Preventive Management Strategy to Reduce Injuries in High-Rise Buildings Fire Outbreaks - Term Paper Example

Application of preventive management strategy to reduce injuries and fatalities in multi-occupancy high-rise buildings fire outbreaks Name Course Instructor’s Name Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Fire safety in high rise buildings 3 Effects of fire outbreaks in high rise buildings 4 What are fire hazards in high rise buildings? 5 Causes of fire outbreaks in high rise buildings 7 Preventive management of fire strategy 8 Training and education 9 Inspection of electrical installation 10 Renovation inspection 10 Signage 10 Maintaining and ensuring fire equipment are operational 10 Good house keeping practices and Pest control 11 Drills on fire outbreaks and evacuation 11 Conclusion 11 References 12 Introduction Many occupants of high rise buildings loose their properties or even life during fire outbreaks (Bangash & Bangash, 2006). Some of these outbreaks are not caused by the mistakes of the occupants. Many occupants are injured or even die during such fires because they often do not know how to react during such fire emergence. There is no safety assurance to occupants of high rise buildings in spite the elaborate safety features associated with such buildings. Fire safety in high rise buildings In comparison to low rise buildings, high rise buildings have greater personal property concentration. Thus the load of fuel in such settings is higher. The vertical structure of these buildings predispose them to higher and faster spreading of fire upwards in case lower staircase gets a fire outbreak. In addition, more injuries and fatalities are likely to occur in high rise fire outbreaks due to the high population concentration (Klaene, 2000). The limited number of elevators and stairwells to use for exit during emergence makes the situation even more frightening. This may increase the number of people at risk during fire outbreaks since evacuation may be hampered by such structural settings (Bangash & Bangash, 2006). Evacuation during emergence is made even more difficult by the fact that fire fighters can only access the internal sides using stairwells in addition to elevators which in most cases are being used by occupants to escape from fire (Osborne, 2004). Effects of fire outbreaks in high rise buildings Fire can be both useful and dangerous. Controlled fire often has many uses and is credited for modern civilization (Sanders, 2007). However, uncontrolled fire can have devastating effects on both life and property. Uncontrolled fires may result from carelessness, negligence or absence of fire safety awareness. From estimates, at least three people die every day from fire related incidents in United Kingdom. The number of yearly uncontrolled fire outbreaks in high rise buildings is about seven thousand. Uncontrolled fire outbreaks date back to 1136. It is reported that the towns of York, London and Bath experienced devastating effects of fire during this year. It is also reported that the city of London experienced another great fire in 1666 which destroyed about four fifth of it. Los Angeles has been a victim of fire outbreaks in recent times. It is reported that fire outbreak of 1988 in Los Angeles left an engineer dead (Klaene, 2000). In addition to this, three fire fighters lost their lives in the One Meridian Plaza fire in Philadelphia. This historical fire outbreak gives us a reason on the need for an effective strategy to prevent and combat fire outbreaks in high rise buildings (Osborne, 2004). Lives of those who occupy high rise buildings are often at stake in addition to their properties due to the likelihood of fire outbreaks. These may be either accidental or intentional fire out break. The probability of such fires resulting into a catastrophe are high since the fire can easily spread in such a building due to increased fuel load. There is need for every one occupying the high rise building to be always prepared on how to handle fire outbreak emergence. Timely and effective response by those concerned during fire emergence can reduce the effects of such fires (Bangash & Bangash, 2006). Therefore, the ocuupants need prior training on how to respond to such fire outbreaks to minimize the occurrence of injuries, fatalities and property damage. In addition to occupants, facility staff, security personnel and other facility attendants need to be trained on how to prevent fire outbreaks in addition to actions to be undertaken by each when there is a fire emergence. Even though statistics show that fire outbreaks in high rise buildings are rare occurrence, when one occurs it has great effects on the affected urban center environment. Such fires may result in permanent closure of business premises. They may also interrupt the running of businesses. Furthermore, law suits that may arise from those injured or those who lost their property during the fire outbreaks mighty be very expensive to the parties concerned. It is reported that 8.4 percent of injuries and 6.7 percent of deaths which were reported among civilians from 1989 to 1993 resulted from fire outbreaks in high rise buildings (Leslie & Alread, 2007). It is further reported that, the frequency of fire out breaks and resulting deaths is directly proportional to the type of occupancy. Thus, fire outbreaks in high rise buildings are associated with greater injuries and increased number of deaths. What are fire hazards in high rise buildings? Fire production factors constitute fire hazards classification. These include heat energy, oxidants and materials. Heat energy source is required for any combustion to take place. The source of heat acts as a catalyst of combustion of fuel material in presence of oxygen. Prior to self sustainability, heat source promotes combustion. Sources of heat energy include electricity, mechanical generation and chemicals. Of the known fire outbreaks, electricity accounts for forty percent (Bangash & Bangash, 2006). Most of these electrical fire outbreaks however result from human errors. Such errors include poor electrical appliance installation, use of defective equipments in addition improper use and maintenance (Howard, 2007). Equipment failure or equipment mechanical malfunction may lead to fire outbreaks. In addition, excessive friction between two moving surfaces may result in uncontrolled fire outbreak. To avoid fire outbreak from friction, the produced heat need to be dissipated as fast as it is produced. Chemical reactions may result in combustion reactions. Some examples of such reactions include open flames and lighted cigarettes (Leslie & Alread, 2007). Oxidants are also fire hazards. They are divided into free oxygen and chemically bound oxygen. Chemically bound oxygen is found in chemical groups such as peroxides, perchlorates, nitrates and nitrites. Compounds which have these groups as part of their constituent become combustible when they release the bound oxygen (Osborne, 2004). This characteristic makes them to be hazardous. Such oxidants dissipate heat when releasing oxygen and thus water cannot be used to extinguish such fires since this may lead to explosions. Fuel materials are also hazardous. They include textiles, wood and other wood products, plastics, liquids and gases. High percentage of deaths from fire is related to textile materials. This is because textile materials are highly combustible and are in wide use. However, different textile fabrics have a varying degree of hazard associated with it. For example, synthetic fabrics are hazardous where accumulation of static electricity is possible such as in presence of gases which are flammable (Leslie & Alread, 2007). The availability of wood and other wood materials in almost all household and their combustion ability makes them hazardous. The chemical composition of wood makes it very combustible due to the combination of these chemicals to form lignin, extractable and cellulose which are known to be combustible. Burning wood also produce carbon monoxide which is a toxic gas. Plastics are also combustible material since they are composed of organic compounds. Plastics are also common in house holds since they are utilized in construction and for manufacture of other household equipments. Plastics on fire are difficult to extinguish using flame retardants. In addition, fires resulting from plastics spread very fast. This makes plastics to be more fire hazards. Furthermore, burning plastics exude poisonous gases such as HF, NH3 and HCN (Grimwood, 2008). Exposure of combustible and flammable liquids to air is hazardous. In most cases such exposure leads to fire outbreaks. Other hazardous liquids include liquefied and compressed petroleum gases (Howard, 2007). Enormous fire may be produced when gas cylinders with flammable gases explode increasing the fire hazard. Causes of fire outbreaks in high rise buildings Fire outbreak may result from ignition, faulty electricity, arson, renovations, cooking or smoking. Factors that are needed combustion such as oxidants, fuel material or heat energy may ignite fire outbreak. Electrical appliances and installation that is faulty may also cause fire outbreak in a high rise building. Regular inspection and use of approved electrical equipments may reduce cases of fire outbreaks that result electricity. In addition, use of licensed contractors to install electricity may reduce cases of fire outbreaks arising from poor installations. Most fires are also caused by circuit breaker bypassing and over fusing. As an illustration, circuit breaker bypass resulted in fire outbreak in Joelana building which resulted in death of 179 people. Therefore, there is need to educate the public on dangers of such malpractices. Arson can be a source of fire outbreak though strict security may guard against such practice. Arson related fire resulted in death of 97 people in Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino. Smoking in high rise buildings may lead to fire outbreaks as exemplified by Westchase Hilton Hotel fire in which twelve people perished as a result of fire caused by smoking material. Use of petroleum gas to cook is also hazardous as experienced in Tae Yon Kak Hotel fire in which 163 people died (Bangash & Bangash, 2006). Preventive management of fire strategy Injuries, fatalities and loss and destruction of property in addition to the environmental damage resulting from fire out breaks in high rise buildings may be reduced to levels which are negligible (Grimwood, 2008). This can only be achieved if fire prevention strategies are emphasized instead of responding to fire incidents. It is widely agreed concept that most fatalities and injuries in fire outbreaks occur prior to arrival of fire and rescue services (Howard, 2007). Thus, emphases on prevention will safe more lives and property as opposed to responding to fire outbreak incident. For high rise buildings, those involved in their design and construction should strictly adhere to building regulations putting into consideration designs which reduce fire outbreaks. For instance, building regulations in Britain require all residential buildings which are taller than 30 meters in height to install a sprinkler to protect the building in case of fire out break. Those residing in these buildings should also be made aware of fire safety regulation through training and other community activities (Craighead, 2003). Therefore, prevention of fires in high rise buildings include training and education, electrical inspection, renovation inspection, signage, pest control, maintaining and ensuring fire equipment are operational, ensuring good house keeping procedures are followed and regular drills. Training and education This involves training of occupants, floor warden and emergence staff. Training of occupants should involve protection mechanism during fire outbreaks, communication, ways of controlling the spread of such fires and notification of fire rescue team. The training should also involve common causes of fire outbreaks and how such can be prevented. They should also be educated on fire safety requirements in addition to how to handle and use emergence systems within the building (Craighead, 2003). The tenants should also be trained on first aid practices and equipments. All trainings should be facilitated by trained personnel from for example the fire prevention and rescue unit. For inspection purposes, all trainings should be properly documented and kept. Written procedures on how to react and respond to emergence should be provided to the occupants. Training of floor wardens should be at least two times a year. They should be trained on fire safety requirements in addition to emergence systems (Sanders, 2007). They should also be equipped with knowledge and skills of training those who are under their supervision. Emergence team should be trained on how to respond to their specific duties and responsibilities during fire outbreaks. They should be made aware of the fire resistance ability of the building structure, materials, fire rated ducting and fire dumpers (Craighead, 2003). The team should also be equipped with knowledge on ways of controlling smoke, effective evacuation procedures, maintenance of fire safety features and how fire spread and its effects. Control room and receptionist personnel should also be trained regularly on effective communication of emergence (Klaene, 2000). Inspection of electrical installation Installed electrical appliances should be inspected regularly. This ensures that they are in good and safe functional condition. Nonfunctional appliances should be replaced immediately they are recognized. This should be done by qualified and licensed contractor. Renovation inspection Prior permission should be sought from management for any renovation to be carried out in the high rise building. Notification of fire control room should be done in order for them to pay special attention to areas being renovated (Grimwood, 2008). These areas should be under strict surveillance and monitoring. Assembly of temporary fire fighting equipments in the areas under renovation should be carried out. Post renovation inspection should be done to determine any damages to insulators of electrical appliances and replacements done. Signage The building should have visible signs which can be used for evacuation during emergence. Exit points in the building should be clearly marked to guide the occupants during emergence and the equipments for fighting fire should be clearly visible and indicated. Maintaining and ensuring fire equipment are operational Inspection of fire equipments should be done each day to ensure they are operational. Contractors may be hired occasionally carry out the inspection (Craighead, 2003). All defective equipments should be replaced with functional ones. Good house keeping practices and Pest control Vermin may destroy electrical appliance insulator. This may result in short circuiting which may lead to fire outbreaks in the high rise building. Keeping houses clean and preventing pests may result in reduced or elimination of fires caused by such vermin. Drills on fire outbreaks and evacuation Regular trainings of the parties concerned can be evaluated during drills since they emulate the real situation (McNulty, 2002). Thus drills ensure effectiveness of the trainings. The response of different parties can be evaluated and relevant corrective measures be undertaken. The drills are also essential since they make the occupants to be aware of escape routes that are available during emergence time. Drills should be carried out at least once every year (Smith, 2003). A review of the drill should be documented and kept for future use in training and subsequent drills (Sanders, 2007). Conclusion Fire outbreaks in high rise buildings are not a common occurrence. However, when it occurs, it has devastating effects in terms of injuries, loss of life and property damage in addition to destruction of the environment. Fire prevention and rescue team often reach the site of emergence when the destruction has already occurred. To this end, we recommend emphasis to be put on prevention rather than responding to emergence. As outlined in this document there are many causes of fire in high rise buildings and the occupants should be made to know these through training and other means such as the media (McNulty, 2002). Furthermore, the parties concerned need to be trained on principles of fire for them to be able to know how to prevent its occurrence and how to combat it in case it goes out of control. In addition, it is realized that many people lose their lives because they do not know how to react during emergence. Thus training on protective measure will help alleviate injuries and deaths resulting from lack of knowledge. Training of all parties on their duties and how to prevent the occurrence of fires can greatly reduce the fatalities and injuries related to fire outbreaks. In addition, many law suits and property damage that result from such fires can be avoided in case the training and other preventive measures discussed herein are adhered to by the concerned parties. Drills will be of much help on evaluating the progress made in the prevention strategy and training. References Bangash, M. & Bangash, T. 2006. Explosion-resistant buildings: design, analysis, and case studies. New York: Springer Publishers. Craighead, G. 2003. High-rise Security Fire Life Safety. London: Butterworth-Heinemann Publishers. Grimwood, P. 2008. Euro Firefighter: Global Firefighting Strategy and Tactics, Command and Control and Firefighter Safety. London: Jeremy Mills Publishing. Howard, K. 2007. Structural Design and Fire Safety Mechanisms. Jakarta: Prentice Hall of Jakarta. Klaene, B. 2000. Structural Fire Fighting. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Leslie, T. & Alread, J. 2007. Design-tech: Building Science for Architects. New York: Architectural Press. McNulty, G. 2002. Quality, Reliability and Maintenance. New York: John Wiley and Sons. Osborne, M. 2004. Analysis of High-rise Fires. London: Macmillan Publishers. Sanders, E. 2007. Structural Firefighting: Strategies and Tactics. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Smith, L. 2003. Building Fires. London: Prentice Hall Publishers. Read More