Human Behaviors in the Cause and Impact of Fire - Case Study Example

Fire Investigation Student’s Name: Professor’s Name: Course Code: Due date: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Brief overview of WTC 3 Human behaviors in the cause and impact of fire 4 Individual factors 4 Group factors 6 Fire characteristics and its impact 9 Critique of various fire incidences 9 Conclusion and recommendation 10 Works Cited 10 Introduction In the current society man lives in, fire incidents has remained a very common phenomenon and it is recognized because of its impact to the people that are affected. Fire is caused either as result of actions committed by individuals or omissions of certain tasks factors that lead to fire occurrence. The impact of fire can be very enormous and it’s at the interests of each individual, group, community or even authority to take right initiatives that will stop occurrence of fires and incase where they happen, responses are improved so as to reduce the negative effects which can be very devastating to the victims. It is with this reason that is increasingly becoming very necessary to carry detailed investigations on the fire incidences that have taken place in order to establish how human behaviors have led to the initiation and outcome of the fire. The reason behind the investigations is to present data that could be used to make informed decisions in dealing with future fire incidences (Quintiere 2006). This analysis will apply the case of New York 9/11 where the World Trade Center (WTO) was bombed by terrorists and consequent fires led to death of approximately 3000 people with several others sustaining severe injuries with others developing physical deformities. Brief overview of WTC The WTC was a building of its kind in the New York City. The Center was 110 floors high and its plan of construction was perceived in the 1960s and is one complex building that gave New York City the future it is experiencing today. This was a commercial complex where the World Trade Organization (WTO) had its headquarters. WTC was very complex structure with seven building built in land of 16 acres. Apart from the headquarters, the center also harbored some other commercial services which included a shopping mall and several restaurants. In the building, about 50,000 people worked there each day. With 40,000 others passing through it daily since it happened to be transit hub for train that connected New York and New Jersey. However, due to the acts of terrorism, the building was bombed on 11th September 2001 something that led to huge fire that caused a lot of deaths for both people who were in and outside the building. Human behaviors in the cause and impact of fire Even though fire initiation and its outcome can be explained as result of various factors, human behaviors are primary in the investigation of any fire incidence. This is because in one way or the other people are involved in the initiation of fire and its impact. This is the reason as to why human behaviors are one of the important aspects of investigation in issues related to fire occurrence and its outcome (Quintiere 2006). This part of the analysis will give a detailed account of the various factors that influence individual’s or group’s behaviors during initiation and after the fire outbreak or explosion and this could finely be dealt with in reference to the case of New York 9/11. This will help demonstrate how individual, group, physical and the characteristics of fire factors have contributed to the outcome and also demonstrate various fire incidents where certain characteristics have led into a particular outcome. Individual factors Different human behaviors in relation to fire are influenced by a number of factors. The factors can be classified into three major categories and which include physiological factors like physical limitations and cognitive understanding as well as the knowledge of the physical surrounding. These factors in one way or the other affect one’s capability to comprehensively assess the situation that is likely to be presented by the fire explosion and the most suited responses to be taken (Quintiere 2006). To start with, physical limitations in fire investigation, can be described as a situation whereby an individual’s capability to understand a hazard presented by fire and the ability to act appropriately is affected by a number of factors which include physical disabilities, incapacitations, serious injuries, physical disability and many other factors that may hinder one’s physical capabilities. Earlier in the presentation, for instance, it was mentioned that this was a terrorist and instant attack that hit WTC. The challenge for recognizing the hazard was a factor of the size the building whereby, people from all floors could neither notice nor recognize the fire. In the process, the bombing which was just about the middle of the building led to explosion of instant fire and consequent very huge smoke. What this meant for the individuals who were in higher floors in particular, is increased rates of smoke inhalation from great combustion. Since oxygen was lacking because of the huge smoke that was inhaled individual became naturally weak and could not be to respond accordingly because of high levels of intoxication. On the other hand, with regard to cognitive understanding, individual’s ability to understand the situation and give appropriate response is determined by mental ability to recognize a situation and take necessary response. Cognitive ability is influenced by such factors as age, drug and alcohol use, developmental challenges, mental complications and soberness of mind. It is very natural to argue that in a situation with a lot of people, as was in the case of WTC where about 50,000 people worked each day and 40,000 others passed through each day, having cases of mental complications, tiredness, old and some kind of drug and alcohol use is a very likely situation. With this regard therefore, while individuals in good cognitive state might have responded positively after the bombing the reverse is through for the mentioned cases (Gottuk and White 2013). This because of the inability to take appropriate actions because of cognitive state that is affected by a number of factors. Finally, familiarity with the physical setting by an individual is also an important factor that may have influence on how one’s is likely to respond fire hazard. Failure to understand the surrounding and the physical setting of the environment is likely to attract a very negative response from an individual. This is because one’s likely to make a wrong judgment with regard to fire incident in any place where he is not familiar with (NFPA 2008). For instance, at home one is able to make almost accurate judgment as opposed to a hotel. However, what was more challenging for many during the New York 9/11 is the familiarity of the surrounding. This is because many of the people were not familiar with the buildings as they only came in during working hours and left immediately thereafter. Even for those who came for shopping, it was not easy to access to some points. The end result of this kind of situation is high number of wrong judgments especially for those people who came to the place for specific issues and did not understand the surrounding pretty well. Group factors The way an individual is likely to respond to fire related hazard in a group, is affected by the behavior or the characteristics of the group. This is especially so where a member of a group interacts frequently with the rest of the group members. The group factors that influence one’s response to fire-related hazard include size and structure as well as permanence, responsibilities and norms. The group size is very critical in determining how the group will respond to the fire hazards. According to (Quintiere 2006), the higher the number of members in the group, the more it is likely to be difficult to acknowledge and act appropriately to the existing sensory cues. This tendency increases with the group. Research is showing that human behavior that is related to fire is likely to delay because not all the members will steadily acknowledge the sensory cues or the advice they get from their leaders. This is becomes even more difficult because of the diffusion process of information. In the case of WTC, this is one of the major group factors that may have hindered response to fire. This is because of the large number of people who used to work in the center at any given time. In the case of the group structure, the group is likely to affect the fire-related behavior both by an individual and the group. In well structured group, there is an element of effective communication because of the established channels. This means that any required response can be communicated to the members to attract the required behavior. This is contrary to high informal and less structured groups. Some of the structure groups include school and religious populations as well as nursing home groups. However, in the case of WTC, the situation even though to some extent some groups were formalized, majority of the people in restaurants, shopping malls and in offices were less structured and therefore making it difficult to attract the required fire-related behavior and response (Gottuk and White 2013). Group permanency explains how long the members have been together and the level of interaction. This also affects fire-related behavior both at individual and group level (NFPA 2008). In the case of WTC attack, it was easy to recognize that majority of the people were not members of highly permanent groups. This is because different groups existed and which were less formalized and of which their level of interaction was low. For example, this was the case in the restaurants and shopping malls as well as in the WTO offices where members came once after a while for a particular issue. Finally, in the case of group characteristics, there is an aspect of duty and norms. In this case, individual fire-related behaviours are influenced by such factors as gender, social class and occupation. For instance, while female gender could shout and call for help after noticing a fire signal, their male counterparts may decide to take a step to suppress or put off the fire before calling out for help. However, this characteristic may not have played central role in the case of fire at WTC. This is because of the magnitude of the fire that exploded at once. In such a situation therefore, the response has been to escape from the premises if there is room to do so (Gottuk and White 2013). In some occasions, individuals may be assembled after the fire hazard has been recognized. A good example is in the case of a family group. If there is hazard that is associated with fire occurrence like is the case of other contexts like markets, shopping malls and other places with many people, a number of dimensions normally emerge and which must be tackled to ensure proper safety of the vulnerable persons (Gottuk and White 2013). The family dimensions that are common include the process of taking action like ignoring the hazard, investigating further, fighting the fire, fleeing and even re-enter after the situation has been ascertained. Fire characteristics and its impact Different characteristics of the fire are likely to attract very different human behaviors in relation to fire. The characteristics of the fire directly impacts on the perception of an individual or group in relation to the hazard or the threat posed (Quintiere 2006). Some of the characteristics that are common in informing people’s perceptions and that may have been very critical during the New York 9/11 include flames, smoke, and presence of toxic gases and depletion of oxygen in the atmosphere (NFPA 2008). This clearly may depict the weight of threat that the fire carries and consequently, the need to take appropriate response. Critique of various fire incidences Different fire-human induced behaviors, have influenced the outcome of fire in many occasions. The behavior could be positive or negative depending on the outcome. A good example of a fire incident where human behavior has led into a negative income is in India at SURAT on the 17th of January 2013, where the negligence of duty by senior officers at Hazira deport of Indian Corporation (IOC) leading to a huge explosion killing five people (Bhatt 2013). The investigations found that the company had failed to comply with the rules of Gujarat Factory Act which demanded that, when working on hazardous environment there should be the guidance of the expertise. To the contrary, on the 23rd of January 2013, nine family members were rescued from the house at Forest Road in Barkingside after spotting the smoke and called for help from the rescuers (London Fire Brigade 2013). The outcomes from the two incidents clearly show how positive or negative human behavior can be in a situation of a hazard posed by fire. Conclusion and recommendation This analysis has tackled a number of issues related to fire-human associated behaviors and the different factors that influence of these behaviors and consequently the outcome of the fire related hazard. Fire incidents are among the major accidents that occur in the world today and its control could play a very significant role in reducing the impact of negative outcomes. Because of the different contexts in which fire can occur, it is therefore recommended that having proper policies that advocate for public education on how one should respond and how communication both at individual and group level with or without formal structures, is paramount as will recognize different fire-related hazards and make correct judgments of the situation. Works Cited Bhatt, H. Indian Oil Corporation fire: Several safety rules flouted. Retrieved 23st January 2013, from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Indian-Oil-Corporation-fire-Several- safety-rules-flouted/articleshow/18122114.cms Gottuk, D. and White, D. “Liquid Fuel Fires,” SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, Ed. P. DiNenno. National Fire Protection Association: Quincy, MA, 2002. London Fire Brigade. Firefighters rescue nine from IIford fire: News releases. Retrieved 23rd January 2013, available online: http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/LatestIncidentsContainer_23011310.asp NFPA. Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations: An International Codes and Standards Organisation. Batterymarch Park: Quincy, 2008. Quintiere, J. Fundamentals of Fire Phenomena. John Wiley and Sons: Chichester, England, 2006. Read More

Human behaviors in the cause and impact of fire Even though fire initiation and its outcome can be explained as result of various factors, human behaviors are primary in the investigation of any fire incidence. This is because in one way or the other people are involved in the initiation of fire and its impact. This is the reason as to why human behaviors are one of the important aspects of investigation in issues related to fire occurrence and its outcome (Quintiere 2006). This part of the analysis will give a detailed account of the various factors that influence individual’s or group’s behaviors during initiation and after the fire outbreak or explosion and this could finely be dealt with in reference to the case of New York 9/11.

This will help demonstrate how individual, group, physical and the characteristics of fire factors have contributed to the outcome and also demonstrate various fire incidents where certain characteristics have led into a particular outcome. Individual factors Different human behaviors in relation to fire are influenced by a number of factors. The factors can be classified into three major categories and which include physiological factors like physical limitations and cognitive understanding as well as the knowledge of the physical surrounding.

These factors in one way or the other affect one’s capability to comprehensively assess the situation that is likely to be presented by the fire explosion and the most suited responses to be taken (Quintiere 2006). To start with, physical limitations in fire investigation, can be described as a situation whereby an individual’s capability to understand a hazard presented by fire and the ability to act appropriately is affected by a number of factors which include physical disabilities, incapacitations, serious injuries, physical disability and many other factors that may hinder one’s physical capabilities.

Earlier in the presentation, for instance, it was mentioned that this was a terrorist and instant attack that hit WTC. The challenge for recognizing the hazard was a factor of the size the building whereby, people from all floors could neither notice nor recognize the fire. In the process, the bombing which was just about the middle of the building led to explosion of instant fire and consequent very huge smoke. What this meant for the individuals who were in higher floors in particular, is increased rates of smoke inhalation from great combustion.

Since oxygen was lacking because of the huge smoke that was inhaled individual became naturally weak and could not be to respond accordingly because of high levels of intoxication. On the other hand, with regard to cognitive understanding, individual’s ability to understand the situation and give appropriate response is determined by mental ability to recognize a situation and take necessary response. Cognitive ability is influenced by such factors as age, drug and alcohol use, developmental challenges, mental complications and soberness of mind.

It is very natural to argue that in a situation with a lot of people, as was in the case of WTC where about 50,000 people worked each day and 40,000 others passed through each day, having cases of mental complications, tiredness, old and some kind of drug and alcohol use is a very likely situation. With this regard therefore, while individuals in good cognitive state might have responded positively after the bombing the reverse is through for the mentioned cases (Gottuk and White 2013). This because of the inability to take appropriate actions because of cognitive state that is affected by a number of factors.

Finally, familiarity with the physical setting by an individual is also an important factor that may have influence on how one’s is likely to respond fire hazard. Failure to understand the surrounding and the physical setting of the environment is likely to attract a very negative response from an individual. This is because one’s likely to make a wrong judgment with regard to fire incident in any place where he is not familiar with (NFPA 2008).

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