Fire safety 987507 224012796 2008-07-06T22:54:09Z Muffinon 6562454 /* External links */ removing building engineering category: fire protection is now in building engineering cat {{Cleanup|date=May 2007}} {{Unreferenced|date=May 2007}} [[Image:State college pa burned house.jpg|thumb|right|Inadequate fire safety can be destructive and deadly.]] '''Fire safety''' is a component of [[building code|building safety]]. It concerns safety measures to prevent fire initiation and growth or limit fire's effects. Fire prevention officers are fire department members who inspect buildings for violations of the Fire Code and go into schools to educate children on Fire Safety topics. The Chief Fire Prevention Officer or Chief of Fire Prevention will normally train newcomers to the Fire Prevention Division and may also conduct inspections or make presentations. ==Key elements== *Building a facility in accordance with the version of the local building code in effect at the time of building permit application *Maintaining a facility and conducting oneself in accordance with the provisions of the fire code, after the building is occupied. This is based on knowledge of the code by the owner and ensuring that the occupants and operators of the building are aware of the currently applicable regulations. Examples of such include, but are not limited to, the following: ** Not exceeding the maximum [[occupancy]] within any part of the building. ** Maintaining proper [[fire exit]]s and proper exit signage (e.g., exit signs pointing to them that can function in a power failure) ** Placing and maintaining [[fire extinguisher]]s in easily accessible places. ** Properly storing/using, hazardous materials that may be needed inside the building for storage or operational requirements (such as solvents in spray booths). ** Prohibiting [[flammable]] materials in certain areas of the facility. ** Periodically inspecting buildings for violations, issuing <u>Orders To Comply<u> and, potentially, prosecuting or closing buildings that are not in compliance, until the deficiencies are corrected or condemning it in extreme cases. ** Maintaining [[fire alarm systems]]s for detection and warning of fire. ** Obtaining and maintaining a complete inventory of [[firestop]]s. ** Ensuring that spray [[fireproofing]] remains undamaged. ** Maintaining a high level of training and awareness of occupants and users of the building to avoid obvious mistakes, such as the propping open of [[fire door]]s. **Conduct [[fire drills]] at regular intervals throughout the year ==Fire code== The '''Fire code''' (also '''Fire prevention code''' or '''Fire safety code''') is a model code adopted by the state or local jurisdiction and enforced by fire prevention officers within [[municipal fire department]]s. It is a set of rules prescribing minimum requirements to prevent fire and explosion hazards arising from storage, handling, or use of dangerous materials, or from other specific hazardous conditions. It complements the [[building code]]. The fire code is aimed primarily at preventing fires, ensuring that necessary training and equipment will be on hand, and that the original design basis of the building, including the basic plan set out by the [[architect]], is not compromised. The fire code also addresses inspection and maintenance requirements of various fire protection equipment in order to maintain optimal [[active fire protection]] and [[passive fire protection]] measures. A typical fire safety code includes administrative sections about the rule-making and enforcement process, and substantive sections dealing with fire suppression equipment, particular hazards such as containers and transportation for combustible materials, and specific rules for hazardous occupancies, industrial processes, and exhibitions. Sections may establish the requirements for obtaining permits and specific precautions required to remain in compliance with a permit. For example, a fireworks exhibition may require an application to be filed by a licensed pyrotechnician, providing the information necessary for the issuing authority to determine whether safety requirements can be met. Once a permit is issued, the same authority (or another delegated authority) may inspect the site and monitor safety during the exhibition, with the power to halt operations, when unapproved practices are seen or when unforeseen hazards arise. ===List of some typical fire and explosion issues in a fire code=== *[[firework]]s, [[explosive]]s, mortars and cannons, model rockets (licenses for manufacture, storage, transportation, sale, use) *certification for servicing, placement, and inspecing [[fire extinguisher|fire extinguishing equipment]] *general storage and handling of flammable liquids, solids, gases (tanks, personnel training, markings, equipment) *limitations on locations and quantities of flammables (e.g., 10 litres of gasoline inside a residential dwelling) *specific uses and specific flammables (e.g., dry cleaning, gasoline distribution, explosive dusts, pesticides, space heaters, plastics manufacturing) *permits and limitations in various building occupancies (assembly hall, hospital, school, theatre, elderly care, prisons, warehouses, etc) *locations that require a [[smoke detector]], [[sprinkler system]], [[fire extinguisher]], or other specific equipment or procedures *removal of interior and exterior obstructions to emergency exits or firefighters and removal of [[hazardous material]]s *permits and limitations in special outdoor applications (tents, asphalt kettles, bonfires, etc) *other hazards (flammable decorations, welding, smoking, bulk matches, tire yards) *[[National Electrical Code (US)|Electrical safety code]] *[[Fuel gas]] code ==Fire safety education== All fire departments-- have a fire safety education program and one of the functions of Fire Prevention Officers is to visit schools to educate the children both in how to prevent fires and the actions they should take in the event of a fire occurring. Fire prevention programs may include distribution of smoke detectors, visiting schools to review key topics with the students and implementing nationally recognized programs such as NFPAs "Risk Watch" & "Learn not to burn."<ref>[http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=213&itemID=17658&URL=Learning/Training%20and%20professional%20development/Online%20learning NFPA eLearning On-line catalog]</ref> Other programs or props can be purchased readily by fire departments or community organizations. Notably, these are usually entertaining, capture children's attention and relay important messages. Such props include types that are mostly auditory, such as puppets & robots. The prop is visually stimulating but the safety message is only transmitted orally. Other props are more elaborate, access more senses and increase the learning factor. They mix audio messages and visual queues as well as hands-on interaction. Examples of these include mobile trailer safety houses and tabletop hazard house simulators. All programs tend to mix messages of general injury prevention, safety, fire prevention and escape in case of fire. In most cases the fire department representative is regarded as the expert and is expected to present information in a manner that is appropriate for each age group. ===Target Audiences=== In the United States, the very young and the elderly are considered to be "at risk" populations.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} These two groups represent approximately 33% of the population and are targeted to receive fire safety information<ref>[http://www.elderstribune.com/health-lifestyle/living-independently-and-fire-safety Living independently and fire safety]</ref>. ==See also== <div style="-moz-column-count:3; column-count:3;"> *[[Occupancy]] *[[Construction]] *[[Fire protection]] *[[Passive fire protection]] *[[Active fire protection]] *[[Listing and approval use and compliance]] *[[Product certification]] *[[Firestop]] *[[Fireproofing]] *[[Fire door]] *[[Intumescent]] *[[Endothermic]] *[[Ablation]] *[[Firestop pillow]] *[[Fire sprinkler]] *[[Fire alarm]] *[[Smoke detector]] *[[Firewall (construction)]] *[[Campus fire safety]] </div> ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.olathekids.org Fire and life safety for kids] * [http://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/WheelchairFireSafety.pdf Fire Safety for wheelchair users] A fire safety guide for wheelchair users published by [http://www.unitedspinal.org United Spinal Association] * [http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/Seattle/seattle_fire/PDFs/Table%20of%20contents.pdf Sample Fire Code Table of Contents from International Code Council] * [http://jfe.sagepub.com/ Journal of Fire Protection Engineering for the latest research, methods and developments within Fire Protection Engineering] *[http://www.firesafety.gov/ US government site on fire safety] * [http://www.firekills.gov.uk/ UK government site on fire safety] * [http://www.moebuildingcontrol.co.uk/ moebuildingcontrol.co.uk - UK Guidance on fire safety codes and fire engineering] * [http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/index.php Fireservice - Home Fire Safety Advice] * [http://www.etoys.com/genProduct.html/PID/4718609/ctid/17?cpncode=09-39211308-2&srccode=cii_10043468 Fire Safety Puppets] [[Category:Fire prevention]] [[Category:Fire protection]] [[Category:Legal codes]] [[nl:Brandpreventie]] [[ta:தீக்காப்பு விதித்தொகுப்பு]] [[uk:Пожежна безпека]]