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Private Protection Focus
Private Protection Focus
Top Items to Focus On
Be aware of the risk and the operations and focus on what private protection is available for that risk. Does it seem appropriate?
Photos
While we do not need a photo of every smoke detector and fire extinguisher, it is good to provide several, representative photos of each private protection element.
Inspection PrepÂ
None needed
THE U.S. FIRE PROBLEM
THE U.S. FIRE PROBLEM
Source: National Fire Protection Association
In 2010, there were 1,331,500 fires reported in the United States. These fires caused 3,120 civilian deaths, 17,720 civilian injuries, and $11.6 billion in property damage.
482,000 were structure fires, causing 2,755 civilian deaths, 15,420 civilian injuries, and $9.7 billion in property damage.
215,500 were vehicle fires, causing 310 civilian fire deaths, 1,590 civilian fire injuries, and $1.4 billion in property damage.
634,000 were outside and other fires, causing 55 civilian fire deaths, 710 civilian fire injuries, and $501 million in property damage.
The 2010 U.S. fire loss clock
A fire department responded to a fire every 24 seconds.
One structure fire was reported every 65 seconds.
One home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds
One civilian fire injury was reported every 30 minutes.
One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 49 minutes
One outside fire was reported every 50 seconds
One vehicle fire was reported every 146 seconds
Types of Private Protection
Types of Private Protection
Fire Extinguishers: Fire extinguishers are essential in the event of a small fire, as they can quickly extinguish flames before they become larger and more dangerous. Fire extinguishers come in different types, such as water, foam, CO2, and dry powder, each designed to extinguish different types of fires.
Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors are important in detecting smoke from fires and alerting occupants of a building to evacuate. Smoke detectors can be battery-operated or hard-wired and can be interconnected to provide an early warning system.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Carbon monoxide detectors are used to detect the presence of carbon monoxide gas, which is an odorless and colorless gas that can be deadly. Carbon monoxide detectors are essential in homes and businesses that use gas-fired heating equipment, as well as other appliances that produce carbon monoxide.
Sprinkler Systems: Sprinkler systems are designed to suppress fires by automatically releasing water when heat is detected in a room. Sprinkler systems can be installed throughout a building or in specific areas where fires are most likely to occur.
Fire Alarms: Fire alarms are used to alert occupants of a building to the presence of fire, and can be connected to smoke detectors and sprinkler systems to provide a comprehensive fire protection system.
Fire extinguishers are important because they can quickly extinguish small fires before they become larger and more dangerous. They can also provide a means of escape in the event of a fire by providing a clear path to an exit. It is important to properly maintain and test all property-oriented private protection systems to ensure they are functioning properly and providing the intended protection.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke Detectors
Installing and maintaining smoke detectors is critical for ensuring the safety of occupants in homes and businesses. Here are some best practices for their installation and maintenance in homes:
Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
Follow manufacturer guidelines for placement, typically mounting smoke detectors on the ceiling or high on the wall.
Test your smoke detectors monthly to ensure they are working properly, and replace batteries at least once a year or whenever the device indicates low battery.
Replace smoke detectors every 10 years, or sooner if the device is not working properly.
Keep your smoke detectors clean and free of dust and debris.
If your detector goes off, evacuate the building immediately and call 911.
Consider interconnected smoke detectors, which will trigger all the detectors in your home if one is activated.
As for businesses, smoke detectors are required by most building codes and fire safety regulations. The specific requirements for smoke detectors in businesses will vary based on the size, occupancy type, and layout of the building. It's important to consult with a qualified professional to determine the appropriate number and placement of smoke detectors in your business.
By following these best practices, you can help ensure the safety of the occupants in your home or business.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Installing and maintaining carbon monoxide (CO) detectors is critical for ensuring the safety of occupants in homes and businesses. Here are some best practices for their installation and maintenance in homes:
Install CO detectors on every level of your home, including outside sleeping areas and near any fuel-burning appliances or equipment, such as furnaces or water heaters.
Follow manufacturer guidelines for placement, typically mounting CO detectors on the wall or at least 5 feet above the ground, but below the ceiling.
Test your CO detectors monthly to ensure they are working properly, and replace batteries at least once a year or whenever the device indicates low battery.
Replace CO detectors every 5-7 years, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations.
Keep your CO detectors clean and free of dust and debris.
If your detector goes off, evacuate the building immediately and call 911.
Consider a CO detector that displays the current CO level in parts per million (ppm).
As for businesses, CO detectors are required by most building codes and fire safety regulations. The specific requirements for CO detectors in businesses will vary based on the size, occupancy type, and layout of the building. It's important to consult with a qualified professional to determine the appropriate number and placement of CO detectors in your business.
By following these best practices, you can help ensure the safety of the occupants in your home or business.
Fire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguishers
There are several types of fire extinguishers, each designed to combat different types of fires:
Class A: for fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth.
Class B: for fires involving flammable liquids, such as gasoline and oil.
Class C: for fires involving electrical equipment, such as computers and power tools.
Class D: for fires involving flammable metals, such as magnesium and sodium.
Class K: for fires involving cooking oils and fats.
Best practices for the installation and maintenance of fire extinguishers to reduce fire damage potential include:
Install fire extinguishers in easily accessible locations, such as near exits and in high-risk areas.
Follow local building codes and fire safety regulations regarding the number and placement of fire extinguishers.
Ensure that fire extinguishers are mounted at the proper height and that the operating instructions are clearly visible.
Train occupants on the proper use of fire extinguishers and periodically conduct drills.
Inspect fire extinguishers regularly to ensure they are in good condition and properly charged. Follow manufacturer guidelines for inspection and maintenance.
Replace fire extinguishers that are damaged or have expired.
Consider installing fire suppression systems in high-risk areas, such as kitchens and computer rooms.
Special considerations for fire extinguishers in commercial kitchens include:
Install Class K fire extinguishers specifically designed for kitchen fires in addition to standard fire extinguishers.
Place Class K fire extinguishers within 30 feet of any cooking equipment.
Install automatic fire suppression systems over cooking equipment.
Train kitchen staff on the proper use of fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems.
Have commercial kitchen fire suppression systems inspected and serviced regularly to ensure they are working properly.
By following these best practices and special considerations, you can help reduce the potential for fire damage and protect the occupants of your home or business, especially in commercial kitchens where the risk of fire is higher.
Automatic Fire Sprinkler System
Automatic Fire Sprinkler System
During an insurance inspection, the most important items to inspect on automatic fire sprinklers in residences and businesses include:
Adequate coverage: Ensure that the automatic fire sprinkler system provides coverage for the entire building and all areas that require protection, including attics, basements, and concealed spaces.
Proper installation: Verify that the sprinkler system is installed according to manufacturer guidelines and applicable codes and standards. Check that the system is free from damage, corrosion, and other signs of wear and tear.
Obstruction-free: Check that there are no obstructions in front of the sprinkler heads, such as decorations or storage, which can impede water flow and coverage.
Water supply: Verify that the water supply for the sprinkler system is adequate and that there are no leaks or other problems with the system.
Maintenance and testing: Ensure that the sprinkler system has been regularly inspected, tested, and maintained by a qualified professional. Verify that all testing and maintenance records are up-to-date and available for inspection.
Alarm system: Check that the automatic fire sprinkler system is connected to a fire alarm system that will alert occupants of the building and the fire department in case of a fire.
By inspecting these important items, you can help ensure that the automatic fire sprinkler system is functioning properly and can effectively suppress a fire in the event of an emergency.
Inspecting a Fire Sprinkler System
Inspecting a Fire Sprinkler System
Check out this doc for the best practice on reporting on the automatic fire sprinkler systems you encounter during your inspections. The videos are especially helpful.
Types of Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
Types of Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
Sure, here are some types of automatic fire sprinkler systems with a brief description and their pros and cons:
Wet Pipe Systems:
Description: This is the most common type of automatic fire sprinkler system, where the pipes are always filled with pressurized water ready to discharge as soon as a sprinkler head is activated.
Pros:
Simple and reliable system with minimal maintenance requirements
Low installation and maintenance costs
Quick response time since the system is always filled with pressurized water
Cons:
Can only be used in areas that are not susceptible to freezing temperatures
More prone to accidental discharge or leakage since the system is always filled with water
May cause significant water damage to property and contents in case of accidental discharge or system failure
Dry Pipe Systems:
Description: Dry pipe systems are designed for use in areas where freezing temperatures could cause water in the pipes to freeze and rupture. These systems are filled with compressed air or nitrogen gas and automatically open a valve to fill the pipes with water when the sprinkler head is activated.
Pros:
Designed for use in areas that are susceptible to freezing temperatures
Less prone to accidental discharge or leakage compared to wet pipe systems
Can provide better property protection than wet pipe systems, since there is no water in the pipes until the system is activated
Cons:
More complex system with higher installation and maintenance costs
Longer response time since the system needs to fill the pipes with water before the sprinkler heads can discharge
Increased potential for corrosion in the pipes due to the presence of compressed air or nitrogen gas
Pre-action Systems:
Description: Pre-action systems are similar to dry pipe systems, but require a "pre-action" event such as the detection of smoke or heat before water is released. These systems are often used in areas where water damage needs to be minimized, such as data centers or museums.
Pros:
Provides double protection since two events are required before water is released
Minimizes water damage in case of accidental discharge or system failure
Can provide faster response times than dry pipe systems since water is already in the pipes
Cons:
Higher installation and maintenance costs than wet or dry pipe systems
More complex system that requires specialized expertise to install and maintain
Longer response time than wet pipe systems
Deluge Systems:
Description: Deluge systems are used in high hazard areas, such as chemical storage or power plants, where large amounts of water are needed to suppress a fire. All sprinkler heads are open, and water is released from all sprinkler heads when the alarm is activated.
Pros:
Provides maximum coverage and water flow for high hazard areas
Ideal for areas where rapid fire suppression is necessary
Can be used in areas with high ceiling heights
Cons:
High water consumption and potential for water damage
More prone to accidental discharge or system failure
Requires large water supply and higher installation and maintenance costs
Typical Sprinkler Defects
Typical Sprinkler Defects
Here are some typical issues with automatic fire sprinkler systems that may need corrective action or are standard recommendations from insurance companies to improve fire protection:
Obstructed Sprinkler Heads:
Obstructions around or on top of sprinkler heads can prevent them from properly discharging water during a fire. This can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the system.
Corrosion or Leaks in Pipes:
Corrosion or leaks in the pipes can weaken the system's integrity and reduce water pressure, which can result in slower response times or the system failing to activate at all.
Inadequate Water Supply:
The system must have an adequate supply of water to effectively suppress a fire. If the water supply is insufficient, the system may not work properly, and the fire may not be fully suppressed.
Damaged Sprinkler Heads:
Sprinkler heads that are damaged or not functioning properly can reduce the system's effectiveness.
Inadequate Coverage:
Inadequate coverage may not suppress the fire completely, which can result in greater property damage or loss.
Inadequate Maintenance:
Lack of maintenance can result in system failure or reduced effectiveness, as well as increase the potential for water damage.
Standard recommendations from insurance companies may include regular inspections, testing, and maintenance to ensure the system is functioning properly, as well as ensuring that the system is installed in accordance with applicable codes and standards. Insurance companies may also recommend installing additional sprinklers or upgrading the system to a more advanced type, depending on the level of risk and property requirements.
Hot Button Hazards
Hot Button Hazards
Smoke Detector
This recommendation is for dwellings where there may not be smoke detectors
Recommendation: Approved single station or multiple-station smoke detectors shall be installed on every floor and within every bedroom within the building. All smoke detectors must be hooked directly to the electrical wiring, be interconnected and have a battery backup.
Extend Smoke Detector Coverage
If a system is hard wired but does not include all areas
Recommendation: The hard wired smoke detector system should be extended to [Specify Area(s) The detectors should be wired in series so that when one detector activates it will sound an alarm throughout the building.
Battery to Hard Wired Smoke Detectors
This recommendation is for dwellings where the battery smoke detectors should be replace by a hard wired system.(as of 2007)
Recommendation: Battery powered smoke detectors where noted and should be replaced with approved single station or multiple-station smoke detectors. Detectors shall be installed on every floor and within every bedroom within the building. All smoke detectors must be hooked directly to the electrical wiring, be interconnected and have a battery backup.
Hard Wired Carbon Monoxide Detectors
CO detectors are required by law. Although homes built before Jan. 1, 2008 are allowed to have battery-powered alarms, homes built after that date need to have hard-wired alarms. In addition, New York State contractors have to install a carbon monoxide detector when replacing a fuel burning water heater or furnace if the home is without an alarm.
Recommendation: Hard wired carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in every floor within the building. When activated, the detector shall initiate an alarm that is audible in the sleeping rooms of that unit.
Damaged Smoke/CO Detector
If ANY damage is noted to the smoke or carbon monoxide detectors?no indicator lights, painted over, loose, broken or missing; the recommendation is to replace.
Recommendation: The damaged/missing smoke or carbon monoxide detector at [Specify Area(s) ] should be repaired or replaced to improve fire safety and reduce the loss of life risk.
Battery Carbon Monoxide Detectors
CO detectors are required by law. Although homes built before Jan. 1, 2008 are allowed to have battery-powered alarms, homes built after that date need to have hard-wired alarms. In addition, New York State contractors have to install a carbon monoxide detector when replacing a fuel burning water heater or furnace if the home is without an alarm.
Recommendation: Battery operated carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed on every living floor within the building. When activated, the detector shall initiate an alarm that is audible in the sleeping rooms of that unit.
Fire Extinguishers
Typically, we will not make recommendations for fire extinguishers for dwellings unless the carrier desires it to be done.
Recommendation: There should be provided at least one UL listed portable fire. Extinguishers should be permanently mounted in an accessible location.
Accessible Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers need to be accessible to be of use. If they are under the sink in the cabinet or covered with laundry, they are not of any use.
Recommendation: Extinguishers should be conspicuously placed and located where they will be readily accessible. They should be located along normal paths of travel to an exit with the area of approach kept free and open.
Fire Extinguishers
For personal lines surveys, we will typically not recommend that the extinguishers be serviced.
Recommendation: Extinguishers should be serviced on an annual basis by a qualified firm and tagged to show date of service and who performed service (NFPA 10-3-2)
Obstructed Fire Sprinklers
Keep obstructions away from the sprinkler heads.
Recommendation: At least 18 inches of clear space should be maintained between the top of storage and the sprinkler heads so the heads can provide adequate water distribution in the event of fire emergency.
Protected Fire Sprinkler Heads
Cages or other approved protection can be installed to protect at risk sprinkler heads
Recommendation: Sprinkler heads, which are located where they are subject to mechanical injury, should be protected with approved guards.
Painted Fire Sprinklers
Paint accumulation on sprinkler heads can interfere with proper operation.
Recommendation: All sprinkler heads which have been painted, except for factory applied coatings, should be replaced with new listed sprinkler heads. Paint accumulation can interfere with proper operation.
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