My name is Chris Stowe, and I am the Fire Marshal with the Gastonia Fire Department.
My intention with this correspondence is to outline the requirements from the latest edition of the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code, which regulates fire safety during construction and demolition operations.
The below code section(s) are not intended to list all of the requirements that are needed for safety during construction and/or demolition operations; they are just the requirements from the fire code standpoint.
The first thing that needs to be established during a construction or demolition project is that the owner needs to designate a person to be the fire prevention program superintendent, and that person will need to develop, maintain, and submit a pre-fire plan to this office. In addition, that person will be responsible for notifying this office of any changes in it throughout the project (see sections 3308.1 and 3308.2).
The requirements below are meant to ensure life safety is protected at all times, and this office reserves the right to perform safety inspections at any reasonable time to ensure the requirements are met. Any violations that are found will need to be corrected promptly. Note that the below requirements do not negate requirements on the building plans, zoning plans, and, if applicable,e sprinkler, fire alarm, fire suppression, fire pump, or any other life safety system permitted by this office.
Should you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at: chris.stowe@gastonianc.gov, or via phone at 704 866 6811.
Sincerely,
Chris Stowe
Fire Marshal
Gastonia Fire Department
3301.1 Scope. This chapter shall apply to structures in the
course of construction, alteration or demolition, including
those in underground locations. Compliance with NFPA 241
is required for items not specifically addressed herein.
3301.2 Purpose. This chapter prescribes minimum safeguards
for construction, alteration and demolition operations
to provide reasonable safety to life and property from fire
during such operations.
SECTION 3303 TEMPORARY HEATING EQUIPMENT
3303.1 Listed. Temporary heating devices shall be listed and
labeled in accordance with the International Mechanical
Code or the International Fuel Gas Code. Installation, maintenance
and use of temporary heating devices shall be in
accordance with the terms of the listing.
3303.2 Oil-fired heaters. Oil-fired heaters shall comply with
Section 603.
3303.3 LP-gas heaters. Fuel supplies for liquefied-petroleum
gas-fired heaters shall comply with Chapter 61 and the
International Fuel Gas Code.
3303.4 Refueling. Refueling operations for liquid-fueled
equipment or appliances shall be conducted in accordance
with Section 5705. The equipment or appliance shall be
allowed to cool prior to refueling.
3303.5 Installation. Clearance to combustibles from temporary
heating devices shall be maintained in accordance with
the labeled equipment. When in operation, temporary heating
devices shall be fixed in place and protected from damage,
dislodgement or overturning in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
3303.6 Supervision. The use of temporary heating devices
shall be supervised and maintained only by competent personnel.
SECTION 3304 PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE
3304.1 Smoking. Smoking shall be prohibited except in
approved areas. Signs shall be posted. In approved areas where smoking is permitted,
approved ashtrays shall be provided.
3304.2 Combustible debris, rubbish and waste. Combustible
debris, rubbish and waste material shall comply with the
requirements of Sections 3304.2.1 through 3304.2.4.
3304.2.1 Combustible waste material accumulation.
Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material shall not
be accumulated within buildings.
3304.2.2 Combustible waste material removal. Combustible
debris, rubbish and waste material shall be
removed from buildings at the end of each shift of work.
3304.2.3 Rubbish containers. Where rubbish containers
with a capacity exceeding 5.33 cubic feet (40 gallons)
(0.15 m3) are used for temporary storage of combustible
debris, rubbish and waste material, they shall have tightfitting
or self-closing lids. Such rubbish containers shall be
constructed entirely of materials that comply with either of
the following:
1. Noncombustible materials.
2. Materials that meet a peak rate of heat release not
exceeding 300 kW/m2 when tested in accordance
with ASTM E1354 at an incident heat flux of 50
kW/m2 in the horizontal orientation.
3304.2.4 Spontaneous ignition. Materials susceptible to
spontaneous ignition, such as oily rags, shall be stored in a
listed disposal container.
3304.3 Burning of combustible debris, rubbish and waste.
Combustible debris, rubbish and waste material shall not be
disposed of by burning on the site unless approved.
Open burning is not allowed inside the city limits of Gastonia, and that also pertains to construction and/or demolition sites. It does not matter if you have a burning permit from the NC Forestry Service, open burning is not allowed at any time.
3304.5 Fire watch. Where required by the fire code official
for building demolition, or building construction during
working hours that is hazardous in nature, qualified personnel
shall be provided to serve as an on-site fire watch. Fire watch
personnel shall be provided with not less than one approved
means for notification of the fire department and their sole
duty shall be to perform constant patrols and watch for the
occurrence of fire.
3304.6 Cutting and welding. Operations involving the use
of cutting and welding shall be done in accordance with
Chapter 35.
3304.7 Electrical. Temporary wiring for electrical power and
lighting installations used in connection with the construction,
alteration or demolition of buildings, structures, equipment
or similar activities shall comply with NFPA 70.
SECTION 3305 FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS
3305.1 Storage of flammable and combustible liquids.
Storage of flammable and combustible liquids shall be in
accordance with Section 5704.
3305.2 Class I and Class II liquids. The storage, use and
handling of flammable and combustible liquids at construction
sites shall be in accordance with Section 5706.2. Ventilation
shall be provided for operations involving the application
of materials containing flammable solvents.
3305.3 Housekeeping. Flammable and combustible liquid
storage areas shall be maintained clear of combustible vegetation
and waste materials. Such storage areas shall not be
used for the storage of combustible materials.
3305.4 Precautions against fire. Sources of ignition and
smoking shall be prohibited in flammable and combustible
liquid storage areas. Signs shall be posted in accordance with
Section 310.
3305.5 Handling at point of final use. Class I and II liquids
shall be kept in approved safety containers.
3305.6 Leakage and spills. Leaking vessels shall be immediately
repaired or taken out of service and spills shall be
cleaned up and disposed of properly.
SECTION 3306 FLAMMABLE GASES
3306.1 Storage and handling. The storage, use and handling
of flammable gases shall comply with Chapter 58.
3306.2 Cleaning with flammable gas. Flammable gases
shall not be used to clean or remove debris from piping open
to the atmosphere.
3306.2.1 Pipe cleaning and purging. The cleaning and
purging of flammable gas piping systems, including cleaning
new or existing piping systems, purging piping systems
into service and purging piping systems out of
service, shall comply with NFPA 56.
Exceptions:
1. Compressed gas piping systems other than fuel
gas piping systems where in accordance with
Chapter 53.
2. Piping systems regulated by the International
Fuel Gas Code.
3. Liquefied petroleum gas systems in accordance
with Chapter 61.
SECTION 3307 EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS
3307.1 Storage and handling. Explosive materials shall be
stored, used and handled in accordance with Chapter 56.
3307.2 Supervision. Blasting operations shall be conducted
in accordance with Chapter 56.
3307.3 Demolition using explosives. Approved fire hoses for
use by demolition personnel shall be maintained at the demolition
site whenever explosives are used for demolition. Such
fire hoses shall be connected to an approved water supply and
shall be capable of being brought to bear on post-detonation
fires anywhere on the site of the demolition operation.
3308 OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE PROTECTION
3308.1 Program superintendent. The owner shall designate
a person to be the fire prevention program superintendent
who shall be responsible for the fire prevention program and
ensure that it is carried out through completion of the project.
The fire prevention program superintendent shall have the
authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter and other
provisions as necessary to secure the intent of this chapter.
Where guard service is provided, the superintendent shall be
responsible for the guard service.
3308.2 Prefire plans. The fire prevention program superintendent
shall develop and maintain an approved prefire plan
in cooperation with the fire chief. The fire chief and the fire
code official shall be notified of changes affecting the utilization
of information contained in such prefire plans.
3308.3 Training. Training of responsible personnel in the
use of fire protection equipment shall be the responsibility of
the fire prevention program superintendent.
3308.4 Fire protection devices. The fire prevention program
superintendent shall determine that all fire protection equipment
is maintained and serviced in accordance with this code.
The quantity and type of fire protection equipment shall be
approved.
3308.5 Hot work operations. The fire prevention program
superintendent shall be responsible for supervising the permit
system for hot work operations in accordance with Chapter
35.
3308.6 Impairment of fire protection systems. Impairments
to any fire protection system shall be in accordance with Section
901.
3308.7 Temporary covering of fire protection devices.
Coverings placed on or over fire protection devices to protect
them from damage during construction processes shall be
immediately removed upon the completion of the construction
processes in the room or area in which the devices are
installed.
SECTION 3309 Fire Reporting
3309.1 Emergency telephone. Readily accessible emergency
telephone facilities shall be provided in an approved
location at the construction site. The street address of the construction
site and the emergency telephone number of the fire
department shall be posted adjacent to the telephone.
SECTION 3310 ACCESS FOR FIRE FIGHTING
3310.1 Required access. Approved vehicle access for fire fighting
shall be provided to all construction or demolition sites.
Vehicle access shall be provided to within 100 feet (30 480 mm)
of temporary or permanent fire department connections. Vehicle
access shall be provided by either temporary or permanent
roads, capable of supporting vehicle loading under all weather
conditions. Vehicle access shall be maintained until permanent
fire apparatus access roads are available.
3310.2 Key boxes. Key boxes shall be provided as required
by Chapter 5.
SECTION 3311 MEANS OF EGRESS
3311.1 Stairways required. Where a building has been
constructed to a building height of 50 feet (15 240 mm) or
four stories, or where an existing building exceeding 50 feet
(15 240 mm) in building height is altered, not less than one
temporary lighted stairway shall be provided unless one or
more of the permanent stairways are erected as the construction
progresses.
3311.2 Maintenance. Required means of egress shall be
maintained during construction and demolition, remodeling
or alterations and additions to any building.
Exception: Approved temporary means of egress systems
and facilities.
SECTION 3312 WATER SUPPLY FOR FIRE PROTECTION
3312.1 When required. An approved water supply for fire
protection, either temporary or permanent, shall be made
available as soon as combustible material arrives on the site.
SECTION 3313 STANDPIPES
3313.1 Where required. In buildings required to have standpipes
by Section 905.3.1, not less than one standpipe shall be
provided for use during construction. Such standpipes shall
be installed prior to construction exceeding 40 feet (12 192
mm) in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle
access. Such standpipe shall be provided with fire department
hose connections at accessible locations adjacent to
usable stairways. Such standpipes shall be extended as construction
progresses to within one floor of the highest point of
construction having secured decking or flooring.
3313.2 Buildings being demolished. Where a building is
being demolished and a standpipe is existing within such a
building, such standpipe shall be maintained in an operable
condition so as to be available for use by the fire department.
Such standpipe shall be demolished with the building but
shall not be demolished more than one floor below the floor
being demolished.
3313.3 Detailed requirements. Standpipes shall be installed
in accordance with the provisions of Section 905.
Exception: Standpipes shall be either temporary or permanent
in nature, and with or without a water supply, provided
that such standpipes comply with the requirements
of Section 905 as to capacity, outlets and materials.
SECTION 3314 AUTOMATICE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
3314.1 Completion before occupancy. In buildings where
an automatic sprinkler system is required by this code or the
International Building Code, it shall be unlawful to occupy
any portion of a building or structure until the automatic
sprinkler system installation has been tested and approved,
except as provided in Section 105.3.4.
3314.2 Operation of valves. Operation of sprinkler control
valves shall be allowed only by properly authorized personnel
and shall be accompanied by notification of duly designated
parties. Where the sprinkler protection is being
regularly turned off and on to facilitate connection of newly
completed segments, the sprinkler control valves shall be
checked at the end of each work period to ascertain that protection
is in service.
SECTION 3315 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
3315.1 Where required. Structures under construction,
alteration or demolition shall be provided with not less than
one approved portable fire extinguisher in accordance with
Section 906 and sized for not less than ordinary hazard as follows:
1. At each stairway on all floor levels where combustible
materials have accumulated.
2. In every storage and construction shed.
3. Additional portable fire extinguishers shall be provided
where special hazards exist including, but not limited
to, the storage and use of flammable and combustible
liquids.
SECTION 3316 MOTORIZED CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
3316.1 Conditions of use. Internal-combustion-powered
construction equipment shall be used in accordance with all
of the following conditions:
1. Equipment shall be located so that exhausts do not discharge
against combustible material.
2. Exhausts shall be piped to the outside of the building.
3. Equipment shall not be refueled while in operation.
4. Fuel for equipment shall be stored in an approved area
outside of the building.
SECTION 3317 SAFEGUARDING ROOFING OPERATIONS
3317.1 General. Roofing operations utilizing heat-producing
systems or other ignition sources shall be conducted in accordance
with Sections 3317.2 and 3317.3 and Chapter 35.
3317.2 Asphalt and tar kettles. Asphalt and tar kettles shall
be operated in accordance with Section 303.
3317.3 Fire extinguishers for roofing operations. Fire
extinguishers shall comply with Section 906. There shall be
not less than one multipurpose portable fire extinguisher with
a minimum 3-A 40-B:C rating on the roof being covered or
repaired.
