Part IV. Fire Prevention and Control—Surface and Underground
4VAC25-40-490. Smoking near flammable and combustible materials.
No person shall smoke or use an open flame within 25 feet of locations used to store or handle flammable or combustible liquids.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.1, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-500. Warning and evacuation procedures.
Operators shall establish acceptable procedures for fire warning, emergency evacuation, and firefighting.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.2, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-510. Flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks.
Areas surrounding flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks shall be kept free of combustible materials for at least 25 feet in all directions and posted with readily visible fire hazard warning signs.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.3, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-520. Storage of flammable materials.
Flammable and combustible materials shall be stored in acceptable containers approved by the National Fire Protection Association or other approved rating agency.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.4, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-530. Distance of storage tanks from mine opening.
Flammable and combustible liquid or gas storage tanks shall not be located within 100 feet of any underground mine opening.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.5, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-540. Storage buildings or areas.
Buildings or areas used for storage of flammable or combustible materials shall be:
1. Of fire resistant construction;
2. Well-ventilated;
3. Kept clean and orderly;
4. Posted with fire hazard warning signs; and
5. Provided with means to confine or contain accidental spills.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.6, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-550. Shut-off valves.
Fuel lines shall be equipped with shut-off valves at the source. Such valves shall be readily accessible and maintained in operating condition.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.7, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-560. Solvents.
Solvents and combustibles shall not be used near an open flame, heat source or other ignition source.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.8, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-570. Waste materials.
Waste materials which could create a fire hazard shall not be allowed to accumulate; such materials shall be disposed of in a safe manner.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.9, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-580. Use of flammable liquids for cleaning.
Flammable liquids shall not be used for cleaning.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.10, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-590. Battery charging areas.
Battery charging areas shall be well-ventilated and posted with warning signs prohibiting smoking or open flames within 25 feet.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.11, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-600. Refueling engines.
Internal combustion engines, except diesels, shall be shut off prior to refueling.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.12, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-610. Fire equipment.
Equipment and devices used for detection, warning, and extinguishing of fires shall be:
1. Suitable for the type of fire hazard that may be encountered;
2. Maintained in fire-ready condition as specified by manufacturer;
3. Strategically located, readily accessible, and plainly identified;
4. Of the type, size, and quantity that can extinguish fires of any class that may occur at the mine; and
5. Inspected at least monthly to ensure fire-ready condition.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.13, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-620. Welding operations.
When welding or cutting, precautions shall be taken to ensure that sparks or other hot materials do not result in a fire.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.14, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-630. Training and practice drills.
All employees assigned to firefighting responsibilities by the operator shall be trained in firefighting, and practice drills shall be conducted at least every six months.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.15, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-640. Firefighting assistance.
Prior arrangements shall be made for obtaining assistance in firefighting.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.16, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-650. Conveyor belts.
Conveyor belts in locations where belt slippage may result in a fire shall be equipped with automatic detection and stoppage devices when the conveyor belt is unattended.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.17, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-660. Removing flammable and combustible gases from containers.
Prior to applying heat, cutting, or welding on any pipe or container that has contained a flammable or combustible material:
1. The pipe or container shall be drained, thoroughly cleaned and ventilated; and
2. The pipe or container shall be filled with an inert gas or material.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.18, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-670. Fire extinguishers.
A. Whenever a fire or its effects could impede escape from self-propelled equipment, a fire extinguisher shall be on the equipment.
B. Whenever a fire or its effects would not impede escape from the equipment but could affect the escape of other persons in the area, a fire extinguisher shall be on the equipment or within 100 feet of the equipment.
C. All fire extinguishers required by this chapter shall meet the current standards established by the National Fire Prevention Association.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.19, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998; Volume 35, Issue 21, eff. July 25, 2019.
4VAC25-40-680. Exits or escapeways.
At least two exits or escapeways shall be provided in surface buildings and structures where personnel work or congregate.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.20, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-690. Fire-resistant buildings near underground openings.
Buildings and other structures within 100 feet of underground mine openings shall be fire resistant.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.21, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.
4VAC25-40-700. Grass, weeds and underbrush.
Areas surrounding main fan installations and other mine openings shall be kept free from grass, weeds, underbrush and other combustible materials for a safe distance in all directions.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.22, eff. July 19, 1989.
4VAC25-40-710. Dust or gases.
Dust or gases which may be explosive or combustible shall be tested and controlled in an acceptable manner.
Statutory Authority
§§ 45.1-161.3, 45.1-161.294 and 45.1-161.305 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR480-05-1.2 § 4.23, eff. July 19, 1989; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1998.