Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, Seventh Ed.© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PREVENTIONSeventh Edition • James C. Robertson

Chapter 12

International Practices in Fire Prevention

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Overview

• Similarities• Differences• Lessons to be learned

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Death Statistics

• United States• United Kingdom• Canada• The Netherlands• Czech Republic

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fire Death Statistics

• Canada– Similar to the

United States– Residential fires

• 85% of fatalities• 46% of dollar loss

• Russia– 18,000 fire

fatalities annually– Five times U.S.

rate

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Number of Fires

• United States• The Netherlands• United Kingdom• Russia

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Comparison of Fire Numbers

• United States– 2.5 fires per 1,000

people

• Netherlands and United Kingdom– .9 fires per 100

people

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Causes of Fires

• Differences in reporting• Variables• Challenges in comparisons

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Variables

• Placement of stations• Units per station• Construction practices• Occupancy factors• Authority to inspect

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Masonry outer wall construction limits conflagration in many countries, thereby permitting close proximity of structures as found on Santorini Island, Greece. (Photo: Kim Borofka)

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Station Locations

• Europe– Very few stations compared to size– More units per station

• American system allows for a faster application of water

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Occupancy Factors

• Europeans may have lived several generations in the same house– More apt to value home– Renters have less interest

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fire Prevention Education and Enforcement

• Japan• Germany• United Kingdom• New Zealand

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Research in New Zealand indicates a major change in flashover time as a result of changes in furniture construction. (Source: Way Forward New Zealand, Fire Commission)

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Authority for Inspections

• Russia– Strong fire prevention program– Inspectors are disciplined for preventable

fires in their territory

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

European Fire Prevention

• Many fire preventionalists hold advanced degrees

• Many come to agency from other agencies at a management level

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Canadian Fire Safety

• “Learn Not to Burn” program• Fire Prevention Canada• Smoke alarms

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fire Codes

• Application• Practices• Procedures

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Summary

• Uniqueness of the United States• Similarities with other countries• Possible solutions