.
Space heaters shall be approved or listed by the American
Gas Association, UL, or other nationally recognized testing
authority and shall be installed in complete compliance
with all of the requirements of the manufacturer and the
laboratory involved. Each fuel-fired space heater shall be
vented. The clearances specified by the manufacturer and
laboratory shall be maintained between the space heater
and combustible materials.
Gas Piping Gas piping entry into the building shall be protected
against the possibility of breakage due to settling or
vibration. Where practical, piping shall be brought above
grade and provided with a swing joint before entering the
building. Where it is necessary for gas piping to enter a
building below ground, a ventilated pit or vault shall be
provided at the point of entry. Preferably, the location
shall be outside of the building line. In any case, the
physical arrangement and venting shall be such that a break
in the gasllne due to settling or other cause at or near
the point of entry cannot result in the free flow of gas
into the building.
Gas Meter To avoid placing any strain on the gas piping, any meters,
Regulators regulators, or similar attachments shall be adequately
supported. Any vents or rupture discs on the equipment
shall be vented to the outside of the building.
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Mechanical Sy3terns
Valves Earthquake-sensitive shutoff valves shall be provided for
each gas entry, where applicable.
Piping Gas piping shall not be run in any space between a struc-
Location tural member and its fireproofing.
Gas Meter Gas meter rooms shall be ventilated in a manner which will
Rooms ensure removal of any gas leak without moving it through
the structure.
Fire-Resistive In the case of large capacity (over 3-inch diameter at 4-
Shafts or inches of water pressure head or any other size having
Conduit equivalent or greater delivery capabilities) gas services
within the building, the piping shall be enclosed in fire-
resistive shafts and vented directly to the outside at top
and bottom. Any horizontal runs of the gas pipe shall be
enclosed in a conduit or chase also directly vented at each
end to the exterior or to the vented vertical shaft. Auto-
matic gas detection and automatic shutoff shall be pro-
vided.
INTERNAL
COMBUSTION
ENGINES
Stationary internal combustion engines, such as gasoline-
or diesel-powered generation sets or fire pumps, shall con-
form to the requirements of NFPA Standard No. 37.
ELEVATORS Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators and moving walks shall
be in accordance with ANSI A17.1. In addition to those re-
quirements, the following features are required:
Automatic elevators shall be recalled on
activation of any fire alarm-initiating de-
vice such as elevator lobby smoke detectors,
manual fire alarm stations, or sprinkler sys-
tem waterflow switches.
When a building is not sprinkler protected
throughout, smoke detectors shall be provided
for every elevator lobby including the main
lobby. Elevator lobby smoke detectors are
not required in buildings which are sprinkler
protected throughout.
An alternate capture floor shall be provided.
Activation of an alarm-initiating device on
the main capture floor shall return the
elevators to the alternate capture floor.
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Elevator lobby smoke detectors shall not in-
itiate the building fire alarm system but
shall send an alarm to the fire department or
central station service and capture the ele-
vators.
Elevator hoistways shall not be vented to the
outside by unclosable openings. A remote
means of opening hoistway vents shall be pro-
vided to vent elevator hoistways in an emer-
gency.
When elevators are captured, the hoistway
doors shall close after a predetermined time
delay after arriving at the recalled floor.
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Electrical Systems and Equipment
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Chapter is to establish the authority
and provide specifications for the installation of electri-
cal systems such as fire alarm systems and emergency light-
ing.
NATIONAL
CODES
Unless otherwise specified herein, all electrical installa-
tions shall conform to the applicable requirements of the
following current National Association Standards:
National Electrical Code (NFPA Standard No.
70)
Life Safety Code (NFPA Standard No. 101)
Automatic Fire Detectors (NFPA Standard
No. 72E)
Air-Conditioning and Ventilating Systems
(NFPA Standard No. 90A)
Central Station Signaling Systems (NFPA
Standard No. 71)
Auxiliary Protective Signaling Systems
(NFPA Standard No. 72B)
Remote Station Signaling Systems (NFPA
Standard No. 72C)
Factory Mutual Engineering Loss Prevention
Data Sheet 5-4, Transformers.
FUEL
POTENTIAL
OF ELECTRICAL
SYSTEMS AND
EQUIPMENT
The selection of materials and equipment should minimize
the impact of such equipment on the total fuel condition
of the building. Of particular concern is the use of
combustible dielectric fluids and combustible or smoke-
producing insulating materials. Where a choice is avail-
able, noncombustible, nonsmoking materials are to be se-
lected. Fire and smoke potentials shall be considered in
the development of the overall fire protection systems for
the building.
ELECTRICAL
INSTALLATION
The Installation of electrical equipment shall be made in
such a manner as to maintain the integrity of the fire-
stopping, fire resistance, fire separation, smoke control,
zoning, and other structurally oriented firesafety fea-
tures. (NFPA 70, Article 300.)
FEREB
FS 1-06
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
PLENUMS,
CEILINGS,
VOIDS. AND
SIMILAR
SPACES
HIGH-
ENERGY
COMPONENTS
All wiring shall be in accordance with Article 300 of the
National Electrical Code (NEC), except that communication
(Article 800) and Class 2 and 3 (Article 725) circuits need
not be run in conduit when conductors are of materials
which are classified by UL as having adequate fire-resis-
tant and low smoke producing characteristics.
Conductors in plenums, ceilings, voids, and similar spaces
are not required to be protected against physical damage
(Article 300-4).
When conductors of materials other than those noted above
are used, the plenums, ceiling, void, or other similar
spaces shall be provided with automatic sprinkler protec-
tion or the conductors installed in conduit. All fire
alarm and emergency communication circuits shall be in-
stalled entirely in metal conduit.
Systems carrying 480 volts or greater shall be provided
with ground fault protection. Necessary precautions shall,
however, be taken to minimize the possibility of nuisance
tripping. In addition, all buses or other conductors at
motor control centers, switch gear, switchboards, and bus
ducts shall be insulated or Isolated.
PUBLIC
UTILITY
TRANSFORMERS
INTERIOR
TRANSFORMERS
To the maximum extent possible, public utility transformers
shall be located outside the actual building without any
direct link to the EPA building. The openings necessary to
bring conductors into buildings shall be grouted or other-
wise fire-stopped (see FS 1-02). Any public utility trans-
formers located within buildings or in a vault or location
abutting the EPA building shall be installed in standard
transformer vaults conforming to the requirements of the
NEC. Such transformer vaults shall not be located adjacent
to or directly beneath any exit. Whenever any public util-
ity transformer or other equipment involving a combustible
dielectric fluid is located within the EPA building, or in
a position where the fire in the dielectric could expose
the EPA building, automatic sprinkler protection shall be
provided. (See FS 1-05.)
All Government-owned transformers located within a building
shall be either dry type or high-fire point, liquid-insu-
lated type in accordance with NEC.
FEREB
FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
OUTSIDE
SUBSTATIONS
AND TRANS-
FORMER
INSTALLATIONS
Equipment which is either of the type filled with a high-
fire point liquid as defined by the NEC, or of the dry,
ventilated, fire-resistant type located against or near
buildings, shall not be considered a fire exposure, regard-
less of the proximity of the building. Equipment which is
filled with a flammable or combustible dielectric medium
shall be considered a fire exposure to the building, and in
the case of substations, from one piece of equipment in the
substation to another. As noted in Article 450 NEC, there
are recognized safeguards to limit fire exposure to nearby
structures and prevent fire exposure damage from one trans-
former to another where there is more than one transformer
situated.
These safeguards include masonry barriers or separation
between the transformer and the structure ranging in dis-
tance from 25 feet for non-combustible construction to 100
feet for wood frame construction. Fixed automatic water
spray protection for the transformers, in addition to sep-
aration distances or masonry barriers, is recommended for
insteillations involving more than one transformer with an
Individual capacity over 10,000 KVA. The monetary value
and importance of the transformer installation shall also
be considered when determining fire protection needs. For
protection guidelines see Factory Mutual Engineering Loss
Prevention Data Sheet 5-4 on Transformers.
DISTRIBUTION
SYSTEMS
WIRE
CLOSETS
Where electrical wiring is required to be physically pro-
tected by NEC, it shall be installed in metal conduit,
electric metallic tubing, underfloor ducts, or cellular
floors approved as raceways. Flexible metal conduit may
be used as necessary in conformance with the requirements
of NEC. Where underfloor ducts, cellular floors, or header
ducts are installed in a fire-resistant floor assembly, the
necessary structural adjustments shall be made to maintain
the required degree of fire resistance. (See Appendix A.)
Wire closets which leave passages between floors constitute
shafts and shall be protected in accordance with FS 1-02 of
this Manual. In any case where wire closet ventilation ar-
rangements or other features cannot conform to the require-
ments for a shaft, all openings through the floor shall be
fire-stopped (grouted), as described in FS 1-02. In any
building where smoke control systems are likely to be
involved, such additional fire-stopping or other methods to
increase the smoke passage resistance of openings around
FEREB
FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
FIRESAFETY
REQUIREMENTS
FOR LIGHTING
Mounting
Florescent
Fixtures
Locations
Light
Diff users
EXIT
MARKINGS
doors or through wire passes shall be provided as necessary
to meet the needed level of efficiency for smoke control
systems. (See FS 1-05.)
No lighting fixtures shall be installed in a circuit with a
higher voltage than that for which the fixture is rated.
Lamps meant to identify a facility or location rather than
to illuminate shall be rated at a voltage higher than the
line voltage in order to provide a long, dependable life
for the lamp.
All lamps shall be mounted in a manner that prevents the
possibility of direct contact between the lamp and any
combustible material. Wherever accidental contact is
remotely possible, the lamp shall be protected by a guard,
globe, reflector, fixture, or other means. (NFPA No. 70,
Article 410.)
All florescent fixtures rated as 35 watts or more shall be
provided with ballasts equipped with self-resetting, auto-
matic thermal overload protection. (NFPA No. 70, Article
410.)
Lighting in locations where dangerous gases, liquids,
dusts, or fibers exist or may exist, shall meet the re-
quirements of Article 500, NEC.
Light diffusers shall be of either noncombustible material
or of a design or material which will drop from the fixture
before ignition. Where combustible "drop-out" type fix-
tures are used, plastic material shall not constitute more
than 30 percent of the total ceiling area. Where luminous
or diffuser ceilings are used, these restrictions also
apply.
Exit signs shall be provided to clearly indicate the loca-
tion of exits in conformance with the Life Safety Code
(NFPA Standard No. 101).
Internally illuminated signs conforming to the Life Safety
Code shall be provided in assembly areas and spaces with
large floor areas such as open plan office space. In all
other areas, self-luminous or externally illuminated signs
may be substituted, provided the following conditions are
met:
FEREB
FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
Emergency lighting for the area conforms to
the Life Safety Code and provides at least
5 foot-candles on the sign surface
The word "EXIT" is centered on a background
material with minimum dimensions of 8 inches
by 12 1/2 inches
Letters are 6 inches high and 2 3/4 inches
wide (except for "I") with 1/2-inch spacing
between letters and 3/4-inch strokes
Reflected light measurements from the bright
portions of each sign are at least 3 foot-
laraberts
Reflected light measurements from the dark
portions of each sign, which may be either
the letters or background, do not exceed 1
foot-lambert
The maximum distance to a sign does not
exceed 100 feet.
FIRE ALARM
SYSTEMS
Basic
Requirements
Exit signs are not required over lobby doors leading di-
rectly to the outside, unless there is a condition which
may be considered unusual, confusing, or hazardous to the
public or building occupants.
Building environmental monitoring systems and security sys-
tems may share common equipment with the fire alarm com-
ponents required in this section; however, the performance
of the fire alarm systems shall not be compromised and
shall take precedence over any other system and shall meet
all of the requirements in this section.
In any office, computer room, library, classroom, cafe-
teria, or similar business-type occupancy, fire alarm
systems are required where such occupancies have these
characteristics:
Are in buildings three stories or higher
Are subject to 100 or more occupants, above
or below grade
Are in buildings containing more than 50,000
square feet gross floor area
FEREB
FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
Are In smaller or less occupied buildings
than stated above, but where a human voice,
gas-powered horn, or other similar nonelec-
tric system cannot efficiently or reliably be
utilized.
Storage occupancies having a 100,000 square foot gross
floor area and larger shall have fire alarm systems.
All other occupancies shall follow the requirements in NFPA
Standard No. 101.
Manual Each system shall provide manual input from manual fire
Systems alarm stations which shall be located in exit or public
Input corridors adjacent to each stairway and each exit dis-
charge from the building. Additional locations may be
provided at any location where there is a special risk.
The general principle in locating stations shall be that
the station is located in a position where a person using
it will be between the fire and the exit.
When an emergency telephone system is required, telephone
stations shall be provided in the same location as indi-
cated for manual fire alarm stations. In addition, sta-
tions shall be provided at each elevator lobby at the
ground and alternate elevator capture floors.
Automatic Automatic fire detection or other fire-indicating input
Systems shall be provided on the following basis:
Input
A waterflow switch(es) shall be provided for
each floor or fire area protected by wet pipe
sprinkler systems. Other type sprinkler sys-
tems will be activated by a pressure switch
at the dry or deluge valve only.
Automatic heat or smoke detection shall not
be Installed in lieu of automatic sprinkler
protection. Detection shall be provided
where a pre-action or deluge sprinkler system
is requested and funded by tenants. Automa-
tic sprinkler protection requirements are
described in FS 1-05.
FEREB 6 FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
FEREB
EPA/FSS
Smoke detectors shall be provided for essen-
tial electronic equipment (see FS 1-07), air
handling systems (see FS 1-05), and elevator
lobbies (see FS 1-05). Smoke detectors are
not required in elevator lobbies and in air
handling systems in fully sprinklered build-
ings. All smoke detectors shall be of the
Ionization type or equal, as approved by
FEREB. Smoke detectors require periodic
maintenance, and arrangements for same should
be made at time of installation to ensure
proper operation and to guard against false
alarm or unintended discharge.
Detection in air handling systems shall com-
ply with NFPA Standard No. 90A, except that
detectors shall not be provided in systems
scheduled to operate only 2 hours longer than
the typical 8-10 hour work day. Where pro-
vided, detectors shall be located in the main
supply duct downstream of a fan filter and in
the return air ducts for each individual
floor or fire area. Detectors shall not be
provided in buildings that are fully sprink-
ler protected.
Heat and smoke detectors shall be designed
and installed in accordance with NFPA
Standard No. 72E.
Special hazard protection systems shall ini-
tiate an alarm. These special systems In-
clude, but are not limited to, those systems
such as Halon 1301 or dry chemical extinguish-
ing systems (see FS 1-05).
Supervisory signals shall be transmitted un-
der the following conditions:
- Operation of generator
- Operation of fire pump
- Loss of primary power to a fire alarm
system, fire pump or extinguishing system
- Loss of air pressure for dry pipe sprink-
ler system
- Loss of a central processing unit or CPU
peripheral equipment in a multiplex system
- Low water level in pressure tanks, elevated
tanks or reservoirs.
FS 1-06
-------
FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
- By tamper switches when control valves In
the supply or distribution lines of auto-
matic sprinkler systems, fire pumps, stand-
pipe systems or interior building fire main
systems are closed either a maximum of two
complete turns of a valve wheel or 10 per-
cent closure of the valve, whichever is
less.
Automatic In all buildings, the primary alarms to the occupants, the
Systems fire department, and other critical signals or emergency
Output equipment operation shall be initiated automatically. In
no case shall these actions be made dependent upon the
action of a human being. Various outputs include those
listed below:
Smoke detector actuation shall sound an alarm
at the fire alarm panel, recall elevators and
notify the fire department, but shall not in-
itiate an audible alarm signal to building
occupants or start any smoke control system.
The smoke detector alarm signal shall be re-
ceived at a privately operated central sta-
tion, or some other location which is con-
stantly attended and will ensure an investi-
gative response to the alarm.
All alarm signals or messages shall be con-
tinuous. Coded alarm signals are unaccept-
able .
The output of special systems, such as those
provided for smoke detectors in computer
rooms, shall include the actuation of the
building fire alarm system.
Where evacuation of an entire building can be
accomplished within 5 minutes (see FS 1-04),
the fire alarm shall sound either throughout
the building or on a selective floor or
floors. Where selective evacuation is used,
features such as smoke control and automatic
sprinklers shall be provided as necessary to
ensure the safety of occupants remaining in
the building.
FEREB 8 FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
-------
FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
For voice communications systems, only the
occupants on the fire floor and one floor
above are expected to relocate or evacuate.
They are to automatically receive that mes-
sage; however, all occupants shall be noti-
fied of the fire alarm emergency condition.
Where automatic prerecorded voices are used,
message arrangement and content shall be de-
signed to fit the needs of the individual
building (bilingual where appropriate).
The use of visual signals to supplement the
audible fire alarm system is not required be-
cause all facilities are required to have an
occupant emergency organization.
Every alarm reported on a building fire alarm
system shall automatically actuate one of the
following:
- An Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. approved
transmitter connected to a privately oper-
ated, central station, protective signaling
system conforming to NFPA No. 71; the cen-
tral station facility shall be listed by
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.; automatic
telephone dialers shall not be used
- An auxiliary tripping device connected into
a municipal fire alarm box to notify the
local fire department in accordance with
NFPA No. 72B
- A direct supervised circuit between a
building and the local fire alarm headquar-
ters or constantly manned fire station in
accordance with NFPA No. 72C
- As a last resort, an alternate method ap-
proved by the Director, Occupational Health
and Safety Staff.
Notification of the fire department shall not
exceed 90 seconds after the initiation of an
alarm. The specific location of an alarm
condition can be determined by the fire de-
partment after they arrive.
A supervisory condition shall transmit a
separate signal to a central station, differ-
ent from an alarm signal. No more than one
FEREB 9 FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
supervisory signal shall be provided for an
entire building. See Automatic Input
(tamper switches) of this Chapter.
Additional automatic actions shall also be
performed (smoke control, elevator capture
and door closings). Smoke control and
elevator capture shall be coordinated with
the evacuation plan for a building. (A
summary of systems actions is shown in
Exhibit 1.)
Manual Also, any action which can be done automatically must be
Systems able to be initiated manually from the control center or
Output fire alarm system control panel. A smoke control panel
shall be provided when smoke control systems are required.
The control center, or fire alarm system control panel,
shall have the capability of canceling and restoring any
action which has been initiated automatically or manually.
Systems All systems shall include the following:
Features
Indication of normal or abnormal conditions
Annunciation of alarm, supervisory, or
trouble conditions by zone
Graphic annunciation of alarm conditions by
zone
Ringback feature when a silence switch for
audible trouble signal is provided.
For buildings twelve stories or higher, the systems
shall also include the following:
t Permanent record of alarm, supervisory, or
trouble conditions via a printer
Initiation of voice messages via recordings
on tape player(s)
Recording of emergency telephone messages and
voice messages via a console microphone on
tape recorder.
FEREB 10 FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
EXHIBIT 1
STATUS CONDITION
\ u
X o
\ >
\ 0)
\ Q
\ 4J
\ &
\ c
\ H
Output Function \
Manual Fire Alarm
Station
Smoke Detectors (other
than duct)
Duct Smoke Detectors
Waterflow Detectors
& Automatic Extinguishing
Systems
Supervisory Device
Emer. Telephone
Console Microphone
Transmit signal to
fire department
X
X
X
X
X
Indicate location
of device on control
panel and annunciator
X
X
X
X
X
X
Cause audible signal
at control panel
X
X
X
X
X
X
Initiate emergency
operation of elevators
X
X
X
Initiate smoke
control sequence
X
X
Result in a record
on system printer
X
X
X
X
X
Initiate operation of
the tape recorder
X
X
Cause audible alarm
Bignal throughout
building (voice or
non-voice)
X
X
FEREB 11 FS 1-06
E^A/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
All power supply equipment and wiring shall be installed in
conformity with requirements of the NEC.
Reliability
EMERGENCY
LIGHTING
EMERGENCY
POWER
GROUND
FAULT
CIRCUIT
INTERRUPTERS
The maximum amount of time from actuation of a system in-
put device until initiation of all system functions shall
be ten (10) seconds. Any system alarm input device, other
than smoke detectors, shall be capable of initiating an
alarm during a single break or a single ground fault condi-
tion on any system alarm-initiating circuit (Class A fea-
ture). In addition, any signaling line circuit of a multi-
plex system (other than combination multiplex-point wired
systems) shall also perform its intended service during a
wire-to-wire short or a combination of a single break and a
single ground of a circuit (Class A feature).
An emergency lighting system shall be provided and so ar-
ranged to provide a minimum of 1 foot-candle Illumination
throughout the entire path of egress including exit access
routes, exit stairways, or other routes such as exit pas-
sageways to the outside of the building. In general, the
work places shall not be provided with emergency lighting,
however, laboratories, large open areas such as cafeterias,
assembly areas, and open plan office spaces where exit ac-
cess is normally through the major portion of these areas,
shall be provided with emergency lighting. The type of
system used shall be such that it will operate in the event
of any failure of a public utility or internal disruption
of the normal power distribution system in a building,
except that in buildings seven stories or below the system
may be powered from connections to two separate substations
from a reliable public utility. Automatic transfer switch-
ing shall be provided for the emergency power supply.
Exhibit 2 outlines the requirements for emergency power
based on building height and particular firesafety systems.
Generators are not required as part of this criteria unless
an economic analysis of the cost of installation and main-
tenance of acceptable emergency power sources shows a gen-
erator to be the most cost effective. Automatic switching
schemes shall be provided for all emergency power sources.
As a minimum requirement, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFI) protection shall be provided for all receptacles in
aquatic laboratories that are rated 120 volts, single
phase, for personnel protection against potential shock
hazards. GFI protection shall also be required under these
circumstances:
FEREB
12
FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
EXHIBIT 2
EMERGENCY POWER REQUIREMENTS
Acceptable Sources
of Emergency Power***
Emergency
System
75
Building Height*
Feet or Less Over 75 Feet
Emergency Lighting
(1-1/2 Hours)
1, 2, 3
1. 3
Exit Lighting
(1-1/2 Hours)
1, 2, 3
1. 3
Fire Alarm
1, 3
1, 3
Fire Pump
N. R.
1, 2
Jockey Pump
N. R.
1, 2
Elevator
N. R.
1, 2**
Smoke Control
N. R.
Sprinkler System
Air Compressor
N. R.
N. R.
Special Extinguishing
System Power Supply
(Halon, CO?, etc.)
N. R.
N. R.
***1 - Generator
***2 - Connection to either
network system.
two separate primary sources or to a utility
***3 - Battery with charger
***N.R. - Not Required.
*The building height for application of the criteria shall be determined
by measurement of the distance from grade level of the lowest accessible
floor to ceiling height of the highest occupied floor in the building.
Mechanical rooms and penthouses are not considered occupied floors in
this case.
**Power source must be capable of providing power to one elevator on a
selective basis when the building contains 6 or fewer elevators. Other-
wise, two elevators must be supplied on a selective basis.
FEREB 13 FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
In any other location where the laboratory
personnel are operating electrical equipment
in direct contact with water or other liq-
uids
For all outside receptacles
If such electrical equipment is prescribed
for GFI protection by the manufacturer
If previous experience indicates a need for
GFI protection.
It shall be the responsibility of the facility director
to Install these devices as required.
This protection shall be provided in new and existing con-
struction by means of interrupter devices incorporated in
receptacles. These GFI receptacles may be the terminating
type, the feedthrough type, or whichever will satisfy
the need. GFI receptacles shall be color-coded to identify
location for usability.
In the event that GFI protection is installed in existing
receptacle circuits in existing laboratories, these cir-
cuits should remain in place, requiring no retrofit. Re-
placement of existing GFI devices should take place only
where persistent problems are encountered, or when changes
in purpose of aquatic laboratory areas or renovations of
office space to laboratory area occur.
In addition, ground fault protection shall be installed on
incoming services feeders rated 1000 amperes or more in
accordance with Articles 230-95 of the NEC.
Non-Aquatic
Laboratories
Grounded
System
For non-aquatic laboratories and associated areas, GFI
protection shall not be required in receptacle circuits.
The electrical ground system shall be checked or verified
upon completion of the initial installation for continuity
to the conduit system, the equipment housing, and the final
connection to the receptacle grounding stud. For aquatic
laboratories and other required areas, the receptacles
shall be connected to the grounded system in addition
to the installation of the GFI protective device in the
receptacle.
FEREB
14
FS 1-06
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Electrical Systems and Equipment
Trlpout GFI devices shall be rated to trip out instantaneously on
ground currents in excess of 5 milliamperes over a temper-
ature range of -35° C to +65° C with a maximum humidity of
100 percent and as approved by Underwriters Laboratories or
other nationally recognized testing laboratories. Further-
more, these GFI devices shall be specified to withstand
high transmitting frequencies of 480 megahertz without
tripout, line noise or transient currents in the system or
those induced by motors or other inductive equipment with-
out tripout.
FEREB
EPA/FSS
15
FS 1-06
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
This Chapter establishes the authority for fire protection
features of miscellaneous occupancies such as trash rooms,
gas cylinders, electronic equipment, communications equip-
ment, stages, laboratory fume hoods, shelters, labora-
tories, garages, and consumer safety offices.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the fire protection
features of these miscellaneous special occupancies shall
conform to the applicable requirements of the following
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards:
Installation of Sprinkler Systems (NFPA
Standard No. 13)
Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (NFPA
Standard No. 30)
Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chem-
icals (NFPA Standard No. 45)
National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA Standard No. 54)
Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum
Gases (NFPA Standard No. 58)
Storage and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas
(NFPA Standard No. 59A)
Protection of Electronic Computer/Data Pro-
cessing Equipment (NFPA Standard No. 75)
Life Safety Code (NFPA Standard No. 101).
TRASH ROOMS In any building where it can be expected that combustible
trash will be accumulated in a centralized location, a
properly protected trash room shall be provided.
Trash rooms shall be enclosed and cut off from the remain-
der of the building by fire-resistive construction which
complies with the requirements contained in FS 1-04. The
door to the trash room shall be a self-closing type. Trash
rooms and any areas used as a staging area for trash col-
lection shall be sprinkler protected. The water supply for
the sprinklers in trash rooms or staging area which are
less than 250 square feet in size may be the domestic water
system.
FEREB 1 FS 1-07
PURPOSE
NATIONAL
CODES
EPA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
FLAMMABLE Facilities conforming to the requirements contained in
LIQUIDS NFPA Standard No. 30 shall be provided for the use and
storage of flammable liquids which are necessary for the
operation of the building and the business conducted in it.
Whenever the site arrangements permit the storage of large
quantities of flammable liquids, such as those required to
support chemical laboratory operations, these liquids shall
be in detached buildings rather than in the principal
structure.
Chemical laboratory requirements for flammable liquids are
outlined in NFPA Standard No. 45 and summarized in Exhibits
1 and 2.
Laboratory cabinets used for flammable liquids storage must
be vented using a mechanical exhaust system providing the
following features:
The ventilation rate must be at least 5 to
20 CFM
Air should be supplied at the top of a
cabinet, exhausted from the bottom, and
swept across all the shelves by arranging
the shelves as baffles or constructing the
shelves of perforated metal
The inlet fitting should incorporate a flame
arrestor
The exhaust fan must be roof-mounted and
should be weatherproof.
The requirement for mechanical ventilation of chemical
cabinets is waived where prohibited by local jurisdic-
tions.
NFPA Standards shall be used as a basis for determining
requirements. Depending on the type of installation,
Standards 51, 54, 58 and 59A shall be used. Requirements
for chemical laboratories are outlined in NFPA Standard
No. 45.
In situations not covered by NFPA Standards, Compressed Gas
Association, Inc., publications shall be used as guide-
lines.
FEREB 2 Kb l-uV
FLAMMABLE
AND OXIDIZING
GASES
EBA/FSS
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FACILITIES SAFETY
Volume 4870-1, Change 00: 7/16/84
Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
EXHIBIT 1
MAXIMUM QUANTITIES OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE
LIQUIDS IN LABORATORY UNITS OUTSIDE OF
APPROVED FLAMMABLE LIQUID STORAGE ROOMS
Excluding Quantities in Storage
Cabinets and Safety Cans
Including Quantities in Storage
Cabinets and Safety Cans
Laboratory
Unit
Class
Flammable
or
Combustible
Liquid Class
Haxioun
Quantity3
Per 100 Square
Feet of
Laboratory
Unit
Ha*Imum
Quantity4 per
Laboratory Unit
Maximum
Quantity1
Per 100 Square
Feet of
Laboratory
Unit
Maximum
Quantity4 per
Laboratory Unit
Unsprinklered
Sprinklered*
Unsprinklered
Sprinklered"
A»
I
10 gallons
300 gallons
600 gallons
20 gallons
600 gal Ions
1200 gallons
(High Hazard)
IIIA*
1,
11
and
20 gallons
400 gallons
800 gallons
40 gallons
800 gallons
1600 gallons
BJ
I
5 gallons
150 gallons
300 gallons
10 gal Ions
300 gal Ions
600 gallons
(Intermediate
Hazard) I,
II
and
111 As
10 gallons
200 gallons
400 gal Ions
20 gallons
400 gal Ions
800 gal Ions
C2
I
2 gallons
75 gallons
ISO gal Ions
4 gallons
150 gallons
300 gal Ions
(Low
Hazard) I,
II and 111AS
4 gallons
100 gallons
200 gallons
8 gallons
200 gallons
400 gallons
Class A laboratory units aliall not be ussd «a instructional laboratory units
Maximum quantities of flamaable and combustible liquids In Class B and Class C Instructional laboratory units aha 11
ba 50% of t/iose listed in the table.
For maximum container sixes
Regardless of the maximum allowable quantity, the maximum amount in a laboratory unit shall never exceed an amount
calculated by using Uie maximum quantity per 100 sq. ft of laboratory unit. The area of offices, lavatories, and
other contiguous areas of laboratory unit are to be included when Baking this calculation.
The maximum quantities of Class 1 liquids shall not exceed the quantities specified for Class I liquids alone
Where water may create a serious fire or personnel Ziaxard, a nonvater extinguishing system may be used instead of
sprinklers
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
EXHIBIT 2
CONSTRUCTION AND FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
FOR LABORATORY UNITS
Nonsprlnklered Laboratory Unfts Sprlnklered Laboratory Units2
Construction Types Construction Types III,
I and II IV and \ Any Construction Type3
Separation froa
Unit
Area of
Separation
Lab Units of
Separation
Separation froa
Separation
Separation froa
Fire
Laboratory
from Non-
Equal or Lower
froa Non-
Lab Units of
froa Non-
Laboratory Unfts
Hazard
Unit
laboratory
Hazard
laboratory
Equal of Lower
laboratory
of Equal or Lower
Class
Square Feet
Areas
Classification
Areas
Hazard Classification
Areas
Hazard Classification
Under 1000
1 hour
1 hour
2 hours
1 hour
1 hour
NC/LCS *
1001-2000
1 hour
1 hour
N/A«
N/A
1 hour
NC/LC
A
2001-5000
2 hours
1 hour
N/A
N/A
1 hour
NC/LC
5001-10,000
N/A«
N/A
N/A
N/A
1 hour
NC/LC
10,001 or
more
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
O
Under 20,000
1 hour
NC/LCS *
1 hour
1 hour
NC/LC8 7
NC/LC
D
20,000 or
more
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
r
Under 10,000
1 hour
NC/LC
1 hour
NC/LC
NC/LC5 7
NC/LC5 8
i
100,000 or
more
1 hour
NC/LC
1 hour
1 hour
NC/LC5 7
NC/LC
1 Where a laboratory work area or unit contains an eitploaion hazard, appropriate protection shall be provided for
adjoining laboratory unlta and nonlaboratary areas, as apeeified in Chapter S
' In laboratory units where vater may create a aerioua fir© or personnel hazard, a norma ter extinguishing system stay
be substituted for aprinklera.
3 See Appendix 0*4.
4 tt/A = Mot allowed; NC/LC ~ JVoncoabustJbJe/Limited-Coabustibie Construction (see Appendix fl-d).
6 Hay be ^/iour /ire-rated combustible construction
6 Existing combustible construction is acceptable.
7 Laboratory units m educational occupancies shall be separated /ron nonlaboratorv areas by 1-hour construction
For SI Units: I sq ft = 0.0929a2
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
GAS
CYLINDERS
Size and
Quantity
In Use
Flammable gases or liquids shall be separated from oxidiz-
ing gases, such as oxygen, compressed air, and chlorine,
and from combustible or flammable materials. All contain-
ers shall be rigidly mounted in a vertical position and
protected against physical damage.
Flammable gas containers shall be stored outside the build-
ing whenever possible with the gas piped to the work space
as detailed in NFPA criteria. Whenever ground space is not
available, the gas containers shall be located on a roof.
As a last resort, gas containers shall be located inside
the building in a ventilated, fire-resistive room conform-
ing to NFPA Standards.
All cylinders shall be constructed, charged, shipped and
maintained in accordance with applicable DOT specifications
and regulations published in 49 C.F.R., Chapters 100-177.
Cylinder size and number permitted within a facility will
depend upon system size, room size, construction, room ven-
tilation, cylinder contents and availability of fire sup-
pression. A gaseous system includes all regulators, relief
devices, manifolds, piping and controls leading from the
cylinder(s) to the point of actual use.
No single flammable gas or oxygen cylinder shall exceed
220 cubic feet (approximately 10 inches by 50 inches). The
total number of flammable gas and oxygen cylinders in a
laboratory shall not exceed the amount specified in Table
8-2 of NFPA Standard No. 45.
Anchoring
of Cylinders
Ventilation
When in place at the point of use, cylinders shall be
securely supported in an upright position by using a chain,
nylon strap or metal channel assembly attached to a coun-
tertop, wall, column or substantial pipe. Cylinders shall
not be secured to tables or desks which are not attached
to the structure. Cylinder stands attached to or near the
base of gas cylinders shall not be used.
Restraining points should be above the center of gravity
but not so high as to permit the cylinder to slide out.
Cylinders must be secured individually. "Gang" chaining
shall not be permitted in the laboratory, although this is
a permissible practice in a storage facility.
Ventilation rates in any room using flammable gas cylinders
shall be sufficient to prevent the achievement of the lower
explosive limit resulting from the leakage of one cylinder.
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
ELECTRONIC
EQUIPMENT
Housing
Separation
Cons tructlon
Occupancy
Wet Pipe
Sprinkler
Protection
Halon 1301
Smoke
Detectors
Vital
Records
Except as noted belowor covered elsewhere In this Vol-
umethe provisions of NFPA Standard No. 75 shall be fol-
lowed.
All operations shall be housed in a building of fire-resis-
tant or noncombustible construction.
All operations shall be separated from other occupancies
within the building by 1-hour fire rated construction.
All materials used in construction shall have a flame
spread rating of 25 or less and smoke development rating
of 50 or less. Raised floors shall be of noncombustible
construction as defined in Appendix A of this Volume.
Except for small supervisory offices or Group I occupancies
directly related to the electronic equipment operations, no
other activity shall be located within the fire rated en-
closure.
Automatic wet pipe sprinkler protection shall be provided
throughout all electronic equipment operations areas, in-
cluding data storage areas (see FS 1-05). Systems shall
be designed to provide 0.10 gpm per square foot for 1500
square feet for electronic equipment areas and 0.15 gpm per
square foot for 3000 square feet for tape libraries and
storage areas where storage heights do not exceed 9 feet.
For storage heights of 9 feet or more, systems shall be
designed to provide 0.18 gpm per square foot for 3000
square feet. The sprinkler piping may be valved separate-
ly, but valves shall be provided with tamper switches
connected to the building fire alarm system. On-off type
sprinkler heads and sprinkler guards are recommended to
reduce water damage.
Halon 1301 protection shall only be provided under the con-
ditions stated in FS 1-05.
Ionization type smoke detectors shall be provided at ceil-
ings and in raised floors and for data storage areas, in
accordance with NFPA Standard No. 72E. Detectors may be
omitted for the ceilings of areas occupied 24 hours a day,
every day of the year.
Important and vital records that have not been duplicated
and stored at a different location shall be stored in a
room with 2-hour fire rated enclosure. Automatic sprinkler
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
Air
Conditioning
Sys tem
protection shall be provided for data storage areas. Class
150 data storage equipment shall be provided only for vital
data which has not been duplicated and which is being
stored within the electronic equipment operations area.
A separate air conditioning system should be provided for
the electronic equipment operation area. If a system
serves other areas, dampers to protect against both smoke
and fire shall be provided for the duct work at every pene-
tration of the electronic equipment area fire cutoff. No
other ducts shall pass through the electronic equipment
area.
Shutoff
Switches
Emergency shutoff switches shall be provided at all exits
from the electronic equipment area which will allow for the
disconnection of all power to the electronic equipment and
air conditioning systems. The same shutoff switch shall be
connected to a sprinkler waterflow device so that the power
to the computer room, including the air handlers, will be
shut off automatically when the sprinkler system operates.
The waterflow device used to disconnect power to the equip-
ment shall be equipped with a supervised bypass switch so
that maintenance testing can be conducted without discon-
necting power to the computer room equipment.
Emergency
Lighting
Authority
COMMUNICATIONS
EQUIPMENT
Emergency lighting shall be provided.
Fire prevention practices shall conform to NFPA's August,
1978, issuance of RP-1, "Standard Practice for the Fire
Protection of Essential Electronic Equipment Operations."
Communications equipment constitutes a Group I occupancy.
Where this equipment utilizes paper, such as teletypes,
the grouping of the equipment may form a Group II occu-
pancy.
Where equipment is essential to the continuity of opera-
tion of the building or is otherwise essential, the commu-
nications room shall be protected by fire rated enclosures
conforming to the requirements contained in FS 1-04.
STAGES
All stages, platforms in auditoriums, or similar arrange-
ments, shall conform to the requirements for interior fin-
ish contained in FS 1-04. All curtains and draperies for
stages and platforms shall be of a noncombustible material,
such as fiberglass, or shall be of material impregnated to
be flame resistant for the life of the fabric (25 washings).
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
Stages arranged or Intended for theatrical, operatic, or
similar use Involving movable scenery, rigging loft,
and the like shall conform to the following:
Stages shall be separated from all other
parts of the building by the fire partitions
having at least a 2-hour fire-resistive rat-
ing. The proscenium walls shall also have
at least a 2-hour fire-resistive rating.
The entire stage and all dressing rooms,
storage rooms, prop rooms, and other back-
stage areas shall be protected by automatic
sprinklers.
The rooms over the stage shall have at least
1-hour fire-resistive construction and shall
be provided with emergency venting of not
less than 1/8 of the area of the stage.
The proscenium opening shall be protected by
a standard fire-resistive proscenium curtain
arranged for automatic closing without the
use of applied power.
All interior construction for rigging and
lighting shall be noncombustible.
LABORATORY The laboratory fume hood is the primary hazard control de-
FUME HOODS vice that laboratory workers depend upon for their protec-
tion while working with toxic or other hazardous materials.
If designed, installed, operated and maintained properly,
the laboratory fume hood will provide personnel with a
high degree of protection and allow the user to work with
a wide range of potentially hazardous materials.
The purpose of a laboratory fume hood is to prevent or min-
imize the escape of contaminants from the hood into the
laboratory. This is accomplished by drawing air past the
operator, into the hood, through the zone of contaminant
generation, and out the stack.
Conditions The ability of a laboratory hood to control contaminant
Affecting Hood generated in the hood will depend on these conditions:
Performance
t The control velocity at the hood face
Air movement in the room
FF.RF.B 5 FS 1-U/
Hood
Function
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
Turbulence within the hood working space
Hood location.
It is the proper selection and control of the above factors
as an interacting group that determine the performance of
the hood from the standpoint of hazard control.
Face Velocity. Air flow rates, to provide protection from
operations performed in the hood, must provide positive
control of air movement against competing influences. This
is why face velocity requirements are affected by room
conditions.
Operator Effect. The operator standing in front of the
hood affects air flow patterns. The "eddies" generated can
carry contaminants from the hood to the operator's breath-
ing zone. Proper use of make-up air at the hood face, with
emphasis on filling the void or minimizing the low pressure
areas in front of the operator, can enhance hood perform-
ance.
Air Movement in the Laboratory. Air movement within the
laboratory affects the performance of hoods and is in-
fluenced by hood location and air supply systems. Hood
locations must be away from doors, operable windows and
pedestrian traffic. Air from these sources can attain
velocities several times greater than the hood face ve-
locity, creating a potential for drag out or displacement
of contaminated air from the hood.
Ceiling and wall diffusers for distribution of make-up air
are also serious potential sources of interference. Air
from such outlets should either be controlled to assist in
the performance of the hood or directed so that the kinetic
energy is lost before entering the zone of influence. Ex-
perience indicates that air from make-up systems should not
exceed 25 FPM in the hood face area (measured with hood
exhaust "off"). Air drawn from adjacent areas (by the hood
exhaust system) must enter the hood in a manner that does
not create excessive turbulence.
Hood Turbulence. Upon entering the hood, the air is drawn
past equipment and sources of contamination toward the
exhaust slots. Much of the air within the hood is in a
turbulent state. Turbulence will result at airflows
greater than needed to provide a good vector and contain
the contaminant. The turbulence can be excessive and cause
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
a "rolling effect" In the hood chamber. Under these cir-
cumstances, the potential for greater mixing of contamin-
ated air and room air at the hood face is increased. Of-
ten, a combination of poor hood arrangement and interior
turbulence will result in loss of contaminated air to the
room.
Hood Location. Location of a hood at the end of a room or
bay, where the operator is essentially the only one who
enters the zone of influence, is the most desirable. In
any arrangement, pedestrian traffic past fume hoods should
be minimized.
Fume Hood The laboratory fume hood is part of an overall system in-
Systems volving the laboratory, a duct system, a blower, and some-
times, effluent cleaning devices. The user has the right
to assume that, if used properly, the hood and system will
provide him or her with the means to work with hazardous
materials without exposure to contaminants generated in the
hood. It is essential, therefore, that each portion of the
system be chosen carefully. The laboratory hood manufac-
turers should provide proof that the unit in and of itself
performs satisfactorily under the conditions required.
Materials should meet corrosion resistance standards,
blowers should be AMCA-rated (or equivalent), and plumbing
fixtures and electrical outlets should meet existing codes.
EPA specification and testing procedures for checking per-
formance of fume hoods have been developed and are avail-
able from the Facilities Engineering and Real Property
Branch.
Fume Hood
Types
Selected fume hood types are listed and described below.
Constant Volume Bypass Type. The laboratory hood is often
an integral part of the building exhaust system. The
volume of air exhausted should be constant, which can be
achieved by having an airflow bypass above the sash through
which room air can pass as the sash is lowered. The bypass
sizing and design must be such that the following condi-
tions are met:
The total air flow volume is essentially
the same at all sash positions.
As a sash is lowered, the face velocity in-
creases to at least double, but no more than
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
triple, the design velocity for full open
sash position.
The bypass provides a "sight-tight" (a worker
cannot see through the bypass louvers from
where he is standing) barrier between the
hood work space and the room when the sash
is lowered. A "sight-tight" barrier will
deflect flying particles from an operator
in the event of an accident.
The bypass opening is dependent only on the
operation of the sash.
A horizontal bottom airfoil must be specified and used on
all hoods. Also, vertical foils on the sides, which result
in a slight airflow improvement by minimizing the eddies
caused as air enters the hood, should be specified.
The work surface should be of the recessed type so that
spills can be effectively contained. The front raised edge
should extend into the hood sufficiently so it is beyond
the airfoil but not wide enough to be used as a shelf en-
abling a worker to move equipment out to the face opening.
Horizontal sliding sashes have been promoted as air-saving
devices as well as a means to increase face velocities.
Use of horizontal sliding sashes is discouraged because
they produce eddy currents (owing to their sharp edges),
their use as a safety shield tends to be exaggerated, and
they further complicate the difficult task of air balancing
bypass hoods.
Auxiliary Air Hoods. Auxiliary air hoods are those pro-
vided with a source of air which is supplemental to that
taken from the room. It is essential that all air be sup-
plied from outside the hood face. Any model that intro-
duces air behind the sash must not be used because it
reduces the control velocity at the face, and it could
actually pressurize the work chamber should the exhaust
flow be reduced (e.g., foreign matter in fan, broken belt,
normal wear and maintenance). Features described for the
constant volume bypass-type hood are applicable to the
auxiliary hood, including the bypass arrangement. The main
advantages of an auxiliary air hood are conservation of
energy during the cooling season, and an orderly supply of
hood air to a room that otherwise would not get the quan-
tity of air required by a hood(s). Also an auxiliary air
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
fume hood can be used to achieve improved performance over
other hoods by controlling the air flow patterns around an
operator.
Radioactive Isotope Hoods. In addition to the features
described for constant volume bypass and auxiliary air-type
hoods, radioactive isotope hoods should have panels at the
sides, back, top, and plenum enclosure of 18-gage type 302
stainless steel with structural members, reinforcements,
and brackets of 16-gage type 302 stainless steel. The work
surface should be 14-gage type 302 stainless steel. Joints
should be fully sealed by fine-line solder. The base
structure should have a heavy angle frame reinforced to
support 1-ton of lead brick shielding.
Perchloric Acid Hoods. In addition to the features des-
cribed for constant volume bypass and auxiliary air-type
hoods, perchloric acid hoods must use materials which are
non-reactive, acid-resistant, and relatively impervious.
Type 316 stainless steel with welded joint should be speci-
fied, although certain other materials may be acceptable.
Corners should be rounded to facilitate cleaning. Work
surfaces should be water tight with an integral trough at
the rear for collection of washdown water.
A washdown system must be provided which has spray nozzles
to adequately wash the entire assembly including the blow-
er, all ductwork, and the interior of the hood, with an
easily accessible strainer to filter particulates in the
water supply that might clog the nozzles. The washdown
system should be activated immediately after a hood has
been in use. Ductwork should be installed with minimal
horizontal runs, no sharp turns, and must not be shared
with any other hood.
Blowers must be of an acid resistant, nonsparking (AMCA
Standard Type A) construction. Lubrication should be with
a fluorocarbon grease only. Gaskets should be made of a
tetrafluoroethylene polymer. Perchloric acid must never
be used in hoods not specifically designed for its use.
Organic materials, strong dehydrating or desiccating
agents, and oxidizing or reducing materials must not be
used in a hood used with perchloric acid.
Other Other ventilated enclosures are oft^n required by labora-
Ventilated tory personnel to ensure containment of chemical or bio-
Enclosures logical air-borne contaminants produced during their work.
Except for the standard laboratory fume hood, the merits
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
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EPA/ FSS
and limitations associated with the various types of such
devices are not readily available to assist users In making
a proper selection. The more popular types Include the
following: a total exhaust ventilated cabinet (Type I);
combination recirculation and exhaust cabinet (Type II);
total exhaust clean air cabinets; and total containment
units such as Type III cabinets and glove boxes. Types I,
II, and III refer to standards for biological safety cabi-
nets (NSF Standard No. 49). See also NIH Guidelines for
Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules.
Containment tests indicate these results:
All models can provide a significant safety
factor when operated under optimum conditions.
Recirculation types are subject to varying
degrees of control as the exhaust and
recirculation rates are varied.
Outside Interferences and cabinet location
must be considered if control is to be
ensured.
Total exhaust type operation of such en-
closures as the Class I bio-containment; the
NCI cabinet with recirculation "off,"; and
total exhaust clean air cabinets provide
excellent worker protection when located and
operated properly. These cabinets are con-
sidered safe from an aerodynamic standpoint
for any work that can be performed in an
open-face enclosure. Also, because of the
reduced size of the face opening, less air is
required than for normal laboratory hood use,
and, therefore, a considerable amount of
energy savings is possible.
When product protection is also a factor,
Class II B and the new total exhaust clean
air cabinets can also provide very good
worker protection for operations suitable
for an open face cabinet.
All high-toxicity applications should be per-
formed in either a Class III total enclosure
or a glovebox.
13
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Features
New
Installations
Existing
Installations
All ventilated enclosures should be exhausted
to the outside environment. The ventilation
is also of major assistance when decontamina-
tion of such enclosures is required.
Flammable solvents can be used safely if the
quantities are controlled. However, storage
or use of any highly flammable material in a
Type III device should be severely restrict-
ed.
All such devices, and particularly those with
recirculation or two-fan systems, require
maintenance and operational surveillance on
a regular basis.
The laboratory process requiring ventilation should be
reviewed, the best location determined, and the hood or
cabinet then selected based on its performance capabil-
ities. If the review indicates that a bio-cabinet would
suffice, which is operated with a sash height of 10 inches
and an average face velocity of 100 FPM, then it should be
used rather than a standard fume hood. The energy savings
are significant when the preceding stipulations are met.
If it is determined that a fume hood is required, the con-
ditions in the laboratory affecting hood performance should
be studied (see above). In selecting constant volume by-
pass or auxiliary air type hoods, also consider the eco-
nomics of the required heating and air conditioning equip-
ment and the projected operating costs. A good laboratory
hood when selected, installed, and used as described,
allows the worker to handle a wide range of materials
including those for which extremely low exposures are
hazardous. For materials suspected or known to be extreme-
ly toxic and for which special precautions and equipment
are required, consult with the EPA Occupational Health and
Safety Staff before containment equipment is selected.
When the performance of existing hoods is unsatisfactory,
attention should first be directed to external factors
such as hood location and room ventilation. When the best
environment is achieved for the hood, then such features
as airfoils, air volume moved, and control of the pattern
of air in the zone of the operator should be considered.
In some cases, a new fume hood system may be required.
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Miscellaneous Occupancy Fpahirpa
The use of a ventilated enclosure to contain and exhaust a
contaminant depends upon providing an airflow which is
sufficient, but not excessive and providing this airflow
in a manner which dominates operator effects and other ex-
terior influences which may compromise the proper aerody-
namic performance of the hood. Control velocities required
at the face of the hood range from 80 FPM for "ideal" labo-
ratory situations to 100 FPM for "good" laboratory arrange-
ments. (Refer to Exhibit 3, Room Condition Classification
Chart.)
The recommended flow rates will provide the worker protec-
tion desired for any operations that should be performed in
this type of equipment. Flows lower than those proposed do
not ensure the protection factors desired for normal condi-
tions such as operator movement. Higher flows than those
proposed are not required for a good laboratory arrangement
and will not improve hood performance if the arrangement
is poor to begin with. If the arrangement is unsatisfac-
tory, it should be improved rather than increasing hood
face velocity. Increased turbulence within the hood and
around the operator results when higher velocities are
used. Hood systems which introduce and control air in
front of the operator are generally considered safer than
conventional (non-auxiliary air-type) exhaust hoods.
Individual exhaust systems should be provided for each fume
hood. Combining exhaust systems for fume hoods located in
the same laboratory room where each user can see and be
aware of other fume hood operations may be considered.
Additional combination of systems beyond that stated is
prohibited.
Further combination of systems increases the potential for
additional problems such as difficult air balancing, loss
of control at many sites in case of fan failure, corrosive
action, interference with the work of many operators during
servicing, or performing minor system repairs, reduced
potential for addition of effluent cleaning devices, and
undesirable interaction of effluents. Blowers should be
AMCA-rated or equivalent and installed at the end of each
duct system so that all ducts within a building are main-
tained under negative pressure.
Hood exhaust discharges should be designed in accordance
with the recommendations in Industrial Ventilation pub-
lished by the American Conference of Governmental Indus-
trial Hygienists and should extend to at least seven feet
FEREB 15 FS 1-07
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Velocities
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EXHIBIT 3
ROOM CONDITION CLASSIFICATION CHART
Factor
Ideal Condition
Good Condition
Hood location
Traffic
Lab air supply
End of room or bay
no door or window
problems.
Essentially none
(other than operator).
All required lab hood
makeup air drawn or
induced so as to enhance
overall hood performance.*
No other grills or diffuser
that produce air at measur-
able velocities in the hood
area.
Not on a main aisle-
no door or window
problems.
Minimal (other than
operator).
Velocity from lab
supply grills or
diffuser does not
exceed 25 FPM in
vicinity of hood
(measured with the
hood fan off).
* Such as properly designed and located perforated duct or ceiling section
or well-designed auxiliary air-type hood plenum
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Effluent
Cleaning
above roof level. Fresh air inlets for the building's
supply systems should be as far as possible from exhaust
discharges.
When air cleaning devices are required, the type is deter-
mined by the contaminant and degree of cleaning necessary,
and can vary from a simple scrubber and filters to incin-
erators or specially designed units. The typical EPA
laboratory fume hood exhaust cleaning system consists of a
pre-filter, followed by a solvent resistant HEPA filter,
followed by an activated charcoal filter. High-efficiency
particulate air filters (HEPA) offer considerable resis-
tance to airflow, especially when loaded with contaminants.
This feature must be considered during the design of a
system with HEPA filters. To maintain building air bal-
ance, keep laboratories under negative pressure relative to
surrounding areas and maintain proper hood control. It is
recommended that a compensating damper be installed with an
HEPA filter so the airflow will remain constant over the
life of the filter.
Fume
Hood
Ope ration
It is good practice to install a roughing filter ahead of
an HEPA filter to prolong the life of the HEPA, and in some
situations use bag-in/bag-out filter housings to minimize
the spread of contaminants when the HEPA or roughing filter
is changed. The pressure drop across HEPA and roughing
filters should be monitored so the filters may be changed
when loaded. The filter plenum should be located on the
inlet side of the fan so the fan is serviceable from the
clean side of a filter. It is good practice to allow a
straight run of duct prior to the fan in order to obtain
good fan performance as well as to allow for future instal-
lation of other air cleaning equipment.
The hood blower shall remain in operation at all times when
hoods are in use and for a sufficient time thereafter to
clean the hoods of airborne hazardous substances. Opera-
tion of the hood blower shall be confirmed by various de-
vices. First, a pilot light may be provided to show that
the blower is energized, although this generally does not
give a sure indication of airflow; also, a static pressure
sensor or impact (velocity) pressure sensor may be arranged
to provide an audible or visual signal in case of exhaust
system malfunction or as a continuous indication of proper
hood operation.
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A simple plastic, cloth or paper strip suspended from the
sash frame can also provide an effective visual indication
of hood blower operation for those installations where
lower risk operations are carried out. Any two of these
hood monitoring systems are required on all hoods, but
higher risk situations require at least an airflow alarm
with audible and visual indicators.
Hood
Purchase and
Installation
All fume hood purchases and installations must be approved
by the Facilities Engineering and Real Estate Branch of
Facilities and Support Services prior to processing pro-
curement documents.
LABORATORIES
Firesafety, safety, and health problems in laboratories
pose a need for careful design and construction, to assure
personnel and property protection and efficient operations.
It is desirable to consolidate laboratory space into sepa-
rate buildings exclusive of other occupancies. Labora-
tories that handle or store hazardous chemicals, flammable
gases, flammable liquids or explosives, and biological
laboratories should not be incorporated into plans for EPA
office buildings or into buildings which are being con-
sidered for EPA-leased office space. Laboratories shall
not be established or expanded in existing EPA office
buildings. Until existing laboratories in EPA office
space can be phased out of their present locations into
separate buildings, laboraatories in office buildings
are permitted, provided all of the following features are
met, which are also required for new laboratory construc-
tion:
The laboratories meet NFPA Standard No. 45.
Laboratories are sprinklered regardless of
size. Sprinkler protection shall be hydrau-
lically calculated to provide a density of
0.15 gpm per square feet over a 3,000 square
foot area.
Laboratory doors swing in the direction of
egress.
Adjacent occupancies of lesser hazard are
separated from sprinklered laboratory spaces
by 1-hour rated construction, including
Class C rated fire doors.
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The laboratories are provided with a one-pass
air system.
Laboratories have at least eight air changes
per hour.
Laboratories are maintained at negative air
pressure compared to the corridors and adja-
cent non-laboratory spaces.
A manual fire alarm system is installed in
all laboratory buildings and in any build-
ing housing laboratories.
Backflow preventers of the reduced pressure
zone type are installed in parallel on all
water lines serving buildings of a chemi-
cal or biological laboratory nature.
All laboratories have a sufficient number of
fume hoods, which all meet the EPA ventila-
tion requirements for hoods.
Laboratories which conduct experimental research and labo-
ratories which possess, use, handle or store the following
substances are prohibited in buildings containing office
space, unless adequate engineering and management provi-
sions are incorporated to control the inherent hazards
ranging from entry into the building to ultimate disposal
and removal from the building:
Class 3 or 4 etiological agents (as classi-
fied in the Department of Health, Education,
and Welfare Public Health Service Booklet
entitled "Classification of Etiologic Agents
on the Basis of Hazard")
Explosive materials (as defined by NFPA
Standard No. 45)
Radioactive materials requiring a specific
license
Other extremely toxic substances such as
known human carcinogens
Concentrated (undiluted) pesticides.
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CONSUMER A Consumer Safety Officer (previously known as a Pesticide
SAFETY Inspector) will, in his normal operational routine, take
OFFICERS samples at the producer establishment, distribution and
retail establishment, or at the user level and officially
seal it in such a manner as to maintain its continuity and
integrity. He is to ship the sample within seven working
days from the date of collection. There should, therefore,
be no reason for deliberate exposure to pesticides in the
offices of the inspector. Any exposure would be through
accidental means.
SPACE With the above mode of operation by the Consumer Safety
REQUIREMENTS Officer, the space occupied shall require the following
features:
Access to the space must result in minimal
exposure of personnel to pesticide samples
along the access route.
A sink with an eye wash attachment shall be
provided for cleaning.
An approved fire rated storage cabinet with
piped mechanical exhaust shall be provided.
If the aggregate quantity of flammables does
not exceed the equivalent of 1 gallon at any
one time, the space shall be separated from
non-laboratory areas by a 1-hour partition.
If the room is sprinklered, the partitions
are only required to be of noncombustible
materials.
If the aggregate quantity of flammables
exceeds the equivalent of 1 gallon, the space
must be sprinklered and separated from non-
laboratory areas by a 2-hour partition.
A canopy hood shall be provided over the
table or bench used by the Inspector for
packing samples for shipment. This canopy
hood is provided to remove nuisance odors
and NOT for personnel protection from toxic
fumes. This hood should be exhausted di-
rectly to the outside, with a blower having
a capacity of 100 cfm per square foot of
horizontal hood area or at least equal to
the quantity of air supplied to the room,
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whichever is greater. The bottom of the
hood should be no less than 36 Inches and no
more than 48 Inches above the work surface.
A minimum 10 inch duct should be provided
(long duct runs may require a larger dia-
meter). The exhaust blower and motor sizes
are dependent upon the duct length and
diameter.
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Appendix
APPENDIX: STANDARDS AND DEFINITIONS
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Appendix
APPENDIX: STANDARDS AND DEFINITIONS
PURPOSE This appendix defines terms used in this Volume. It also
outlines the various test methods used to establish the
fire resistance ratings of building assemblies, members,
and materials noted throughout this Volume. Sbme special
conditions are also noted to add clarity to items listed in
various Chapters of this Volume.
NATIONAL Unless otherwise specified herein, all fire resistance rat-
REFERENCE ings shall conform to the applicable requirements of the
STANDARDS following National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Standards and other references, as follows:
Standard Methods for Fire Tests of Building
Construction and Materials (NFPA Standard
No. 251)
Types of Building Construction (NFPA Stan-
dard No. 220)
Method of Test of Surface Burning Character-
istics of Building Materials (NFPA Standard
No. 225/ASTM E-84)
Standard Method of Test for Noncombustibility
of Elementary Materials (ASTM E-136)
Standard Method of Fire Tests of Building
Construction and Materials (ASTM E-119)
Building Code Requirements for Reinforced
Concrete (ACI 318)
Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assem-
blies (NFPA Standard No. 252)
Standard for Fire Tests of Window Assemblies
(NFPA Standard No. 257)
Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Roof Cover-
ings (NFPA Standard No. 256).
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Appendix
DEFINITIONS
Combustible
Fire Load
Fire
Resistance
Rating
"Combustible" means an Item, fixture, or material capable
of undergoing combustion.
"Fire Load" means the amount of combustibles present in a
given situation. This statistic is usually expressed in
terms of weight of combustible material per square foot.
"Fire Resistance Rating" means the time in minutes or hours
that materials or assemblies have withstood a fire exposure
as established in accordance with the test procedures of
NFPA Standard No. 251, "Standard Methods of Fire Tests of
Building Construction and Materials;" NFPA Standard No.
252, "Standard Methods of Fire Tests of Door Assemblies;"
and NFPA Standard No. 257, "Standard for Fire Tests of
Window Assemblies."
Fire-
Resistive
Construction
Fire
Retardant
Flame
Spread
Flame
Spread
Rating
"Fire-Resistive Construction" is that type of construction
in which structural members, including walls, partitions,
columns, floors, and roofs, are of noncombustible or lim-
ited combustible materials and have fire resistance ratings
complying with the requirements In NFPA Standard No. 220,
"Types of Building Construction."
"Fire Retardant" signifies a material which has been
treated with chemicals, coatings, paints, or other materi-
als to reduce its degree of combustibility to some extent.
"Flame Spread" is the flaming combustion along a surface.
"Flame Spread Rating" is the numbers or classifications
obtained according to the "Method of Test of Surface Burn-
ing Characteristics of Building Materials, NFPA Standard
No. 225/ASTM E-84.
Listed
"Listed" means the assemblies, equipment, or materials
included in a list published by a nationally recognized
testing laboratory, inspection agency or other organization
concerned with product evaluation that maintains periodic
Inspection of the production of listed equipment or materi-
als and whose listings state either that the equipment or
material meets nationally recognized standards, or has been
tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner.
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NOTE: The means for identifying listed equipment may vary
for each testing laboratory, inspection agency or other
organization concerned with product evaluation, some of
which do not recognize equipment as "listed" unless it is
also labeled.
Noncombustible "Noncombustible" means a material in a form which when
used, and under the conditions anticipated, will not ignite,
burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors when
subjected to fire or heat. Materials reported as non-
combustible, when tested in accordance with the "Standard
Method of Test for Noncombustibility of Elementary Materi-
als," ASTM E-136, shall be considered noncombustible ma-
terials.
TEST All building materials, assemblies, and members noted
METHODS throughout this Volume are required to meet certain fire
AND resistance ratings which shall be derived from standard
ACCEPTABILITY fire testing methods. The fire resistance ratings shall be
contained in either laboratory report forms or in listings
provided by nationally recognized testing laboratories.
The fire tests include but are not restricted to the fol-
lowing:
ASTM E-119, Standard Method of Fire Tests of
Building Construction and Materials
ASTM E-136, Noncombustibility of Elementary
Materials
ASTM E-84, Method of Test of Surface Burning
Characteristics of Building Materials.
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*US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1984 452-383
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