Chapter 10

Fire Prevention and Investigation

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

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

Learning Objective 1Importance 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

Learning Objective 1Importance of Fire Prevention

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

Learning Objective 2Activities Performed by Fire Prevention Bureau

FIRE PREVENTION TERMS

• Fire prevention inspection

• Potential hazard

• Risk

• Hazards in the design of buildingsCont.

Learning Objective 2Activities Performed by Fire Prevention Bureau

FIRE PREVENTION TERMS

• Occupancy

• Hazardous occupancies

• Institutional occupancies

• Occupancy classification

Learning Objective 2Activities Performed by Fire Prevention Bureau

FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITY BEFORE CONSTRUCTION

• Zoning regulations

Occupancies

• Setbacks from property lines

• Required fire flow

Learning Objective 2Activities 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

Learning Objective 2Activities 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

Learning Objective 2Activities 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

Learning Objective 2Activities Performed by Fire Prevention Bureau

EDUCATING THE PUBLIC

• School system• YWCA Super Sitter• Civic groups and industry• Fire station tours• Public service announcements• News conference on television or radio

Learning Objectives 3 and 4Methods 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

Learning Objectives 3 and 4Methods 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

Learning Objectives 3 and 4Methods 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

Learning Objectives 3 and 4Methods 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 visitCont.

Learning Objectives 3 and 4Methods 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

Learning Objectives 3 and 4Methods of Public Education Authority to Enforce Fire Prevention Regulation

FIRE PREVENTION PERSONNEL

• Staff function (fire inspector)

• Operations function (firefighter assigned to an engine or truck company)

• Fire prevention bureau personnel

• Fire prevention chiefCont.

Learning Objective 5Typical Fire Prevention Bureau

FIRE PREVENTION PERSONNEL

• Inspection officers

• Firefighters as inspectors (when officers are in charge of divisions)

• Civilians Technical specialists

Learning Objective 5Typical 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.

Learning Objective 5Typical Fire Prevention Bureau

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

• Alternative training• Knowledge of code

Write reports• Public education courses• Learn latest techniques and methods

Learning Objective 5Typical Fire Prevention Bureau

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 sceneCont.

Learning Objectives 6 and 7Importance 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

Learning Objectives 6 and 7Importance 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

Learning Objectives 6 and 7Importance of Fire Information Reporting

Uses of Fire-Related Statistics

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