Fire prevention and control

Scope

Part 56 sets forth mandatory safety and health standards for each surface metal or nonmetal mine, including open pit mines, subject to the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Regulatory citations

• 30 CFR 56.4100-.4130 — Prohibitions/Precautions/Housekeeping
• 30 CFR 56.4200-.4230 — Firefighting Equipment
• 30 CFR 56.4330-.4331 — Firefighting Procedures/Alarms/Drills
• 30 CFR 56.4400-.4430 — Flammable And Combustible Liquids and Gases
• 30 CFR 56.4500-.4531 — Installation/Construction/Maintenance
• 30 CFR 56.4600-.4604 — Welding/Cutting/Compressed Gases

Key definitions

• Class II liquids: Liquids with a flash point at or above 100°F (37.8°C) and below 140°F (60°C).
• Class IIIA liquids: Liquids with a flash point at or above 140°F (60°C) and below 200°F (93.4°C).
• Class IIIB liquids: Liquids with a flash point or above 200°F (93.4°C).
• Flash point: The minimum temperature at which sufficient vapor is released by a liquid to form a flammable vapor-air mixture near the surface of the liquid.
• Safety can: A container of not over five gallons capacity that is designed to safely relieve internal pressure when exposed to heat and has a spring- closing lid and spout cover.

Summary of requirements

Prohibitions, precautions, housekeeping. Smoking or open flames are not allowed around flammable or combustible liquids, including greases, or flammable gas.

Make compliance with that prohibition easier by posting signs where smoking and open flames would pose a fire or explosion hazard.

Promptly clean up any spills or leaks of flammable or combustible liquids.

Gasoline-driven engines that have fuel tanks integrated into the structure must be turned off for refueling.

Do not allow combustible and flammable wastes to accumulate in quantities that pose a fire hazard.

Provide covered metal containers (or containers with equivalent containment features) for combustible and flammable waste and rag accumulation.

Do not allow storage or accumulation of combustible materials within 25 feet of:

• Electric substations;
• Unburied flammable or combustible liquid storage tanks;
• Where more than 60 total gallons of flammable or combustible liquid are stored.

Control dry vegetation within 25 feet of such storage.

Firefighting equipment. You must have comprehensive firefighting capability for your facility:

• Early stage capability required on-site
• Late stage capability gives you an option:
  • Provided on-site OR
  • Provided through local off-site sources
• All on-site equipment must be:
  • Capable of handling any fire potentially generated
  • Easily reached, plainly marked and maintained in "fire-ready condition."
• Inspection

  Type of equipment	Schedule	Requirements	Regulation
  Fire extinguishers	At least monthly	Visual inspection to verify they are fully charged and operable	30 CFR 56.4201(a)(1)
  Fire extinguishers	At least once every 12 months	Maintenance check of all mechanical parts, quantity and condition of extinguishing agent, physical condition	30 CFR 56.4201(a)(2)
  Fire extinguishers	According to [Table C-1]	Hydrostatic test or manufacturer's instructions	30 CFR 56.4201(a)(3)
  Water pipes, valves, outlets, hydrants, hoses	At least once every 3 months	Visual inspection for damage or deterioration	30 CFR 56.4201(a)(4)
  Water pipes, valves, outlets, hydrants, hoses	At least once every 12 months	Use-test to maintain function	30 CFR56.4201(a)(4)
  Fire suppression systems	At least once every 12 months	No direct requirements specified for whole system	30 CFR 56.4201(a)(5)
  Fire suppression systems	According to components manufacturers' specifications	No direct requirements specified	30 CFR 56.4201(a)(5)
  Fire alarms	As often as necessary	Maintain in operating condition	30 CFR 56.4330(c)

Recordkeeping. Maintain records of all inspections or tests of firefighting equipment by written certification including the date of the test or inspection for one year. Keep records of fire extinguisher hydrostatic testing until the next test or the extinguisher is removed from service.

If you have hydrants at your mine, provide them with:

• Uniform fittings or adaptors readily available for on-site equipment or outside firefighting organizations
• Readily available wrenches or keys.

Firefighting procedures, alarms, drills. Establish firefighting, evacuation and rescue procedures. Coordinate these procedures with assigned firefighting organizations.

Establish fire alarm procedures or systems for alerting persons.

Despite the title of this subsection, there are no drills mandated.

Flammable and combustible liquids and gases. Do not use flammable liquids for cleaning.

Do not use solvents in conditions that could ignite these chemicals.

If you have fixed, unburied storage tanks for flammable or combustible liquids, securely mount on foundations. Provide piping with flexible connections or other special fittings to prevent leakage.

Safety cans are mandated for storage of small quantities of flammable liquids. "Small" is not defined in the regulation.

Requirements for storage tanks.

• Capable of withstanding working pressures and stresses;
• Compatible with type of liquid stored;
• Maintained to prevent leaks;
• Isolated from ignition sources;
• Vented to prevent development of pressures or vacuums;
• Vents for Class I, II, or IIIA liquids must be isolated from ignition sources; and
• Pressure relief requirements do not apply to Class IIIB liquids stored in tanks of 12,000 gallon or greater capacity.

• Capable of withstanding working pressures and stresses;
• Compatible with type of liquid stored;
• Maintained to prevent leaks;

Where storage tanks could pose a hazard from leaks:

• Provide containment from for entire capacity of largest tank;
• Provide drainage of a remote impoundment area that does not endanger persons. However, storage of only Class IIIB liquids does not require containment or drainage to remote impoundments.

Equip fuel lines (excluding those on self-propelled equipment) with valves:

• Capable of stopping the fuel at the source
• Located and maintain to control fire hazard.

• Sufficient ventilation to prevent accumulation of hydrogen gas
• Prohibition of smoking or use of open flame
• Signage prohibiting smoking or use of open flame

Exits are required in to permit prompt evacuation of buildings or structures. However, there are no further references to size, number or location.

If flammable or combustible liquids, including grease, are stored within 100 feet of any person's workstation, provide:

• Ventilation to prevent accumulation of flammable vapors
• Construction with fire-resistance rating of at least one hour
• Automatic fire suppression system
• Early warning fire detection provided that no person's

Welding, cutting, compressed gases. Provide fire extinguishers matched to the potential hazard presented by welding, cutting, brazing, soldering or thawing under 30 CFR 56.4600.

Halogenated fire extinguishing agents are limited to Halon 1211 and Halon 1301. When these may be used in confined or unventilated areas, follow manufacturer's instructions to prevent inhalation.

When using oxygen:

• Do not store cylinders in the same room or area as flammable or combustible liquids, including grease.
• Keep gauges and regulators free of oil and grease.
• Whenever oxygen or acetylene cylinders are moved, a job is completed or the torch and hoses are left unattended, all cylinder or manifold valves must be closed.

• Drained, ventilated and all residue removed;
• Vented to prevent pressure build-up while being heated; and
• Filled with an inert gas or water (where compatible); or
• Shown to be free of flammable gases as measured before work starts by a gas detector and at intervals during the work.

• Suitable safety glasses, goggles of face shields are required where a hazard exists that could cause injury to unprotected eyes. Under separate headings, suitable eye protection is required when:
• Welding, cutting or working molten metal.
• Operating a grinding wheel.
• Protective equipment & clothing — Provide special protective equipment and clothing whenever these conditions capable of causing injury or impairment are present:
• Hazards of process or environment.
• Chemical or radiological hazards or mechanical irritants.