Safety

Safety Standards According to the Bureau of labor statistics, (2009) fire explosions were responsible for three percent (3%) of workplace fatalities in 2007. This indicates that loss of lives out of fire disasters ought to be reckoned as a serious issue in America as well as the rest of the world. The intent of rules, codes and standards regarding fire safety is to provide for the safety of the public as the sections of the law direct. The code is formulated to be administered as well as enforced by the commissioner of public safety with the help of staff members in the division of fire safety. These are designated with its enforcement by utilizing discretionary authority with regard to the details of the code. There are various safety standards that are recognized nationally and are adopted by fire departments for the purpose of making rules that have to do with safeguarding the public and property in case of explosions, fire hazardous materials, generation of carbon monoxide and perilous structural material. The design of the code is formulated in a manner that ensures minimal conflict resulting from differences exhibited in other distinctive codes. In cases where a conflict arises between an adopted code and the referenced code or its standard, the adopted code is normally applied. Additionally, in cases where a conflict arises between the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) with another standard or code, the Life Safety Code generally applies. Moreover, in case of a conflict between the Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1) and the National Board Inspection Code or the International Building Code, the former code supersedes the other codes. In case of a code with a requirement attached to it conflicting with a similar code with no requirement, the code that comes with a requirement generally supersedes the other. There are also cases where codes come with either specific or general requirements. In such instances, the specific requirements generally apply. The Uniform Fire Code which is also referred to as the National Fire Protection Association, standard NFPA 1 exemplifies standards for existing buildings as well as structures. According to this code, existing buildings as well as structures are obliged to be in accordance with not only the Uniform Fire Code but the Life Safety Code as well. As such, rehabilitation work which is classified as either alteration, repair or reconstruction which are further classified as modification, renovation or reconstruction in addition to occupancy or change of use or addition for all existing structures are required to be in accordance with the Life Safety Code. The code mandates various hazard prevention equipment and materials such as sprinklers, alarms as well as egress to emergency lighting in addition to special hazard protections and smoke barriers (Life Safety Code, 2009). Additionally, an addition to any structure or building shall be in accordance with the International Building Code, Uniform Fire Code or Life Safety Code. The Uniform Fire Code also stipulates that all individuals performing activities related to life safety or fire be in possession of a certificate of fitness which ideally is based on various qualifications. Among these qualifications include knowledge in safety standards regarding the use of explosive materials, blasting operations, fireworks display and inspection as well as servicing or refilling of portable fire-extinguishers. Fire-extinguisher design, installation, servicing and inspection require one to hold a current certificate from either the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) or the National Institute for Certificate in Engineering Technologies (NICET). The latter certificate is specifically for a pre-engineered kitchen fire extinguishing system. Firemen who deliver liquid propane (LP) gas are required to complete the LP gas Certified Employee Training Program. Under this certification, relighting of a pilot light in case of an interruption is also permitted. The code defines a boiler as an enclosed vessel in which water is heated or steam superheated or generated. This is done under pressure or vacuum by way of directly applying heat from electricity or the combustion of fuel. The code contends that all pressure vessels or boilers shall be manufactured in accordance with the appropriate standards of an American Society of Mechanical Engineers that would be in place at the time of manufacture. Prior to being installed, the pressure vessel or the boiler is mandated for inspection by a commissioned inspector. The inspection certificate issued henceforth shall be attached at the site of operation. The code also outlines the process of applying for a construction permit. It stipulates that the owner who also might be the designated representative of a given building or structure, shall obtain a construction permit prior to commencing any construction activity or additions, demolitions, alterations or installation of fixed building equipment unless such are specifically waived by respective responsible bodies. For the applicant of the construction permit to obtain such a document, it is mandated that he or she provides construction documents that relate to the construction work as well as the equipment under consideration based on the size, occupancy and use or complexity of the work. The construction documents are lawfully required to be prepared by a registered professional. Additionally, the plans that are required under this code are obligated to be drawn to scale which uses customary inch-pound units expressed in the official language (English for the US). The respective Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) reviews the construction application to verify its eligibility for either a conditional permit with specific terms or a full permit. On the other hand, an application denial is issued in failed cases. The AHJ is authorized to provide consultation or review preliminary plans for proposed constructions. As such, when it is deemed warranted by dint of project complexity or significance, AHJ can identify high priority code issues. The code also has a section that extrapolates on issues regarding variances, exemptions as well as reconsiderations. In this regard it contends that, the respective commissioner is provided for in law to grant a variance which approves a different distinct solution to compliance which ideally is in accordance with the intent of the code. Additionally, the commissioner can also exempt a given portion of a structure which also includes a boiler or other pressure vessels from the codes requirements. It is the commissioner’s policy to ensure that the determination of a request, variance or exemption whenever possible, is made by either the chief fire prevention officers or regional managers. So as the exemption or variance request is reviewed, the designated representative is mandated to submit evidence to the fact that the proposed structure or building does not comply with the code. The development of architecture in a world economy with a range of multinational clientele as well as a whole array of building materials has resulted into demand for fire codes that are based on performance. Consequently, the International Council for Building Research is currently working on different frameworks that will see it formulate compliance codes based on performance. Among the several advantages that are likely to result from internationalized performance codes include clearly stated code objectives that are understood by all parties concerned as well as analytical methods, assumptions and data that is ideally formalized in a single code practice. The record keeping and documentation used by the Fire Department Safety Officer to manage operations is formulated to ensure certain mandatory requirements that enable him or her mitigate disasters by observing accountability. In this way, the officers are able to monitor operations, conditions and activities with a certain perceived risk and consequently take action. Additionally, record keeping ensures that the officers are not only able to monitor and report the status of conditions, risks and hazards but much in the same light, they are also enabled in ensuring that the personnel accountability system is utilized to its maximum level. Moreover, the documentation also ensures that safety zones, collapse zones hot zones as well as other hazard areas are established whereupon this information is communicated to members. It is also as a result of record keeping that the officers are also able to assess traffic hazards and apparatus placement consequently taking appropriate actions to mitigate these actions. Reference Bukowski, W. R. (2009). Fire Codes for Global Practice. Gaithersburg, Maryland. National Institute of Standards and Technology Building and Fire Research Laboratory. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, (2009). Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Charts, 1992-2007. Washington, D.C, US Department of Labor. Vermont Fire and Building and Safety Code, (2006). Vermont Department of Public Safety. Division of Fire Safety. C