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The Importance of Fire Safety Education

Introduction

With emerging industries such as virtual reality technology, and even existing phenomenon such as children being drawn to fire, fire safety has never been more important than it is now. Fire safety education starts from an early age, and ranges from Fire and Rescue sponsored education programs, to elders teaching children about the benefits and dangers of fire at the stove, fireplace, or even near the barbeque. Overall, many aspects of fire safety education have been sufficient, as can be seen by the functioning of society, but it can be further improved. This article will delve through the ways in which fire safety education has been taught and passed on through the generations, how fire safety education can be improved, and a case study on why fire safety education must be further taught.

How Has Fire Safety Been Passed on Through Generations

Many ways of teaching people about fire and its many aspects have been passed down for many generations over the years. The series of paintings, named Waru Tjukupurra by Jorna Newberry, based on Fire Dreaming stories from Utantja on Pitjantjatjara country, depicts the use of wind and fire to burn portions of the land in a controlled manner. Utantja was used as ceremonial land, and contained a significant water supply, bringing together many people. When more people than usual are present, more food would have been needed to sustain everybody during the ceremony. Fire and wind were then used to chase out animals from the grass, providing opportunity for hunters to catch them for eating. The stories represented through the paintings would have been used to pass on the knowledge of controlling large fires, so that not only can the people benefit from the land in the future, but the greenery becomes more vibrant after the fire. Fire safety education is not only a recent phenomenon and has been spread through mediums such as art and stories long before modern society.

Paintings referenced can be found online here.

Why is Fire Safety Education Important?

Education of Fire Safety must always stay up to date if it is to address design issues in an ever-changing world. Much like the relationship between science and technique is described in ‘The Technological Society’ by Jacques Ellul, the relationship between structures/ structural design and fire safety are symbiotic, in the sense that neither necessarily require each other to improve, but one is held back if the other has not advanced far enough.

How fire safety can be improved

Having asked some senior Fire Safety Engineers in the workplace, the primary roadblock to fire safety education is the gap between professional fire engineering, and theoretical knowledge taught in tertiary institutions. Using the Western Sydney University’s Fire Engineering module as an example, the coursework generally covers fire concepts and modelling, but provides little context on how they apply to real scenarios. A possible way in which this theory-practice gap can be solved coincides with Horace Mann’s 6th principle in ‘The Common School Journal’, where it states ‘that education should be provided by well-trained, professional teachers. To achieve this, the education must be provided by industry professionals, in addition to academics. Preferably, a specific course or extra-curricular opportunities dedicated to engaging with different branches or specialties in the field.

In addition to the professional application of academic knowledge and insights from industry professionals within fire safety, this approach offers significant benefits. It provides students with opportunities to ask questions and engage in vital networking. Upgrading education standards and styles in fire engineering not only raises awareness among aspiring students but also enhances the overall standard of fire engineering.

Case Study

In the modern day, there are still many instances where buildings fail due to fires despite existing fire safety measures (excluding deliberate cases of arson). A notable example is the Grenfell Tower fire. On 14th June 2017, in North Kensington, West London, a fire broke out that resulted in 72 deaths and over 70 injuries. The fire was caused by an electrical fault in a refrigerator on the 4th floor of the 24-storey building. Although this may seem like a minor fault for such a devastating event, it underscores the importance of understanding all the contributing factors that led to this tragedy.In the UK, high-rise buildings are designed with a ‘stay-put’ model, where tenants are expected to stay in their units if a fire does not directly affect them. This model assumes that the walls are built thick enough to contain the fire until the fire brigade can extinguish it, preventing major structural damage. However, Grenfell Tower underwent renovation in 2015-2016, which resulted in the use of flammable cladding, specifically Arconic’s Reynobond PE and Reynolux aluminum sheets, along with Celotex RS5000 PIR thermal insulation. These materials were chosen to save costs.

The building had also failed previous fire risk assessments. Issues included inadequate emergency lighting, expired fire extinguishers, and unchecked firefighting equipment for four years. The tower had only one entry and exit point, and the corridors, which should have been kept clear for egress, were cluttered with rubbish like old mattresses.

Due to these risks, those who escaped early were able to survive the fire, while those who followed the ‘stay-put’ model or attempted to escape later were trapped and affected by the fire. It is important to note that the ‘stay-put’ model failed not because of faulty advice but due to the building’s non-compliant construction.

As highlighted above, despite existing fire safety measures, disastrous events can still occur if required standards are not followed. Therefore, it is imperative that all construction professionals and workers understand and adhere to these standards to prevent such tragedies.

Conclusion

With improved fire safety education being continually enhanced, fire risks can be better understood and mitigated across all industries. The case study of the Grenfell Tower fire starkly illustrates the consequences of neglecting fire safety protocols and underscores the importance of thorough, practical fire safety education. It highlights the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, advocating for the involvement of industry professionals in educational programs to bridge this divide. Enhancing fire safety education through experiential learning and professional engagement not only prepares future engineers but also ensures higher safety standards across all construction and maintenance practices.

In conclusion, while fire safety education has deep historical roots and has significantly contributed to the functioning of society, there is always room for improvement. By updating educational methods and ensuring strict adherence to safety standards, we can better prepare for and prevent future fire-related disasters. Fire safety is a collective responsibility, requiring continuous effort and vigilance from all sectors of society to safeguard lives and properties.

References