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Policy Contact: Facilities and Services

1. Purpose

   The purpose of this policy is to set forth the University protocols related to the proper operation of fire extinguishers during a fire emergency; timely identification and replacement of missing, damaged, or undercharged fire extinguishers; and routine maintenance of fire extinguishers, as required by SDCL 34-29B-2 and the International Fire Code.

2. Definitions
    
   1. Auxiliary System Building: a space that is designated to be within the University auxiliary system that is designated for student or community activities including:
      1. Residential Buildings
      2. Wellness Center
      3. Student Health and Counseling Center
      4. Student Union
          
   2. Fire Extinguisher: a portable fire protection device that discharges a jet of water, foam, gas, or other material to extinguish a fire.
       
   3. Lab: a space designated for conducting scientific experiments, tests, teaching, and research.
      1. Agriculture Lab: a space that is used for testing and analysis of pesticides, à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã feed, grains, oil, seeds, dairy products, crops, fertilizers, and composts.
      2. Animal Lab: a space that is designated for the testing, analysis, and research of à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs.
      3. Computer Lab: a space that is specifically designated for the installation and use of computers. There are no chemicals or other hazards in these spaces.
      4. Engineering Lab: a space that is used for testing, analysis, and fabrication processes, dealing with different materials such as metals, ceramics, plastics, wood, glass, etc.
      5. Medical Lab: a space that is designated for the use of health professions, which hazards include pharmaceutical, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological analyses on human blood, tissues, and bodily fluids.
          
   4. Industrial Work Center: a space where the primary purpose is conducting maintenance, construction, assembly, fabrication, or refurbishment of University property or assets, and not teaching students.
       
   5. Secured Space: a space on campus not accessible to Facilities and Services or has a limited number of employees with access:
      1. University Police Department
      2. Cyber Security Operations Center
      3. Student Health and Counseling Center
          
   6. Space Manager: an individual who is responsible for managing an identified physical space at the University to support its goals.
       
   7. University Fire Official: as set forth in University Policy 10:10.
       
3. Policy
    
   1. Fire Extinguishers are required to be inspected monthly and maintained annually.
       
   2. Fire Extinguishers located in Agriculture, Animal, Engineering, or Medical Labs; Industrial Work Centers; and those located in Secured Spaces will be the responsibility of the department that manages the space to perform the monthly inspections.
       
   3. Fire Extinguishers located in Computer Labs and common spaces will be the responsibility of Facilities and Services to perform monthly inspections.
       
   4. Fire Extinguishers in Auxiliary Buildings are the responsibility of the Space Manager.
       
   5. Fire Extinguishers located in remote or leased spaces will be inspected in accordance with the provision herein applicable to the space, unless the inspections are provided by a contracted vendor or landlord. Where it is not the responsibility of a contracted vendor or landlord, internal staff performs the checks.
       
   6. Fire Extinguishers in vacant spaces will be inspected by Facilities and Services unless the vacant space is a Lab or Industrial Work Center. In this case, the department that manages the space is responsible for inspecting the Fire Extinguishers.
       
   7. Facilities and Services is responsible for determining appropriate fire safety and Fire Extinguisher placement; maintaining and updating information for floor plans, equipment locations, and fire safety equipment, including Fire Extinguishers; and for providing the information to the University Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Emergency Management, and the University Fire Official. The University Fire Official is responsible for providing updates or changes needed for the floor plans.
       
   8. Facilities and Services will maintain the contracts for annual Fire Extinguisher maintenance and information identifying Space Managers. Facilities and Services will timely provide this information to the EHS Manager and the University Fire Official.
       
   9. The University Fire Official will maintain a list of individuals and vendors or landlords responsible for Fire Extinguisher inspections and develop and update training materials and make them available to individuals and departments on the process for inspection of Fire Extinguishers.
       
4. Procedures
    
   1. Fire Extinguisher Inspection Process
      1. Fire Extinguishers must be inspected upon initial installation and monthly thereafter. A Fire Extinguisher will be inspected more than once per month if circumstances require.
      2. Inspection is a visual check to determine that a Fire Extinguisher is available and in proper working order. An inspection is intended to confirm that the Extinguisher is fully charged and operable. This is accomplished by verifying that the Extinguisher is in its designated place, has not been actuated nor tampered with, and appears free of any physical damage or condition that would render it inoperable.
      3. A Fire Extinguisher inspection will, at a minimum, include the following:
         1. The Fire Extinguisher is located in its designated location;
         2. Fire Extinguisher access and visibility are unobstructed;
         3. Operating instructions on the Extinguisher nameplate are legible and facing forward;
         4. Additional requirements will be set forth by the University Fire Official who will provide training materials; and
         5. Proper documentation of the inspection will be made.
      4. When inspection of a Fire Extinguisher reveals a problematic condition, the individual inspecting should contact Facilities and Services for corrective action.

5. Responsible Administrator

   The University Fire Official, or designee, is responsible for the bi-annual and ad hoc review of this policy and its procedures. The University President is responsible for approval of this policy.

Approved by President on 10/01/2024.

Sources: ; ; University Policy 10:10