@jackson-long
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The videos show the challenges that firefighters face when it comes to high rise fires. The major things that the videos show are the higher possibility that fires are to spread in a high rise which can also lead to a much harder egress for anyone that was inside the building during an emergency. I wouldn’t say all of the challenges are related to the construction of the building as many other things such as codes can cause for difficulties considering all buildings especially high rises are built in many different time periods that have different code standards. The major change that has occurred in high rises is the automatic sprinkler systems which allow for more time not only for firefighters but, for people finding a means of egress. I think these changes help the safety on the ground but, this of course is not perfect as there are still dangers that are to be found regardless.
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When it comes to what Firefighters can do to be better prepared for fires that have these types of building materials, the best way in my eyes is not only to train but have the understandings of common occurrences in buildings with these fires. The biggest threat in my opinion is the weak points that are found in the roofing as this can cause for collapse which puts Firefighters in much more danger than they are already in. As a company officer, I would want to take extreme caution with these as they tend to not withstand heat as they are flammable. When it comes to safety, the best thing is to assess the structure prior to entry so you do not throw yourself into an extremely life-threatening situation. The challenges that Florida Firefighters face compared to many other places around the country can be the materials such as hurricane proof windows that can cause problems when it comes to entry.
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When it comes to two challenges that Firefighters face due to the changes in building construction, they can be pretty important to look at. The first thing is the lighter weighing materials; these can cause much more challenges as they can go up into flames much faster. This can lead to more damage as well as a larger chance for total loss as of course they have drive time from stations to the occurrence of a fire. With that, this can also lead to a much more likely chance of a collapse which puts firefighters into even more danger. The second challenge that they are facing when it comes to the changes in construction are the hurricane proof windows. These can cause for a more challenging entry or exit from a building due to the heavier duty materials. Of course, these can be helpful during Hurricane season but harmful towards our first responders. Both of these have changed the way Firefighters can work on a scene as they are the ones risking their lives at the end of the day.
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The design goals when installing smoke control or management systems are to improve safety not only for people but also for the first responders. These also are important when it comes to escape paths and other means of egress. The pros are definitely the safety aspects for all, and the con is mainly the price initially and the upkeep. The main places that would benefit are high rises as well as larger buildings and or areas, as this would allow for easier egress and prevent smoke from seeping in.
The two features that relate to stairway door operations in high rises include remote unlocking. With that it prevents people from being trapped in stairwells and doesn’t need to be unlatched to unlock. The second thing is a two-way communication system. This allows for emergency responders to communicate with evacuees in an emergency. This can allow for information to be relayed quickly and at an efficient rate.
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When it comes to the disadvantages of wet and dry chemical agents, there are a few. The main thing in my opinion is that the ranges to them can be very limited which can only allow for limited range of fighting/protection purposes. Other factors can include environmental hazards as well as other harmful chemicals to people and or places. Alternatives to these would include test tanks or test caps which could be safer for the environment and have more range to them.
It is important to perform the periodic testing to be sure that in case of an emergency the fire extinguishers work without any issues. What is included in these checks include a visual check to ensure the inspection tag is up to date and the extinguisher is not expired. Then maintenance to ensure they are up to date and working correctly. Lastly there is periodic testing to truly ensure they work correctly.
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Periodic water flow testing is important after installations for a variety of reasons. The first reason is making sure it is up to standards and code, which can prove that they are legally correct as well as capable of working in case of said emergency. Another reason is finding issues; without testing there is no chance to be able to find if there is an issue prior to its initial use in an emergency. The last reason I will list is being able to know the system is reliable with water flow and other factors, which is important in an emergency.
Besides NFPA 25, there are codes NFPA 13 and 14 which can cover the designs of how sprinkler systems need to be installed and the maintenance of other piping systems. These other two standards also are important when it comes to allowing the fire protection systems to work efficiently if necessary.
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The pros and cons of the ICC and the NFPA organizations can stem from a variety of ways that are vastly different between the two.
For the ICC, these codes are based off of country wide standards. With that being said, this can allow for many companies to work all over the country without having to find specific codes in each generalized state. The con to this of course can be that considering they are generalized Nationwide, these codes are limited to the bigger concepts.
For the NFPA, these codes are going to be much more comprehensive and more in depth. This can be a great thing when it comes to safety of course but, the con to this is it can cause lengthy processes that are much more complex to be correct on.
When it comes to adequate representation, I do believe that they are in their own specific ways but can also gradually get better in ways as well. For the ICC, they need to improve the speed and efficiency to allow for faster time to meet standards. For the NFPA, they may want to gradually understand simplifying the codes process for more efficiency as well.
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When it comes to inspections there are so many things that can allow for an easy egress for all occupants that are inside of a building or facility during a fire. These little things that get searched for get taken for granted as many people don’t think about them in day-to-day life.
The first thing is exiting access which can be anything from hallways pathways to what is around your exit. Any sort of exit pathway should not have anything obstructing the exit which can include storage and furniture. The other thing is floors should be in good shape so there is no chance of slipping or tripping.
The second thing is exit doors and how they function. These doors in case of emergency should be unlocked and easy to open from both sides. These doors must swing the way in which more people would egress in an emergency and panic hardware should be near as well.
The third thing is exit signs and lighting. These to me are one of the most crucial as these show visually as to where an exit is. The lighting of these are important in case of a power outage or when smoke is around as you can see the exit through it.
The last thing is the amount ands placement of an exit. The amount are based off of the occupant count that is deemed prior to designing. They should also be spaced out around the area as this allows for multiple exits based off area and should all lead to a safe space outside the building.
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Fire protection systems are one of the most important things to be found in all inspections as they all benefit in major ways. The main goal of every system is to detect, protect, and suppress a fire which can allow for a minimal loss for the facility or business they are found in.
The first system is the Active Fire protection System (AFP) which require an action of a fire to be utilized. This can be done manually by fire extinguishers or automatically by a sprinkler system using heat to detect when to kick on. Damage wise with the sprinkler system can cause water damage to the area in which it goes off.
The other type of systems is known as Notification Appliance Circuits (NAC). These include things such as alarms which give an audio warning that a fire is occurring. This allows for fast evacuation along with an emergency response team to be notified of this occurring. Another thing to go with this is strobes which also cause no damage to a place but, show everyone in an era an active fire is occurring. Both of these must be properly maintained as there can be things that go wrong if not taken care of.
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Both pre-fire planning and inspections play a major role in fire safety not only for the communities but for local authorities.
Pre-fire planning:
This is something that is conducted as a what-if scenario in case something were to happen. There are so many little things that go into this such as exit sign placement to fire hydrant placement. These things are what save lives and allow for the fire department to have a smooth operation when that what-if scenario becomes a reality. In the planning it also gives layouts to the building or facility which allows for first responders to have another level of preparedness in case of emergency.Inspections:
These are mandatory to all facilities and businesses as they confirm compliance with the safety guidelines that are set by the fire department. these safety guidelines allow for fire inspectors to find and avoid potential safety violations. In my municipal specifically we have new construction and existing construction inspectors which allows for guidelines to be set before a business opens as well as making sure, they hold true to these guidelines while in existence. These guidelines can be simple such as sprinkler placement, storage placement, and exit sign placements. The goal of inspections is to make sure businesses and facilities stay in compliance with safety guidelines that are set. -
Who is responsible to enforce the Florida Fire Prevention Code and by what authority are they required to do so?
1. In the state of Florida, the local fire officials are responsible for enforcing the Florida Fire Prevention Code. When talking about local fire officials that can stem from county, municipality, and special fire districts within the state. The authority of enforcement is given by the State Fire Marshal which has to utilize the code every three years under Florida Statutes 633.202. For local use they are under statutes 633.104 to ensure the compliance of the guidelines.
If a fire inspector determines that hazardous conditions exist in a business or facility being inspected what statute or administrative code allows them to order cease and desist or vacating the premise?
2. When a Fire Inspector deems conditions hazardous in a building or facility, they can utilize code 633.228. This code can allow for fire inspectors to order cease and desist or vacating the premise as there is a violation that has occurred.
In your jurisdiction do you have fire safety inspectors, if so what are their specific duties?
3. In Pasco County, we have fire inspectors which can do a variety of jobs such as old construction, new construction, plans review, fire safety educators and much more. Each of these positions are responsible for inspecting potential hazards, investigating the origin of a fire that has occurred, regulating fire alarm and escape systems, enforcing and inspecting sprinkler systems, and entering buildings or facilities to inspect prior to opening or during operational hours to guarantee safety for all.
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Hey Joel,
I like how you mentioned that automatic sprinkler systems are common now in high rise buildings, this is extremely important because it can buy more time for firefighters as well as help prevent spread. Not only does this aid firefighters but aids people as well since it can allow for more time to egress in case of emergency.
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Hey Candy,
I like how you initially wrote about how old enforceable codes lacked many things that can keep people and Firefighter safe during an emergency. The big thing that I felt was most important was the high rises and how it can be a major struggle to contain fires that occur in them. Considering the little standards that were held prior, there is truly no telling on how to contain them even with new technology.
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Hey Candy,
I like the way that you elaborated on Florida’s primary natural disaster as in hurricanes. The way that you not only discussed the height such as stilt homes but also the way you talked about the likely outcome that erosion, sinkholes, and other landscaping issues can occur. These seem to be often overlooked but extremely important to watch for as it can be common and harmful not only to people but to the environment.
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Hey Chad,
I really like the way that you discussed stilt homes and how they are more common in many Florida communities especially along the coast. I definitely believe that these are homes that many people tend to believe are safer considering they are high off the ground and less likely to get flooded out. With that, the newer buildings as you stated are more likely to endure destruction considering the lightweight materials. I also like the fact you brought up about California and how their codes and standards are much stricter considering the natural disasters they combat annually.
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