Chapter 10
Fire Prevention
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
Learning Objective 1
Importance of Fire Prevention
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 1
Importance 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 2
Activities Performed by
Fire Prevention Bureau
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 2
Activities Performed by
Fire Prevention Bureau
FIRE PREVENTION TERMS
• Fire prevention inspection
• Potential hazard
• Risk
• Hazards in the design of buildings
Cont.
Learning Objective 2
Activities Performed by
Fire Prevention Bureau
FIRE PREVENTION TERMS
• Occupancy
• Hazardous occupancies
• Institutional occupancies
• Occupancy classification
Learning Objective 2
Activities Performed by
Fire Prevention Bureau
FIRE PREVENTION ACTIVITY BEFORE
CONSTRUCTION
• Zoning regulations

Occupancies
• Setbacks from property lines
• Required fire flow
Learning Objective 2
Activities 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 2
Activities 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 2
Activities 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 Objectives 3 and 4
Methods of Public Education Authority
to Enforce Fire Prevention Regulation
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 4
Methods 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 4
Methods 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 4
Methods 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 4
Methods 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 visit
Cont.
Learning Objectives 3 and 4
Methods 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 Objective 5
Typical Fire Prevention Bureau
FIRE PREVENTION PERSONNEL
• Staff function (fire inspector)
• Operations function (firefighter assigned to an
engine or truck company)
• Fire prevention bureau personnel
• Fire prevention chief
Cont.
Learning Objective 5
Typical Fire Prevention Bureau
FIRE PREVENTION PERSONNEL
• Inspection officers
• Firefighters as inspectors (when officers are in
charge of divisions)
• Civilians

Technical specialists
Learning Objective 5
Typical 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 5
Typical Fire Prevention Bureau
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
• Alternative training
• Knowledge of code

Write reports
• Public education courses
• Learn latest techniques and methods
Learning Objectives 6 and 7
Importance of Fire Information Reporting
Uses of Fire-Related Statistics
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 scene
Cont.
Learning Objectives 6 and 7
Importance 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 7
Importance 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
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