By Kenrick Bethelmy Acting ADFO

FIRE PROTECTION LIFE SAFETY PRACTICES
History has recorded many of man's unique characteristics. One such characteristic is his ability to utilize fire, a force of nature with which man had become familiar even before the advent of recorded history. The long and extensive use of fire by humans would suggest that there would by now have been caste; of the phenomena. Our experience has shown us however that although there have been considerable advances we are still very far from perfection.

Man's continued quest to control unplanned fires over the centuries has led to the development of methods and systems for the prevention of fires and the protection of property from its ravages. Indeed early efforts at fire protection were geared towards the protection of property rather than lives and it was only as a result of the increasing incidence of fires with fatal consequences that the order was reversed and now greater emphasis is placed on the safety of individuals. The term 'Fire Protection' is but one aspect of the more generic description of the fire control efforts now termed 'Fire Safety'. The term Fire Safety for the purpose of this discourse can be broken down into two (02) practical areas: -

FIRE PREVENTION
The term Fire Prevention, which was the term first used to describe the fire control effort, means any precautionary activity or activities aimed at preventing an outbreak of fire, promoting early detection and reducing the loss of life and property should fire occur. Such activities include : - Public Education identifying hazards through inspection of premises and making recommendations in an effort to reduce or eliminate hazardous conditions wherever and however possible.

FIRE PROTECTION
Fire Protection means the theory and practices of reducing life and property loss by fire and the instituting of fire control and extinction measures, This can be further subdivided into two (02) modes: -

Passive Fire Precautions
This can be achieved by means of structural measures i.e. use of fire resistive construction, fire retardants, proper construction techniques and methods, adequate and controlled ventilation.

Active Fire Protection
This can include the provision of sprinklers and other extinction systems, the use of automatic detection alarm systems and the training of occupants in various fire routines.

Fire Safety practices are today a feature of all modern societies often requiring the acquisition of many skills and techniques and heavy expenditure in certain other areas. The result of all this effort has for the most part been mixed. While the extent and frequency of major fires around the world has subdued, there still remains a prevalence of fire incidents which all too frequently result in the loss of elves of countless young children and older people, as well as homes and jobs.

Research has shown that many of these unfortunate situations result from the behavior of most people towards fire, both before and during the event. In practice, the possibility of a fire occurring in the home, at work or in a public place is considered remote and if it should occur the victims are usually ill equipped in terms of basic knowledge, and in many instances they do not possess even the simplest protective gear and fire fighting equipment to ensure control or extinction before extensive damage is done.

It seems critical therefore that fire safety must be seen and practiced as a daily activity and incorporated in every aspect of our lives, since it can happen anywhere and at any time.

Special emphasis must be placed upon the way we do things and our reaction to an unplanned outbreak. Education in the methods of prevention, basic fire fighting, the use of portable equipment and the application of household substances must be undertaken if we are to make an impact on the fire loss figure.

The problems pertaining to the incidence of fires worldwide have been addressed by many concerned groups since the beginning of the twentieth century. Organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association of North America (N.F.P.A.) have engaged in research over the years to determine the causes of fires and the factors contributing to the loss of life by fire itself. Standards have been developed for the construction of stairs and fire escapes, the construction and layout of exit facilities in factories, schools etc. and fire drills in various buildings.

The first Building Exit Codes developed in 1921, which took into consideration all classes of occupancies, have gone through many amendments over the years aimed at providing guidance on modern methods of life protection and safety. These amendments deal with such features as furniture and other contents, wall and ceiling furnishes and other factors, which can have a significant effect on fire growth statistics and the number of deaths resulting from fires.

The Trinidad and Tobago Experience
In 1951 with the formation of the Fire Service as a separate organization the first Fire Prevention Unit was established with a small complement assigned to Fire Service headquarters in Port-of-Spain.

A few years later In 1955, following a major fire at the building which housed SALVATORI and SCOTT Limited, and several other businesses, a Fire Prevention Committee was appointed by the then governor of Trinidad and Tobago, under Chief Fire Officer R.G. Cox GIFire E. The committee's mandate was to report and advise on a Fire Prevention Policy, necessary for existing and new buildings with priority being given to buildings in Port-of-Spain and San Fernando.

That committee handed in its report to the then Honourable Chief Minister Dr. Eric Williams on November 15, 1955. Some of the recommendations made included measures to prevent fires in offices, factories and business premises. Special recommendations were also made for legislation to cover cinemas theatres and all places of public entertainment. The committee noted that as far as possible the safety of patrons attending public functions must be taken into account with special attention being given to the provision of adequate means of escape, emergency exits, emergency lighting and seating arrangements to avoid standing in aisles and overcrowding.

These developments led to the expansion of the Fire Prevention Unit and additional training was provided for Fire Service personnel in the techniques of Fire Prevention and Protection. Several offers pursued courses in the U.K. and as a result many programs were introduced for the general public on the preventative measures to be instituted and practiced in homes, schools and the work place.

The increase in economic activity in the mid-seventies brought with it an increase in the number of fires occurring in the country. This resulted in severe measures being instituted by insurers on property owners in and around the city centres. Insurers held the view that many of the incidents resulted from the work of arsonists and appropriate changes were required to reduce losses.

This experience resulted in approaches by government to the British Fire Service for assistance. A specialist Fire Prevention Officer from the British Home Office Fire Prevention Department visited Trinidad and Tobago during the period 1978 to 1979, to review the situation and to make recommendations.

As a consequence, the Fire Prevention Section of the Fire Service was further strengthened with offices being established in San Fernando, Arima and Tobago. This expansion and enhancement process resulted in a more pointed approach to fire prevention and protection. Active consideration was given to the application of fire safety measures to new structures, more frequent inspections of public buildings and additional public education and enforcement exercises.

In Trinidad and Tobago today, all major public buildings, industrial establishments, factories, schools, hotels, and other premises to which the public has access, (whether on payment or otherwise) have been subjected to some measure of fire safety coverage. The efforts in terms of public education via Fire Prevention Week (which is held annually) and the many lectures/demonstration sessions held throughout the country, to highlight the dangers posed by planned and unplanned fires have been rather rewarding and have so far paid great dividends.

Indeed the statistics will show that over the past fifteen years there has been a marked reduction in the occurrence of serious fires in this country, and therefore, much of the negative impact on the socio-economic structure of our society has been significantly stemmed.

The establishment within recent years of numerous firms offering fire safety equipment and related services to the public has also helped in a very significant way to spread the message of eternal vigilance, where fire safety is concerned. Care must however be exercised when accessing services, in order to ensure cost effectiveness of protection and efficiency of installed devices.

Some constraints have prevented a more wide spread utilization of what has become available as a means of furthering the effectiveness of control. The challenges arising as a result of the tightening of the economic belt have made it quite difficult if not impossible for some sections of the society to provide adequate fire protection programs.

Businesses faced with trimmed, budgets also develop the tendency to 'downplay' the need for adequate fire protection and in many cases, postpone costly maintenance and repair of installed equipment, with obvious consequences.

It is pertinent therefore in these circumstances to find innovative ways to offset these stated effects. Some of the methods already in place if carefully reviewed, can produce effective results. Good housekeeping, maintenance of electrical systems and the guarded use of open flames easily come to mind . The acquisition of additional fire prevention skills and techniques is worthy of consideration. Public education programmes of the nature of a well-organized Fire Safety week can also serve as a majorfeature in changing the way we protect ourselves from the effects of fire, after all 'Prevention is better than cure'.

All programmes must be well planned and targeted to meet the needs of all sectors of our society where fire/life safety practices appear lacking. These are the areas where the most fires continue to occur.

A greater thrust must also be made to ensure compliance with standard requirements as issued by the regulatory authorities. The establishment of standard codes of practice covering building construction and fire safety can do much to ensure a wider national adherence to fire/life safety practices.

Regular fire drills, the maintenance of plant and equipment, the serviceability and availability of installed fire systems and devices, and the provision and maintenance of adequate means of escape can all go a long way in avoiding severe problems, but if our behavior towards preventing fires is not changed significantly, all the gains made can be quickly reversed.