Fire Officer Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6 WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Deluge systems are a special version of a wet-or dry pipe system for locations in which large quantities of water are needed to control a fast-developing fire quickly.
CHAPTER 6 THE FIRE OFFICERS ROLE IN COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY
Fire department community risk reduction activities may include fire prevention, pre-incident planning, and fire and life-safety education.
CHAPTER 6 THE FIRE OFFICERS ROLE IN COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY
Fire officers play multiple roles in relation to properties within their communities, including handling the following critical tasks:
CHAPTER 6 FIRE PUMPS
Fire pumps increase water pressure in standpipe and automatic sprinkler systems. They are designed to start automatically when the water pressure drops in a system or a fire suppression system is activated.
CHAPTER 6 PROTECTING EVIDENCE
Fire scene reconstruction is the process of re-creating the physical scene before the fire occurred, either physically or theoretically.
CHAPTER 6 THE FIRE OFFICERS ROLE IN COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY
Fire suppression companies are usually involved in pre-incident planning. In some areas, the local fire suppression company also conducts code enforcement inspections. Fire and life-safety education activities are often performed by a combination of staff personnel and fire companies.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONSIDERATIONS
Fires develop in four stages: incipient stage, growth stage, fully developed stage, and decay stage. The pre-incident plan should identify anticipated areas of fire growth.
CHAPTER 6 MANUFACTURING
General purpose manufacturing facilities are considered low to moderate hazard occupancies. Some, due to the nature of the materials used or the manufacturing process, will be identified as high hazard facilities. Some of the facilities will require a fire prevention permit that requires a more extensive inspection by credentialed fire inspectors.
CHAPTER 6 LEGAL CONSIDERATION DURING INVESTIGATIONS
If the cause of the fire is evident and accidental, the incident commander would be responsible for gathering the information and filling out the necessary reports. Although the law states that there is a public interest in determining the cause and origin of a fire, investigators must also respect the competing interest of a citizen's rights to privacy and due process.
CHAPTER 6 STATE FIRE CODES
The department of insurance The department of public safety A separate government department A regulatory agency The state police A cabinet-level office The state fire commission
CHAPTER 6 CONSTRUCTION TYPE
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) research in 2011 showed Type V residences achieving flashover in 3:30-4:45 minutes, compared to flashover times of 29:30-34:15 minutes for legacy residences.
CHAPTER 6 A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
(cont.) 1. Identify physical elements and site considerations. 2. Identify occupancy considerations. 3. Identify water supply and fire protection systems. 4. Identify special considerations. 5. Identify emergency operation consideration. 6. Document findings.
CHAPTER 6 THE FIRE OFFICERS ROLE IN COMMUNITY FIRE SAFETY
(cont.) 1. Identifying and correcting fire safety hazards through safety checks or code enforcement. 2. Developing and maintaining pre-incident plans. 3. Promoting fire safety through public education.
CHAPTER 6 MODEL CODES
(cont.) 2. Adoption by transcription occurs when the jurisdiction adopts the entire text of the model code and publishes it as part of the adopting ordinance. Although the model code process updates the code every 3 to 5 years, the AHJ must specifically adopt the new edition of a model code before it becomes legally enforceable.
CHAPTER 6 COMMON BUILT IN FIRE PROTECTION CODE VIOLATIONS
(cont.) 3. Items hanging from fire sprinklers and piping 4. Not enough clearance to allow a fire sprinkler to fully operate. 5. Incorrect fire sprinkler coverage if the occupancy or contents have changed. Items 1-4 can be immediately corrected at the request of the fire officer.
CHAPTER 6 BUILT-IN FIRE PROTECTION
(cont.) An automatic sprinkler system is an active fire protection method, as there has to be some action or motion in order to work effectively in the event of a fire.
CHAPTER 6 EVIDENCE
(cont.) Documentary evidence: Evidence in written form, such as reports, records, photographs, sketches, and witness statements. Testimonial evidence: Witnesses speaking under oath.
CHAPTER 6 WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
1991 high rise office fire at One Meridian Plaza in Philadelphia, fire fighters discovered that the pressure regulating devices were improperly set, and only a weak flow could be obtained form each outlet. Three fire fighters died while the fire consumed the 22nd through 30th floors in 19 hours.
CHAPTER 6 BUILDING CODE VERSUS FIRE CODE
A building code contains regulations that apply to the construction of a new building or to an extension or major renovation of an existing building. Fire code applies to existing buildings and to situations that involve a potential fire risk or hazard.
CHAPTER 6 BUSINESS
A business occupancy is used for account and record keeping or transaction of business other than merchantile.
CHAPTER 6 UNDERSTANDING FIRE CODES
A fire code establishes legally enforceable regulations that relate specifically to fire and life safety, including related subjects such as regulations of hazardous materials and process protection and operating features. A state fire code applies everywhere in the state, whereas a locally adopted code can be enforce only within that particular jurisdictions.
CHAPTER 6 SECURING THE SCENE
A fire officer who conducts a preliminary fire cause investigation and suspects that a crime has occurred should immediately request the response of a fire investigator. In these circumstances, the scene must be secured to protect any evidence that exists.
CHAPTER 6 PREINCIDENT PLANNING
A high risk property has the potential to produce a catastrophic property or life loss in the event of a fire. ex. nuclear power plants, bulk fuel storage facilities, hospitals, and jails.
CHAPTER 6 PREINCIDENT PLANNING
A high-value property contains equipment, materials, or items that have a high replacement value. ex. agricultural equipment, electronic data processing equipment, or scientific equipment, fine arts, storage or manufacturing sites.
CHAPTER 6 FOAM SYSTEMS
A low expansion foam system is used to protect hazardous involving flammable or combustible liquids, such as gasoline storage tanks.
CHAPTER 6 MERCANTILE
A mercantile occupancy is used for the display and sale of merchandise.
CHAPTER 6 MIXED OCCUPANCIES
A mixed use property has multiple types of occupancies within a single structure. Ex. old commercial building that has been renovated to include multifamily residential loft apartments on the second and third floor and a bakery on the first floor.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY PHYSICAL ELEMENTS AND SITE CONSIDERATIONS
A plot plan provides a representation of the exterior of a structure, identifying site access, doors, utilities access, and any special considerations or hazards.
CHAPTER 6 PREINCIDENT PLANNING
A pre-incident plan is described by NFPA 1620 as a document developed by gathering data used by responding personnel in effectively managing emergencies for the protection of occupants, participants, responding personnel, property, and the environment
CHAPTER 6 RESIDENTIAL
A residential occupancy provides sleeping accommodations for purposes other than healthcare, detention, or corrections. One-two family dwellings Lodging or rooming houses Hotels Dormitories Apartment buildings (three or more dwelling units)
CHAPTER 6 EDUCATIONAL
A single school fire produced the swiftest example of the catastrophic theory of reform. The our lady of angels school burned on December 1, 1958. Despite heroic efforts by the Chicago Fire Department, 95 people died, most of them children. As in assembly type occupancies, exit paths are essential for occupant safety.
CHAPTER 6 WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
A standpipe system provides the ability to connect fire hoses within a building. Standpipes are a arrangement of piping, valves, hose connections, and allied equipment that allow water to be discharged through hoses and nozzles to reach all parts of the building.
CHAPTER 6 STORAGE
A storage occupancy is used primarily for storing or sheltering goods, merchandise, products, vehicles, or animals.
CHAPTER 6 UNDERSTANDING BUILT IN FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
After clarifying means or access and egress, the status of the built-in fire protection features is the second reason for a fire company to perform inspections.
CHAPTER 6 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS-VACANT AND ABANDONED STRUCTURES
An X denotes only exterior operation should be performed A single line / interior operations should be done using extreme care Empty box - normal stability at the time of the markings.
CHAPTER 6 EVIDENCE
An artifact could also be an item on which fire patterns are present, in which case preservation of the artifact is not focused on the item itself, but rather the fire pattern that appears on the item.
CHAPTER 6 ASSMEBLY
An assembly occupancy is used for the gathering of people for deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, or awaiting transportation.
CHAPTER 6 WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
An automatic sprinkler systems consists of a series of pipes with small discharge nozzles (sprinkler heads)located throughout a building. Depending on the usage and climate, automatic sprinkler systems may be wet pipe, dry pipe, deluge, or preaction.
CHAPTER 6 EDUCATIONAL
An educational occupancy is used for educational purposes through the 12th grade.
CHAPTER 6 INSTITUTIONAL
An institutional occupancy is used for purposes of medical or other treatment or for care of four or more persons, where such occupants are mostly incapable of self-preservation due to age, physical or mental disability, or security measures not under the occupants' control. Such buildings would include hospitals, nursing homes, and correctional facilities.
CHATPER 6 LOCAL FIRE CODES
At the local level, fire and safety codes are enacted by adopting an ordinance, which is a law enacted by an authorized subdivision of a state , such as a city, county, or town.
CHAPTER 6 UNDERSTANDING FIRE CODES
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is a term used in NFPA documents to refer to "an organization , office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure."
CHAPTER 6 WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Automatic sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, and fire pumps are the three primary components of water-based fire protection systems.
CHAPTER 6 DRY OR WET CHEMICAL
Both types of systems may be activated either of two ways: 1. Fusible link that melts on flame contact 2. Manual pull station. Activation of the system also turns off the cooking device by closing the cooking fuel valve or turning off the electricity
CHAPTER 6 REVIEW PRIOR INSPECTION REPORTS, FIRE HISTORY, AND PRE-INCIDENT PLANS
Bring a copy of the pre-incident plan. A code enforcement inspection is an excellent time to update contact information, such as names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY OCCUPANCY CONSIDERATIONS
Building specific information should include hours of operations, occupant load, and location of occupants. Case studies have proven the need to clearly define the role of the facility and the role of the fire department.
CHAPTER 6 NFPA 704 MARKING SYSTEM
Building with significant quantities of hazardous materials may be require to use a marking system. The most widely recognized standard is NFPA 704. This marking system consists of a color coded array of numbers or letters arranged in a diamond shape.
CHAPTER 6 CARBON DIOXIDE
Carbon dioxide extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen. The gas is heavier that air, so it settles in low spaces.
CHAPTER 6 CARBON DIOXIDE
Carbon dioxide systems are fixed systems that discharge carbon dioxide from either low or high pressure tanks, through a system of piping and nozzles, either to protect a specific device or process (eg. printing press) or to flood an enclosed space.
CHAPTER 6 BUILT-IN FIRE PROTECTION
Compartmentation is a passive fire protection method using fire-rated floors, protection of vertical openings such as stairs and elevator shafts, compartmentation in the form of fire walls and fire partitions, and fire-resistive construction.
CHAPTER 6 COORDINATE ACTIVITY WITH THE FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION
Coordination is needed in departments that implement both a fire prevention division and a company level inspection program.
CHAPTER 6 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS-SPECIAL HAZARDS
Document special hazards in the facility and develop a plan to send the proper resources during an emergency. Request data on the maximum inventory of hazardous materials and highly combustible products found in the building.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY PHYSICAL ELEMENTS AND SITE CONSIDERATIONS
During the pre-incident plan, the fire officer should test the two way radio system. For many radio systems, these areas prove to be dead spots. Such a problem could be mitigated by having a fixed antenna system or repeaters installed in the building.
CHAPTER 6 NFPA 704 MARKING SYSTEM
Each color represents a specific type of hazard. Blue - health hazard Red - flammability hazard Yellow - materials instability hazard White - special hazards
CHAPTER 6 MIXED
Each mixed-use building is considered individually in terms of its requirements, but the building as a whole must meet the most stringent requirement that applies to any of the occupancies inside.
CHAPTER 6 EVIDENCE
Evidence includes materials objects as well as documentary or oral statements that are admissible as testimony in a court of law.
CHAPTER 6 EXIT SIGNS AND EMERGENCY LIGHTING
Exit signs indicate the direction of exit to occupants during a fire. Emergency lights light the path to the exit.
CHAPTER 6 PREINCIDENT PLANNING
Facilities that store of handle hazardous materials are required to submit information about this materials and the threats they pose to the fire department and the Local Emergency Planning Council (LEPC)
CHAPTER 6 FACTORY INDUSTRIAL
Factory industrial occupancies include many of the same hazards as business occupancies. All too often , factories have improperly stored combustibles.
CHAPTER 6 COMMON BUILT IN FIRE PROTECTION CODE VIOLATIONS
Five common issues discovered during a pre-incident plan or code enforcement visit are: 1. Blocked access to FD system connections 2. Improper storage in the fire pump and riser rooms
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY PHYSICAL ELEMENTS AND SITE CONSIDERATIONS
Floor plans are interior views of a building. Rooms, hallways, cabinets, and other features are drawn in the correct relationship to each other in such a plan.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY PHYSICAL ELEMENTS AND SITE CONSIDERATIONS
Focus on factors that could lead to collapse of building components, fire spread, or the release of toxic gases. This part of the pre-incident plan should also document the location of utilities, including gas, electrical, and domestic water entry locations and shut-offs, and heating , ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) controls.
CHAPTER 6 SPECIAL HAZARDS
For most processes with high hazards, the occupancy is required to have a fire prevention division or hazardous use permit. Such local government permit is renewed annually after the fire prevention division performs a code compliance inspection.
CHAPTER 6 SPECIAL EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS
Four types of special extinguishing systems may be used in various structures: Carbon Dioxide Dry or Wet chemical Halon/Clean agent Foam
CHAPTER 6 HALON
Halon 1301 is about 250 percent more efficient than carbon dioxide for extinguishing fires. Unfortunately, halon also depletes the ozone layer in the atmosphere. Since 1994, Halon has not been allowed to be manufactured or imported into the United States, however legacy systems may still be recharged.
CHAPTER 6 INDUSTRIAL
In an industrial occupancy, either products are manufactured or processing, assembling, mixing, packaging, finishing, decorating, or repair operations are conducted.
CHAPTER 6 FIRE COMPANY INSPECTIONS
In most cases, the permission of the owner or occupant is required for entrance into a dwelling unit, whereas access to public areas is less restricted. The fire code often contains a section that, if necessary, allows for the issuance of a court order requiring the owner or occupant to allow the fire department agent to enter the occupancy to conduct an inspection.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY OCCUPANCY CONSIDERATIONS
In some communities, the public school system can assist the fire department by providing areas of shelter and transportation. For lager evacuations during weather related events, the American Red Cross has had considerable experience with tracking evacuees.
CHAPTER 6 BUILT IN FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
In some retesting programs, the fire prevention bureau requires a licensed fire protection contractor to perform the retest, and this contractor must submit a certified report of the findings.
CHAPTER 6 INSTITUTIONAL
Institutional occupancies include hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities, and similar occupancies where the occupants are likely to require special assistance to evacuate. Verify standpipe is accessible and that threads match fire hose used by the department.
CHAPTER 6 MEET WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE
Introduce your crew and briefly explain the goal of the visit. This is a great time to update and review all of the contact names, phone numbers, and information found in your pre-incident survey sheet.
CHAPTER 6 ARRANGE A VISIT
It is good practice to contact the owner or business representative to schedule a day and a time for the fire safety inspection. In some cases, a time that is inconvenient for a business is an important time in terms of fire safety.
CHAPTER 6 BUISNESS
Make sure that access and egress pathways are clear and in good order; this includes exits that are block with office furnishings.
CHAPTER 6 WRITING THE INSPECTION/CORRECTION REPORT
Many use a check off system, in which the officer puts a check next to the corresponding deficiency. Life threatening hazards, such as locked exits, must be corrected immediately. Less critical issues can be corrected within a reasonable time period, generally 30-90 days.
CHAPTER 6 MERCANTILE
Mercantile occupancies include retail shops and stores selling stocks of retail goods. Mercantile fires are responsible for a higher-than-average number of fire fighter line-of-duty deaths.
CHAPTER 6 MODEL CODES
Models codes are documents developed by a standards developing organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), and made available for adoption by AHJ. A complete set of model codes includes a building code, electric code, plumbing code, mechanical code, and fire code.
CHAPTER 6 CONSTRUCTION TYPE
Most commonly used model codes classify construction into five types: Type I - Fire resistive Type II - Noncombustible Type III - Ordinary Type IV - Heavy timber Type V - Wood frame
CHAPTER 6 RETROACTIVE CODE REQUIREMENTS
On occasion, a state or local AHJ passes a code revision that is specifically identified as applying retroactively to all affected occupancies.
CHAPTER 6 WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Preaction sprinkler systems are similar to dry-pipe systems, but include a separate detection system that triggers the dry-pipe valve and fills the sprinkler pipes with water.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY OCCUPANCY CONSIDERATIONS
Protecting in place would require the officer to determine which areas within the structure are resistant to the potential of fire growth and how the ventilation system can be controlled. If the pre-incident planners determine that the occupants should be removed, the plan should identify how that will be accomplished.
CHAPTER 6 RETROACTIVE CODE REQUIREMENTS
Regulations that applied to a particular building at the time it was built remain in effect as long as it is occupied for the same purpose. If a building is remodeled or extensively renovated, or if its occupancy use changes, most codes specify that all of the current requirements of the code must be met.
CHAPTER 6 REVIEW PRIOR INSPECTION REPORTS, FIRE HISTORY, AND PRE-INCIDENT PLANS
Review the inspection records from previous inspections. Doing so might detect a trend or a chronic problem.
CHAPTER 6 STORAGE
Sometimes stock will block exit pathways or be stacked so high that it blocks the ability of the automatic sprinkler system to properly operate. During the inspection, the fire officer should determine both the normal amount of onsite hazardous materials and the maximum amount that could be present.
CHAPTER 6 WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Sometimes, instead of installing a dry-pipe systems, an antifreeze solution is added to the water in a wet-pipe system to protect an unheated area (eg. freezer or a loading dock).
CHAPTER 6 WATER BASED FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
Standpipes are subdivided into three classes based on their expected use: Class I - 2 1/2 male for use by fire department Class II - 1 1/2 w/preconnected hoses and nozzle in a hose cabinet designed for occupant use Class III - Both 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 connections with reconnected hose line. Occupants can use till the fire department arrives.
CHAPTER 6 INSPECTING FROM THE OUTSIDE IN, BOTTOM TO TOP
Start by walking around the exterior of the premises, go from the bottom to the top.
CHAPTER 6 STATE FIRE CODES
The NFPA fire protection handbook identifies seven different organizational patterns or state fire marshal organizations in the United States.
CHAPTER 6 UNDERSTANDING BUILT IN FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
The NFPA report, U.S. experience with sprinklers, found that sprinklers operated effectively in 92% of all reported structure fires that were large enough to activate sprinklers, excluding buildings under construction and buildings without sprinklers in the fire area.
CHAPTER 6 SPECIAL PROPERTIES
The "special properties" class includes structures that hold a wide variety of hazards. Codes will specify which items and quantities can be stored in a facility, as well as which markings are required for hazardous substances.
CHAPTER 6 UNDERSTANDING FIRE CODES
The AHJ for a state fire code is usually the fire marshal.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CONSIDERATIONS
The IAP should be based on the priorities of life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservations, in that order. Fuel load refers to the total quantity of all combustible products found within a room or space.
CHAPTER 6 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS-VACANT AND ABANDONED STRUCTURES
The US Fire Administration recommends four action that can reduce arson in vacant and abandoned buildings and improve fire fighter safety: 1. Monitor 2. Secure - This is vital - 72% are of incendiary devices or suspicious origin 3. Inspect 4. Mark
CHAPTER 6 CONSTRUCTION TYPE
The building itself is classified by construction type, which refers to the design and the materials used in construction.
CHAPTER 6 CLASSIFYING BY BUILDING OR OCCUPANCY
The codes may classify a building by construction type, occupancy type, and use group.
CHAPTER 6 CONDUCTING THE INSPECTION
The conduction of a fire inspection should be approached in a systematic fashion. Circle the area as you park the apparatus. Second, meet the property owner and let them know you arrived. Third, begin the inspection at the exterior of the building, working from the lowest level up. Fourth, conduct an exit interview with the contact person. Finally, write a formal report on the inspection.
CHAPTER 6 PROTECTING EVIDENCE
The fire officer is the first step in the chain of custody that is vital to successful prosecution of arson. Most investigators document all physical evidence before collecting it by taking high-resolution photographs.
CHAPTER 6 INTRODUCTION
The fire officer looks at a building and forms two different perspectives: First, the fire department prepares to handle an emergency in the building by developing a pre-incident plan. Second, members of the fire department perform a fire and life safety inspection to ensure that the building meets the appropriate fire prevention code requirements.
CHAPTER 6 EVIDENCE
The fire officer must consider three types of evidence: Demonstrative evidence: tangible items that can be identified by witnesses, such as incendiary devices and fire scene debris.
CHAPTER 6 PROTECTING EVIDENCE
The fire officer must determine when to stop fire suppression or overhaul operations as part of the effort to preserve evidence for the investigator. From the fire investigator's viewpoints, the less the fire fighters disturb, the more intact the scene remains.
CHAPTER 6 SECURING THE SCENE
The fire officer must ensure that the fire department personnel maintain custody of the scene until the investigator arrives. Failure to take these steps may require the fire department to get a warrant to return to the fire scene.
CHAPTER 6 SEARCHES
The fire officer must take care to avoid unlawful search and seizure, which is prohibited by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Typically, no search warrant is needed to enter a fire scene and collect evidence when the fire department remains on scene for a reasonable length of time to determine the cause of the fire and as long as the evidence is in plain view.
CHAPTER 6 PREPARING FOR THE INSPECTION REVIEWING THE FIRE CODE
The fire officer should regard the owner or occupant as a professional partner. Before conducting an inspection, you should review the sections of the fire code that apply to the specific property.
CHAPTER 6 A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
The fire officer should use a standardized method for completing each pre-incident plan. NFPA 1620 outlines six considerations to take into account when completing a pre-incident plan:
CHAPTER 6 GENERAL INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS
The general requirements include properly operating exit doors and unobstructed paths to egress travel. They also require built-in fire protection systems, such as automatic sprinklers and fire detection systems, as well as portable fire extinguishers, to be regularly inspected and properly maintained in operational conditions.
CHAPTER 6 SELECTED USE GROUP SPECIFIC CONCERNS PUBLIC ASSEMBLY
The goal for a code compliance inspection in a public assembly occupancy is to ensure that all of the access and egress pathways are clear and in good order. A major problem noted in many assembly inspections is overcrowding.
CHAPTER 6 BUILT-IN FIRE PROTECTION
The goal of fire protection is to contain the fire within a building or area. The two primary methods used in big cities that were being built in the late 1880s were compartmentation and automatic fire sprinklers.
CHAPTER 6 DOCUMENT FINDINGS
The goal of pre-incident planning is to develop a written plan that would be valuable to both the owner of the building and the fire department if an incident occurs at that location.
CHAPTER 6 IDENTIFY WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
The ideal hydrant would feed from a large water main that is part of a grid that allows water to flow from several directions. The pre-incident plan should identify the locations and details of every fire department connection, fire pump, standpipe system, and automatic sprinkler system.
CHAPTER 6 REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATOR
The investigator could be a fire department member, an employee or a county or state fire marshal's office, or a law enforcement officer. In some cases, a fire investigator is responsible for determining the cause and the origin of fires, and a law enforcement agency is responsible for any subsequent criminal investigation.
CHAPTER 6 REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATOR
The investigator's primary responsibility is to develop a properly documented case and , if needed, to forward it to the prosecutor. A fire investigator should also be called when a death or serious burn injury occurs. If fire was deliberately set it would be a crime. When any fatality occurs as a result of fire, the coroner or medical examiner's office also must be contacted.
CHAPTER 6 PROTECTING EVIDENCE
The investigators ultimate goal is to identify the area of origin and the cause of the fire. To determine the area of origin, the fire officer must understand fire behavior, growth, and development. The fire officer should also understand the three methods of heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation.
CHAPTER 6 UNDERSTANDING FIRE CODES
The local jurisdiction may not be able to exceed the state minimum (called mini/max code). Fire code requirements are often adopted or amended in reaction to fire disasters, an approach known as the catastrophic theory of reform. Deadliest fire was: 1903 Iroquois Theatre (Chicago Illinois:602 Dead)
CHAPTER 6 NFPA 704 MARKING SYSTEM
The marking system also requires labels to be affixed to containers inside the structure to indicate the hazards of the substance. In general, the system requires NFPA 704 marker at each entrance to the building, on doorways to chemical storage areas, and on fixed storage tanks.
CHAPTER 6 FIRE ALARM AND DETECTION SYSTEMS UNDERSTANDING FIRE CODE COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS
The objective of a fire code compliance inspection is to determine whether an existing property is in compliance with all of the applicable fire code requirements. Some call this a maintenance inspection. The responsibility for code enforcement is usually assigned to the Fire Chief or Fire marshal.
CHAPTER 6 OCCUPANCY AND USE GROUP
The occupancy type refers to the purpose for which a building or portion of a building is used or is intended to be used.
CHAPTER 6 BUILT IN FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
The officer should ensure that all control valves are in the open or correct position (some valves are normally closed) and are locked or have a supervisory alarm to protect the system form being accidentally (or maliciously) shut down. Only properly trained personnel can test fire protection systems.
CHAPTER 6 SEARCHES
The plain view doctrine allows for potential evidence to be seized during the processing of a fire scene, if the fire investigator had a legal right to be there and the evidence is in plain view.
CHAPTER 6 HALON
The pre-incident plan should identify the chemical used, the duration of the discharge (10 seconds to 1 minute), the enclosure protected, the automatic activation sequence, and the location of the manual activation station.
CHAPTER 6 MODEL CODES
The process in which a model code is adopted by a local jurisdiction may follow one of two paths. 1. Adoption by reference occurs when the jurisdiction passes an ordinance that adopts a specific edition of the model code.
CHAPTER 6 FIRE COMPANY INSPECTIONS
The purpose of conducting a fire inspection is to identify hazards and to ensure that the violations are corrected. Except in case of fire emergencies, a fire officer generally cannot enter a private property without the permission of the owner or occupant.
CHAPTER 6 HALON
The system can be automatically or manually fired; both methods include a pre-alert warning for the occupants to leave the room before the agent discharges.
CHAPTER 6 SPECIAL PROPERTIES
These occupancies can be placed in the miscellaneous category that represents unusual structures such as towers, water tanks, and barns.
CHAPTER 6 ACCESS AND EGRESS
These provisions of the fire code are often violated because improper storage causes the exits to be obstructed.
CHAPTER 6 DRY OR WET CHEMICAL
These systems can be found protecting commercial cooking devices and industrial processes where flammable or combustible liquids are used. Wet chemical systems are preferred for protecting cooking equipment.
CHAPTER 6 EVIDENCE
To prove that the crime of arson occurred, the fire investigator must rule out all potential accidental and natural causes of the fire. Artifacts, in the context of fire evidence, could include the remains of the material first ignited, the ignition source, or other items or components that are in some way related to the fire ignition, development, or spread.
CHAPTER 6 PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS
Verify extinguishers are of the appropriate size and type. In addition to visually inspecting each extinguisher for physical damage, confirm that the instructions are visible, at the safety or tamper seal is present, there is current inspection and testing documentation, and the pressure gauge is in the normal range.
CHAPTER 6 SEARCHES
When a fire has occurred and the fire department has been called, the fire department has the right to determine the cause and origin of the fire. In Michigan v. Tyler (1978) the U.S. Supreme Court held: "Fire officials are charged not only with extinguishing fires, but with finding their cause.
CHAPTER 6 RESIDENTIAL
When inspecting residential buildings, only common areas can be inspected unless otherwise requested by the occupant. Hallways, utility areas, entryways, common laundry rooms, and parking areas are all open for inspection.
CHAPTER 6 UNDERSTANDING BUILT IN FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS
When sprinklers operated, they were effective 96% of the time resulting in a combined performance of operating effectively in 88% of all reported fires where sprinklers were present in the fire area and fire was large enough to activate them. Inspection is the best method of ensuring these systems will work as intended.
CHAPTER 6 STATE FIRE CODES
Where a state or provincial fire code has been established it is generally the minimum legal standard in all jurisdictions within that state or province. A few states have adopted the mini/max codes, which mean that local jurisdictions do not have the option of adopting more restrictive regulations.
CHAPTER 6 NFPA 704 MARKING SYSTEM
Within each color diamond, there is a number from 0-4 the represents the relative to each hazard. 0 means that the material poses essentially no hazard, whereas a 4 indicates extreme danger.
CHAPTER 6 EXIT INTERVIEW
Wrap up your inspection by meeting with the owner or designated representative to review what was found and any issues requiring correction. Remember that one of your roles is to be an ambassador for the fire department and an advocate for the business. A written report needs to be completed, with one copy going to the owner.
