Concept to write on: Instilling Positive Fire Reaction For this assignment, you are asked to prepare a Reflection Paper.

BFS 3345, Introduction to Fire Prevention 1

UNIT I STUDY GUIDE History and Philosophy of Fire Prevention and Status of Education, Engineering, and Enforcement in the U.S.A.

Learning Objectives Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Trace the historical background of fire prevention and the tragedies that provided the impetus to fire prevention and how it relates to the fire service as a whole.

2. Summarize early fire prevention measures in North America. 3. Assess the variables in the philosophy of fire prevention and how they

affect fire service organizations. 4. Summarize model fire prevention and building codes and how they

affect actual codes that are adopted in communities around the nation. 5. Explain zoning, electrical, and housing codes and how they affect fire

prevention. 6. Explain plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning codes and the effect

they have on fire prevention. 7. Categorize and explain fire safety considerations for special

occupancies.

Unit Summary The dangers of fire to life and property are ever present, and from the earliest times efforts have been made to prevent fire. In ancient Rome, firefighters patrolled the streets to enforce fire prevention procedures and administered corporal punishment to offenders of fire codes. Records of fire prevention efforts in England date back to 872 and reveal some unusual practices: a bell was rung as a signal to extinguish all household fires at an early evening hour; women patrolled the streets at night to detect fires and to act as a fire alarm system; arsonists were punished by being burned alive. Fire prevention in the early history of the U.S. began between 1785 and 1807; ordinances were enacted in Reading, Pennsylvania. Fire prevention has come to be recognized as a science. However, in practical application, major improvements have come about mostly because of tragidies associated with fires in which many lives have been lost and extensive property damage has been sustained. Today the basic concepts of education, engineering, and enforcement apply to the subject of fire prevention as well as the development of codes and regulations. Fire prevention codes are usually the domain of the fire department. They are principally concerned with fire safety regulations in the maintenance and use of buildings and premises and with respect to hazardous materials, processes, and machinery used in buildings.

Reading Assignment Chapter 1: History and Philosophy of Fire Prevention Chapter 2: Status of Education, Engineering, and Enforcement in the United States

Key Terms Chapter 1: 1. Conflagration 2. Couvre feu (curfew) 3. Fire Exits 4. Fire Safety 5. Fireproof 6. First Annual

Conference of the National Association of Fire Engineers

7. General Slocum 8. Iroquois Theater 9. Katie Jane Nursing

Home 10. Lakeview School 11. Public Assembly 12. Triangle Shirtwaist

Factory 13. Winecoff Hotel Chapter 2: 1. Compliance 2. Delphi Principle 3. Fire Investigation 4. Fire Prevention

BFS 3345, Introduction to Fire Prevention 2

5. International Building Code (IBC)

6. Mechanical Codes 7. Mini-maxi Codes 8. NFPA Uniform Fire

Code 9. Performance-based

Design 10. Plan Review 11. Three “E's” 12. Zoning Codes

Building codes, which are usually enforced by the building department, are also concerned with fire safety regulations and are focused on the construction, location, and use of buildings.