Four E’s of Fire Prevention

The 1871 Great Chicago Fire happened on Oct. 9 and was blamed on Mrs. O’Leary’s hapless, and in hindsight innocent, cow. So, for the past 90 years, the week surrounding Oct. 9 has been recognized as National Fire Prevention Week.
I remember Fire Prevention Week activities at school consisting of firefighters dropping a mannequin from a ladder into a net and a stern warning not to play with matches or lighters. Of course, there was also a firefighter showing off his cool pull-up rubber boots and coat, all topped off by a shiny metal helmet. The fire service has come a long way in its fire prevention message and delivery.
Fire has played a pivotal role in the development of our community. Today Columbia is home to the University of Missouri’s flagship campus, but a fateful January night in 1892 almost brought an end to Columbia holding that distinction. When Academic Hall burned, state legislators were concerned that Columbia lacked an organized fire department and adequate fire protection water supplies. The legislature considered moving the university to Sedalia.
In 1909, history repeated itself on the north end of Eighth Street when fire destroyed the Boone County Courthouse and left only the columns. Although the columns provide us with scenic landmarks, they’re also a reminder that fire is potentially devastating to a community.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the total cost of fire in the United States in 2008 was $362 billion, or roughly 2.5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Economic loss accounted for $20.1 billon, net insurance costs were $15.2 billion, and new building costs totaled $62.7 billion.
Fire prevention is based on four pedestals known in professional circles as the Four E’s: Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Evaluation.

Engineering

When a building or remodeling project is proposed, engineered building and fire protection plans are submitted to the city of Columbia for code review. This plan review is vital to ensuring that the building meets minimum safety and construction standards. The results of cutting corners on initial safety features can be tragically more expensive latter on.

Education

The Columbia Fire Department conducts more than 1,000 annual inspections of the roughly 5,000-plus buildings and business suites in the city. While conducting fire code inspections, we help customers understand how codes prevent fires and mitigate its danger should a fire occur. Although each component of fire prevention is important, we believe the education is critical. When people understand how an investment in prevention can save them time and money, we all benefit.

Enforcement

The Columbia Fire Department works closely with businesses to ensure they understand the code issues identified during a fire inspection. We believe that a “willful compliance” approach — where the business owner understands the issues, solutions and the monetary investments needed — can help ensure that they stay in business. Statistically, a business that suffers a fire loss is at a high risk of not being able to recover and remain in business. Even businesses that are well insured fall into this risk category.

Evaluation

How fire codes are interpreted and applied ensures community acceptance and enhances code development and implementation. Fire codes, as well as building codes, electrical codes, etc., are updated every three years or so. City Council appoints a building and codes construction commission with members who work in the building, fire, electrical, plumbing and engineering trades. Their task is to review the codes in a series of public meetings and ensure that they are acceptable to the community. The City Council then must decide whether to adopt the codes as an ordinance.
If a business or building owner feels that a code inspector has not interpreted a fire code correctly or there is equal alternative to what the code prescribes, the Codes Commission evaluates the proposal and has the power to issue a formal ruling.