SEATTLE

FIRE

DEPARTMENT

SFD Administrative Rule 49.2

SUBJECT:

DESIGNATED HOT WORK FACILITIES AND SHIPYARDS

EFFECTIVE DATE:

May 6, 2004

29 CFR 1915

UBC Standard

1997 Seattle Building Code Section 413

SUPERSEDES:

Administrative Rule 49-2 Effective March 13, 2000{-

-}

FCAB REVIEW DATE:

April 20, 2004

NOTICE: Administrative Rules are established per Seattle Fire Code Section 101.4, and they are subject to the Administrative Sections 103.1.2, Alternate Materials and Methods, 103.1.3, Practical Difficulties, and 103.1.4, Appeals.

APPROVED:

________________________________________

JOHN H. NELSEN, FIRE MARSHAL

SECTION 1 SCOPE

1.1 General. The purpose of this regulation is to minimize personal injuries and property loss stemming from fires initiated by hot work activities on marine vessels located at marine related facilities by making safety inspections and issuing permits, with the least possible adverse impact on the maritime business community. This Administrative Rule shall be used in conjunction with Administrative Rule No. 49.1, which establishes specific requirements for hot work activities conducted on marine vessels.

This regulation is an Administrative Rule and as such is adopted into Seattle City Ordinance through the 1997 Seattle Fire Code Section 101.4. The Rule is published as provided for in Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 3.02. Public compliance with the requirements set forth in this Rule is mandatory. The City of Seattle in coordination with members of Seattle's marine business community developed this Rule. Violations of this regulation will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the procedures of the Seattle Law Department. Violators are subject to criminal and civil penalties, and may be subject to the recovery costs of extinguishing marine fires determined to be caused due to a violation of requirements set forth in this Rule.

1.2 Definitions. For the purpose of this Rule, certain terms are defined as follows:

Designated Hot Work Facility. Those piers, designated by the Chief, and by virtue of their construction, location, fire protection, emergency vehicle access and fire hydrant availability, that are suitable to permit certain repairs to vessels.

Hot Work. Any construction, alteration, repair, or shipbreaking operation involving riveting, welding, burning, brazing, soldering, heating, use of powder-actuated tools or similar spark, arc or fire-producing activity. Grinding, drilling, abrasive blasting, or similar spark-producing operations are also considered hot work unless deemed otherwise by a marine chemist or when such operations are isolated physically from any atmosphere containing more than 10 percent of the lower explosive limit of a flammable or combustible substance, as determined by a Shipyard Competent Person.

Length of Vessel. The length overall (LOA) of the vessel as measured along the centerline.

Ship repair. Any repair of a vessel including, but not limited to alterations, modification, conversion, installations, cleaning, painting, and maintenance work and includes shipbuilding and ship breaking.

Shipyard. A pier, wharf, or series of piers and related onshore facilities, designated by the Chief, which by virtue of the pier construction, location, emergency vehicle access, fire protection, hydrant availability and on site safety personnel, is suitable to permit repairs on vessels of any length.

Marine Vessel. Includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used as a means of transportation on water, including special purpose floating structures not primarily designed for or used as a means of transportation on water.

SECTION 2 PERMITS

2.1 General. Facilities where hot work activities are conducted on marine vessels temporarily moored or located in the corporate city limits of Seattle must obtain an annual permit from the Seattle Fire Department.

EXCEPTION: Facilities where Level I (see Administrative Rule 49.1 Section 2.2.2) hot work is conducted exclusively.

The Chief's authority to require and issue such permits is set forth in the 1997 Seattle Fire Code, Article 1, Section 105.8.

2.2 Description of Permit Types

2.2.1 Type I Designated Hot Work Facility. Facilities where hot work on vessels, regardless of length, is conducted shall obtain an annual Type I Designated Hot Work Facility permit. Such facilities shall be in accordance with Section 4.1 of this Rule before a temporary activity permit to conduct hot work on a vessel at this location will be issued.

2.2.2 Type II Designated Hot Work Facility. Facilities where hot work on vessels, 200 feet in vessel length or less, is conducted shall obtain an annual Type II Designated Hot Work Facility permit. Such facilities shall be in accordance with Section 4.2 of this Rule before a temporary activity permit to conduct hot work on a vessel at this location will be issued.

2.2.3 Shipyards. Shipyards where hot work for ship repair, shipbreaking and alterations of vessels is conducted shall obtain an annual Shipyard permit and comply with requirements set forth in Section 4.3 of this Rule.

SECTION 3 LOCATIONS NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE DESIGNATED HOT WORK FACILITIES

Some locations, by virtue of their primary or secondary use, are prohibited from being a Designated Hot Work Facility. Those locations consist of the following:

* Combustible piers not equipped with fire protection in accordance with the appropriate subsection of Section 4 of this Rule

* Fuel terminals

* Grain Terminals

* Passenger terminals

* Piers where the use is primarily residential or recreational in nature

SECTION 4 DESIGNATED HOT WORK FACILITY REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Type I Designated Hot Work Facility Requirements.

4.1.1 General. Hot work activities may be performed at Type I Designated Hot Work Facilities on marine vessels of any length when such facilities are in accordance with Section 4.1 of this Rule.

4.1.2 Required Number of Hydrants. At least two fire hydrants shall be provided. One hydrant shall be located within 500 feet of the most remote portion of the approved fire department access lane. The second fire hydrant shall be located within 1000 feet of the first hydrant. Additional hydrants shall be required for each 100 feet of vessel length over 300 feet up to a maximum of five (5) hydrants. When additional hydrants are required, they shall not be more than 1000 feet apart.

EXCEPTION: A Class I Standpipe, in accordance with Section 4.1.4.3 of this Rule, may be provided in lieu of a fire hydrant within 500 feet of the most remote portion of the fire department apparatus access lane.

4.1.3 Minimum Hydrant Flow Capacity. Each of the two hydrants located closest to the most{+ +}remote portion of the fire department access lane shall be capable of delivering not less than 2,000 gpm at a minimum residual pressure of 20 psi each flowing simultaneously.

4.1.4 Fire Protection on Piers.

4.1.4.1 Automatic Sprinklers. A complete automatic sprinkler system shall be designed and installed in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association Standard NFPA 307 "Construction and Fire Protection of Marine Terminals, Piers, and Wharves" for the protection of all combustible piers.

EXCEPTION: An automatic sprinkler system is not required for existing piers when deck openings and revolving nozzles, as specified in Section 5 of this Rule, in conjunction with draft stops, in accordance with Section 6 of this Rule are provided.

4.1.4.2 Standpipes. When required by the Chief, due to:

( the nature of the work conducted,

( length, area, and construction of the pier or bulkhead,

( fire department apparatus access,

( size of the tenant vessel(s), or

( the available water supply and hydrant location,{+

+}

type I Designated Hot Work Facilities shall be provided with an approved Class I standpipe system:

All standpipe systems shall be installed under permit from the Department of Construction and Land Use.{+

+}{-

-} 4.1.4.3 Class I Standpipe Requirements. Class I standpipes shall consist of piping, with 21/2 inch fire hose outlets, for fire department use.{+

+} 4.1.4.3.1 Pipe Size. Piping shall be 4-inch minimum for lengths up to 100 feet and 6 inch piping for lengths greater than 100 feet with 4 inch piping for the last 100 feet, in accordance with NFPA 14.

4.1.4.3.2 Fire Department Connections. A two way, 21/2 inch fire department connection must be provided within 500 feet of a fire hydrant.

4.1.4.3.3 Outlets. A 21/2 inch fire hose outlet shall be provided every 100 feet along the length of the pier.

{+

+} 4.1.5 Fire Department Apparatus Access. Fire Department apparatus access lanes, not less

than 20 feet wide and capable of supporting a 50,000-pound vehicle or 24,000 pounds per axle (HS20 loading), shall be provided and so located as to provide fire department apparatus access to within 75 feet of all portions of the pier.

EXCEPTION: When the access requirement cannot be met due to practical difficulties, a Class I standpipe system shall be installed in accordance with Section 4.1.4.3 of this Rule.

4.1.6 Signage and Labeling

4.1.6.1 Permit required signage. Signs shall be posted to alert boat owners and other users of the facility that a Seattle Fire Department permit is required prior to conducting any hot work on marine vessels at the site. Such signage shall be placed in conspicuous locations at the site and shall display the following warning:

THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES A PERMIT TO PERFORM ANY HOT WORK ON MARINE VESSELS IN SEATTLE.

HOT WORK INCLUDES ANY USE OF A TORCH OR OPEN FLAME, ANY TYPE OF WELDING AND ANY SPARK-PRODUCING GRINDING IN HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS.{+

+}

EXCEPTION: When approved by the Chief after demonstrating that other satisfactory safeguards and controls are in place to alert users of the site that a permit is required.

4.1.6.2 Address and vehicle weight limit signage. At the shore end of piers, wharves and floats conspicuous signage shall be located indicating the address and, for those structures that are designed to support vehicles, the weight limit. Numbers and letters shall be easily legible and have high contrast with the color of the sign background. Numbers and letters shall not be less than 5 inches (127 mm) in height.

4.1.6.3 Labeling electrical disconnects. Electrical transformers, control panels, and breaker panels shall be readily accessible, clearly labeled and indicate the areas they service.

{+

+}4.2 Type II Designated Hot Work Facility Requirements.

4.2.1 General. Hot work activities may be performed at Type II Designated Hot Work Facilities on marine vessels 200 feet in vessel length or less when such facilities are in accordance with Section 4.2 of this Rule.

4.2.2 Required Number of Hydrants. At least two fire hydrants shall be provided. One hydrant shall be located within 500 feet of the most remote portion of the approved fire department access lane. The second fire hydrant shall be located within 1000 feet of the first hydrant.

EXCEPTION: A Class I Standpipe, in accordance with Section 4.1.4.3 of this Rule, may be provided in lieu of a fire hydrant within 500 feet of the most remote portion of the approved fire department apparatus access lane.

4.2.3 Minimum Hydrant Flow Capacity. Each of the two hydrants located closest to the most remote portion of the fire department access lane shall be capable of delivering not less than 2,000 gpm at a minimum residual pressure of 20 psi each flowing simultaneously.

4.2.4 Fire Protection on Piers. Fire protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 4.1.4 of this Rule.

4.2.5 Signage and Labeling

4.2.5.1. Permit required signage. Signs shall be posted to alert boat owners and other users of the facility that a Seattle Fire Department permit is required prior to conducting any hot work on marine vessels at the site.

Such signage shall be placed in conspicuous locations at the site and shall display the following warning:

THE SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES A PERMIT TO PERFORM ANY HOT WORK ON MARINE VESSELS IN SEATTLE.

HOT WORK INCLUDES ANY USE OF A TORCH OR OPEN FLAME, ANY TYPE OF WELDING AND ANY SPARK-PRODUCING GRINDING IN HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS.{+

+}

EXCEPTION: When approved by the Chief after demonstrating that other satisfactory safeguards and controls are in place to alert users of the site that a permit is required.

4.2.5.2 Address and vehicle weight limit signage. At the shore end of piers, wharves and floats conspicuous signage shall be located indicating the address and, for those structures that are designed to support vehicles, the weight limit. Numbers and letters shall be easily legible and have high contrast with the color of the sign background. Numbers and letters shall not be less than 5 inches (127 mm) in height.

4.2.5.3 Labeling electrical disconnects. Electrical transformers, control panels, and breaker panels shall be readily accessible, clearly labeled and indicate the areas they service.

4.3 Shipyard Requirements.

4.3.1 General. Hot work activities, including ship repair, shipbreaking and alterations, on marine vessels of any length may be performed at Shipyards when such facilities are in accordance with Section 4.3 of this Rule.

4.3.2 Required Number of Hydrants. Hydrants shall be provided in accordance with Section 4.1.2 of this Rule.{+

+}

4.3.3 Minimum Hydrant Flow Capacity. Each of the two hydrants located closest to the most{+ +}remote portion of the fire department access lane shall be capable of delivering not less than 2,000 gpm at a minimum residual pressure of 20 psi each flowing simultaneously.

4.3.4 Fire Protection on the Pier. Fire protection shall be provided in accordance with Section 4.1.4 of this Rule.

4.3.5 Fire Department Apparatus Access. Fire Department apparatus access shall be provided in accordance with Section 4.1.5 of this Rule.{+

+}

4.3.6 Safety Officer. A full-time fire marshal or safety officer shall be on-site.

4.3.7 Shipyard Competent Person. At least one full-time employee shall be trained shipyard competent.

4.3.8 Certified Marine Chemist. A certified marine chemist shall be on staff or on call.

4.3.9 Emergency Operations Plan. An approved emergency operations plan for the shipyard shall be developed and readily available on site. The site safety officer shall be accountable for adequate training of personnel to ensure that all shipyard employees are familiar with the requirements and responsibilities set forth in the emergency operations plan.

4.3.10 Prohibited Uses. The shipyard shall {+ not +}:

( Be used for general moorage of vessels

( Be used for handling of cargo

( Have publicly accessible restaurants, assembly areas or passenger terminals on site

4.3.11 Signage and Labeling. At the shore end of piers, wharves and floats conspicuous signage shall be located indicating the address and, for those structures that are designed to support vehicles, the weight limit. Numbers and letters shall be easily legible and have high contrast with the color of the sign background. Numbers and letters shall not be less than 5 inches (127 mm) in height.

Electrical transformers, control panels, and breaker panels shall be readily accessible, clearly labeled and indicate the areas they service.

SECTION 5 DECK OPENINGS AND REVOLVING NOZZLES

5.1 Deck Openings. When deck openings are provided to permit the use of revolving nozzles and other fire fighting devices in lieu of automatic sprinklers on combustible piers, such openings shall be in accordance with Section 5.1 of this Rule.

5.1.1 Spacing of Deck Openings. Openings in the pier deck shall be provided at intervals not exceeding 25 feet on center. Openings shall be over clear spaces to avoid interference by the substructure of the effective operation of nozzles and other extinguishing devices. The net clear opening shall not exceed 100 square inches with a minimum dimension of 9 inches.

5.1.2 Covers for Deck Openings. Deck openings shall be provided with covers that can be readily removed. Covers shall be constructed of such material or so insulated that they will resist the passage of heat and fire in a manner equivalent to that of the pier deck.

5.1.3 Identification of Openings. Deck openings shall be conspicuously identified.

5.1.4 Integrity of the Deck. All parts of the deck, including aprons, upon which fire fighters may be expected to work shall be solid, continuous and have no uncovered openings

5.2 Revolving Nozzles. When revolving nozzles and deck openings are provided in lieu of automatic sprinklers on combustible piers, there shall be a sufficient number of revolving nozzles provided to permit establishing two complete water curtains across the pier. Such nozzles shall be in a readily accessible location on the shore end of the pier.

SECTION 6 DRAFT STOPS FOR COMBUSTIBLE PIERS

Draft stops shall be installed in all substructures constructed of combustible materials in accordance with 1997 Seattle Building Code Section 413.5.2, exclusive of piling and pile bracing. They shall be placed not more than 100 feet apart measured along the main axis of the pier or wharf. They shall fit tightly around all joists, beams, etc., and extend from the underside of the deck to city datum if over salt water, or to low water if over fresh water. Substructure draft stops shall be constructed of at least two layers of lumber not less than 2 inches in thickness laid with broken joints or materials of equal fire resistance.

Seattle Fire Department For Information Call (206) 386-1450 Administrative Rule 49.2

220 -3rd Avenue South Effective May 6, 2004 Page 1 of 7

Seattle, WA 98104

www.seattle.gov/fire Note: Margin bars denote changes from March 2000 version.