800-PG-8710.0.1D Mission Planning for Fire Alarm Contingencies.pdf

DIRECTIVE NO. 800-PG-8710.0.1D APPROVED BY Signature: Original Signed By EFFECTIVE DATE: January 23, 2015 NAME: David L. Pierce EXPIRATION DATE: January 23, 2022 TITLE: Director, Suborbital & Special Orbital Projects

CHECK THE GSFC DIRECTIVES MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT

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08/16

Procedures and Guidelines (PG)

COMPLIANCE IS MANDATORY

Responsible Office: 840/Range and Mission Management Office Title: Mission Planning for Fire Alarm Contingencies

PREFACE

P.1 PURPOSE

This procedure documents the planning, training, briefing, and implementation steps required to implement an alternate fire alarm contingency response at a flight critical facility during the launch and flight phases of a mission.

P.2 APPLICABILITY

This procedure is applicable at Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) during the planning, preparation, and implementation phases of missions in which it is demonstrated that fire alarm contingency response other than immediate evacuation of a facility is necessary to ensure personnel safety and mission success.

P.3 AUTHORITY

NPD 8710.2, NASA Safety and Health Program Policy

P.4 REFERENCES

29 CFR 1910.38, Employee Emergency Plans and Fire Prevention Plans

P.5 CANCELLATION

800-PG-8710.0.1C, Mission Planning for Fire Alarm Contingencies

P.6 SAFETY

N/A http://gdms.gsfc.nasa.gov/

DIRECTIVE NO. 800-PG-8710.0.1D Page 2 of 10

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 23, 2015 EXPIRATION DATE: January 23, 2022

P.7 TRAINING

The WFF Fire Department shall provide training to the individual(s) assigned the task of Fire Warden.

After the initial training, a refresher session will be conducted if this task has not been exercised in the previous twelve months.

P.8 RECORDS

Record Title Record Custodian Retention

Pre-mission Response Plan Briefing File

Code 840 Records Custodian

NRRS 1/78 (I) Destroy when 2 years old, or when no longer needed, whichever is sooner.

* NRRS – NASA Records Retention Schedule (NPR 1441.1)

P.9 MEASUREMENT/VERIFICATION

N/A

PROCEDURES

In this document, a requirement is identified by “shall,” a good practice by “should,” permission by “may” or “can,” expectation by “will,” and descriptive material by “is.”

a. Project Manager – Shall coordinate with the Safety Office, Fire Department, and range participants to determine critical facilities, operational phases, and personnel for which an alternate fire alarm response is warranted.

b. Fire Department- (1) Shall possess the ultimate authority during a facility fire emergency,

(2) may direct all personnel to leave if they are in imminent danger, and

(3) shall provide necessary training to individuals tasked as Fire Wardens.

c. Fire Warden - During a fire alarm contingency shall (1) assess risk to personnel, (2) advise Fire

Dispatch, and (3) maintains accountability of personnel remaining in the facility.

http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/

DIRECTIVE NO. 800-PG-8710.0.1D Page 3 of 10

1. PLANNING

1.1 The Project Management Team shall:

a. identify the flight critical facilities for each mission.

b. identify the mission operations period for which an alternate fire alarm response plan is appropriate considering the risk versus the benefits.

c. identify the critical positions necessary to continue the operation to a safe stopping point with consideration not only for the Range Control Center but all single point failures in the range safety data string.

d. identify the Fire Warden(s) for each site that will be responsible for assessing the safety of continuing the operation in the event of a fire alarm. (Some facilities may require more than one Fire Warden for multiple floors.)

e. provide the Fire Department with an alternate fire alarm response plan as defined in 29 CFR 1910.38(c) including:

(1) a listing and location of all critical personnel and the assigned Fire Warden for each flight critical facility.

(2) Emergency escape procedures and emergency escape route assignments.

(3) Checklist to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical operations before they evacuate.

(4) Checklist to account for all employees after emergency evacuation has been completed.

(5) Provide rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them if other than the Fire Department.

(6) Provide the preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies.

(7) Provide the names or regular job titles of persons or departments who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under this plan.

NOTE: See Appendix C for a sample of an “Alternate Fire Alarm Response Plan"

DIRECTIVE NO. 800-PG-8710.0.1D Page 4 of 10

1.2 The Senior Fire Officer shall provide training to the individual(s) assigned the task of Fire Warden. After the initial training, a refresher session will be conducted if this task has not been exercised in the previous twelve months. The following subjects will be covered:

(1) Fire hazards and fire behavior

(2) Fire suppression (included fire extinguisher training) and alarm systems in the Facility

Special emphasis will be placed on:

(1) Ensuring that a clear egress is available

(2) Notification and communication with the Fire Department

(3) Accounting for all personnel who are to remain in the facility

2. MISSION OPERATIONS

2.1 Before the operations begin, all personnel involved shall attend a pre-mission response plan briefing.

Specific personnel having roles and responsibilities given in the response plan shall be identified (including Test Director, Fire Warden(s), and Fire Department.

The methods of communication shall also be identified.

2.2 Should the fire alarm sound during the operation, all non-critical personnel shall leave the facility.

2.3 The Fire Warden shall assess the risk to personnel by evaluating the potential for egress.

He/She shall advise the Test Director and keep the Fire Department informed.

He/She shall maintain accountability of all personnel remaining in the facility.

2.4 The Fire Department has the authority to direct all personnel to leave the area if danger is imminent. The Fire Department is the ultimate authority.

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Appendix A – Definitions

A.1 Critical Facilities - Range buildings, instrumentation, or other infrastructure essential for mission success and safety.

A.2 Critical Personnel - Individuals whose activities contribute directly to the performance of the mission, and whose presence is mandatory for the successful completion of the mission.

A.3 Flight Critical Facility - A blockhouse, range control center, or other facility critical to launch.

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Appendix B – Acronyms

LC Launch Conductor RCC Range Control Center TD Test Director WFF Wallops Flight Facility

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Appendix C

Template SAMPLE: "Alternate Fire Alarm Response Plan"

The purpose of this plan is to formalize the response to a fire alarm for the Range Control Center (RCC) when a fire alarm sounds and the XXX mission has entered into the terminal phase of launch. This plan only applies to the Range Control Center. Existing fire evacuation plan(s) will apply to all other locations in Buildings E-106 and E-107.

Procedure

1. If a fire alarm sounds prior to T-16 minutes, the Test Director (TD) shall call a mission “Red

Range” on intercom Launch Countdown net (1 or 11), and on Range Ops channel 3. All personnel in the RCC will evacuate according to standard fire alarm response procedures.

The Fire Warden will check the three egress paths shown in Figure 1. If no smoke is found then personnel occupying critical positions may remain at their stations. See Table 1 for list of critical personnel).

a. The Vehicle Launch Conductor (LC) will continue with countdown procedures until an appropriate stopping point, and wait until communications are re-established. The countdown will not proceed past the T-16minute point.

b. The Senior Fire Officer will determine the condition of both buildings, and if appropriate, will allow personnel back into the building to continue launch operations.

2. If a fire alarm sounds within the period T-16 minutes and T-1 minute, the TD shall call a mission

“ABORT” on intercom Launch Countdown net (1 or 11), and on Range Ops channel 3, and all personnel in the RCC will evacuate according to standard fire alarm response procedures.

The Fire Warden will check the three egress paths shown in Figure 1. If no smoke is found then personnel occupying critical positions may remain at their stations. See Table 1 for a list of critical personnel.

a. The Vehicle LC will immediately proceed to the Abort procedures, and then wait to determine if a new launch attempt will be available that day.

3. If a fire alarm sounds after T-60 seconds through third stage separation at launch +7 minutes 41 seconds, all non-critical personnel will evacuate according to standard fire alarm response procedures. The Fire Warden will check the three egress paths shown in Figure 1. If no smoke

DIRECTIVE NO. 800-PG-8710.0.1D Page 8 of 10 is found then personnel occupying critical positions may remain at their stations. Once the mission critical functions are completed all personnel will evacuate unless the Fire Department has given the all clear.

Figure 1

b. The RCC Fire warden will establish communication with the Wallops Main Base Fire Captain on LMR talk group FireDisp and advise him of the status of the RCC.

c. The Senior Fire Officer is responsible for the safety of personnel during a fire emergency.

He has ultimate authority and may direct all personnel to leave if there is an imminent danger. The Fire Department will provide all firefighting and emergency medical services.

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d. The Fire Warden is given the following responsibilities:

(1) Monitoring and ensuring the availability of a clear egress route from the area for the critical personnel

(2) Maintaining positive communication with the Fire Department/TD

(3) Accounting for all critical personnel in their area after the evacuation and informing the

Senior Fire officer of their status.

Critical Personnel

Launch Control Room Test Director xxxx Project Manager xxxx Mission Director xxxx LVPM xxxx

Range Safety Room Range Safety Officer xxxx Flight Safety Officer xxxx System Safety Officer xxxx

Data Acquisition and Processing Room

Computer xxxx Computer xxxx

Fire Warden ROA xxxx

Table 1

DIRECTIVE NO. 800-PG-8710.0.1D Page 10 of 10

CHANGE HISTORY LOG

Revision Effective Date Description of Changes

Baseline

April 5, 2001 Initial Release

A February 16, Updated references

Updated PG template in accordance with GPR 1410.1

Modified to clarify all requirements in accordance with Center Rules Review recommendations

B

December 17, Global change of "Fire Chief" to "Fire Department"

Added a sample of an "Alternate Fire Alarm Response Plan" to this PG as an Appendix.

January 15, Administratively Extended for one year

C

April 30, 2014 Administratively Extended - no changes

D

January 23, 2015 Updated format

January 17, 2020 Administratively extending for one year

January 23, 2021 Administratively extending for one year, also changing responsible office to 840/Range and Mission Management Office after the Safety Office moved to Code 390.