Effective
Prevention
And Control Measures
Presented by:
Derek C. Valdo, Sr.
Loss Prevention Specialist
AMERIND Risk Management Corporation
1
General Fire Prevention Information
Escape Routes Planned
Smoke Alarms in place, and tested
Exits Clear
First Aid Kit stocked and easily available
Location of shut-off valves known (gas, water &
electricity)
Practice fire drills
Home identifier visible for emergency
responders
Emergency information located near every
phone
2
Children & Matches and Smoking
Store matches and lighters out of reach of
children and in a secure location
Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching
children that fire is a tool, not a toy
Use large, deep, non-tip ashtrays
Never smoke when drowsy or in bed
Dispose of ashes and cigarette butts in a
metal can at least daily
Check furniture for smoldering cigarettes
every night, especially after social events
3
Photo of Children & Matches Fire
(Front)
4
Photo of Children & Matches Fire
(Back)
5
Heating Equipment
Ensure fireplace inserts and gas/wood stoves comply
with local codes
Clean and inspect chimney annually
Dispose of ashes in metal container
Keep clothes, furnishings, and electrical cords at
least 12” from wall heaters and 36” from portable
heaters
Service furnace annually
Set hot water heater thermostat at 120-125 F
Elevate new or replacement LP gas water heaters at
least 18” above the floor
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Photo of Chimney Fire (outside)
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Photo of Chimney Fire (inside)
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Electricity
Avoid the use of extension cords (If used, ensure the
correct wattage rating)
Plug only one heat producing device into an electrical
outlet
Ensure cords are not placed under rugs
Verify circuits are not overloaded
Replace damaged cords, plugs, sockets
Use bulbs with the correct wattage for lamps and
fixtures
Check fuses/circuit breakers for the correct
amperage ratings
Do not override or bypass fuses or circuit breakers
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Photo of Electrical Fire
10
Kitchen
Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles
Do not leave cooking food unattended
Keep pan handles turned in while cooking
Keep a pan lid or “fire towel” nearby in case of fire
Wear snug-fitting clothes when cooking
Electrical appliances, cords and plugs in good
condition
Ensure outlets near the kitchen sink are GFCI
(Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) equipped and not
overloaded
11
Photo of Kitchen Fire (Grease)
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Fire Extinguisher
Verify that an all purpose fire
extinguisher (Class ABC) is maintained
in an accessible location
Ensure that all occupants know how to
use it
Are additional fire extinguishers kept in
the kitchen, garage, basement, and
sleeping area?
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PASS
The fire extinguisher test
P ull the pin
A im
at the base of the fire
S queeze the handle
(at least 5-10 ft away)
S weep
(left to right while you carefully
approach the fire)
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Smoke Detector
Installed properly on every level?
Battery replaced every year?
Tested once each month? Consider using a
photoelectric smoke detector to reduce false
alarms
Great time to educate children on its purpose
and sound
Practice is a great way to help your family
plan and remember what to do in case of a
disaster or emergency
15
Family Preparedness
Plan two unobstructed exits from every room,
including the second floor, and make sure
everyone knows them
Designate a meeting place outside
Develop an escape plan and practice it
regularly
PRESENTATION EXERCISE – Take 5
minutes to draw the floorplan of your
home and develop an escape plan.
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Legend
Closet
Sample – Floor Plan
Bedroom 2
Covered Porch
Window
Closet
Bedroom 1
Door
Dining
Room
Living
Room
Garage
Bathroom
Kitche
n
Furnace Rm
Bedroom 3
Washer &
Dryer
Closet
Covered Porch
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Scenario 1 – Escape Route Bedroom 2
(repeat for each room and location of fire)
Family Meeting
Place
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
First Escape Route
Second Escape Route
Garage
Kitche
n
Bedroom 3
Furnace Rm
Dining
Room
Living
Room
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Scenario 2 – Escape Route Bedroom 2
(repeat for each room and location of fire)
Family Meeting
Place
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
First Escape Route
Second Escape Route
Garage
Kitche
n
Bedroom 3
Furnace Rm
Dining
Room
Living
Room
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Things to Consider
Have an out-of-state contact for family to check
after a major disaster/emergency
Store important papers and valuables in a fire
proof safe/cabinet and/or off-site
Maintain proper insurance coverage for your
home and its contents (dwelling, renter’s, fire,
theft, vandalism, etc.)
10 Minute Break
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Control Measures
-What you can do to control fire?
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Basic Residential Fire Control
Fire Extinguisher





ABC Rated
Recharged
Easy access
Know how to use
Avg. Cost $15-30
Dry Chemical
Halon
Water
Carbon Dioxide
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Basic Fire Control Systems
Smoke Detector




Photo-electric (recommended)
Hard-wired w/ battery backup
Lithium batteries (recommended)
Avg. Cost
$8 (Ionization)
$25 (Photoelectric)
http://www.firstalert.com/home_safety/smoke_alarm
s/help.htm#
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Advanced Fire Control Systems
– Total Dwelling
Residential Fire Sprinkler System




Automatic sprinkler system for home
Total or partial protection
Less water damage from fire department
Avg. Cost $1,500 (new construction 1200 sqft
home)
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Advanced Fire Control
Systems – Dwelling Structure
Application of Fire Retardant/Resistant
Coating
Increase burn rating of building material
 Firefree 88 -“painted” on like a primer/first
coat for both new and existing dwellings
 Noburn Woodguard - Applied to entire
building at framing for new construction
http://www.homefirepreventionkit.com/home_
fire_prevention_kit_applica.htm

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Typical Installation-New
Construction Interior
Avg Cost: $300-500 Retardant
+ Labor
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Sample Structure Treated With
Fire Retardant (FF88)
Two identical buildings. Two identical fires.
DoD Force Protection Equipment Demonstration, Quantico, VA
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Fire Control Systems Contents
Contents provide
fuel for the fire
Foam and fabric
produce “black”
smoke
Apply fire retardant
to contents and
furniture
Avg. Cost: $200-500
retardant + labor
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Fire Control Systems –
Contents Installation
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Alternative Fire Control
Systems
“Home Fireman”
Water hose to put
out small ordinary
fires
90 linear ft of
coverage
Easy install
Avg. Cost: $220 /
unit + install
30
Alternative Fire Control
Systems-Range Only
Rangehood Fire
Suppression
Canisters
Grease Fires
Automatic (out of
sight out of mind)
Avg. Cost: $41
StoveTop Automatic Fire Extinguisher in use
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Alternative Fire Control
Systems-Miscellaneous
Fire towel-grease


Grease fires
Avg. Cost: $7
Exterior coating –
fire retardant (i.e.
Enerchron)

http://www.enerchro
n.com/
Training



Fire Department
Police Department
ARMC
Education
Policy

Negative must
outweigh the positive
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The End
Consider AMERIND for your
property and liability needs.
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