SECTION 6. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, ALARM SYSTEMS, AND PROCEDURES

6.1 Background

All APO buildings are equipped with one or more types of fire extinguishers.  In addition, all buildings have fire alarm systems.  It is essential all employees and visitors be familiar with the location, type, and use of extinguishers, as well as the location and operation of fire alarm pull stations.

6.2 Components of a Fire AND Types of Extinguishers

There are certain components of a fire that are essential to initiate and maintain a fire, and all extinguishing systems are designed to remove one or more of the components.

In order to have a fire there must be fuel, heat, oxygen, and chemical chain reactions that are formed continuously during the combustion process.  In order to extinguish a fire it must be cooled, fuel and/or oxygen removed, or the chemical chain reaction must be interrupted.

There are four classes of fires based generally on the fuel but in one case, on the ignition source, and four corresponding classes of extinguishers.  The four types of fires are:

Class A - General combustible, such as wood, paper, and cloth;

Class B - Flammable liquids, such as gasoline, solvents;

Class C - Energized electrical equipment;

Class D - Metals, such as magnesium, sodium.

The extinguishers appropriate to a particular type of fire are given the same letter classification as of the fire.  The following are the types of extinguishers and their appropriate uses:

Water Pressure, Fire Hose - Since no pressurized water fire extinguishers exist on site, the external hoses and fire pump/storage tank make up the local source of water for fire fighting.  Care must be taken in utilizing these valuable resources until the fire department arrives since they will also need use of the water and possibly the pump.  Water is generally good on Class A fires and should be avoided in all other circumstances.  Use of water on Class C fires may cause electrical shock to the nozzle operator.

The current nozzle configuration allows only about 50 gallons per minute of flow.  As a result, the use of this equipment is severely limited and is good only for ground fires.  Even with additional flow, fighting an established building fire requires special training and equipment and is best left up to the fire department.

Carbon Dioxide for Class B and C fires - These are usually painted red and they work by excluding oxygen from the fire.  They can be used on Class A fires but are generally ineffective on all but the smallest Class A fires.  To operate pull the locking pin, point the nozzle at the base of the fire and squeeze the handle.  The discharge time depends on the size of the extinguisher:

            2.5 lbs. - 15 seconds                                   10 lbs. - 25 seconds

            5.0 lbs. - 22 seconds                                   20 lbs. - 30 seconds

Condensation on the horn caused from the discharge of the CO2 may render the horn conductive on class C fires. Do not allow any part of the fire extinguisher to come within 4 ft of energized circuits.

Dry Chemical - There are two types:  one is for only B and C fires; the other is for A, B, and C fires.  The label will indicate which type you have.  They work by inhibiting the chain reaction for combustion.  They are usually red but may also be yellow or silver.  The discharge times are about 10 to 20 seconds and the maximum effective range is 8 to 20 feet.  They are operated by pulling the pin, pointing the nozzle at the base of the fire, and squeezing the handle.  Dry chemical, when used on electrical equipment, will pit exposed metal which may make relay contacts inoperable.

Halon Agents - There are a number of halogenated methane gases that are marketed under the general name Halon and work on type A, B or C fires by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction.  Halon is frequently used in electrical equipment extinguishing systems, as in computer areas.

6.3 Extinguisher Inspections

All extinguishers are inspected quarterly. Periodic hydrostatic tests are performed according to the NFPA guidelines.  Should anyone discharge an extinguisher or notice one with the safety seal broken, please contact the Site Safety Officer and it will be recharged or repaired.

6.3A Extinguisher Training

Employees and official visitors shall be provided periodic training on the use and function of fire extinguishers.

6.4 Emergency Procedures

BUILDING FIRE

All the buildings, except the SDSS Telescope, NMSU and Photometric Telescopes, and the temporary office trailers are equipped with heat and/or smoke detectors that sound an alarm locally and throughout the facility, along with sending to an alarm monitoring company. The alarm company will contact the site for status by telephone in the event of a trouble or fire alarm. If they get no response they will then contact the Otero County Sheriff’s office to page the fire department. If you receive a call from the alarm company, immediately investigate it’s validity. If a confirmed false alarm, tell them and give them the verification code located on the fire panel in the operations building. Like all warning systems, the possibility of false alarms does exist.  Consequently, when the alarm sounds the first course of action is to verify if the alarm is real.  If false, there are procedures at the fire panel to follow.  In the event of a fire inside a building, the first action would be to notify the Otero County Sheriff's Office (911) and ask for the Sunspot Fire Department to respond, unless the alarm company is doing this already.

There are numerous fire extinguishers placed throughout the facility; if you have been properly trained and the fire is small, an attempt may be made to extinguish the fire by discharging a single fire extinguisher.  Do not risk your life in trying to extinguish the fire; special training and equipment is required to successfully fight an established structure fire.

The on site fire fighting equipment is best held in reserve until the fire department arrives.  Evacuation of the buildings in question should be made as soon as possible.  If time permits, closing windows and doors will slow the advance of the fire.  Be aware there are chemicals and compressed gas cylinders that can fuel the fire and make fighting the fire extremely dangerous, even for the trained firefighter.  Permanent employees will be trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers, but are not expected to fight an established structure fire.

The current Emergency Action Plan is posted on the main bulletin board in the Operations Building and in Section 31 of this safety plan.

GROUND FIRE

If a grass or brush fire develops on the grounds notify the Otero County Sheriff's Office (911) and ask the Sunspot Fire Department to respond.  The fire pump and associated hydrants and hoses can be successfully used to fight a grass fire.  Proper training is required in operation and tactics; permanent employees will receive the required training.

The Sunspot VFD may situate a brush truck at times on APO grounds. This should only be used by SVFD personnel to fight fires.

The Emergency Action Plan is posted on the main bulletin goard in the Operations Building, and in Section 31.

FOREST FIRE

Upon notification of a forest fire in the area, personnel should evacuate the area at the direction of the Site Manger, USFS, or applicable law enforcement personnel.  If the fire fighters do not require the water stored on site, then it can be used to wet the area prior to leaving.  Before using, check with the U.S. Forest Service Fire Boss.  The U.S. Forest Service will determine evacuation routes.  There are only two roads leaving off the mountain, NM 6563 (the Sunspot Highway) leading north, and the Timberon road leading to the south.  The lower Timberon road often requires 4-wheel drive and high ground clearance; at times this road is impassible by car.

To report observed smoke or forest fire, contact the U.S. Forest Service (437-2286) or the Otero County Sheriff's Office (911).

A more detail description of action to be taken in the event of a forest fire is included at the end of this section.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

In the event of a medical emergency, contact the Otero County Sheriff's (911) and ask Sunspot EMS to respond.  Since some APO personnel may have First Aid training, contact the Site Operations Manager if on site.  He/She will maintain a list of persons with First Aid or more advanced training.

Verify the area is safe prior to approaching the victim.  If the area is not safe (i.e., live electrical wires or gas buildup), Do Not Enter.  If you can make the area safe, do so; if not, wait for the EMS personnel to arrive and inform them of the situation.  If the area is safe, return to the victim and comfort them until help arrives.  Permanent employees will have the basic knowledge to disable local power.

Sunspot EMS maintains an Automatic External Defibrilator at APO. Some employees are trained to utilize this device in concert with their CPR training. If CPR is needed ensure everyone on site is notified.

Figure 5 - Forest Fire Plan

Figure 6 - Emergency Egress Operations Building

Figure 7 - Emergency Egress Old Dormitory

Figure 8 - Emergency Egress Lower Dormitory