Chapter 21 - Pre-Incident Planning and Code Enforcement Flashcards
Adoption by reference
Method of code adoption in which the specific edition of a model code is referred to within the adopting ordinance or regulation
Adoption by transcription
Method of code adoption in which the entire text of the code is published within the adopting ordinance or regulation
Authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)
An organization responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard, or for approving equipment, materials, an installation, or a procedure
Automatic Sprinkler System
A system of pipes with water under pressure that allows water to be discharged immediately when a sprinkler head operates
Business Continuity Planning
An 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 of services
Catastrophic theory of reform
An approach in which fire prevention codes or firefighting procedures are changed in reaction to a fire disaster
Construction Type
The combination of materials used in the construction of a building or structure, based on the varying degrees of fire resistance and combustibility
Floor Plans
Views of a building’s interior
Fuel Load
The total quantity of all combustible products found within a room or space
High-risk Property
Structure that has the potential for a catastrophic property or life loss in the event of a fire
High-value Property
Structure that contains equipment, materials, or items that have a high replacement value
Masonry Wall
A wall that consists of brick, stone, concrete block, terra cotta, tile, adobe, precast, or cast-in-place concrete
Mini/Max Codes
Codes developed and adopted at the state level for either mandatory or optional enforcement by local governments; these codes cannot be amended by local governments
Mitigation
Measures taken to limit or control the consequences, extent, or severity of an incident that cannot be reasonably prevented
Model Codes
Codes generally developed through the consensus process with the use of technical committees developed by a code-making organization
Occupancy Type
The purpose for which a building or a portion thereof is used or intended to be used
Ongoing compliance inspection
Inspection of an existing occupancy to observe the housekeeping and confirm that the built-in fire protection features, such as fire exit doors and sprinkler systems are in good working order
Ordinance
A law established by an authorized subdivision of state, such as city, county or town
Plot plan
A representation of the exterior of a structure, identifying doors, utilities access, and any special considerations or hazards
Pre-incident plan
A written document resulting from the gathering of general and detailed data to be used by responding personnel for determining the resources and actions necessary to mitigate anticipated emergencies at a specific facility
Regulations
Orders written by a governmental agency in accordance with the statute or ordinance authorizing the agency to create the regulation. Regulations are not laws, but have the force of law
Risk Assessment
The process of identifying hazards, monitoring those hazards, determining the likelihood of their occurrence, and assessing the vulnerability of people, property, the environment, and the entity itself to those hazards
Use Group
A category in the building code classification system in which buildings and structures are grouped together by their use and by the characteristics of their occupants
The Fire Officer looks at a building from two different perspectives
Handling an emergency in the building
Performing a fire and life-safety inspection to ensure that the building meets the appropriate fire code requirements
What is a Pre-Incident Plan
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
6 Steps of NFPA 1620 to developing a Pre-Incident Plan
- Identify physical elements and site considerations
- Identify occupant considerations
- Identify fire protection systems and water supply
- Identify special hazards
- Identify emergency operation considerations
- Identify special or unusual characteristics of common occupancies
Fire Code Concept
Fire code requirements are often adopted or amended in reaction to fire disasters, an approach known as the catastrophic theory of reform
Building Code
Regulations that apply to the construction of a new building or to an extension or major renovation of an existing building
Fire Code
Regulations that apply to existing buildings and to situations that involve a potential fire risk or hazard
Concept
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
Concept
Automatic sprinklers, standpipe systems, and fire pumps are the three primary components of water-based fire protection systems
Special extinguishing systems
Carbon Dioxide, dry or wet chemical, Halon, clean agent, or foam
Objective of a fire code compliance inspection
To determine whether an existing property is in compliance with all of the applicable fire code requirements
Purpose of Fire Code Inspections
To identify hazards and to ensure that any violations are corrected
Concept
Occupancies are classified into use groups based on the characteristics of the occupants, the activities that are conducted, and the risk factors associated with the contents
Concept
The inspection/correction report should describe clearly any needed corrections and quote the appropriate sections of the code or ordinance
Types of use groups
Public Assembly Business Educational Factory Industrial Hazardous Health Care Mercantile Residential Special Properties Detention Storage Mixed
Building Construction Types
Type 1: Fire Resistive - Construction elements are noncombustible and protected from the effects of fire
Type 2: Noncombustible - Structural elements are made from either noncombustible or limited combustible materials
Type 3: Limited Combustible (ordinary) - Exterior load bearing walls of the building are noncombustible masonry
Type 4: Heavy Timber - Exterior walls are noncombustible, and the interior structural elements are unprotected wood beams and columns
Type 5: Wood Frame - Entire structure may be constructed of wood
