Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5 th Edition Chapter 20 — Fire Prevention and Public Education...

Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition

Chapter 20 — Fire Prevention and Public Education

Firefighter II

Firefighter II16–2

Chapter 20 Lesson Goal

• After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to give fire prevention and public education presentations following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).


Specific Objectives

1.Describe a survey and an inspection. 2.Discuss the fire prevention activities of reviewing community data and code enforcement. 3.Summarize common fuel and heat-source hazards.

(Continued)


Specific Objectives

4.Discuss common fire hazards and why they increase the likelihood of a fire. 5.Summarize special fire hazards in commercial, manufacturing, and public-assembly occupancies. 6.Summarize target hazard properties.

(Continued)


Specific Objectives

7.Discuss personal requirements and equipment requirements for conducting inspections. 8.Discuss scheduling and conducting fire inspections. 9.Discuss the benefits of preincident planning surveys.

(Continued)


Specific Objectives

10. Explain how a preincident planning survey is conducted. 11. Explain the purpose of a residential fire safety survey. 12. Summarize guidelines for conducting residential fire safety surveys.

(Continued)


Specific Objectives

13. Summarize common causes of residential fires. 14. Summarize items to address when conducting residential fire safety surveys.

(Continued)


Specific Objectives

15. Discuss general considerations for the preparation and delivery of fire and life safety information.

16.Discuss presenting fire and life safety education for adults. 17. Discuss presenting fire and life-safety information for young children.

(Continued)


Specific Objectives

18. Discuss fire and life-safety presentation topics.

19.Discuss fire station tours. 20. Prepare a preincident survey. (Skill Sheet 20-II-1)

(Continued)


Specific Objectives

21. Conduct a residential fire safety survey. (Skill Sheet 20-II-2)22. Make a fire and life safety presentation. (Skill Sheet 20-II-3)23. Conduct a fire station tour. (Skill Sheet 20-II-4)


Surveys

• Used to gather/impart information

• Used to gather information for preincident planning

• If conducted while buildings are under construction, helpful in identifying certain characteristics

(Continued)


Surveys

• Help to familiarize firefighters with contents, manufacturing processes, layouts of buildings

• What a survey includes• Voluntary residential life safety

surveys


Inspections

• May be made by fire inspectors or company officers and crews

• Usually include enforcement of most common code requirements

• May uncover more serious code violations


Fire Incident Records

• Contain critical information about fire history of community

• Can be helpful with fire prevention efforts


Code Enforcement Inspections

• Conducted in commercial, institutional, industrial occupancies

• Ensure citizens have safe physical environment in which to work, study, worship, play (Continued)


Code Enforcement Inspections

• May be conducted by fire inspectors with special training in code requirements for various types of occupancies or by fire company personnel

• Should document any unsafe conditions that are found


Fire Hazard

• Condition increasing likelihood of fire starting or increasing the extent/severity of a fire if one did start (Continued)


Fire Hazard

• Can be prevented by eliminating one element of fire tetrahedron

• Considerations of eliminating elements


Fuel Hazards

• Ordinary combustibles • Flammable, combustible gases • Flammable, combustible liquids• Chemicals

(Continued)


Fuel Hazards

• Dusts • Metals• Plastics, resins, and

cellulose


Heat Source Hazards

• Chemical heat energy• Electrical heat energy• Mechanical heat energy• Nuclear heat energy


Common Fire Hazard

A condition prevalent in almost all occupancies that increases likelihood of fire starting


Be Alert to Common Hazards

• Obstructed electrical panels • Poor housekeeping, improper

storage of combustible materials• Defective or improperly used

heating, lighting, power equipment

(Continued)


Be Alert to Common Hazards

• Improper disposal of floor-cleaning compounds

• Misuse of fumigation substances and flammable or combustible liquids


Increasing Likelihood of Fire

• Poor housekeeping• Improperly functioning

components can provide ignition source for nearby combustibles

• Sheer fabrics being draped over lamps as a decoration

(Continued)


Increasing Likelihood of Fire

• Floor cleaning compounds, fumigating substances, and other flammable and combustible liquids — If improperly used and stored, can provide volatile fuel source

• Personal fire hazards


Special Fire Hazards in Commercial Occupancies

• Lack of automatic sprinklers/other relevant fixed fire protection systems

• Change of occupancy exceeding use for which permits issued

• Display/storage of large quantities of combustible products (Continued)



• Mixed varieties of contents

• Difficulties in entering occupancies during closed periods

• Illegal building additions• Illegal storage (Continued)



• Storage aisles incorrect distance apart

• Fire department connection obstructed

• Storage obstructing sprinklers• Existence of party walls, common

attics, cocklofts, other open voids in multiple occupancies


Special Fire Hazards in Manufacturing Occupancies

• High-hazard processes using volatile substances, oxidizers, extreme temperatures

• Flammable liquids in dip tanks, ovens, and dryers in addition to those used in mixing, coating, spraying, degreasing processes



• High-piled storage of combustible materials

• Operation of vehicles, fork trucks, other trucks inside buildings

(Continued)



• Large, open areas• Large-scale use of flammable,

combustible gases• Lack of automatic sprinklers/other

fixed fire protection systems


Special Fire Hazards in Public-Assembly Occupancies

• Lack of automatic sprinklers, detection systems, fire notification systems

• Large numbers of people present• Insufficient, obstructed, locked

exits

(Continued)


Special Fire Hazards in Public-Assembly Occupancies

• Materials stored in paths of egress• Highly combustible interior finishes• Inadequate/inoperative fire

extinguishers• Inadequate/inoperative exit

lighting


Target Hazard Properties

• Any structure in which there is greater-than-normal potential for loss of life/property from fire

• Should receive special attention during surveys


Target Hazard Examples

• Lumberyards• Bulk oil storage

facilities• Shopping malls• Hospitals• Theaters

(Continued)


Target Hazard Examples

• Nursing homes• Rows of frame tenements• Schools• High-rise hotels/condominiums • Large public assemblies – concert

halls, stadiums, etc.


Fire Inspection Requirements

• Every firefighter engaged in fire prevention efforts must be capable of meeting with property owners/occupants

• Firefighters who are technically competent can provide valuable service to the public

(Continued)


Fire Inspection Requirements

• Especially important that firefighters convey only technically accurate information during inspections

• Firefighter’s ability to conduct inspections competently will improve with study, experience, and on-the-job training


Personal Requirements

• Firefighters should be well-informed about fire and life safety issues

• Firefighters should present a well-groomed, neat appearance

• Uniforms should be clean and in good condition


Equipment Requirements

• Research on occupancies

• Writing equipment• Drawing

equipment• Other equipment


Scheduling Fire Inspections

• During normal business hours• Some scheduled by contacting

business owner ahead of time

(Continued)


Scheduling Fire Inspections

• Scheduling allows inspections to be conducted at least disruptive time

• Other inspections conducted systematically; no scheduling


Conducting Fire Inspections

• Firefighter conduct• Enter premises at main entrance,

contact the individual with whom inspection scheduled

(Continued)



• Introduce team, briefly review inspection process, answer any questions occupant may have (Continued)



• Occupant or a representative should accompany the inspection team

• Inspection team should ask that all locked rooms or closets be opened for inspection

• Most start from outside(Continued)



• Survey team moves to interior• Regardless of the type of

occupancy, specific code requirements that apply, each item inspected should be explained to person accompanying inspection team

(Continued)



• If one or more code violations are found, plan of correction must be agreed upon between inspection team and occupant

(Continued)



• Form and content of plan of correction should be clearly defined in departmental SOPs covering inspection process

(Continued)



• In most departments, occupant or representative required to sign inspection form

• Inspection team leader should thank occupant for cooperating


Preincident Planning Surveys

• Allow firefighters to gather information about conditions that might affect future emergency operations in a building

• Allow firefighters to develop plans that minimize a building’s deficiencies, maximize strengths

(Continued)


Preincident Planning Surveys

• Residential fire safety surveys• Firefighters need a number of

personal, technical skills to conduct fire safety surveys properly


Benefits of Preincident Planning Surveys

• Allow firefighters to gather information about the structure under ideal conditions

• Can provide firefighters with critical information that might not be available during active fire

(Continued)



• Allow firefighters to become aware of building components

• Can greatly improve emergency operations, substantially improve firefighter, citizen safety

(Continued)



• Include maps, drawings, photographs, written notes that may help firefighters


Fuel Loads

• Bulk of fuel available to burn and generally refers to the contents of a building

• Major fuel sources

(Continued)


Fuel Loads

• Knowing combustibles in a building• Imperative that this information be

gathered during preincident surveys


Conducting Preincident Planning Survey Outside Building

• Make general observations, complete preliminary notes, take photographs

• Note locations• Make notations of construction

attributes, other information• Check address/accessibility issues


Conducting Preincident Surveys Inside Building

• When survey of exterior is completed, go directly to roof or basement and proceed with systematic survey

• If floor plan drawings are not available from building owner, firefighters create

(Continued)



• To conduct a thorough survey, firefighters must take enough time to make notes, take photographs of observed hazards, unsafe conditions

• Drawings of interior layout, high-hazard areas, egress routes, important features should be made

(Continued)



• Complete set of notes, photographs, well-prepared drawings of the building

• Large or complex buildings

(Continued)



• If a floor plan used on a previous survey is available, make sure to record any changes made, update floor plan drawings accordingly


Making Maps and Drawings

• Large occupancies, complexes may already have maps

• For buildings where existing maps are unavailable or outdated, firefighters should include simple plot plan drawing

(Continued)



• In many cases, drawings are the most important product of survey

• Data should be recorded by using common plan symbols as often as possible

(Continued)



• Use of computerized Geographic Information System (GIS) or other electronic mapping programs can save hours, should be used where available

(Continued)



• Components included in maps and drawings

• Sectional elevation drawing of a structure may be needed to show elevation changes, mezzanines, balconies, other structural features


Photographs

• Can show important details that even accurate drawings cannot

• Can quickly/easily record tremendous amount of information

(Continued)


Photographs

• May include interior, close-up photographs

• Video


Residential Fire Safety Surveys

• Can only be conducted on a voluntary basis

• Require great deal of advanced planning and publicity

• Main objectives

(Continued)



• Provide other benefits in addition to reducing loss of life and property

• Increase fire awareness, interest in public education efforts (Continued)



• May be the best time for firefighters to distribute literature, promote programs

• May include special cards or slips • Provide firefighters with valuable

information


Residential Fire Safety Survey Guidelines

• Conduct surveys in teams of two• Dress and act professionally• Introduce team, provide proper

identification• Explain survey procedure

(Continued)



• Maintain courteous, businesslike attitude

• Focus on preventing fires, eliminating threats to life safety

• Compliment occupants when favorable conditions found

(Continued)



• Offer constructive suggestions for correcting/eliminating hazardous conditions

• Survey all rooms• Discuss survey results with

owner/occupant, answer any questions

(Continued)



• Thank owners or occupants for invitation into their homes

• Keep survey confidential• If no one home, leave appropriate

materials between storm door and front door or partially beneath doormat


Common Residential Fire Causes

• Malfunctioning heating appliances and water heaters

• Combustibles too close to heating appliances or lamps

• Unsafe cooking procedures• Smoking materials

(Continued)



• Overloaded extension cords and multiple-outlet devices

• Exposed electrical wiring• Defective electrical appliances

(Continued)



• Improper use of combustible or flammable liquids

• Poor housekeeping • Untended candles


Address During Interior Surveys

• Combustible materials• Appliances• Electrical wiring/equipment• Portable heating units• Woodstoves/fireplaces• Heating fuel

(Continued)



• General housekeeping practices• Smoke alarms• Electrical distribution panels• Gas appliances• Oil-burning units• Furnaces

(Continued)



• Water heaters• Shop/work rooms• Accumulated waste• Flammable liquids


Address During Exterior Surveys

• Roof• Chimneys/

spark arrestors• Yard/porch

areas• Barbecues and

fuel(Continued)


Address During Exterior Surveys

• Outside waste burners• Garages, sheds, barns,

outbuildings• Flammable liquids/gases• Lightning protection• Security devices• Power lines


Home Safety Issues

• Maintaining clear/unobstructed exit pathways

• Safety concerning water


Fire and Life Safety Messages Must Be

• Accurate• Positive• Targeted to specific audience


Accurate Messages

• Conveying wrong information can be deadly

• Sources available to assist in verifying accuracy of content


Positive Messages

• Adults want to know what to do without being scared

• Positive messages more likely to be remembered during emergency


Targeted Messages

• Fire, life safety educational messages can be based on variety of issues

• Audiences may vary• Knowing audience helps prepare

needs-specific presentation


Presenting Fire, Life Safety Education for Adults

• “Teachable moments”• Basic four-step method of

instruction


Basic Four-Step Method of Instruction

• Preparation• Presentation• Application• Evaluation


Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young Children

• Children often interpret literally• Children have limited attention

spans• Remain flexible when presenting

information

(Continued)



• When in a classroom, decide with the teacher ahead of time how questions will be handled

• Get down to the children’s eye level

• Ask a misbehaving child for help to provide redirection

(Continued)



• DO NOT scare children! • Remember that firefighters in

protective clothing and breathing apparatus can be very frightening to children

(Continued)



• Children learn by doing, not by listening

• Home fire safety concepts are complicated, so messages for young children must communicate basic simple concepts


Stop, Drop, and Roll

• Do more than simply inform of actions• Point out if someone’s clothes catch on

fire, bystander may need to assist them


Home Safety

• Promote home escape plans, Exit Drills in the Home program, similar efforts

• Communicate fire, life safety rules to residential occupants


Candles

• Open flame that can ignite nearby combustibles

• Accounted for 4 percent of all reported residential fires in 2004

• Safety messages


Smoke Alarms

• May be battery-operated• May be part of security alarm

system hardwired, monitored by central alarm, reporting station

(Continued)


Smoke Alarms

• Location• Maintenance,

testing• Carbon monoxide

detectors


Fire Station Tours

• May be spur-of-the-moment visits from people who walk in off the street or scheduled visits

• Common during Fire Prevention Week

• More than just an opportunity to enhance department’s public image


Procedures During Station Tours

• Firefighters should be dressed appropriately

• Firefighters should conduct themselves with courtesy, professionalism

(Continued)



• All television sets should be turned off, other activities should be as positive as possible

• Firefighters should answer all questions courteously, to best of their ability

(Continued)



• While some departments allow visitors to climb on apparatus or don equipment items, many others do not– Do not allow children to wear helmets

• Visitors should never be allowed to roam around fire station unescorted (Continued)



• Special care should be taken to protect curious children, other individuals around shop areas or slide poles

• All groups should be kept together

(Continued)



• Equipment, apparatus should be demonstrated with appropriate caution to ensure no one endangered(Continued)



• Appropriate caution should be exercised when blowing sirens in presence of children because decibels produced can be harmful to their hearing

(Continued)



• Remember that station mascots (dogs, cats, etc.) can be potential safety and liability hazards


Summary

• Inspections are sometimes conducted by fire inspectors, but are often conducted by company officers and their crews.

(Continued)


Summary

• Public education is the process of teaching members of the public how they can protect themselves from fires and other contingencies.

(Continued)


Summary

• Recognizing that the most conscientious code enforcement and public education efforts will not eliminate all uncontrolled fires, fire departments must prepare to suppress those fires that do start.


Review Questions

1.What is the difference between a survey and an inspection?2.List four common fire hazards.3.List five items that should be identified in an inspection.

(Continued)


Review Questions

4.What items should firefighters check in a preincident planning survey?5.What are the main objectives of a residential fire safety survey?

(Continued)


Review Questions

6.What are five questions that firefighters should ask themselves when conducting interior and exterior residential fire safety surveys?7.What are the steps in presenting fire and life safety information?

(Continued)


Review Questions

8.What are some important characteristics and needs of children when presenting fire and life safety information?9.List common topics for fire and life safety presentations.10. What precautions should be taken when giving fire station tours?

Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5 th Edition Chapter 20 — Fire Prevention and Public Education...

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