Section 296-24-61703 - General requirements(1) You must ensure that fixed extinguishing system components and agents are designed and approved for use on the specific fire hazards they are expected to control or extinguish.(2) You must notify employees and take the necessary temporary precautions to assure their safety until the system is restored to operating order if for any reason a fixed extinguishing system becomes inoperable. Any defects or impairments must be properly corrected by trained personnel.(3) You must provide a distinctive alarm or signaling system which complies with WAC 296-800-310, and is capable of being perceived above ambient noise or light levels, on all extinguishing systems in those portions of the workplace covered by the extinguishing system to indicate when the extinguishing system is discharging. Discharge alarms are not required on systems where discharge is immediately recognizable.(4) You must provide effective safeguards to warn employees against entry into discharge areas where the atmosphere remains hazardous to employee safety or health.(5) You must post hazard warning or caution signs at the entrance to, and inside of, areas protected by fixed extinguishing systems which use agents in concentrations known to be hazardous to employee safety and health.(6) You must ensure that fixed systems are inspected annually by a person knowledgeable in the design and function of the system to assure that the system is maintained in good operating condition.(7) You must ensure that the weight and pressure of refillable containers is checked at least semiannually. If the container shows a loss in net content or weight of more than 5%, or a loss in pressure of more than 10%, it must be subjected to maintenance.(8) You must ensure that factory charged nonrefillable containers which have no means of pressure indication are weighed at least semiannu-ally. If a container shows a loss in net weight of more than 5 percent it must be replaced.(9) You must ensure that inspection and maintenance dates are recorded on the container, on a tag attached to the container, or in a central location. A record of the last semiannual check must be maintained until the container is checked again or for the life of the container, whichever is less.(10) You must train employees designated to inspect, maintain, operate, or repair fixed extinguishing systems and annually review their training to keep them up-to-date in the functions they are to perform.(11) You must not use chlorobro-momethane or carbon tetrachloride as an extinguishing agent where employees may be exposed.(12) You must ensure that systems installed in the presence of corrosive atmospheres are constructed of noncorrosive material or otherwise protected against corrosion.(13) You must ensure that automatic detection equipment is approved, installed and maintained in accordance with WAC 296-24-629.(14) You must ensure that all systems designed for and installed in areas with climatic extremes operate effectively at the expected extreme temperatures.(15) You must ensure that at least one manual station is provided for discharge activation of each fixed extinguishing system.(16) You must ensure that manual operating devices are identified as to the hazard against which they will provide protection.(17) You must provide and assure the use of the personal protective equipment needed for immediate rescue of employees trapped in hazardous atmospheres created by an agent discharge.Wash. Admin. Code § 296-24-61703
Amended by WSR 15-24-100, Filed 12/1/2015, effective 1/5/2016Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, 49.17.040, 49.17.050, and 49.17.060. 04-07-161, § 296-24-61703, filed 3/23/04, effective 6/1/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040 and 49.17.050. 82-02-003 (Order 81-32), § 296-24-61703, filed 12/24/81.