New 2017 Fire Season Rules for Loggers

Ever wonder how Oregon loggers work during forest fire season? They start by following the rules. This report is from the Fire Prevention Hot Sheet Volume XV-1. Enjoy the summer but think about fire prevention no matter when or where you are in the forest./Ed.

2017 RULE UPDATES

Following a more than two-year review by a diverse committee of forest landowners, operators, affiliated organizations and ODF representatives, new and improved fire prevention rules for industrial operations are now in effect (July 1, 2017).

Fire Tools

On the subject of fire tools and extinguishers, fire extinguishers on trucks and equipment must now be rated as 2A: 10BC (5 lb.) or a combination of extinguishers that provide equivalent protection (i.e. two 2.5 lb. ABC). This update brings ODF into alignment with OR-OSHA requirements. Power saws are still required to have at least eight- ounce capacity extinguishers/suppressants.
•Fire extinguishers are also required to have a pressure gauge or measuring device (not required for the smaller extinguishers for power saws).
•Increased regulation focuses on water supply delivery. The water supply must have enough hose to reach where power driven machinery is working, 500 feet minimum. This can be achieved by either acquiring enough hose to reach from where the water supply is located or being able to be move the water supply to a location in a timely fashion (within ten minutes of a re start) where hose can reach the equipment.
•Determining the right water pump for re suppression can be difficult when the requirement calls for 20-gallons per minute. Language was added to this GPM requirement to give operators the needed pressure to achieve this standard. The new rule now reads, “The pump will discharge not less than 20-gallons per minute at a pressure of at least 115-pounds per square inch at pump level.” This language was applied from pump discharge tables for smooth bore nozzles that equate the 20 gallons per minute requirement through a 1/4-inch nozzle at 115 psi.
•In an effort to reduce the number of electrical fires on equipment that spread to nearby vegetation, a rule was added that requires operators to disconnect main batteries from power components through a shut-off switch or other means when machinery is left unattended. If this is not possible, equipment must be left on ground cleared of flammable material.
•Finally, clarification was added to re watch responsibilities. A fire watch is not only required at the end of the day, but also during any breaks up to three hours.

Learn more about what you can do to prevent forest fires at https://www.fs.fed.us/fire/prev_ed/