[Title 29 CFR 1910.164]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2002 Edition]
[Title 29 - LABOR]
[Subtitle B - Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued)]
[Chapter Xvii - OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT]
[Part 1910 - OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS]
[Subpart L - Fire Protection]
[Sec. 1910.164 - Fire detection systems.]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


29LABOR52002-07-012002-07-01false1910.164Sec. 1910.164LABORRegulations Relating to Labor (Continued)OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENTOCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDSFire Protection
Sec. 1910.164  Fire detection systems.

    (a) Scope and application. This section applies to all automatic 
fire detection systems installed to meet the requirements of a 
particular OSHA standard.
    (b) Installation and restoration. (1) The employer shall assure that 
all devices and equipment constructed and installed to comply with this 
standard are approved for the purpose for which they are intended.
    (2) The employer shall restore all fire detection systems and 
components to normal operating condition as promptly as possible after 
each test or alarm. Spare detection devices and components which are 
normally destroyed in the process of detecting fires shall be available 
on the premises or from a local supplier in sufficient quantities and 
locations for prompt restoration of the system.
    (c) Maintenance and testing. (1) The employer shall maintain all 
systems in an operable condition except during repairs or maintenance.
    (2) The employer shall assure that fire detectors and fire detection 
systems are tested and adjusted as often as needed to maintain proper 
reliability and operating condition except that factory calibrated 
detectors need not be adjusted after installation.
    (3) The employer shall assure that pneumatic and hydraulic operated 
detection systems installed after January 1, 1981, are equipped with 
supervised systems.
    (4) The employer shall assure that the servicing, maintenance and 
testing of fire detection systems, including cleaning and necessary 
sensitivity adjustments are performed by a trained person knowledgeable 
in the operations and functions of the system.
    (5) The employer shall also assure that fire detectors that need to 
be cleaned of dirt, dust, or other particulates in order to be fully 
operational are cleaned at regular periodic intervals.
    (d) Protection of fire detectors. (1) The employer shall assure that 
fire detection equipment installed outdoors or in the presence of 
corrosive atmospheres be protected from corrosion. The employer shall 
provide a canopy, hood, or other suitable protection for detection 
equipment requiring protection from the weather.
    (2) The employer shall locate or otherwise protect detection 
equipment so that it is protected from mechanical or physical impact 
which might render it inoperable.
    (3) The employer shall assure that detectors are supported 
independently of their attachment to wires or tubing.
    (e) Response time. (1) The employer shall assure that fire detection 
systems installed for the purpose of actuating

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fire extinguishment or suppression systems shall be designed to operate 
in time to control or extinguish a fire.
    (2) The employer shall assure that fire detection systems installed 
for the purpose of employee alarm and evacuation be designed and 
installed to provide a warning for emergency action and safe escape of 
employees.
    (3) The employer shall not delay alarms or devices initiated by fire 
detector actuation for more than 30 seconds unless such delay is 
necessary for the immediate safety of employees. When such delay is 
necessary, it shall be addressed in an emergency action plan meeting the 
requirements of Sec. 1910.38.
    (f) Number, location and spacing of detecting devices. The employer 
shall assure that the number, spacing and location of fire detectors is 
based upon design data obtained from field experience, or tests, 
engineering surveys, the manufacturer's recommendations, or a recognized 
testing laboratory listing.

[45 FR 60713, Sept. 12, 1980]