OG 4025 General Life Safety Checks

Issued By: FIRE PREVENTION
Approved By: Fire Chief William H. Mosher 
Date of Issue:  2000/06/08
Revision Date:  2000/06/22

Forms Required:    
•    FP-199 General Life Safety Check Sheet
•    Home Safety Pamphlet


 PURPOSE: 

To provide guidelines and procedures for conducting General Life Safety Checks to reduce the number of fires and fire deaths. To relay the fire safety message directly to the residents of Halifax Regional Municipality. 

OBJECTIVE:

Fire Fighters are to look for visible fire hazards, acquaint themselves with street names, layouts, hydrant locations, and new construction, provide fundamental fire safety information and enhance the traditional favourable image of the fire service.

SCOPE:

This operating guideline applies to career and volunteer members of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency.

PROCEDURE:

The Station Officer will be in charge of coordinating and keeping records of what has been completed in the Life Safety program, and each platoon will inspect locations in their districts as outlined:


As of January 1, 2000 the proper order of the schedule is as follows:

•    ‘D’ Platoon- all streets starting with the letters (A, B, C, D & E)

•    ‘A’ Platoon- all streets starting with the letters (F, G, H, I, J, K & L)

•    ‘B’ Platoon- all streets starting with the letters (M, N, O, P, Q & R)

•    ‘C’ Platoon- (S, T, U, V, W, X, Y & Z)

NOTE: At the start of the General Life Safety Program each year, the Platoons shall rotate to the next group of alphabetical letters for streets i.e., C Platoon moves up to D Platoon position with the letters A, B, C, D & E. D Platoon moves down to A Platoon position with the letters of F, G, H, I, J, K & L. If there is no street name that begins with one of the no streets in the district starting with the letter “I”, then go to “J”.

Life Safety Checks may be carried out between the hours of 0930-2000 hours, or any requested time arranged with the property owner/occupant.

GUIDELINES:

1. Life Safety Checks shall be carried out by the minimum of two fire fighters accompanied by the property owner/occupant.

The inspection is a voluntary program and the consent of the owner/occupant (adult) must be given before an inspection is carried out. Personnel must present a neat and clean appearance at all times. Personal identification must be carried when conducting inspections.

2. General Life Safety Check Program includes the following:
•    Apartments
•    Corner
•    Stores
•    Garages
•    Industrial
•    Commercial

For this program, apartment buildings are classed as three or more units sharing a common hall, entryway or exterior exit way.

If you find a complex and you are not sure if it is an apartment building, call the area Fire Inspector for advice.

3. Apartments or Businesses should be approached from the sidewalk (never cut across the lawn).

4. 
a)    If any problems or hazards are noted, the owner/occupant should be advised to telephone the appropriate authority (electrician/burner mechanic, mason, etc.) to obtain information necessary to correct or address the problem noted.
b)    If you find several problems or violations at a given address and you are asked or wish to do a reinspection in thirty (30) days for example, feel free to do so. 

5. All information concerning the Life Safety Check must be confidential and should not be commented upon in public.

6. It is a good idea to inspect the outside of the structure first. This allows the owner to tidy up if necessary. Items to check while outside are the conditions of:
a)    The chimney
b)    Electrical service entrance to the structure
c)    Oil and propane systems
d)    Sheds and outdoor storage areas
e)    The amount of debris about the property.

7. Information provided will include:

a)    Home Fire Safety pamphlet for apartments;
b)    A check sheet and other items to be provided by Fire Prevention.

A. PAMPHLET

Contains general information and requirements for the owner/occupant.

NOTE: Be familiar with the information stated in the pamphlet.

B. CHECK SHEET (Form FP199)

Items which are marked with an “X” should be corrected by the owner/occupant. The yellow copy shall be left with the owner/occupant; the white copy is to be returned to the Fire Prevention Division and the pink to station with station officer.

To make entering information into the computer easier, please press firmly when marking information on a single check sheet. Because information is passing through to other copies by way of the carbon-backed paper, it makes reading the yellow (last) copy very difficult.

Place platoon, station and your name on the check sheet. As many signatures are difficult to read, please print your name only.

The White copy is to be forwarded to the Fire Prevention Division Office, The Yellow copy is to be left with the Owner/Caretaker, and The Pink copy is to be given to the Station Officer.

It is felt that the occupants may wish to use the information on the check sheet themselves.

The following is a brief description of the items listed on the check sheet:

A.    Storage:

•    To reduce the load, all unnecessary items or garbage should be removed from, in and around the structure.

•    Flammable liquids shall be stored in approved containers; approved storage cabinets; or in a shed or garage area. NOTE: The maximum amount of flammable liquids (gasoline) to be stored in a dwelling unit is five (5) litres.

•    No more than three (3) 1.5 litre non-refillable propane cylinders (propane torches) shall be stored indoors. All refillable cylinders larger than 1.5 litres are to be stored outdoors in a well-ventilated area, secure, upright, and have the safety plug in place.

•    Paint and thinners shall be stored in properly sealed containers, and oily rags shall be disposed of.

B.    Electrical:

•    Electrical wiring or cords shall be in good repair and not located in areas where they will be damaged.

•    Small heating type appliances such as toasters, irons, and curling irons etc. shall be unplugged when not in use.

•    All electrical panels require a three (3) foot clearance to and around them.

•    Unless stated on the panel, 15amp fusing is the most common for all branch circuits. An electrician can best answer questions concerning proper fusing or electrical related problems.

C.    Heating:

•    Chimneys and heating equipment shall be in good repair and inspected yearly by a qualified service technician.

•    Smoke pipes shall be secured with screws, in good shape (no holes), and located away from combustibles as stated on the heating appliance manufacturer’s specification plate, or 18" if not indicated.

•    Oil leaks are required to be repaired.

•    Service personnel can best answer questions concerning problems with heating systems.

•    Ashes (woodstove) shall be stored in a metal container and placed outdoors, away from combustible surfaces.

•    Woodstoves shall be installed as per requirements on the unit’s manufacturer’s specifications and approval plate. For uncertified indoor woodstoves, see the Fire Prevention Division. (For uncertified outdoor wood burning appliances, see Appendix “A”).

•    The owners can telephone Fire Prevention or other certified inspectors if they wish to have their woodstove inspected.

•    Single wall woodstove smoke pipes require an 18" clearance from all combustibles on the appliance.

D.    Life Safety:

•    An effort should be made to ensure the occupant is familiar with the operation of their fire extinguisher. It is recommended that an ABC type fire extinguisher be installed in an accessible location in each dwelling unit (minimum 2 1/2 lb. ABC type fire extinguisher).

•    Check for valid Inspection Sticker and expiry date on fire extinguisher.

•    As per By-law F-100, smoke alarms shall be installed in dwelling units near sleeping areas, but do not have to be tied into the building’s electrical system unless specified otherwise in the National Building Code of Canada; plus, attention should be paid to the following excerpts from the National Building Code of Canada: 

For new construction 1985 and after: See National Building Code p.223 

f)    9.10.18.2 Location of Smoke Alarms;
g)    9.10.18.3 Power Supply:

(1)    Smoke Alarms shall be installed by permanent connections to an electrical circuit and shall have no disconnect switch between the overcurrent device and the smoke alarm.

h)    9.10.18.4 Interconnection of Smoke Alarms:

(1)    Where more than one smoke alarm is required in a dwelling unit, the smoke alarms shall be wired so that the activation of one alarm will cause all alarms within the dwelling unit to sound. 

•    Smoke Detectors are required in halls, stairwells and service rooms in apartment buildings.

•    As per manufacturer requirement, all smoke alarms shall be operational and tested as required to ensure proper operation.

•    The emergency telephone number (911) should be posted near the telephone, and every unit should practice their evacuation plan.

•    Exits or exterior doors in dwelling units are required to open from the inside without requiring the use of the key. (National Building Code of Canada.)

•    The civic number shall be displayed to help Fire Fighters identify properties from the street.

FOLLOWUP:

1.    If the owner/ occupant is not home, leave a pamphlet and a ‘NOT AT HOME’ call card with the appropriate station phone number and the yellow copy of the check sheet.

2.    If you are refused, leave the pamphlet, mark the address, date and ‘REFUSED’ on the check sheet. Return the white copy to Fire Prevention, leaving the yellow copy with the owner/occupant, and the pink copy to stay with the station officer.

3.    Crews will carry out requested follow-up inspections and after-hour rescheduled inspections for their areas within 30 days of the inspection at a mutually convenient time arranged between the owner/occupant and the station crew.

OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:

This operating guideline shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the procedure followed for general life safety checks. 


APPENDIX “A”

UNCERTIFIED OUTDOOR WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES

Members of the Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Service should be aware there are several different types of uncertified outdoor wood burning appliances currently being used.

Following are some of the examples of uncertified outdoor wood burning appliances, but the list is not limited to:

•    Drolet Wood Burner
•    Mexican Clay Pot
•    Clay Chiminea
•    Mexican Backyard Fireplace
•    Other uncertified outdoor appliances.

1)    The Fire Prevention Division strongly recommends that the manufacturer’s guidelines or requirements be followed for all uncertified outdoor appliances.

2)    Dry seasoned fire wood shall be used.

3)    Clearances of 10 feet (3m) in all directions shall be maintained to combustible objects, which include wooden decks.

4)    These appliances shall not be operated during periods of burning bans.


The rotation date shall be effective from the first of each calendar year