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

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). Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

Specific Objectives 13. Summarize common causes of residential fires. 14. Summarize items to address when conducting residential fire safety surveys. (Continued) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

Surveys Help to familiarize firefighters with contents, manufacturing processes, layouts of buildings What a survey includes Voluntary residential life safety surveys Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

Fire Incident Records Contain critical information about fire history of community Can be helpful with fire prevention efforts Firefighter II

Code Enforcement Inspections Conducted in commercial, institutional, industrial occupancies Ensure citizens have safe physical environment in which to work, study, worship, play (Continued) Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

Fire Hazard Condition increasing likelihood of fire starting or increasing the extent/severity of a fire if one did start (Continued) Firefighter II

Fire Hazard Can be prevented by eliminating one element of fire tetrahedron Considerations of eliminating elements Firefighter II

Fuel Hazards Ordinary combustibles Flammable, combustible gases Flammable, combustible liquids Chemicals (Continued) Firefighter II

Fuel Hazards Dusts Metals Plastics, resins, and cellulose Firefighter II

Heat Source Hazards Chemical heat energy Electrical heat energy Mechanical heat energy Nuclear heat energy Firefighter II

Common Fire Hazard A condition prevalent in almost all occupancies that increases likelihood of fire starting Firefighter II

Be Alert to Common Hazards Obstructed electrical panels Poor housekeeping, improper storage of combustible materials Defective or improperly used heating, lighting, power equipment (Continued) Firefighter II

Be Alert to Common Hazards Improper disposal of floor-cleaning compounds Misuse of fumigation substances and flammable or combustible liquids Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

Special Fire Hazards in Commercial Occupancies Mixed varieties of contents Difficulties in entering occupancies during closed periods Illegal building additions Illegal storage (Continued) Firefighter II

Special Fire Hazards in Commercial Occupancies 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 Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

Special Fire Hazards in Manufacturing Occupancies High-piled storage of combustible materials Operation of vehicles, fork trucks, other trucks inside buildings (Continued) Firefighter II

Special Fire Hazards in Manufacturing Occupancies Large, open areas Large-scale use of flammable, combustible gases Lack of automatic sprinklers/other fixed fire protection systems Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

Target Hazard Examples Lumberyards Bulk oil storage facilities Shopping malls Hospitals Theaters (Continued) Firefighter II

Target Hazard Examples Nursing homes Rows of frame tenements Schools High-rise hotels/condominiums Large public assemblies – concert halls, stadiums, etc. Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

Equipment Requirements Research on occupancies Writing equipment Drawing equipment Other equipment Firefighter II

Scheduling Fire Inspections During normal business hours Some scheduled by contacting business owner ahead of time (Continued) Firefighter II

Scheduling Fire Inspections Scheduling allows inspections to be conducted at least disruptive time Other inspections conducted systematically; no scheduling Firefighter II

Conducting Fire Inspections Firefighter conduct Enter premises at main entrance, contact the individual with whom inspection scheduled (Continued) Firefighter II

Conducting Fire Inspections Introduce team, briefly review inspection process, answer any questions occupant may have (Continued) Firefighter II

Conducting Fire Inspections 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) Firefighter II

Conducting Fire Inspections 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) Firefighter II

Conducting Fire Inspections If one or more code violations are found, plan of correction must be agreed upon between inspection team and occupant (Continued) Firefighter II

Conducting Fire Inspections Form and content of plan of correction should be clearly defined in departmental SOPs covering inspection process (Continued) Firefighter II

Conducting Fire Inspections In most departments, occupant or representative required to sign inspection form Inspection team leader should thank occupant for cooperating Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

Preincident Planning Surveys Residential fire safety surveys Firefighters need a number of personal, technical skills to conduct fire safety surveys properly Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

Benefits of Preincident Planning Surveys Allow firefighters to become aware of building components Can greatly improve emergency operations, substantially improve firefighter, citizen safety (Continued) Firefighter II

Benefits of Preincident Planning Surveys Include maps, drawings, photographs, written notes that may help firefighters Firefighter II

Fuel Loads Bulk of fuel available to burn and generally refers to the contents of a building Major fuel sources (Continued) Firefighter II

Fuel Loads Knowing combustibles in a building Imperative that this information be gathered during preincident surveys Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

Conducting Preincident Surveys Inside Building 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) Firefighter II

Conducting Preincident Surveys Inside Building Complete set of notes, photographs, well-prepared drawings of the building Large or complex buildings (Continued) Firefighter II

Conducting Preincident Surveys Inside Building If a floor plan used on a previous survey is available, make sure to record any changes made, update floor plan drawings accordingly Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

Making Maps and Drawings 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) Firefighter II

Making Maps and Drawings Use of computerized Geographic Information System (GIS) or other electronic mapping programs can save hours, should be used where available (Continued) Firefighter II

Making Maps and Drawings Components included in maps and drawings Sectional elevation drawing of a structure may be needed to show elevation changes, mezzanines, balconies, other structural features Firefighter II

Photographs Can show important details that even accurate drawings cannot Can quickly/easily record tremendous amount of information (Continued) Firefighter II

Photographs May include interior, close-up photographs Video Firefighter II

Residential Fire Safety Surveys Can only be conducted on a voluntary basis Require great deal of advanced planning and publicity Main objectives (Continued) Firefighter II

Residential Fire Safety Surveys Provide other benefits in addition to reducing loss of life and property Increase fire awareness, interest in public education efforts (Continued) Firefighter II

Residential Fire Safety Surveys May be the best time for firefighters to distribute literature, promote programs May include special cards or slips Provide firefighters with valuable information Firefighter II

Residential Fire Safety Survey Guidelines Conduct surveys in teams of two Dress and act professionally Introduce team, provide proper identification Explain survey procedure (Continued) Firefighter II

Residential Fire Safety Survey Guidelines Maintain courteous, businesslike attitude Focus on preventing fires, eliminating threats to life safety Compliment occupants when favorable conditions found (Continued) Firefighter II

Residential Fire Safety Survey Guidelines Offer constructive suggestions for correcting/eliminating hazardous conditions Survey all rooms Discuss survey results with owner/occupant, answer any questions (Continued) Firefighter II

Residential Fire Safety Survey Guidelines 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 Firefighter II

Common Residential Fire Causes Malfunctioning heating appliances and water heaters Combustibles too close to heating appliances or lamps Unsafe cooking procedures Smoking materials (Continued) Firefighter II

Common Residential Fire Causes Overloaded extension cords and multiple-outlet devices Exposed electrical wiring Defective electrical appliances (Continued) Firefighter II

Common Residential Fire Causes Improper use of combustible or flammable liquids Poor housekeeping Untended candles Firefighter II

Address During Interior Surveys Combustible materials Appliances Electrical wiring/equipment Portable heating units Woodstoves/fireplaces Heating fuel (Continued) Firefighter II

Address During Interior Surveys General housekeeping practices Smoke alarms Electrical distribution panels Gas appliances Oil-burning units Furnaces (Continued) Firefighter II

Address During Interior Surveys Water heaters Shop/work rooms Accumulated waste Flammable liquids Firefighter II

Address During Exterior Surveys Roof Chimneys/spark arrestors Yard/porch areas Barbecues and fuel (Continued) Firefighter II

Address During Exterior Surveys Outside waste burners Garages, sheds, barns, outbuildings Flammable liquids/gases Lightning protection Security devices Power lines Firefighter II

Home Safety Issues Maintaining clear/unobstructed exit pathways Safety concerning water Firefighter II

Fire and Life Safety Messages Must Be Accurate Positive Targeted to specific audience Firefighter II

Accurate Messages Conveying wrong information can be deadly Sources available to assist in verifying accuracy of content Firefighter II

Positive Messages Adults want to know what to do without being scared Positive messages more likely to be remembered during emergency Firefighter II

Targeted Messages Fire, life safety educational messages can be based on variety of issues Audiences may vary Knowing audience helps prepare needs-specific presentation Firefighter II

Presenting Fire, Life Safety Education for Adults “Teachable moments” Basic four-step method of instruction Firefighter II

Basic Four-Step Method of Instruction Preparation Presentation Application Evaluation Firefighter II

Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young Children Children often interpret literally Children have limited attention spans Remain flexible when presenting information (Continued) Firefighter II

Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young Children 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) Firefighter II

Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young Children DO NOT scare children! Remember that firefighters in protective clothing and breathing apparatus can be very frightening to children (Continued) Firefighter II

Presenting Fire, Life Safety Information to Young Children Children learn by doing, not by listening Home fire safety concepts are complicated, so messages for young children must communicate basic simple concepts Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

Home Safety Promote home escape plans, Exit Drills in the Home program, similar efforts Communicate fire, life safety rules to residential occupants Firefighter II

Candles Open flame that can ignite nearby combustibles Accounted for 4 percent of all reported residential fires in 2004 Safety messages Firefighter II

Smoke Alarms May be battery-operated May be part of security alarm system hardwired, monitored by central alarm, reporting station (Continued) Firefighter II

Smoke Alarms Location Maintenance, testing Carbon monoxide detectors Firefighter II

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 Firefighter II

Procedures During Station Tours Firefighters should be dressed appropriately Firefighters should conduct themselves with courtesy, professionalism (Continued) Firefighter II

Procedures During Station Tours 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) Firefighter II

Procedures During Station Tours 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) Firefighter II

Procedures During Station Tours Special care should be taken to protect curious children, other individuals around shop areas or slide poles All groups should be kept together (Continued) Firefighter II

Procedures During Station Tours Equipment, apparatus should be demonstrated with appropriate caution to ensure no one endangered (Continued) Firefighter II

Procedures During Station Tours Appropriate caution should be exercised when blowing sirens in presence of children because decibels produced can be harmful to their hearing (Continued) Firefighter II

Procedures During Station Tours Remember that station mascots (dogs, cats, etc.) can be potential safety and liability hazards Firefighter II

Summary Inspections are sometimes conducted by fire inspectors, but are often conducted by company officers and their crews. (Continued) Firefighter II

Summary Public education is the process of teaching members of the public how they can protect themselves from fires and other contingencies. (Continued) Firefighter II

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. Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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) Firefighter II

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? Firefighter II