Chapter 13 Flashcards

1
Q

242
What roles do Fire Officers perform in relation to properties within their communities (what 3 critical tasks do the perform)?

A
  1. Identifying and correcting fire safety hazards
  2. Developing and maintaining pre-incident plans.
  3. Promoting fire safety through public education.
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2
Q

243

Pre-incident planning

A

document developed by gathering general and detailed data used by responding personnel to determine the resources and actions necessary to mitigate anticipated emergencies at a specific facility.

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3
Q

243

Recommended Practice for Pre-incident Planning (which NFPA?)

A

NFPA 1620

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4
Q

243

high value property

A

contains equipment, materials, or items that have a high replacement value.

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5
Q

243-244

high risk property

A

has the potential to produce a catastrophic property or life loss in the event of a fire. (ie nuclear power plant, bulk fuel storage)

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6
Q

244

Today what are pre-incident plans meant to identify?

A

They are meant to advance the strategies tactic and actions that should be taken if a predictable situations occurs, and to make the firefighters failure with the building.

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7
Q

244

NFPA 1620 Outlines a six- step method for pre-incident plans

A

Identify;

  1. physical elements and site conditions
  2. occupant considerations
  3. fire protection systems and water supply
  4. special hazards
  5. emergency operations considerations
  6. special or unusual characteristics of common occupancy
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8
Q

244
NFPA 1620 Pre-Incident plans procedure
Step one

A
  1. Identify physical elements and site conditions:

This step is all about identifying all the structural elements of the building. The size and dimensions, construction, floor plan, stairwell locations, utilities etc

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9
Q

244-245
NFPA 1620 Pre-Incident plans procedure
Step two

A
  1. Identify Occupant Considerations:

This part of the preincident plan looks at the occupants their age and physical and mental condition and decided how and if they will be evacuated. the preincident plan should plan on where these occupants would be moved to and what services they may need. Long term tracking of the occupants may be needed as well.

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10
Q

245
NFPA 1620 Pre-Incident plans procedure
Step three

A
  1. Identify Fire Protection Systems and Water Supply

Evaluate the building size and contents to determine water supply. Document the location of hydrants and their flow rates, ideally the hydrants would feed off a large main as part of a grid system. If demand exceeds available water then preincident plan should identify a way to mitigate the lack of water ( relay operations or water shuttle). FDCs and FACPs should be noted.

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11
Q

245
NFPA 1620 Pre-Incident plans procedure
Step four

A
  1. Identify Special Hazards:

Document any special hazards and ensure required resources (spec ops) are sent during emergencies. Special hazards may include flammable/combustable liquids, biological agents, chemicals etc. Preincident plan should not e contact information for facility hazmat coordinator and location of material safety data sheet. Any hazard that is on scene electrical to vapor should have instructions on how to handle the situation until facility hazmat arrives.

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12
Q

246
NFPA 1620 Pre-Incident plans procedure
Step five

A

5.Identify Emergency Operation Considerations:

Preincident plan should plan on how to fight a fire in this building. Where CP should be located.

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13
Q

246-247
NFPA 1620 Pre-Incident plans procedure
Step six

A
  1. Identify Special or Unusual Characteristics of Common Occupancy:

Cross reference types of hazards ie multiple FFer deaths occur in places of assembly. Then analysis the specific assembly building and try to find ways to mitigate those hazards that contribute to those deaths.

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14
Q

247

What is the goal of preincident planning?

A

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.

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15
Q

247

What is the relationship between state fire codes and local fire code?

A

State fire codes are applied state wide and tend to set a minimum standard. Where local codes are only applicable within the jurisdiction and tend to be more stringent requirements.

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16
Q

247

Mini/max code

A

mini/max code is where the local code may not exceeded the state minimum, no local control over fire code.

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17
Q

247

catastrophic theory of reform

A

Fire codes are often adopted or amended in reaction to fire disasters

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18
Q

247

Authority having jurisdiction

A

term used in NFPA to refer to an organization, office or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard.

Authority having jurisdiction for a state would be the state fire Marshall.

AHJ has the ability to delegate the power to enforce the code to the fire officers, fire inspectors, and other individuals who actually conduct inspections.

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19
Q

247-248

building code vs fire code

A

building code and fire code establish minimum safety standards.

Building codes contain regulations that apply to the construction of a new building or extension or major renovation of an existing building.

Fire Codes applies existing building and to situations that involve a potential fire risk or hazard.

Building code requires the sprinklers be installed fire code ensures the sprinklers are maintained and functioning properly.

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20
Q

248

who enforces state fire codes?

A

The state fire Marshall usually delegates that responsibility to local fire officials.

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21
Q

248

Ordinance

A

law enacted by authorized subdivision of a state such as a city, town or county.

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22
Q

248

modle codes

A

documents developed by a standards-developing organization, such as the NFPA, and made it available for adoption by authorities have jurisdiction.

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23
Q

248

what does a complete set of model codes include?

A

building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and fire codes

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24
Q

248

what is the primary advantage of a model code?

A

The same regulations apply in many jurisdictions, and all of the requirements are coordinated to work together without conflicts.

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25
Q

248

What are the two paths that a model code may be adopted by a jurisdiction?

A

Adoption by reference - where the jurisdiction passes an ordinance and adopts a specific edition of the model code. ie jurisdiction adopts NFPA1
Adoption by transcription when the adopts the entire text ie when jurisdiction copy the language of the code and insert that into the actual ordinance.

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26
Q

248

how often is model code updated?

A

3-5 years

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27
Q

249

How long does code last?

A

For as long as the building is occupied for the same purpose. If the use of the building changes ie residential to assembly , or is extensively remodeled then the code must be brought current.

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28
Q

249

What are two reasons for fire companies to preform inspections

A
  1. clarify means of access and egress and status of built in FPS
  2. to preform inspections
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29
Q

249

What does the inclusion of FPS allow in terms of building construction?

A

It allows more flexibility in the design of the building. The travel time to exits can increase, the access for apparatus could be restricted the building can be taller etc.

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30
Q

249
What are the numbers behind sprinklers effectiveness?
NPFA’s U.S. Experience with Sprinklers

A

Sprinklers operated 91% of the time the fire was large enough to activate them
Of that 91% activation they were effective in controlling the fire 96% of the time. Giving a combined performance of operating effectively 87% of the time.

Wet pipe 89% effective …. Dry Pipe 76%

31
Q

249

What is the best method to ensure sprinkler systems work as they should?

A

Inspections

32
Q

249

What are the three primary components of water based fire protection systems?

A

Automatic sprinkler systems
Standpipe systems
Fire pumps

33
Q

250

Which systems requires less maintenance, dry pipe or wet pipe sprinkler systems?

A

wet pipe require less maintenance, since dry systems activations then require the whole system to empties and filled with air/nitrogen

34
Q

250

Deluge

A

wet or dry system where all sprinklers are open and ready to discharge water. Smoke, flame fire detectors activate and open control value and the whole system is activated dumping large amounts of water to quickly extinguish the fire.

35
Q

250

Preaction

A

similar to a dry system but includes a separate detection system that triggers the dry pipe to fill, sprinkler head then still has to activate.

36
Q
250
Standpipe systems (3 classes)
A
class 1 - discharge 2.5 for FD use
class 2 -discharge 1.5 and hose for civilian use 
class 3 - both
37
Q

250

What are the four types of special extinguishing systems that may be used in various structures?

A
  1. carbon dioxide
  2. dry/wet chemical
  3. Halon/clean agent
  4. Foam
38
Q

251

Carbon Dioxide Systems

A

fixed system that discharge CO2 from either low -pressure or high-pressure tanks to protect specific devices or process or flood an enclosed space.

Extinguishes fire through displacement of oxygen. heavier than air.

39
Q

251

Dry/Wet Chemical

A

Fixed chemical extinguishing systems discharge a chemical extinguishing agent pipe, hoses, nozzle.

Wet chemical used in commercial cooking and may have a cap to ensure nozzle not clogged with grease. react with grease and form foam blanked.

Dry chemical leave residue that is difficult to clean up.

Both activated by fusible link or pull station

40
Q

251

Halon

A

Extinguishing agent of choice for computer rooms, great abut kills ozone layer so banned, legacy systems can still be charged.

New replacement clean agents work in the same way by flooding a room and displacing oxygen.

These chemicals are toxic and have an alarm that sounds warning people to get out before system activates.

41
Q

251

Foam systems

A

Low expansion foam systems used to protect hazards involving flammable or combustable liquids. Foam bubbles smother fire in foam blanket. high expansion foam excludes air and fill a large area with foam.

42
Q

252

The goal for an inspector doing a maintenance inspection

A

Observe the system and ensure that no fire hazards exist and confirm that the built in fire protection features are in proper working order.

43
Q

253

Construction Types

A

Type I, Fire resistive: construction elements are noncombustible protected from the effects of fire by encasing in concrete, gypsum, or sprain coatings. Most durable.

Type II, Noncombustible: Structural elements made of noncombustible or limited combustable materials. Structural elements are not protected from fire or limited.
Subtypes in rating hours.

Type III, Limited combustible (ordinary): load bearing walls are noncombustible masonry. Internal structural elements may be combustable or a combination of combustable and noncombustible. Usually no higher than four stories.

Type IV, Heavy timber: exterior walls are noncombustible and interior structural elements are unprotected wood beams and columns with large cross-sectional dimensions. Durable, may exceed water supply

Type V, Wood frame: the entire structure may be constructed of wood or any other approved material.

44
Q

254

Occupancy type

A

refers to the purpose for which a building or portion of a building is used or is intended to be used.

45
Q

254

Use groups

A

code requirements are determined by the structures use group. Occupancies are classified into use groups based on the characteristics of the occupants, the activities, and the risk factor associated with the contents.

46
Q

254

Assembly

A

Occupancy used for gatherings of people for deliberation, worship, entertainment, eating, drinking, amusement, or awaiting transportation.

Examples: churches, bars, nightclubs, sporting venues indoor, restaurants

47
Q

254

Business

A

Occupancy used for account and record keeping transaction of business other than mercantile

Examples: dentist office, banks, hair salon, colleges and universities, insurance office, tv station

48
Q

255

Educational

A

educational purposes from through the 12 grade

49
Q

255

Industrial

A

occupancy where products are manufactured or processing, assembling, mixing, packing, finishing, decorating, or repair operations are conducted

Examples :Auto assembly plants, clothing manufacturing, food processing, cement plants, furniture production

50
Q

255

Health Care

A

Occupancy used for purposes of medical or other treatment or for care of furor 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.

Examples: hospitals, nursing homes

51
Q

255

Detention and Correctional

A

occupancy used to house four or more persons under varied degrees of restraint or security, where such occupants are mostly incapable of self preservation because of security measures not under occupants control

Examples: jails, prisons, detention facilities

52
Q

255

Mercantile

A

occupancy used for the display and see of merchandise

Examples: retail stores, convenience stores, department stores, drug stores, shops

53
Q

255-256

Residential

A

occupancy provides sleeping accommodations for the purposes other than health care, detention,. or corrections. 5 subtypes

1-one/two family dwellings

2-lodging or rooming houses:buildings that sleep 16 or fewer on a transient or permanent w/o care, w/o meals and w/o separate cooking facilities.

3-Hotels: more than 16 transient

4-Dormitories: more than 16

5-Apartment buildings:three or more dwellings w/ separate cooking areas

54
Q

256

Storage

A

Occupancy used primarily for storing or sheltering goods, merchandise, products, vehicles, or animals

Examples: cold storage plants, granaries, lumber yard, warehouse

55
Q

256

Mixed

A

property has multiple types of occupancies w/i single structure. ie old commercial building turned into residential but with bakery on first floor

56
Q

256

Unusual

A

misc ie towers, water tanks and barns

57
Q

256

Standard system for identification of hazards of materials for emergency response (which NFPA?)

A

NFPA 704

58
Q

256

What are all the colors in the NFPA 704 diamond, where are they and what do they represent?

A

left diamond is blue and it represents health hazard
top diamond is red and it reps the flammability hazard
right diamond is yellow and it reps the reactivity hazard
bottom diamond is white and it reps the special hazard

rated 0-4, where 0 is all good and 4 is extreme danger
704 marker at entrance of building and doorway to chemical storage area.

59
Q

258

When preparing for an inspection what activities are recommended?

A

-Review the code that applies to that property

-Review prior inspections reports and file history.
Chronic problem you should address?
Pattern of lengthy time to correct violations.
Incident history may indicate issues they have.
Bring preincident plan see if contact info can be updated

  • Coordinate so inspections are not back to back
  • Arrange visit as to not interfere with business as much as you can but watch out for violations.
  • Bring items you need for inspection
60
Q

259

When conducting an inspection what should you remember?

A

Approach the inspection in a systematic manner
Circle the building and observer all four sides.
Meet the building representative, give goal of inspection
Verify all means of access and egress are clear, most important issue of an inspection this type
Wrap up interview, review what was found, issue any corrective orders.

61
Q

260
When conducting inspection when should life threatening hazards be corrected?

Other hazards?

A

they must be corrected immediately

30-90 days

62
Q

What are the general inspection requirements?

A

properly operating exit doors
unobstructed paths to egress
fire protection systems be inspected
extinguisher be inspected

63
Q
What should your inspection note about...
Access and Egress
Exits signs and emergency lighting
Portable fire extinguishers
Built in fire protection systems
Electrical
Special Hazards 
Hazard Identification Signs
A
  1. Access and Egress-look for improper storage that blocks exits, requires immediate corrective action-
    1st most important step.
  2. Exit signs and Emergency lighting-burned out battery back up docent work
  3. Portable extinguishers- look for correct size, type, location, inspection tag
  4. Built in FPS- 2nd FDC unobstructed, caps on, sprinkler wrench/head available, control value open locked
    5.Electrical-no combustable stored around panels
  5. Special hazards-hazardous use permit
  6. Hazard identification signs-NFPA 704 signs at door? stationary containers?
64
Q

261

Special concerns with Public Assembly

A

are all access and egress pathways clear?

Major problem is overcrowding, occupancy load posted

65
Q

262

Special concerns with Business Occupancies

A

Access and egress

These occupancies are notorious for inappropriate use of electrical cords

66
Q

262

Special concerns with Educational Occupancies

A

Exit paths

67
Q

262

Special concerns with Factory industrial occupancies

A

Improperly stored combustibles

68
Q

263

Special concerns with Hazardous Occupancies

A

Signs should be posted that prohibit smoking
fire doors should be in working order
FPS should be working/maintained

69
Q

263

Special concerns with Mercantile Occupancies

A

these occupancies are responsible for higher than average number LODD FFer deaths
Exits clearly marked
Exits blocked with merchandise, may interfere with sprinklers, so high

70
Q

263

Special concerns with Residential occupancies

A

exits are a major concern
fire doors propped open
emergency lightfoot maintained
objects in standpipes/missing caps

71
Q

263

Special concerns with Detention Occupancies

A

working sprinkler system is essential
FDC in worker order
everything locked away

72
Q

263

Special concerns with Storage occupancies

A

material stocked too high for sprinkler protection, block sprinklers

73
Q

264

Business continuity planning

A

ongoing process to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to identify the impact of potential losses and maintain viable recovery strategies, recovery plans, and continuity services.