Chapter 10 Fire Prevention and Investigation

1. Chapter 10Fire Prevention and Investigation

2. Introduction • One of the most important and least recognized jobs that the fire department performs is fire prevention • Prevention does not make headlines when it is successful • When it is unsuccessful, the community suffers fire-related deaths and property losses • Not all fire-related deaths and property loss can be prevented, but through prevention efforts they can be reduced

3. Learning Objective 1 • Importance of Fire Prevention • FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES • Prevent loss of life and property due to fire • IMPACT OF A MAJOR FACILITY LOSS • Loss of life • People out of work • Severe negative financial impact

4. Learning Objective 1 • Importance of Fire Prevention • MAJOR FOREST FIRE • Large amounts of natural resources destroyed • FIRE PREVENTION • Prevent hostile fires • Provide for life safety • Prevent spread of fire from one area to another

5. Learning Objective 2 • Activities Performed by • Fire Prevention Bureau • AREAS OF FIRE PREVENTION • Engineering, education, enforcement, and fire cause determination • FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITIES • Design of fire-safe assemblies and systems • Review of building plans before construction • Enforcement of codes and ordinances

6. Learning Objective 2 • Activities Performed by • Fire Prevention Bureau • FIRE PREVENTION TERMS • Fire prevention inspection • Potential hazard • Risk • Hazards in the design of buildings • Cont.

7. Learning Objective 2 • Activities Performed by • Fire Prevention Bureau • FIRE PREVENTION TERMS • Occupancy • Hazardous occupancies • Institutional occupancies • Occupancy classification

8. Learning Objective 2 • Activities Performed by • Fire Prevention Bureau • FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITY BEFORE CONSTRUCTION • Zoning regulations • Occupancies • Setbacks from property lines • Required fire flow

9. Learning Objective 2 • Activities Performed by • Fire Prevention Bureau • FIRE PREVENTION DURING DESIGN • Sprinkler systems and standpipes • Fire and building codes • LIGHTWEIGHT CONSTRUCTION • Floor and roof supporting systems • Thorough inspections reveal lightweight construction

10. Learning Objective 2 • Activities Performed by • Fire Prevention Bureau • DEVICES FOR FIRE PREVENTION • Automatic fire extinguishing system • Type and size depend on the hazard • ASSEMBLIES FOR FIRE PREVENTION • Can prevent the spread of fire • Self-closing doors, fire walls

11. Learning Objective 2 • Activities Performed by • Fire Prevention Bureau • HAZARD EVALUATION AND CONTROL • Purpose • Sequence of events • Two basic methods of hazard evaluation and control • Adherence to good practices • Predictive hazard evaluation procedures

12. Learning Objectives 3 and 4 • Methods of Public Education Authority • to Enforce Fire Prevention Regulation • EDUCATING THE PUBLIC • School system • YWCA Super Sitter • Civic groups and industry • Fire station tours • Public service announcements • News conference on television or radio

13. Learning Objectives 3 and 4 • Methods of Public Education Authority • to Enforce Fire Prevention Regulation • YEAR-ROUND PUBLIC EDUCATION • Fire Prevention Week • Media Day • Build relationships • Post signs • Billboards, roadside signs, bumper stickers

14. Learning Objectives 3 and 4 • Methods of Public Education Authority • to Enforce Fire Prevention Regulation • REACHING ELECTED OFFICIALS • Lawmakers • Fire service can only enforce the laws • If not law, can only seek voluntary compliance • Statistics gains attention of lawmakers

15. Learning Objectives 3 and 4 • Methods of Public Education Authority • to Enforce Fire Prevention Regulation • COMPANY-LEVEL FIRE PROTECTION • Company members walk through their districts • Public relations opportunity • Hazard reduction inspections • Dry brush • Tires • Pallets

16. Learning Objectives 3 and 4 • Methods of Public Education Authority • to Enforce Fire Prevention Regulation • FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTION • Do preliminary work • Be equipped with tools of the trade • Gain access to facility or business • Approach business owner • Explain your visit • Cont.

17. Learning Objectives 3 and 4 • Methods of Public Education Authority • to Enforce Fire Prevention Regulation • FIRE PREVENTION INSPECTION • Perform the inspection • Find hazards and violations • Document violations • Complete the inspection • May be required to develop a plan of correction

18. Learning Objective 5 • Typical Fire Prevention Bureau • FIRE PREVENTION PERSONNEL • Staff function (fire inspector) • Operations function (firefighter assigned to an engine or truck company) • Fire prevention bureau personnel • Fire prevention chief • Cont.

19. Learning Objective 5 • Typical Fire Prevention Bureau • FIRE PREVENTION PERSONNEL • Inspection officers • Firefighters as inspectors (when officers are in charge of divisions) • Civilians • Technical specialists

20. Learning Objective 5 • Typical Fire Prevention Bureau • PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS • Training requirements • NFPA 1031, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plans Examiner • May seek training from numerous sources • Agencies that publish codes may also provide training • Cont.

21. Learning Objective 5 • Typical Fire Prevention Bureau • PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS • Alternative training • Knowledge of code • Write reports • Public education courses • Learn latest techniques and methods

22. Learning Objectives 6 and 7 • Importance of Fire Information Reporting • Uses of Fire-Related Statistics • DETERMINATION OF FIRE CAUSE • Fire official • Scene responsibility lies with highest-ranking officer • Cause determination from a prevention standpoint • First observations at scene • Investigation begins with personnel at the scene • Cont.

23. Learning Objectives 6 and 7 • Importance of Fire Information Reporting • Uses of Fire-Related Statistics • DETERMINATION OF FIRE CAUSE • Reconstruction • Investigate to determine cause • Types and complexity of investigations • Basic investigation • Technical investigation • Incendiary or suspicious

24. Learning Objectives 6 and 7 • Importance of Fire Information Reporting • Uses of Fire-Related Statistics • FIRE INFORMATION REPORTING • Fire reports • Setting goals and objectives • Standard fire report • NFPA 901, Standard Classifications for Incident Reporting and Fire Protection Data • Most states require reporting of all fire-related casualties

25. Summary • Understanding the importance of fire prevention is necessary for every member of the fire department • By being proactive and reducing not only the numbers of fires that start but also reducing the threat they pose through engineering and enforcement, the goal of reduced fire losses can be accomplished • The fire prevention system consists of persons of all ranks and duties in the fire department