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Coffee Break Training: Commercial Cooking: Exhaust Clearance from Fresh Air Intakes
"The vapors emitted from commercial cooking equipment often are flammable and should be discharged in a way that prevents them from reentering a building. According to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 96, Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations, rooftop discharge to the atmosphere is always preferable to horizontal discharge like that shown in today's illustration. When a wall-mounted outlet is installed, the exhaust flow should be discharged perpendicularly from the wall or upward. The outlet should be through a noncombustible wall with a minimum of 10 feet (3 meters (m)) of clearance from the outlet to adjacent buildings, property lines, grade level, combustible construction, and electrical equipment or lines, with the closest point of any air intake or operable door or window at or below the plane of
the exhaust termination. When the fresh air intake is located on the same plane or below the level of the exhaust outlet, a minimum 10 feet (3 m) of clearance should be provided between the closest edges of the outlets and the fresh air intake."
United States Fire Administration
2012-07-03
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Providing an Improved Pre-Incident Planning Program for the Garner Volunteer Fire-Rescue
"The Garner Volunteer Fire-Rescue, Inc. (GVFR) provides fire protection to both the Town of Garner and the southern parts of Wake County. The protection district is 60 square miles serving 50,000 citizens. The Town of Garner has grown over the years and target hazards have been added to the fire district. The GVFR has recently developed a pre-incident planning program to employ that obtains the appropriate information for an effective program. The problem is the current system is not effective and does not meet the department's needs. The purpose of this research was to update the policy through an action research method by answering the following questions: a) What or who gives the Garner Volunteer Fire Rescue the legal authority to perform a pre-fire plan? b) What information will be collected for the pre-fire plan? c) Who will conduct the pre-fire plan surveys? d) How will the information be stored? e) How will the information be retrieved? Questionnaires were used to identify what other fire departments were employing to gather the information needed, how they were using the information, and how fire officers felt about the system employed by the fire department. A literary review was also used to identify the gaps between the policy, industry standards, and best practices of the fire service. The results showed that the department needed an updated policy that was more in line with industry standard and best practices."
United States Fire Administration
Godwin, Robert Shawn
2012-07
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Risk Assessment for Health-Related Line of Duty Death and Line of Duty Injury
"Prior to this research it was suspected that members of the Sandy Fire Department might have significant risk factors present, which would pre-dispose them to line of duty death (LODD) or injury. The problem was that while nationwide statistics confirm that firefighters throughout the nation continued to experience preventable, health-related line of duty deaths and line of duty injuries (LODI), the Sandy Fire Department had not taken sufficient proactive measures to reduce the likelihood that a Sandy firefighter would suffer a similar fate. The purpose of this research was to determine if Sandy firefighters were at increased risk for preventable, health-related line of duty death or injury, and what actions could be taken to minimize this risk. The questions researched were: 1. Nationwide, what preventable risk factors for health-related firefighter line of duty death or injury have been identified? 2. Are risk factors for health-related firefighter line of duty death or injury prevalent among firefighters in the Sandy Fire Department? 3. What actions can be taken at a local level to minimize firefighters' risk for health-related line of duty death or injury? 4. What challenges exist, which may hinder efforts to implement a program designed to improve firefighter health and wellness and reduce health-related risks for LODD or LODI? Historical and descriptive research methods were used to determine that the Sandy Fire Department did indeed have increased risk factors present in the firefighter population, consequently increasing the likelihood that a Sandy firefighter might suffer an LODD or LODI. Recommendations included the implementation of a comprehensive program designed to decrease identified risk factors closely associated with LODD and LODI."
United States Fire Administration
Dawson, Christopher W.
2012-07?
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Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2011
"For 35 years, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has tracked the number of firefighter fatalities and con-ducted an annual analysis. Through the collection of information on the causes of firefighter deaths, USFA is able to focus on specific problems and direct efforts toward finding solutions to reduce the number of fire-fighter fatalities in the future. This information is also used to measure the effectiveness of current programs directed toward firefighter health and safety. Several programs have been funded by USFA in response to this annual report. For example, USFA has sponsored significant work in the areas of general emergency vehicle operations safety, fire department tanker/tender operations safety, firefighter incident scene rehabilitation, and roadside incident safety. The data developed for this report are also widely used in other firefighter fatality prevention efforts. In addition to the analysis, USFA, working in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), develops a list of all onduty firefighter fatalities and associated documentation each year. If certain criteria are met, the fallen firefighter's next of kin, as well as members of the individual's fire department, are invited to the annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend Service. The service is held at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, MD, during Fire Prevention Week in October of each year. [...] The specific objective of this study is to identify all onduty firefighter fatalities that occurred in the United States and its protectorates in 2011 and to analyze the circumstances surrounding each occurrence. The study is intended to help identify approaches that could reduce the number of firefighter deaths in future years."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States. Department of Homeland Security
2012-07
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Reducers and Bushings
"The hexagonal pipe element in today's illustration is a threaded reducer bushing. It is inserted in the end of the branch line to reduce the pipe size from the larger tapered fitting to the smaller diameter pipe at the right hand side of the picture. Generally, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, prohibits the use of these bushings and allows only one-piece tapered reducers where pipe size transitions occur. The threaded bushing increases the friction loss and turbulence in the pipe which affects water distribution onto a fire."
United States Fire Administration
2012-06-26
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Hydraulic Nameplate Data Sources
"Coffee Break Training 2012-16 described the information that is required on hydraulic nameplates by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The nameplate provides an important record of the system design criteria and expected performance. What can the inspector do when confronted with the situation shown in today's illustration where there is no obvious information about the system? How can the inspector evaluate whether the system design is appropriate for the hazard it protects? Where can the inspector find additional information? A little detective work might go a long way toward solving the mystery. One step might be to check the spare sprinkler box that should be mounted near the riser. While it may not contain the hydraulic design data, there is a fair chance the system installer's contact information may be posted there. The inspector can contact the installing company to obtain design information and request that the installer complete the information on the hydraulic nameplate as required by NFPA 13."
United States Fire Administration
2012-06-19
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Coffee Break Training: What is Human Performance Technology? Part 2 of 2
"We left our last discussion with the Analysis of Human Performance. [...] Human Performance Technology has always been and always will be about people, and how well they do what they do every day. When we start looking at the whole picture and not just the knowledge piece, it's easy to gain a better understanding of how our organizations actually accomplish work. We must always remember that knowledge is a wonderful thing, and we need to gain as much of it as we possibly can. However, until we get it from the gray matter to the fingertips, it remains only knowledge and not performance."
United States Fire Administration
2012-06-14
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Fire Alarm System Battery Inspection and Tests: Part II
"When secondary power for fire alarm systems is provided by batteries, the following tests should be conducted at the frequency recommended in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code® to evaluate the condition of the battery and make changes as needed. Fire alarm system tests and maintenance should be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, so it is important for the service technician to have that documentation available for review and comparison; and to answer any questions the code official might present."
United States Fire Administration
2012-06-12
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Coffee Break Training: What is Human Performance Technology? Part 1 of 2
"According to the International Society for Performance Improvement, Human Performance Technology (HPT) is a systematic approach to improving productivity and competence. It uses a set of methods and procedures (and a strategy for solving problems) for realizing opportunities related to the performance of people. More specifically, it is a process of selection, Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of programs to most cost-effectively influence human behavior and accomplishment. It is a systematic combination of three fundamental processes: performance analysis, cause analysis, and intervention selection, and can be applied to individuals, small groups, and large organizations."
United States Fire Administration
2012-06-07
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Fire Alarm System Battery Inspection and Tests: Part I
"Fire alarm systems must undergo regular inspections, testing, and maintenance to enhance their reliability and correct problems. (See Coffee Break Training 2012-17 for a
distinction among these services.) An essential component of the fire alarm system is its
secondary power supply. When secondary power is provided by batteries, the following general inspections and tests should be conducted at the frequency recommended in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code® to enhance reliability."
United States Fire Administration
2012-06-05
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Smoking-Related Fires in Residential Buildings (2008-2010)
"Between 2008 and 2010, an estimated annual average of 7,600 smoking-related fires occurred in residential buildings in the United States. These smoking-related fires accounted for 2 percent of residential building fires responded to by fire departments across the Nation and resulted in an average of approximately 365 deaths, 925 injuries, and $326 million in property loss each year. The term 'smoking-related fires' applies to those fires that are caused by cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and heat from undetermined smoking materials. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) differentiates between smoking as a cause of fires and fires ignited by smoking materials. Smoking and smoking-related fires are considered a behavioral cause. Fires ignited by smoking materials are considered as a group of fires where smoking materials were the heat source. The two sets are similar but not identical. A deliberately set fire with smoking materials as the heat of ignition would be considered an 'intentional' fire; a fire unintentionally set by someone smoking (cigarettes, cigars, or other smoking materials) would be considered a 'smoking-related fire.' This report addresses the characteristics of residential building smoking-related fires as reported to the USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) between 2008 and 2010."
United States Fire Administration
2012-06
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Batteries for Fire Alarm Secondary Power
"Storage batteries provide one method of fire alarm system secondary power as required by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code®. (See Coffee Break Training 2012-21 for alternatives. Storage batteries must be located so that the equipment, including overcurrent devices, is not adversely affected by
escaping battery gases that could result in corrosion of critical electrical components. The batteries must be protected against excessive load current by overcurrent devices. Batteries should also be mounted in a way that protects them from physical damage. If they are not located inside the fire alarm control unit (panel), the batteries and their charger location must be permanently identified at the control unit."
United States Fire Administration
2012-05-29
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Fire Alarm System Power Supplies
"Fire alarm systems must be provided with at least two independent and reliable power supplies: one primary source that powers the system in normal mode and a secondary power source to take over in the event of failure of the first (standby mode). Most fire alarm systems are connected to the local light and power utility as their primary power source. Once the electrical power service enters a building, it normally is distributed through a main electrical panel and one or more subpanels. The subpanels have individual branch circuits within them that provide power to outlets, switches, and fixed electrical equipment. In the event of a loss of primary power, the fire alarm system has to be equipped with a secondary means of supply that will energize the system within 30 seconds without losing any signals. The secondary power also has to operate if the primary power (line voltage) drops below acceptable limits."
United States Fire Administration
2012-05-22
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Fire Alarm Control Unit Overview
"Fire alarm and detection systems are outfitted with a fire alarm control unit (panel) (commonly called an FACP) that is considered the 'brain' of the system. The FACP takes inputs from the various alarm and supervisory devices that may be located throughout a protected property, interprets the inputs, processes outputs in the form of audible or visual alarm signals and ancillary actions, and reports to monitoring services to summon the necessary human intervention that identifies and solves the fire problem. FACPs can be simple or very complex. They may consist of a cabinet that houses small microprocessors, electrical terminals, batteries, light emitting diodes, relays, and fuses or they may be a sophisticated computerized terminal that employs touch-screen technology and provides controls for an endless variety of fire protection and life safety systems within a building."
United States Fire Administration
2012-05-15
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Presignal and Positive Alarm Sequence Functions
"Fire detection and alarm systems often serve as the first line of awareness and warning of a fire inside a building. In many cases, as soon as a fire is detected, an alarm sounds alerting occupants to a threatening condition. There may be times, however, when the code official agrees it is not warranted to have a general fire alarm sound throughout an entire building right away. In those circumstances National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, National Fire Alarm Code®, permits what is called a 'presignal' feature. In 'presignal' systems, activation of the fire alarm system does not sound an alarm throughout the building immediately. There is either a built-in delay of at least 1 minute from system activation or the initial fire alarm signals sound only in department offices, control rooms, fire brigade stations, or other constantly attended central locations. Then, someone must intervene to sound a general fire alarm."
United States Fire Administration
2012-05-08
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One- and Two-Family Residential Building Fires (2008-2010)
"From 2008 to 2010, fire departments responded to an estimated 240,500 fires in one- and two-family residences each year across the Nation. These fires resulted in an annual average loss of 2,050 deaths, 8,350 injuries, and 5.8 billion dollars in property loss. One- and two-family residential building fires account for the majority of all residential building fires (66 percent) and dominate the overall residential building fire profile. One- and two-family residential buildings include detached dwellings, manufactured homes, mobile homes not in transit, and duplexes. The vast majority of fire deaths in the Nation occur in these one- and two-family dwellings. Because these fatalities occur all over the Nation and throughout the year, they do not often make national headlines. Nevertheless, fire deaths in one- and two-family dwellings account for far more deaths in most years than all natural disasters combined."
United States Fire Administration
2012-05
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Multifamily Residential Building Fires (2008-2010)
"Annually, from 2008 to 2010, fires in multifamily residential buildings accounted for an estimated 102,300 reported fires. These fires accounted for 28 percent of all residential building fires responded to by fire departments across the Nation. These fires resulted in an annual average loss of 400 deaths and 4,175 injuries as well as 1.2 billion dollars in property loss. Multifamily residential buildings include structures such as apartments, townhouses, rowhouses, condominiums, and other tenement properties. Multifamily residential buildings tend to have stricter building codes than one- and two-family buildings. Many multifamily residential buildings are rental properties, and are usually required to comply with more stringent fire prevention statutes and regulations involving smoke alarms and sprinkler systems. As a result of the type of building, the more stringent building and code requirements, and the fact that more people live in the building itself than in the predominant one- and two-family residence, fires in multifamily residential buildings tend to have a different profile than fires in other types of residences."
United States Fire Administration
2012-05
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Coffee Break Training: Building Construction: Penetrations of Vertical Exit Enclosures
"At first glance, today's picture may be a common sight to those who travel a lot and spend time in hotels and motels. The photograph illustrates fire sprinkler risers and drains inside a fire-resistive-rated exit stair enclosure. A closer look, however, reveals a potentially significant problem with the integrity of the fire-resistive construction and its ability to protect evacuees from fire or other products of combustion."
United States Fire Administration
2012-05-01
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Coffee Break Training: Transforming Your Department's Response with Electronic Pre-Incident Planning
"Pre-incident plans (such as site plans, floor plans, hazardous materials (hazmat) information, lists and locations of persons with special needs, structure and construction types, hydrant and Geographic Information System (GIS) maps, utility shutoff locations, etc.) are designed to maximize performance at any response. They familiarize first responders with the critical building features they need to reduce risk for themselves and the citizens they protect, in addition to mitigating potential property damage. Not only does International Fire Code (1408.2) require any building under construction to have a full prefire plan, but National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1620, Recommended Practice for Pre-Incident Planning states that 'a pre-incident plan is one of the most valuable tools available for aiding responding personnel in effectively controlling an emergency.' The impact that an up-to-date and readily accessible preplan has on command is immeasurable. In addition to aiding situational awareness and deployment, a first responder who has pre-incident plan information is better prepared to handle the intangibles that any incident might present. Pre-incident plans and the critical facility information they contain should reflect current conditions. Thorough pre-incident planning is a great deal more than compiling a binder of old drawings and plans. It's about information gathering and analysis, an application of possible scenarios for planning, training, review, and, in the event of an incident, application."
United States Fire Administration
2012-04-26
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Coffee Break Training: Fire Alarms & Detection: Fire Alarm System Service and Recordkeeping
"Reliability and performance of fire protection systems are enhanced when they are subject to regular inspection, testing, and maintenance. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72, National Fire Alarm Code®, requires monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual visual inspections of various components to confirm there have been no changes that can affect system performance. Building modifications, occupancy changes, environmental conditions, device locations, physical obstructions, damage, housekeeping, and improper installation are just a few conditions that can occur which might change how the fire alarm system performs."
United States Fire Administration
2012-04-24
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Hydraulic Nameplates
"Most automatic sprinkler systems designed today have been hydraulically calculated: an engineered approach that matches the fire hazard potential to the available water supply pressure and volume. The sprinkler plans examiner will verify the hydraulic calculations to ensure that all of the design considerations have been met. In order to help keep track of the design criteria, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, requires that the installing contractor identify hydraulically designed sprinkler systems with a permanently marked weatherproof metal or rigid plastic sign secured with corrosionresistant wire, chain, or other approved means. The sign must be placed at the alarm valve, dry-pipe valve, preaction valve, or deluge valve supplying the corresponding hydraulically designed area."
United States Fire Administration
2012-04-17
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Qualified LPG Containers
"With the advent of dramatically rising energy prices, the likelihood increases that some persons will try to hoard fuel in nonapproved-and potentially dangerous-containers. Liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) in the form of butane or propane are common hydrocarbon fuels used for heating, cooking, and industrial applications. They are stored in pressure vessels that meet either U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards. (See Coffee Break Training 2006-22 for a brief description of the differences.) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, is the foundational document for the design, installation, and operation of LPG systems and containers."
United States Fire Administration
2012-04-10
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Coffee Break Training: Commercial Cooking: Fire Suppression Equipment Release Devices
"Commercial cooking systems that produce smoke or grease-laden vapors are required by the model codes to have an automatic fire suppression system in the hood and duct system that takes the flammable air:vapor mixture from the building. Most of these fire suppression systems also require some means to manually operate the equipment. Fire suppression agents can be dry chemical, wet chemical, foam-water, automatic sprinkler, or carbon dioxide. The agent selected must be appropriate for the type of cooking operation that is present. Preengineered wet- and dry-chemical systems (designed within a prescribed performance range and installed according to the manufacturer's specifications) must satisfy the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 300, 'Fire Testing of Fire Extinguishing Systems for Protection of Restaurant Cooking Areas'. All of the automatic suppression systems, except automatic sprinklers, require the installation of a manual release. Typically, the release connects directly to the suppression system control head and overrides any automatic function."
United States Fire Administration
2012-04-03
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U.S. Fire Administration, Fire Service Operations for the Southeastern Tornados--April 2011
This report consolidates reviews of fire department and emergency medical services (EMS) activities in Alabama and Georgia during the April 2011 tornados. The report provides an insight into the procedures and needs of local fire and EMS agencies during disasters. Five overarching areas were repeatedly identified throughout the review: lack of disaster preparedness, need for more disaster management training, need for closer coordination and communication with State and Federal recovery staff, effective use of Incident Command System (ICS) in supporting operations, and need for Public Works to participate, learn, and practice ICS. The report also includes 66 specific observations and recommendations as well as four operational priorities.
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2012-04-01?
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Fire Service Operations for the Southeastern Tornados - April 2011
"On April 27, 2011, the southeastern United States experienced a devastating series of tornados starting in Mississippi, hitting Alabama and Georgia very hard, and trailing off into Tennessee. The dollar loss has been roughly tallied at $6 billion in insured losses and a total of over $10 billion for all losses. An estimated 336 lives were lost in the region's tornados and related events, with 239 of those in Alabama. At least 10,000 homes were heavily damaged or destroyed and dozens of public facilities were rendered inoperative. Many areas that were isolated by road closures and power outages extended over 2 weeks in some rural areas. At least five tornados were rated at EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale), and, if laid end to end, the tornado tracks in this region would stretch across the country! A series of meetings was held in the summer of 2011 to look at fire department and emergency medical services (EMS) organization activities in Alabama and Georgia during the tornados. Over 50 representatives of impacted departments attended and each had an opportunity to respond to specific questions as well as provide a free range of their own inputs. This report condenses those meetings and inputs and provides an insight into the routines and needs of local fire and EMS agencies in disasters."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2012-04
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U.S. Fire Administration: Funding Alternatives for Emergency Medical and Fire Services
"The purpose of this manual is to identify the various grants and innovative funding alternatives available for emergency medical services (EMS) and fire protection services. Where appropriate, a discussion of the pros and cons of a particular funding source is discussed. In some instances, examples are given to illustrate how alternative funding is being successfully implemented in EMS agencies and fire departments across the country."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2012-04
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Fire Service Operations for the Southeastern Tornados-April 2011
"On April 27, 2011, the southeastern United States experienced a devastating series of tornados starting in Mississippi, hitting Alabama and Georgia very hard, and trailing off into Tennessee. The dollar loss has been roughly tallied at $6 billion in insured losses and a total of over $10 billion for all losses. An estimated 336 lives were lost in the region's tornados and related events, with 239 of those in Alabama. At least 10,000 homes were heavily damaged or destroyed and dozens of public facilities were rendered inoperative. Many areas that were isolated by road closures and power outages extended over 2 weeks in some rural areas. At least five tornados were rated at EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale), and, if laid end to end, the tornado tracks in this region would stretch across the country! A series of meetings was held in the summer of 2011 to look at fire department and emergency medical services (EMS) organization activities in Alabama and Georgia during the tornados. Over 50 representatives of impacted departments attended and each had an opportunity to respond to specific questions as well as provide a free range of their own inputs. This report condenses those meetings and inputs and provides an insight into the routines and needs of local fire and EMS agencies in disasters. There are 66 specific observations/recommendations included in this report as well as four operational priorities identified."
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; United States Fire Administration
2012-04
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Coffee Break Training: Emergency Incident Personnel Rehabilitation
"Emergency incidents are unpredictable and require personnel to carry out tasks in adverse conditions. When you combine the inherent stresses of handling the emergency incident with the sudden increased workload, heavier load of carried equipment, and environmental dangers of extreme heat or cold, the safety and health of each individual person can be impacted adversely. Emergency incident rehabilitation is designed to ensure that the physical and mental well-being of firefighters and other emergency responders operating at the scene of an emergency does not deteriorate to the point where it affects their health and safety. It can prevent serious and life-threatening conditions such as heat stroke and heart attacks from occurring. Rehabilitation is not just for incidents, it is also a must for operational training. While the implementation and operation of rehabilitation should be in accordance with local department standard operating procedures (SOPs), it should be instituted whenever emergency operations or training exercises pose a safety or health risk to personnel."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03-28
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: General Information Signs
"One of the leading causes of sprinkler system ineffectiveness occurs when storage contents or configurations change and the sprinkler system is not altered to match the new hazard. A sprinkler system that is designed and installed to protect one level of hazard may not adequately protect another. For example, a sprinkler system designed to protect an office supply retail sales building may be installed to protect predominantly an ordinary hazard occupancy. If that tenant were to leave or change products to something highly flammable or combustible, the original fire protection system might not have the sprinkler spacing, pipe size, or water delivery capacity to control a fire in the new materials."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03-27
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Coffee Break Training: Building Construction: Hollow Core Concrete Panels
"Modern building construction techniques rely on cost-effective materials and rapid installation to keep expenses down. One method involves the use of hollow core concrete
panels that are cast in a controlled factory environment and transported to the construction site where they are assembled as part of floor or roof systems. They even can be cantilevered as much as 5 ft (1.5 m) to create exterior balconies."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03-20
