Pursuant to the provisions of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC), you are hereby directed to complete and submit for approval a Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan for your occupancy or building. The contents of the plan shall be in accordance with the VSFPC as specified below.
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1.
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Emergency egress or escape routes and whether evacuation of the building is to be complete or, where approved, by selected floors or areas only. |
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2.
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Procedures for employees who must remain to operate critical equipment before evacuating. |
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3.
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A procedure for accounting for employees and occupants after evacuation has been completed. |
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4.
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Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for rescue or emergency medical aid. |
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5.
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The preferred and any alternative means of notifying occupants of a fire or emergency. |
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6.
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The preferred and any alternative means of reporting fires and other emergencies to the fire department or designated emergency response organization. |
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7.
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Identification and assignment of personnel who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan. |
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8.
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A description of the emergency voice/alarm communication system alert tone and preprogrammed voice messages, where provided. |
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The procedure for reporting a fire or other emergency. |
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2.
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The life safety strategy and procedures for notifying, relocating, or evacuating occupants. |
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3.
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Site plans indicating the following: |
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a.
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The occupancy assembly point |
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b.
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The locations of fire hydrants |
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c.
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The normal routes of fire department vehicle access |
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4.
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Floor plans identifying the locations of the following: |
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a. |
Exits |
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b. |
Primary evacuation routes |
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c. |
Secondary evacuation routes |
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d. |
Accessible egress routes |
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e. |
Areas of refuge |
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f. |
Manual fire alarm boxes |
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g. |
Portable fire extinguishers |
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h. |
Occupant-use hose stations |
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i. |
Fire alarm annunciators and controls |
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5.
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A list of major fire hazards associated with the normal use and occupancy of the premises, including maintenance and housekeeping procedures. |
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6.
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Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance of systems and equipment installed to prevent or control fires. |
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7.
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Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance, housekeeping and controlling fuel hazard sources. |
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Fire safety and evacuation plans shall be available in the workplace for reference and review by employees, and copies shall be furnished to the code official for review. |
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Emergency evacuation drills shall be held to familiarize all occupants with the drill procedure. |
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Responsibility for planning and conducting the drills shall be assigned to a competent person(s) designated to exercise leadership. |
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Drills shall be held at unexpected times and under varying conditions to simulate the unusual conditions that occur in case of fire. |
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Records shall be maintained of required emergency evacuation drills and include the following information: |
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a.
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Identity of the person conducting the drill |
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b.
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Date and time of the drill |
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c.
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Notification method used |
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d.
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Staff members on duty and participating |
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e.
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Number of occupants evacuated |
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f.
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Special conditions simulated |
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g.
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Problems encountered |
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h.
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Weather conditions when occupants were evacuated |
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i.
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Time required to accomplish complete evacuation |
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5.
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Prior notification of the emergency evacuation drill is required. Notification shall be made by calling PSCC at 703-691-2131. |
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Where a fire alarm system is provided, emergency evacuation drills shall be initiated by activating the fire alarm system. |
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As building occupants arrive at the assembly point, efforts shall be made to determine if all occupants have been successfully evacuated or have been accounted for. |
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No one shall reenter the premises until authorized to do so by the official in charge. |
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Employees shall be trained in the fire emergency procedures described in their evacuation and fire safety plans. |
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Employees shall receive training in the contents of fire safety and evacuation plans and their duties as part of new employee orientation and at least annually thereafter. Records shall be kept and made available to the code official upon request. |
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Employees shall be apprised of the fire hazards of the materials and processes to which they are exposed. Each employee shall be instructed in the proper procedures for preventing fires in the conduct of their assigned duties. |
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Employees shall be familiarized with the fire alarm and evacuation signals, their assigned duties in the event of an alarm or emergency, evacuation routes, areas of refuge, exterior assembly areas, and procedures for evacuation. |
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5.
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Employees assigned firefighting duties shall be trained to know the locations and proper use of portable fire extinguishers or other manual fire-fighting equipment and the protective clothing or equipment required for its safe and proper use. |
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Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all hazardous materials shall be readily available on the premises. |
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Individual containers of hazardous materials, cartons or packages shall be marked or labeled in accordance with applicable federal regulations. Buildings, rooms and spaces containing hazardous materials shall be identified by hazard warning signs. |
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Persons responsible for the operation of areas in which hazardous materials are stored, dispensed, handled or used shall be familiar with the chemical nature of the materials and the appropriate mitigating actions necessary in the event of a fire, leak or spill. |
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Where required by the code official, each application for a permit shall include a Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS). |
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5.
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Where required by the code official, each application for a permit shall include a Hazardous Materials Management Plan (HMMP). |
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6.
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The permit holder or applicant shall submit to the code official a facility closure plan to terminate storage, dispensing, handling or use of hazardous materials. |
Please submit three (3) complete copies of the Emergency Planning and Preparedness Plan along with a self-addressed return envelope, appropriately sized for the material submitted, to the following address:
An hourly fee of $96.00 will be charged for the fire marshal review of the Emergency Planning and Preparedness Plan. Hourly fees are charged in quarter hour increments ($24.00), rounded to the next quarter hour.
Do not include a payment with your plan submittal. You will be billed. Be sure to provide an accurate billing address along with contact information for the person in your organization responsible for the plan.
Fairfax County is committed to a policy
of nondiscrimination in all county programs, services and activities and will
provide this document in alternative formats and in different languages upon
request. Please call 703-246-4753 (TTY: 711 or 1-800-828-1140) or write: Office of the
Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention Division, 10700 Page Avenue, Fairfax, VA
22030. Please allow at least seven working days for preparation of material.
