Fire Prevention & Protection at SCARC

Fire Prevention & Protection at SCARC

Common Fire Causes: SMOKING The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) estimated that fires caused by smoking result in close to 1000 deaths and 3000 injuries per year in the United States. SCARC Policy D.12.I.E. prohibits smoking by staff and restricts smoking by individuals to designated areas at residential programs only.

Fire Prevention: SMOKING Adhere to the smoking restrictions and prohibitions contained in SCARC Police D.12: Program Health andsafety. Make sure individuals who smoke do so only in the designated areas at residential programs. Closely monitor rooms used by individuals who smoke to insure that no indoor smoking has occurred and there are no unextinguished smoking materials.

Common Fire Causes: COOKING The NFPA reports that in 2010 2014, U.S. Fire Departments responded to an average of 166,100 house structure fires per year that involved cooking. These fires caused an average of 480 civilian deaths, 5,540 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in property damage. The American Red Cross reports that the kitchen is where more house fires occur than anywhere else in the house, and that cooking is the number one cause of these fires.

Fire Prevention: COOKING Never leave cooking food unattended stay in the kitchen when frying, or broiling and check food regularly. If you have to leave the kitchen, even for a second, turn off the stove. When baking, use a timer so you will remember that the oven is on. Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup. Keep anything that can catch fire pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains away from your stove, oven or any other appliances in the kitchen that generates heat.

Common Fire Causes: GRILLING The NFPA reports that there are approximately 5,000 outside barbeque grill fires annually that require fire departments to respond, and another 3,600 that cause damage to the home structure. Over half (57%) of residential grill fires occur from May to August. Almost half (49%) of residential grill fires occur from 5 to 8:00 PM.

Fire Prevention: GRILLING SCARC programs are to use propane grills only. and lighter fluid. DO NOT use charcoal Position the grill well away from the house siding or deck railing and not under eaves or overhanging branches. Use long-handled grilling tools and keep unauthorized persons away creating a 3 foot safety zone around the grill. Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below the grill so it cannot be ignited by heat from the grill. Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure hoses have no sharp bends and move them as far as possible from hot surfaces or dripping hot grease. Notify the Facilities Department of any bad or broken parts. Check for leaks in the hoses, valves and regulator by applying a 50/50 solution of liquid soap and water while the cylinder top valve is open. If bubbles form there is a leak and the Facilities Department should be notified.

Fire Prevention: GRILLING Open the grill lid before turning on the cylinder top valve and lighting the grill. Propane has a strong, unpleasant odor like rotten eggs, a skunk s spray, or a dead animal. This smell is deliberately added to help alert customers to propane leaks. If the smell is detected, immediately close the cylinder top valve and call the AOC and the Facilities Department. Use the electronic ignition to light the grill, if so equipped, otherwise use a long mechanical lighter designed for lighting grills and the lighting port on the side of the grill. When finished grilling turn off the cylinder top valve and all burner valves. Allow the grill to cool before moving or covering. Never keep a propane cylinder in a hot car or trunk. Excessive heat will cause the gas pressure to increase and may force open the pressure relief valve, allowing gas to escape. Always store a spare propane cylinder in the upright position and never indoors or near the grill.

Fire Prevention: GRILLING Gas Level Indicator Cylinder Top Valve Regulator Hose Propane Cylinder

Common Fire Causes: CLOTHES DRYERS The U.S. Fire Administration has determined that and estimated 2,900 home dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. The leading cause of home clothes dryer fires (approximately 34%) is failure to clean them. Over time, the dryer vent can fill with lint that gets past the filter. This lint builds up in the dryer or the exhaust duct, blocking the flow of air causing excessive heat build-up, and can result in a fire.

Fire Prevention: CLOTHES DRYER Read manufacture s use and care instructions and warnings that come with new dryers. Clean the lint filter before each load of laundry. Clean lint out of vent pipe periodically, every three months is suggested. Don t overload the dryer. Don t dry anything containing plastic, foam, or rubber, such as small rugs with rubber backing, athletic shoes, etc. Don t leave the dryer running when no one is home.

Fire Protection: FIRE & CO ALARMS All SCARC group homes and day programs have internal fire detection alarm systems and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors where required. Alarm systems at SCARC facilities are monitored by Central Station 800-932-3822 Central Station is an alarm monitoring service active 24/7 to receive alarms and notify Fire and Police Departments.

Fire Protection: FIRE & CO ALARMS When a fire is detected, either from smoke or heat, the alarm system will: Send a signal to Central Station to notify the fire department. Activate alarm sounds Activate strobe lights Activate special alert devices bed shaker Any repetitive beeps or other sounds from detectors should be immediately reported to the Facilities Department.

Fire Protection: FIRE & CO ALARMS KNOW YOUR SYSTEM & DRILL PROCEDURES

Fire Protection: FIRE & CO ALARMS KNOW YOUR SYSTEM & DRILL PROCEDURES Smoke Heat

Fire Protection: Internal Sprinkler Systems Currently 8 SCARC homes have internal sprinkler systems Branchville Hillside Holly Lafayette Lenape Stillwater Valcourt Warbasse Some houses with wells have large tanks with pumps in the basement to send water to the sprinkler heads.

Fire Protection: Internal Sprinkler Systems Houses with Internal Sprinkler Systems have Sprinkler Heads spaced throughout the house in the ceilings. Sprinkler heads have a red chemical in a glass tube that expands at 155 degrees, breaking the tube, thus releasing water from that head. At least 18 clearance should be maintained around all Sprinkler Heads.

Fire Protection: Fire Extinguishers Fire Extinguisher types vary for the type of fire to be extinguished. The most common types are: Type A for wood, paper, and textiles fires, are filled with water. Type B for flammable liquid fires, are filled with C02 or foam, Type C for electrical equipment fires, are filled with a dry chemical. Type ABC for fires in the A, B & C categories, are filled with a dry chemical. All SCARC programs and vehicles are equipped with ABC type Fire Extinguishers, appropriately sized to their location (2.5, 5 or 10 lbs.). Check all Fire Extinguishers for proper charge and up-to-date inspection. Be familiar with where Fire Extinguishers are located in your program!

Fire Protection: Fire Extinguishers How to use Fire Extinguisher: Use the acronym P.A.S.S. Pull (pin) Aim (straight) Squeeze (slowly) Sweep (side to side) Stand 6-8 feet away Aim at the base of the fire Sweep from side to side Cover the entire area

Fire Protection: Fire Extinguishers When to use a Fire Extinguisher: When everyone in the program has been alerted and evacuation is in progress. When the fire is small and contained in a single object. When you are safe from toxic smoke. When you have a means of escape and the fire is not between you and the escape route. When your instincts tell you that it is safe to use an extinguisher.

Fire Protection: Preventing the Spread of Fire Closing doors is one of the best ways to help delay the spread of fires. Always try to close the doors behind you as you escape the fire.

Can This Happen At SCARC?

What Do You Do? Smother it! Use an oven mitt to put a lid on the pan. Turn of the stove. If this does not work, then use a fire extinguisher. Never use water to put out a grease fire. Never swat with a towel.

Can This Happen At SCARC? But if it looks like this,..... Get out now!

FIRE SAFETY AT SCARC