Apartment Fire Safety Medford Fire Prevention Bureau

Apartment Fire SafetyApartment Fire Safety

Medford Fire Prevention BureauMedford Fire Prevention Bureau

2009 Medford2009 Medford Structural Fire Statistics Structural Fire Statistics

Structure Fires by Type:• 82% Residential• 18% Commercial

2009 Medford2009 Medford Structural Fire Statistics Structural Fire Statistics

Residential Structure Fires by Type:• 64% Single Family Residence• 7% Duplex• 19% Multi-Family

2009 Residential Fire Statistics2009 Residential Fire Statistics

Time of Alarm:• 9% between 12:00 AM and 3:59 AM• 6% between 4:00 AM and 7:59 AM• 10% between 8:00 AM and 11:59 AM• 24% between 12:00 PM and 3:59 PM• 28% between 4:00 PM and 7:59 PM• 23% between 8:00 PM and 11:59 PM


Areas of Origin:• 33% kitchens • 6% common rooms (living room, den, family room)• 6% exterior origins

Causes:• 80% unintentional• 10% intentional• 8% undetermined• 2% act of nature

Initial Ignition Heat Sources:• 22% radiated/conducted heat from operating equipment• 14% from powered equipment • 13% heat from hot ember or ash


Smoke Alarms:• 54% present and alerted the residents• 31% did not alert or were not present

National Residential Fire National Residential Fire Statistics-Primary VictimsStatistics-Primary Victims

ChildrenChildren• 2,500 children aged 14 or younger were injured or 2,500 children aged 14 or younger were injured or

killed in residential fires (2002)killed in residential fires (2002)• ½ under the age of 5 and 70% under the age of 10½ under the age of 5 and 70% under the age of 10

Older AdultsOlder Adults• 2,300 adults age 65 or older were injured or killed 2,300 adults age 65 or older were injured or killed

in residential fires (2002)in residential fires (2002)• 80% between ages 65-8480% between ages 65-84• 2.5 times more likely to die in a fire than the overall 2.5 times more likely to die in a fire than the overall

populationpopulation

Source: USFA

National Residential Fire National Residential Fire Statistics-Primary VictimsStatistics-Primary Victims

ChildrenChildren• Young children often hide during firesYoung children often hide during fires• Young children may sleep through a sounding Young children may sleep through a sounding

smoke alarmsmoke alarm

Older AdultsOlder Adults• Older adults may suffer from reduced sensory Older adults may suffer from reduced sensory

abilities such as smell, touch, vision, and hearingabilities such as smell, touch, vision, and hearing- Inability to smell smokeInability to smell smoke- Inability to feel if something is hotInability to feel if something is hot- Inability to see fires or notice fire causesInability to see fires or notice fire causes- Inability to hear smoke alarms or fire soundsInability to hear smoke alarms or fire sounds

• May suffer from disabilitiesMay suffer from disabilities• Reduced reaction timesReduced reaction times

Source: USFA

Cooking FiresCooking Fires

Statistics:Responsible annually for an average of:

- 100,000 home fires- 400 deaths- 5,000 civilian injuries- $200 million in property damage

Primary cause-unattended cooking

Cooking SafetyCooking Safety

Safety measures:• Never leave cooking food unattended• Keep combustible material and loose

clothing away from open flames• Keep the appliance and cooking area

clean• Use extra caution with cooking oils as

they can ignite easily• Always turn the pan handle sideways

Cooking FiresCooking Fires

Statistics:Cooking is leading cause of burn injuries among older people

Burns:• Treat a burn immediately• Cool a burn with cool water, never ice• Cover a burn with a clean, dry cloth or bandage• Don’t use ointment, spray, or butter• If a burn is larger than your fist, get medical help.

If you have questions about burn injuries, email the Oregon Burn Center at [email protected].

For life threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1Source: OSFM; USFAOSFM; USFA

Portable Heater FiresPortable Heater Fires


- 62,200 fires- 670 deaths- 1,550 civilian injuries- $909 million in property damage

Primary cause-combustibles too close

Portable Heater SafetyPortable Heater Safety

Safety measures:• Keep heaters a minimum of 36” away from

combustibles• Plug directly into a wall outlet. Don’t use an

extension cord• Use only heaters with built-in high temperature and

tip-over shutoff features• Do not use un-vented fuel-fired heaters indoors• Do not hang combustible items to dry over a heater• Turn off portable heaters when family members are

sleeping or leave the house• Keep heaters out of high traffic areas and exit paths

Candle FiresCandle Fires


- 23,600 home fires- 165 deaths- 1,525 civilian injuries- $300 million in property damage

Primary cause-unattended candles

Candle SafetyCandle Safety

Safety measures:• Blow out candles before leaving the room• Keep candles away from items that can burn• Always use sturdy metal, glass or ceramic

candle holders• Place candles out of reach of small children

and pets

Electrical FiresElectrical Fires

Statistics:Homes more than 40 years old are 3 times more likely to catch

fire from electrical causes than homes 11-20 years old

Safety measures:• Replace electrical cords that show signs of damage, and never

coil or walk on cords• Avoid using extension cords. Use a power strip with a built-in

circuit breaker instead• Avoid overloading circuits• Have an electrician check your house if fuses blow or breakers

trip frequently• Have an electrician check your house if you frequently

experience dimming of lighting

Source: USFAUSFA

Clothes Dryer FiresClothes Dryer Fires


- 15,500 home fires- 10 deaths- 310 injuries- $84.4 million in property damage.

Clothes Dryer FiresClothes Dryer Fires

Safety measures:• Clean the lint screen before every use• Clean out exhaust vents regularly and check for proper airflow• Use a smooth metal exhaust vent (avoid using foil or plastic

venting)• Use a cool-down cycle to prevent the possibility of spontaneous

ignition• Do not dry clothing/fabric on which there is anything flammable

(alcohol, cooking oils, gasoline, spot removers, dry-cleaning solvents, etc.)

• Cotton fabrics are susceptible to spontaneous ignition if they have interacted with oils even if they have been laundered with detergent. Any fabric that has been exposed to oils should be stored in a covered metal container.

SmokingSmoking

Statistics:- The leading cause of fire-related deaths- Accounts for nearly 1/3 of fire deaths in adults over age 70 Safety measures:• Always discard smoldering and spent cigarettes properly• Use large non-combustible deep and tip resistant ashtrays• Never smoke in bed• Never smoke while using oxygen. Warn visitors not to

smoke near you.• Douse cigarettes with water before throwing them in the

trash• Always keep matches/lighters out of reach of children

Carbon MonoxideCarbon MonoxideStatistics:• Responsible annually for an average of:

- Over 400 deaths per year- Over 20,000 emergency room visits

Safety measures:• Install a CO detector • Never use portable fueled/unvented heaters in your home. These will cause a CO

buildup and may also deplete the oxygen to dangerously low levels. • Never use a gas oven to heat your home• Never use charcoal or propane fueled barbeques indoors• Never idle the car in the garage for extended periods of time or with the garage

door closed• Never use a generator in your home• Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys blocked by debris

can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.• Have your fuel-fired appliances inspected by a trained technician for proper

venting

Planning Ahead for SafetyPlanning Ahead for Safety

Source: (OFC 202)(OFC 202)

Emergency GuideEmergency Guide

408.9.1 Emergency guide. A fire emergency guide shall be provided which describes the location, function and use of fire protection equipment and appliances accessible to residents, including fire alarm systems, smoke alarms, and portable fire extinguishers. The guide shall also include an emergency evacuation plan for each dwelling unit.408.9.2 Maintenance. Emergency guides shall be reviewed and approved….by the fire code official.408.9.3 Distribution. A copy of the emergency guide shall be given to each tenant prior to initial occupancy.

Fire Safety and Evacuation PlansFire Safety and Evacuation Plans

Emergency Evacuation DrillsEmergency Evacuation Drills Purpose of Fire DrillsPurpose of Fire Drills

– To be ready should an occurrence happen, increasing the To be ready should an occurrence happen, increasing the chanced of survival. A disorganized evacuation can lead to chanced of survival. A disorganized evacuation can lead to confusion, injury, death and property damage.confusion, injury, death and property damage.

When RequiredWhen Required

– Group A: quarterly for employees onlyGroup A: quarterly for employees only– Group B: annuallyGroup B: annually

» 500 or more occupants; 100 above or below lowest level of exit discharge 500 or more occupants; 100 above or below lowest level of exit discharge

– Group E: monthly complete evacuation.Group E: monthly complete evacuation.– Group I: quarterly each shift for staff only.Group I: quarterly each shift for staff only.– Group R1: quarterly each shift for staff only.Group R1: quarterly each shift for staff only.– Group R-2 (college and university): quarterly all occupantsGroup R-2 (college and university): quarterly all occupants– Group R-4 & SR: see IFC 408.1.2. Group R-4 & SR: see IFC 408.1.2. – High Rise: annually employees onlyHigh Rise: annually employees only Source: (OFC 405)(OFC 405)

Home Fire Escape DrillsHome Fire Escape DrillsPlan Ahead and Practice!• Establish a safe meeting place. • Teach your children to crawl on the floor to avoid smoke and

heat. Show them how to feel the door with the back of their hand and to not open the door if it is hot to the touch.

• Make sure you have two ways out of every sleeping room, and that the windows can be opened easily. If the primary route is blocked by smoke or fire, you may have to escape through a window.

• Conduct a fire drill at night to determine your child’s response, and practice until it becomes routine.

• Practice home escape drills with your family monthly. • Sleep with bedroom doors closed to provide a barrier of

protection from smoke and heat spreading into your bedrooms.

How Will You React to a Fire?How Will You React to a Fire?

What to Do in a FireWhat to Do in a Fire

In case of fire, think “In case of fire, think “RACERACE”:”:– RRescue all persons in immediate areaescue all persons in immediate area

– AAlarm: announce the fire- Pull alarm and dial larm: announce the fire- Pull alarm and dial 911911

– CConfine the fire by closing doorsonfine the fire by closing doors

– EEvacuate/vacuate/EExtinguish the fire if possiblextinguish the fire if possible

Do not:Do not:– Try to fight the fireTry to fight the fire

– Attempt to re-enter a burning homeAttempt to re-enter a burning home

Sources: Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and Numerous Business Emergency Plans.

What If I Am Unable to Get Out?What If I Am Unable to Get Out?

Create an area of refuge for yourselfCreate an area of refuge for yourself• Seal the roomSeal the room

- Use wet cloth to stuff around cracks in doors and Use wet cloth to stuff around cracks in doors and seal up vents to protect against smokeseal up vents to protect against smoke

• Do not break the windowsDo not break the windows- Flames and smoke can come back in from the Flames and smoke can come back in from the

outside. If you need air, open the window a crackoutside. If you need air, open the window a crack

• Stay low under the smokeStay low under the smoke- The freshest air is near the floor. Keep a wet cloth The freshest air is near the floor. Keep a wet cloth

over your nose and mouth and breath through over your nose and mouth and breath through your nose onlyyour nose only

• Signal for helpSignal for help- Use the telephone, or hang something out the windowUse the telephone, or hang something out the window

Sources: Fire Safety for Older Persons, Seattle Fire Department.

What about Elevators?What about Elevators?

Never use elevators in a fire Never use elevators in a fire emergency because:emergency because:• Elevators often fail during a fire, Elevators often fail during a fire,

trapping occupantstrapping occupants

• Elevator shafts may fill with smokeElevator shafts may fill with smoke

• The elevator needs to be available for The elevator needs to be available for the use of arriving firefightersthe use of arriving firefighters

Sources: Fire Safety for Older Persons, Seattle Fire Department.

How do I Use a Fire Extinguisher?How do I Use a Fire Extinguisher?

Proper extinguisher use, think “Proper extinguisher use, think “PASSPASS”:”:

PPull trigger pin (Stand back several feet away from fire)ull trigger pin (Stand back several feet away from fire)AAim low, point the nozzle at the base of the fireim low, point the nozzle at the base of the fireSSqueeze triggerqueeze triggerSSweep from side to side until the fire appears to be outweep from side to side until the fire appears to be out

Smoke Alarms are EssentialSmoke Alarms are Essential

• Provides an early warning of a fire developing in your home

• Should be on every level of the home, in the immediate area outside of the sleeping rooms, and in every bedroom

• Should be tested monthly• Properly placed and maintained smoke

alarms increase your chances of surviving a fire by 50%

• If you discover your child will not wake to a traditional sounding alarm, consider installing a personalized parent voice alarm

Carbon Monoxide AlarmsCarbon Monoxide Alarms

• Are needed when you have fuel-fired appliances

• Provide an early warning of a Dangerous CO concentrations developing in your home

• According to Oregon Administrative Rules, should be located within each bedroom or within 15 feet outside of each bedroom door. Bedrooms on separate floors in a structure containing two or more stories require separate carbon monoxide alarms.

• Should be installed according to manufacturer’s instructions

Landlord-Tenant LawsLandlord-Tenant LawsSmoke Alarms• Landlord is required to provide working smoke alarm(s) when

tenant moves• Tenant is resposible to test and maintain smoke alarm(s) and to

replace dead batteries

Carbon Monoxide For Units containing or connected to CO source:July 1, 2010• Landlord is required to provide working CO alarm(s) when a

landlord enters into a rental agreement for a dwelling unit subject to these rules on or after July 1, 2010.

April 1, 2011• Landlord is required to provide working CO alarm(s) to every

dwelling unit by April 1, 2011.

What Can I Do to Help Make This What Can I Do to Help Make This Facility Safe?Facility Safe?

• Be observant• Plan ahead• Know your exits• Report hazards• Get involved

Questions?

Documents

Apartment Fire Safety Medford Fire Prevention Bureau