Foster Care Fire Safety

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Foster Care Fire Safety
Medford Fire Prevention Bureau
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Foster CareFire Safety Training

• What Will You Learn From This?
• Case Studies of Fire Tragedies
• Fire Statistics
• Fire Behavior
• Challenges of Foster Homes
• OARs
• Emergency Planning
• Fire Prevention
• Purpose?
• To reduce the risk of tragedy

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Challenges to Caregiver

• Huge Responsibility and Liability
• 3 minutes to evacuate all occupants
• 15 caregiver to occupant ratio
• Increasing care needs of occupants
• What About Fire?
• Discovering a fire
• Calling 911
• Deciding if you should fight the fire
• How to react to a fire emergency
• Who to evacuate first
• Who to protect in place
• Getting through the smoke and heat

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Medford Foster Home Structure Fire History -
Victims

• January 30, 1985

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Medford Foster Home Structure Fire History -
Victims

• January 30, 1985
• 2 elderly residents died
• 634 AM
• Single story wood framed house
• Husband and wife caretakers normally slept in
  travel trailer at night
• Smoke detectors awakened caretaker asleep on
  couch in the family room
• She saw flames from upper party of kitchen/dining
  room area utility closet
• There was a delay in calling 911 (approx. 15
  minutes)
• The cause of the fire was an electrical problem
  in a forced-air heating unit
• The house contained two working smoke detectors

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Medford Foster Home Structure Fire History -
Victims
January 12, 1995
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Medford Foster Home Structure Fire History -
Victims

• January 12, 1995
• 4 elderly residents died
• 1134 PM
• Single story wood framed house
• Upon arrival 25 flames heavy smoke coming from
  openings
• Two people exited prior to FD arrival-one was the
  caregiver
• The fire originated in a chair of a smoking room
• Oxygen cylinders accelerated the burning
• The caretaker admitted to drinking alcohol and
  falling asleep. She was awakened when she heard
  an explosion
• The house contained 8 smoke detectors-all working
  except one with a missing battery

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Medford Foster Home Structure Fire History -
Victims
For one week the daughter watched their mother
slowly die because of complications from smoke
inhalation. Their mother pleaded the day before
she died I hurt so bad, please help me Her
daughter stated You cannot watch your mother
going through the agony she did for a week and
not be angry
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2009 Medford Structural Fire Statistics

• Structure Fires by Type
• 82 Residential
• 18 Commercial

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2009 Medford Structural Fire Statistics

• Residential Structure Fires by Type
• 64 Single Family Residence
• 7 Duplex
• 19 Multi-Family

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2009 Residential Fire Statistics

• Time of Alarm
• 9 between 1200 AM and 359 AM
• 6 between 400 AM and 759 AM
• 10 between 800 AM and 1159 AM
• 24 between 1200 PM and 359 PM
• 28 between 400 PM and 759 PM
• 23 between 800 PM and 1159 PM

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2009 Residential Fire Statistics

• Areas of Origin
• 33 kitchens
• 6 common rooms (living room, den, family room)
• 6 exterior origins
• Causes
• 80 unintentional
• 10 intentional
• 8 undetermined
• 2 act of nature
• Initial Ignition Heat Sources
• 22 radiated/conducted heat from operating
  equipment
• 14 from powered equipment
• 13 heat from hot ember or ash

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2009 Residential Fire Statistics

• Smoke Alarms
• 54 present and alerted the residents
• 31 did not alert or were not present

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National Residential Fire Statistics-Primary
Victims

• Children
• 2,500 children aged 14 or younger were injured or
  killed in residential fires (2002)
• ½ under the age of 5 and 70 under the age of 10
• Older Adults
• 2,300 adults age 65 or older were injured or
  killed in residential fires (2002)
• 80 between ages 65-84
• 2.5 times more likely to die in a fire than the
  overall population

Source USFA
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National Residential Fire Statistics-Primary
Victims

• Children
• Young children often hide during fires
• Young children may sleep through a sounding smoke
  alarm
• Older Adults
• Older adults may suffer from reduced sensory
  abilities such as smell, touch, vision, and
  hearing
• Inability to smell smoke
• Inability to feel if something is hot
• Inability to see fires or notice fire causes
• Inability to hear smoke alarms or fire sounds
• May suffer from disabilities
• Reduced reaction times

Source USFA
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Medford Fire Deaths

• Most Fire Deaths
• Are caused from smoke inhalation
• Occur between midnight and 800 AM

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Fire Behavior

• Why 3 minutes?
• Studies have shown that the average safe window
  of escape time has been reduced from 17 minutes
  in the 1970s to as little as three minutes
  currently. This change is attributed to the
  widespread use of hydrocarbons in modern
  furniture, such as polyurethane foams. These
  newer fuels cause more rapid fire growth. Smoke
  and products of combustion from these fires
  become deadly in a matter of just a few minutes. 

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Test Fire-Without Sprinklers
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
19

Test Fire-Without Sprinklers
1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200
0
3 Below Ceiling
60 Above Floor
36 Above Floor
Temp.
0 60 120 180
240 300 360
420
Time (sec.)
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
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Test Fire-Without Sprinklers

• A concentration of as little as 0.04 (400 parts
  per million) carbon monoxide in the air can be
  fatal.

PPM
Time (sec.)
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
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Test Fire-With Sprinklers
140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0
3 Below Ceiling
60 Above Floor
36 Above Floor
Temp.

0 60
120 180
240
Time (sec.)
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
22
Test Fire-With Sprinklers
PPM
Time (sec.)
Sources National Fire Sprinkler Association
23
Living Room Fire Test Video
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The Facts-Flashover

• Residents Do Not Survive Flashover
• Caused when the fire spreads very rapidly when
  all combustible items in a room reach their
  ignition temperatures more or less simultaneously
• Flashover can occur in as little as 3-4 minutes1
• Post-flashover fires triple the number of
  victims2
• Most victims in post-flashover fires are found
  remote from the room of origin2

Flashover
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The Facts-Furnishings Fuel Loads

• Heat Release Rates (HRR) (Btu/sec)
• Small wastebasket 4-142
• TV set 114-275
• Cotton mattress 38-921
• Polyurethane mattress 768-2495 (271-2025)
• Cotton easy chair 275-351
• Polyurethane easy chair 1281-1888 (466-538)
• Polyurethane sofa 2960
• Armchair (modern) 332-711
• Recliner (synthetic padding/covering) 474-949
• Christmas tree, dry 474-617
• Pool of gasoline (2 quarts on concrete) 949
• Living room or bedroom fully involved 2846-9487

Sources NFPA 921 Kirks Fire Investigation
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The Facts-Furnishings Fuel Loads
TV 114-275 Btu/sec 5-10 flame height
Wastebasket 4-142 Btu/sec 1-7 flame height
Polyurethane Mattress 768-2495 Btu/sec 11-23
flame height
Desk Chair 142-237 Btu/sec 7-9 flame height
Minimum 497.3 Btu/sec HRR required for flashover
in this typical bedroom
Sources NFPA 921 Kirks Fire Investigation
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The Facts-Fire Smoke Spread Animation
Source NIST
28
The fire room and all contents are completely
destroyed. Heat damage extends throughout the
entire house, burning or melting all items within
5 feet of the ceiling. Smoke has blackened all
contents of the house. Windows and roof vent
holes must be boarded-up. All drywall will need
to be replaced and all contents replaced or
restored. Extensive water damage exists from
firefighting efforts. Average time of
displacement...6 months to a year.
The fire dept. arrives, assesses the situation
applies 250 gpm to fire areas. Windows are
broken and holes are cut in the roof to vent fire
gases and smoke.
Your Fire Scenario
Source Oregon Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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Fire damage is limited to the objects in or near
the initial fire. Heat damage is limited to the
fire room. Heavy smoke damage is limited to the
fire room. Water damage is limited to the
sprinkler flow of 15 gpm (approx. 150 gal total).
Average time of displacement from home...1-2
days.
The fire dept. arrives, assesses the situation
and limits water damage by shutting down the
water supply to the sprinkler system. The fire
department then assists with initial clean-up
operations.
Sprinkler System Fire Scenario
Source Oregon Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Bedrooms
• Bedrooms must be on ground level for individuals
  who are non-ambulatory or have impaired mobility.
  
• Bedrooms must have at least one window or
  exterior door that readily opens from the inside
  without special tools and that provides a clear
  opening of not less than 821 square inches (5.7
  sq. ft.), with the least dimensions not less than
  22 inches in height or 20 inches in width. Sill
  height must not be more than 44 inches from the
  floor level or there must be approved steps or
  other aids to window egress that may be used by
  individuals. Windows with a clear opening of not
  less than 5.0 square feet or 720 square inches
  with sill heights of 48 inches may be accepted
  when approved by the State Fire Marshal or
  designee.

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Smoke Alarms
• Smoke detectors must be installed in each
  bedroom, adjacent hallways leading to the
  bedrooms, common living areas, basements, and at
  the top of every stairway in multi-story homes.
• Ceiling placement of smoke detectors is
  recommended. If wall-mounted, the smoke detectors
  must be between 6" and 12" from the ceiling and
  not within 12" of a corner.
• Alarms must be equipped with a device that warns
  of low battery condition when battery operated.
  All smoke alarms are to be maintained in
  functional condition.
• All smoke detectors must contain a sounding
  device or be interconnected to other detectors to
  provide, when actuated, an alarm which is audible
  in all sleeping rooms.  

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Smoke Alarms are Essential

• Smoke Alarms
• Provide an early warning of a fire developing in
  your home
• Should be on every level of the home, in the
  immediate area outside of the sleeping rooms, and
  in every bedroom
• Should be tested monthly
• Properly placed and maintained smoke alarms
  increase your chances of surviving a fire by 50
• Anyone that has a hearing disability needs a
  visual smoke alarm
• If you discover your child will not wake to a
  traditional sounding alarm, consider installing a
  personalized parent voice alarm  

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Electrical
• Extension cord wiring must not be used in place
  of permanent wiring.  

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Electrical Fires

• Statistics
• Homes more than 40 years old are 3 times more
  likely to catch fire from electrical causes than
  homes 11-20 years old
• Safety measures
• Replace electrical cords that show signs of
  damage, and never coil or walk on cords
• Avoid using extension cords. Use a power strip
  with a built-in circuit breaker instead
• Avoid overloading circuits
• Have an electrician check your house if fuses
  blow or breakers trip frequently
• Have an electrician check your house if you
  frequently experience dimming of lighting
•  

Source USFA
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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Fire Extinguishers
• At least one fire extinguisher, minimally rated
  2A10BC, must be visible and readily
  accessible on each floor, including basements.
• A qualified professional who is well versed in
  fire extinguisher maintenance must inspect every
  fire extinguisher at least once per year. All
  recharging and hydrostatic testing must be
  completed by a qualified entity properly trained
  and equipped for this purpose.  

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What the Oregon Fire Code Says

• Self Preservation
• The ability of building occupants to reach an
  approved predetermined point of safety without
  physical assistance from staff. Self preservation
  may be accomplished with the aid of technical
  devices or assistance animals.
• Assisted Self Preservation
• The capability of a resident to evacuate to a
  point of safety with physical assistance.
• Point of Safety
• Exterior to and away from the structure with
  access to a public sidewalk or street. 

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What the Oregon Fire Code Says

• A Group R-3 residential occupancy, subject to
  licensure by
• the state, where personal care is administered
  for five or
• fewer persons, and whose occupants may require
  assisted self-preservation shall be classified as
  a Group SR-3 occupancy and shall comply with the
  provisions of Appendix SR.
• Group SR-3 occupancies require a residential
  sprinkler system.
•  

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How do I Use a Fire Extinguisher?

• Proper extinguisher use, think PASS
• Pull trigger pin (Stand back several feet away
  from fire)
• Aim low, point the nozzle at the base of the fire
• Squeeze trigger
• Sweep from side to side until the fire appears to
  be out

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Space Heaters
• Use of space heaters must be limited to only
  electric space heaters equipped with tip-over
  protection. Space heaters must be plugged
  directly into the wall. No extension cords must
  be used with such heaters. No freestanding
  kerosene, propane, or liquid fuel space heaters
  must be used in the foster home.  

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Portable Space Heater Fires

• Statistics
• Responsible annually for an average of
• 62,200 fires
• 670 deaths
• 1,550 civilian injuries
• 909 million in property damage
• Primary cause-too close to combustibles

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Portable Heater Safety

• Safety measures
• Keep heaters a minimum of 36 away from
  combustibles
• Plug directly into a wall outlet. Dont use an
  extension cord
• Use only heaters with built-in high temperature
  and tip-over shutoff features
• Do not use un-vented fuel-fired heaters indoors
• Do not hang combustible items to dry over a
  heater
• Turn off portable heaters when family members are
  sleeping or leave the house
• Keep heaters out of high traffic areas and exit
  paths

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Smoking
• No smoking within the Foster Home
• Smoking may be allowed outside only
• Smoking must be a minimum 10 away from doors
  windows

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Smoking

• Statistics
• The leading cause of fire-related deaths
• Accounts for nearly 1/3 of fire deaths in adults
  over age 70
•  
• Safety measures
• Always discard smoldering and spent cigarettes
  properly
• Use large non-combustible deep and tip resistant
  ashtrays
• Never smoke in bed
• Never smoke while using oxygen. Warn visitors not
  to smoke near you.
• Douse cigarettes with water before throwing them
  in the trash
• Always keep matches/lighters out of reach of
  children
•   

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Planning Ahead for Safety
Source (OFC 202)
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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Emergency Evacuation Fire Drills
• The foster provider must be able to demonstrate
  the ability to evacuate all children in foster
  care from the home within three minutes.  
• Required unannounced at least once every 90 days
• Required at least one drill practice per year
  occurring during sleeping hours.
• Drills must occur at different times of the day,
  evening and night, with exit routes being vartied
  based on the location of the simulated fire
• All residents must participate in the evacuation
  drills.
• A new resident placed in foster care must receive
  orientation to basic safety, be shown how to
  respond to a fire alarm, and shown how to exit in
  an

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Emergency Evacuation Fire Drills
• Alternate caregivers and other staff must be
  familiar with the emergency evacuation plan
• Fire drill records must be retained for at least
  two years. Records must contain the following
  information
• Date and time
• Location of similated fire and exit route
• The last names of all individuals and providers
  present on the premises at the time of the drill
• The type of evacuation assistance provided
• The amount of time required by each individual to
  evacuate
• The signature of the provider conducting the
  drill.

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Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans
48
Emergency Evacuation Drills

• Purpose of Fire Drills
• To be ready should an occurrence happen,
  increasing the chanced of survival. A
  disorganized evacuation can lead to confusion,
  injury, death and property damage.

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Home Fire Escape Drills

• Plan Ahead and Practice!
• Establish a safe meeting place.
• Teach your children to crawl on the floor to
  avoid smoke and heat. Show them how to feel the
  door with the back of their hand and to not open
  the door if it is hot to the touch.
• Make sure you have two ways out of every sleeping
  room, and that the windows can be opened easily.
  If the primary route is blocked by smoke or fire,
  you may have to escape through a window.
• Conduct a fire drill at night to determine your
  childs response, and practice until it becomes
  routine.
• Practice home escape drills with your family
  monthly.
• Sleep with bedroom doors closed to provide a
  barrier of protection from smoke and heat
  spreading into your bedrooms.

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Egress
• Hardware for all exit doors and interior doors
  used for exit purposes must have simple hardware
  that cannot be locked against exit and must have
  an obvious method of single action operation.
  Hasps, sliding bolts, hooks and eyes, and double
  key deadbolts are not permitted. Homes with one
  or more individuals who have impaired judgment
  and are known to wander away from their place of
  residence must have a functional and activated
  alarm system to alert a caregiver of an
  unsupervised exit by an individual.

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Egress
• Foster homes must have two unrestricted exits in
  case of fire. A sliding door or window that may
  be used to evacuate a child may be considered a
  usable exit. 
• Barred windows or doors used for possible exit in
  case of fire must be fitted with operable quick
  release mechanisms.
• Every bedroom used by a child in foster care must
  have at least one operable window, of a size that
  allows safe rescue, with safe and direct exit to
  the ground, or a door for secondary means of
  escape or rescue.

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Egress
• All external and inside doors must have simple
  hardware with an obvious method of operation that
  allows for safe evacuation from the home. A home
  with a child that is known to leave their place
  of residence without permission must have a
  functional and activated alarm system to alert
  the foster provider.

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Orientation with 24 hours of arrival
• Basic fire safety
• How to respond to a fire alarm
• How to exit in an emergency

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Fire Drills
• Must demonstrate the ability to evacuate all
  individuals within 3 minutes.
• Must conduct unannounced evacuation drills when
  individuals are present, once every quarter with
  at least one drill per year occurring during the
  hours of sleep. Drills must occur at different
  times of the day, evening. and night, with exit
  routes being varied based on the location of a
  simulated fire. All residents must participate in
  the evacuation drills.
• Written documentation must be made at the time of
  the fire drill and kept by the provider for at
  least two years following the drill.

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
• Must include secure barriers to keep a child safe
  from potential injury and away from exposed heat
  sources.
• Chimneys must be inspected at the time of initial
  certification and if necessary the chimney must
  be cleaned. Chimneys must be inspected annually,
  unless the fireplace and or solid fuel-burning
  appliance was not used through the year of
  certification and may not be used in the future.
• A signed statement by the foster provider and
  certifier assuring that the fireplace and or
  solid fuel-burning appliance may not be in use
  must be submitted to the Division with the
  renewal application if a chimney inspection may
  not be completed.

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Carbon Monoxide Detector
• Must install at least one carbon monoxide detector

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Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• Are needed when you have fuel-fired appliances
• Provide an early warning of a Dangerous CO
  concentrations developing in your home
• According to Oregon Administrative Rules, should
  be located within each bedroom or within 15 feet
  outside of each bedroom door.  Bedrooms on
  separate floors in a structure containing two or
  more stories require separate carbon monoxide
  alarms.
• Should be installed according to manufacturers
  instructions

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Carbon Monoxide

• Statistics
• Responsible annually for an average of
• Over 400 deaths per year
• Over 20,000 emergency room visits
•  
• Safety measures
• Install a CO detector
• Never use portable fueled/unvented heaters in
  your home. These will cause a CO buildup and may
  also deplete the oxygen to dangerously low
  levels.
• Never use a gas oven to heat your home
• Never use charcoal or propane fueled barbeques
  indoors
• Never idle the car in the garage for extended
  periods of time or with the garage door closed
• Never use a generator in your home
• Have your chimney checked or cleaned every
  year. Chimneys blocked by debris can cause CO to
  build up inside your home or cabin.
• Have your fuel-fired appliances inspected by a
  trained technician for proper venting

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DHS Rules for Fire Safety

• Flammable/Combustible Materials
• Must be stored in original properly labeled
  containers
• Must be stored away from any heat source.

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Emergency Planning

• Written Emergency Plan
• Must be practiced at least annually
• May consist of a walk-thru of the duties or a
  discussion exercise dealing with a hypothetical
  event (tabletop exercise)
• Minimum three day food supply
• Evacuation and relocation information
• Must address the needs of the individuals
• Must address instruction and training given to
  caregivers about their duties and
  responsibilities for implementing the emergency
  plan

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Cooking Fires

• Statistics
• Responsible annually for an average of
• 100,000 home fires
• 400 deaths
• 5,000 civilian injuries
• 200 million in property damage
• Primary cause-unattended cooking 

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Cooking Safety

• Safety measures
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Keep combustible material and loose clothing away
  from open flames
• Keep the appliance and cooking area clean
• Use extra caution with cooking oils as they can
  ignite easily
• Always turn the pan handle sideways
•  

63
Cooking Fires

• Statistics
• Cooking is leading cause of burn injuries among
  older people
• Burns
• Treat a burn immediately
• Cool a burn with cool water, never ice
• Cover a burn with a clean, dry cloth or bandage
• Dont use ointment, spray, or butter
• If a burn is larger than your fist, get medical
  help.
• If you have questions about burn injuries, email
  the Oregon Burn Center at cryun_at_lhs.org.
• For life threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1

Source OSFM USFA
64
Candle Safety

• Safety Measures
• Consider a no candle policy
• Use LED candles instead
• If You Must Use Candles
• Blow out candles before leaving the room
• Keep candles away from items that can burn
• Always use sturdy metal, glass or ceramic candle
  holders
• Place candles out of reach of small children and
  pets
•  

65
Candle Fires

• Statistics
• Responsible annually for an average of
• 23,600 home fires
• 165 deaths
• 1,525 civilian injuries
• 300 million in property damage
• Primary cause-unattended candles
•  

66
Clothes Dryer Fires

• Statistics
• Responsible annually for an average of
• 15,500 home fires
• 10 deaths
• 310 injuries
• 84.4 million in property damage.
•  

67
Clothes Dryer Fires

• Safety measures
• Clean the lint screen before every use
• Clean out exhaust vents regularly and check for
  proper airflow
• Use a smooth metal exhaust vent (avoid using foil
  or plastic venting)
• Use a cool-down cycle to prevent the possibility
  of spontaneous ignition
• Do not dry clothing/fabric on which there is
  anything flammable (alcohol, cooking oils,
  gasoline, spot removers, dry-cleaning solvents,
  etc.)
• Cotton fabrics are susceptible to spontaneous
  ignition if they have interacted with oils even
  if they have been laundered with detergent. Any
  fabric that has been exposed to oils should be
  stored in a covered metal container.
•   

68
Holiday-Christmas Tree Fires
Statistics Responsible annually for an average
of - 400 home fires - 10 deaths - 80
injuries - 15 million in property damage.   
69
Christmas Tree Fire Test
70
Holiday-Christmas Tree Fires

• Safety Measures
• Do not use open flames or candles near a
  Christmas tree.
• Do not place the tree near heating vents,
  fireplaces, or other heat
• sources.
• The tree should be removed from the house
  whenever the needles or
• leaves fall off readily when a tree branch is
  shaken or if the needles are
• brittle and break when bent between the thumb
  and index finger.
• The tree should be checked daily for dryness.
  Check the water level
• daily. A 6 tree will consume approximately 1
  gallon of water every two
• days. If it is not consuming water, then it is
  drying.
• Make sure the stand is secure and stable.
• Do not place the tree near an exit.
• Check the wiring and lights for defects before
  they are hung on the tree.
• Miniature lights are recommended, as they use
  less power and produce
• less heat.
•    

71
How Will You React to a Fire?
72
What to Do in a Fire

• In case of fire, think RACE
• Rescue all persons in immediate area
• Alarm announce the fire- Pull alarm and dial
  911
• Confine the fire by closing doors
• Evacuate/Extinguish the fire if possible
• Do not
• Try to fight the fire
• Attempt to re-enter a burning home

Sources Oregon Fire Code, NFPA, OSHA, and
Numerous Business Emergency Plans.
73
What If I Am Unable to Get Out?

• Create an area of refuge for yourself
• Seal the room
• Use wet cloth to stuff around cracks in doors and
  seal up vents to protect against smoke
• Do not break the windows
• Flames and smoke can come back in from the
  outside. If you need air, open the window a crack
• Stay low under the smoke
• The freshest air is near the floor. Keep a wet
  cloth over your nose and mouth and breath through
  your nose only
• Signal for help
• Use the telephone, or hang something out the
  window

Sources Fire Safety for Older Persons, Seattle
Fire Department.