15 FAM 800
FIRE PROTECTION PROGRAM
15 fam 810
SCOPE, AUTHORITY, AND GENERAL POLICIES
(CT:OBO-87; 06-13-2019)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 FAM 811 SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY
15 FAM 811.1 Scope
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
This subchapter provides the fire protection regulations
that apply to U.S. Government real property abroad. Direct questions or
comments on these regulations to the Office of Fire Protection, in the
Directorate for Operations, in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations
(OBO/OPS/FIRE).
15 FAM 811.2 Authorities
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
Authorities are found under:
(1) Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (Public
Law 91-596), as amended, 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq.;
(2) Executive Order 12196, dated February 26, 1980, as
amended, Occupational Safety and Health Programs for Federal Employees;
(3) Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee
Occupational Safety and Health Programs (29 CFR 1960);
(4) Occupational Safety and Health Standards (29 CFR
1910 and 29 CFR 1926);
(5) National Fire Protection Association Codes and
Standards; and
(6) International Code Council Building Codes.
NOTE: Requests for clarification
on authorities found in subparagraphs (5) and (6) of this section should be
directed to OBO/OPS/FIRE.
15 FAM 812 FIRE PROTECTION POLICIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
15 FAM 812.1 Fire Emergency Action
Plan
(CT:OBO-87; 06-13-2019)
Post must complete 12 FAH-1 Annex B (Fire) of the
emergency action plan as directed in 12 FAH-1 H-030
for all occupied office buildings (see 15 FAM 830).
This plan will contain guidance for all personnel on appropriate actions during
a fire emergency. Post must conduct fire evacuation drills in accordance with 12 FAH-1 H-762, Post-Wide Drills. The frequency of drills is
determined by cumulative ratings in the two Security Environment Threat List
(SETL) categories: terrorism and political violence (see 12 FAH-6 H-012,
Threat Categories and Levels). During the drill, all personnel must evacuate
the facility. Post management must evaluate the plans effectiveness and
implement actions to improve performance whenever necessary.
15 FAM 812.2 Fire Inspections
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. The Office of Fire Protection, in the Directorate for
Operations, in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO/OPS/FIRE)
performs periodic fire and life safety inspections at post abroad. These
inspections will supplement post fire emergency plan and procedures by:
(1) Inspecting post buildings for fire safety
deficiencies, hazards, and maintenance items;
(2) Training post personnel on fire evacuation and
extinguishing practices;
(3) Reviewing post maintenance and inspection of fire
extinguishers, fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, and emergency
procedures; and
(4) Evaluating the adequacy of exits, the pathways to
exits, and appropriateness of locking devices during fire and life safety
inspections, and submitting recommendations to post management for corrective
action as necessary.
b. When OBO does not conduct a formal, annual
inspection and training visit, post must conduct a fire inspection survey using
the latest fire inspection report as a basis for the survey. Fire protection
systems (i.e., fire alarms, fire sprinkler systems, fire pumps, and installed
kitchen extinguishing systems), fire extinguishers, and egress accessibility
and reliability must be checked to ensure they operate and function as
installed. Management officers, USAID executive officers, general services
officers, facility managers, regional security officers, supporting engineering
service officers, and engineering service centers must work to correct
discrepancies on a priority basis. Any technical or operational
fire-protection issues must be directed to OBO/OPS/FIRE. The management
officer/counselor must certify that a fire/life safety inspection was conducted
and submit all results to OBO/OPS/FIRE not later than 1 year from the date of
the last OBO fire inspection visit.
15 FAM 812.3 Integrity of Fire
Protection Features
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. Buildings are provided with a number of features to
maintain a level of fire safety for occupants. Such features include, but are
not limited to exits, corridors, fire alarms, sprinklers, and other installed
systems. Department of State and Tenant Agency employees must not impair,
alter, disable, or remove any of these features without the consent of the post
occupational safety and health officer (POSHO). Personnel must notify post
management when any such feature is affected and put an alternative plan in
place.
b. All fire-protection systems (such as fire alarm and
automatic sprinklers) that are out of service more than 4 hours in a 24-hour
period must be reported to OBO/OPS/FIRE within 8 hours of the impairment. Post
is responsible for establishing fire watch procedures during the out-of-service
period. OBO/OPS/FIRE will assist post as needed to provide corrective action.
c. To ensure that adequate fire protection and life
safety requirements are met, the proponent of any new acquisition, new
construction project, reconfiguration or change of use of an existing building
or portion thereof must submit design plans in advance, to the Office of Design
and Engineering, in the Directorate for Program Development, Coordination, and
Support, in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO/PDCS/DE), and to
the Fire Protection Engineering Division, in the Office of Fire Protection, in
the Directorate for Operations, in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations
(OBO/OPS/FIRE/FPE), for review and approval.
15 FAM 812.4 Fire Protection
Equipment
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. OBO/OPS/FIRE will provide fire extinguishers for
U.S. Government-owned/capital lease (GO/CL) and Department of State occupied
nonresidential space upon request. OBO/OPS/FIRE will assist in procuring, but
not funding, this equipment for other agencies that do not occupy Department of
State offices. Post will be responsible for annual inventory, maintenance, and
repair of fire safety equipment. Post must request the recommended fire safety
equipment from OBO/OPS/FIRE and install it in appropriate locations. (See
guidelines in 15
FAM 840 and in 15
FAM Exhibit 842, Fire Extinguisher Type and Placement.) OBO/OPS/FIRE will
provide smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and other equipment for use in all
residences identified in the Real Property Application (RPA), regardless of the
agency that occupies the residence. Post will be responsible for maintenance
and repair of fire-safety equipment.
b. Post must track all OBO-supplied fire extinguishers
on approved property records systems in accordance with 14 FAM 414, and
inventory as required. Post must account for all stock residential smoke
alarms, replacement cartridges, and extinguishing powder under the stock
control or the expendable supplies requirements consistent with 14 FAM 411.
Post must validate current inventory with OBO/OPS/FIRE when requesting
extinguishers and smoke alarms.
15 FAM 812.5 Acquiring High Rise
Property
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. Functional or residential space in high rise
buildings is defined as buildings with an occupied floor located more than 75
feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access. In most cases,
that means partial or fully-occupied space of the sixth floor and higher.
b. Occupying floors above 75 feet presents an increased
risk of injury or death due to the time it takes to evacuate the facility from
the higher floors. For this reason, U.S. building and fire codes mandate
prescriptive measures for these buildings to ensure that occupants can safely
evacuate the premises in the event of a fire. However, OBO/OPS/FIRE recognizes
it is difficult to locate high-rise properties at some overseas missions that
meet U.S. building and fire code standards.
c. Posts must use the minimum level of equivalency
matrix listed below in evaluating the risks and feasibility when acquiring
spaces or residences in high-rise properties that are not code-compliant.
Using the matrix may mean the search is more difficult, longer, and perhaps
more expensive, but protecting employees and their families must be posts
first priority. Minimum level of equivalency matrix:
(1) One exit stair with no fire alarm system and/or no
fire sprinkler protection: do not lease the apartment;
(2) One exit stair with a full automatic fire alarm
system and no fire sprinkler protection: lease the third floor or below;
(3) One exit stair with a full automatic fire alarm
system and full-fire sprinkler protection, and more than two apartments per
floor: only lease the fourth floor or below;
(4) Two exit stairs with a full automatic fire alarm
system and no fire sprinkler protection: only lease the fifth floor or below;
(5) One exit stair with a full automatic fire alarm
system, and full-fire sprinkler protection, and only two apartments per floor:
only lease the sixth floor or below; and
(6) Two exit stairs with a full automatic fire alarm
system and full automatic fire sprinkler protection: lease any floor.
d. For residential property already under lease not
meeting the requirements set forth in 15 FAM 812.5,
paragraph c, the leases should be terminated when the current occupant departs
post or when the lease expires, whichever is earlier.
e. After due diligence has been performed in the search
for compliant property and post genuinely cannot find properties that meet
minimal equivalency standards listed above, the chief of mission (COM) and/or
the deputy chief of mission (DCM) may make an informed decision to lease a
property notwithstanding the fact that it does not meet the standards listed
above. Post must coordinate their decision with OBOs Fire Protection Analysis
Division (OBO/OPS/FIRE/FPA), which will provide post with unit or property
specific mitigation measures and assistance in appropriate documentation of the
lease file.
f. NOTE: Non-high-rise
properties/apartments and single family residences are inspected to the
requirements of the National Fire Protection Associations Life Safety Code and
have separate requirements than high-rise properties.
15 FAM 812.6 Fire Stations and Fire
Fighting Operations
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. Firefighting is an inherently hazardous activity
that involves the risk of injury or death. Posts are expected to rely on the
host nations firefighting capability.
b. Fire stations at any post will only be authorized on
an exceptional basis, as determined by the Director of OBO in consultation with
the Under Secretary for Management and the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic
Security. All such determinations will be made on a case by case basis. The
regional bureau must provide all funding for ongoing operations, including
salaries and equipment maintenance and replacement, for the life of the fire
station. The lack of or inadequacy of local firefighting capability is not by
itself sufficient justification for a fire station.
c. Posts may not acquire firefighting equipment or
establish ad hoc firefighting vehicles, fire stations, or fire brigades
utilizing local staff. Posts that have approved fire stations may use only
equipment that has been inspected and certified by OBO/OPS/FIRE and meets
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
d. For posts with approved contract fire stations,
OBO/OPS/FIRE will not serve as COR for, or otherwise administer, the contracts
for such fire stations but will provide input into the standards and
requirements that shall be incorporated in any contract for firefighting
services.
e. OBOs Office of Fire Protection (OBO/OPS/FIRE)
inspects posts regularly and posts are expected to comply expeditiously with
the OBO/OPS/FIRE recommendations.
15 FAM 813 fire protection PERSONNEL
CERTIFICATIONS
15 FAM 813.1 Fire Protection
Specialist Certifications
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. Personnel assigned to OBOs Fire Protection Analysis
Division (OBO/OPS/FIRE/FPA) must hold professional
qualifications/certifications by an accredited agency in the National
Professional Qualifications System or by the National Fire Protection
Association.
b. Certifications at the GS-13 level are Fire Inspector
III; Fire Instructor II; Fire Officer II; and Hazardous Materials Awareness.
c. Certifications at the GS-14 level are Fire
Inspector III; Fire Instructor III; Fire Officer III; and Hazardous Material
Awareness.
15 FAM 813.2 Fire Protection Systems
Technician Certifications
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
a. Personnel assigned as systems technicians in OBOs
Fire Protection Systems Division (OBO/OPS/FIRE/FPS) must hold professional
qualifications/certifications as listed below.
b. Fire Suppression Technician: Certification as a
Fire Suppression Systems Technologist Level II through the National Institute
for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), and also be a Certified
Federal Acquisition Contracting Officer's Representative (FAC/COR) Level II.
c. Fire Detection/Alarm Technician: Certification as
a Fire Detection/Alarm Technologist Level II through the National Institute for
Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), or as an Interior Fire Alarm
Technician Level II through the International Municipal Signaling Association
(IMSA); and also be a Certified Federal Acquisition Contracting Officer's
Representative (FAC/COR) Level II.
15 FAM 813.3 Fire Protection
Engineer Certifications
(CT:OBO-76; 09-18-2018)
Personnel assigned as fire protection engineers in OBOs
Fire Protection Engineering Division (OBO/OPS/FIRE/FPE) must hold a fire
protection engineering degree from a university accredited by the Accreditation
Board for Engineering and Technology, or hold a U.S. State license as a
professional fire protection engineer.
15 fam 814 through 819 unassigned