|
Escape! Because Accidents Happen -- Fire
|
|
Classroom Activity
|
Objective
To research and analyze fire safety strategies
in public and private buildings.
- copy of "Up To Code?" student handout
(HTML)
Organize students into groups and
distribute the "Up to Code" student handout.
Explain that each group will collect data on
how a building is designed to address three facets of fire safety: preventing a fire from occurring and/or spreading, extinguishing a fire and evacuating
people. Groups may choose to investigate a public building (such as a school, mall, cinema or
library) or their own home. (If students choose to evaluate their own home, obtain permission
first from a parent or guardian.) Students can collect data outside of class over a one- to
two-week period.
To help students identify types of data to collect, create a class list of
elements of building design and construction that address fire safety issues. In addition, have students brainstorm a list of places where they could learn about fire safety. (See Resources for some suggestions.) From their brainstorming and research, have groups create two master checklists of fire safety items (one for public buildings and one for private homes) so that data can be compared later.
Have groups gather their information by touring a public building or private home and talking to the person(s) who oversees the property (building manager or parent/guardian).
Once they've gathered their information, have students report their findings. From their lists, compile a final checklist on the board for each type of building. Compare the data and discuss similarities and differences between the checklists and the reasons for them.
Following their building appraisal, have students generate their own rating system, taking the "least safe" of the buildings they compared and proposing changes to increase its safety.
As an extension, students could create a "prototype" building that would be as safe as possible. Students should consider cost factors when designing their building.
As an alternative to having students collect data on a building, invite
an architect to present a building plan and explain fire safety features or talk about aspects of your local building code that deal with fire safety. Students can use their checklists to evaluate the building plan.
As students create their checklists, they might consider the following questions:
What fire safety features are
evident in the building?
(Note: You might want to point
out that some features, such as
fire walls, may not be readily
apparent.)
How many smoke detectors, fire
alarms, fire extinguishers and
fire sprinklers are there? Where
are they located?
How many escape routes are
there and are they free of any
obstructions? Are the escape
routes clearly marked?
Does the building contain any
flammable debris?
When comparing buildings, students might ask themselves:
Do safety features differ
between the two buildings?
If so, why might that be?
How old are the buildings?
Is one building made of more
flammable material than the
other?
What's the appropriate level
of risk for a building? What are
some factors to consider in
evaluating that risk?
Can a building be made 100
percent fireproof?
Below are basic safety features recommended and/or required by the government for homes and public buildings:
Some Safety Features for Homes*
smoke detectors—on every
level, outside all sleeping
areas, tested regularly
planned escape routes
fire screens around working
fireplaces
electricity—frayed wires
discarded, one electrical item
per outlet, appliances in good
condition
combustibles (such as trash,
rags, paper) stored away from
heat-producing equipment
matches and lighters stored
out of children's reach
flammable liquids (such as
turpentine, barbecue lighter
fluid) stored in tightly closed
and labeled containers
portable heating equipment
properly maintained and
located at least three feet
from walls, furniture and
other combustibles
Automatic sprinkler system
Some Safety Features for High-Rises*
- smoke and fire alarm system
- Automatic sprinkler system
- emergency lighting
- emergency exits
- fire lanes around perimeter of building
Organizations
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
The NFPA publishes a catalog of fire safety products, including a fire facts newsletter, a home inspection list, books to help children learn fire safety behaviors and more. For a catalog of educational materials, call
(800) 344-3555.
Web Sites
NOVA Online—Escape: Fire
http://www.pbs.org/nova/escape/
Delves deeper into the program's content and themes with features such as articles, timelines,
interviews, interactive activities, resource links, program transcripts and more.
NFPA Codes and Standards Information
http://www.nfpa.org/Codes/
Includes a history of the development of fire codes and an overview of how codes are created and used.
NFPA Fire Safety Information
http://www.nfpa.org/Education/
Includes a national fire escape
survey, seasonal and home fire
safety tips and a link to mascot Sparky the Fire Dog, who will answer students' questions.
Princeton Review Online
http://www.review.com/career/careerProfile.cfm?id=69&value=dayinlife&bBox=1
Find out what a day in the life of a firefighter is like, what kind of organizations employ firefighters and more in this career profile of a firefighter.
U.S. Fire Safety Administration National Fire Programs
http://www.usfa.fema.gov/safety/sheets.htm
Provides a series of downloadable fact sheets about such topics as the nature of fire, electrical fire prevention, teaching children fire safety, rural fire safety and prevention and more.
The "Up To Code" activity aligns with the following National Science Education Standards:
Grades 5-8
|
Science Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
|
|
Personal health
Risks and benefits
Risk analysis considers the type of hazard and estimates the number of people that might be exposed and the number likely to suffer consequences. The results are used to determine the options for reducing or eliminating risks.
Students should understand the risks associated with natural hazards (fires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions), with chemical hazards (pollutants in air, water, soil and food), with biological hazards (pollen, viruses, bacterial and parasites), social hazards (occupational safety and transportation) and with personal hazards (smoking, dieting, and drinking).
Grades 9-12
|
Science Standard F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
|
|
Personal and community health:
Hazards and the potential for accidents exists. Regardless of the environment, the possibility of injury, illness, disability or death may be present. Humans have a variety of mechanisms—sensory, motor, emotional, social and technological—that can reduce and modify hazards.
|
Fire Safety in High Rises
Find out in this Teachers' Domain video segment (4m 43s) how fire sprinklers and computer systems can work together to help prevent fires.
|
|