Fire Prevention and Protection

Title:	Fire Prevention and Protection
Publication date:	1/17/2024
Effective date:	1/25/2021

BRIEF

Policy Summary

The Fire Prevention and Protection Program ensures that Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) employees, visitors, and the surrounding public are protected from unauthorized, unplanned, or unregulated fires. This is achieved by:

Adhering to applicable laws, regulations, and codes.
Developing and maintaining emergency procedures.
Providing fire protection equipment.
Overseeing the Hot Work Permit Program.
Reviewing and approving all construction and renovation projects.
Properly managing flammable and hazardous chemicals and materials.

Who Should Read This Policy

This policy applies to Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors.

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

To Read the Program Details, Go To:

The ES&H Manual, Fire Prevention and Protection

Contact Information

Berkeley Lab Fire Marshal
Security and Emergency Services Division

Title:	Fire Prevention and Protection
Publication date:	1/17/2024
Effective date:	1/25/2021

POLICY

A. Purpose

The Fire Prevention and Protection Program ensures that Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) employees, visitors, and the surrounding public are protected from unauthorized, unplanned, or unregulated fires. This is achieved by:

Adhering to applicable laws, regulations, and codes.
Developing and maintaining emergency procedures.
Providing fire protection equipment.
Overseeing the Hot Work Permit Program.
Reviewing and approving all construction and renovation projects.
Properly managing flammable and hazardous chemicals and materials.

B. Persons Affected

This policy applies to Berkeley Lab employees, visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors.

C. Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy must be processed in accordance with Section D.2 of this policy

D. Policy Statement

D.1 General

Berkeley Lab is committed to providing a level of fire protection that meets United StatesDepartment of Energy (DOE) requirements and applicable federal, state, and local requirements. An effective Fire Prevention and Protection Program is essential to protect the Laboratory and the surrounding community from fire related injuries, death, property loss, and business interruption, and to ensure a safe workplace for employees, affiliates, subcontractors, and visitors. The Laboratory Director is responsible for ensuring a comprehensive and integrated fire protection program. The Security and Emergency Services Division is charged with developing and administering the Fire Prevention and Protection Program and serves as the liaison to external fire- and life-safety agencies. It is the primary responsibility of every employee, affiliate, and subcontractor to place the highest priority on safety to minimize the possibility of a fire or life-safety threat. The Laboratory's Fire Prevention and Protection Program encompasses the following subject areas; fire prevention, fire protection, emergency response, technical rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, emergency medical assistance, construction and design review, safety education and training, and the maintenance of all fire-detection, suppression, and life-safety systems.

Work Process A - The Fire Marshal ensures that Fire Hazard Analyses and Facility Assessments of the Laboratory's structures are performed as prescribed by code. Correction of shortcomings are performed in concert with the Facilities Division and Environmental Health and Safety Division, with funding approved by senior Lab management.
Work Process B - The Fire Marshal manages requests for and records of equivalencies and exemptions for the Laboratory (see Section D.2 for policy).
Work Process C - The Fire Marshal oversees inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection equipment.
Work Process C - The Fire Marshal defines and manages the Manual Fire Suppression Program.
Work Process C - Inspection, testing, and maintenance of the Laboratory's fire protection systems are conducted by the Facilities Division under the guidance of the Fire Marshal.
Work Process D- The Fire Marshal defines and implements the Impairment Program, which is applied to properly manage and correct the risks associated with impairing fire protection and alarm systems when they are damaged or taken out of service.
Work Process E - Building Emergency Plans are established in cooperation with the Emergency Management Program for all buildings owned or leased by the Laboratory.
Work Process F - The Fire Marshal defines and implements the Hot Work Permit Program for work with open flames, spark producing machinery, and welding not otherwise controlled by facility design.
Work Process G - The Fire Marshal defines and oversees the use of combustible materials.
Work Process H - Divisions are responsible for the proper storage, dispensing, and use of combustibles and hazardous materials within the limits of the building design.
Work Process I - Personnel may use and maintain only safe portable space heaters and other portable heating devices.
Work Process J - The Facilities Division must maintain mechanical equipment and fan rooms for fire protection.
Work Process K - The Fire Marshal must review and approve all designs for construction and renovation projects. The Projects & Infrastructure Modernization Division or Facilities Division has responsibility to carry out the Fire Marshal's instructions .
Work Process L - The Fire Marshal defines the requirements for emergency egress lighting in buildings .
Work Process M - The Fire Marshal defines the requirements for exit signs in buildings.
Work Process N - The Fire Marshal identifies the use of luminous egress path markings for egress in buildings.
Work Process O - The Fire Marshal defines the allowable uses of exit corridors in buildings.
Work Process P - The Fire Marshal defines the use of lockers and cabinets in exit corridors.
Work Process Q - The Fire Marshal defines the use of seasonal decorations.
Work Process R - The Fire Marshal defines the training requirements for fire prevention and protection.
Work Process S - The Fire Marshal defines procedures for smoking at Berkeley Lab in accordance with the Lab's Nonsmoking Policy.

D.2. Exemptions and Equivalencies

Exemptions and equivalencies for situations governed by DOE fire safety requirements or mandatory codes or standards must follow specific processes set forth in DOE Order 420.1C. The Laboratory Fire Marshal is only authorized to grant equivalencies for situations falling under University of California fire safety requirements.

An exemption is written authority to deviate from a DOE fire safety requirement or mandatory code or standard because compliance cannot be achieved directly or via equivalency (defined below). Fire protection exemptions must be processed in accordance with Berkeley Lab's Fire Prevention and Protection Program, Work Process B. The exemption for situations governed by DOE requirements must be submitted to the Laboratory Fire Marshal and to the Laboratory's Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for fire safety. Two completed exemption request applications must be submitted for review. Requests are analyzed for completeness and sent to the Director of Fire Protection Engineering at the DOE for a final decision.
An equivalency is an approved, alternate means of satisfying the technical provisions of the applicable fire protection code or standard. Fire protection equivalencies must be processed in accordance with Berkeley Lab's Fire Protection Program, Work Process B. For situations governed by DOE requirements, the proposed facility design or operations equivalency must demonstrate an equivalent or higher level of safety (e.g., meets or exceeds the level of protection) and must have the concurrence of the Berkeley Lab Fire Marshal and the approval of the Laboratory's AHJ for fire safety.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Role	Responsibility
Laboratory Director	Establishes and maintains the Berkeley Lab Fire Prevention and Protection Policy consistent with applicable codes, regulations, and DOE orders. Ensures that the Fire Prevention and Protection Program provides adequate life safety, fire prevention, and property protection.
Security and Emergency Services Division	Develops and administers the Laboratory's Fire Prevention and Protection Program, as charged by the Laboratory Director. Defines and implements requirements in order to provide an acceptable degree of life safety and protect Laboratory personnel and the public from fires at Berkeley Lab or any off-site facility. Serves as the liaison to external fire- and life-safety agencies. Provides technical expertise to achieve DOE fire protection goals and requirements. Provides and maintains the necessary staff and resources to ensure the implementation and documentation of the Fire Prevention and Protection Program.
Fire Marshal	Administers the and maintains overall responsibility for the Fire Prevention and Protection Program. Enforces, interprets, applies, and implements the Berkeley Lab Fire Prevention and Protection Program. Utilizes Fire Marshal authority to suspend unsafe operations or activities as needed. Ensures Laboratory-wide compliance with fire prevention and protection requirements. Serves, along with authorized representatives and in cooperation with the DOE AHJ, in the enforcement and application of the Berkeley Lab Fire Prevention and Protection P The DOE Berkeley Site Office (BSO) retains authority to grant equivalencies, exemptions, or variances. Investigates all fires and explosions.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)	Is assigned to the DOE Field Office (DOE BSO) by DOE Order 420.1C. The AHJ roles and responsibilities may be delegated by the Field Office. Determines the interpretation and application of fire prevention and protection requirements. Has the authority to grant equivalencies and variances. Collaborates with the Berkeley Lab Fire Marshal and staff on fire prevention and protection matters.
Fire Department	Provides emergency response services to protect people and property from fires, explosions, and other hazardous events. Assists with the investigation of fires and explosions. Responds to all calls received by the appropriate emergency communication center. Provides first-response rescue and transportation services in medical emergencies. Inspects fire extinguishers.
Fire Protection Engineer	Reviews Projects & Infrastructure Modernization Division and Facilities Division projects to ensure Berkeley Lab's compliance with fire- and life-safety requirements. Provides fire safety guidance in the design, processes, and equipment used in experiments and research projects. Conducts facility assessments and fire hazard analyses, and makes recommendations based on findings. Inspects and supervises the testing, repair, and maintenance of automatic fire protection and alarm systems. Manages the maintenance and testing program for fire extinguisher and fixed fire suppression systems. Supports the Fire Marshal in ensuring Laboratory-wide compliance with the Fire Prevention and Protection Program and Policy.
Fire Inspector	Conducts facility assessments and fire hazard analyses under the direction of a Fire Protection Engineer, and makes recommendations based on findings. Conducts inspections of new construction to verify compliance with approved designs. Supports the Fire Marshal in ensuring Laboratory-wide compliance with the Fire Prevention and Protection Program and Policy.
Facilities Division	Ensures compliance with all fire safety, inspection, and protection requirements for planning, designing, constructing, and installing buildings, structures, systems, and utilities. Ensures that all architectural and engineering projects are reviewed by the appropriate Environmental Health and Safety Division authorities, including the Fire Marshal. Inspects, tests, and maintains the water supply, fire alarms, and fixed fire extinguishing systems.
Environmental Health and Safety Division	Provides the chemical inventory system and tools needed to enable the Laboratory Divisions and the Fire Marshal to effectively manage hazardous materials inventories and to track compliance with fire control area limits.
Employees	Notify the Fire Marshal when changes in operation increase the risk of fire or related perils. Complete all appropriate fire safety training to work safely and protect Berkeley Lab assets. Conduct operations with a minimum risk of fire. Report fires, smoke, and potential fire hazards to the Fire Department immediately.

F. Definitions/Acronyms

Term	Definition
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)	An organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard or for approving equipment, materials, an installation or a procedure
Equivalency	An alternative means of providing an equal or greater degree of safety than that afforded by strict conformance to prescribed codes and standards
Exemption	The process mandated by the DOE to request deviation from compliance to DOE Order 420.1C or established national and state codes and standards. The process pertains to buildings or situations governed by DOE requirements.
Hot work	Work with open flames or sparks

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

The following records must be maintained and be accessible to persons supporting the Laboratory's Fire Prevention and Protection Program:

Hot work permits
Impairment records
Fire extinguisher records
Inspection, texting, and maintenance records
Records of exemptions and equivalencies

H. Implementing Documents

Document Number	Title	Type
07.11.001.001	Fire Prevention and Protection	Program
07.11.001.002	Work Process A, Fire Hazard Assessment / Fire Protection Assessment	Work Process
07.11.001.003	Work Process B, Equivalencies and Exemptions	Work Process
07.11.001.004	Work Process C, Use of Fire Protection Equipment	Work Process
07.11.001.005	Work Process D, Impairments to Fire Protection Equipment	Work Process
07.11.001.006	Work Process E, Building Emergency Plan	Work Process
07.11.001.007	Work Process F, Hot Work Permits	Work Process
07.11.001.008	Work Process G, Use of Combustible Materials	Work Process
07.11.001.009	Work Process H, Use of Hazardous Materials	Work Process
07.11.001.010	Work Process I, Use of Portable Heating Devices	Work Process
07.11.001.011	Work Process J, Use of Mechanical Equipment & Fan Rooms	Work Process
07.11.001.012	Work Process K, Construction / Renovation	Work Process
07.11.001.013	Work Process L, Use of Emergency Lighting	Work Process
07.11.001.014	Work Process M, Use of Exit Signs	Work Process
07.11.001.015	Work Process N, Egress Path Markings	Work Process
07.11.001.016	Work Process O, Exit Corridors	Work Process
07.11.001.017	Work Process P, Use of Lockers & Cabinets	Work Process
07.11.001.018	Work Process Q, Use of Seasonal Decorations	Work Process
07.11.001.019	Work Process R, Fire Protection Staff Development and Training	Work Process
07.11.001.020	Work Process S, Smoking	Work Process

I. Contact Information