GENERAL FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.pdf

GENERAL FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Fire Extinguishers and Firefighting tools

Chainsaw operators shall carry a fully charged and operable fire extinguisher, minimum-capacity 8-ounce liquid or 1-pound dry chemical with a 4BC or higher rating.

Vehicles and equipment mobile or stationary, with a combustion engine/motor used for

Contractor’s Operations must have one operable, dry-chemical fire extinguisher with a minimum 2.5 pound capacity and 4BC or higher rating.

Contractors’ Operations must have:

One serviceable shovel or Pulaski with each vehicle and equipment with an internal combustion engine/motor, mobile or stationary.

Other types of firefighting tools that provide increased efficiency or effectiveness may be substituted by written authorization. For example, a combi firefighting tool may be substituted for a shovel or pulaski.

Extinguisher and shovel shall be mounted as to be readily available.

Tool Specifications

Bucket: Metal, plastic, canvas, or fiberglass container capable of holding at least one gallon of water.

Combi Tool: A tool combining a shovel and pick.

Pulaski: An ax with a medium size sharp grub hoe opposite the ax blade.

Shovel: Vehicle, equipment, and chainsaw operator shovels will have a minimum overall length of 36 inches with a round pointed shovel head with a minimum width of 6 inches.

Shovels required for campfires must be at least 24-inces in length with a pointed shovel head. Folding handles quality.

Spark Arresters: All internal combustion engines must be equipped with an approved and effective spark-arresting system, as established in the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s Spark Arrester Guides. Spark-arresting devices must be marked, properly installed, and maintained in accordance with the Guides.

The following vehicles are exempt:

a. Automobiles and light trucks of less than 23,000 GVW when all exhaust gases pass through a properly installed and maintained exhaust system, baffle-type muffler, and tailpipe. Vehicles with glass-pack mufflers do not qualify for the exemption.

b. Heavy-duty trucks of 23,000 GVW or greater, with a muffler and vertical stack exhaust system extending above the cab.

c. Vehicles with other spark-arresting systems providing equal or increased effectiveness. Such vehicles must be inspected and have written authorization from the recognized fire protection agency.

When Hoot Owl restrictions are invoked, the Forest Service may curtail or shut down all or portions of a Contactor’s operations. The following requirements may be imposed:

All high risk fire operations could be terminated at 1300 local time.