Fire Prevention Week is an ideal time to remind individuals of the basics of fire safety. Traditional advice – like having a working smoke detector in the home and never leaving candles and other open flames unattended – is timeless information. But thanks to important research, there are also new tips that the public needs to know and put into practice, said Bridgeport Fire Chief Phil Hart.

 

Hart said he and two of his firefighters were recently able to attend a class at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in Morgantown. Presented was information founded on research by the UL Firefighter Safety Research Institute.

 

“There is just phenomenal information out there; much of it pertaining to today’s lightweight construction with homes built out of prefab and precut lumber,” Hart said. “Materials burns faster and more toxic gases are put off. Fires burn hotter and even smoke is more toxic, giving occupants less chance to escape a fire.”

 

Because of lightweight construction, some homes can burn within three to five minutes, resulting in increased injuries and to both occupants and firefighters.

 

“That lightweight construction is weakened once firefighters enter the structure; their weight causing floors to collapse,” Hart said.

 

New research makes it even more vital for families to have working smoke detectors, so they will be aware of a fire immediately. Other advice the fire department is urging individuals to utilize is closing bedroom doors while sleeping. Though some parents might think the opposite holds true – that open doors allow for easier accessibility to their children – there is confirmed, valid information as to why bedroom doors should be closed while families are sleeping.

 

“Statistics show that closing doors prevent super-heated gases and smoke from entering the bedroom,” Hart said. “That can increase the chance for survival in a fire, giving you additional time to escape.”

 

Using thermal imaging cameras, UL researchers found that closed-door rooms on first- and second-floor bedrooms during the fire’s spread had average temperatures of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit versus 1000+ degrees in the open-door rooms. Gas concentrations were markedly different as well. The open-door bedroom measured an extremely toxic 10,000 PPM CO (parts per million of Carbon Monoxide), while the closed had approximately 100 PPM CO.

 

The open layout, construction of and furnishings included in modern homes creates what the UL refers to as an “evolving fire environment.” Learn more HERE at ulfirefightersafety.org.

 

The National Fire Protection Association’s theme for the 2018 Fire Prevention Week campaign is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere.” Included in tips to be observed not only during Fire Prevention Week - but every day of the year - are as follows:

Learn more HERE at nfpa.org. 

 

In observance of Fire Prevention Week - Oct. 7-13 - Simpson Elementary School classes will be visiting Bridgeport Fire Department.

 

“We’ll be giving students tours and discussing fire prevention with them,” Hart said. “As always, we will emphasize the importance of having a working smoke detector and knowing what to do if the alarm sounds. We’ll encourage them to have their parents test smoke detectors to make sure they are still operational.”

 

As the department continues to educate the public, it also continues to train firefighters to utilize the most up-to-date information available. Later this month, Bridgeport Fire Department will conduct training at its own burn building, utilizing thermal imaging cameras, Hart said.