Overview
The garage will operate as a fabrication bay downstairs with diesel heaters, compressor, lift, and battery chargers, plus a loft workshop/office upstairs (20-Design/Interior/Air and Battery Tool Strategy.md, 20-Design/Interior/Temporary Heating (Winter 2025-26).md). To keep every zone within the NFPA 10 recommendation of ≤50 ft travel distance to an extinguisher, mount the units listed below once framing is ready.
Procurement Status
| Location | Type | Status | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| FE-1: Mechanical Room Door | 10 lb ABC | Ordered (2026-03-08) | [[30-Vendors & Contacts/Orders/2026-03-08 - WebstaurantStore - Fire Extinguishers|Order #122780704]] |
| FE-2: East Workbench & Welding | 10 lb ABC | Ordered (2026-03-08) | [[30-Vendors & Contacts/Orders/2026-03-08 - WebstaurantStore - Fire Extinguishers|Order #122780704]] |
| FE-3: Diesel Heater Window | 10 lb ABC | Not ordered | — |
| FE-4: South Door Entry | 10 lb ABC | Not ordered | — |
| FE-5: Lift Bay / Center Column | 10 lb ABC | Not ordered | — |
| FE-6: West Bay / Overhead Door | 10 lb ABC | Not ordered | — |
| FE-L1: Stair Landing | 5.5 lb compact | Not ordered | — |
| FE-L2: Loft Workbench | 10 lb ABC | Not ordered | — |
| LB-1: Main Floor Battery Station | AVD Lith-Ex | Not ordered | — |
| LB-2: Loft Battery Station | AVD Lith-Ex | Not ordered | — |
| FB-1: Welding Area | Fire Blanket | Not ordered | — |
| FB-2: Diesel Heater Area | Fire Blanket | Not ordered | — |
Extinguisher Types
Primary ABC Extinguishers
- 10 lb ABC (4A:80BC) dry-chemical extinguishers—covers wood, plastics, flammable liquids, and energized equipment typical for automotive work.
- Placement: Main floor (4 units), loft (2 units) ensuring ≤50 ft travel distance from any point.
Specialized Extinguishers (Required)
Lithium-Ion Battery Extinguishers (Critical)
- Type: AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion) technology specifically designed for lithium-ion battery fires.
- Why Required: Standard ABC extinguishers are ineffective against lithium battery thermal runaway. ABC/CO₂ extinguishers can suppress flames temporarily but fail to provide the necessary cooling, leading to re-ignition. Li-ion fires require specialized cooling agents.
- Locations:
- East workbench battery charging station (multiple tool platforms: Milwaukee, DeWalt, etc.)
- Loft charging station near workbench/desk area
- Note: Battery charging stations operate on dedicated 20A circuits with high fire risk during charging cycles. Thermal runaway events can escalate rapidly without proper suppression.
Fire Blankets (Multi-Purpose)
- Material: 40”×40” fiberglass fire blankets (rated to 1000°F+)
- Uses: Lithium battery fires (supplement to AVD extinguisher), small fuel fires, clothing fires, welding spark containment, wrapping hot metal parts.
- Locations:
- Welding/plasma cutting area (primary - required for hot work safety)
- East workbench battery charging station (backup to AVD extinguisher)
- Near diesel heater window insert (fuel fire containment)
Optional Add-Ons (Future Expansion)
- Class D (sodium chloride or copper) near a future magnesium grinding or sodium-filled component station if the metalworking scope expands.
- Class K can be added later if the loft kitchen/kitchenette installs a cooktop or fryer.
- 20 lb ABC upgrade for lift bay if working extensively on vehicles or EVs.
Mounting Hardware
- ABC Extinguishers: Metal hooks with photoluminescent “FIRE EXTINGUISHER” placards; handle height 42–48 in so units stay visible behind staged materials.
- AVD Extinguishers: Wall-mount brackets included with units; install at 42–48 in handle height near charging stations.
- Fire Blankets: Wall-mounted quick-release cases; install at eye level (60–66 in) for immediate access.
Product Recommendations
Required Equipment
| Use Case | Model & Link | Notes | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary 10 lb ABC | Amerex B456, 10 lb 4A:80BC | Metal valve, UL rating exceeds minimum, ships with wall bracket. ~$94 with free shipping. | Required (6 units) |
| Compact 5.5 lb ABC | Kidde Pro 340 3A:40BC | Lighter unit for loft stair landing; rechargeable aluminum construction. | Required (1 unit) |
| Lithium Battery Extinguisher | AVD Lith-Ex 2L | AVD technology for Li-ion battery fires. Essential for charging stations. ~$150-200 each. | CRITICAL (2 units) |
| Fire Blanket | 40”×40” fiberglass (1000°F+) | Welding area, battery stations, heater area. ~$20-40 each. | Required (3 units) |
| Smoke/CO Combo Alarms | Interconnected hardwired units | Main floor, loft, mechanical room. First Alert or Kidde preferred. ~$35-50 each. | Required (3 units) |
Optional/Future Equipment
| Use Case | Model & Link | Notes | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class D (optional) | Amerex B570 Sodium Chloride Class D | 30 lb; rated for magnesium, sodium, potassium fires. ~$849. | Optional |
| Class K (future kitchenette) | Badger Extra 25064 6L Wet Chem | Wall-mounted wet-chemical for cooking oils. ~$288. | Future |
| Heavy-Duty ABC (vehicle fires) | Amerex B456 20 lb or similar | Larger capacity for vehicle fires if working on EVs. ~$150-180. | Optional |
| Emergency Escape Ladder | 2-story portable ladder | Loft emergency egress if fire blocks stairs. ~$50-100. | Recommended |
Total Initial Investment: ~$1,100-1,400 for all required equipment (6× ABC, 1× compact ABC, 2× lithium, 3× blankets, 3× alarms)
Main Floor Locations
ABC Extinguishers (10 lb, 4A:80BC)
-
FE-1: Compressor / Mechanical Room Door — Covers the electrical panel, boiler, and compressor cluster where electrical and gas-fed fires could start (
50-Build/Mechanical Room.md). Also protects fuel storage area if diesel containers stored in mechanical room. -
FE-2: East Workbench & Welding Area — Dual purpose: serves battery chargers, cord reels, and finishing tasks; also serves as welding/plasma cutting fire safety station (OSHA requires 2A:20BC minimum within 35 ft of hot work; this 4A:80BC unit exceeds requirement). Mount on stud bay endcap closest to workbench, ensuring visibility from welding station and 50A welder/plasma outlet.
-
FE-3: Diesel Heater Window Insert — Place on same wall but at least 10 ft from heaters so you can intervene without entering the exhaust plume (
20-Design/Interior/Temporary Heating (Winter 2025-26).md). Protects diesel fuel storage area (5-gallon containers used for heater operation at 0.2-0.3 L/hr consumption rate). -
FE-4: Primary Personnel Entry / South Door — Ensures anyone entering or exiting has immediate access and covers the lift aisle when vehicles block other stations. Critical for evacuation scenarios.
-
FE-5: Lift Bay / Center Column — Covers vehicle work area where flammable fluids (gasoline, oil, brake fluid) and electrical loads mix. Post-mounted at rear column for accessibility during lift operations.
-
FE-6: West Bay / Overhead Door — Covers Bay 1 work area and provides coverage for west perimeter outlets and air system drops.
Specialized Equipment Locations
Lithium Battery Fire Stations (AVD Extinguisher + Fire Blanket)
- LB-1: East Workbench Battery Charging Station — Wall-mounted AVD Lith-Ex 2L extinguisher + 40”×40” fire blanket at dedicated 20A charging circuit serving multiple tool platforms (Milwaukee, DeWalt, etc.). Clearly marked “LITHIUM BATTERY FIRE STATION” with usage instructions posted.
Fire Blanket Stations (Additional)
-
FB-1: Welding/Plasma Cutting Area — 40”×40” fiberglass blanket at east workbench near 50A NEMA 6-50 welder outlet. Required for hot work fire safety and spark containment. Post fire watch procedures here (30-minute post-work monitoring required).
-
FB-2: Diesel Heater Area — 40”×40” fiberglass blanket near window insert for fuel fire containment. Secondary protection for diesel heater combustion emergencies.
Fuel Storage Area
- Diesel Fuel Storage — 5-gallon approved containers for diesel heater operation. Store in mechanical room or designated area with ABC extinguisher (FE-1 or FE-3) within 10 ft. Keep away from ignition sources. Use only UL/FM approved fuel containers with proper labeling.
Result: Any point on the 24’×40’ slab is ≤50 ft from an ABC extinguisher. Specialized hazards (lithium batteries, welding, fuel storage) have dedicated suppression equipment exceeding code minimums.
Loft / Second Floor Locations
ABC Extinguishers
-
FE-L1: Top of Stair Landing — Compact 5.5 lb Kidde Pro 340 (3A:40BC) serves as the “grab and go” extinguisher while maintaining the exit path. Lighter weight for quick deployment. Critical for evacuation scenarios.
-
FE-L2: Opposite End Workbench / Desk Area — 10 lb ABC extinguisher protects office equipment, server/network gear, or light fabrication planned for the loft. Covers electrical fires from computer equipment and workshop tools.
Specialized Equipment
Lithium Battery Fire Station
- LB-2: Loft Charging Station — Wall-mounted AVD Lith-Ex 2L extinguisher + 40”×40” fire blanket near workbench/desk area where battery tool charging occurs. Mark clearly with “LITHIUM BATTERY FIRE STATION” signage.
Future Additions
- (Future) Add Class K extinguisher next to any kitchenette or break area if cooking appliances are installed.
- Emergency Egress: Consider emergency escape ladder near loft window for secondary egress if fire blocks stairway. Single-stair configuration poses evacuation risk in fire scenarios.
Smoke, Heat, and CO Detection System
Detector type by zone — vehicle exhaust, brake/concrete dust, MIG/grinding smoke, and diesel heater operation will defeat any smoke or CO sensor placed in the car bay. Heat detectors are the correct primary detector for the main floor; smoke detectors belong in the finished/clean spaces; CO detectors belong inside the dwelling on the house side of the connecting door (per IRC R315), not in the garage where vehicles run.
Required Locations (Interconnected, Hardwired with Battery Backup):
-
Main Floor (car bay / lift) — Ceiling-mounted heat detector, 135°F fixed-temperature with rate-of-rise. No smoke sensor, no CO sensor. Position centrally; tolerates exhaust and dust without false-alarming.
-
Workshop / Bench Area (main floor) — Heat detector if continuous with the car bay; if separated by a wall and kept clean, a photoelectric smoke detector is acceptable. Avoid ionization-type smokes anywhere on the main floor.
-
Loft / Second Floor — Photoelectric smoke alarm at ceiling near stair landing. Critical for early warning if fire blocks escape route.
-
Mechanical Room — Photoelectric smoke + CO combo near boiler and electrical panel. CO is appropriate here (gas-fired boiler) and unlikely to false-alarm in a sealed mechanical space.
-
House-side door from garage (inside dwelling) — Smoke + CO combo on the house side of the connecting door. Catches CO migrating from the garage without being defeated by normal vehicle operation, and satisfies IRC R315 placement near the attached-garage interface. (Coordinate with whole-house smoke/CO plan; this may already exist.)
Interconnection architecture — two local chains bridged by Home Assistant, NOT one physical chain across both buildings. This is a deliberate change from the earlier “single interconnect chain spanning house + garage” plan. The garage runs its own self-contained hardwired interconnect chain; the house keeps its own (likely already installed). The two are not joined by a physical 3-wire interconnect run through the spare inter-building conduits. Home Assistant bridges them instead.
Why bridge in software rather than wire the two chains together:
- No 120V interconnect run between buildings. Pulling a line-voltage 14/3 interconnect through the spare conduits is avoided entirely — the conduits stay free for low-voltage/data, and there’s no code complication from running 120V detector interconnect between separate structures.
- A detached-garage alarm is inaudible in the house anyway. Even a hardwired cross-building chain wouldn’t reliably wake someone in the house for a garage event — the HA push/announcement is the real cross-building notification path, so build it as the primary bridge.
- House vs. garage differentiation enables the right response. HA can tell a garage alert from a house alert. A small garage fire (smaller than a trash can) becomes an instant phone alert → grab the extinguisher and respond, per the Fight vs. Evacuate criteria below. A house alert is evacuate-and-call-911. Merging both onto one indistinguishable chain throws away that decision-critical signal.
How the bridge works — the garage side must report over the network, not RF. The garage is detached (~60 ft, single Cat6 + UniFi AP), so a Z-Wave listener in the garage would be out of range of the house Z-Wave controller. The garage side therefore bridges over IP:
- Garage chain → IP: a BRK RM4 relay module wired into the garage interconnect chain closes a dry contact on any alarm; a Shelly Plus i4 reads that contact and reports to HA over the garage Cat6/WiFi (matches the existing Shelly + HA ecosystem). This is the local-first, in-range path for a detached building.
- House chain → Z-Wave: an Ecolink Firefighter Z-Wave audio listener mounted within 6” of any house detector hears the temporal-3 (smoke) / temporal-4 (CO) cadence and reports via Z-Wave JS — the house chain is within the controller’s range, so no wiring into the chain is needed there.
Either way HA ends up with separate garage and house alarm sensors, then pushes a notification with location, announces the zone over speakers, flashes lights, logs the event, and can drive a dedicated bedroom chime/siren for night-time garage alerts. Full bridge design, entities, and automations live in the homelab project (Garage → Fire & Life Safety Alerting).
Local life-safety must not depend on Home Assistant
Within each building, the hardwired chain self-interconnects and sounds every unit even if HA, Z-Wave, or the network is down — that is the code-compliant primary alarm. The HA/Z-Wave layer is supplemental notification only (cross-building alerting + zone differentiation). Put the HA host and Z-Wave controller on UPS so the garage→house bridge survives a power blip. The HA automation logic (entities, notification routing, zone announcements) lives in the homelab project, not here — this doc covers only the physical detectors and the bridge hardware.
Brand-lock constraint (applies within each chain): The 3-wire interconnect signal is proprietary per manufacturer. First Alert/BRK and Kidde do not interoperate. Pick one brand for the garage chain (smokes, heats, and combos must all be the same family); the house chain can be a different brand since the two are no longer physically joined. Switching brands later means replacing every detector on that chain.
Product Recommendation (First Alert/BRK family — pick one ecosystem and stay there). Home Depot is the best single vendor for the three detectors: it carries all three as singles at the lowest verified prices, with in-store pickup. Amazon is not a good single-vendor choice here — the 7010B photoelectric smoke is only listed as a price-gouged 3-pack (~$391) with no clean single, even though Amazon’s heat and combo prices are fine. (Prices verified 2026-06-29; Home Depot 7010B/SC7010BV prices shown are typical-shelf and should be confirmed at checkout.)
| Application | Model | Home Depot (recommended single vendor) | Price | Other vendors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat detector (car bay, workshop, mechanical room) — 135°F fixed + 15°F/min ROR, hardwired 120V w/ 9V backup | First Alert HD6135FB | Home Depot — First Alert heat detectors | $19.93 (HD) | Amazon B000Q6LXW2 $29.79 · Lowe’s · firstalertstore |
| Photoelectric smoke (loft, finished/clean spaces) — hardwired 120V w/ battery backup | First Alert 7010B | Home Depot #202433874 | ~$20 (HD) | Amazon = gouged 3-pack ~$391, avoid · Lowe’s · firstalert.com |
| Smoke + CO combo with voice/location announcement (mechanical room, house-side door, loft option) | First Alert SC7010BV | Home Depot #202664318 | ~$50 (HD) | Amazon B0CLVRSC1Q $49.51 · Lowe’s |
All three First Alert hardwired models interconnect on the same 14/3 NM-B chain — up to 12 smoke alarms plus 6 auxiliary devices (horns, repeaters, relay modules) per chain.
Manuals (on file): HD6135FB heat (spec sheet) · 7010B smoke · SC7010BV smoke+CO voice. See Equipment Manuals. Bridge-hardware manuals (RM4 relay, Shelly i4, Ecolink) are filed in the homelab project.
Bridge hardware (separate purchase — see the homelab project for the full design). These are not part of the detector chain order and aren’t sold by the detector vendors:
| Role | Model | Price | Vendor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garage chain → dry contact | BRK RM4 relay module | ~$28 | Amazon | Closes a contact on any chain alarm; the sanctioned way to tap the interconnect |
| Reads contact → HA over IP | Shelly Plus i4 (AC) | ~$19 | shelly.com / Amazon | 4 inputs; reports over garage Cat6/WiFi — needed because Z-Wave can’t reach the detached garage |
| House chain → HA (Z-Wave) | Ecolink Firefighter FF-ZWAVE5-ECO | ~$45-55 | Amazon | House side only, where the Z-Wave mesh reaches |
Zone identification (which area is alarming?) — A bare interconnect chain tells you something is on fire but not where. Granularity options, from coarsest to finest:
- Building-level (the baseline here) — one listener per chain (Shelly i4 + RM4 on the garage chain, Ecolink Firefighter on the house chain) gives HA a clean house vs. garage distinction. This is exactly the differentiation needed for the fight-vs-evacuate decision and is the recommended minimum.
- Voice-announcing combos (built into SC7010BV) — the SC7010BV speaks both the threat (“smoke” vs “carbon monoxide”) AND the location, with up to 11 pre-programmable locations shared across the chain — useful as a local spoken cue at the detector itself, independent of HA.
- Per-room within the garage — the single garage chain + one listener can only report “somewhere in the garage.” To distinguish bay vs. loft vs. mechanical room in HA, you’d need either per-detector smart sensors (see Zigbee alternative below) or a second listener on a separately-wired sub-zone. Probably unnecessary — for a one-building garage, “garage is alarming” is enough to act on.
- Monitored fire panel (Honeywell Vista, DSC) — true addressable zoning with optional 24/7 monitoring. Most capable, most expensive; overkill for residential.
Recommended approach: Hardwired First Alert chain in the garage — HD6135FB heat detectors in the bay/workshop, 7010B photoelectric smokes in the loft, SC7010BV smoke+CO combos in the mechanical room (and at the house-side door if the connecting door is in scope). Buy all three from Home Depot (cheapest verified, single vendor). Bridge the garage chain to HA over the network with an RM4 relay module + Shelly Plus i4 (Z-Wave can’t reach the detached garage); bridge the existing house chain with an Ecolink Firefighter. HA owns all cross-building alerting, zone differentiation, and phone/speaker notification — no physical interconnect wire runs between the two structures. Bridge wiring, HA entities, and automations are documented in the homelab project.
Loft option — skip the 7010B, use SC7010BV everywhere: if you’d rather order just two SKUs, use SC7010BV combos in the loft too. It adds CO coverage (harmless, arguably a plus above a garage) and built-in voice/location for ~$30 more per loft unit — and it makes Amazon a viable single vendor (HD6135FB + SC7010BV are both cleanly stocked there), since the 7010B is the only item Amazon gouges.
All-Zigbee/Z-Wave smart-detector alternative (considered, not chosen as primary): Instead of a hardwired chain + listener, the whole system could be battery smart detectors that each report individually to HA, giving per-detector zone granularity. Researched June 2026:
| Ecosystem | Detection types | HA support | Self-interconnect (chain) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heiman (Zigbee + new Matter CO) | smoke, CO, heat/temperature | Works with Home Assistant (Feb 2026); HS1SA-E exposes an “interconnectable” feature via Zigbee2MQTT | Software-only (HA automation triggers the others) | Best smart-detector HA fit; full sensor lineup |
| Frient / Develco (Zigbee 3.0) | smoke (w/ temp), heat | Works with Home Assistant (Sep 2025) | No HA interlinking — physical cross-unit interconnect not yet working in HA (works in Homey) | Rule out for life-safety interconnect |
| First Alert ZCOMBO (Z-Wave) | smoke + CO combo only | Yes, via Z-Wave JS | None; no heat model in line | Incomplete — no heat detector for the bay |
Why the hardwired-chain + listener approach wins over all-smart: a smart-detector system’s interconnect is software — if HA, Zigbee, or power is down, one tripped unit does not sound the others. That fails the basic life-safety requirement. The hardwired chain self-interconnects in hardware and is code-compliant on its own, with HA layered on top purely for cross-building notification and zone ID. Smart detectors would only make sense if per-room-in-garage granularity were a hard requirement, and even then a hardwired chain should remain the primary alarm.
Testing Schedule:
- Monthly: Test each unit using test button; verify interconnection works (all alarms on a chain sound together). Separately confirm the HA bridge fires — a garage test should produce the “garage” alert in HA and a phone notification; a house test should produce the “house” alert.
- Annually: Replace backup batteries (if not sealed lithium); vacuum sensor chambers; test heat detectors with hair dryer at safe distance to confirm rate-of-rise activation.
- 10-year replacement: Replace entire units per manufacturer end-of-life.
Integration: Alarm locations documented in content/Manuals/Main Floor Safety Manual.md and referenced on visitor safety briefing sign. HA dashboard shows per-zone status if smart-layer added.
Emergency Response Procedures
When to Fight vs. Evacuate
Use Extinguisher If:
- Fire is smaller than a trash can
- You have the correct extinguisher type for the fire
- Fire is not between you and the exit
- You have been trained on extinguisher use
- You feel safe and confident
Evacuate Immediately If:
- Fire is larger than a trash can or spreading rapidly
- Fire blocks your exit path
- Smoke makes breathing difficult
- You are unsure how to use extinguisher
- Extinguisher is empty or wrong type (e.g., ABC used on lithium battery fire)
- Building alarms are sounding
NEVER fight a fire alone. Always have someone call 911 first, even if you plan to use an extinguisher.
Emergency Contacts
Primary Emergency: 911 (Fire/EMS)
Secondary Contacts:
- Property owner/manager: [Add contact info]
- Licensed electrician: [Add contact from vendor list]
- Licensed gas fitter: [Add contact from vendor list]
- Neighbors (for mutual aid): [Add contacts]
Post these numbers:
- At each exit door
- Near fire extinguisher stations
- In mechanical room
- In loft office area
Evacuation Routes
Main Floor:
- Primary Exit: South personnel door (FE-4 location)
- Secondary Exit: Overhead doors (Bay 1, Bay 2, Bay 3 - any available)
- Tertiary Exit: Any window if doors blocked
Loft:
- Primary Exit: Stairs to main floor, then personnel door
- Secondary Exit: Loft window with emergency escape ladder (if installed)
- WARNING: Single stair configuration means fire blocking stairs eliminates primary egress
Meeting Point: [Designate outdoor location minimum 50 ft from building, e.g., “mailbox at street” or “driveway entrance”]
Accountability: Ensure all persons exit building. DO NOT re-enter for any reason until fire department declares all-clear.
Fire-Specific Procedures
Lithium Battery Fire
-
If fire is in early stage (smoking, swelling):
- Evacuate area immediately
- Call 911
- Use AVD extinguisher if trained and fire is small
- DO NOT use ABC/CO₂ extinguisher (ineffective and may worsen)
- If extinguisher fails, use fire blanket to contain and prevent spread
-
If battery in thermal runaway (flames, intense heat):
- Evacuate building immediately
- Call 911; inform dispatcher “lithium battery fire”
- Do not attempt to fight; let fire department handle
- Battery may re-ignite multiple times; maintain evacuation until professional all-clear
-
Prevention:
- Never charge damaged or swollen batteries
- Use only manufacturer-approved chargers
- Charge in ventilated area with fire suppression nearby
- Store batteries away from heat sources and flammables
- Monitor charging batteries; don’t leave unattended overnight
Welding/Hot Work Fire
- Fire Watch: Always maintain 30-minute fire watch after welding/cutting operations cease
- Fire during welding:
- Stop work immediately
- Use fire blanket for small sparks/smoldering
- Use ABC extinguisher (FE-2) for open flame
- Evacuate if fire spreads beyond immediate control
- Prevention:
- Clear 35-ft radius of combustibles before hot work
- Cover floor drains to prevent sparks entering
- Keep fire blanket and extinguisher within arm’s reach
- Have spotter watch for sparks traveling to hidden spaces
Fuel/Diesel Fire
- Use ABC extinguisher (effective on Class B flammable liquids)
- Aim at base of flames, sweep side to side
- If fuel source cannot be shut off, evacuate and call 911
- Never use water on fuel fires
- Fire blanket effective for small spills if fire not established
Vehicle Fire
- If engine compartment fire: DO NOT open hood fully (oxygen influx accelerates fire)
- Use ABC extinguisher through hood gap or from underneath
- Evacuate if fire reaches fuel tank or spreads beyond engine bay
- If EV fire: Evacuate immediately, call 911, inform dispatcher “electric vehicle fire”
Electrical Fire
- De-energize circuit at panel if safe to do so
- Use ABC extinguisher (rated for Class C electrical fires)
- If panel fire or cannot safely de-energize: evacuate and call 911
- Never use water on electrical fires
Training and Education
Required Training for Regular Users
Initial Training (before using facility):
- Fire extinguisher types and applications
- PASS method demonstration and practice
- Lithium battery fire recognition and AVD extinguisher use
- Fire blanket deployment techniques
- Evacuation routes and meeting point
- Emergency contact procedures
- Fight vs. flee decision criteria
Annual Refresher:
- Review PASS method with hands-on practice
- Review new hazards or equipment changes
- Practice fire drill (timed evacuation)
- Inspect all fire safety equipment together
- Update emergency contact list
Specialized Training:
- Welding/hot work: Fire watch procedures, 35-ft clearance, fire blanket use
- Battery charging: Thermal runaway recognition, AVD extinguisher use
- Generator operation: Exhaust management, CO awareness, fuel safety
PASS Method (Posted at Every Extinguisher)
Fire Extinguisher Use - PASS Method:
P - PULL the pin at the top of the extinguisher
A - AIM the nozzle at the base of the flames (not at the flames themselves)
S - SQUEEZE the handles together to discharge
S - SWEEP from side to side at the base of the fire
After Use:
- Evacuate if fire not fully extinguished
- Recharge extinguisher immediately (even partial use)
- Call professional fire extinguisher service for inspection
Lithium Battery Fire Station Signage
Post at LB-1 and LB-2 locations:
⚠️ LITHIUM BATTERY FIRE STATION ⚠️
LITHIUM BATTERY FIRE PROCEDURE:
1. EVACUATE AREA - thermal runaway spreads rapidly
2. CALL 911 - inform dispatcher "lithium battery fire"
3. IF SAFE AND TRAINED:
- Use AVD extinguisher (this location)
- DO NOT use ABC extinguisher (ineffective)
- Use fire blanket if extinguisher fails
4. DO NOT RE-ENTER - batteries may re-ignite
5. Ventilate area after fire (toxic fumes)
PREVENTION:
- Never charge damaged/swollen batteries
- Use manufacturer-approved chargers only
- Monitor charging - don't leave unattended
- Store away from heat and flammables
Emergency: 911
Welding Fire Watch Procedures (Post at FB-1)
🔥 HOT WORK FIRE SAFETY 🔥
BEFORE WELDING/CUTTING:
□ Clear 35-ft radius of combustibles
□ Cover floor drains
□ Position fire blanket and FE-2 extinguisher within reach
□ Assign fire watch if working alone not possible
DURING WORK:
□ Monitor for sparks traveling to hidden spaces
□ Keep extinguisher accessible (not blocked)
□ Watch for smoldering materials
AFTER WORK (CRITICAL):
□ MANDATORY 30-MINUTE FIRE WATCH
□ Check all areas where sparks traveled
□ Monitor for smoldering materials
□ Do not leave building until fire watch complete
Fire extinguisher: PASS method (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
Inspection & Signage
Monthly Inspection Checklist
ABC and Lithium Extinguishers:
- Pressure gauge in green zone (rechargeable units)
- Pin and tamper seal intact
- No visible damage to hose, nozzle, or cylinder
- Inspection tag current (professional annual service)
- Mounting bracket secure; photoluminescent sign visible
- 36” clearance in front of extinguisher maintained
- Location ID label visible (FE-1, FE-2, LB-1, etc.)
Fire Blankets:
- Quick-release case undamaged; blanket accessible
- Usage instructions posted and legible
- Blanket not deployed or contaminated
- Mounting height 60–66” (eye level)
Smoke/CO Alarms:
- Test button pressed; all interconnected units sound
- No chirping (low battery warning)
- Sensor clean (vacuum if dusty)
- Manufacture date visible; replace at 10 years
Signage:
- PASS method posted at each ABC extinguisher
- Lithium battery procedures posted at LB-1, LB-2
- Welding fire watch procedures posted at FB-1
- Emergency contact numbers posted at exits
Documentation:
- Log all inspections in safety binder (stored in mechanical room)
- Note any deficiencies and corrective actions
- Track extinguisher recharge/replacement dates
- Maintain training records for all users
Annual Professional Inspection
- Licensed fire extinguisher service inspects, tests, and tags all ABC and AVD extinguishers
- Hydrotest ABC units per NFPA 10 schedule (typically 6-12 years)
- Replace smoke/CO alarm backup batteries
- Review fire safety plan for changes (new equipment, layout changes, personnel changes)
- Update emergency contact list
- Conduct fire drill with all regular users
Location Labeling System
- FE-[#]: ABC fire extinguisher, main floor (FE-1 through FE-6)
- FE-L[#]: ABC fire extinguisher, loft (FE-L1, FE-L2)
- LB-[#]: Lithium battery fire station (LB-1, LB-2)
- FB-[#]: Fire blanket station (FB-1, FB-2)
Each location marked with:
- Photoluminescent “FIRE EXTINGUISHER” sign (visible in dark/smoke)
- Location ID tag on bracket (e.g., “FE-1: Mechanical Room”)
- PASS method instruction card
- Inspection tag with last service date
Integration with Other Safety Systems
- Extinguisher locations included on visitor safety briefing (
content/Manuals/Main Floor Visitor Safety Sign.md) - Full procedures documented in main safety manual (
content/Manuals/Main Floor Safety Manual.md) - Emergency contacts synchronized with generator operation procedures (
20-Design/Interior/Backup Generator Plan.md) - Fire safety equipment noted in construction phase heating plan (
20-Design/Interior/Temporary Heating (Winter 2025-26).md) - Electrical fire risks cross-referenced with electrical planning (
20-Design/Interior/Electrical Planning.md)
Visitor and Contractor Briefing
Before allowing access, brief all visitors/contractors on:
- Location of nearest fire extinguisher and exit
- Fire alarm sound (if installed)
- Evacuation route and meeting point
- No smoking policy (especially near diesel heaters and fuel storage)
- Report any fire safety concerns immediately
- Do not block extinguishers or exits with equipment/materials
For contractors performing hot work:
- Review welding fire watch procedures
- Verify fire extinguisher and blanket accessible
- Obtain hot work permit if required by insurance
- Coordinate with property owner before starting work
- Provide own fire watch if working alone