Dan:
We conduct regular portable fire extinguisher training in accordance with
Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code and OSHA regulations. The fire code
requires extinguishers in certain areas and OSHA requires training
commensurate with the operation of the equipment and the duties and
responsibilities of a particular position. Training in PFE (under OSHA) is
required for (1) persons designated as part of an employee emergency
plan--employee evacuation plan; fire prevention plan; or natural disaster
plan; (2) persons who work in laboratories; (3) persons engaged in
construction and maintenance, depending upon the scope and nature of the
work. Training is also required upon initial hiring, if duties and
responsibilities change, and on an annual basis thereafter. Although the
training is not exactly specified, it must be relevant to the work. Any
relevant information or standard, such as manufacturer's literature or
training or firefighter training manuals (recommended), can be used as a
guide. If this generic information is customized for the student and/or the
facility, it will be more appreciated. I also highly recommend browsing many
other universities' web sites to see what they are doing. In addition, check
some web sites of large government agencies, such DoD, FEMA, and CDC.
Our training consists of at least one hour of classroom and one hour of
hands-on. We purchased the "FireTrainer P-2000" (AAI Corporation), an LP
gas-fired appliance specifically designed for the hands-on training. All
types of extinguishers can be used with this simulator, and it is portable.
Most of our training is conducted at the Health and Safety building, but we
occasionally take the show across campus.
Hope this is helpful.
Dave
At 12:05 PM 8/16/99 -0400, you wrote:
>Dan,
>We do annual training on the use of fire extinguishers for
>laboratory TA's, graduate students and others that are
>initerested in particupating in the training. Part of the
>training is the hands-on use of an extinguisher on a set
>demonistration fire. We co-ordinate our training with the
>local fire department. We operate the training program on a
>volunteer basis, not required as part of your job, but
>people are told that if they do not go through the training
>they are not to use extinguishers. Those who do not attend
>a trained session are to leave the area, pull the fire alarm
>and assemble in a location close by to be certain everyone
>is accounted for.
>
>Greg Merkle
>Senior Industrial Hygienist
>Wright State University
>Dayton OH 45435
>
>Daniel Hurley wrote:
>>
>> I was wondering how many of you do hands-on fire extinguisher training
>> with either students or staff?
>> --
>> Dan Hurley, CIH
>> Sr. Industrial Hygienist
>> Wake Forest University School of Medicine
>> 336-777-3078
>
*****************************************************************
David Chaplin, CFPS
University Fire Inspector
VA TECH -- Environmental Health & Safety Services
459 Tech Center Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061
Office: 540-231-2341 / 231-5985 FAX: 231-3944
http://www.ehss.vt.edu/osd/
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