Criterion 5B: Fire Prevention/Life Safety Program There is an adequate, effective and efficient program directed toward fire prevention, life safety, risk reduction of hazards, the detection, reporting, and control of fires and other emergencies, the provision of occupant safety and exiting and the provisions for first aid fire fighting equipment. Note: Fire Cause and Arson Investigation are covered in Criterion 5D. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical is committed to reducing the incidence and severity of fire loss through public education, code inspection, plan reviews, and investigations. The City currently adopts the 1997 Uniform Fire Code and has amended it as contained in Chapter 8 of the Code of the City of Lawrence. The City is in the process of adopting the 2006 International Fire Code. Additional programs that are employed are building plan reviews, multi-family residence fire inspections, and nighttime public assembly inspections (night consultants). 103
5B.1 The authority having jurisdiction has an adopted fire prevention code. (CC) Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, by City ordinance, has adopted the 1997 Edition of the Uniform Fire Code and it is the basis of its fire prevention code. This code is further supplemented and amended by the Fire Code Board of Appeals to address issues specific to Lawrence, Kansas. Some of these amendments require fire sprinklers to be installed in existing congregate living structures (fraternities, sororities, etc.) and smoke detectors to be installed in all dwellings. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical s codes and amendments are reviewed as needed and at times when a new Fire Code is published. This review is done by the Fire Code Board of Appeals, which is comprised of a representative from the IAFF Local 1596 and four citizens at-large who are appointed by the Mayor. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical will continue in its commitment to fire safety and prevention by continuing to adopt and amend codes as needed to ensure that all public fire safety issues are adequately addressed. The 2006 International Fire Code has been reviewed and prepared for adoption. a. Uniform Fire Code, 1997 Edition b. Ordinance No. 7051 adopting the 1997 UFC c. 2006 International Fire Code d. Ordinance No. 8055 adopting the 2006 International Fire Code e. Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas Chapter 8, Article 2 f. City of Lawrence Fire Code Board of Appeals Roster g. Fire Code Board of Appeals Rules and Regulations h. Fire Code Board of Appeals review form i. SOP III-751: Reviews j. SOP III-752: Inspections k. SOP III-753: Complaints 104
5B.2 The code enforcement program is designed to ensure compliance with applicable fire protection law and agency objectives. (CC) Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical s Prevention Division is tasked with ensuring compliance with all fire safety, prevention, and related building codes. This division receives support from Operations Division personnel, and together they provide annual inspections of schools, businesses, daycares, multi-family dwellings, and other properties. The Prevention Division works closely with the Community Development Department, which is involved with building, mechanical, and electrical code inspection. Additionally, the Prevention Division staff works with Lawrence-Douglas County ning to review and ensure site plan compliance. The fire inspection frequency for code enforcement is determined by type of occupancy and is designed to meet a specific level of fire safety. Re-inspection of occupancies occurs to ensure adequate compliance with codes and is supported by efforts from other City departments when necessary. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical will continue to actively review the enforcement program to determine the types and frequency of inspections needed based on specific occupancy hazards. a. Uniform Fire Code, 1997 edition b. Code of the City of Lawrence, Kansas Chapter 8, Article 2 c. SOP III-751: Review d. SOP III-752: Inspections 105
5B.3 There is adequate staffing to meet agency objectives. (CC) Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical s Prevention Division is staffed by a Division Chief serving as Fire Marshal as required by City Ordinance. One Lieutenant and one Firefighter serve as fire inspectors. In addition, all Operations Division members operate in the capacity of fire inspectors on a daily basis. Currently, all inspections are being completed on an annual basis through the use of Operations Division members. At times, the use of Operations Division members limits response readiness. A new computer software program, Firehouse, was introduced in the beginning of 2007 with the expectation that it will assist in meeting the goal of improved efficiency. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical will continue to use the Prevention Division along with Operations Division members to meet fire safety and prevention goals. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical is reviewing the organization and management of the fire inspection program with the goal of improving efficiency and time management. a. LDCFM Organization Chart b. Firehouse 106
5B.4 There is a plan check system in place to insure buildings are built in accordance with adopted codes and ordinances. (CC) Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical s Prevention Division takes an active role in reviewing the site plan, building design, and technical features of all proposed building construction. This occurs at an early stage in the process and continues throughout the construction period to ensure that appropriate fire and life safety features are planned for and installed. These include adequate numbers of fire hydrants, access into and around the building for fire apparatus, fire detection alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and standpipe systems. The Prevention Division works closely with codes enforcement, zoning, and building inspection personnel from the Community Development Department in order to have all issues relating to fire and life safety addressed. The system of plan review from its early beginning stages through to a final inspection for occupancy has ensured that all buildings constructed in the City of Lawrence have been carefully considered for the appropriate and necessary fire prevention and safety features. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical s Prevention Division will continue reviewing and evaluating all new building construction plans and will require all appropriate fire prevention and safety features necessary to ensure the occupant s life and fire safety. Cooperation between Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical and the Community Development Department will continue to provide the most efficient and effective review. a. Inspection checklists and site Checklist b. SOP III-751: Reviews 107
5B.5 There are adequate equipment and supplies allocated to the fire prevention function. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical s Fire Prevention Division generates periodic status reports along with year-end reports to confirm that all goals are being met. Computer hardware and software, paper forms, and various supplies are furnished and annual training is given to ensure effective delivery of services. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical utilizes the resources of other City departments, such as Information Services and Neighborhood Resources, in assessing fire prevention issues. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical provides adequate resources and personnel to complete the fire prevention function and to meet its goals. The activities of fire inspections, plan reviews, and code development are accomplished on an on-going basis throughout the year. In early 2007, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical began using Firehouse, a more user-friendly computer program that allows personnel to enter data and generate prevention reports with greater efficiency and accuracy. The use of Operations Division personnel, along with the resources of other City departments, will continue. Reference a. Firehouse 108
5B.6 There are standard operating procedures/general operating guidelines for the fire prevention/life safety program. (CC) Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical has standard operating procedures for the fire prevention and life safety programs. Checklists are used to guide members in completing a variety of inspection and building review activities. Standardized forms assist in the collection of data in a uniform manner, which is then entered in the records management system. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical s standard operating procedure provides members with sufficient information to ensure a thorough and consistent inspection process. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical will review the SOP as it relates to electronic field data collection to further improve the efficiency of the program. a. SOP III-310: Public and Workplace Smoking Restriction b. SOP III-750: Permits and Licenses c. SOP III-752: Inspections d. SOP III-753: Complaints e. Firehouse Inspection Checklist f. Inspection Worksheet g. Apartment Letter No Violation Notice h. Mailout Inspection Notice i. Request to Inspect j. K-12 School and Preschool Inspection Checklist k. CAD Inspection record screen shot l. Kansas Buildings Fire Safety Handbook 109
5B.7 There is an information system in place to record activities and transactions and to determine the effectiveness of the fire prevention program and its efforts in risk reduction. All prevention activities, including all types of fire inspections and plan reviews, are recorded into a centralized computer program known as Firehouse TM. Personnel can track the progress of these activities to ensure proper completion and processing. The Firehouse TM system provides an effective method of recording fire prevention program activities and transactions. However, a system or procedure to determine the effectiveness of its fire prevention program and its efforts in risk reduction is lacking due to the difficulty in tracking events that did not occur as a direct result of prevention efforts. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical will research and evaluate methods to determine the effectiveness of the fire prevention program and its efforts in risk reduction. Reference a. Firehouse TM 110
5B.8 There is a periodic appraisal made to determine if there is a balancing of the fire hazard risk against the fire suppression capabilities of the agency and/or system, and if not, what actions need to be taken to balance the relationship. (CC) There are two ways in which the hazards and risks are managed and matched with the appropriate suppression capability. First, potential existing hazards and code infractions are identified, documented and compliance is ensured. The second process is a risk analysis incorporating the 13 planning zones defined in Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical s Standard of Coverage, which identifies the life hazard, protection systems and firefighting water requirements for targeted structures within the City. Quarterly managers meeting, with all Executive Staff members and Captains, are also held to discuss issues related to balancing fire hazard risk against suppression capabilities. The appraisal conducted using the Standard of Coverage risk assessment model identifies target hazards enabling Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical to balance the fire hazard risk against the fire suppression capabilities. Once identified, hazards are analyzed and recommendations are made for responses based on achieving Lawrence- Douglas County Fire Medical s response target for first-in and second-in units. Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical should continue to review and update its risk assessment information in an effective and timely manner. Reference a. Standard of Coverage 111