Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a)
Scope and Application.
(1) Scope. This Section
applies to all fixed extinguishing systems, using a gas as the extinguishing
agent. These systems shall also comply with Article 160. In some cases, the gas
may be in a liquid state during storage.
(2) Application. The requirements of
Subsections (b)(5) and (b)(6) shall apply only to total flooding
systems.
(b) General
Requirements.
(1) When carbon dioxide
extinguishing systems are provided they shall be designed, installed, inspected
and maintained in an approved manner.
NOTE: For information on carbon dioxide extinguishing
system design, installation, inspection and maintenance, consult the National
Fire Protection Association's Standard on "Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing
Systems", NFPA 12, 2011 edition and/or your local jurisdiction fire
department.
(2) In any
proposed use of carbon dioxide where there is a possibility that employees may
be trapped in, or enter into atmospheres made hazardous by a carbon dioxide
discharge suitable safeguards shall be provided to insure prompt evacuation of
and to prevent entry into such atmospheres and also to provide means for prompt
rescue of any trapped personnel. Suitable safeguards include personnel
training, warning signs, discharge alarms, predischarge alarms and breathing
apparatus any one or more of which may be necessary for particular carbon
dioxide extinguishing system installation.
(3) Agents used for initial supply and
replenishment shall be of the type approved for the system's application.
Carbon dioxide obtained by dry ice conversion to liquid is not acceptable
unless it is processed to remove excess water and oil.
(4) Except during overhaul, the employer
shall assure that the designed concentration of gaseous agents is maintained
until the fire has been extinguished or is under control.
(5) Employees shall not be exposed to toxic
levels of gaseous agent or its decomposition products.
(6) The employer shall assure that the
designed extinguishing concentration is reached within 30 seconds of initial
discharge except for Halon systems which must achieve design concentration
within 10 seconds.
(7) The employer
shall provide a distinctive pre-discharge employee alarm capable of being
perceived above ambient light or noise levels when agent design concentrations
exceed the maximum safe level for employee exposure. The pre-discharge employee
alarm shall provide employees time to safely exit the discharge area prior to
system discharge.
(8) Egress.
(A) Where egress from an area cannot be
accomplished within one minute, the employer shall not use Halon 1301 in
concentrations greater than 7 percent.
(B) Where egress takes greater than 30
seconds but less than one minute, the employer shall not use Halon 1301 in a
concentration greater than 10 percent.
(C) Halon 1301 concentrations greater than 10
percent are only permitted in areas not normally occupied by employees provided
that any employee in the area can escape within 30 seconds. The employer shall
assure that no unprotected employees enter the area during agent
discharge.
1. New
article 162 (section 6181) filed 9-8-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter
(Register 81, No. 37).
2. Editorial correction of subsection (b)(1)
filed 11-9-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No.
45).
3. Amendment of subsection (b)(1) filed 9-6-83; effective
thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 37).
4. Change without
regulatory effect deleting title 24 reference (Register 87, No.
49).
5. New subsections (b)(4) and (b)(6) and subsection renumbering
filed 5-17-93; operative 6-16-93 (Register 93, No. 21).
6. Amendment
of subsection (b)(1) filed 12-2-2014; operative 1-1-2015 (Register 2014, No.
49).
Note: Authority cited: Section
142.3, Labor
Code. Reference: Section
142.3, Labor
Code.
