Fire and the Built Environment - Essay Example

Running Head: FIRE AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT Fire and the Built Environment 341451 Fire and the Built Environment Introduction Background information Since the invention of fire, that is in the medieval era there has always been occurrences of fire accidents. Fire accidents are very common in every part of the world. Fire accidents are in some cases very devastating and horrible: they may lead to loss of life in small or big numbers or loss of property. Despite this, fire usage is universal and unavoidable at all circumstances; therefore the only remedy to its accidents is by controlling its hazards and creating awareness on the same. Many people take it for granted the issue of fire accidents the situation rendered by either ignorance or lack of experience on devastating situations of fire accidents. Fire accidents in some incidences are so traumatizing that it can affect a person the whole of his or her life. Fire being a commodity used by every other person in the world has numerous of notable hazards. Fire safety in building implies to the safety measures which are undertaken to avoid or rather reduce the potentiality of fire in the buildings which can lead to injury, destruction of buildings or even death of civilians. This also used to make the people inside these buildings to be alert of the fire presence in case such structure has fire starting in them. Fire safety further assist in making the people threatened by the fire to survive as well as reduce the potential damages which the fire can cause if no necessary measures are taken. Measures of fire safety are the precautions designed or planned in the time of construction of such buildings. These are also the precautions put in place in those buildings which have already been building as well as those taught to the occupants of the buildings. Fire safety threats are usually called fire hazards. These may involve a circumstance which comprises of rise in the potential of fire out break as well as impeding escape in case of fire occurrence. Building safety and precautions are supposed to include fire safety. Fire precaution officers are given the responsibility of making sure that all buildings in their respective areas are installed with the necessary fire safety and precaution measures and educate people on fire safety measures. Hazard can be termed as a condition that exposes somebody or something to a certain danger. Examples of fire hazards are such as: Default use of electricity like overloading it or using bad appliances. Distinguishing or disposing of cigarettes carelessly, Having substandard or blocked ventilations in buildings, Improper placement of inflammable substances, Inappropriate fire control measures, Those are some but a few among the many possible fire hazards. There is universally accepted fire prevention and precaution measures to ensure fire accidents are controlled, these are fire safety education fire codes and fire safety standards. Objectives This paper seeks to create awareness as well as comprehending of the effects of built environment fires. These include methods as well as materials employed in construction, control of smoke movement as well as laws, standards and regulations. The paper studies several modes of behaviors of fire within the built environment. It uses case studies of the effects of fires on building nationally as well as internationally. It also seeks to enhance the researchers' skills like problem solving, team work, analysis and independent working. Case Studies of Fire Disasters in Britain 1. Bradford City Stadium Fire Disaster. In this case one side of Valley Parade football stadium was destroyed by fire in Bradford city. Fire caught the stadium during a match between Lincoln City and home team Bradford City. The cerebration of the match turned to a loss: there extensive loss in property and 56 lives were lost. Home games had always been played in this stadium by the Bradford City Football Club. The field and the stands of the stadium were ordinary despite the fact that the stadium had a room for about 18000 fans. Club officials sanctioned for the stadium upgrade when the club was elevated to Division One of the English football in 1908 (Bradford City A.F.C., 2004). The match was still goalless at the 40th minute. It was exactly at about 3:40 pm, just five minutes before the first half of the match ended that the initial signs of the fire started to be seen. There was a glowing light which was seen some three rows from the block G back. A certain fan is believed to have started the fire by dropping a tobacco or a cigarette or even a match. This is believed to have had fallen via the stands holes to somewhere where some rubbing was below that stand. A paper was seen by some witnesses below the floor boards; nine inches. Some spectators rushed for a fire extinguisher at the back but it was no where to be found. Later on the fire brigade was radioed but the fire by this time was escalating as flames were becoming visible. All major parts of the building were on fire after a few minutes with some shocking smoke. Some timbers which were burning started to fall from down as smoke enveloped a passageway that was behind the main stand, the major escape root for most of the spectators (Frost, 1988). Later on, an inquiry into the matter popularly known as the Popplewell inquiry created introduction of some fresh regulations meant to enhance safety at the football grounds in the UK. The construction of new wooden grandstands in all UK's sports ground was banned. This inquiry found out that the football club had been warned that the rubbish under the stand had some fire risks. The wooden stand and the discarded cigarette were the main causes of the fire. 2. The fire Engine Road crush-Scotland. The vehicle which caused the fire way traveling to an emergency call near Clackmannanshire School during the time of the accident. After the vehicle's smoke detector turned off, the alert also came out to be a false alarm. A firefighter for 20 years, Mr. Noble, 46, who came from Alloa died in the disaster. Mr. Alan Robertson was severely injured. He was a passenger during the time of the incidence. After the alarm for smoke gets activated, the Alloa engine was taken to Strathdevon School for investigations. 3. Ireland's First Disaster: Dromcollogher Cinema Fire 80th Anniversary-northern Ireland Ireland celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Dromcollogher, Co. where 48 men, women as well as children perished in the Limerick cinema disaster. The fire started as a result of a candle knock over by some little boys. They were throwing their cups at the fire in trial to put it off. The candle was believed to have fallen onto the naked film reel that exploded into fire flames. There was a lot of panic that ensued as the crowd was trying to flee fro that scene. Several people jumped flames and escaped. The fire spread all over resulting to collapsing of the loft floor onto the hardware store room. 46 people lost their lives in the incidence. Two more people lost their lives in the hospital due to sever injuries. Of those who lost their lives, only 21 people could be identified (Hosting, 2009). The other 27 individuals were identified by noting the people who never went back to their homes. 15 out of the 20 children present died while most of the perished people were below the age of 25 years. Later on the area was sealed and the army called over to assist in coffining the dead bodies. There were so many dead people that not sufficient coffins could be gotten to cover them all. The dromcollogher area people were so terrified that they feared mentioning the word "the burning", which was used to describe the accident. There was a mass grave of all the dead bodies in a church (Hosting, 2009). 4. Fire at Corus plant in Trostre S Wales-Wales. According to the Gale Group. (2009), the Corus plant situated in Trostre Southern Wales went into flames in July, 2004. The plant was a packaging firm and the business was normal when the fire broke out. As a precaution, the plant was evacuated later as the fire service got control of the situation and brought the fire down in the early morning hours. Sources claimed that the fire started in No. 4 coating lines' chimney (ECCS). Manufacturing processes under the same line of production were ceased as fresh investigations were being carried out and the damages investigated. The other production lines kept on with their usual businesses. The major fire safety policy elements In order to ensure that the fire safety measures are taken and followed, some key fire safety policies have been established. Some of these include: Raising all facilities as per the version of the codes of the local building. Keeping the facility and behaving yourself as per the fire code provisions. This calls for the building's occupants' and operators' awareness of the rules as well as regulations and advices that are applicable. These might include: Maintaining the required number of people occupying any part of the building Keeping the most appropriate fire exits as well as the most appropriate exit signage such as exit symbols indicating to the occupants where to press in case of fire out break. Having fire extinguishers maintained and placed in some places that are easily visible by all people within the building. Proper storage as well as use of materials that might be hazardous and which might be in use within the building for requirements of operation as well as for storage. This might include such solvents as spray booths. Preventing some materials which might be highly flammable in specific zones of the fire safety facility. Buildings should be inspected periodically for potentially, giving orders for complying as well as violations. Buildings that do not comply to these rules and regulations should have the owners prosecuted and the buildings closed up to a time when the deficiencies are eradicated or closing permanently the buildings that are f extreme cases. There is need to have fire alarm systems to help in detection and warning in case of fire break outs. Spray fireproofing should always maintained undamaged all the time. All of the building's occupants should undergo proper and complete training as well as awareness. This would help in avoiding unnecessary mistakes such as propping of open fire doors. There should be regular fire drills carried out through out the whole year. Fire Hazards which are commonly experienced includes: Cooling vents which have been blocked. Materials giving out fumes which are highly toxic after burning or heating. Electrical systems which are overloaded. High oxygen concentration found in fuel storage areas as well as having protection that is not sufficient. Blocking of fire exits by certain objects. Unattended lit candles. Clothes dryers exhaust duct not well cleaned and maintained. Tobacco which is improperly extinguished. Clothe dryers being placed near combustible materials. Electrical appliances being misused. Lack of proper installation of the electrical wiring system. Fire Coding Fire code or rather fire prevention code, also known as the fire safety code is a model code which is agreed up on by the state as well as the local jurisdiction. This code is enforced by the fire prevention officials who are found within the fire departments of the municipals. Fire codes are usually, rules which prescribe the minimum demands to safeguard fire as well as explosion hazards which come from handling, storage as well as use of other dangerous materials from certain conditions which are hazardous to the environment. Fire code usually complements the building code. The major aim of the fire code is to prevent fires and see to it that the basic training as well as equipment is normally on hand. The fire code is also used to ensure that the initial basis of the building design such as the initial plan designed by the architect is strictly followed without compromise. The fire code also tackles issues of maintenance as well as training demands of different fire protection machinery and equipments. This is meant to see to it that optimal active protection of fire is maintained and all measures of passive fire safeguard precautions are adhered to (Fire Precautions, 2008). Traditional fire safety code involves sections of administration regarding the making of rules as well as enforcing the process (Scrivener, 2005). Substantive parts which deals with equipments for suppression of fire especially hazards like transportation for materials which are combustible, containers which are used up and left for disposal as well as particular rules and regulations regarding occupancies of hazardous items, exhibitions and processes of various industries involved in manufacturing of different products. Fire safety code sections indicates the demands for getting permits as well as certain precautions needed for remaining in permit compliance. For instance, an exhibition of fireworks would need an application which is supposed to be filled by a pyrotechnician who is licensed for provision of necessary information regarding the basics for giving out authority to check if the safety demands are met. The authority at the same time is restored with the power and responsibility of inspecting as well as monitoring the site for safety in time of the exhibitions. Can stop any exhibition if it does not approve its operations and if it foresees some hazards coming up (Inglis, 1987). Fire and Explosion matters in a fire code and testing The following issues are the key areas to note while dealing with fire codes and testing: Certification for servicing, inspection and placement of equipment for fire extinguishers. Handling of liquids, gases and solids which are flammable and their general storage. This further includes training of the necessary personnel, equipment as well as markings. Licensing of the production, handling and sale of explosives, fireworks, mortars and cannons as well as model rockets. Locations and quantities of flammables' limitations. Particular uses and certain flammables such as dry cleaning, distribution of gasoline, dusts explosives and plastics production. Limitations as well as permits in several building occupancies such as hospitals, schools, prisons, theaters, assembly halls, child care centers and elderly care centers. Placement of sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors as well as other certain equipment in specific locations which requires them. Obstructions' removal to emergency firefighters or exits as well as disposal of materials which are hazardous to the general environment. Limitations and permits in certain outdoor applications such as asphalt kettles, tents as well as bonfires and other hazards such as welding, smoking, flammable decorations, bulk matches as well as tire yards. Evaluation of fuel gas and electrical safety codes. Conclusion The analysis of this paper note that fire disasters mostly occur in built in environments, this can basically be attributed to the conditions of an in built environment such as difficulty to escape the event of a disaster and poor building materials. Fire disasters always have devastating effects which lead to either great loss of property, life or life time psychological breakdowns to people due to trauma caused by its experience. In most a cases fire disasters are caused by a mere negligence in human behaviors or ignorance on the ways to control it (BBC News, 2009). With strict following of the fire codes , incidences of fire disasters can be reduced. References BBC News, (2009). Probe into Fire engine Road Crash. Retrieved on Dec 5, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/7206468.stm Bradford City A.F.C. (2004). Bradford Fire Disaster. Retrieved on Dec 5, 2009 from http://www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/page/History/0,,102661013980,00.html Fire Precautions: Built environment, Conservation, Research and Conservation. (2008). Retrieved on Dec 5, 2009 from http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.00100200800d00h Frost, T. (1988). Bradford City a Complete Record 1903-1988. London: Breedon Books Sport. Inglis, S. (1987). The football grounds of Great Britain. London: Willow Books. . Hosting, D. (2009). Ireland's First Disaster: Dromcollogher Cinema Fire 80th Anniversary-northern Ireland Retrieved on Dec 5, 2009 from http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.phpt=2054987280&referrerid=59211 Scrivener, P. (2005). Bradford remembers fire disaster. Retrieved on Dec 5, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/4506597.stm. The Gale Group. (2009). Fire at Corus Plant in Trostre S Wales. 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