An Effective Fire Assessment Plan - Literature review Example

Running Header: Community Safety Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code & Name: Date of Submission: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Community partnership 4 Risk Assessment 5 Fire Risk Prevention 8 Fire Protection Measures 9 Interrelationship between Agencies 10 Conclusion 11 References 13 Community Safety Introduction According to Steven (2007, p. 54), good fire management strategies are extremely crucial in ensuring there is reduced number of fire occurrences. This as well ensures reduced risks from fire in a quick and effective way in case such an accident occurs. Effective management of fire ensures less people are hurt and there is effective use of fire preventive procedures that are carried out. In order to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries due to multi-occupancy high-rise buildings, there is need for proper fire management in all areas of buildings. According to Jessor, Graves, Hanson and Jessor (1968, p. 78), effective fire assessment plan is important in ensuring they are reduced harm to people within the premises as well as reduced property damage. Fire risk assessment is an organized way of evaluating a building, activities carried out in the buildings well as the likelihood of fire occurring and causing harm either in or out of the building. Fire risk assessment aims at identifying the fire hazards and reducing the hazards risks which cause harm to be extremely low. Fire management plan is important in ensuring implementing and controlling, monitoring and reviewing fire safety standards as well as ensuring fire maintenance standards are maintained. Fire safety management requires collaboration of several agencies in order to make it effective and efficient. Fire management should specify planning, controlling, reviewing and organization of fire safety measures and fire provisions in the buildings and premises. Kolko and Kazdin (1991, p. 535) argues that fire can be caused by improper management of the buildings towards fire preventive and reduction measures. Proper fire management ensures quick measures are adopted in case there is fire incident. Improper use of lighting materials, cooking appliances, improper storage of flammable materials, and poor recovery strategies usually results to severe fire accidents and losses. Initiatives through raising awareness on fire reduction and other education programs as well as inspection process should be put in place to ensure fire risks are reduced greatly. This will assist in reduction of fire possibilities as well as injuries, deaths and loss of properties caused through fires. Best practices that should be taken into consideration when educating people on how to reduce fire in their areas of residence. In simple terms, good fire safety management is important in making sure fires are unlikely to take place and if they occur, they are controlled as quickly as possible. Poor house keeping and ignorance by employees or employers is a major contributor of major fires in many premises. Poor house keeping include improper storage of materials that flammable, non-maintenance of fire safety and evacuation equipment as well as blockage of designated paths and exits. Community partnership According to Barnett et al (1997, p. 880), it is important for fire and rescue services to work together with various government agencies in various levels in ensuring there is safer environment for all communities in terms of fire risk. Government agencies and fire and rescue services should identify and assign performance responsibilities and measures for fire reduction at all levels of operation. Buildings should ensure development and prioritizing of inspections using building maintenance as well as inspection program. There should be community partnership priorities towards educating the community on ways and practices of fire reduction practices. This is achievable by the process of enhanced building designs for fire reduction. It is also important to implement safety hazard reduction plans in the community towards reducing fire hazards among people. Community partnership also includes implementing public awareness safety programs. It is also important to ensure community support groups as well as counseling agencies work together in ensuring various strategies and policies are achieved efficiently. Canter and Frizan (1998, p. 80) maintains that Community partnership should prioritize on educating community on the use of best practice in fire safety around home areas. It should also ensure home evacuation plan is put in place with all residents becoming aware of it. Forehand et al (1991, p. 145) maintains that Community should also be educated and encouraged on good housekeeping; keeping home tidy so as to reduce fire chances. Apart from fire services and rescue managers, fire engineers should ensure the client or end user of the building will know how to use and manage the buildings. Fire engineers play a great role in ensuring various iconic buildings function properly and effectively. Fire engineers should work with a fully integrated team to ensure fire strategies meet intended functions or needs of the building against the fire. Fire engineers should ensure they put in place enough escape routes as well as fire compartments in buildings. Enough fire fighting equipments should be installed in various parts of the buildings. When designing fire strategies, fire engineers should ensure design disciplines as well as laid out strategies are simple, robust and practical. Risk Assessment Jones, Ribbe and Cunningham (1994, p. 120) maintains that in carrying out fire risk assessment, they are various steps that involved. They include identification of fire hazards, identification of people at risk, evaluating, removing, reducing and protecting people from risks, recording, planning, informing, instructing and training, and reviewing the assessment. Identification of fire hazards will assist in identifying where a fire is likely to start. The main fire hazards needed for a fire to start include fuel, oxygen, and source of ignition. Effective measures of ensuring the three do not get together will ensure that there are reduced occurrences of fire. Identifying sources of ignition will involve knowing where heat sources are found in the buildings or premises. These heat sources may get a lot of heat to ignite materials within the premises. Some of ignition sources include naked flames like gas or liquid-fuelled open-flame equipment as well as smokers’ materials like lighters, matches and cigarettes. Machinery with hot surfaces and cooking activities and equipments are as well major ignition sources. Misused or faulty electrical equipments are as well sources of ignition. They include blankets, welding machines and electric blankets. Identifying sources of ignition will also ensure there are reduced chances of fire occurrence within any premises being occupied by people according to Moore et al (1996, p. 12). According to Nigel (2008, p. 90), fuel is anything which burns. It is important to identify various things which burn easily and which will cause fire to spread to various areas within a building. There are various common fuels that are found in premises where people live. Some of fuels include furniture which may be stored temporary or permanently, laundry including bedding, linen and towels. Other includes textiles and soft furnishings like clothing and hanging curtains displays. Waste products including shredded papers, off cuts, dust and wood shavings, refuse containers, waste storage and skips are other fuel sources. Other types of fuels include flammable-liquid-based products like varnishes, thinners and adhesives while flammable liquids and solvents include white spirit, ethylated spirit, cooking oils and cigarette lighters which are disposable. Flammable chemicals include cleaning products, photocopier used for dry cleaning, flammable gases like aerosols and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well as paper products, stationery, paper and books as well as advertising materials are other fuel sources. Materials used to make ceilings and walls like polystyrene or carpet tiles, fixtures and fittings might as well contribute to the spread of fire within the buildings. Therefore, there is need to identify those sources of fuel and put appropriate measures in ensuring there is reduced spread of fire within the premises where people stay. Improper use and distribution of cooking gases and electricity for cooking contributes greatly towards the start of fire in fuel sources. Gas is a known major factor behind the spread of fire in various buildings due to improper management. Sakheim, Vidgour, Gordon and Helprin (1985, p. 459) illustrates that sources of oxygen identification are also important in trying to reduce fire occurrence. This is because fire burns due to the presence of oxygen. Air surrounding us is the main source of oxygen. In any enclosed building, there are various categories of air supply within a building. It may include natural air flow through the windows, doors and other openings. Others are mechanical air conditioning systems and air handling systems. There are other sources of oxygen that are found within materials stored or kept in the premises which include oxidizing materials or chemicals that produce oxygen resulting to burn. Other oxygen sources include oxygen supplies from cylinder storage that include oxygen for welding processes and pyrotechnic or fireworks that have oxidizing materials hence require great care when handling them. Fire occurrence in any building poses a great threat or risk to people who occupy the building or premises as illustrated by Steven (2007, p. 45). Therefore, it is important to identify people who are at risk of who may include visiting contactors, visitors, people working or even guests. Those People who may be asleep during fire occurrence poses a great risk when fire occurs. Employers who may be working and staying in the building are as well in the risk of fire in case it takes place or occurs within the building. Others who may be at risk are visitors who are unfamiliar with the premises; contractors, new staff, visitors or even seasonal staff. Sensory impaired people mainly due to drugs, medication or alcohol and other people within the vicinity of the building are as well at risk of fire in case it occurs in a building. There are various chances or factors which makes a fire to start in a building. Fire may start either as a result of accident when smoking materials are not extinguished properly or when lights are knocked over as illustrated by Fineman (1995, p. 45). Act of omission like improper maintenance of electrical equipment or even improper installation and use of cooking gases. Waste accumulation near a heat source may result to fire occurrences in buildings or premises. An arson attack also results to start and setting of fire in any premises. Looking and identifying accidents that are just to happen is important in order to reduce fire occurrence. Fire Risk Prevention Oxfordshire Fire Authority (2009, p. 56) illustrates that alteration of electric and gas supplies in order to provide various cooking areas in a congested dwelling place usually results to increased fire risks occurrences in a premise. Improper use of electricity in cooking usually results to overheating and short circuit dangers hence increased life-risks. It is important to reduce number of heating and cooking appliances in a building that might result to dangers or fire accidents. All electrical, gas and mechanical equipments should be installed, used, maintained and protected according to instructions given by the manufacturers. The use of cooking appliances including electrical or gas is extremely important in ensuring there is reduced fire occurrences. Correct rating of electric fuses and circuit breakers is extremely important in ensuring there are reduced occurrences of fire accidents. Electric sockets should not be overloaded at any point when using electricity for cooking or other uses, this can result to accidents or fire accidents. All gas fittings which involve pipe exposure with flammable gas or other source of ignition should be eliminated. There should not be any gas exposures through the pipes or overheating of the pipes carrying the gases for cooking, extreme care should be carried out when dealing with cooking gas. Proper care ensures there are reduced risks from gases burning or gas exposures. Flammable materials and gases should be kept safely and with reduced number of users in order to reduce the risks which may take place. Flammable liquids, gases or other flammable materials should be kept away from each other. All oxygen and gas cylinders should be controlled and stored well to ensure there are no leakages at any point. All safety measures should be considered in ensuring there are no leakages or related accidents taking place. Fire Protection Measures Enough protective measures should be put in place to ensure there is enough protection as per risk posed by the fire. Various fire protection devices should be put in place to ensure fire incidences and risks are reduced immediately they occur. Fire detection equipments and systems should be installed to ensure there are adequate warnings in case fire occurs. There should also be number of cooking appliances or gases being used in any cooking area. Enough and clear escape routes should be put in place to ensure there are reduced number of fatalities in case there is occurrence of fire accident. It is also important to create enough awareness among the people in the premises to ensure they are reduced fire incidences. Enough firefighting equipments should be installed in various sections of the premises. Enough fire fighting equipments and facilities are essential in reducing risks of small fires. Fire extinguishers may have water, powder, foam or carbon dioxide contents. These are used in extinguishing fire in case they occur. They should be enough escape routes in every building depending on the number people using the premises as well as clear and enough escape routes. Interrelationship between Agencies Various building agencies and boards are involved in ensuring there are enough measures being put in place to ensure they are reduced fire occurrences within the buildings. Various fire extinguishers manufactures have also ensured they manufacture extinguishers that are easily portable and accessible in all premises. Fire service engineers also ensure enough measures are put in place to reduce incidences of fire occurrence. Other government agencies who are involved in ensuring safety is maintained in building and then observation of building codes also play a great role in ensuring they are reduced fire risks within the buildings. Building designers should also keep in mind various risk management of risks that should be taken into consideration towards reducing fire incidences. All those agencies and safety communities play a great role in ensuring they are reduced fire incidences and fatalities in buildings. Other agencies ensure they educate and inform society on various aspects of safety as well as increasing awareness among the people in the society. Various organizations within the society play a great role in ensuring they are enough community safety awareness within the society. Enough education on various fire risks and how to prevent them ensure people are well informed and they take enough measures in various areas of residences in trying to reduce fire accidents and risks. Media plays a great role in ensuring enough information is given and informed to the society. Use of news media and related resources ensures increased awareness within the society. Media coverage plays a great in ensuring people are well informed on various ways towards protecting themselves against fire risks as well as reducing fire incidences within their areas of residences. Escape routes should be managed well to ensure they play a great role in ensuring they provide enough safety escape routes in case of fire accidents. Various initiatives and methods are used in ensuring they are effective communication processes as well as making sure community becomes aware of various ways towards reducing fire risks occurrences. In Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, officers carry out various fire safety inspections in various buildings with its region of operation. This is carried in collaboration with local government officers as well as some members of community in ensuring safety of the buildings. All people in the society should be trained on various ways towards ensuring they are aware of various fire prevention and control measures. Phone numbers of local fire Service Company should be accessible to ensure there is swift and effective communication in case of fire accidents. Emergency plan should be put in place to ensure fire risks are reduced when they occur. They should include how people should be warned in case fire incidences occur. It should involve what the staff should do in case there is fire and various ways on how to carry out evacuation within the premises. Identification of escape routes and assembly points plays a great role in making sure they are reduced fire risks and accidents in buildings. Conclusion Good fire management is extremely crucial in ensuring they are reduced fire incidences as well as risks. There is need for effective fire risk assessment in ensuring there are reduced risks from various fire sources and fire fuels. Effective fire assessment plan is important in ensuring they are reduced harm to people within the premises as well as reduced property damage. Fire management and associated risk management involves controlling, reviewing and organization of fire safety measures and fire provisions in the premises. It is the role of Government agencies and fire and rescue services to identify and assign performance responsibilities and measures for reducing fire occurrences at all levels of operation. Community partnership is important in implementing public awareness safety programs in the society. The main fire hazards required for a fire to start include fuel, oxygen, and source of ignition. Collaboration of various fire services and rescue organization will ensure they are organized and effective risk preventative measures. Government agencies, community volunteers, Fire service engineers, building designers and media should work together in ensuring people becomes aware on how to prevent and avoid dangers that may occur in case of fire accidents or incidences. Gas or electricity facilities should be handled with great care in ensuring they do not cause fires or related accidents in the community. References Barnett et al 1997, ‘Pathological fire setting 1952-1991: A Review, Medicine Science and the Law and Recidivism and concomitant criminality in pathological fire setters’, Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 42, no. 4, pp. 879-883. Canter and Frizan 1998, ‘Differentiating Arsonists. A model of fire setting and characteristics’, Journal of Legal and Criminal Psychology, vol. 3 no. 5, pp. 73-96. Fineman, K 1995, ‘A model for qualitative analysis of child and adult deviant behavior’, American Journal of Forensic Psychology, vol.1, no. 7, pp. 31-60. Forehand et al 1991, ‘Juvenile fire setting: A unique syndrome or an advanced level of anti- social behavior?’, Behavior Research and Therapy, vol. 29, no. 9, pp. 125-128. Jessor, Graves, Hanson and Jessor 1968, Society, personality and deviant behavior: a study of an ethnic community, Pearson’s Press, New York. Jones, Ribbe and Cunningham 1994, ‘Psychological correlates of fire disaster among children and adolescents’, Journal of Traumatic Stress, vol.7, no. 2, pp. 117-122. Kolko and Kazdin 1991, ‘Motives of fire setters: Fire setting characteristics and psychological correlates’, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 535-550. Kolko and Kazdin 1994, ‘Children’s descriptions of their fire setting incidents: Characteristics and relationship to recidivism’, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 114-122. Moore et al 1996, ‘Profiles of adolescent boys with a history of fire-setting’, Journal of Personality Assessment, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 4-20. Nigel, S 2008, Fire risk management, The Association, London. Oxfordshire Fire Authority 2009, Oxfordshire Fire Authority integrated risk management plan & action plan, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, London. Patterson, G 1982, A social learning approach (Vol. 1), Eugine Castalia, Michigan. Sakheim, Vidgour, Gordon and Helprin 1985, A psychological profile of juvenile fire setters in residential treatment, Child Welfare, Vol. 64, no. 4, pp. 453-476. Slavkin, M 2000, Juvenile fire setting: an exploratory analysis, Dissertation.Com Publishing, London. Steven, W 2007, Risk Management in the Fire Service, PennWell Books, New York. Read More