United States Fire Administration's View on the Fire Incidents - Case Study Example

The paper “United States Fire Administration’s View on the Fire Incidents” is an outstanding example of a finance & accounting case study. United States Fire Administration (ESFA) (1975) indicates the fire incident occurred in the Southside Regional Medical Center (SRMC), Petersburg, Virginia on Saturday, December 31st, 1994 at around 9:00 P.M. The fire incident claimed the lives of four patients, three of whom died of smoke inhalation while the fourth died of possible severe burns and smoke inhalation.

Three firefighters were injured subject to fire inhalation. The seven-story medical center has a bed capacity of 468 and has three wings.Cause of the fireVirginia times Correspondent (2005) argues that the fire incident was caused by an accidental or possible intentional cigarette lighter that the patient in room 418 was used to light a cigarette. The patient had been restrained with four straps and administered sedatives ten minutes before the fire incident occurred (United States Fire Administration (ESFA), 1975).

Mechanism of the spread of the fireThe mechanism of spread of the fire was a function of high fire load in room 418. The fire combustive materials included two beds, one dresser, one bedside wooden food table, two small wooden closets fixed to the wall, two reclining chairs covered with synthetic foam plastic material, two divider curtains made of synthetic fiber, one plastic waste paper basket, a 19-inch television set, and window curtain. The spread of the fire between the combustive materials was initiated by increased ventilation that was brought about by the left open door by the nurse who responded to the patient distress cry, fresh air supply fan that was not automatically shut down when the alarm system went, open window that increased ventilation and possibility of leakage of oxygen regulator after it melted.

Oxygen supports burning and catalyzed the oxidative process of burning. Spread of the toxic fumes from combustion spread that contributed to the death of three patients through toxic smoke inhalation occurred through plenum spaces and through the opening between door and door frames (United States Fire Administration (ESFA), 1975).