NNSY turns up the heat to address fire and life safety deficiencies BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER Is anything more important than our mission to safely repair U.S. naval warships on time and at cost? The safety, health, and well-being of shipyard employees are the top priority, and one department is working to change the fire prevention and life safety culture at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The Fire Prevention and Life Safety Division (Code 1128), part of the Security and Fire Office (Code 1120), is dedicated to the preservation of life and property, thus protecting mission capabilities from the perils of fire. A recent audit found NNSY was deficient in several aspects of the fire prevention and life safety program, and as a result, new guidance has been provided by NAVSEA. Some of the requirements are more stringent than they have been
in the past, and Code 1128 is one of the organizations responsible for enforcing these rules. The two employees who make up Code 1128 are in charge of all of the life safety issues, investigations, code compliance enforcement and facilities inspections that directly support waterfront production. The department held training in July for shipyard building monitors in an effort to rapidly identify critical fire and life safety hazards throughout the installation and industrial area and to ensure the new requirements are met. “We are trying to raise awareness for fire prevention,” said Shane Byrne, shipyard fire marshal. “We are taking a positive approach and moving in the right direction, but for just the two of us to solve this problem, it’s going to take a lot of work. We’re asking our building monitors for help. Building monitors are our greatest tool and resource.” According to Byrne, the effort to isolate these initial big ticket items is important because the shipyard can’t afford another fire like the one in Bldg. 33 earlier this year, which was caused by a lightning strike. Damage to the building was exacerbated because an alarm line valve was left in the shut position, causing water to flow in the building for several hours before anyone was notified. “We really need to Above: Code 1128's Mike Taylor inspects one of the shipyard's 57 automated external defibrillators. Taylor ensure we prevent this from coordinates the shipyard's AED program as part of the Fire occurring again. It’s a change Prevention and Life Safety Division. Right: Taylor measures of culture. There has been a lack of enforcement, and we the clearance around a fire alarm pull station. are trying to change that.” Building monitors are If you have questions about Fire and Life Safety at NNSY, asked to check their facilities call 396-0029 or visit Code 1128's WebCentral page: for fire protection and life webcentral.nnsy.navy.mil/departments/C1100/C1120/ safety violations, including branches/c1128.aspx verifying clearance diameters
around fire extinguishers, pull boxes, and hydrants. What can be fixed, like cleaning and organizing mechanical equipment rooms, should be taken care of immediately. What can’t be corrected should be documented. Byrne said he was surprised to learn many employees didn’t know there was a fire prevention and protection manual at NNSY (which can be found on Code 1128’s WebCentral page). “The instruction prescribes minimum requirements necessary to establish a reasonable level of fire and life safety and property protection from hazards created by fires and explosions,” said Fire Inspector Mike Taylor. “The shipyard is an old facility that may not meet all of the requirements. However, we need to identify these areas and meet the intent of the regulation. A permanent deviation may be necessary in some cases, like for fire lanes. Code 1128 needs to be notified of deficiencies.” “We know the priority is to get ships out on time,” added Byrne. “But you can’t take fire and life safety secondary to convenience. We can’t ignore the requirements.” Taylor said it’s about the overarching mission of improving fire and life safety around the shipyard. “People need to be aware there might be some growing pains, but we can do this.” SEPTEMBER 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 19