1. INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PREVENTION
Seventh Edition • James C. Robertson
Chapter 12
International Practices
in Fire Prevention
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, Seventh Ed.
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

2. Overview
• Similarities
• Differences
• Lessons to be learned
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

3. Death Statistics
• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• The Netherlands
• Czech Republic
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

4. Fire Death Statistics
• Canada • Russia
– Similar to the – 18,000 fire
United States fatalities annually
– Residential fires – Five times U.S.
• 85% of fatalities rate
• 46% of dollar loss
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

5. Number of Fires
• United States
• The Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• Russia
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

6. Comparison of Fire
Numbers
• United States • Netherlands and
– 2.5 fires per 1,000 United Kingdom
people – .9 fires per 100
people
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

7. Causes of Fires
• Differences in reporting
• Variables
• Challenges in comparisons
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

8. Variables
• Placement of stations
• Units per station
• Construction practices
• Occupancy factors
• Authority to inspect
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

9. Masonry outer wall construction limits conflagration in many countries, thereby permitting close
proximity of structures as found on Santorini Island, Greece. (Photo: Kim Borofka)
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

10. Station Locations
• Europe
– Very few stations compared to size
– More units per station
• American system allows for a faster
application of water
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

11. Occupancy Factors
• Europeans may have lived several
generations in the same house
– More apt to value home
– Renters have less interest
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

12. Fire Prevention Education
and Enforcement
• Japan
• Germany
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

13. Research in New Zealand indicates a major change in flashover time as a result of changes in
furniture construction. (Source: Way Forward New Zealand, Fire Commission)
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

14. Authority for Inspections
• Russia
– Strong fire prevention program
– Inspectors are disciplined for preventable
fires in their territory
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

15. European Fire Prevention
• Many fire preventionalists hold
advanced degrees
• Many come to agency from other
agencies at a management level
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

16. Canadian Fire Safety
• “Learn Not to Burn” program
• Fire Prevention Canada
• Smoke alarms
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

17. Fire Codes
• Application
• Practices
• Procedures
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

18. Summary
• Uniqueness of the United States
• Similarities with other countries
• Possible solutions
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ