OP 4 - Block Inspection Procedure (12)

Question 1

What are an integral part of the PFD’s Fire Prevention Program and provide additional exposure in the community, enhancing public relations as we discover violations of the Fire Prevention Code or other hazardous conditions that could cause a fire or endanger life?

Answer 1

Block Inspections.

Question 2

While performing Block Inspections, members should remember that professional appearance, courtesy, and concern present a positive image of the PFD, true or false?

Answer 2

True.

Question 3

In what two ways will block inspections be recorded?

Answer 3

Regular or Referral.

Question 4

What are those inspections which reveal no violations or hazards, or only minor violations which can be corrected immediately?

Answer 4

Regular inspections.

Question 5

What are those inspections that reveal violations of the Fire Prevention Code or conditions dangerous to life and property?

Answer 5

Referral Inspections.

Question 6

When does the Block Inspection Program start each year?

Answer 6

On the second Monday in January.

Question 7

When are block checks to be performed? What days and times?

Answer 7

Monday - Friday, excluding holidays.
Div 1 0950-1150 & 1250 - 1550 hrs.
Div 2 1000-1200 & 1300- 1600 hrs.

Question 8

When will the FCC announce whether conditions? What temperatures will block inspections not be done?

Answer 8

0805 hrs & 1205 hrs.

If the weather is below 40 F or above 85 F block checks will Not be performed.

Question 9

Will block inspections be performed during a multiple alarm fire?

Answer 9

No. Companies will return to their station as soon as a second alarm is struck.

Question 10

What does a company do if they are not going out on block inspections as scheduled?

Answer 10

Notify their Battalion Chief.

Question 11

Who is responsible for coordinating block inspections in their division?

Answer 11

Deputy Chiefs.

Question 12

Who is responsible for the coordination and quality of block inspections on their platoon within their Battalion?

Answer 12

Battalion Chief.

Question 13

Who will assign block inspections, VBI’s & pre-plans to each platoon in their station?

Answer 13

Company captain.

Question 14

Who will ensure that all members under their command have a working knowledge of the block inspection program, fire code, fire safety inspection report form, complaint report by city employee form and other relevant material( CSN’s & GM’s).

Answer 14

Company officers.

Question 15

How are block inspections divided up?

Answer 15

An engine companies local (or single Ladder’s local) will be divided into four sections ( 1 per platoon). These sections will be rotated annually.

Question 16

How many companies will perform inspections in the morning/afternoon?

Answer 16

Half the battalion will perform them in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. These times will be alternated weekly.

Question 17

How many members of the company will perform block inspections?

Answer 17

Including the company officer, block inspections will be performed on teams of 2 or 3. The driver will stay with the apparatus. On an engine the CO & 2 FF’s will work as a team. On a ladder, the CO & 1 FF will be a team and the 2 other FF’s will be a team.

Question 18

What form will be used during block inspections?

Answer 18

Fire safety inspection report. Located on the P drive.

Question 19

What properties will be inspected?

Answer 19

All properties in a companies district except 1 & 2 family dwellings. They will only be inspected upon request by the owner or tenant.

Question 20

Is a fire safety inspection report form required for each building in a property?

Answer 20

Yes.

Question 21

If a building requires a VBI, what should the CO do?

Answer 21

Prepare or update the VBI. Then enter the info into the Firehouse database in the occupancy module. Make sure the entire company reviews the VBI & place a paper copy in the apparatus.

Question 22

What do you do if you see an unsafe condition such as defective traffic signals, missing directional signs, missing sewer inlet covers, potholes, etc?

Answer 22

Report it via email to the city’s 311 Call Center using the Complaint report by City employee. For serious conditions requiring immediate attention, notify the FCC via fire radio.

Question 23

What should companies do if they encounter a building without a visible address?

Answer 23

Notify the owner that the address on the exterior of the building is a requirement of the fire code (F-505.1) and important to ensure that emergency responders are not delayed locating a building.

Question 24

True or false, block inspections are a great opportunity for driver training and to familiarize personnel with their local district.

Answer 24

True.

Question 25

How often should companies tour buildings that are under construction or renovation and what should they look for?

Answer 25

On a regular basis. Members should note type of construction, use of truss, wood I-beams, etc. and how it would effect fire fighting.

Question 26

What should the CO do if an unusual numbering system is found on a building under construction?

Answer 26

Notify FCC.

Question 27

Are standpipes required to be operational when the building is under construction or renovation?

Answer 27

Yes. At least one standpipe must be working when flooring is in place 40 feet or more above street level. Standpipe hose connections are required to be in service on all floors below the top floor under construction.

Question 28

Companies responding to an alarm while on block inspections will return to inspections unless of what two things?

Answer 28

a. An extensive fire or EMS run necessitates returning to the station to clean personnel or equipment.
b. the CO deems it necessary to return to the station.

Question 29

What should companies do when responding to an alarm while our on block inspections?

Answer 29

Be careful of other responding units as they may not be responding from their usual location.

Question 30

Are you required to notify FCC when going on radio to start block inspections?

Answer 30

Yes.

Question 31

While the company is performing block inspections what is the driver’s responsibility?

Answer 31

Maintain radio communication with the company and FCC & secure the apparatus. If a run is received the driver will alert the other members by radio or siren.

Question 32

How should the members performing block inspections maintain communications with FCC and the driver?

Answer 32

They should monitor their portable radios and remain within range of hearing the siren.

Question 33

True or false, a folder will be maintained containing department, battalion, or company policies and procedures relevant to block inspections?

Answer 33

True.

Question 34

How are block check folders maintained at the company level?

Answer 34

A folder for each block in the local will be maintained and a drawing will be made on the front showing all streets contained in the folder. Folders will be in numerical order and the Fire Safety Inspection reports will be retained in the appropriate folder.

Question 35

How are the Fire Inspection Referral reports maintained?

Answer 35

An “action pending” folder will be established for the retention of fire inspection referral reports sent to the 311 Call Center (copy of email).

Question 36

How are Fire Department Variance Letters maintained at company level?

Answer 36

First in engine companies will receive a copy where the property is located in their district. The variance letter will be attached to the inside cover of the block check folder, retained permanently, & referred to when inspecting the property.

Question 37

How often do companies update the battalion chief of block check progress?

Answer 37

Companies will record the number of regular and referral inspections performed each day. If no inspections were performed that day, the reason will be noted. This info will be placed on the Company Block Check Progress Report and forwarded to the battalion chief every Saturday morning.

Question 38

What do battalion chiefs do with the company block check progress reports?

Answer 38

The battalion chief will consolidate the figures on the Battalion Block Check Progress Report and send it to the Deputy Chief each Sunday morning.

Question 39

What do Deputy Chiefs do with the Battalion Block Check Progress reports?

Answer 39

They will consolidate their figures for the entire division and send them to Fire Prevention Division every Monday.

Question 40

What happens when a platoon completes their block inspections?

Answer 40

A memo stating this will be sent, through channels, to the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention Division.

Question 41

The FPD will maintain a record by company of Block Inspections completed each week and completion of the inspections for the year, true or false?

Answer 41

True.