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The Basis for Fire Prevention
Objectives
The fire problem in the United States and
the reasons for its existence.
 The fire record of the United States
compared with other countries.
 Organizations that have been instrumental
in our nation’s fire prevention efforts.
 The effect that timing has on the adoption
and enforcement, or lack of enforcement,
of fire prevention regulations.

U.S. Fire Problem (1 of 3)
The fire record of the United States
 historically, the worst in the western world
 two million fire calls a year
Indirect costs
 loss of purchasing power impacts economy
 business interruption
 medical and housing costs
 psychological damage
U.S. Fire Problem (2 of 3)
Losses from all natural disasters in the
United States is a fraction of the losses
from fire.
 studies show the United States has
always led all major industrialized
countries in per capita deaths and
property loss.
 Fire problems exist due to failure to
adequately apply and fund loss
reduction strategies.

U.S. Fire Problem (3 of 3)
America Burning – 1973
 America Burning Revisited – 1986
 America at Risk – 2000
 All contained nearly identical
assessments

The History of Fire and Fire Prevention
Humans “captured” fire around 500,000 B.C.
 It enabled early humans to expand their
territory.
 The ability of humans to “make” fire was a
significant development.
 Firing pottery and smelting metals were the
beginnings of “industry.

Early Fire Prevention Efforts
Publica – Rome 300 B.C.
 Corps of Vigiles – Rome 24 B.C.
 Couvre feu – England 1066
 Great London Fire – 1666
 Fire insurance
 Formation of the London Fire
Office
 Formation of a fire brigade
 Familia
Fire in the American Colonies

Jamestown, Virginia – 1608
 Jamestown nearly abandoned as a result

Boston, Massachusetts – nine serious fires before
1776
 Law banning smoking outdoors – 1638

New Amsterdam – Rattle Watch
National Board of Fire
Underwriters (1 of 2)

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



Maintain uniform rates and commissions.
Repress incendiarism and arson.
Devise and give effect to measures to
provide for common interests
Funded rewards for the conviction of arson
Developed guidelines for municipal water
supplies and firefighting apparatus
National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA)
National Board of Fire
Underwriters (2 of 2)

Underwriters Laboratories began as the
Underwriters’ Electrical Bureau
 Developed the first model codes
 Developed the municipal grading system
 Created National Board pamphlets that later
became NFPA standards
Factory Mutuals
Organized by New England mill owners
as “not-for-profit” insurance cooperatives
 Limited membership to best-run mills
 Lowered fire risks
 Required annual inspection
 Realized savings of more than 50%
 Formed an inspection branch

Fire Prevention (1 of 3)
Government efforts are limited by public
sentiment, since government officials
are ultimately accountable to the voters.
 In the aftermath of a significant fire loss,
the public may be willing, in fact eager,
to allow increased government intrusion
into their activities.

 This willingness fades over time.
Fire Prevention (2 of 3)

The interest of the business community
in fire prevention goes directly to the
bottom line.
 Many people have looked down on this
motive as coarse and perhaps even
inhumane.
Fire Prevention (3 of 3)

Some of the greatest successes in
protecting property and saving lives
have evolved from the efforts of
businesses to protect their financial
interests.

Protecting property saves lives.
Summary

Our national fire record has historically
been one of the worst in the western
world.

The problem is not a new one.

Our forefathers had the very same
problem, perhaps to a greater degree.