FIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM
Appendices to PUB-3000 Chapter 12 (Fire Prevention and Protection)

Contents

Approved by Fire Marshal
Revised 03/09

Appendix A:
1.0 Berkeley Lab Fire Protection Overview
1.1 Site Descriptions
1.2 Building Fire Protection
1.3 Alarm and Communications Systems
1.4 Berkeley Lab Fire Department
1.5 Water Supply and Distribution
1.6 Urban Wildland Fire Exposure
1.7 Policy Statement 2.0 Management and Administration 2.1 Management Responsibilities
2.2 Charter 2.2.1 Fire Protection Engineering
2.2.2 Berkeley Lab Fire Department
2.2.3 Organizational Structure
2.2.4 Staffing and Qualifications
2.2.5 Fire Protection Engineering
2.2.6 Fire Station Staffing
2.2.7 Fire Alarm Maintenance Crews
2.2.8 Fire Protection Exemptions
2.2.9 Fire Protection Equivalencies
2.2.10 Funding Prioritization of Fire Protection Items 3.0 Fire Protection Engineering 3.1 Fire Protection Criteria/Requirements
3.2 Fire Protection Engineering Standards
3.3 Fire Protection Consultation
3.4 Design and Construction Reviews and Approval 3.4.1 Facility Design, Construction, or Renovation Review
3.4.2 Research Apparatus and Experiment Process Review 3.5 Operability Requirements
3.6 Fire Protection System/Equipment Testing/Inspection/Maintenance
3.7 Maintenance Prioritization Scheme
3.8 Corrective Action Tracking System
3.9 Property Loss Criteria
3.10 Fire Protection Practices and Procedures 3.10.1 Fire Protection Program Annual Summaries
3.10.2 Fire Investigations and Reports
3.10.3 Occurrence Reporting 4.0 Environmental/Public Protection 4.1 Facility Operation Procedures
4.2 Safety Analysis Reports/Safety Analysis Documents
4.3 Fire Hazard Analysis
4.4 Facility Containment/Confinement
4.5 Liquid Runoff Control
4.6 Phase-out of Halon Fixed-fire Suppression Systems
4.7 Hot Work Program 5.0 Facility Assessment and Appraisal Program 5.1 Facility and Building Fire Protection Survey
5.2 Self-Conducted Fire Protection Program Appraisals 6.0 Fire Department Operations/Emergency Response
6.1 Operating Procedures
6.2 Automatic Aid and Mutual Aid Agreements 6.2.1 Automatic Aid Agreement with City of Berkeley
6.2.2 Alameda County Mutual Aid
6.2.3 California State OES Mutual Aid 6.3 Engine Company Inspection Program
6.4 Baseline Needs Assessment of Fire Suppression Services and Fire Protection Program
NOTE:
. . . . . Denotes a new section.
. . . . . . . . Denotes the beginning of changed text within a section.
. . . . . . . . Denotes the end of changed text within a section.

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Appendix A

1.0 Berkeley Lab Fire Protection Overview

1.1 Site Description

The Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is located on approximately 200 acres of land leased by the Department of Energy (DOE) from the University of California. It is located in the Berkeley Hills next to the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. The site is situated within the limits of the cities of Berkeley and Oakland. There are over 140 buildings and related structures on the site.

1.2 Building Fire Protection

New Laboratory buildings are designed and constructed per the California Building Code, California Fire Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, and California Electric Code. In addition, DOE's Fire Protection Orders, the National Fire Codes published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the Factory Mutual (FM) Loss Prevention Data Sheets are used as guidelines for the construction and operation of these buildings. These guidance documents not only enhance the life safety aspects of the buildings, but also minimize the risk of property losses and business interruption as a result of fire and other related perils.

When modifications are made to any of the Berkeley Lab buildings, they are upgraded to meet the same requirements of the aforementioned codes and standards.

Automatic fire sprinkler and fire alarm systems have been provided in site buildings consistent with DOE requirements and applicable codes.  These fire alarm systems warn building occupants automatically as well as summon the Fire Department in the event of a fire.  Following the aforementioned codes and standards, additional suppression systems have been provided where warranted by the hazard.  These suppression systems include dry chemical, wet chemical, Halon 1301, high-expansion foam, deluge, or aqueous-film-forming foam. Upon actuation of any fire suppression or detection system, a signal is sent using the sitewide fire alarm system to Berkeley Lab’s constantly attended emergency dispatch center.  This center dispatches four firefighters from the Lab’s continuously staffed Fire Station located at Building 48. Each building is also equipped with fire extinguishers. Depending on the type of hazards, appropriate types of fire extinguishers with an adequate extinguishing rating are placed in strategic locations to be used by occupants who have been trained.

1.3 Alarm and Communications Systems

A proprietary fire alarm system monitors all manual pull stations, smoke detectors, heat detectors, sprinkler water-flow switches, control valve tamper switches, and other fixed fire-suppression systems. All alarms are transmitted to the Berkeley Lab Fire Dispatch Center utilizing two independent transmission paths.  Local alarm panels and notification devices are provided with secondary power and remain functional upon loss of power. The Lab’s fire alarm system supervises over 1600 zones, assisting responding firefighters in locating the fire.

All buildings are equipped with public address systems. In an emergency, the Fire Watch Office, Berkeley Lab Fire Dispatch Center, the Laboratory Director's Office, and the Security Office can broadcast evacuation instructions via the Hillwide Public Address System.

The Lab’s proprietary fire alarm system is being monitored by the Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center (ACRECC) located at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), serving as Berkeley Lab’s Dispatch Center. The center monitors fire alarm signals and handles all emergency dispatch functions for the Berkeley Lab Fire Department.  Transmission of fire alarm signals is via microwave as primary carrier, and telephone line as backup. The fire dispatch function provided by ACRECC can be switched back to the Berkeley Lab Fire Station (Building 48) Watch Office during a catastrophic event where communications are seriously disrupted, such as a major earthquake in the region.  This Watch Office served as the Fire Dispatch Center prior to 1998.

1.4 Berkeley Lab Fire Department

The Berkeley Lab Fire Station is staffed 24 hours a day with a minimum of four firefighters under a subcontract with the Alameda County Fire Department.  The fire station has two pumper engines (one rated 1,250 gallons per minute, and one rated 1,000 gallons per minute), a brush patrol unit, and a hazardous material vehicle. The typical response time is four minutes. Additional assistance is available following an Automatic Aid Agreement with the City of Berkeley, and a Mutual Aid Agreement with the County of Alameda.  The first-alarm response for a structural fire consists of one engine (Lab Fire Station), a Berkeley ladder truck, and a Battalion Chief from San Leandro.  Additional apparatus and firefighters are available from the City of Berkeley Fire Department (BFD) and the City of Oakland Fire Department (OFD), following the predetermined automatic and mutual aid programs.

1.5 Water Supply and Distribution

The water supply and distribution systems at Berkeley Lab provide for both domestic and fire protection usage. There are two inlets from two separate East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD) reservoirs supplying to a gridded system. The primary source is a 12-inch diameter line from the Shasta Reservoir (2,260,000-gallon capacity) located 1,150 feet above sea level. A second source of water is an 8-inch-diameter line from the Berkeley View Reservoir (3,040,000-gallon capacity) located 1,337 feet above sea level.

The underground mains throughout the facility consist of 6-, 8-, and 12-inch looped piping with sectional isolation valves installed at strategic locations for isolating potential system problems in the affected area without having to impair the entire system. Underground pipes consist of ductile iron and welded steel with cement lining. The system has recently undergone an upgrade replacing some older mains.  Due to the 300-foot-plus elevation differences, the system pressures are usually maintained at 90 to 140 psig, depending on location.

There are fire hydrants strategically located throughout the site. Each hydrant has a 4-1/2" steamer and two 2-1/2" valved connections.

In order to provide a very reliable water supply during emergency conditions, three 200,000-gallon-capacity storage tanks were installed remotely from each other on the site.

A diesel-engine-driven water pump has been provided next to two of the three tanks. Pump 1, located in Bldg. 68, is rated at 1,500 gpm at 84 psig. Pump 2, located at Bldg. 82, is rated at 1,500 gpm at 142 psig. If the water lines from EBMUD to Berkeley Lab are damaged, the 600,000 gallons and the two diesel pumps on site will maintain water supply and water pressure to each building. Each pump will start automatically when there is a drop in water pressure in the distribution system. The starting of the pump will be announced via the sitewide fire alarm system at the Watch Office (Building 48) and the Berkeley Lab Fire Dispatch Center (located at LLNL).

1.6 Urban Wildland Fire Exposure

Berkeley Lab is currently active in managing vegetative growth and reducing potential fire hazards of the urban-wildland interface through its Vegetation Management Program. Through this program, the risk of a major fire and its loss potential are substantially reduced.

1.7 Policy Statement

Berkeley Lab's Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) policy is to provide a safe and healthful working environment for its employees, participating guests, and other visitors; to prevent any harm to the health and safety of the general public or to the environment as a result of the Laboratory's activities; and to protect its property from damage or loss due to accidents or other causes. Berkeley Lab employees, contractors, and participating visitors at the Lab or its offsite locations are required to be familiar with and observe Lab safety (Work Smart) standards. Berkeley Lab articulates this policy through its Integrated Environment, Safety, and Health Management Plan.

The fire prevention and protection policy at Berkeley Lab is to ensure that fires pose no threat to the public or hazards to employees, casual and participating visitors, and others performing work at Berkeley Lab or its offsite locations. Property damage and business interruptions from fire must be held to a minimum, as must the impact of fire and related perils on the Berkeley Lab mission and programs.

This policy requires adherence to and compliance with all applicable laws, DOE orders, regulations, codes, standards, Berkeley Lab policies, and good practices pertaining to life safety, fire prevention, and protection.

2.0 Management and Administration

2.1 Management Responsibilities

Berkeley Lab Management shall provide and maintain the necessary fire protection staff and resources to develop and maintain the fire protection program, and to provide technical expertise to achieve the DOE's fire protection goals and requirements.

  1. Provide and maintain the necessary staff and resources to ensure the implementation and documentation of the fire protection program.
  2. Minimize the potential for the occurrence of a fire or related perils.
  3. Ensure that fire does not cause an unacceptable on-site or off-site release of hazardous material that will threaten the public health and safety or the environment.
  4. Establish and define the requirements that will provide an acceptable degree of life safety to DOE and contractor personnel, and to the public from fire at the Berkeley Lab or any off-site facilities occupied by Berkeley Lab employees.
  5. Ensure that vital DOE programs will not suffer unacceptable delays as a result of fire and related perils.
  6. Ensure that property damage from fire and related perils does not exceed DOE-established levels.

Management is responsible for executing the procedures in this program and for adhering to the requirements of the fire protection program for the facilities and/or operations under their jurisdiction. Whenever the requirements cannot be met, management shall consult with a representative from the Fire Protection Engineering Group, to determine the compensatory measures that must be implemented until compliance is achieved or an equivalent level of protection is provided.

If an exemption or equivalency request is required as part of a project per the DOE Orders, project management shall be responsible for preparing the request and submitting it to Fire Protection Engineering for review and concurrence.

Project management is responsible for ensuring that funding is secured for correcting fire protection deficiencies involving their project, and for consulting with Fire Protection Engineering for prioritization of the deficiencies.

Facilities Division management is responsible for ensuring the fire protection equipment in the buildings under their jurisdiction are in full operating condition, and for initiating corrective action when repair or maintenance is required.  For leased buildings, the Procurement Department will enforce contract requirements regarding the building’s fire protection maintenance, requesting and relying on the expertise of the Facilities Division and the Fire Marshal.

When there is a conflict between the requirements of this Program and those of another discipline (e.g., Security), the Fire Marshal is responsible for resolving the conflict with the manager of the other discipline. If a resolution cannot be reached, the issue shall be escalated to the next level(s) of management until the issue is resolved.

PUB-3000, Berkeley Lab's Health and Safety Manual, clearly states the roles and responsibilities of employees at all levels in the area of fire safety.
This latest edition of this document is available electronically at the Berkeley Lab Web Site:
http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/

The URL for the Chapter for Fire Protection and Prevention is:
http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/CH12.html

2.2 Charter

2.2.1 Fire Protection Engineering

The Fire Marshal of the EH&S Division is responsible for the development of the fire protection program to meet the criteria and goals established by the Department of Energy. The Fire Marshal assists other divisions, departments, and operations in implementing the fire protection program, and provides interpretations and guidance to ensure compliance with Berkeley Lab Policies, DOE Orders, standards, and applicable codes affecting fire protection. In addition, Fire Marshal responsibilities shall entail the following as a minimum:

2.2.2 Berkeley Lab Fire Department

The Berkeley Lab Fire Department is responsible for the following:

2.2.3 Organizational Structure

The Fire Protection Program is administered by the Fire Marshal, who reports to the Group Lead of the Security and Emergency Operations Group who reports to the Division Director of the Environment, Health, and Safety (EH&S) Division. The EH&S Division Director reports directly to the Deputy Laboratory Director of Operations. The ultimate authority is the Laboratory Director.

Organization Chart

The Office of Institutional Assurance (OIA) performs independent reviews, establishes program criteria, and evaluates compliance with the fire protection program as administered by the Fire Marshal.

2.2.4 Staffing and Qualifications

The Fire Protection staff at Berkeley Lab includes the following personnel:

2.2.5 Fire Protection Engineering

The Fire Protection Engineering Group has one Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a registered professional engineer in the State of California in both Fire Protection Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. He has achieved the grade of Member from the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.  He serves as the Fire Marshal.

2.2.6 Fire Station Staffing

The Fire Station located at Building 48 is continuously (24/7) staffed with four firefighters, one with the rank of captain, and one with the rank of engineer.  These firefighters all serve with the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) and must be certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).  Following ACFD practice, at least one of the firefighters must be a paramedic.

In addition, at least three of the four firefighters must be trained and certified as Hazardous Materials Technicians.

2.2.7 Fire Alarm Maintenance Crews

The Fire Alarm Maintenance Crew has three technicians who are part of the Facilities Division’s Maintenance and Operations Department. The technicians perform maintenance and testing of the fire alarm systems, wet pipe sprinkler systems, deluge systems, pre-action systems, high-expansion foam systems, AFFF foam systems, Halon 1301 systems, dry-chemical systems, and wet-chemical systems, as required by the applicable National Fire Alarm Code.  Each fire alarm maintenance technician is required to be certified by National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technology (NICET) as NICET Level II in Fire Alarm Systems.

2.2.8 Fire Protection Exemptions

When compliance cannot be achieved with the required DOE fire safety standards, or with mandatory codes and standards relating to fire and life safety issues, an exemption request (temporary or permanent as applicable) shall be submitted to the DOE. The exemption shall be processed in accordance with DOE 420.1 and include the following information as a minimum:

  1. The specification of the standard from which the exemption is being requested.
  2. Detailed statements as to why compliance with the requirement cannot be achieved.
  3. A description of the measures to be implemented and maintained to provide equivalent protection to the requirement.
  4. An analysis of the benefit gained or negative impact avoided by receiving the exemption vs. the worst probable incident that may occur under the exemption.
  5. For temporary exemptions, a statement of when compliance will be achieved, and what actions have been and will be taken to meet compliance. A temporary exemption may be in effect for the time required to achieve compliance, but not to exceed one year. In some cases, the exemption may be renewed.

The processing of this exemption must also follow the requirements described in Chapter 1, Section 1.7 (Requesting a Variance from Berkeley Lab Safety Policy) of Berkeley Lab’s EH&S Health and Safety Manual (PUB-3000).  Any exemption request must be submitted through the DOE-BSO (Berkeley Site Office) and DOE–Oak Ridge, and finally to the Office of Science for approval.

A currently active fire protection “exemption” applies to the arrangement of the Advanced Light Source, which addressed the lack of rated separation through the use of a Highly Sensitive Smoke Detection system that was approved in March of 1990.  While this was called an exemption at the time, it more correctly meets the definition of an equivalency today.

2.2.9 Fire Protection Equivalencies

When compliance cannot be achieved with the required DOE Orders or mandatory codes and standards, and an alternate method of compliance is needed or desired, the equivalency concept shall include the following information as a minimum and be processed in accordance with the criteria outlined below:

  1. The specification of the standard for which the equivalency is being requested.
  2. Detailed statements as to why compliance with the requirement cannot be achieved, and why an alternate method is needed or desired.
  3. A description of the alternate method, and an explanation of how it would provide protection equivalent to the original requirement.
  4. The equivalency concept shall be submitted to the DOE–Berkeley Site Office for approval, and through the DOE–Berkeley Site Office to DOE–Oak Ridge for concurrence.
  5. The equivalency concept may be approved on a temporary or permanent basis.

A currently active fire protection equivalency approved for Berkeley Lab is the exiting arrangement for the following:

Date Subject       Bldg./Program
6/95  Exiting from Auditorium   66
2.2.10 Funding Prioritization of Fire Protection Items

Fire protection findings from internal and external surveys, appraisals, and audits shall be prioritized.  To assist management in the budgeting process, and to ensure that higher-risk items receive priority funding, each finding shall be prioritized based on the potential risk.  The following prioritization levels shall be used:

Priority A:  A deficiency that presents an imminent threat to personnel safety or the environment, and warrants immediate compensatory action and/or correction.  Priority A issues shall be conveyed to Berkeley Lab management upon discovery for immediate action.

Priority B:  A deficiency that presents a threat to personnel safety or the environment, or unacceptable risk to property and the DOE mission. Priority B issues shall also be conveyed to Berkeley Lab management so that a corrective action plan and schedule can be developed.  However, immediate compensatory measures may not be required.

Priority C:  A deficiency that presents little credible threat to personnel safety or the environment, but if corrected, would reduce the risk to the Laboratory's property and improve the effective implementation of the fire protection program.

3.0 Fire Protection Engineering

3.1 Fire Protection Criteria/Requirements

The following documents are the baseline criteria of the Berkeley Lab Fire Protection Program and are copied directly from PUB-3000, Chapter 12 (Fire Prevention and Protection), Sections 12.22 and 12.24. The program shall be administered by the Fire Marshal.

Standards:

References:

3.2 Fire Protection Engineering Standards

To develop a more consistent approach and cost-effective solutions to fire protection issues commonly encountered at Berkeley Lab, Fire Protection Engineering will assist the Facilities Division’s Architecture/Engineering (A/E) staff in developing standard details and specifications for use in projects. Fire Protection Engineering also provides and maintains a collection of code interpretations pertaining to work at Berkeley Lab.

3.3 Fire Protection Consultation

Fire Protection Engineers (FPEs) are available to consult with anyone who has questions on fire protection, life safety, and risk management. FPEs frequently work with the Facilities Planner on the feasibility study and siting of a new facility. FPEs assist the architects and engineers in determining the fire protection scope of work and property protection criteria so that adequate funding is requested in the Conceptual Design Reports.  Large projects require pre-planning to assure that FPEs can be scheduled and that funding is available.

FPEs will consult with researchers to identify and mitigate potential hazards resulted from their experiments. The process can be done separately or as part of the Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) review.

3.4 Design and Construction Reviews and Approval

3.4.1 Facility Design, Construction, or Renovation Review

All work related to buildings and their infrastructures must be reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshal. Whether the work is prepared by the in-house Facilities Architects/Engineers Group or by outside Architects/Engineers, the design package, including drawings and specifications at various stages, must be submitted to the Fire Marshal for review and approval. The process is shown in Figure 1 below. Upon FPE review, a written review comment sheet (Appendix A1) along with marked-up drawings and documents with the Fire Marshal’s Review Stamp (Figure 2) showing the review status will be returned to the Project Manager of the Facilities A/E Group for action. Upon completion of the design at Title II - Detail Engineering, the Fire Marshal, chiefs from all design disciplines, project manager, client, and, Head of Facilities’ A/E Group are required to sign off on the Project Plan Review sheet (Appendix A2).

During project construction, commonly referred to as Title III, the Fire Marshal inspects the project periodically for the method and materials of construction of the building as related to fire and life safety and fire detection and suppression systems. The Fire Marshal generates a Construction Punch List and submits it to the Facilities Project Manager (PM) for action. Upon construction completion, the Fire Marshal witnesses the testing and commissioning of the relevant building systems and fire protection systems. Any deficiencies found during the test are identified to the PM in writing.  Upon completion and verification of all deficiencies, the Fire Marshal will then sign off on the Project Title III Completion approval form (Appendix A3).


3.4.2 Research Apparatus and Experiment Process Review

As part of the planning process, principal investigators (PIs), managers, and supervisors are required by their Divisional Integrated Safety Management (ISM) Plan to consider what EH&S hazards, risks, and concerns are present, and to implement appropriate controls as outlined in PUB-3000. Chapter 6 (Safe Work Authorizations) of PUB-3000 outlines the procedures and requirements that the PI, supervisor, or manager must follow to document the work and associated hazards, describe administrative and engineering controls, and document training or certification for the participants. The various processes assure that the Fire Marshal is brought into the process for review or approval.

Work carried out on the UC Berkeley campus in spaces under the control of UC Berkeley will be carried out in accordance with the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN UCB AND LBNL CONCERNING ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AND SAFETY POLICY AND PROCEDURES, dated 3/15/2004. This document delineates responsibility and authority for enforcement of safety requirements for work carried out in campus space. The document can be found in Appendix G of LBNL/PUB- 3140 (rev 5), the Integrated Environment, Health & Safety Management Plan, at http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/ism/ucb_lbl_partnership_3_15_04.pdf.

3.5 Operability Requirements

Prior to the shutdown of a fire protection system or underground water supply, the Fire Dispatcher is notified, and the shutdown is recorded on the impairment log. The Fire Marshal or the FPE will be consulted on compensatory measures.

If a fire protection system or water supply has failed or is damaged, the Fire Dispatcher will be notified. The Fire Marshal, FPE, or maintenance manager will be consulted on compensatory measures and/or a repair schedule.

3.6 Fire Protection System/Equipment Testing/Inspection/Maintenance

All fire detection and suppression systems are tested, inspected, and maintained as per the requirements of the applicable NFPA standards unless the local or State of California statutory requirements are more stringent. The more stringent requirements will be enforced. An example of this would be the inspection and testing of the portable fire extinguishers, carried out per the California State Fire Marshal's requirements.

Berkeley Lab's Maintenance and Operations Group (M&O) in the Facilities Division is responsible for inspection, testing, and maintenance of all fire detection and suppression systems, including the following:

Items excluded from M&O's scope are:

3.7 Maintenance Prioritization Scheme

Maintenance is carried out based on the Maximo® database developed and maintained by the Facilities Division. If a defect or malfunction is found, it will receive highest priority in the repair and replacement unless approval from the Fire Marshal or FPE has been obtained.

3.8 Corrective Action Tracking System

A database was developed as a planning tool for the Fire Marshal to collect and manage facility fire-protection and life-safety deficiencies at Berkeley Lab. This is independent of the LBNL Self-Assessment Database managed by the Office of Institutional Assurance (OIA).

3.9 Property Loss Criteria

When the maximum probable fire loss (MPFL) exceeds $50 million, a redundant fire protection system should be provided that will limit the loss to acceptable levels, despite the failure of the primary fire protection system, as determined by the Laboratory Management or DOE Program Senior Official.

When the MPFL exceeds $150 million, a redundant fire protection system and a 3-hour fire barrier should be provided to limit the MPFL to acceptable levels, as determined by the Laboratory Management or DOE Program Senior Official.

When a potential fire would represent an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of the public, workers, the environment, DOE program, or DOE property, fire protection should be provided commensurate with the risk.

3.10 Fire Protection Practices and Procedures

Berkeley Lab's Health and Safety Manual, PUB-3000, Chapter 12 (Fire Protection and Prevention) highlights the Laboratory's basic fire safety practices and procedures. The Chapter is updated periodically and is available electronically on the Berkeley Lab Web Site at http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/.

3.10.1 Fire Protection Program Annual Summaries

DOE Order 231.1, Environment, Safety and Health Reporting, requires Berkeley Lab to submit the Annual Summary of Fire Damage in accordance with DOE M 231.1-1, Chapter II, paragraph 3. The reporting format should be similar to DOE Manual 231.1-1. The Annual Summary of Fire Protection Program for each calendar year, which includes the Summary of Fire Damage, will be submitted to the DOE Berkeley Site Office as required.

3.10.2 Fire Investigations and Reports

In the event of a fire or explosion, DOE Order 231.1, Environment, Safety and Health Reporting, requires Berkeley Lab to make appropriate notifications, perform analyses, and report specific occurrences, incidents, and accidents in accordance with DOE M 231.1-1, Environment, Safety and Health Reporting Manual.

The Berkeley Lab Fire Protection Program maintains files on all incidents involving their organization. These files are located in the Fire Station at Bldg. 48.

All reports of fire incidents are prepared in accordance with the California State Fire Marshal's reporting requirements and format commonly known as California Fire Incidents Reporting System (CFIRS).

3.10.3 Occurrence Reporting

An occurrence report must be submitted to DOE within the time constraints prescribed in DOE Order 232.1A, Occurrence Reporting and Processing. Berkeley Lab's Occurrence Reporting and Processing Manual, LBID-1694, Rev. 3, provides reporting requirements and procedures if property damage and injuries exceed the following thresholds:

4.0 Environmental/Public Protection

4.1 Facility Operation Procedures

Facility operation procedures, technical specifications, or activity hazard documents (AHDs) shall address the fire protection features of the facility required for safe operation and to mitigate potential fire hazards/damages. When a facility's fire protection feature is out of service or damaged, compensatory measures shall be implemented until the system or equipment is restored to service. The operating procedures shall be specifically defined to ensure the compensatory measures to be implemented consistent with the significance of the impairment. The Fire Marshal or FPE will review and approve any fire protection system impairment, and prescribe compensatory measures as required. Any approved system impairment will be communicated to the Berkeley Lab Fire Department to be included in the system impairment log.

4.2 Safety Analysis Reports/Safety Analysis Documents

All safety analysis reports (SARs) and safety analysis documents (SADs) shall include a Fire Hazard Analysis (FHA) that addresses, at a minimum, the items listed in Section 4.3, Fire Hazard Analysis, below. The SAR/SAD shall also identify the fire protection features required for safe operation and to mitigate potential fire hazards and damages, as well as the compensatory measures required if a system is impaired or damaged.

4.3 Fire Hazard Analysis

Following DOE Order 420.1B, FHAs must be prepared for Hazard Category 1, 2, and 3 nuclear facilities (there are none at LBNL), significant new facilities, and facilities that represent unique fire safety risks. FHAs must be performed under the direction of a qualified fire protection engineer, reviewed at a minimum of every 3 years, and revised when changes to the facility mission, or changes involving operations, hazards, structures, etc., impact the contents in the FHA; when modification to an associated facility or process adds a significant new fire safety risk; and when the 3-year review identifies the need for changes. Fire Protection Staff shall maintain a list showing all the facilities that are required to have an FHA. The FHA shall address the following items as a minimum:

4.4 Facility Containment/Confinement

Facility ventilation systems shall be protected against fire to preclude the release of radioactive, toxic, or other hazardous materials above established limits. Alternatives to consider for accomplishing this goal may include the following:

In addition, the Filter Plenum Fire Protection Criteria,DOE STD-1066-99, shall be used to assist in determining the level of protection needed.

4.5 Liquid Runoff Control

It is essential that any liquid spill or firewater runoff be contained within the facility or the site. The California Fire Code, Articles 79 and 80, provide very specific requirements to contain hazardous materials, liquid spills, and contaminated firewater runoff. The Fire Marshal or FPE reviews the type and quantities of hazardous materials that are being stored or handled in each facility and prescribes engineering controls to the design team.

If there is a spill, the Berkeley Lab Fire Department, with the assistance of other support staff (i.e., Industrial Hygienists, Waste Management Representative, Maintenance and Operations Representative), will respond to the hazardous material incident. The response will be in accordance with the Berkeley Lab Hazardous Materials Response Plan, EH&S Procedure 3.01.

4.6 Phase-out of Halon Fixed-fire Suppression Systems

In an effort to eliminate Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS), all LBNL halon fixed-fire suppression systems must be phased out of service following applicable DOE memorandums and Executive Orders. The latest Executive Order, 13423, provides guidance that states that LBNL must “maximize the use of safe alternatives to ODSs, as approved by the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.” The guidance provided with the order goes on to state that, “plans to replace ODSs should target cost effective reduction of environmental risk by eliminating the use of ODSs in new equipment and facilities and by phasing out ODS applications as the existing equipment using those substances reaches its expected service life. In developing ODS-related actions, agencies shall consider (1) maintaining equipment to prevent or fix leaks and (2) replacing leaking equipment when repair is no longer cost-effective or where it is life-cycle cost-effective to replace the equipment.”  Consistent with this policy, LBNL has removed numerous systems and thousands of pounds of halon over the past 10 years. Five systems have been retained because they are essential to the Laboratory’s mission; these systems are located in 2 computer rooms (1275 and 1156) in Building 50; in 2 telephone nodes (Building 10A and Building 62A); and in the control-room floor of Building 88. LBNL has identified two alternative configurations for each of these systems: The first alternative is to provide a SNAP-approved clean agent suppression system to replace the existing halon system; the second alternative is to provide a redundant fire protection system by simply removing the halon system and relying on the smoke detection and fire sprinkler systems in conjunction with LBNL’s on-site, continuously staffed fire station (refer to DOE Standard 1066-99, Fire Protection Design Criteria). Beginning in fiscal year 2010 and continuing every year thereafter, LBNL will consider the phase out of these halon systems subject to the availability of funds and the importance of the affected operations.

4.7 Hot Work Program

4.7.1 Introduction
4.7.1.2 Hazards and Controls

Following the Fire Prevention and Protection Program described in Chapter 12 of Publication 3000 and the requirements of NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work (2009 edition), LBNL’s Hot Work Program establishes requirements to prevent the loss of life and property from fire as a result of hot work.

4.7.1.3 Program Description
  1. Prior to performing any hot work, a fire safety permit must be obtained from the Fire Department.  Request the permit by calling 510-486-6015, waiting for the prompt and pressing 1.  The dispatcher will take information about your request and you will be contacted by the Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI) who will issue the Fire Safety Permit.  This person is either the LBNL Fire Marshal or his designee. 
  2. The person or company requesting the hot work permit (Operator) must meet with the Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI).  The PAI will complete a Fire Safety Permit which both the Operator and PAI must sign.  The Permit documents a pre-hot work safety check and must be posted at the site prior to, and during any hot work.  A copy of the permit is maintained by the Fire Marshal. The Operator must have the work area sufficiently prepared so that the PAI can inspect equipment, location, conditions, precautions and verify the scope of the work.  The PAI  will issue the permit once these requirements have been met and the scope of the work is clear.  The PAI may require a re-inspection if there is uncertainty as to the work set up..
  3. The permit documents the complete scope of the planned work, including but not limited to: the specific location of the work, length of time the permit is valid, type of work, materials, need for tests, precautions to be observed, the fire protection and detection systems that are to be addressed and fire watch duration. The precautions typically include but are not limited to; the need for extinguishers, fire watch, protection of openings and combustibles and other appropriate measures such as purging or disconnecting lines or tagging valves. 
  4. All tools must be on site where hot- work will be performed so they can be inspected prior to permit issuance. All tools and equipment must be in good working condition.
  5. Assure all conditions of the permit are addressed prior to start of work and that conditions don’t change as the work progresses.  If operator does foresee changes or observes changed conditions, then the operator must call for a reevaluation before going any further.  A revised permit can be issued or comments added to the existing permit by the PAI.
  6. Typically, a fire watch is required during and for a 1/2 hour minimum after the stoppage of hot-work.  This allotted amount of time can be extended at the PAI’s discretion.  It will be clearly marked on the permit and the hot work operator will be verbally informed of the specific time required for the fire watch to stay at the work site after completion of hot work operations.
  7. Permits can be issued for one day or for multiple days. Where conditions are constant, permits can be issued at the PAI’s discretion for up to 1 or 2 weeks.  If a hot-work permit is issued for more than one day, a daily re-inspection of the area is required.  These re-inspections must be done by the Fire Marshal or his designee and will be documented.  Only the Fire Marshal may allow permits to be longer than two weeks.  Only the Fire Marshal or Fire Inspector may approve an area as being a designated area (e.g. welding station) in accordance with NFPA 51B.
  8. As determined by the Fire Marshal and his or her designee, permits will not be issued if the area is protected by an automatic fire suppression system that is impaired or in areas near explosive material or environments.  Permits will be revoked for any area where it is determined by the Fire Marshal and his or her designee, that it is required that the automatic fire suppression system be impaired.
  9. While the PAI will consider the safety of the hot work operator and fire watch with respect to personal protective equipment (PPE) and for other special hazards beyond hot work, the permit document is limited to fire safety issues and is labeled “For Fire Safety Purposes Only”.  This makes it clear that the document doesn’t address other safety issues (electrical, industrial hygiene, occupational safety etc.) nor is it intended to satisfy the requirement for Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) as may be required

 All Operators and fire watch personnel must have fire extinguisher training and all fire watch personnel must be trained to understand the inherent hazards of the work site and of the hot work.  Duties are assigned to those persons performing roles vital to safe hot work operations.  For LBNL personnel training is provided on fire extinguishers in the class, EHS 530 Fire Extinguisher Safety and training on hot work in the class EHS 535 Hot Work Permit Training.  The need for training for LBNL employees is determined by the completion of the Job Hazard Analysis (JHA).

4.7.2 Program Definitions
4.7.2.1  Hot Work Permits

Hot Work Permits are required for the following hot work processes:

Note: Permits are not required for:

4.7.2.2 Fire Safety Permit

A Fire Safety Permit is a document issued by the LBNL issued by the PAI for the purpose of authorizing performance of specified hot-work or hazardous operations.   Permits must be posted near the work site and accessible & visible for inspection. 

4.7.2.3 Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI)

A PAI is an individual designated by management to authorize hot work.  At LBNL this individual is the Fire Marshal or his or her authorized designee.  The PAI designee must be experienced in fire inspections and Hot Work operations, trained and authorized by the Fire Marshal.  This authorization must be documented to file and communicated to Fire Dispatch (Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center). 

4.7.2.4 Hot Work Operator

A Hot Work Operator is an individual physically operating the hot work equipment or responsible for operating the equipment that creates the hot work hazard.

4.7.2.4.1 Function of a Hot Work Operator

The hot work operator shall have all equipment examined to ensure it is in safe operating condition.  He or she shall have the hot work permit before starting the hot work process. 

4.7.2.5 Fire Watch

A Fire Watch is an individual responsible for maintaining compliance with the Hot Work Permit, and for identifying and responding to a fire and personnel hazards of the operation.

4.7.2.5.1 Function of a Fire Watch

A Fire Watch should be assigned before the start of a job and maintained through out hot work operation including lunches, breaks and for up to 1/2 hour continuously following the completion of the hot work.  Depending on the specifics and location of the job, multiple fire watchers may be required by the PAI.  Example: Elevated work areas, roofs, suspended ceilings or unprotected openings.  The fire watch shall be properly trained in the use of manual fire extinguishers and emergency notification procedures within the facility or site.   After the fire watch reinspects the area and the allotted time is completed, the fire watch then signs the permit and leaves it posted for the fire safety supervisor or Alternate authorized personnel to also sign after their final reinspection.  The permit is then removed from the area. Where a fire watch is not required, the PAI shall make a final check ½ hour after the completion of hot-work operations to detect and extinguish smoldering fires. 

4.7.2.6 Hot Work Area

A Hot Work Area Area is an area that is exposed to sparks, hot slag, or radiant heat or connective heat as a result of hot-work. Typically includes a minimum of 35 foot radius from hot work operation.  Additional clearance may be specified by PAI.  For elevated hot-work, combustible materials should either be relocated a minimum of 50 feet from the hot work area, or properly protected with UL listed fire retardant blankets. 

4.7.2.7 Combustibles

A combustible is any material that will ignite and sustain combustion, including wood, paper, cardboard, vegetation, flammable/combustible liquids, flammable gases, etc.

4.7.2.8 Openings

Openings are holes, cracks, or voids in walls, floors, ducts shafts, etc. of sufficient size to permit the passage of flame, sparks, hot slag, or burning materials.Holes needto be blocked or protected with something fire retardant, or resistant. If possible the operation might have to be relocated to a safer area. A second fire watch might be required on the opposite side of the opening if possible.  This would ensure nothing was getting through. 

4.7.2.9 Fire Extinguishers

The correct size and type of fire extinguishers shall be approved per job by the PAI. The fire extinguisher has to be current for the year, charged, with a pull pin and safety seal. The extinguisher must be in good working order. A visual check of the extinguisher must be done by the PAI at every permit request. Example: Tag is punched October 7th, 2007 then it expires on October 2008. A new extinguisher will be accepted if of the current year and in new condition. 

4.7.3 Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities follow those established in NFPA 51B. The Fire Marshal is responsible for developing and maintaining the system and helping to assure regulatory compliance.  Line management is responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures are followed to protect life and health. 

5.0 Facility Assessment and Appraisal Program

5.1 Facility and Building Fire Protection Survey

DOE Order 420.1 requires sites to have a self-survey appraisal program in place to ensure that their facilities meet DOE fire protection goals and requirements. Following DOE G 420.1-3 (9-27-07), Section 4.13 (3) Fire Protection facility appraisals shall be performed every year for facilities valued in excess of $100 million, considered a high hazard, or involving vital programs as defined by DOE. Currently at LBNL, only one building, Building 6, is considered as being qualified for an annual assessment. All remaining LBNL facilities will be assessed at least every three years.

The appraisal report shall address the following items at a minimum, and appraisal findings shall be placed on the tracking system with the expected completion date until resolved:

  1. fire protection of safety class systems
  2. life safety
  3. vital programs, as determined by DOE's Contracting Official
  4. fire protection of high-value property
  5. inspection, testing, and maintenance reports
  6. suppression equipment
  7. water runoff
  8. building pre-fire plans
  9. fire apparatus accessibility
  10. administrative controls
  11. temporary protection and compensatory measures
  12. completeness of fire hazards analysis
  13. fire barrier integrity
  14. fire loss potentials (maximum credible and maximum possible)
  15. suppression system tests, water supplies
  16. maintenance procedures for maintaining systems
  17. status of findings from previous survey
  18. new findings resulting from the current survey

Based on the above criteria, the Self-Conducted Fire Protection Survey Procedure (Appendix C) was developed.

5.2 Self-Conducted Fire Protection Program Appraisals

DOE Order 420.1, Section 4.2.1.9, requires Berkeley Lab to have a comprehensive, documented fire protection self-assessment program that includes all aspects (both program and facility) of the fire protection program. Assessments shall be performed on a regular basis at a frequency established by DOE.  Berkeley Lab will conduct a self-appraisal of the Fire Protection Program once every three years.

The triennial appraisal of the Berkeley Lab Fire Protection Program shall be conducted by the Lab's Office of Institutional Assurance (OIA). The appraisal shall evaluate the following at a minimum:

6.0 Fire Department Operations/Emergency Response

6.1 Operating Procedures

The Fire Suppression Contractor, Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD), maintains standard operating procedures for fire suppression and related activities.  Those procedures are available upon request from Alameda County and were reviewed as a part of the Baseline Needs Assessment conducted by the Department of Energy.  This is documented in the May-2005 revision of the assessment, which concluded that ACFD had “a thorough training program that has resulted in very capable staff.”

6.2 Automatic Aid and Mutual Aid Agreements

6.2.1 Automatic Aid Agreement with City of Berkeley

A reciprocating automatic aid agreement was established between the Berkeley Lab Fire Department and the City of Berkeley Fire Department (COBFD). The Berkeley Lab Fire Department has been assigned areas in the City of Berkeley outside the boundaries of the Lab to respond to. These areas are contiguous to the Lab, and they were based on the fact that the Berkeley Lab Fire Department is geographically closer than other City of Berkeley fire units, and able to respond to the emergency in a more expedient manner. On the other hand, the COBFD will respond to the Lab and provide assistance when summoned by the Berkeley Lab Fire Dispatch. This agreement covers all types of emergency calls, whether they are structure fires, medical emergencies, car fires, wildland, etc. There is an extensive training component to the automatic-aid agreement that provides for both departments to participate in mutual training.

6.2.2 Alameda County Mutual Aid

The Berkeley Lab Fire Department participates as a unit with all fire departments within Alameda County. There are two types of county aid calls. One is for calls within the county. The other is for strike teams made up of county units to respond together to assist nearby counties.

6.2.3 California State OES Mutual Aid

The Berkeley Lab Fire Department participates as a contributing agency for calls for assistance statewide. This is the only mutual-aid arrangement that has a reimbursement component. The State of California reimburses Berkeley Lab for their personnel after the first 24 hours of operations. Examples of these are wildland fires, or disasters resulting from earthquakes or floods that require major search-and-rescue efforts that may last for days and weeks.

6.3 Engine Company Inspection Program

Each member of an engine company participates in the Engine Company Inspection Program. The purpose of the Engine Company Inspection Program is to focus on conditions that may endanger the safety of life and property, and to eliminate or provide proper controls over such conditions. Building inspections are assigned to each Shift Officer (either the Captain or the Acting Captain) at the beginning of each calendar year. The assigned inspections are divided into three increments (Schedules A, B, and C). These schedules are assigned to each Shift Officer at the beginning of each calendar year. Thus, Shift A will be assigned to Schedule A the first year, B the second, C the third, and return to A on the fourth year.

Each Shift Officer is responsible for managing and coordinating the scheduling and supervision of the inspection activities for that shift. The Shift Officer is responsible for completing their assigned inspections by the end of each calendar year.

6.4 Baseline Needs Assessment of Fire Suppression Services and Fire Protection Program

The Baseline Needs Assessment was performed during the week of March 21–25, 2005, and addressed the following aspects:

The Baseline Needs Assessment (BNA) published May 25, 2005, concluded that ACFD had a thorough training program, very capable staff, well-equipped response to emergencies, staffing levels as recommended in the 1995 BNA, additional resources available through established mutual-aid agreements, and a progressive approach that looked for means to improve its operations.

The BNA further concluded that planned improvements for the fire-alarm communications system were forward-thinking, and urged DOE and LBNL line management to support these projects; that the fire protection program at LBNL continued to be well-established and effective; and that the Alameda County Regional Emergency Communications Center located at LLNL was an effective and reliable method of using emergency-response resources.

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