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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
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Coffee Break Training: Inspection Techniques: Forward Full Testing for Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
"National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, 'Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems', and NFPA 25, 'Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems', require new and existing water-based fire protection systems that are equipped with a backflow prevention device (e.g., double check or reduced pressure zone backflow device) have the ability to perform a 'forward full' flow test. The test is intended to verify that the backflow prevention device opens fully under demand conditions. It has to be performed during system acceptance and annually thereafter. In systems where the sole water supply is through a backflow preventer and/or pressure-reducing valves, the main drain test of at least one system downstream of the device must be conducted on a quarterly basis."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03-13
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Fire Department Connection Drains
"Today's photograph illustrates the old adage 'out of sight, out of mind.' This is a remote fire department connection that supplements the sprinkler system in a new building. The installing contractor claimed to have conducted a new water main flush after the initial installation, but neither the fire nor the building department witnessed it. When time came to conduct an acceptance test on the sprinkler system, the fire inspector asked to witness the underground water main flush as required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. A new 12-inch (305 mm) service from the street to the hydrant on the dead end of the new main was flushed first. Then, the inspector requested that the 8-inch (203 mm) line serving the sprinkler system be flushed."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03-06
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Examining the Need for Standardization of the Initial Damage Assessment Process in Louisa County, Virginia
"A recent earthquake centered in Louisa County, Virginia, required County officials to undertake an extensive and prolonged initial damage assessment process. The problem was that the Louisa County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) did not have an established system for conducting these assessments initially caused errors in the process. The action research method was used to fulfill the purpose of this research, which was to develop a tool for Louisa County to conduct consistent and accurate initial damage assessments in the future. Literature review, a questionnaire and personal interviews were used to answer the following questions: 1) Why should localities perform initial damage assessments? 2) What tools are other localities using? 3) What elements do these tools have in common? and 4) What tools would benefit Louisa County in future damage assessment techniques? Results demonstrated why departments should perform initial damage assessments, that standardized policies, procedures and forms are used by other departments, with some elements in common, and that Louisa County would benefit from adopting such policies and procedures. Based upon the research results, a recommendation was made for Louisa to implement a standardized process for initial damage assessment, to include standardization of paperwork and data intake."
United States Fire Administration
Keim, Scott
2012-03?
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Traffic Incident Management Systems [2012]
"In 2003, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced a goal to reduce firefighter fatalities by 25 per¬cent within 5 years and 50 percent within 10 years. It also committed to doing research that would sup¬port that goal. The consistently high annual percentage of fatalities related to fire department response and roadway scene operations prompted the USFA to look at several aspects related to these collisions in an effort to improve responder safety. Firefighters who are killed in privately owned vehicles (POVs) during the course of their duties account for the largest percentage of vehicle-related deaths. These are typically volunteer firefighters who are responding to or returning from emergency calls. However, career firefighters are also occasionally killed in POVs while performing their duties."
United States Fire Administration
2012-03
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Coffee Break Training: Automatic Sprinklers: Copper Sprinkler Pipe Joints
"Long used for domestic water service, Types K, L, and M copper are durable and reliable products for fire sprinkler systems. Copper is allowed by the major sprinkler design standards, but it is important to note the prescriptive design specifications of International Residential Code Standard P2904 are based solely on Type M. Pipe sizes generally
range from 3/4 to 2 inches (19 to 51 mm) in outside diameter, depending on system design. Copper can be used for wet-pipe, dry-pipe, or preaction systems, and can accommodate antifreeze solutions where allowed by the water purveyor. The pipe does not have to be listed for fire protection service if it meets specific American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) material and dimension standards that are outlined in the sprinkler design standards."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-28
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Carbon Monoxide Toxicity
"When the hotel guest pulled the chair back from the desk, he was startled to see what appeared to be the improper placement of a smoke alarm beneath a desk. Further investigation revealed it was a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. CO's specific gravity is 0.9657 (air = 1) so it is slightly more buoyant and mixes easily with room air, especially if the air is heated. Proper detector placement is essential to provide early notification. According to the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the maximum CO exposure in an 8-hour period is 35 parts per million (ppm). When one considers exposure with a victim's age and health, the potential consequences are alarming. CO poisoning is often confused with the flu-like symptoms of headache, nausea, and dizziness, so a CO exposure is easily masked."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-21
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Coffee Break Training: EMS Mass-Casualty Support Vehicles
"The National Integration Center (NIC) has developed resource typing definitions for the Mass-Casualty Support Vehicle, as well as other emergency medical services (EMS) resources. Ordering resources that have been typed using these definitions makes the resource request and dispatch process more accurate and efficient. The currently-typed Mass-Casualty Support Vehicles are based on their equipment capability to treat patients. Mass-Casualty Support Vehicles are not patient-transport capable, but are specifically for equipment and supplies."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-15
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Coffee Break Training: Hazardous Materials: Aboveground Tank Locations for Motor Vehicle Fuel Dispensing
"Environmental regulations intended to protect ground water and prevent pollution provide a challenge for fire safety advocates. While it has long been recognized that underground tanks are a safer option for fire protection, if they deteriorate over time or are damaged, they can cause significant environmental harm. One solution that pairs environmental protection with convenience is the advent of what are known as 'protected' aboveground storage tanks-like the one shown today-that have been tested to withstand severe fire conditions. These tanks are a popular option for small vehicle fleet operators and other
industries where motor vehicle fueling operations are required. In order to prevent significant fire exposure in the event of a leak or spill occurring during refueling operations, all aboveground tanks (including protected tanks, fire-resistant tanks, tanks in noncombustible vaults, and nonrated tanks) must be located so that fire dangers are minimized."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-14
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Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: Preparing for Trial
"Preparing for trial is a key, and often overlooked, aspect of the fire investigator's job. For you to successfully present your investigation and conclusions to the jury requires more than just being prepared. How well you compile and organize your case file affects every aspect of how the case is prosecuted. The demonstrative aids you make--or don't make--can make a big difference in how well the jury understands your testimony. Proper, professional presentation of your credentials lays the foundation of credibility for your words. Your ability to communicate your systematic approach to the fire scene is the key determining factor in whether you survive a 'Daubert' challenge. The quality of your pretrial conference with the prosecutor will determine how well-prepared you are for both direct and cross examination. And, your command of the facts, the legal process, and your own demeanor determine how well your trial testimony will go. This module provides guidance in how to complete each of these important pretrial tasks that you can use to effectively discharge your investigative duties."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-09
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Coffee Break Training: EMS Multipatient Medical Transport Vehicles
"The National Integration Center (NIC) has developed resource typing definitions for the Multipatient Medical Transport (MPMT) vehicle, as well as other emergency medical services (EMS) resources. Ordering resources that have been typed using these definitions makes the resource request and dispatch process more accurate and efficient. The currently-typed MPMT vehicles are typed based on their capability and capacity. The MPMT provides basic medical transportation services during a large-scale evacuation. The MPMT is only expected to provide basic life support (BLS) care due to personnel safety and patient access concerns."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-08
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Coffee Break Training: Storage Practices: Shelf and Rack Influences on Fire Sprinkler Systems
"The last two Coffee Break Training sessions have explained the difference between shelf and rack storage configurations with the emphasis that proper definition of the storage components is important to sprinkler system design. Today we provide an example of both how complicated the design determination process can be, as well as the different outcomes based simply on the definition of the storage component as a shelf or rack. The example is from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and includes the following criteria that go into the design determination process. Our example product is a finished wood product."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-07
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Coffee Break Training: Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum: Proper Handling and Processing of Digital Evidence
"Coffee Break Training" is a series of short lessons within the National Fire Academy's Fire/Arson and Explosion Investigation Curriculum. According to the learning objective, "the student shall be able to identify the proper handling procedures for digital evidence to avoid potential damage or destruction of critical data" upon completing this block of instruction.
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-02
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Coffee Break Training: Human Trafficking
"Human trafficking is a crime and a human rights abuse involving commercial sexual exploitation of a child or the use of force, coercion, or fraud to compel someone into labor servitude or commercial sexual exploitation. Thousands of men, women, and children are trafficked in the United States every year. Many of these victims are lured from their homes with false promises of well-paying jobs; instead, they are forced into prostitution, involuntary domestic servitude, farm or factory labor, or other types of forced labor. Approximately one-third of human trafficking victims are treated by medical providers. Similar to observing patients for signs of abuse, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) responders should be aware of the signs of human trafficking."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-02
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Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010)
"These topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in the U.S. Fire Administration's (USFA's) National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context. Findings [include] (1) Ninety-two percent of all civilian fatalities in residential building fires involve thermal burns and smoke inhalation. (2) Bedrooms (55 percent) are the leading location where civilian fire fatalities occur in residential buildings. (3) Fifty percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This period also accounts for 47 percent of fatal fires. (4) Thirty-six percent of fire victims in residential buildings were trying to escape at the time of their deaths; an additional 35 percent were sleeping. (5) 'Other unintentionally set, careless' actions and 'smoking' (each accounting for 16 percent) are the leading causes of fatal residential building fires. (6) Males accounted for 57 percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings; women accounted for 43 percent of the fatalities. (7) Approximately 44 percent of civilian fatalities in residential building fires are between the ages of 40 and 69. (8) Thirteen percent of civilian fire fatalities in residential buildings were less than 10 years old. (9) Appliance fires produced 1,351 fatalities per 1,000 fatal fires, the largest number of fatalities per 1,000 fatal fires."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02
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Your Role in Fire-Adapted Communities
"The concept of fire-adapted communities (FACs) holds that, with proper community-wide preparation, human populations and infrastructure can withstand the devastating effects of a wildland fire, reducing loss of life and property. This goal depends on strong and collaborative partnerships between agencies and the public at the State, Federal, and local levels, with each accepting responsibility for their part. This guide will frame the FAC concept and current efforts to define its scope, explain the roles that groups can adopt to improve their fire safety, and provide guidance on future steps. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) believes that by reviewing the roles and responsibilities each group can adopt now, communities will become better prepared to realize the FAC goal in the future."
United States Fire Administration; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2012-02
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Coffee Break Training: EMS Resource Type Definitions
"Resource typing is one of the five components of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Resource typing is the categorization and description of response resources that are commonly exchanged in disasters through mutual-aid agreements. By using standardized typing and terminology for all incidents and events, smoother interoperability will exist for multiagency/ multijurisdiction incidents and events. The National Integration Center (NIC) has developed and published over 120 resource typing definitions. Resource typing definitions can give emergency responders the information they need to make sure they request and receive the appropriate resources during an emergency or disaster. Ordering resources that have been typed using these definitions makes the resource request and dispatch process more accurate and efficient."
United States Fire Administration
2012-02-01
