Those in the PSM/RMP world know that the facility is REQUIRED to have an Emergency Action Plan (1910.38) and by virtue of having to comply with 1910.38, we also have to comply with 1910.165 Employee Alarm System. The language in 1910.165 is really vague and causes much confusion when it comes to the emergency alarm system initiating means, especially when asked: “how many pull stations do I need?”
Here is what both OSHA and NFPA say…
NOTE: please see earlier articles about the alarm tones and their “distinctive signals” – this article is regarding the initiating of our alarm system.
1910.165(e) Manual operation.
The employer shall assure that manually operated actuation devices for use in conjunction with employee alarms are unobstructed, conspicuous and readily accessible.
NFPA 72 (2019) uses the same language…
17.15.9.2 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be installed so that they are conspicuous, unobstructed, and accessible.
But NFPA 72 does provide us with some specific locations where a pull box is necessary: (emphasis by me)
17.15.9.4 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be located within 5 ft (1.5 m) of EACH EXIT DOORWAY on EACH FLOOR.
17.15.9.5 Additional manual fire alarm boxes shall be provided so that the TRAVEL DISTANCE to the nearest manual fire alarm box will NOT exceed 200 ft (61 m), measured horizontally on the same floor.
17.15.9.6 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be mounted on BOTH SIDES of grouped openings over 40 ft (12.2 m) in width, and within 5 ft (1.5 m) of each side of the grouped opening.
So there is not a set number of pull stations, rather the OSHA standard and NFPA code (as well as the IFC and IBC) attempt to define locations where one is necessary. So depending on how your building size, number of floors, and how it is laid out, you could have dozens or hundreds of pull stations.
Another area of concern we come across is how these devices are mounted, colored, etc. NFPA 72 (our alarm RAGAGEP perhaps?) states the following: (emphasis by me)
17.15.4 Manually actuated alarm-initiating devices shall be securely mounted.
17.15.5 Manually actuated alarm-initiating devices shall be mounted on a background of CONTRASTING COLOR.
17.15.6 The operable part of a manually actuated alarm-initiating device shall be not less than 42 in. (1.07 m) and not more than 48 in. (1.22 m) from the finished floor.
17.15.9.1 Manual fire alarm boxes shall be used only for fire alarm initiating purposes.
17.15.9.3 Unless installed in an environment that precludes the use of red paint or red plastic, manual fire alarm boxes shall be RED in color.