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Fire Codes and Safety

Fires are hazards that affect many aspects of personal and organizational stability for many people and businesses whenever they occur. Almost always, there are a number of economic and social consequences to fires to businesses. The aim of this report is to is to educate business owners on the importance and impact of fire inspections and fire codes to improve compliance and relationships. The report covers the steps in public fire education programme, the codes needed for fire safety, violations in similar occupancies, public behaviour during fires and the socio-economic costs of non-compliance in fires. It also has a proposed public education initiative on fire safety and the stakeholder importance in positive fire reaction.

Steps in Public fire education programme

The very first step is to conduct a community risk analysis (Cappuccio & Grill, 2003). This involves identifying the data to be analysed and the nature of such data. It also entails developing a community risk profile and writing a problem statement. Prioritization of issues and the identification of target areas and populations are also instrumental in this regard. Secondly, there is the development of community partnerships. This entails the identification of potential partners, the interpretation of community risks and problems and the formation of a community planning team. The third step is to create an intervention strategy. This strategy is created through a systematic review of data on risks and the population targeted. There is also need to identify places for interventions and the interventions themselves. At the end of this step is the creation of an evaluation strategy. The next step is the implementation of the strategy. This entails conducting a pilot intervention and revising it as you see fit. It also has to do with making market intervention programs, initiating activities and monitoring progress. This progress has to be periodically reported. The final step is the evaluation of results. This is done by collecting data and comparing it to the baseline (Cappuccio & Grill, 2003). Necessary interventions are noted and appropriate modifications done. These results are then reported to sponsoring organizations and community.

Codes required for fire safety in my area

NFPA 1: This is the National Fire Protections fire code. It addresses fire protection requirements, including the necessary requirements for making constructions safer and even the process of demolition.

NFPA 5000: This is the building code. This code has several sections/chapters setting the requirements for the prevention of fires during construction.

International Building Code Description: This also addresses safety from fires during construction

International Fire Code description: It is an enhancement of the three mentioned organizations above.

NFPA 1620: This code aims at conducting pre fire planning for the fire department. It gives a prescription of the criteria for developing pre-incident plans for the response to emergencies by the fire personnel.

Number of violations or fires in similar occupancies

In the last year, there have been fifty six violations reported in similar occupancies. In addition, there have been ten reported fires within the same occupancies. This paints a picture of relative non-compliance with many codes as stipulated by the fire department.

People’s behaviour during fires as stipulated by researchers

During a fire, people tend to display dysfunctional and irrational responses. This usually displays itself in the form of panic. Panic is seen when the process of evacuation is disrupted by uncontrolled movement, noise and general lack of coordination (Chow Wan-ki et al. 2013). Panic is also displayed when people re-enter a burning building or an already collapsing one and potentially lead to fatalities. Whereas such an action may be termed panic when it causes fatalities, it can be called “heroic” when it leads to rescue. The perceptions that accompany these actions also make people to behave in a particular way. On the other hand, people can also apply rational and logical decision making during a fire following what they already understand about the safety standards. The occupants are much likely to react differently and display less panic when they are sure there are safety systems in place to help them escape. Having safety procedures and infrastructure in place, besides adhering to the codes specified ensures that there is less panic during fires.

The cost of non-compliance in fires

Economically, the cost of non-compliance is seen in the losses that business premises suffer whenever fires occur. Failing to comply leads to eruption of these fires, making businesses to loose their assets and premises. The economic toll is also seen when there are fatalities. The productive employees may be lost due to death or permanent injuries, causing great losses to the business.

Socially, the standing of the business is affected when they fail to comply. The relationship between the business, its employees and the institutional and legislative authorities deterirorate whenever the business fails to comply to the safety measures (Fruton & Wallasch, 2015).

Public Education Initiative

The public has to be educated about fires as tragedies and the importance of keeping to the safety standards specified in various fire safety codes.

This initiative would be targeted towards the frequent users of premises, the stakeholders in business, the general public and the management. The management and owners of business premises would be trained on efficient coordination during fire emergencies before fire departments can be called to scene (Fruton & Wallasch, 2015) . They would also be taught on what to tell their employees in case of fire outbreaks as a precautionary measure. The political leaders would also be trained on the benefits of having their constituents prioritize fire safety mechanisms.

Measuring the effectiveness of fire and life safety would be done through simulations of emergency situations through drills and scenarios that portray the actual fire emergencies. Ultimately, the effectiveness of such a program is seen in the number of new emergencies reported, collecting data on fatalities and the height of property destruction. These are compared with the data collected before such education initiatives are implemented and any changes to the remedies proposed made.

Importance of positive fire reaction

Instilling a positive fire reaction will lead to a number of positive outcomes. First, it would lead to less loss of property for the business. Implementing fire safety mechanisms ensures that minimal damage is done during fires. This way, losses are kept at minimum. Secondly, it also leads to fewer fatalities reported for businesses. Because they are aware of the safety procedures and the need to keep panic at minimum, the systematic evacuation of these people would lead to saving them. In addition, a positive fire reaction would ensure that the business premises adhere to the codes of safety.

In conclusion, the safety of business occupancies relies on how they adhere to the safety code that specifies fire and life safety within and outside the business premises. There is therefore need for the business owners and fire safety departments to institute safety codes and initiate education that will eventually lead to safer fire management within business buildings. Ultimately, maintaining the code and security would help build relationships and compliance.

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