Reduction of Injuries and Fatalities Related to Fire Outbreaks in Multi-Occupancy High-Rise Buildings - Report Example

Reduction of injuries and fatalities related to fire outbreaks in multi-occupancy high-rise buildings using preventive management strategy Course Name and Code Institution Name Departments Name Students Name Students Number Instructors Name June 20, 2010 Introduction More often than not, occupants of high-rise buildings suffer from loss of property, injuries and even death resulting from fire outbreaks (Craighead, 2003). Some of these fire outbreaks and injuries and fatalities involved may not be because of the tenants’ mistakes (Leslie & Alread, 2007). Some of the tenants die because of not having the knowledge of how to respond to fire outbreaks. In spite, the fact that high-rise buildings have safety features, which are sophisticated, the safety of the occupants of such buildings is not fully assured. Negligence, carelessness and lack of awareness on fire safety are often the key causes of fire outbreaks in high-rise buildings. High rise buildings and fire safety High-rise buildings have greater occupancy than low-rise buildings and therefore the concentration of business and personal property in high-rise buildings is greater (Klaene, 2000). This implies that there is increased fuel load that can potentiate the spread of any fire in a high-rise building. In addition, there is danger of uncontrolled fire spreading upward due to the vertical structure of high-rise buildings. Furthermore, due to high concentration of occupants in high-rise buildings, any fire outbreaks will likely result in more injury and deaths (Sanders, 2007). This is actuated by the fact that during emergence, evacuation is hampered by the limited emergency exit stairwells and elevators, which cannot support the large number of occupants who want to escape from the fire. The access to internal sides of the buildings is usually limited to stairwells and this may hamper the fire services of fire fighters (Smith, 2003). Fire out breaks and their effects in high-rise buildings The uses of fire are so diverse but when it is not well controlled, it can have devastating effects on both lives of people and their properties (Osborne, 2004). Modern civilization is attributed to the discovery and enormous use of fire. It is estimated that about three people in the United Kingdom lose their lives daily to uncontrolled fires. In addition, it is reported that seven thousand outbreaks of fire occur yearly in high-rise buildings (Smith, 2003). Historically, there have been many fire outbreaks dating back to the year 1136 when Bath, York and London towns were severely affected by fire outbreaks. In 1666, four fifth of London city was destroyed by great fire. Of significant in recent times is the 1988 fire that occurred in Los Angeles in which an engineer was killed (Klaene, 2000). Another fire that had significant effects recently is the one that broke out in 1991 in the One Meridian Plaza in Philadelphia in which three fire extinguishers perished and eight floors of the building were destroyed (Osborne, 2004). Given this historical effects of fire outbreaks, there is need to have effective strategies in place that can help in reducing the outbreaks in addition to proper, quick and effective way to respond to fire outbreaks (Smith, 2003). People occupying high-rise buildings are always at fire outbreak risk, which can destroy their properties or even their lives. The fire out break can be started intentionally or accidentally. This can spread quickly and result into a catastrophe since fire is easily propagated. In spite the rarity of fire occurring, all those occupying a high-rise building should always be prepared to respond quickly in case there is a fire outbreak. Being able to handle fire emergency on time inn accordance to the established procedures can reduce the negative effects associated with fire outbreaks (Craighead, 2003). Thus, prior preparation on how to respond to fire outbreaks in high-rise buildings is essential for the safety of the occupants. This calls for the training of the security personnel, facility staff and occupants on both preventive and actions to take in case of fire emergence (Klaene, 2000). More often than not, the victims of fire outbreaks in high-rise buildings are those who are faultless. Some lives are lost during such outbreaks in addition to damaging of property and belonging. To this end, education of occupants on compulsory and necessary actions to be undertaken by each of them in case there is a fire emergence (McNulty, 2002). The owners of the building should also ensure that safety measures are provided to their tenants to guard them against the hazard of fire. In spite the fire safety features, which are associated with high-rise buildings, safety assurance to the tenants is still held in doubt. Most fire outbreaks result from negligence, carelessness or lack of awareness on fire safety. From statistics, property damage and injuries resulting from high-rise building fire outbreaks are small. In spite this, fire occurrence in high-rise buildings have massive effects on the environment the affected urban centers (Craighead, 2003). For instance, such fires may result in closure of businesses permanently or interruption of businesses. In addition, lawsuits by those injured in the fires are usually costly. Due to construction features of high-rise buildings, fire outbreaks can spread rapidly and can reduce the ability of occupants to exit the premise readily (Osborne, 2004). Between 1989 and 1993, 8.4 percent injuries to civilians and 6.7 percent deaths in the high-rise buildings have been attributed to fire outbreaks (Klaene, 2000). There is a direct variation between the type of occupancy and the frequency in fire occurrence and deaths resulting from fire outbreaks in high-rise buildings. Fire outbreaks and subsequent injuries and deaths are common in apartment high-rise buildings. High-rise buildings’ fire hazards Classification of fire hazards is based on the factors necessary for the production of fire (Osborne, 2004). Thus, fire hazards include oxidants, heat energy and materials (Smith, 2003). Oxidants are in the form of free oxygen or oxygen, which is chemically bound. Free oxygen is found naturally in the atmosphere (McNulty, 2002). Chemically bound oxygen is found in other compounds that have oxygen as its constituent. They include perchlorates, nitrates, peroxides, nitrites and many others. Compounds containing these groups are in most cases not combustible but the fact that they can release oxygen for combustion to take place makes them highly hazardous. There is usually heat evolution when oxygen is released from this oxidant and use of water to extinguish such fires may result in explosions hence increasing the hazards associated with such fires (Sanders, 2007). Hazardous materials include wood and related products, textiles, liquids, gases and plastics. Wood and related products are found almost in each and every household and are usually involved in many types of fires. Wood is mainly made up carbon, oxygen and hydrogen (Smith, 2003). These elements usually combine in different ratios to form cellulose, lignin and extractable as the largest components of wood. Thus, wood and related products are highly combustible. The common toxic gas produced when wood is burning is carbon monoxide. Plastics are a group of organic compounds, which are combustible materials that are found almost everywhere (Craighead, 2003). Many products for use in construction, homes, shops, offices and even hospitals are made from plastic. Combustion of plastics cannot be fully stopped by flame retardants even though they can reduce the flammability of plastics. Plastic fires spread faster than wooden fires. Most plastics melt and flow prior to catching fire. This makes plastics to be more hazardous since fire may be spread by the dripping flaming liquid. Plastics also release hazardous gases such as HCL, HF, HCN, NH3 and HBr. Most fire deaths are attributed to textile. This is because they are widely used and most of them are combustible. It is estimated that up to fifty percent of incidents that are fatal usually involve textile fabric (Osborne, 2004). Different fabrics are associated different hazards. For instance, synthetic fabrics may be hazardous in presence of flammable gases due to static electricity accumulation. Liquids that are combustible and flammable are some of the materials, which pose high fire hazards. Statistically, liquid related fires are very frequent than any other form of fire. Liquids that are flammable and combustible are hazardous whenever they are exposed to air (Howard, 2007). This often results in fire outbreaks and explosions. Liquefied and compressed gases are also hazardous. Most gas cylinders will explode when temperatures are increased and if the packaged gas is flammable and combustible the fire will be very intense and uncontrollable (Klaene, 2000). For combustion to be initiated there must be a source of heat energy. This source acts as a catalyst for combustion when there is oxygen and fuel material. Thus, it promotes combustion until a point where combustion is self-sustainable (Craighead, 2003). Heat energy can be generated by chemicals, electricity and mechanical means. Chemical reactions especially combustion reactions is of great concern. Open flames, an acetylene torch, lighted cigarette are some examples of combustion reactions. Many fires however, are reportedly caused by electricity. It account for up 40 percent of all fire outbreaks whose origins are known (Howard, 2007). In spite, this high percentage of fire causes being attributed to electricity, if human errors such as poor installation, use of poorly manufactured equipments and their poor use and maintenance are addressed little if any fire outbreak will result from electricity. Transformation of mechanical energy into heat energy is possible (Sanders, 2007). The amount transformed mechanical energy is related mechanical work. Heat energy usually results from the mechanical malfunction or failure of equipments in addition to friction between two moving objects. The heat due to friction need to be dissipated fast enough to avoid overheating that may result in combustion (McNulty, 2002). High-rise buildings’ fire causes Fire outbreaks in buildings are caused by fire ignition, arson, faulty electricity, cooking, renovations or smoking. Fire may be ignited by various factors discussed above. Faulty electrical installation, fixtures and fittings may result in fire outbreaks in buildings (Craighead, 2003). Thus, use of approved electrical appliances should be encouraged in addition to periodic inspection of electrical installation, fittings and fixtures. Installation works should be strictly done by contractors who are licensed. Circuit breaker by passing and over fusing are some malpractices that are major causes of fires outbreaks in buildings. For instance, 179 people perished in Joelana building fire due to circuit breaker bypass. Thus, such malpractices need to be prohibited if fire outbreaks are to be reduced. Smoking could also cause fire outbreaks in buildings and should be discouraged (Howard, 2007). For instance, 12 people perished in Westchase Hilton Hotel as a result of ignition of furniture by smoking materials. Arson can also be a cause of fire outbreaks but strict security and patrols can reduce such cases. An example of fire caused by arson is the DuPont Plaza Hotel and Casino fire in which 97 people died (Leslie & Alread, 2007). Cooking using petroleum gases is especially hazardous. For instance, 163 people died in Tae Yon Kak Hotel due to liquid petroleum gas fire. Preventive management strategy This involve education and training, renovation inspection, electrical inspection, signage, operation and maintaining fire equipments, controlling of pests, house keeping practice that is good and carrying out fire drill procedures frequently in order to prevent or reduce conception of fire (Craighead, 2003). Education and training This involves training all parties involved such as occupants of the high-rise building, the floor warden and the staff in charge of building emergency. The occupants of the high-rise building should be trained regularly on what to do in order to protect them when they discover fire, how they should communicate this to other occupants who may be at risk, how they can contain such fire from going out of control and how they should notify the fire emergence team. The training should be facilitated by qualified personnel. The occupants should also be educated on the legal requirements concerning fire safety requirements, how to utilize emergence systems of the building in addition to first aid equipments and practices. Training instructions should be documented and be kept by the director of fire safety for inspection purposes by the authorities (Craighead, 2003). Furthermore, the occupants should be provided by written procedures, which can be used during fire emergence. This should detail floor evacuation plans. The floor wardens should also be trained by qualified personnel at least twice a year. The training should involve information on the legal requirements of fire life safety and systems of emergence in addition to duties and responsibilities of the warden on training of tenants under his supervision on emergence procedures (Howard, 2007). The staff in charge of building emergence should be trained on their specific duties and responsibilities in case of an emergence. The training of this staff should be more elaborate than that given to the occupants of the building. They should be made to know the ability of the building structure, fire dumpers, materials and fire rated ducting to resist fire. They should also be taught the principles of how fire spreads and its harmful products, measures to control smoke, principles of effective procedures of evacuation and how to maintain the installed and built in feature of fire safety (Leslie & Alread, 2007). Receptionists and control room personnel should also receive specialized training on how to convey information during emergence. Electrical installation inspection Regular inspection of safely installed electrical equipments should be the norm in high-rise buildings to ensure safe and proper functioning of these equipments (Craighead, 2003). Thus, all malfunctioning equipments are replaced immediately they are detected to prevent the occurrence of electrical fires (McNulty, 2002). Renovation inspection All renovations to be undertaken should approved by management prior to implementation. Fire control room should be notified to pay attention on the renovation areas (Howard, 2007). The renovation should be monitored and controlled closely and temporary equipments for fire fighting should be assembled in the affected place. When renovation is complete, post renovation inspection should be carried out to replace any damaged seals (McNulty, 2002). Pest control and house keeping practices This is aimed at reducing vermin, which destroy insulators, which can result in short circuiting (Howard, 2007). Good house keeping ensures that all areas within the building are kept clean and free from fire hazards (Craighead, 2003). Signage Evacuation signs, which are clearly visible, should be posted in the building to building during an emergence (Leslie & Alread, 2007). Exit points and fire fighting equipments should be clearly indicated. This is essential in guiding the occupants out of the high rise. Fire safety equipment maintenance, inspection, and operation All fire safety equipments should be inspected daily by the maintenance personnel to ensure that they are in good working condition. The owners of the building can occasional hire a contractor to do this inspection (Sanders, 2007). Drills on Fire and evacuation These drills ensure that the training that is done on regular basis is effective. It also helps evaluate the responses of both the occupants and other parties in case of fire outbreak. In high-rise buildings drills should be done at least once a year (Howard, 2007). The drills familiarize the parties involved especially the occupants on the escape routes during emergence. After a drill, a report detailing the reaction of each party involved should be written and reviewed in order to aid in future training and drills (Sanders, 2007). Conclusion Preventive management strategy is essential in combating injuries and fatalities related to high-rise building fire out breaks. This is because most of those who perish lack the knowledge or do not know how to react during emergence. Thus this strategy can be instrumental in ensuring that life lost, injuries incurred or property damaged during an emergence are reduced drastically by the procedures outlined above which emphasize prevention over cure. Reference Craighead, G. 2003. High-rise Security Fire Life Safety. London: Butterworth-Heinemann Publishers. 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