Fire Prevention 101

Many fire-related injuries and deaths are preventable with simple steps, including routine maintenance, fire drills, and having an evacuation plan in place. Additionally, it’s important to be aware of local laws and codes that may apply to a property and its occupants. Depending on the location of a building and its occupancy rates, these codes can require additional fire safety measures such as specific types of sprinkler systems, fire alarms, and/or fire extinguishers.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a nonprofit organization that oversees more than 300 industry-recognized fire safety standards. These include codes that are legally required by state, city, or town regulations and standards that are considered best practices.

These fire safety standards cover a wide range of topics, including smoke detectors in every room, putting out fires before they spread, not leaving cooking equipment unattended, and having a working escape route in case of an emergency. These basic precautions can significantly lower the risk of a fire in your home or workplace.

Fires move through a four-stage process: ignition, growth, full development, and burnout. During the growth stage, the fire consumes more fuel and generates more heat. It’s important to take action to control a fire during this phase to prevent it from reaching the fully developed stage, where structures can collapse and there’s a higher risk of flashover.

During the full development phase, it’s crucial to evacuate immediately to minimize loss of life and property. At this stage, a fire is highly destructive and can quickly spread from one area to another, igniting nearby materials. Firefighting efforts should be focused on evacuating the area and preventing the fire from spreading to other buildings.

In the case of wildfires, it’s important to clear a defensible space of any combustible material around your house or shed. It’s also helpful to keep up with news alerts and recommendations from your local fire department.

When a fire breaks out, be sure to leave the area as quickly as possible and stay calm. If you’re trapped, try opening a window only as a last resort — breaking windows releases toxic chemicals and allows combustible fumes to enter the air. Inhaling these chemicals can be deadly, and even a short exposure to the smoke can cause respiratory distress.

In the case of businesses, having a fire safety plan in place can help ensure that employees are safe and that the building can be evacuated quickly. These plans often require annual or more frequent inspections to ensure that all components are in good working condition. They should also be updated as the company changes. Additionally, some local governments or fire departments may require a written evacuation plan to be in place for certain types of buildings and occupancy rates.