FIR 4311 Unit VII Essay (1)
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Apr 3, 2024
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FIR Unit VII Essay
1
Pros & Cons: City Fire Prevention Efforts
Daniel Frank
Columbia Southern University
FIR 4311: Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement
Professor Scott E. Avery
March 3, 2024
FIR Unit VII Essay
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Pros & Cons: City Fire Prevention Efforts
As the fire marshal for our community I know that fire prevention practices and efforts develop into a foundation of public safety. “Structural fires have been a major global issue in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The chances of a fire in structures can be drastically reduced by integrating fire safety measures [both] during the structural design process, [as well as though building maintenance and education]” (Zhang, pg.1). This appeal to fire safety shapes a proactive approach to the safeguarding of lives, property, and the environment against the unimaginable impacts of fire-related incidents. Today, I was tasked with
the crucial assignment of providing a thorough evaluation of the fire prevention division and to articulate the profound and vast impact that our initiatives have on the community and their safety. With budgetary constraints and competing priorities within the department remaining a point of contention, it is imperative to remember the invaluable contributions of inspections and code enforcement policies with complimentary public safety initiatives, which further build a community’s defense against fire hazards. Overall, this report seeks to bring to light the relationship between regulatory practices and proactive measures by outlining how inspection and code enforcement efforts not only uphold public safety but also coexist with education, investigation, and engineering hazard controls. Through a detailed examination of the benefits, both short and long-term, this report will provide a thorough explanation for the continued investment in fire prevention initiatives, highlighting their pivotal role in mitigating risks and fostering a culture of safety within a community.
Our Community and Current Programs
Our humble community is characterized by a mix of residential homes, commercial, and metropolitan areas. These areas are commonly occupied by family homes, apartment complexes,
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schools, shopping centers, and manufacturing facilities. Because of this diversity, our first responders also see a diverse range of calls ranging from vehicle accidents to structural fires and everything in between that we in this organization are attempting to plan for. To ensure the safety of our community, this organization strives to have the most up-to-date and relevant fire code west of the Rockies, and to do this code developments and modification must become an integral part of our continual improvement process. This is accomplished in part by collaboration
with community members, local and national experts, building professionals, and local first responders. The process includes relevant code reviews and updates to reflect changes in building technologies, construction styles, and emergency response tactics then implementing them into the fire prevention programs for this community. Within the organization, various programs and activities are in place and being funded that actively work toward risk mitigation within the department and the community. Of the programs currently in place, the ones that I would like to highlight include but are not limited to the inspection and code enforcement programs, the community and business education program, the fire-resilient materials program, and our in-house specialized training programs. Each of these plays a pivotal role in the overall safety of the members of our department and the members of our community at large.
Fire Prevention Activities: Current Implementation and Benefits
General Safety
General fire safety provisions for occupied buildings, homes, and businesses, are essential to the development of safe practices regarding fire hazards, particularly in highly dense urban areas where the risk of fire-related events is higher. Examples of these provisions include
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fire suppression systems and FLS systems. Fire suppression systems vary from fire sprinkles to personal use of a fire extinguisher, and stand as the initial response during a fire-related event. These fire suppression systems not only protect the occupants of the building but also mitigate the financial and legal liabilities of businesses and homeowners. “ Fire safety reduces the risk of injury and building damage that fires can cause. Developing and implementing fire safety protocols in the workplace is not only required by law but it is crucial to everyone’s safety that may be in the building during a fire emergency” (alsco.com). Regardless of the safeguarding that is put in place to prevent and mitigate the effects of fire, if a building is inherently unsafe there is only so much that can be prevented. Characteristics
of unsafe structures, including those in our community, are insufficient building materials, inadequate fire-resistant materials during construction, and deficient fire barriers. These unsafe characteristics are only a few examples of deficiencies in a building’s structure which inherently increases the risk of rapid spread of fire and even the collapse of the structure altogether, endangering the lives of occupants and first responders. By implementing and maintaining general fire safety provisions in collaboration with regular inspection, code enforcement, and education programs, communities can enhance their resilience to fire-related hazards and mitigate the devastating consequences of fire emergencies.
Inspections and Code Enforcement Regular inspections and code enforcement conducted in residential and public buildings provide the opportunity for our community to begin to take preventative actions toward the safety and health of residents and business owners. Our inspections cover various elements of a building such as fire exits, emergency egress routes, electrical systems, chemical storage, and Fire and Life Safety (FLS) systems, which all provide increasing levels of preventative care to
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existing buildings and buildings in the process of being built. Inspections tie into code enforcement by issuing citations, notices of violations, and corrective action orders to property owners and managers who fail to comply with fire safety regulations. “Contemporary code enforcement involves local enforcement officials in the job of ensuring compliance with policies,
codes, rules, regulations, and permits in a proper, timely fashion within the limits of the law” (caceo.gov).
Although sometimes seen as a nuisance, the primary benefit of code enforcement and regular inspections contribute significantly to the early detection of potential fire hazards and risks, ranging from flammable materials being improperly stored to blocked fire exits. Additionally, inspections and code enforcement are the foundation for the promotion of fire prevention awareness among property owners, building managers, and tenants and contribute to the safety of community members regardless of the overall cost of the program.
Inspection and Code Enforcement Impacts on Community Resilience The interrelationship of regulatory practices, like code enforcement and regular inspections, is fundamental for the development of the community's resilience and the mitigation
of the impacts of fire-related incidents. Code enforcement and inspection activities serve as pivotal components in the development and reinforcement of fire prevention programs, including
public education, department education development, and plan review. Through inspections and code enforcement, tangible examples and case studies of various violations are used to educate and guide community members about effective fire prevention strategies. The fire prevention division emphasizes ongoing professional development and training for code enforcement practitioners to enhance their knowledge and skills in fire prevention and safety. This may include participation in workshops, conferences, and certification programs related to fire and
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life safety, fire codes, and building regulations. This type of specialized training allows code enforcement practitioners the opportunity to use the knowledge from the specialized training program and apply it to their inspections ensuring better results for the safety of their community. Conversely, public education programs proactively complement inspection findings by disseminating crucial information about safety practices, fire risks, and emergency procedures. A similar effect is seen through plan review. Developers and community members building and renovating structures can incorporate information provided by code enforcement and inspection findings to better adhere to stringent fire codes and safety standards before work begins, instead of retroactively making corrections after work has been completed through the plan review process. This comprehensive approach to fire safety, encompasses inspections, professional development initiatives, public education, and plan review. The division of fire prevention works tirelessly to enhance the safety and resilience of the community against fire hazards through the efforts detailed above.
Short and Long-Term Benefits
The investment in fire prevention has definitive benefits both long and short-term, by contributing additional resources through the incorporation of fire-resistant material the yield will be both financial and physical. In the short term, investment in fire prevention materials will immediately reduce the risk of fire-related incidents and hazards while also reducing the potential for loss of life and extensive property damage. The use of fire-resistant materials such as concrete, steel, and gypsum board can help contain fires, limit the spread, and provide additional time for people to evacuate in the event of an emergency. Preventative measures like these help to bolster public confidence as well as provide additional peace of mind and a sense of
security.
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In the long term, investments in fire prevention more heavily contribute to greater community resilience and sustainability. Though taking the additional time and effort to invest in
fire-resistant materials in new construction and building retrofits, our community can also invest in the mitigation of the long-term costs associated with fire damage, recovery efforts, and rebuilding. Type I through Type III structures made entirely of non-combustible or semi-
combustible materials are more resilient to not only fire hazards but also natural disasters and environmental hazards, ultimately reducing the financial burden on local governments and taxpayers in the aftermath of fire incidents (O’Connor). Ultimately, the investment and the use of
fire-resistant materials and the short and long-term benefits not only protect life, which should always be the number one priority but also contribute significantly to the sustainability and longevity of our community.
Closing Statement
Overall, fire prevention in this community stands as a cornerstone of public safety and
awareness. Through a multifaceted approach encompassing all of the various methods detailed
previously, inspection and code enforcement, public education programs, plans review, fire
investigations, and investments in fire-resistant materials, this organization can strive to mitigate
the overall risks and public impacts that stem from fire-related incidents. As we look to continue
investing in fire prevention measures, we strengthen the foundations of this community’s safety
and well-being.
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Work Cited
Robertson, J. C., & Love, M. T. (2014). Robertson's Introduction to Fire Prevention (8th ed.).
Pearson Education (US). https://online.vitalsource.com/books/9780133848960
. Zhang, C. (2023). Review of Structural Fire Hazards, challenges, and prevention strategies. Fire,
6(4), 137. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire6040137
Schilling, J. M., & Hare, J. B. (1994). Code Enforcement – A Comprehensive Approach. What is
Code Enforcement. https://www.caceo.us/page/10
Alsco Uniforms. (2022, June 22). Why is fire safety important? Alsco.
https://alsco.com/resources/why-is-fire-safety-important/
O’Connor, B. (n.d.). Types of construction: NFPA. nfpa.org.
https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2021/02/19/construction-types-and
material-combustibility