Utah Admin. Code R614-2-4 - Drilling Industry - Fire Protection and Prevention

A. Fire Protection.

1. The employer shall be responsible for the development of a fire protection program to be followed throughout all phases of operation work, and he shall provide for the firefighting equipment. As fire hazards occur, there shall be no delay in providing the necessary equipment.

2. Access to all available firefighting equipment shall be maintained at all times.

3. A minimum of four (4) 20#, Class B-C fire extinguishers or equivalent shall be conveniently located at the rig.

4. A minimum of two (2) 20#, Class B-C fire extinguishers or equivalent shall be conveniently located on well service units.

B. Fire Prevention.

1. All sources of ignition shall be prohibited at or in the vicinity of all operations that constitute a fire hazard, unless adequate protection is provided.

2. Smoking shall be prohibited at or in the vicinity of operations which constitute a fire hazard, and shall be conspicuously posted: "No Smoking".

3. An exhaust pipe from any internal combustion engine, located within 75 feet of any well bore, process vessel, oil storage tank, or other source of ignitable vapor, shall be so constructed and used so that any emission of flame along its length or at its end is prevented.

4. Burning stoves and open fires shall not be permitted within 75 feet of the wellbore, except for purpose of maintenance and repair.

5. Engine-driven light plants shall be located at least 75 feet from the wellbore unless properly protected to prevent source of ignition.

6. Oil and Grease Hazards. Oxygen cylinders and fittings shall be kept away from oil or grease.

7. When lighting a flare pit, the lighting shall be done from the upwind side. When there is no wind or when the wind direction is uncertain, no attempt shall be made to light the pit unless the operator can position himself in an explosive-free area. The use of hand thrown rags or similar flaming objects shall be prohibited.

a. A pilot flame shall be maintained at the end of the discharge line at all times when air, gas, or mist drilling is in progress.

C. Flammable Liquids.

1. General Requirements.

a. Only approved containers and portable tanks shall be used for storage and handling of flammable liquids. Approved safety cans shall be used for the handling and use of flammable liquids in quantities less than 5 gallons. For quantities of one gallon or less, only the original container or approved safety cans shall be used for storage, use, and handling of flammable liquids.

b. No material used for cleaning shall have a flashpoint less than 100 degrees F. Examples of materials which may have flashpoints below 100 degrees F. are Gasoline, Naphtha, etc.

c. No smoking or open flame shall be allowed within 25 feet of the handling of flammable liquids. Any engine being refueled shall be shut off during such refueling except diesel engines.

d. An electrical bond shall be maintained between containers when a flammable liquid is being transferred from one to the other.

e. Dispensing nozzles and valves shall be of the self-closing type.

f. Except for the fuel in the tanks of the operating equipment, no flammable fuel shall be stored within 75 feet of a wellbore.

g. Drainage from any fuel storage shall be in a direction away from the well and equipment.

2. Safety Procedures for Fuel Tanks

a. Propane or butane tanks shall be placed parallel to any side of the rig.

b. Fuel tanks shall be protected by crash rails or guards to prevent physical damage unless by virtue of their location they have this protection.

c. Fuel tank storage areas shall be kept free of weeds, debris, and other combustible material not necessary to the storage.

3. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)

a. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) shall be handled in accordance with NFPA 58-69 "Standard for Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases," or according to the latest published addenda or revision of that code.

b. Utilization equipment shall have a thermal coupling or equivalent installed.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R614-2-4