State Fire Marshals Office

1
State Fire Marshals Office

•  

J. William Degnan STATE FIRE
MARSHAL
2
WELCOME to the Basic Fire Safety and Crowd
Managers TrainingProgram
3
THANK YOU

• for taking the time to complete this
  self-training program. This was developed with
  the goal of improving the fire safety knowledge
  and skills of people working in public
  assemblies.
• We hope you find it informative.

4
Goals and Objectives

• This program will provide you with the basics
  about
• Safety planning and evacuation procedures
• Fire science and fire safety
• Fire alarm and fire sprinkler systems
• Crowd behavior and responsibilities of crowd
  managers, and...
• How to complete a safety inspection of an
  assembly before every event

5
First, a bit about what has created the need for
this program. The tragic loss of life in three
areas across the U.S. in the cold month of
February 2003 (140 people died in three
separate incidents -- Chicago, Rhode Island and
Connecticut) prompted code changes across the
country, as well as here in New
Hampshire. Effective September 2004, the
following changes were made in NH
6
NH State Fire Code Changes

• Adopted in September of 2004, some of the new
  requirements are
• Sprinkler systems required in certain places of
  assembly having an occupant load of 100 or more.
• Minimum of 1 trained crowd manager required for
  all events, and 1 for every 250 people.
• Festival seating only permitted in assemblies
  with occupant load of 250 or less, (unless a life
  safety evaluation is performed).
• Building owners or their agents must inspect the
  means of egress prior to opening to the public.

7
The Associated Press Some of the deadliest fires
at U.S. clubs and dance halls April 13,
1928 West Plains, Mo., 40 dead, dance hall



(explosion). Cause - undetermined April 23, 1940
Natchez, Miss., 198 dead, Rhythm
Night Club dance hall. Cause -
undetermined Nov. 28, 1942 Boston Mass 491
dead, Cocoanut Grove Supper
Club, Cause - undetermined June 24, 1973
New Orleans 32 dead, Upstairs Bar, Cause - arson
8
June 30, 1974 24 dead, Port Chester, N.Y. Cause
- arson fire in nearby bowling alley spread to
disco Oct. 24, 1976 Bronx, New York 25
dead, Puerto Rican Social Club, Cause
- arson May 28, 1977 Southgate, KY., 164
dead, Beverly Hills Supper Club, Cause -
defective wiring March 25, 1990 Bronx, New York
87 dead, Happy Land Social Club, Cause -
arson Feb. 20, 2003 West Warwick RI., 100
dead, Station night Club, Cause - under
investigation
9
What is an assembly????

• An occupancy used for the gathering of 50 or
  more people for deliberation, worship,entertainmen
  t, eating (NFPA 101)
• Just a few examples
• restaurants
• theatres
• gymnasiums
• churches

10
What is festival seating?

• Festival seating is the term the Life Safety
  Code uses to describe A form of
  audience/spectator accommodation in which no
  seating, other than a floor or ground surface, is
  provided
• Or, in other words, festival seating is a space
  or area that has no seats. (like dance floors,
  open bar areas, etc.)

11
What is Fire?

• Fire is the rapid oxidation or combustion of a
  fuel, resulting in heat and light.
• In order for a fire to start, four variables must
  connect
• Heat Source
• Oxygen (air is 21 oxygen)
• Fuel
• Chemical Chain Reaction

12
The Basics of Fire
13
Fire Facts

• In a fire, the heat builds rapidly
• Temperatures at the floor can be as low as 90 F
• The temperature at the ceiling can be 600 F, or
  much more

14
Fire Facts

• Early in the fire, breathing in even small
  amounts of smoke and poisonous gases will make
  you drowsy disoriented.

15
Fire Facts

• Later in the fire, inhaling the
• superheated gases that are rising
• from your clothes, furniture, carpets, and
  decorations, will scorch
• your lungs.

16
Fire Facts

• Fire consumes the oxygen in the air and increases
  the amount of deadly carbon monoxide, which
  causes a loss of consciousness or death within
  minutes.
• Fire victims rarely SEE the flames or die from
  them.

17
Fire Facts

• The
• LEADING CAUSE
• of death
• in a fire is
• asphyxiation
• (the inability to breathe)

18
Requirements for Public Assembly Businesses

• Inform Public how to Get Out before emergency
• Have properly working fire alarm devices/system
• Have an evacuation/emergency plan
• Maintain properly marked and unobstructed exits
• Train employees in crowd control techniques
• Train employees in use of fire extinguishers
• Perform an inspection of building prior to every
  opening

19
Inform The Public!

• Before the start of each event, act, or show
• An announcement must be made, (or a projected
  image must be shown), that notifies occupants
  where all exits are located - in case of a fire
  or other emergency.
• Building owners and operators
• Dont assume that your patrons already know!

20
Inform The Public

• In the event of an emergency, the sound system
  must be shut off, unless it is part of the voice
  evacuation system.
• Outside, call 911 to notify the
• Fire Department
• Remember to STAY CALM!

21
This next section will cover

• Parts of the Fire Alarm System
• Exit Signs
• Emergency Lighting
• Commercial Kitchen Safety
• Fire Extinguishers and their use
• Fire Exits
• Fire Sprinklers

22
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• Alarm Panel
• This tells the fire department where the alarm is
  coming from
• NEVER reset the fire alarm panel without the
  approval of the fire department officer in
  charge!
• Check with your local fire department if you have
  questions.

23
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• Smoke Detectors
• Work by detecting fine particles in the air
  (smoke, steam, and even dust can trigger a smoke
  detector)
• The indicator light on a detector shows that it
  is connected to a power supply
• Check for dust and debris periodically
• Never cover or block a detector

24
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• Heat Detector
• These units can only detect heat, or rapid
  changes in temperature
• Used where smoke detectors may be too sensitive
• Cant be re-used once they have activated

25
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• Fire Alarm Horn/Strobe
• This device gives notification of an alarm in the
  building
• Sounds and flashes when a device is activated or
  someone activates a pull station
• Noise can only be stopped by resetting the fire
  alarm panel (fire departments responsibility)

26
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• The horn/strobe will sound and flash at the same
  time.
• It is designed to meet the Americans with
  Disabilities Act for people with visual
  deficiencies.

27
Manual Pull Stations(or) Manual Fire Alarm
Boxes
Parts of the Fire Alarm System
28
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• Manual Pull stations / Fire Alarm Boxes
• What you need to know about pull stations
• Where they are located
• How to operate them (often two actions are
  needed to activate the alarm)
• CALL 911 once outside to verify the Fire Dept.
  has received the alarm

29
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• Manual Pull Stations
• or Fire Alarm Boxes
• This is different than the one shown previously
• Make sure you know how to operate the pull
  stations in your building

30
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• Manual Pull Stations
• or Fire Alarm Boxes
• This is a third type of pull station. They all
  have the same function and purpose, but may
  operate differently.

31
Parts of the Fire Alarm System

• This slide shows a pull station and a
  horn/strobe configuration.
• Notice the pull station is located near the exit
  door.

32
Exit Signs

• There are several different types
• Non-Illuminated
• Illuminated
• Fluorescent
• Glowing/L.E.D.
• Places of Assembly must have illuminated signs

This is a Non-Illuminated sign
33
Exit Signs

• Illuminated Exit Sign
• When required, this type of sign must be able to
  remain lit in a power outage (emergency or
  back-up power required)

34
Exit Signs

• Illuminated Exit Sign
• This exit sign has an arrow pointing to the
  direction of the exit door.

35
Emergency Lighting

• Emergency lighting
• Needed in case of power outage
• MUST BE CHECKED MONTHLY!
• Test buttons are usually located on the light or
  on the battery box

36

• Test Your Emergency Lights Once a month
• Or once a week if powered by generators.
  Emergency lights must maintain adequate lighting
  for 1-1/2 hours and provide full illumination
  within 10 seconds after power failure.

37
Emergency Lighting

• This is another example of emergency lighting.
  The indicator light and test button are shown on
  the front.

38
Emergency Lighting

• Gauge
• Indicator light
• Test switch
• (This switch is used to make sure the lights are
  in working order)

39
Emergency Lighting

• This photo shows an emergency light, and a
  horn/strobe unit

40
Commercial Kitchen Safety

• Keep kitchen areas neat and clean
• Always keep kitchen exits and access areas clear
  and dry
• Be careful to keep combustibles away from heat
  sources
• Educate employees on how and when to use the
  kitchen extinguisher and hood suppression system

41
Commercial Kitchen Safety

• This photo shows an extinguishing system for the
  grill and deep fryer. This will operate
  automatically, and if necessary can be operated
  manually.
• You must know where the actuator (manual pull
  device) is and how to use it.

42
Commercial Kitchen Safety

• This is the actuator for the extinguisher system
  for the grill area.
• It is located on the way to the exit.

43
Commercial Kitchen Safety

• Vents over the grill must be cleaned regularly
• Nozzles for the extinguishing system must be kept
  clean in order to function properly

44
Commercial Kitchen Safety

• Fire extinguishing systems are required where
  grease laden vapors emanate from cooking foods
• Nozzles (located in the hood area) must be kept
  clean
• Class K portable fire extinguishers are
  required
• Hood ducts over cooking surfaces must be
  cleaned quarterly
• Baffles in the hoods must be kept clean also

45

• This is an example of a clean hood area and
  shows fire suppression system nozzles.

46
HOW CAN FIRE BE STOPPED?

• To stop fire, we must remove 1 or more of the
  four sides of the fire tetrahedron.

47
HOW CAN FIRE BE STOPPED?

• Any of these four actions will stop fire
• Remove the fuel
• Remove oxygen
• Remove the heat source
• Break the chemical chain reaction

48
In a building without automatic sprinklers, a
fire may be stopped or controlled with a properly
used fire extinguisher. if it is discovered in
the early stages.

• Next, we will learn the basics about fire
  extinguishers, and how to use them.

49
Fire Extinguishers

• Extinguishers must never be blocked
• They must be plainly visible, or have a sign
  above to show their location
• They must be properly mounted and ready for use

50
Fire Extinguishers

• Extinguishers
• Know the location of all extinguishers (usually
  near exits)
• They are found in most buildings, including
  places of assembly

51
Fire Extinguishers

• Fire Extinguishers
• Must be checked once a month -
• Is the extinguisher ready for use?
• Is it where it should be?
• Look at the gauge is the indicator in the green
  area?
• Annual inspection by a qualified professional, is
  required

52
Fire Extinguisher Facts

• One side of the fire tetrahedron is fuel.
• All fuels are grouped into 4 classes
• A, B, C, or D

53
Fire Extinguisher Facts

• The four classes of fuel are
• Class A Fire -Wood/Paper
• Class B Fire -Oils Grease
• Class C Fire -Energized Electrical
• Class D Fire -Flammable Metals

54
Fire Extinguisher Facts

• Fire Extinguishers are grouped in the same
  manner
• Class A Fire water, dry chemical, or carbon
  dioxide (CO2)
• Class B Fire dry chemical or CO2
• Class C Fire CO2, halon alternatives
• Class D Fire specialized powders

55
Fire Extinguisher Facts

• The most common home and commercial
  extinguishers are multipurpose (dry chemical)
  extinguishers, and will extinguish Class A, B C
  fires.
• The extinguishers label tells you what types
  of fire it can put out.

56
(No Transcript)
57
(No Transcript)
58
(No Transcript)
59
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Pressurized Water Fire Extinguishers
60
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers
61
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers
62

• Operating Portable Fire
• Extinguishers

63
Considerations Before Using A Fire Extinguisher

• 1) Alert everyone to get out of the building
  (PULL THE FIRE ALARM!)
• 2) Call 911 BEFORE trying to put it out!
• 3) Always stay between an exit and the fire
  NEVER LET THE FIRE TRAP YOU!

64
How To Operate A Fire Extinguisher

• Learn and use the P.A.S.S acronym
• P for Pull the Pin
• A for Aim hose at the base of the fire
• S for Squeeze the handle
• S for Sweep the hose from side to side

65
How To Operate A Fire Extinguisher
P Pull the Pin
66
How To Operate A Fire Extinguisher
A Aim the nozzle at the BASE of the fire
67
How To Operate A Fire Extinguisher
S Squeeze the Handle
68
How To Operate A Fire Extinguisher
S Sweep from side to side
69
Fire Extinguisher Wrap Up

• Alert others to get out
• Call 911 before deciding to use an extinguisher
• Use the proper extinguisher type for
  the fuel
• Safety First/Stay Back
• P.A.S.S. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

70
Fire Extinguishers

• Know where they are located.
• Know how to use them.
• Use the right extinguisher for the right fire.
• AND REMEMBER
• never attempt to use a fire extinguisher unless
  you are comfortable!
• Its not worth getting hurt!

71
Fire Exits

• Have you opened your exits today?

72
Fire Exits

• When inspecting your building
• Are all the exits visible and clearly marked?
• Can an exit or exit sign be seen from every place
  in the building?
• Are all the exit lights working?
• Are the exits clear and passable?
• Do the exit doors open all the way?
• Once outside, is there a clear path to a public
  way?
• Correct any problems Immediately!

73
Fire Exits

• There must be a clear and unobstructed path to
  all exits!

74
Fire Exits

• The bar visible across the door in the photo is
  called panic hardware
• The door must swing open with minimal force
• The bar MUST release any lock installed (so no
  one can get trapped inside)
• Check every door every day!

75
Fire Exits

• Exit Doors
• This photo shows a blocked exit. Dont let this
  happen in YOUR building. Even lightweight objects
  can create a serious hazard in an emergency
  situation.
• Exit doors must never be locked or blocked.

What is missing from this picture?
76
Sprinklers

• There are many misconceptions about sprinklers.
• Sprinklers require annual maintenance/testing by
  a professional technician.
• Sprinkler piping must always be protected from
  freezing.
• Sprinklers will not operate correctly if they are
  blocked
• Most people think sprinklers can flood a
  building. This is not true. Each individual
  sprinkler head must get hot enough to activate
  and flow water.

77
Fire Sprinklers

• Sprinkler systems are now required in many places
  of assembly
• Sprinkler heads must not be blocked by
  decorations, storage of paper products, etc., or
  they will not work properly
• Sprinkler piping is not to be used for hanging
  things- its simply not designed that way

78
Fire Sprinklers

• Only the sprinkler head above the fire will
  initially activate
• GOOD NEWS! Most fires are contained by only 1 or
  2 sprinklers!
• Sprinklers are designed to control, not put out,
  the fire

79
Lets look at some common

• Fire Hazards...

80
Fire Hazards

• Check ashtrays for lit cigarettes before
  discarding
• Check trash frequently and remove as needed
• No combustibles or decorations near or around
  candles
• Never leave candles unattended-even at home!
• Keep combustibles away from fireplaces
• Keep furnace or boiler room clear of all
  combustible items
• Have all heating appliances (including
  fireplaces) professionally maintained at least
  once a year
• Maintain a clean kitchen/prep area
• NO extension cords- they are for temporary use on
  portable appliances and NOT to substitute for
  permanent wiring

81
Fire Hazards

• Flammable Storage
• Certain quantities of flammable products must be
  stored in a special, fire-rated cabinet.
• Good house keeping is essential in the
  prevention of fires.

82
Crowd Management and

• Evacuation

83
Crowd Management
Crowds are dynamic and easily influenced.
Although panic is rare, anxiety creates real
problems in crowd management. Preparation for
effective crowd management requires 1) knowledge
of the anticipated audience and the
performance 2) a thorough knowledge of the
building and its exits 3) a clear understanding
of the emergency action plan (that all
employees have practiced and drilled)
84
Crowd Management

• To effectively prepare to handle any situation,
  you must know the expected audience, and the
  performers.
• What type of performance is it?
• What is the mood of the audience?
• Will the performers help, or hurt, in an
  emergency situation?
• How is an emergency communicated to the
  performers?

85
Crowd Management

• In order to ensure a safe evacuation in an
  emergency, you must know your building.
• Know the layout of your building
• Where are the primary exits?
• Where are the alternate or secondary exits?
• Can all the doors be opened easily from the
  inside?
• Are the exits clearly marked and obvious to
  patrons?
• Which areas in the building tend to be more
  congested?

86
Crowd Management

• Having an emergency action plan in place is
  critical to prepare employees and prevent
  confusion.
• All employees must have a clear understanding of
  their role in the emergency action plan
• The emergency action plan must be practiced and
  drilled until all employees are comfortable with
  it
• The main objective of the emergency action plan
  is to GET EVERYONE OUT SAFELY

87
Priority 1 Getting everyone out
safely!EVACUATION ! EVACUATION
! EVACUATION !

• KNOW YOUR BUILDING.
• KNOW YOUR PLAN.

88
Get everyone out safely!
Have you opened your exits today?
89
In Summary
Planning is the key to preventing needless
tragedies. Think outside the box what could
someone in the crowd do that would impact on the
safety of others? Training practicing
drilling the employees will ensure everyone
handles their duties calmly, should a situation
arise.
90
Emergency Action Plans

• An
• Emergency
• Action
• Plan
• should be developed with management and employee
  input.

91
Emergency Action Plans

• Emergency Action Plans need to be developed by
  every business. This plan will describe what
  actions specific employees will undertake in the
  event of an emergency.
• Who, What, When, Why, Where, How

92
Emergency Action Plans

• Points to cover
• Who calls 911 to call in or verify the alarm?
• Who goes to the PA system and keeps people calm
  and orderly while evacuating?

93
Emergency Action Plans

• Designate certain employees in each section to
  assist with directing people to the proper exit
• Determine which exit(s) people need to be
  directed to in each part of the building?
• Pre-plan how to best assist those patrons who may
  need it

94
Emergency Action Plans

• Once outside, who meets the firefighters police
  to provide information?
• Are employees expected to attempt to extinguish
  fires with a fire extinguisher? (if so, they must
  be properly trained)
• Where should employees meet after the evacuation?
• Who is responsible for the employee head count?

95
Emergency Action Plans
Every plan must have a mechanism for employees
and patrons to report situations, or practices,
that they feel are unsafe or dangerous. This
reporting needs to be heard by management,
WITHOUT fear of reprisal.
96
Emergency Action Plans
Employees assigned to a designated area in the
emergency action plan, should be responsible for
checking the exits, emergency lights, and fire
extinguishers in that area, as well.
97
Fire Safety

• In a fire, seconds count.
• The MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR for escape is a clear,
  unobstructed path of travel to the exit.
• Extra chairs, highchairs, products, etc. should
  never be stored at exits.
• Have you opened your exits today?

98
NO SINGLE EVACUTION PLAN WILL WORK FOR EVERY
BUILDING OR FACILITY.

• KNOW YOUR BUILDING
• KNOW YOUR PLAN
• EVACUATE EVACUATE
• EVACUATE

99
Practice!

• A TV station in Texas did an experiment.
• It proved that the fire escape plans we teach
  children in school DO NOT WORK if they are not
  practiced at home.
• PRACTICE! PRACTICE!
• PRACTICE!

100
Practice!

• Handing people a diagram, having them complete a
  training program, and then saying they are
  responsible, also will not work.
• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!!

101
THANK YOU...

• again, for taking the time to complete this
  training program and for taking the time to
  ensure your building is as safe as it can be.
• A couple of websites that may be interesting or
  helpful are listed below
• nfpa.org
• nh.gov/safety/firesafety

102
For more information

• John Raymond
• Assistant Director
• Office of the State Fire Marshal
• State of New Hampshire
• 33 Hazen Drive
• Concord, NH 03305
• tel [phone]
• fax [phone]
• Email fmo_at_safety.state.nh.us

103
A Special Thank You

• To The Rhode Island State Fire Marshals Office
  for their assistance with the development of this
  program.