Chapter Nine

General Fire Safety Provisions

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Learning Objectives

• Describe– NFPA 550 Fire Safety Concepts Tree

• List two strategies for fire safety from model codes

• List three objectives for each

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NFPA 550 Fire Safety Concepts Tree

• Fault-tree analysis system for fire safety– Developed in 1974– Identifies fundamental strategies and lists

objectives for a safe environment

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NFPA 550 Strategies

• Prevent ignition

• Manage impact

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Prevent Ignition

• Control heat sources– Smoking, heating appliances, electrical

hazards, open flames

• Control fuels

• Regulate materials storage and handling

• Control the interaction between the two

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Manage Impact

• Limit building height and area

• Provide adequate fire resistance

• Provide adequate egress systems

• Provide built-in fire protection systems

• Separate hazardous processes

• Provide adequate training

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Illegal Change in Use

• Occupancy classification determines– Building height and area– Structural fire resistance– Means of egress features– Built-in fire protection systems– Allowable amounts of regulated materials

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Illegal Change in Use

• Building height and area

• Structural fire resistance

• Means of egress features

• Built-in fire protection systems

• Allowable amounts of regulated materials

• Can all be inadequate for the new use

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Maintenance of Rated Assemblies

• Occupancy separations

• Means of egress components

• Exit stairs, exit passages, horizontal exits, rated corridors

• Structural protection

• Walls, partitions, floor/ceilings, roof ceilings, structural frame

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Maintenance of Rated Assemblies• Opening protectives

– Fire doors, fire windows, fire dampers, rated glazing, through penetration firestops

– Building shafts, atriums

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Maintenance of Nonrated Barriers

• Draftstopping limits fire spread in large combustible, concealed spaces– Attics and truss floors

• Fireblocking limits fire spread in small concealed spaces – Combustible wall and floor joist cavities

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Decorative Material and Interior Finish

• Interior finish regulated by use group and sprinkler protection

• Decorative material– Noncombustible or flame resistant

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Vacant and Abandoned Structures

• Invite illegal activity and vandalism

• May be occupied by the homeless

• Codes require these structures to be secured or boarded-up

• Structures are often broken into and occupied

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Outdoor Waste Accumulation

• Trash containers

• Abandoned construction materials

• Trees, brush, and vegetation

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Electrical Fire Safety

1. Maintenance of electrical systems

2. Limit use of temporary wiring

3. Prohibit use of hazardous appliances

4. Ensure access to electrical equipment

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Extension Cords

1. Grounded cords for grounded appliances

2. Ampacity must meet or exceed capacity of appliance

3. Don’t affix to walls or ceilings

4. Don’t pass through doors, walls, or under rugs

5. Only one appliance per cord

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Electrical Safety

• Defective equipment removed from service

• Tagged

• Notification of electrical code official

• Access to electrical equipment

• Illumination for equipment service areas

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Smoking

• Prohibited around– Flammable liquids– Explosives– Piers and wharves– Hazardous fire areas (UFC and IFC)

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Open Flames and Torches

• “Hot work” permits– Cutting and welding– Plumbers and soldering– Removing paint– Clearance to combustibles– Extinguisher or hose– Fire watcher

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Fire Department Access

• Posted fire lanes when any portion of the building is > 150’ from the street or as required by fire official

• 20’ in width– 13’6” vertical clearance

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Fire Department Access

• Signs and curb delineation

• Grade limitations per the jurisdiction

• Turnarounds

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Summary

• Model codes address fire safety by:– Preventing fire ignition– Limiting smoking and open flames– Regulating heating devices and

appliances– Regulating materials storage and handling

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Summary

• Model codes address fire safety by:– Managing the impact of fire– Maintaining rated construction, FD access,

fire protection systems– Providing employee training and

emergency planning