C7 <br />• <br />r1 <br />FIRE SERVICE CHALLENGES <br />Fire service operations take place in stressful, time= <br />sensitive environments (Figure 1.4). Delaying <br />operations, even slightly, especially during the criti- <br />cal initial phase when the first arriving resources <br />are committed, can adversely affect subsequent <br />operations and the outcome. Delays caused by <br />poorly located fire hydrants, confusing alarm infor- <br />mation, ineffective communication systems, or <br />inaccessible valves will have a ripple effect on the <br />other portions of the operation. During these <br />delays, the fire will be growing exponentially. <br />Members of the fire service perform their func- <br />tions during all times of the day or night, in any <br />weather conditions, and frequently in unfamiliar <br />environments. Their work environment is danger- <br />ous, mentally stressful, and physically exhaust- <br />ing. Decisions must often be made without an <br />ideal amount of information, due to the many <br />unknowns on the fireground (such as what is on <br />fire, how much is burning, where the fire is spread- <br />ing, and where the occupants are located). <br />These factors stack the deck against the safety <br />of firefighters. Even simplifying the firefighters' job <br />in small ways will increase the level of safety for <br />them, and thereby for building occupants. Design <br />features that save time or personnel can make a <br />great difference. Any feature that provides addi- <br />tional information regarding the fire, the build- <br />ing, or the occupants, as well as any method to <br />speed the delivery of this information also helps. <br />Pre-incident plans (often called "preplans") are <br />documents prepared by fire departments to assist <br />in emergency operations in specific facilities. They <br />should contain the location of, and information <br />about, the fire protection features discussed in this <br />manual. Preplans are usually prepared and main- <br />tained by the unit that normally responds first, or is <br />"first due, " to a particular facility. One could <br />argue that some of the considerations in this manu- <br />al are not necessary if the fire department prepares <br />thorough preplans. However, the best pre-incident <br />planning cannot overcome situations where the <br />first due unit is committed on another response, <br />out of position, or out of service. Nor can it foresee <br />changes in personnel. It is simply unrealistic to <br />count on all responding personnel to be aware of <br />the pre-incident plan. <br />Pre-incident planning makes sense but it will <br />always have limitations. Fire departments and fire- <br />fighters that are more familiar with features of <br />,i <br />r <br /> <br />I F <br />K- <br />(Fig. 1.4) Firefighters arriving at a high-rise fire. During this <br />operation, firefighters will interact with most of the features <br />discussed in this manual. To successfully mitigate an incident <br />of this nature, firefighters must make many decisions rapidly, <br />and carry out various operations simultaneously. Time saved <br />due to design with the fire service in mind will translate into <br />increased firefighter and occupant safety. <br />buildings in their response area are better prepared <br />to deal with fires and other emergencies. Designers <br />can assist in pre-incident planning by providing <br />copies of building and system plans (paper or elec- <br />tronic) to the fire service after first seeking permis- <br />sion from the building owner. <br />National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sta- <br />tistics show a steady decline of fire-related deaths <br />in the U.S. during the 1990s. During that same <br />decade, however, the number of firefighter fatalities <br />has remained relatively steady. The National Fallen <br />Firefighters Foundation has developed a list of <br />safety initiatives to reduce firefighter line-of-duty <br />deaths and is playing a lead role in their implemen- <br />tation. <br />MANUAL ORGANIZATION AND USE <br />Each chapter of this manual includes a narrative <br />describing the specific building feature and how <br />the fire department interacts with it. Boxes, entitled <br />"Considerations, " highlight specific items that a <br />designer should consider for each topic. Photos <br />and diagrams illustrate both good and bad exam- <br />ples of concepts and recommendations. <br />GS HA <br />Occupational Safety and <br />Health Administration <br />124 <br />