FirePlan.pdf

FIRE PLAN FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE CONTRACT’S

06/2012

(Ref: FSH 6309.11 and 6309.32)

1. SCOPE:

The provisions set forth below outline the responsibility for fire prevention and suppression activities and establish a suppression plan for fires within the contract area. The contract area is delineated by map in the contract. The provisions set forth below also specify conditions under which contract activities will be curtailed or shut down.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Contractor

(1) Shall abide by the requirements of this Fire Plan.

(2) Shall take all steps necessary to prevent his/her employees, subcontractors and their employees from setting fires not required in completion of the contract, shall be responsible for preventing the escape of fires set directly or indirectly as a result of contract operations, and shall extinguish all such fires which may escape.

(3) Shall permit and assist in periodic testing and inspection of required fire equipment.

Contractor shall certify compliance with specific fire precautionary measures in the fire plan, before beginning operations during Fire Precautionary Period and shall update such certification when operations change.

(4) Shall designate in the fire plan and furnish on Contract Area during operating hours a qualified fire supervisor authorized to act on behalf of Contractor in fire prevention and suppression matters.

Shall complete the Contractor's Plan Regarding Personnel and shall furnish the Contracting Officer (CO) with a copy prior to commencing work at the site. Shall currently advise the CO of any changes in personnel as the changes occur. Shall revise Section 6.B to reflect current activities upon request of the CO.

B. Forest Service

The Forest Service may conduct one or more inspections for compliance with the fire plan. The number, timing, and scope of such inspections will be at the discretion of agency employees responsible for contract administration. Such inspections do not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for correcting violations of the fire plan or for fire safety in general, as outlined in paragraph 2.A above.

3. Definitions

The following definitions apply to this FIRE PLAN:

Active Landing: A location Contractor is skidding logs into, or performing other operations such as delimbing, log manufacturing, and chipping logs. Except for EV and E days, loading logs or stockpiled chips only on a cleared landing does not constitute an Active Landing.

Hot Saw: A harvesting system that employs a high-speed (>1100 rpm) rotating felling head (i.e., full rotation lateral tilt head).

Mechanical Operations: The process of felling, skidding, chipping, shredding, piling, log processing and/or yarding which requires the use of motorized power which includes, chainsaws, chippers, motorized carriages, masticators, stroke delimbers, skidders etc.

4. Fire Tools and Equipment Requirements

A. Fire Tools and Equipment

Contractor shall meet applicable parts of Section 4428 of the CPRC.

Unless agreed otherwise, Fire tools kept at each Active Landing shall be sufficient to equip all employees in the felling, yarding, loading, chipping, and material processing operations associated with each landing. Fire equipment shall include two tractor headlights for each tractor dozer used in Contractor's Operations. Tractor headlights shall be attachable to each tractor and served by an adequate power source. Fire tools shall be kept in a sealed fire tool box adjacent to the Active Landing and readily accessible in event of fire.

Where cable yarding is used, Contractor shall provide a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 46 inches and a serviceable 5 gallon backpack pump filled with water or a fire extinguisher bearing a label showing at least a 4-A rating must be within 25 feet of each tail and corner block.

Trucks, tractors/skidders, pickups and other similar mobile equipment shall be equipped with and carry at all times a size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 46 inches and a 2-1/2 pound axe or larger with an overall length of not less than 28 inches.

All required fire tools shall be maintained in suitable and serviceable condition for fire fighting purposes.

B. Fire Extinguishers

Contractor shall equip each internal combustion yarder, fuel truck, and loader with a (4-A:60-B:C) fire extinguisher for oil and grease fires.

Skidders and tractors shall be equipped with a minimum 5-BC fire extinguisher.

Fire extinguishers shall be mounted, readily accessible, properly maintained and fully charged.

Contractor shall equip all mechanized harvesting machines and log processors with hydraulic systems, powered by an internal combustion engine (e.g. masticator, chipper, feller/buncher, harvester, forwarder, Hot Saw, stroke delimber, etc), with at least two 4-A:60-B:C fire extinguishers or an acceptable CAFS substitute identified in Section K.

C. Spark Arresters and Mufflers

Except for tractors and other equipment with exhaust-operated turbochargers, Contractor shall equip each operating tractor and any other internal combustion engine with an approved spark arrester. There shall be no exhaust bypass on any system.

Spark Arresters shall be a model tested and approved under Forest Service Standard 5100-1a as shown in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Spark Arrester Guide, Volumes 1 and 2, and shall be properly mounted and maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications.

Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate exhaust system meeting the requirements of the California Vehicle Code.

D. Power Saws Each power saw shall be equipped with a spark arrester approved and maintained in effective working order as identified in the Spark Arrestor Guide in Section C. above and according to applicable parts of CPRC Section 4442 or 4443. An Underwriters Labortories (UL) approved fire extinguisher containing a minimum 14 ounces of fire retardant shall be kept with each operating saw.

A size 0 or larger shovel with an overall length of not less than 38 inches shall be kept with each gas can, but not more than 300 feet from each power saw when used off cleared landing areas.

E. Fire Supervisor & Fire Patrolperson

Contractor shall designate in the fire plan required by B(T)7.1 and furnish on Sale Area during operating hours a fire supervisor, named in writing and authorized to act on behalf of Contractor in fire prevention and suppression matters.

Unless agreed otherwise, Contractor shall furnish and designate in writing, a Fire Patrolperson each operating day when Project Activity Level C or higher is in effect.

When on duty, the Fire Patrolperson is required to patrol the operation for the prevention and detection of fires, to take suppression action where necessary and to notify Forest Service as required under Sections I. Reporting Fires and L.

Communications. This Fire Patrol is required on foot, unless otherwise agreed.

By written agreement, one Fire Patrolperson may provide patrol on this and adjacent projects or sales. No Fire Patrolperson shall be required on Specified Road construction jobs except during clearing operations unless otherwise specified.

F. Seasonal Permits

Contractor shall obtain written permits from Forest Service before allowing welding, warming fires or burning, subject to C(T)7.22# – Emergency Precautions.

G. Clearing of Fuels

Contractor shall clear away, and keep clear, fuels and logging debris as follows:

Welding equipment and stationary log loaders, yarders and other equipment listed in California State Law:

10 feet slope radius

Tail or corner haulback blocks:

All running blocks on a cable yarding operation shall be located in the center of an area that is cleared to mineral soil at least 15 feet in diameter.

Lines near, between or above blocks:

Sufficient clearing to prevent line from rubbing on snags, down logs and other dead woody material.

H. Smoking All smoking shall be confined within a car, truck, crew rig or other enclosed cab after 1:00 PM on Ev days and all hours on E days (C(T)7.22#). At other times, any smoking shall be done while sitting in an area at least 3 feet in diameter, cleared of flammable materials. Burning tobacco and matches shall be extinguished before they are properly disposed.

I. Reporting Fires

As soon as feasible, but no later than 15 minutes after discovery, Contractor shall notify Forest Service of any fires on Sale Area or along roads used by Contractor.

J. Tank Truck Contractor shall provide a water tank truck or trailer on or in proximity to Sale Area during Contractor's Operations hereunder during Fire Precautionary Period unless otherwise agreed.

Tank truck or trailer shall contain at least 300 gallons of water and comply with the following requirements:

(1) Pump, which at sea level, can deliver 23 gallons per minute at 175 pounds per square inch measured at the pump outlet. Pumps shall be tested on Sale Area by Forest Service using a 5/16 inch orifice with a one inch in line test kit and shall meet or exceed the pressure values identified in the following table for nearest temperature and elevation:

The pump outlet shall be equipped with 1-1/2 inch National Standard Fire Hose thread.

A bypass or pressure relief valve shall be provided for other than centrifugal pumps.

300 feet of 3/4-inch inside diameter rubber-covered high-pressure hose mounted on live reel attached to pump with no segments longer than 50 feet, when measured to the extreme ends of the couplings. Hose shall have reusable compression wedge type 1-inch brass or lightweight couplings (aluminum or plastic). One end of hose shall be equipped with a coupling female section and the other end with a coupling male section. The hose shall, with the nozzle closed, be capable of withstanding 200 PSI pump pressure without leaking, distortions, slipping of couplings, or other failures.

(3) A shut-off combination nozzle that meets the following minimum performance standards when measured at 100 P.S.I. at the nozzle:

G.P.M. Horizontal Range

Straight Stream 10 38 feet

Fog Spray 6 - 20 N/A

Sufficient fuel to run pump at least 2 hours and necessary service accessories to facilitate efficient operation of the pump.

When Contractor is using Hot Saws or Masticators an additional 250 feet of light weight hose, approved by Forest Service, shall be immediately available for use and be capable of connecting to the 300 feet of hose and appurturances in (2) and (3) above.

This equipment and accessories shall be deliverable to a fire in the area of operations and is subject to the requirements for each specific activity level identified in C(T)7.22#.

T e m p

Sea Level

Feet

10000

55 179 23 174 23 169 23 165 22 161 22 157 22 153 22 150 21 146 21 142 21 139 21

70 175 23 171 23 166 22 162 22 158 22 154 22 150 21 147 21 143 21 139 21 136 20

85 171 23 168 23 163 22 159 22 155 22 151 21 147 21 144 21 140 21 136 20 133 20

100 168 23 164 23 159 22 155 22 152 22 148 21 144 21 141 21 137 20 133 20 131 20

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

P

SI

G P M

K. Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS)

A fire suppression system where compressed air is added to water and a foaming agent. By agreement, Contractor may substitute a CAFS or functional equivalent in lieu of the tank truck, trailer or fire extinguishers, provided it meets or exceeds the following specifications and requirements:

1. Variable foam expansion ratio – 10:1 to 20:1.

2. Units shall be kept fully charged with air; water and foam concentrate as recommended by the manufacturer and have the appropriate tools to service the system.

3. The unit shall contain enough energy to empty tank and clear hose prior to exhausting propellent.

4. The unit shall be capable of being completely recharged within 10 minutes.

5. When used on cable yarding landings, the unit shall be outfitted for immediate attachment to carriage and transported without damage to the unit.

Fire extinguishers required for Hot Saws, Masticators and similar equipment identified in Section B. above may be substituted with a 3 gallon CAFS.

Tank truck, trailer or equivalent may be substituted with a 30 Gallon CAFS with at least 550 feet of one inch hose and an adjustable nozzle with enough water, air and foam concentrate for at least one recharge.

This equipment and accessories shall also be deliverable to a fire in the area of operations and subject to the requirements for each specific activity level identified in C(T)7.22#.

L.

Communicat ions

Contractor shall furnish a serviceable communications system such as a telephone, radio-telephone, radio system or satellite phone connecting each operating side within the Sale Area with Contractor's headquarters, and capable of notifying Forest Service within 15 minutes of discovery of any fires on the Sale Area or along Contractor’s haul route. When such headquarters is at a location which makes communication to it clearly impractical, Forest Service may agree to a reasonable alternative notification method.

A Citizen’s Band (CB)radio is not acceptable communications.

M. Cable Yarding Tank Unit

When all or part of Included Timber will be harvested by a long span (over 1,500 feet)cable yarding operation, Contractor shall provide at each active cable yarding landing a tank truck, trailer or acceptable CAFS substitute which can be lifted and transported by the carriage.

The unit shall meet the same requirements as specified for the tank truck, trailer or approved CAFS substitute.

N. Helicopter Yarding Fire Precautions

Contractor shall provide and maintain fire equipment as follows:

1. The fire tool box required under this provision shall be equipped for attachment to the helicopter long line so that it may be hauled to needed locations. Such attachment device shall not interfere with access to fire tools. Unless agreed otherwise, the fire tool box shall be located at the Active Landing ready for immediate dispatch.

2. An external helibucket readily attachable to the helicopter, with a capacity of at least 500 gallons, and having a remote control door mechanism adequate for rapid dropping of water. The helibucket shall be located at the helicopter service landing and shall be filled with water ready for immediate dispatch unless otherwise agreed.

3. All aircraft used in conjunction with Contractor’s Operations shall be equipped with an operable radio system capable of meeting Region Five avionics requirements.

4. For protection of fuel servicing operations, fire extinguishers which have the following ratings based on the open hose discharge capacity, i.e., "broken hose," of the aircraft fueling system shall be readily available:

a. Where said capacity does not exceed 200 gallons per minute, at least one approved extinguisher having a minimum rating of 20-B;

b. Where said capacity is in excess of 200 gallons per minute, but not over 350 gallons per minute, one approved extinguisher having a minimum rating of 80-B;

c. Where said capacity is in excess of 350 gallons per minute, two approved extinguishers, each having a minimum rating of 80-B.

5. By agreement, a suitable CAFS may also be used in lieu of the above extinguishers.

6. Extinguishers of over 50 pounds gross weight shall be of wheeled type or be mounted on carts to provide mobility and ease of handling.

PROJECT ACTIVITY LEVEL - EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

Table version 06/2012

PROJECT ACTIVITY LEVEL

Level Project Activity Minimum Requirements and Restrictions. Restrictions at each level are cumulative.

A Minimum required by C(T)7.2#.

B 1. Tank truck, trailer, or approved CAFS substitute shall be on or adjacent to the Active Landing.

C 1. When Hot Saws or Masticators are operating, a tank truck, trailer or approved CAFS substitute shall be within ¼ mile of these operations. Effective communications shall exist between the operator and the Active Landing.

2. Immediately after Mechanical Operations cease, Fire Patrol is required for two hours.

D 1. Immediately after Hot Saw or Masticator operations cease, Fire patrol is required for three hours.

2. No Dead Tree felling after 1:00 PM, except recently dead.

3. No Welding or cutting of metal after 1:00 PM, except by special permit.

Ev 1. The following activities may operate all day:

a) Loading and hauling logs decked at approved landings.

b) Loading and hauling chips stockpiled at approved landings.

c) Servicing equipment at approved sites.

d) Dust abatement, road maintenance (Chainsaw use prohibited), culvert installation within cleared area, chip sealing, paving, earth moving or rock aggregate stock pile loading and installation (does not include pit or quarry development).

e) Chainsaw and log processing operations associated with loading logs or other forest products at approved landings.

2. Hot Saws or Masticators may operate until 1:00 PM; provided that:

a) A tractor or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fireline is on or adjacent to the active landing or within ¼ mile of the operating equipment. This piece of equipment shall have effective communication with the Hot Saw or Masticator.

b) Any additional restrictions specified by the Forest.

3. All other conventional Mechanical Operations are permitted until 1:00 PM.

4. Some operations may be permitted after 1:00 PM, on a case-by-case basis, under the terms of a PAL Ev Variance Agreement. Activities for which a Variance may be issued are:

• Rubber Tire Skidding

• Chipping on Landings

• Helicopter Yarding

• Fire Salvage

When approved by a Line Officer, a Variance Agreement can be implemented when the criteria specified in the agreement are met and mitigation measures are in place. This approval is good for ten (10) days unless cancelled sooner or extended by the Contracting Officer for an additional ten (10) days. Variance approval can be withdrawn at the sole discretion of Forest Service. Variance approval is contingent on the 7-day fire weather forecast, fuel conditions, site characteristics, current fire situation, state of Contractor’s equipment for prevention and suppression readiness, type of operation and social and community considerations etc. (See attached Project Activity Level Variance Agreement).

E The following activities may operate all day:

1. Loading and hauling logs decked at approved landings.

2. Loading and hauling chips stockpiled at approved landings.

3. Servicing Equipment at approved sites.

4. Dust abatement, road maintenance (chainsaw use prohibited) or loading stock piles and rock aggregate installation (does not include pit or quarry development).

5. Chainsaw operation associated with loading at approved landings.

All other activities are prohibited.

Region 5 Project Activity Level (PAL) Ev Variance Application/Agreement

Project Name: __________________________________________ Contract Number: _______________________________________ Contractor/Contractor Name: _______________________________ Request #__, for period: __________________________________ Units/Subdivisions Affected: _______________________________

Location of operation:

Slope

Aspect

Elevation

Fuels on site

Fuels in surrounding area

7 Day PAL Outlook

Short range predictions (Red Flags)

Fuel Moistures

Response time of suppression resources

Potential for ignition

RAWS location

Current Fire Situation:

Draw down information

National Readiness Level

Contractual considerations:

Normal Operating Season

Frequency of recent contract fires in area

Type of operation

Contractor/Contractors past/current performance & equipment readiness

Other site specific mitigation or precaution (i.e.

Contractor/Contractors proposals)

Social & Community Considerations:

Proximity of high value resources

Sensitivity of location

Remarks:

Ev Proposed Actions

Rubber Tired Skidding

Chipping on Landings

Helicopter Yarding

Fire Salvage

Description of Mitigation Measures

Fire Management Officer Concurrence

Date

Line Officer Approval Date

I have considered the above request and determined the specified mitigation measures or actions must be implemented to continue operations in Project Activity Level Ev. Unless extended, the approval remains in effect for ten (10) calendar days unless cancelled sooner or extended by the Forest Service for an additional ten (10) days. At the sole discretion of the Forest Service, this variance can be modified and/or cancelled at no cost to the government.

Contracting Officer Date

Contractor/Contractor Rep. Date