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

prevention activities

chief of prevention

prevention chief

prevention inspectors

prevention regulations

prevention terms inspection

marshal prevention bureau

prevention bureau organization