Fire Department
The Fire Department is responsible for protecting people and property from fires, explosions, and other hazards through prevention and expeditious control of such events. In addition, the Fire Department provides first-response rescue and transportation services in medical emergencies.
The Fire Department’s inspection staff is responsible for ensuring compliance with fire safety and protection requirements and for reviewing all plans and procedures for compliance with these requirements; for inspecting and testing automatic fire protection and alarm systems and ensuring their maintenance and repair; for conducting fire safety and protection inspections; and for providing fire prevention recommendations. Other responsibilities include training responders in fire safety equipment, practices, and procedures.
All these fire protection and response functions are performed in conformance with OSHA regulations, State law, International Wildlife Research policies, and nationally recognized standards and guidelines for fire and life safety. The Fire Chief and the Fire Marshall have the authority to enforce applicable requirements of the Uniform Building Code; the Uniform Fire Code; National Fire Protection Association Codes (including the Life Safety Code), Standards, and Recommended Practices; and the fire protection provisions of OSHA Orders.
All wildlife responders must immediately report fires, smoke, or potential fire hazards to the Fire Department (dial 911).
All responders must conduct their operations in such a way as to minimize the possibility of fire. This means applying rules such as keeping combustibles separated from ignition sources and avoiding needless accumulations of combustible materials.
Supervisors are responsible for keeping their operating areas safe from fire. The Fire Department will provide guidance and construction criteria with respect to fire and life safety as well as inspections. The provision and maintenance of fire detection systems and both automatic and manual fire extinguishing equipment is the responsibility of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. But the supervisor, who best knows the day-to-day nature of his/her operations, is responsible for notifying the IWR management of operations that change the degree of fire risk and will therefore require a change in the planned fire protection provisions.
Class A Combustibles
Class A combustibles are common materials such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, plastics, etc.
Fires in any of these fuels can be extinguished with water as well as other agents specified for Class A fires. They are the most common fuels to be found in non-specialized operating areas of the work place such as offices.
Safe handling of Class A combustibles means:
- Disposing of waste daily.
- Keeping work area clean and free of fuel paths, which can spread a fire, once started.
- Keeping combustibles away from accidental ignition sources.
- Keeping all rubbish, trash, or other waste in receptacles with tight-fitting covers when in or adjacent to buildings. (Exception: wastebaskets of metal or of other material and design approved for such use, which are emptied each day, need not be covered.)
- Making frequent inspections and checks for noncompliance with these rules in order to catch fires in the potential stage.
Class B Combustibles
Class B combustibles are flammable and combustible liquids and flammable gases.
The use of water to extinguish Class B fires (by other than trained firefighters) can cause the burning liquid to spread carrying the fire with it. Flammable-liquid fires are usually best extinguished by excluding the air around the burning liquid. Generally, this is accomplished by using one of several approved types of fire-extinguishing agents, such as the following:
- Carbon dioxide
- ABC multipurpose dry chemical
- Halon 1301 (used in built-in, total-flood systems)
- Halon 1211 (used in portable extinguishers)
- Fires involving flammable gases are usually controlled by eliminating the source of fuel, i.e., closing a valve.
NOTE: The flash point of a liquid is the minimum temperature at which it gives off sufficient vapor to form an ignitable mixture with the air near the surface of the liquid or within the vessel used.
It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that all Class B combustibles are properly identified, labeled, handled, and stored. If assistance is required, contact the Responsible Safety Office. Safe handling of Class B combustibles means:
- Using only approved containers, tanks, equipment, and apparatus for the storage, handling, and use of Class B combustibles.
- Making sure that all containers are conspicuously and accurately labeled as to their contents.
- Storing, handling, and using Class B combustibles only in approved locations, where vapors cannot reach any source of ignition, including heating equipment, electrical equipment, oven flame, mechanical or electrical sparks, etc.
- Never cleaning with flammable liquids within a building.
- Never storing, handling, or using Class B combustibles in or near exists, stairways, or other areas normally used for egress.
- In rooms or buildings, storing flammable liquids in excess of 10 gallons in approved storage cabinets or special rooms approved for the purpose.
- Knowing the locations of the nearest portable fire extinguishers rated for Class B fires and how to use them.
- Never creating heat that could ignite vapors near any Class B combustibles.
Fire Exits
Staff members should be familiar with the emergency exits and the locations of fire extinguishers.
