69A-62.024. Standards for Construction, Repair, and Maintenance of Firefighter Employee Places of Employment and the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Fire Apparatus

(1)(a) “Firefighter employer” is defined in subsection 633.504(2), F.S.

(b) “Firefighter place of employment” or “place of employment” is defined in subsection 633.504(4), F.S.

(c) “Firefighter employee” is defined in subsection 633.504(1), F.S.

(2) A firefighter employer shall follow the Florida Building Code, which is incorporated by reference in Rule 61G20-1.001, F.A.C., and the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which is incorporated by reference in Rule Chapter 69A-60, F.A.C., when constructing, altering or repairing a fire department facility.

(3) A firefighter employer shall maintain fire department facilities in accordance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which is incorporated by reference in Rule Chapter 69A-60, F.A.C.

(4) A firefighter employer shall have a written policy that establishes a system to maintain firefighter employee places of employment in a safe working condition for all firefighter employees and to provide prompt correction of any safety or health hazard or code violation.

(5)(a) A firefighter employer shall inspect its firefighter employee places of employment at least quarterly for safety and health hazards. Inspections shall be documented and recorded using a form developed by the firefighter employer workplace safety committee or workplace safety coordinator. The form developed by the firefighter employer workplace safety committee or workplace safety coordinator shall contain the following items at a minimum:

1. General station conditions.

2. Housekeeping.

3. Exits.

4. Walking and working surfaces.

5. Apparatus floors/maintenance areas.

6. Laundry/cleaning/disinfecting areas.

7. Building exterior and grounds.

8. Decontamination rooms.

9. Fire prevention and protection.

10. Hazardous materials.

11. Electrical wiring/fixtures/controls.

(b) Safety and health hazards identified during these inspections shall be reported to the firefighter employer workplace safety committee or workplace safety coordinator.

(6) A firefighter employer shall designate firefighter employee places of employment as tobacco free. Tobacco use shall be prohibited at all firefighter employee places of employment. This prohibition includes any building or area owned, operated, occupied, or used by a fire department on a routine basis and includes all types of tobacco and tobacco-like products, including smoked and smoke-less tobacco, other smokeable products, and electronic cigarettes.

(7) A firefighter employer shall take reasonable measures to prevent, control or reduce exposure and contamination of living and sleeping areas to exhaust emissions. Factors to be considered will vary for each individual fire station based upon: building design, size and construction; the number and types of fire apparatus that are stored or operated at the station; ventilation and air circulation; exhaust and emissions control systems; and monetary or budgetary limitations.

(8) A firefighter employer shall have a written policy that prohibits components of the protective ensemble that are contaminated from being allowed in sleeping/living areas and patient compartments. A firefighter employer shall take reasonable measures to prevent contaminated equipment from being carried in crew passenger areas. Factors to be considered will vary for each individual apparatus based upon: vehicle type, design, and size; the availability or location of storage compartments; and monetary or budgetary limitations.

(9) A firefighter employer utilizing poles to provide rapid access to lower floors shall ensure that the area around the pole hole is secured by means of a cover, enclosure, or other means to prevent someone from accidentally falling through the pole hole.

(10) A firefighter employer that provides emergency medical services shall have a written infection control policy that provides for disinfecting and cleaning of facilities, apparatus, and equipment.

(11) A firefighter employer shall have a written policy that provides a schedule for the maintenance, inspection and testing of fire apparatus. Fire pumps on apparatus shall be service tested at least annually. All aerial devices shall be inspected and service tested annually. All apparatus equipped with a compressed air foam system (CAFS) shall be tested annually.

Rulemaking Authority 633.508(7) FS. Law Implemented 633.508(7), 633.520, 633.522 FS. History–New 5-26-15.