Fire Safety Inspection Management

F/SUPT HERBERT B CEZAR

Fire department inspections will be of value to members of the department by:

Aiding in rescue work Determining the fire fighting procedure Preventing spread of fire Aiding in the self-preservation of the fire fighters Providing knowledge of private fire protection equipment Aiding in fire prevention Determining causes of fires Stimulating cooperation between owners and occupants

and the fire departmentEach of the preceding will be discussed in the following

sections.

The first duty of any fire department is the protection of life. It is generally not difficult to determine the value of value of buildings and materials of occupancy, but no board of appraisers can set the value of a human life. In order that the fire fighters may best protect the lives in the community,

1. Where people live

2. Where people work

3. Where people assemble

No department can cope efficiently with its rescue problem unless it’s thoroughly familiar with the preceding factors.

Inspections are the best means of obtaining this knowledge. Conditions under which people live, work and assemble, in some instances, are of a hazardous nature to the human safety.

As protectors of life, fire departments have a neither responsibility they cannot avoid nor delegate to others.

In carrying out this responsibility, it will greatly assist them to know in advance where people live, work and assemble and how they may escape or be rescued.

The best way to secure this information is to make periodic inspections and surveys.

It is difficult for a department to attack a fire intelligently without first knowing the building and its occupancy.

It is too late to plan procedure and attack after the fire has occurred.

It is highly desirable to have a predetermined course of action to follow when the alarm is received.

For successful firefighting the following information, which can be acquired through inspection, is necessary:

1. Type of building and occupancy2. Life hazard3. Rescue problems4. Entrance and exit facilities5. Methods required for forcible entry6. Exposure protection

7. Location of hydrants and water supply

8. Sprinklers and other protective devices

9. Hose lines probably needed

10. Ventilation

11. Salvage requirements

12. Potential starting point of fire

13. Potential extension of fire

The natural course of a fire is to follow the line of the most highly combustible material.

Fire that has originated in the basement may travel several floors above before all the combustible materials in the basement have been consumed.

Such travel is made possible through open partitions, elevator shafts, chutes and ducts.

Other instances show that fires have started in one building and have traveled to adjoining buildings through unprotected windows, doors and other openings.

The travel of fire can be anticipated and in a great many cases prohibited by familiarity with building construction, occupancy, exposures, connecting passageways, vertical and roof openings and similar features through inspection practices.

The general public has the little appreciation of the great value which structural features, such as stair and elevator enclosures, fire doors and fire partitions have in preventing rapid spread of fire.

The fire department, with its added knowledge, should take advantage of every opportunity to emphasize the importance of these factors to owners and occupants.

No building is worth a fire fighter’s life. In many instances fire fighters have been killed by walking into open elevator shafts, coming in contact with live wires or falling walls, being cut off from exits and other circumstances which could be due to the fact that fire fighters were unfamiliar with the building involved. Inspection will enable fire fighters to avoid life hazards in a great many buildings in time of fire.

Private fire protection equipment such as extinguishers, standpipes, hose systems, sprinkler systems, private water supplies and alarm systems are installed both as an aid to the fire department and to extinguish fires automatically.

Under normal conditions this equipment is not used very often. Since mechanical equipment is apt to be idle for many months at a time, frequent inspections are necessary to keep it in good working order.

Safety of the lives of the occupants may also depend upon the effectiveness of the fire protection equipment. Many times such equipment renders the job of fire fighting much less difficult if it is in good condition.

If this equipment does not work when the need arises, it is worse than none at all because the fire department, as well as the owner or occupant of the building depends upon its correct operation.

While fire extinguishment is of vital importance to all fire departments, the trend in a vast majority of departments is to stress the fire prevention. A large number of cities maintain a fire prevention bureau in connection with the fire department.

There are very few departments that do not assume this responsibility to some extent. The only way to prevent fires is by eliminating fire hazards and causes. In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to inspect all buildings in the community and make recommendations for the removal of, or protection from such hazards.

Every fire teaches a lesson and for this reason is worthy of study. Knowledge of fire causes, especially of conditions which permit a small fire to become serious, is essential to effective fire prevention.

Without such knowledge, inspections become mere routine and waste good effort. Once a fire occurs, it is often too late to determine the cause, since the hazardous condition has been consumed as well as the evidence itself.

A better and more definite method of determining fire causes is to be thoroughly familiar with existing hazards to anticipate causes. A good way to accomplish this is by thorough inspections.

The ends achieved by determining the cause of fires are the discovery of signs of arson and the preservation of all convicting evidence. Also, if the fire departments are thoroughly informed as to the cause of a certain fire, it will greatly assist them in their inspection work in prevention of future fires from the same cause.

STIMULATING COOPERATION BETWEEN OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

Nothing will assure closer cooperation between owners and occupants of buildings and the fire department than the interest of the department in not only preventing fires but in being better prepared to handle the fires when they occur.

The inspector should inform the owners and occupants that the fire department is rendering a service in the prevention and control of fires, and it is to the owners’ and occupants’ advantage to call the department immediately in case of fire

The inspector should also give in connection with problems of fire protection and prevention. These additional efforts will bring about closer cooperation between the public and the department and will serve to increase the standing of the department in the community.

Then President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos approved and signed Presidential Decree Nr 1185, otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines on 26 August 1977.

Sec. 8 - Inspections, Safety Measures, Fire Safety, Const. And Protective And/or Warning Systems

As may be defined and provided in the rules and regulations, owners, administrators or occupants of buildings, structures and their premises or facilities and other responsible persons shall be required to comply with the following, as may be appropriate;

A. Inspection Requirement

A fire safety inspection shall be conducted by the director general or his duly authorized representative as a pre-requisite to the grants of permits and/or licenses by local governments and other government agencies concerned for the:

• (1) use or occupancy of buildings, structures, facilities or their premises including the installation or fire protection and fire safety equipment, and electrical system in any building structure or facility;

• (2) storage, handling and/or use of explosives or of combustible, flammable, toxic and other hazardous materials;

Division-2 - ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

• Sec.-1.201-Inspection of all building shall be done by Fire Safety Inspectors of the Fire Service.

• Sec. 1.202 - Inspection Requirements- Fire Safety Inspection shall be conducted as a pre-requisite to grants of permits and/or licenses by local government or other government agencies.

Sec. 1.203 - Periodic Inspection by Fire Safety Inspectors

The chief of the Local fire Service or his duly authorized representative shall conduct periodic inspection of any building, structure, facility or premises for the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of this Fire Code.

SECTION-1.206 - FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION FEES

Fire Safety Inspection Certificate shall be issued upon payment by the applicant of a fee equivalent to ten (10%) percent of all fees charge by the building official or by the Local Government or by other local government concerned in the granting of pertinent permits or Licenses.

SECTION 1.102 - GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT FOR BUILDING, STRUCTURE

OR FACILITY

A. Fire Suppression Devices, Equipment or Systems

As provided in subsequent Rules for all types of occupancies, except in detached single- or two-family dwelling units of not more than two storeys;

RULE 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONSFIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

The owner of any building, structure, facility shall install, provide, incorporate, adopt and maintain under operable and usable conditions the following:

B. Fire Safety Construction

As provided in subsequent Rules for all types of occupancies mentioned therein; and

RULE 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONSFIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

The owner of any building, structure, facility shall install, provide, incorporate, adopt and maintain under operable and usable conditions the following:

SECTION 1.102 - GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT FOR BUILDING, STRUCTURE

OR FACILITY

This to the design and installation of walls, barriers, doors, windows, vents, means of egress, etc integral to and incorporated into a building or structure in order to minimize danger to life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the building is evacuated. These features are also designed to achieve, among others, safe and rapid evacuation of people through means of egress sealed from smoke or fire, the confinement of fire or smoke in the room or floor of origin and delay their spread to other parts of the building by means of smoke-sealed and fire resistant doors, walls and floors. It shall also mean to include the treatment of building components or contents with flame retardant chemicals.

C. Fire Protection and Warning System

As provided in subsequent Rules for all types of occupancies mentioned therein.

RULE 1 – GENERAL PROVISIONSFIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

The owner of any building, structure, facility shall install, provide, incorporate, adopt and maintain under operable and usable conditions the following:

SECTION 1.102 - GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENT FOR BUILDING, STRUCTURE

OR FACILITY

These are devices intended for the protection of buildings or persons to include but not limited to built-in protection systems such as sprinklers and other automatic extinguishing systems, detectors for heat, smoke and combustion products and other warming system components, personal protective equipment such as fire blankets, helmets, fire suits, gloves and other garments that may be put on or worn by persons to protect themselves during fire.

If you can answer YES to every

question I congratula

te you!

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION MANAGEMENT IN OTHER

COUNTRIES

In the United States…Business Inspection Information

Fire Department personnel visit businesses each year to perform a routine annual Fire Safety Survey.  The purpose of the survey is to verify that the use and maintenance of buildings comply with the important fire and life safety requirements of the International Fire Code, as adopted by the City. 

Special attention is given to hazards that pose a serious fire and life safety threat to buildings, its occupants and its neighbors.  The survey also provides firefighters with the opportunity to become familiar with buildings and businesses in order to respond to an emergency in a fast, safe and efficient manner.

Inspection Checklist

A partial list of frequent International Fire Code violations commonly found during Fire Safety Surveys.  Other important requirements may apply to a business and will be discussed during the survey.

Item keep exits clear – remove all trash, furniture and other items that are blocking aisles, hallways and doors. 

Remove chains, bars, slide bolts, dead bolts, or other latches that prohibit an occupant from easily exiting through a door. Replace burned out EXIT sign and emergency light bulbs.

 Building addresses and suite numbers must be posted with large numbers & letters that are visible from the street. 

Fire protection systems (fire sprinklers, fire alarms, etc.) must be inspected at least annually by a licensed contractor – check for a current inspection tag.

Required fire extinguishers must be inspected at least annually

by a licensed contractor – check for a current inspection tag.

Commercial cooking hoods and ducts must be clean and free of grease accumulations.

Keep combustibles out of boiler, mechanical, and electrical rooms. Keep the top of storage at least 18 inches below fire sprinklers or 2 feet below ceilings without fire sprinklers.

Storage areas, warehouses, and similar areas where the top of storage can exceed 12 feet in height may have special requirements.  Check with Thornton Fire Department personnel to find out if your building is approved for high storage.

Most electrical appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.  Extension cords are allowed in limited circumstances, generally with small, portable appliances.  Use a power strip with over current protection instead.

All Fire Prevention Inspectors have been certified by the State Fire Marshals Office as Resident Deputy Fire Marshals.

This allows the fire inspectors to conduct state licensing inspections for foster homes, daycares, schools and other facilities licensed by the state.

Resident Deputy Fire Marshals are required to receive continuing education to maintain their state certification.

The Inspection Division also conducts site and building plans review for new construction projects. These reviews include but are not limited to:

o fire alarms systems o fire sprinkler systems o commercial kitchen hood o fire suppression systems o fire hydrant locations o fire apparatus access roads o high piled combustible storage requirements  o other fire and life safety requirements in the 2003

International Fire Code

Other task of the inspection division:

Enforcing life safety codes is accomplished through the Fire Safety Inspection Program. Each year the Fire Safety Management Division inspects all commercial businesses, excluding State and Federal property, and multi-family residences within the City limits to eliminate hazards which contribute to the risk of fire or injury.

Our goal is to provide inspections where human occupancy is the greatest, and in areas with substantial hazards. It is essential that the means of egress and other safeguards, including the building's features of fire protection systems and fire protection equipment, are maintained.

Enforcement

The Fire Safety Management Division reviews plans for all new construction and renovations within the City limits to ensure code compliance.

Site plans are also checked to make sure the department has the ability to gain access to buildings on site and have the proper water supply.

Engineering

The Fire Inspection Department is responsible for new construction plan review and inspection to ensure the proper installation of life safety requirements, extinguishing systems, and fire alarms, and to assist with pre-fire scene planning for the volunteer firefighters.

The Fire Inspection Department also conducts routine fire inspections of commercial, industrial, and apartment buildings to ensure public safety and health and to obtain updated information on hazardous materials for the safety of the building occupants, the volunteer firefighters, and for our community.

Fire inspections are to be carried out by Labor Canada on behalf of Treasury Board to monitor compliance to codes and standards, to evaluate the danger to life from fire and to determine ways for minimizing fire danger to properties, contents and Government operations.

In Canada….

Fire protection items and fire protection systems to be inspected by Labor Canada include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

a. Building design and construction;

b. building exposures;

c. building services;

d. hazardous materials, processes and operations;

e. materials storage and handling;

f. fire detection and alarm systems;

f. water supply and fire suppression systems;

g. portable fire extinguishers;

h. special extinguishing systems;

i. fire emergency systems;

j. fire emergency procedures, organizations and evacuation plans;

k. fire department response and equipment; and

l. measures to minimize loss or damage subsequent to fire.

Priorities and frequencies for fire inspection services

In order to establish priority and frequency of inspection, the FC will take the following items into consideration for each property/building and associated occupancy:

1. The fire inspection is requested by a federal government department or agency and the nature of the request is considered urgent and important for the safety of the building occupants, protection of the property, or protection of operations;

2. there is a high number of fire significant protection deficiencies identified in previous inspections not rectified, or re-occurring, which are resulting in an undue hazard to building occupants, property, or operations;

3. the type of building and occupancy has a fire loss frequency and severity above the normal or acceptable level; or

4. a fire risk analysis of the property identifies:

potential large life risk; potential for large property fire loss, where a

fire could result in a loss of more than $1,000,000 to buildings and/or contents;

potential for loss of an historic or heritage building; or

an unacceptable interruption of essential government operations or services.

Properties falling into any one of the four items identified are to be given a high priority in conducting fire inspections on a periodic basis.

A building safety inspection system for fire safety issues in existing buildings

The majority of the population in Hong Kong live in multi-storey high-rise buildings. The safety conditions of these buildings are a major concern of the Government and the public. Fire safety is one of the major concerns especially after several large fire tragedies in the past few years.

In Hongkong…

The Hong Kong Government has introduced a mandatory safety assurance requirement which is called the "Building Safety Inspection Scheme". Under this scheme, building owners are required to appoint appropriate building professionals to assess the safety level of their buildings and to recommend appropriate actions.

One of the major aspects relates to the fire safety. In order to ensure uniform standards and easy administration, the Hong Kong Government intends to publish a Code of Practice on the assessment for use by building professionals. This paper proposes a fire safety assurance approach including the fire safety assessment method which may form the basis of the Code of Practice.

MANDATORY BUILDING INSPECTION SCHEME

The Buildings Department (BD) will continue to step up its enforcement efforts against non-compliance with the Buildings Ordinance. However, a permanent solution to the building neglect problem lies in owners actively taking up their maintenance responsibility.

We have now worked out the implementation details of the long-term measure, i.e. the proposed mandatory building inspection scheme for deliberation with the public.

Key Features

Requiring owners of private buildings aged 30 years or above to engage qualified inspectors (i.e. Authorized Persons or Registered Structural Engineers) to inspect their buildings and undertake the necessary repair works as specified by the inspectors

Inspection to be done every seven years, counting from the date when the owners were notified of the last round of inspection

Inspection items to mainly cover those in the common areas like structural elements, drainage, building fire safety elements, external walls and unauthorized building works posing imminent danger.

Owners of properly managed and maintained buildings may apply for exemption

Roles of Owners, Inspectors and Buildings Department

Owners Engage inspectors to inspect their buildings

Undertake necessary rectification works as specified by the inspectors

Inspectors Inspect and submit inspection reports to

owners and specify necessary rectification works

Supervise and certify completion of rectification works in accordance with the law

Buildings Department Notify owners to inspect their buildings within

a specified timeframe Set standards for inspection and rectification

works Conduct random audit check on inspection

reports Enforce against non-compliance

MEASURES TO ENHANCE WINDOW SAFETY

In response to the spate of window failures this year, the Government has promptly stepped up efforts to promote window safety. Even with the enhanced efforts, there are public calls for some form of mandatory measure to ensure window safety. We have drawn up for public discussion, two options involving different levels of Government regulation to be imposed on building owners -

Regular Inspection - owners of all private buildings aged 5 years or above to engage qualified persons to inspect and repair their windows (located in both common parts and private premises, openable and fixed) once every 3 years and to submit reports to BD

One-off inspection - main features similar to regular inspection above, except that this is a one-off, rather than recurrent requirement. The success of this option depends on owners' willingness to maintain their windows regularly on a voluntary basis thereafter

The systematic and logical study of a given threat, its likelihood of occurrence and the severity of its impact, purposely for the formulation and implementation of an effective and efficient security program to detect, control or prevent losses.

the probability that an undesirable event or threat may actually take place and inflict adverse consequences, including the failure to achieve goals and objectives.

One is at RISK when:

there is a threat

the threat is probable to occur

consequences if threat occurs

1ST STEP

2ND STEP

3RD STEP

4TH STEP

The 1st Step of Risk Analysis

involves the identification and profiling of a threat.

THREAT

Helps in designing an

effective and efficient security or protective program.

Who offers the threat?

Why the threat?

Objectives of the source of

threat?

Likely specific targets?

Modus Operandi?

Internal & External EnvironmentInternal & External Environment

Criticality or Nature of the Subject of Criticality or Nature of the Subject of Threat Threat

Historical Incidents/EventsHistorical Incidents/Events

are specific conditions that identify a threat. Also, they directly or indirectly influence the potential of a threat to exist or be present.

Nature & Criticality of Nature & Criticality of FacilityFacility

Operational Significance

Financial or Business Significance

Security Classification

Work or Input-Output processes and sensitive areas

Critical infrastructures and key assets (plus costs)

Financial Status and Financial Operations

Implications to national security, economy, politics, etc.

EXTERNAL INTERNAL

EnvironmentEnvironment

Politico-socio-economic situations

Geography, topography, etc

Demography Presence of PNP, AFP

and Emergency Response Agencies and their

capabilities Presence of sources of

threats in the area Global Situation

Structural Design Landscaping Facility Occupants Facility Contents Security Personnel &

their capabilities Presence of sources of

threats inside the facility

Organization

Internal Incidents

External Incidents

Security DeptOther Depts

GovernmentPrivate

Historical Event

• Near-miss events

• Actual events

Historical EventHistorical Event

RATING

LEVEL

1 – 2 Very Low

3 – 4 Low

5 – 6 Medium

7 – 8 High

9 – 10 Very High

Example: RATING

1.

The facility provides electricity in entire Luzon.

- 7

2.

The facility is located in an NPA-infested area.

- 9

3.

The facility was attacked by NPA’s in 2003. - 8

Average Threat Potential = 8

.

The 2nd Step of Risk Analysis

involves the identification and measurement of the weaknesses of the existing security or protective program of a subject of a threat, as against the strength of the same security or protective program.

Allows risk owners to know the strength of their existing Security Program, what needs to be corrected and what more are necessary to be put in place in defense against an identified threat.

Vulnerability directly influences the probability of a threat to actually take place.

WEAK SECURITYWEAK SECURITY Increases probability of threat occurrence

STRONG SECURITYSTRONG SECURITY Reduces probability of threat occurrence

absence of security or protective measuresabsence of security or protective measures

inadequacy of security or protective inadequacy of security or protective measures measures

defective security or protective measuresdefective security or protective measures

are specific security conditions that weakens or strengthens the security/protective program of a target of threat.

RATING

LEVEL

1 – 2 Very Low

3 – 4 Low

5 – 6 Medium

7 – 8 High

9 – 10 Very HighExample: RATING

1.

No security guards are employed. - 7

2.

Perimeter fence is below standard of 8 feet. - 9

3.

Personnel Control Policy is not strictly enforced.

- 8

Average Vulnerability = 8

to empirically estimate the vulnerability of a target of threat.

The 3rd Step of Risk Analysis

The probability that an identified threat is going to actually take place is measured using empirical parameters and tool.

Threat Factors (Threat Threat Factors (Threat Potential) Potential)

Vulnerability FactorsVulnerability Factors

specific conditions that influence the probable occurrence of an identified threat.

PROBABILITY =

Average Rated Threat Factors

XAverage Rated Vulnerability

Factors

100

VULNERABILITY RATING

1.

Facility does not have fence

- 9

2.

Facility does not have guards

- 7

AVERAGE = 8PROBABILITY =

7.5 X 8.0

100

PROBABILITY = 0.60 or 60%

THREAT FACTORS RATING

1.

Facility located in NPA area

- 7

2.

Facility already attacked once

- 8

AVERAGE = 7.5

EXAMPLE: Probability of Terrorist Attack to occur

PROBABILITY

LEVEL DESCRIPTION

0.00 ImprobableGiven no changes, threat will not occur.

0.01 - 0.20 Very LowLeast chance of occurrence.

0.21 - 0.40 LowOccurrence is less likely.

0.41 - 0.60 ModerateThere is 50:50 chance of occurrence.

0.61 - 0.80 HighOccurrence is much greater.

0.81 - 1.00Virtually Certain

Given no changes, threat will certainly occur.

The 4th Step of Risk Analysis

The possible impact of a threat occurrence and their severity are identified and measured.

Failure to achieve organizational goals & objectivesLoss of livesDestruction or loss of infrastructures & key assetsDestruction, disruption or loss of systems/operationsIncome lossesLoss of information and competitive edgeLoss of image, goodwill and reputationAdverse implications to all or any aspects of National Security

GENERAL IMPACT

Geographic dispersion of potential damages

Temporal extension of potential damages

Requirements of restoring the situation to the state before the damages occurred (i.e., reforestation and detoxification of water)

Violation of individual, social or cultural interests and values generating social conflicts and psychological reactions from those who feel inflicted by the risk consequences systems/operations

OTHER IMPACTS THAT NEEDTO BE CONSIDERED

Quantitative

Lives lost & CostDowntime period & costLost incomeReplacement CostRestoration CostCost of property destroyed

Qualitative

ReputationGoodwillPatronage lossMorale lossEffects to others

PUTTING VALUE TO IMPACT

IMPACT SEVERITY = Average

(Quantitative +Qualitative) X Probabilit

y

SAMPLE CASE

QUANTITATIVE RATING

1.Building destruction worth P10.0M

- 5

2. Income loss/day equal to P2.0M - 4

3. Death & injuries - 5

QUALITATIVE

1. Stoppage of services - 5

2. Loss of reputation/image - 4

3. Patronage loss - 5

AVERAGE IMPACT/LOSS RATING = 4.70

PROBABILITY = 0.60

IMPACT SEVERITY =

(14

+14)

X 0.60

=3.0

6

RATING

LEVEL DESCRIPTION

1Improba

bleEffect is insignificant.

2 Low

Can be covered by normal contingency services. Short discontinuance of operation.

3Moderat

e

Noticeable impact on earnings.Requires attention of top management.

4Very

Serious

Major impact on balance sheet account.Requires changes in investment policy.

5 FatalProlonged discontinuance of operation.Requires re-capitalization.

Threat

TERRORISTATTACK

Threat PotentialRating

Level: HIGH

8.00

VulnerabilityRating

Level: HIGH

8.00

Impact

Level: FATAL

4.70

Impact Severity

Level: MODERATE

3.00

Threat Probability

Level: MODERATE

0.60

In a complex and rapidly changing world, the day can instantly turn from friendly to hostile in a least expected time and with serious consequence …

…thus, constantly “penetrating the

fog of the future”, and managing the

dangers beyond is a vital priority for all

of us!

F/SUPT HERBERT B CEZARD i r e c t o r

Fire National Training Institute (FNTI)