Fireplace Use and Maintenance

Introduction

This document serves as the University of Oregon's written Fireplace Use and Maintenance Plan. The objective of the Plan is to maintain all University fireplaces in good working condition as required by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211 and to provide users with Fireplace Safety Guidelines.

Included in the Plan is a list of all fireplaces located in University buildings or on University property, and a list of department contacts.

Scope

The Fireplace Use and Maintenance Plan applies to all University of Oregon buildings and property. University Departments with fireplaces located in there area of responsibility include; Athletics, Facilities Services, Housing, Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Erb Memorial Union, and AAA (hereafter referred to as departments). These departments are expected to comply with the Plan or to receive a written exception from Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) if there is any deviation from the Plan.

EHS will provide a copy of the Plan to departments which have fireplaces located in their areas of responsibility. Individual departments are to provide a written copy of the Plan to contractors prior to any work commencing on fireplaces at the University of Oregon.

Responsibilities

Departmental - Departments are responsible for carrying out the Fireplace Use and Maintenance Plan and for funding plan expenses including but not limited contractor charges. Departments are responsible for ensuring that a copy of Attachment 1 (Fireplace Safety Guidelines) is posted in rooms with solid fuel burning fireplaces and that fireplace users are aware of and following the Plan. Departments with gas fueled fireplaces are responsible to have instructions with operator and safety information and the users are aware of the information and plan.  Departments are also responsible for keeping Environmental Health and Safety informed of any violations of the Plan and enforcing compliance with the Plan.

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) - EHS is responsible for administering the Plan and assisting departments in evaluating their compliance with the plan. EHS will maintain a master list of University fireplace locations.

General Requirements

Cleaning - The responsible department will ensure that all chimneys are cleaned a minimum of every 12 months by Construction Contractors Board (CCB) registered chimney cleaning vendor. Cleaning shall include cleaning the damper, fire shelf, and firebox. Fireplaces not used in the previous year will not require cleaning.

Inspection - The responsible department will ensure that all academic and residence hall chimneys are inspected a minimum of every 12 months and all other University building chimneys (e.g. single occupancy residence) are inspected a minimum of every 24 months by a CCB registered chimney inspector. The responsible department will correct any deficiencies noted during chimney cleanings or inspections prior to subsequent use of the chimney as required in NFPA Standard 211. Any fireplaces placed out of service shall be marked and are not required to be inspected until placed back in service.

Notification - Written notification of scheduled maintenance or cleaning will be provided by the department contact to building managers a minimum of 48 hours prior to any work being done and all work areas will be posted a minimum of 24 hours prior to work initiation.

Record Keeping- The responsible department will serve as the keeper for all required cleaning and maintenance records. Responsible departments will retain all records for a five-year minimum.

Contractors

When a contractor is hired to perform fireplace inspection or cleaning work, the University of Oregon department involved will provide the contractor with a written copy of the University's Fireplace Use and Maintenance Plan. The contractor will be required to notify the department contact a minimum of 48 hours prior to any scheduled work and to debrief with the department contact if there was any deviation from the Plan during the work.

The department contact will share, with the contractor, any additional knowledge of specific hazards (e.g. electrical, confined space, atmospheric) in the work area prior to the work being started. When physically entered, chimneys meet the University definition of a confined space.

The University of Oregon department contact will coordinate all joint projects between contractors and University employees.

Latest Revision Date: November 8, 2011
Authorization: Kay Coots, EHS Director

Contact:
Michael J. Eppli
Safety Officer
Phone: (541) 346-8259
Email: mjeppli@uoregon.edu