Fire Safety Related Annual Requirements

A lot of OSHA standards have requirements that must be fulfilled annually. In particular, OSHA’s fire safety standards have a number of inspection, testing, and training requirements that apply on an annual basis.

Keep reading for a checklist of fire safety related annual requirements.  

Bulk Plants Handling Flammable Liquids

At bulk plants handling flammable liquids, any loading pumps capable of building up pressures in excess of the safe working pressure of the cargo hose or loading arms must have bypasses, relief valves, or other devices to protect the loading facilities against excessive pressure. Those relief devices must be tested annually to make sure they are functioning properly.

Fire Brigades

Not every industrial facility has its own fire brigade, but those who do must meet annual requirements for:

Training. All fire brigade members must receive at least annual training, although fire brigade members who are expected to perform interior structural fire fighting must receive quarterly training.

Equipment inspection. Firefighting equipment must be inspected and maintained at least annually.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

In workplaces where employees may be expected to use portable fire extinguishers, these annual requirements apply:

Training. Training in the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting must be provided annually

Maintenance. Portable fire extinguishers must receive an annual maintenance check.

Standpipe Systems and Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Where standpipe systems and automatic sprinkler systems are in use, the following annual requirements apply:

Training for standpipe systems provided instead of portable fire extinguishers. Employers who provide standpipe systems or hose stations instead of portable fire extinguishers for emergency use by employees must provide annual training to employees in their use.

Hose system inspection. Hose systems must be inspected at least annually to assure that all of the equipment and hoses are in place, available for use, and in serviceable condition.

Hose reracking. Hemp or linen hoses must be unracked, physically inspected for deterioration, and reracked using a different fold pattern at least annually.

Sprinkler maintenance. Automatic sprinkler systems must be subjected to a main drain flow test once a year.

Fixed extinguishing system maintenance. Fixed extinguishing systems must be inspected annually by a person knowledgeable in the design and function of the system to assure that the system is maintained in good operating condition.

Training for designated employees. Employees who are designated to inspect, maintain, operate, or repair fixed extinguishing systems must have annual review training

Dry chemical fixed extinguishing systems. The dry chemical supply of all but stored pressure systems must be sampled at least annually to assure that the dry chemical supply is free of moisture that can cause it to cake or form lumps.

Employee alarm systems. Supervised employee alarm systems must be tested at least annually for reliability and adequacy.

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