Chapter 10

Copyright © 2006 Thomson Delmar Learning

Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd EditionRobert Klinoff

Introduction to Fire Protection3rd Edition



Chapter 10

Fire Prevention



Objectives

• Describe the importance of fire prevention• Describe the activities a fire prevention bureau

performs• List methods of public education as it relates to

fire prevention• Explain how the authority to enforce fire

prevention regulations is derived



Objectives (con’t.)

• Describe a typical fire prevention bureau organization

• Describe the importance of fire information reporting

• List the uses of fire-related statistics



Introduction

• U.S. has one of the highest fire death rates per capita in the world

• Prevention of hostile fires is the key to reducing deaths

• True measure of fire department effectiveness is reduction of the amount of loss

• Fire prevention one of the most important and least recognized jobs



Fire Prevention Bureau

• Prevention bureau personnel often used to inspect technical or high risk occupancies

• Requires specialized training• Considered specialists• Often considered a staff function



Staff Function

• Fire prevention inspectors specially trained in:– Science of fire

– Fire prevention inspection procedures/methods

– Enforcement of codes and ordinances

– Maintaining written records and reports



Staff Function (con’t.)

• Requires advanced knowledge of:– Fire chemistry

– Building construction

– Electrical hazards

– Safety practices

– Codes application

– Hazard recognition



Staff Function (con’t.)

• Not only identifies hazards but works with occupant to correct deficiencies through: – Education

– Suggested correction method(s)

– Compliance through legal action

• Education and public relations are very important– May be only contact occupant has with fire

department



Operations Function

• Company level inspections• Inspection and education• Knowledge of codes required• Must not overlook hazards



Personnel

• In larger departments, chief of prevention is fire marshal

• Prevention bureau often a mixture of uniformed and civilian personnel

• All personnel must be able to:– Understand and apply codes and ordinances

– Maintain composure in stressful situations

– Sell fire prevention with a positive attitude



Fire Prevention Chief

• In large departments, rank of chief due to complexity of operation

• In small department, may be a company officer

• Civilian position in some departments • Requires political savvy



Inspection Officers and Inspectors

• Inspection Officers– Work directly for prevention chief

– In charge of major subdivisions and subfunctions

• Inspectors– May be company officers or firefighters

– More training than regular firefighter

– Make annual inspections



Civilians

• Hired for particular expertise– Technical specialists (water engineers)– Plans check specialists

• Do not receive same pay/benefits as firefighters



Professional Standards

• Specified in NFPA 1301• Training available on national, state, and local

levels– NFA

– Colleges

– State Fire Marshal programs

– Accompanying inspectors on inspections



Professional Standards (con’t.)

• Prevention officer professional organizations offer:– Contemporary issues

– Networking

– Code development

• Magazines and other publications provide latest techniques and methods



Purpose of Fire Prevention Activities

• Prevent loss of life and property due to fire– Prevent hostile fires from starting

– Provide for life safety

– Prevent the spread of fire from one area to another



Fire Prevention Activities

• Four areas– Three E’s: education, enforcement, engineering

– Investigation/cause determination

• Primary activities:– Design fire-safe assemblies and systems

– Review plans before buildings are built or remodeled

– Inspect installation of fire safety equipment and devices



Fire Prevention Activities (con’t.)• Primary activities (con’t.):

– Inspect to keep devices in working order

– Enforce codes and ordinances

– Educate public in the methods and benefits of fire prevention and fire safety

– Educate the legislative body about the need for fire safety-related legislation

– Investigate to determine fire cause and prosecute arson when applicable



Fire Prevention Activities (con’t.)

• Fire prevention takes place everywhere• Overall goal is to keep people and property safe• The most effective programs gain voluntary

compliance through education



Fire Prevention Terms

• Inspection– Making a systematic and thorough examination

of a premise or process to ensure compliance with fire codes and ordinances

• Hazards– Anything that can cause harm to people,

property, or the environment



Fire Prevention Terms (con’t.)

• Risks– The activities undertaken in relation to the

hazard

• Occupancy– The use or intended use of a building, floor, or

other part of a building



Methods of Fire Prevention

• During design process– Devices

– Assemblies

– Protection features

– Exits

– Zoning and relation to property lines– Water supply for firefighters (fire flow)– Lightweight construction



Hazard Evaluation and Control

• Identify possible accidents and estimate their frequency and consequences

• Determine the initiating event• Response of operators and equipment dictates

subsequent events



Hazard Evaluation and Control (con’t.)

• Evaluation and control through adherence to good practice– Observe rules, regulations, and policies

– Use accepted standards (NFPA, OSHA, etc.)

– Follow accepted procedures and practices




• Deviation identified through checklists and safety reviews

• Predictive hazard evaluation for analyzing:– Processes

– Procedures

– Systems

– Operations




• When adherence to good practice may not be adequate, first step is to identify hazards– Evaluate in terms of risk to people and property

– Evaluate events that could be associated with the hazards

– Use various evaluation methods



Public Education

• Deliver the prevention message to as many people as possible

• Firefighters cannot be everywhere at once• People must ensure their own safety• Reach more people in less time• Ask elected officials for help in changing

legislation



Public Education (con’t.)

• Methods– Media involvement

– Ad campaigns

– Public service announcements

– Health/safety fairs

– School programs (see Figure 10-5)

– Presentations at service clubs



Figure 10-6

Fire safety message on billboard.



Organization

• State fire marshal– Research, investigation, training, and prevention

services

– Supports local efforts and acts in their absence

• Local level– Department prevention bureau

– Performs the more technical inspections



Organization (con’t.)

• Company level– General business inspections

– Preplanning

– Public relations

– Locates highest value in occupancy

– Hazard reduction/weed abatement

– Public education opportunity

– Identifies special hazards in first-in district



Fire Prevention Inspection

• Before entering occupancy:– Review past inspections for problem areas.

– Identify special hazards.

– Review special protection devices and systems.

– Gather proper tools

• Must have legal authority to enforce codes and ordinances



Fire Prevention Inspection (con’t.)

• Codes allow entry when suspected hazards exist and may require inspection warrant

• Entry is welcomed in most situations• Approach inspection in a consistent manner• Prioritize hazards and violations• Life safety issues are to be corrected

immediately




• Give reasonable abatement period for minor violations

• Record all violations• Leave copy with owner/manager• Thank owner for time and cooperation




• For a long list of violations:– Develop specific plan of correction with timeline

– Make re-inspection at end of allotted time

• If no compliance, write a citation• Disagreement between inspector and owner/

manager over code specifics– May go to board of appeals

– May use alternate materials and methods



Determination of Fire Cause

• Chief is charged with responsibility to determine cause of all fires– Delegated to subordinates

– Important for prevention reasons

– May identify where to target efforts in education, engineering, and enforcement



Determination of Fire Cause (con’t.)

• In structure fires, note the following:– Color of smoke and flames

– Position of doors/windows

– Use of locks

– Difficulty of extinguishment

• In wildland fires, note the following:– General area where fire is currently burning

– Vehicles leaving the area




• In structure and wildland fires:– Notice area of origin and people leaving scene

– Do not disturb origin if possible

– Assess total overhaul possibility

– Do not touch any probable evidence

– Do not make statements to the press or anyone else




• Next step is reconstruction– Approach with no preconceived ideas

– Start from area of least damage to origin

– Interview witnesses, including firefighters

• Determine facts– Fuel and heat source

– Act or omission that brought them together

• Draw conclusions




• Types of investigations– Basic: cause is obvious

– Technical: more in depth (may require taking evidence to crime lab)

– Incendiary: a crime has been committed

• Arson unit may also investigate fire death/ serious burn injury incidents or assist company officer



Fire Information Reporting

• Specifications in NFPA 901• Fire reports used for:

– Budget justification

– Trend analysis

– Needs assessment

– Identification of faulty equipment

– Code change justification

– New safety procedures/devices identification

– Reporting of all firefighter and civilian casualties



Summary• Aggressive fire prevention

– Reduces life and property loss– Is cost-effective– Is more successful than simply stopping fires

when they start• Fire prevention consists of four areas

– Engineering, education, enforcement, and cause determination

• Fire prevention systems consists of persons of all ranks and duties

Chapter 10

Education

Transcript of Chapter 10