NFPA Journal - Fall 2021 - 52

In Compliance
ENRICHED AIR
High concentrations of oxygen in many types of healthcare settings
can contribute to fire risk. Recently, a number of fires in healthcare
occupancies around the world have been attributed at least in part
to higher oxygen levels. GETTY IMAGES
are examining ways they could be
used to treat COVID-19 patients. There
are three classes of hyperbaric chamber:
Class A for multiple occupants,
Class B for single occupants, and Class
C for animal (nonhuman) occupants.
Requirements for hyperbaric facilities
and the chambers within are found
in Chapter 14 of NFPA 99, Health Care
Facilities Code.
There are several distinct hazards
associated with hyperbaric facilities that
require unique fire protection features.
The most obvious hazard is the environment
of increased pressure and the
presence of elevated oxygen levels. While
oxygen itself is not flammable, it is an
oxidizer that supports combustion and
can increase the flammability of other
materials. This means that care must
52 | NFPA JOURNAL * FALL 2021
be taken to prevent any means of ignition
from entering the oxygen-enriched
environment, since the conditions exist
for a fire to grow rapidly. In fact, some
materials-including silicone rubber and
certain lubricants and flame-resistant
fabrics-that will not burn at atmospheric
pressure and corresponding
oxygen levels can ignite in the increased
pressure and oxygen levels found in a
hyperbaric chamber.
Another fire and life safety challenge
for hyperbaric facilities is evacuating
the chamber. Since these chambers
are pressurized, they must undergo a
decompression process before occupants
can safely exit. The process is required
to take no more than six minutes for
class A chambers and two minutes for
Class B when returning from three times
standard atmospheric pressure.
To help mitigate the effects of a fire in
the hyperbaric chamber, Class A chambers
require a deluge sprinkler system to
be installed in each portion of the chamber
designed for occupants. In addition
to the deluge system, an independently
supplied handline is also required to be
installed within the chamber.
Since Class B or Class C chambers are
single-occupant vessels, deluge systems
are not required. This is because the
occupant should be able to leave the
chamber more quickly when compared
to Class A chambers. The higher levels
of oxygen found in Class B and C chambers
would also cause a fire to burn too
rapidly to allow time for intervention.
The current recommended procedures
for a fire in a single occupancy chamber

NFPA Journal - Fall 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - Fall 2021

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NFPA Journal - Fall 2021 - Cover1
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