1. INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PREVENTION
Seventh Edition • James C. Robertson
Chapter 4
Enforcing Fire Safety
Compliance
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, Seventh Ed.
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

2. Overview
• Describe legal authority for code
enforcement.
• Describe the importance of plan review
and its relation to code enforcement.
• Identify how control of sales and use
assists in fire code enforcement and
give some examples.
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

3. Overview (cont.)
• Recognize how structural control is
used as a means of code enforcement
and give specific examples of structural
control.
• Identify how control of occupancy is
used as a means of code enforcement
and give an example of controlling
occupancy.
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

4. Overview (cont.)
• Describe compliance and abatement
procedures and why assurance of
compliance is preferred over court
action.
• List some fire safety considerations in
specific special types of occupancy’s.
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

5. Publicity for Fire Codes
• Media often used ineffectively
• Effective use includes:
– Press coverage for enactment of fire safety
codes
• Gives clearer idea of code coverage
– Signage
• “No Smoking”
• Occupancy capacity
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

6. Plan-Review Program for
Fire Code Enforcement
• Programs for review of plans and
specifications
– Qualified, trained individuals
– Coordinated and carried out with building
department
– Rotated through fire department as
procedure
– Established through municipal directive
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

7. Fire Protection Engineers
• Ideal scenario for plan reviewer
– Speak with authority among industry
professionals
• Usually civilian
– Assist in long-range departmental planning
– Typically found in larger but not in smaller
departments
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

8. Fire Protection Engineers
• Plan-review programs should include:
– Preliminary plan review
• Rewarding; problems are easily changed
• Architects more often provide plan review at
this stage
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

9. Microfilming of Plans
• Allows retrieval of information months or
years later
– Desirable from a legal standpoint in case of
future litigation
• Reduces storage space
– CAD permits retention of plans by
computer
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

10. Plan Review
• Firefighter should be trained to read
blue-prints
– Provides some representation of fire
service in plan-review process
• Code backing
– Designated code for reference
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

11. Plan Review
• Plan review correlation with inspection
– Only effective if followed up with inspection
– Requirements in plan not always carried
out by builder
• Cannot always be readily detected in the field
• Cooperation between several agencies is
essential
– Insurance industry may have interest in plan review
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

12. Removal of obstructions in exit ways is an important part of a fire inspector’s job. (Photo: U. S. Fire
Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

13. Control of Sales
• Gasoline
• Hazardous materials
• Fire alarm systems
• Extinguishers
• Explosives
• Fireworks
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

14. Control of Sales
• Another means of fire abatement and
prevention
– Fire prevention bureau responsible for
controlling:
• Explosives
• Gasoline
• Fireworks
• Fire extinguishers
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

15. Control of Gasoline Sales
• Subject in most fire prevention codes
– Handling
– Storage
– Dispensing
– Type of container
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

16. Control of Fire Alarm
Systems
• Public safety function
– Must be properly designed to function in an
emergency
– Some communities require fire alarms to
be approved by the fire department
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

17. Control of Explosives
• Control of handling, storage, and sales
of explosives long covered in fire
prevention code
• Control is function of Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
– Security measures
– Deactivation measures
• Fireworks
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

18. Structural Control
• Includes inspection of materials,
appurtenances, and other factors
relating to the building
– Fixed manufacturing equipment
– Interior finishes
– Fixed fire protection systems
– Reinspections
– Electrical equipment
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

19. Adequate water supplies are essential for prevention of fire spread. (Photo: James C. Robertson)
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

20. Control of Occupancy
• Determining and posting occupancy
capacity within structures
– Occupancy capacity
– Use of fire watch
– Train company employees
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

21. Legal Aspects
• Ultimate goal is improvement of facility
rather than imposition of punitive
measures
– Notice of violation
– Injunction
– Local issues
– Potential liability
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

22. Condemnation of Unsafe
Structures
• Power granted permitting building
official to order demolition if owner fails
to take corrective action
– Local statutes
– Authority
– Demolition
– Repair
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

23. Special Occupancies
• Fire prevention and life safety measures
often come about as a result of tragedy
– Nursing homes
– Boarding homes for the elderly
– High-rise structures
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

24. Residential Sprinklers
• Code development process
• Mandatory requirement has been a
tortuous process
– San Clemente, California
– Cobb County, Georgia
– Prince George’s County, Maryland
– Scottsdale, Arizona
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

25. Summary
• Plan review
• Methods of control
• Legal aspects
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ