Fire Prevention Plan
UNI Fire Prevention Plan
This written fire safety plan is drafted to comply with 29 CFR 1910.39, which requires a written fire prevention plan be kept in the workplace and made available for employees to review. The purpose of this Fire Prevention Plan is to eliminate the causes of fire and prevent loss of life and property by fire. It provides employees with information and guidelines that will assist them in recognizing, reporting, and controlling fire hazards.
Immediate and total evacuation is mandatory whenever a fire alarm is activated.
Major Fire Hazards
All employees should be informed upon initial assignment to a job of the fire hazards to which they are exposed.
The following major fire hazards and their controls are listed in UNI Policy 7.04:
| Fire Hazard | Controls & Fire Protection Equipment |
|---|---|
| Open Flames | Open flames are prohibited unless approved by the Fire Safety and Loss Control Coordinator. An open flame permit can be obtained by visiting https://risk.uni.edu/open-flame. Employees should follow the Use of Pyrotechnic & Open Flames on Campus Support Guide. |
| Pyrotechnics (Including Fireworks) | The use of pyrotechnics, including fireworks, is prohibited unless approved by the Fire Safety and Loss Control Coordinator. A pyrotechnics permit can be obtained by visiting https://risk.uni.edu/open-flame. Employees should follow the Use of Pyrotechnic & Open Flame on Campus Support Guide. |
| Grilling | Grilling on campus can be conducted without an open flame permit if certain conditions are met. Procedures can be found in UNI’s Guideline on Open Flame Policy and Recreational Grilling. |
| Electrical Appliances | All appliances must be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed. Space heaters are not allowed in any University buildings, see UNI’s 8.11 Energy Efficiency Policy for exceptions. Building light bulbs shall not be replaced with higher wattage bulbs than those for which the fixture was designed. |
| Holiday Decorations | Natural trees and resinous greenery are prohibited for use as holiday decorations in all university buildings, unless authorized by Fire and Loss Control Coordinator.
Artificial trees or other decorations must be flame proof. Lighting on artificial trees and other decorations must be disconnected at night or when the area is expected to be vacant for longer than an hour. |
| Ceremonial Fires | Ceremonial fires are generally not allowed on University property unless approved by the Fire and Loss Control Coordinator. An open flame permit can be obtained by visiting https://risk.uni.edu/open-flame. Employees should follow the Use of Pyrotechnic & Open Flames on Campus Support Guide. |
Other major fire hazards and their controls include:
| Fire Hazard | Controls & Fire Protection Equipment |
|---|---|
| Hot Work | Hot work means operations including welding, brazing, torch cutting, grinding, torch soldering, or any other operation that creates heat, sparks, and hot slag that have the potential to ignite flammable and combustible materials in the surrounding area. A permit from the Fire Safety and Loss Control Coordinator is required before starting hot work on campus. For additional information see UNI’s Hot Work Program. |
| Electronic Personal Vehicles | Electronic personal vehicles are restricted from being inside any university building. This includes academic buildings, housing and dining halls, and other UNI facilities. Bringing electronic personal vehicles inside UNI facilities presents fire, safety, and accessibility hazards. For additional information see UNI'S Electronic Personal Vehicles Safety Page. |
| Laboratory and Studio Chemicals | Employees should follow UNI’s Laboratory and Studio Chemical Safety Program. Attention should be paid to the section entitled Fire Safety. |
| Lasers | Laser beams can ignite flammable materials and initiate a fire. Employees should follow UNI’s Laser Safety Manual to mitigate this risk. |
| Natural Gas Odors | Any employee who suspects a natural gas leak or who has been given information concerning presence of a natural gas odor must immediately contact Facilities Management at (3-4400). Additional information can be found in UNI’s Procedure for Reporting Natural Gas Odors. |
| Smoking | Per UNI Policy 8.10, smoking is prohibited on university owned or leased property, and in University vehicles and any vehicle located on University property. |
Employees should familiarize themselves with the location of exits, alarm pull stations, and fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are located throughout campus and can be used to control the hazards listed above. However, fire extinguishers should only be used by employees who have been trained to use a fire extinguisher and when the fire is small. The majority of the university’s buildings are also sprinklered, these sprinkler systems can be used to control the hazards listed above.
Disposal of Flammable & Combustible Waste Materials
Employees should follow UNI’s Hazardous Waste Management Manual which discusses safe management and disposal of hazardous materials, specifically including ignitable wastes which are capable of causing or intensifying a fire through routine handling.
Regular Maintenance
Per UNI Policy 7.04, Facilities Management (Associate Director of Maintenance) is responsible for scheduling annual inspections and upkeep of alarms and fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems in General Fund and Auxiliary Buildings. University Housing and Dining (Director Residence Facilities) is responsible for the upkeep of fire extinguishers for all University Housing and Dining properties. The University’s Fire Safety and Loss Control Coordinator is responsible for conducting periodic inspections of buildings and identifying fire safety deficiencies that need to be corrected.
UNI’s Fire Impairment Program should be followed in the event of an impairment to the equipment designed to prevent or control the sources of ignition.
Control of Hazards
All UNI employees should review with their supervisor the SDS sheets for the chemicals they encounter in the workplace. As it relates to this Fire Prevention Plan, specific attention should be paid to Section II - Hazard Identification.
UNI’s Fire Safety & Loss Control Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the university’s efforts on issues related to fire safety and loss control; inspects the university’s buildings, facilities, grounds, vehicles, equipment, and events to identify hazards; serves as the university’s liaison to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, local fire departments, and the loss control teams for the university’s insurers; creates and implements training programs, procedures, and policies related to fire safety and loss control; and investigates fire incidents and other property losses.
Reviewed by Risk/EHS on November 21, 2023.