Methods of Fire Risk Assessment - Report Example

CRITICAL REFLECTION WRITING OF A RESEARCH PROJECT Critical reflection writing of a research project Customer Inserts His/Her Name Customer Inserts Grade Course Customer Inserts Tutor’s Name 03, 10, 2010 Table of contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Background information 1 3. Methods of fire-assessment 3 4. Significance 5 5. Recommendations 8 6. Conclusion 9 7. References 10 1. Introduction Fire risk management is a subject of major concern especially in cities where buildings are very close to each other. Assessment of fires requires highly skilled personnel. The staff concerned with this area has the responsibility of ensuring that buildings and property are safe against fire incidents and accidents. Various analyses take place in the process of knowing the probability or frequency of certain incidents happening. The previously conducted research dwelled on fire- risk assessment. We worked in groups of two that were responsible for carrying out a detailed analysis of the project assigned. The project dealt with the risk assessment of different buildings. The management of these fire risks varied from one type of building to the other. For instance, assessment for a shop is much in a different way to chemical industry because there are fewer dangers in the former compared to the latter. They also vary according to the legislations governing the area in question. An example is the fire safety order introduced in 2005. Such events led to the substitution of certificates with other relevant manuals. (Barzilai 2008). 2. Background information In reflective writing, the focus is on interpreting what exactly happened. For this reason, provision of case studies on fires is necessary. Electrical connections in the structure of the buildings act as a stimulus to spreading of fires. When the building catches fire, the electrical wires conduct electricity from one part of the building to the other. Examples of these incidents include MGM grand casino and hotel in Las Vegas in the United States of America (Beauchamp 2001). Nevertheless, with the right way of managing fires such occurrences can highly be reduced. Moreover, channeling the relevant resources to the correct cause is of utmost significance. Apart from the electric fires, fires due to chemicals also have a great annihilating effect. The chemicals include industrially manufactured liquids such as paints and exothermic gases. The rate of spread of the last two mentioned agents turns into being life threatening because of their mobility. Industrial and large buildings fires have the already mentioned causes as their giant perk-up mechanisms. However, this stands challenged only with substantial evidence of a worthwhile occurrence. For me, fires are the biggest killer of a growing economy. In as much as insurance companies do to a great deal to ensure that whatever was lost comes back, the stack truth is that the problem is just but transferred. The “hole” left behind by the fires takes time to fill. During the time of stabilization, a lot of otherwise useful money disappears to elsewhere. For the analysis of these fires, it is understandable that the best solution is following safety precautions. The forethoughts here will range from seeing to it that no naked flames remain unchecked, limiting unnecessary accidents due to obscured fire exit directions. Other precautionary measures include, installing fire-alarm systems such as electric bells and sirens and having fire extinguishers is significant. Observing safety does not guarantee fire free environment. Nevertheless, I still think that prevention is better than cure. When it reaches to these levels then fire management comes into play (Risk Solutions International 2006). Electric fires continue to elude many especially since they have no warning signs. I am strongly of the idea that during construction of a building, fire risk should come in as a major design requirement whose physical parameters would demand risk-management inclusion. Such would include reduction of ignition points, allocation of fire-extinguisher units, and an independent interconnection of the rooms to curb against quick spreading of fire (Buckley 1967). Consequently, I came to understand that trained personnel should always be available. These people are fire marshals. They help in the evacuation process during a fire incident. I find them very important because most of the casualties in a fire accident die of smoke or simply shell-shocked and not knowing the right thing to do. The fire marshals will assist in getting people out of the detritus of a burnt down building or structure (Casey 2010). 3. Methods of fire-assessment Despite the various methods available for fire control and management, one stands out as being very effective. The method I am referring to is efficacious and generally deals with planning and public education on fire risks. Upon achieving quality planning, then it is obvious that fires will be under control. Planning starts from the time of construction of a building such that when a fire occurs, the exit ways are clear and accessible. To add to this, visible signs and directions to fire assembly are essential. This method also worked very well since fire assessment of the building became easier while using assessment templates. These templates have a pre-determined way of carrying out evaluation. Achieving of all legal requirements is necessary since the forms have statutory laws in them. I highly prefer this method because the template records all the data. On the other hand, education of staff is vital under this method. The staffs involved undertake an intensive training on how to deal with fires in case they occur. I have also observed time to time that little research work is available in this field. That is why many cases of easily controlled fires still occur. Therefore, using qualified personnel is as important as the value of the building itself (Checkland 1997). Neglect is the major undoing when dealing with fire assessment methods. This stems up from poor management especially in big companies. When the management skips going through the right personnel in the field, then it is automatic that there will be trouble and confusion in case of fires. This advocates for “everyone knows what to do” approach. It is wrong to do this. Relevant authorities must know the goings-on in the building. When such systems are in place then there is a lot of compromise on quality. Another method that I thought could not work well is that where somebody of great influence in the company is in charge of fire evaluation. The aforementioned person of influence is in charge of carrying out an analysis of his own though with reference manuals emanating from government authorities. Occasionally, the place in question invites fire fighter to check the building to ensure that it is complying with the set standards. The problem with this method is that, complacency may arise since the risk manager keeps checking the same building repeatedly. A new person is likely to note areas of concern in an easy manner compared to somebody who has been there for a long time. The research provided the best learning opportunity in this field. I found out that this area still has much to be uncovered. Moreover, it revealed that the public are much aware of the required actions when there is a fire, though very few people follow them. I also learned that each major building should have a risk manager that knows the security levels of the place in question (Tausch 2009). 4. Significance Just by being an active member in this research, I have exposed myself to a completely new sense of fire control. The area of great importance to me involves public sensitization and the preparedness of companies to face fires. It has also come to my knowledge that without proper legal frameworks of dealing with the after-effects of fire accidents, then insurance companies may refuse to honour their agreement with you. However, it may look as something small but templates provide vital evidence at times such as this. Participation of the community surrounding is very critical. The community still acts as the target. This is so because all the fires that affect the company spread to its environs. The chance to do a self-initiated fire-assessment provided me with a real-life feeling of how it is to do the check. I also learnt that following the manuals given is the best-ever approach. In this case, the questions are already set, therefore the only task was to ask them then do an analysis. Lack of clear exit ways came out vividly as the major source death in buildings. In some instances, persons will struggle to pass through one door hence causing stampedes at the same places. The government should be at the forefront and ensure that the companies / management of the buildings adhere to set ordinances. There are many benefits concerning the project we did as a group. It equipped us with the right skills to tackle fire-assessment and gave us insight in the field of safety precautions. It may look as something that is not of a major worry, but safety of the building will define essentially everything that has to do with the lifespan of the building. Following right precautions easily prevents manmade fires. Naked fires for instance smoldering cigarettes could make the whole building catch fire. It is also true that, spilt flammable liquids especially in chemical industries are heinous in as far as fires are concerned. However, if the employees understand the safety precautions, then many problems will not occur. No place on earth is resistant to a fire disaster. Superficial responses to fires exaggerate the possible damage that could occur. Neglect is the major cause of this. We thus concluded that each city requires an efficient emergency response team to mitigate any hazards that could escalate if not promptly checked. It also came upon us that the immediate communities to big companies should participate in knowing that success in preventing catastrophes can only happen to a prepared mind (Handlin 1943). Many other things came to our attention because direct involvement and highly favoured our research. We learnt that it is very important for there to be collaboration between different agencies, for instance the fire fighters should work hand in hand with traffic officers, the police and first aid workers to respond to disasters more effectively. The police play a big role when the incidents are terrorism related. Eventually all the involved parties will work for the better social and economic good. The subject of risk assessment turned out to offer endless job opportunities from our perspective. From our research we found out the every big company, industry, insurance firm, hospital, architectural association, learning institution to supermarkets is in urgent need of a fire expert. Big companies need to avert any careless fires by having a professional who can provide the fire codes and data to prepare for any emergencies. Statistics are very important especially when dealing with insurance companies. They will insist to see the level of seriousness of the company by having a look at statistics and previous records. We therefore understood that we had already exposed ourselves to the outside world and knew the right things to do. For industries, especially the ones concerned with chemical manufacturing must have an expert in this field. These companies might be dealing with explosive chemicals or flammable fluids. It therefore is common sense that they expect fire at some point. The fire engineer employed at such places has the responsibility of ensuring that highly sensitive fire detecting apparatus are in place. We observed that he must have the knowledge of smoke control and other fire subduing measures. Hospitals do not really have a high fire risk probability but occasionally, system checks and education to the workers are important. Big supermarket chains have high valued property. This thus calls for strict measures to safeguard this value. It offers a great job opportunity though it only concentrates with the safety element of fire protection. This research project has opened my eyes in the area of fire assessment including bringing a deeper understanding that the field is still unexploited. More research still has to take place to provide a lot of information in textbooks and websites. Since the field is very wide, a lot of training in colleges and education of the public are vital. Sensitization on fire awareness is good if it is on an individual basis. This knowledge will be very important to me having practiced the real life situation. Having experienced this, I honestly think students stand a great chance of knowing what to do before they even go to the field (Garrow 2009). 5. Recommendations It is important to appreciate the efforts by fire fighters to human survival. However, it should come to our notice that they need everybody’s participation. Most buildings go through fire checks several times but they still become part of the statistic of fire-prone areas. This implies that the management of the places concerned have to take the blame. The remarks and recommendations left by fire fighters are rarely if at all followed. In most cases, deaths in fires occur because they never knew the escape ways or they were not aware of where the fire-fighting paraphernalia is situated. Therefore, signs and directions should be very visible. If possible, illumination must be at the same places with the signs. This takes care of situations when there is power outage that they can still be visible. Fire-fighting equipment should also follow in the same wake. Fire drills should also make an essential part of the industry’s/company’s readiness for any such incidents. The drills equip the personnel working in the company with relevant skills to fight fire. Many lives and property stand in a great possibility of rescue if the correct measures are in consideration. A professional in the field should conduct the training. To add to this, the newest technology in the market concerning fire fighting should be part of the installation. Use of latest alarm systems increases the sensitivity of fire detection. The type of siren/alarm produced by the equipment must be unique and loud (Natalie 2008). Another recommendation could be carrying out more awareness training to affected population. The affected population in this case could be people in hospitals, supermarkets and schools. Finally, I would recommend that more research should take place to provide a variety of views in this field. This would create a reference database. The domain of fire-management is very wide hence requires high technical expertise than thought before. Without such being a success, words to action will be dead (Handlin 1943). 6. Conclusion Fire- risk assessment should run all the way from an individual basis, cooperate entities, medical agencies, learning institutions to the government. All the bodies listed above must make it a priority to access information to do with fire risks. The insight that I have gained as a learner in such a short time is humongous, that is why I kindly ask all of us to take a step and improve our knowledge in this field. I am honestly optimistic that a lot of progress is going to take place in the near future. 7. References Barzilai, G 2008, The fire and rescue law in United Kingdom, International law journal, vol.12, no.14, pp. 395–416. Beauchamp, T 2001, Principles of Ethics and behavior, Oxford University Press, New York. Buckley, W 1967, Sociology and Modern Systems Theory, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Casey, T 2010, Fire Risk Assessment75, viewed on 3 October 2010, http://hubpages.com/hub/Fire-risk-assessment-a-case-study Checkland, P 1997, Systems Thinking, Systems Practice, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. Garrow, KD 2009, Fire Risk Assessment Template – Advice on How to Carry out Your Own Fire Risk Assessment, viewed on 3 October 2010, http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/fire-risk-assessment-template-advice-on-how-to-carry-out-your-own-fire-risk-assessment-1077184.html Handlin, O 1943, Laissez-Faire thought in Massachusetts, Journal of Economic History, vol.6, no. 8, pp. 246-257. Natalie, L 2008, Stafford Fire and Rescue values strong leadership culture, Human Resource Management International Digest, vol. 16, no. 7, pp. 27-29. Risk Solutions International 2006, industry focus: Real Estate, viewed on 3 October 2010, http://www.rsi-llc.com/industries/realestate.html Tausch, A 2009, The role of fire and rescue service management, Nova Science Publishers, New York Read More