Thousands of individuals die each year as a result of home fires as a result of safety issues in the home. Unfortunately, many fires are a result of faulty building codes that were not designed to keep occupants from fires. Steps can be taken if you are in the process of building a home or already purchased your home to prevent house fires. Although building codes vary depending on what state you live in, they are important in maintaining the safety of the occupants in the home and the community. Every community has a zoning office that is responsible for developing and overseeing the building codes.
Fire Protection Engineers
A Fire protection engineer is someone who has a science and engineering background to protect people, their environment, and property. The goal of fire protection engineers is to provide fire protection to each building so in the event there is a fire, everyone in the dwelling can get out safely. These engineers can help you meet NFPA standards, building code requirements, and other zoning requirements set forth by the zoning department. Most fire protection engineer consulting agencies assist with building fire modeling, smoke control system design, fire suppression system, fire investigations risk analysis, and more. Even if you just purchased a new home and want to ensure the safety of the home, consulting with an agency is the best idea.
Local and State Government
Your local and state government will draft, enact and regulate codes according to fire safety standards according to the International Fire Codes. The IFC set minimum requirements for fire protection and systems that are used by state, local and federal government. These codes are also used in the private sector to develop, design and upgrade properties for further protection.
NFPA 1
The NFPA 1 stems from the NFPA 101 code and standard book and has over 100 pages of fire codes to adhere by. The codes in the book cover safety issues such as building services, protection, means of egress, fire protection systems, interior finish, and exterior buildings. Some examples of NFPA requirements consist of: occupant load factors, carbon monoxide alarms, fire alarms, grab bars for bathtubs, and showers and egress.
Fire Inspection
Your local fire marshal is responsible for enforcing safety standards within the industry. As homes are being built, they are to be inspected by the local zoning officer or fire marshal for safety. This includes electrical safety, smoke detectors installed, carbon monoxide detectors installed any fire suppression systems, and alarm systems. They are responsible for inspecting buildings during the building process and at the end to ensure the home is safe. If you just bought a house and are worried about home safety, asking your fire marshal to do an inspection can help prepare you to make any needed changes for safety.
With thousands of house fires and deaths each year from fires, reaching out to the local zoning officer or fire marshal can help you understand the rules and regulations of fire safety in your area. Adding smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in each bedroom as well as in the hallways is important to alert occupants in the event of an emergency.
