Robertson ch04
- 1. INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PREVENTION Seventh Edition • James C. Robertson Chapter 4 Enforcing Fire Safety Compliance Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, Seventh Ed. © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 2. Overview • Describe legal authority for code enforcement. • Describe the importance of plan review and its relation to code enforcement. • Identify how control of sales and use assists in fire code enforcement and give some examples. Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 3. Overview (cont.) • Recognize how structural control is used as a means of code enforcement and give specific examples of structural control. • Identify how control of occupancy is used as a means of code enforcement and give an example of controlling occupancy. Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 4. Overview (cont.) • Describe compliance and abatement procedures and why assurance of compliance is preferred over court action. • List some fire safety considerations in specific special types of occupancy’s. Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 5. Publicity for Fire Codes • Media often used ineffectively • Effective use includes: – Press coverage for enactment of fire safety codes • Gives clearer idea of code coverage – Signage • “No Smoking” • Occupancy capacity Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 6. Plan-Review Program for Fire Code Enforcement • Programs for review of plans and specifications – Qualified, trained individuals – Coordinated and carried out with building department – Rotated through fire department as procedure – Established through municipal directive Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 7. Fire Protection Engineers • Ideal scenario for plan reviewer – Speak with authority among industry professionals • Usually civilian – Assist in long-range departmental planning – Typically found in larger but not in smaller departments Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 8. Fire Protection Engineers • Plan-review programs should include: – Preliminary plan review • Rewarding; problems are easily changed • Architects more often provide plan review at this stage Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 9. Microfilming of Plans • Allows retrieval of information months or years later – Desirable from a legal standpoint in case of future litigation • Reduces storage space – CAD permits retention of plans by computer Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 10. Plan Review • Firefighter should be trained to read blue-prints – Provides some representation of fire service in plan-review process • Code backing – Designated code for reference Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 11. Plan Review • Plan review correlation with inspection – Only effective if followed up with inspection – Requirements in plan not always carried out by builder • Cannot always be readily detected in the field • Cooperation between several agencies is essential – Insurance industry may have interest in plan review Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 12. Removal of obstructions in exit ways is an important part of a fire inspector’s job. (Photo: U. S. Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency) Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 13. Control of Sales • Gasoline • Hazardous materials • Fire alarm systems • Extinguishers • Explosives • Fireworks Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 14. Control of Sales • Another means of fire abatement and prevention – Fire prevention bureau responsible for controlling: • Explosives • Gasoline • Fireworks • Fire extinguishers Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 15. Control of Gasoline Sales • Subject in most fire prevention codes – Handling – Storage – Dispensing – Type of container Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 16. Control of Fire Alarm Systems • Public safety function – Must be properly designed to function in an emergency – Some communities require fire alarms to be approved by the fire department Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 17. Control of Explosives • Control of handling, storage, and sales of explosives long covered in fire prevention code • Control is function of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Security measures – Deactivation measures • Fireworks Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 18. Structural Control • Includes inspection of materials, appurtenances, and other factors relating to the building – Fixed manufacturing equipment – Interior finishes – Fixed fire protection systems – Reinspections – Electrical equipment Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 19. Adequate water supplies are essential for prevention of fire spread. (Photo: James C. Robertson) Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 20. Control of Occupancy • Determining and posting occupancy capacity within structures – Occupancy capacity – Use of fire watch – Train company employees Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 21. Legal Aspects • Ultimate goal is improvement of facility rather than imposition of punitive measures – Notice of violation – Injunction – Local issues – Potential liability Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 22. Condemnation of Unsafe Structures • Power granted permitting building official to order demolition if owner fails to take corrective action – Local statutes – Authority – Demolition – Repair Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 23. Special Occupancies • Fire prevention and life safety measures often come about as a result of tragedy – Nursing homes – Boarding homes for the elderly – High-rise structures Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 24. Residential Sprinklers • Code development process • Mandatory requirement has been a tortuous process – San Clemente, California – Cobb County, Georgia – Prince George’s County, Maryland – Scottsdale, Arizona Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 25. Summary • Plan review • Methods of control • Legal aspects Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e © 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ