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Chapter 1 Flashcards

The Basis of Fire Prevention (85 cards)

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1
Q

What happened on this date?

1500 B.C.

A

Hero of Alexandria invents the first fire pump (a giant syringe).

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2
Q

What happened on this date?

24 B.C. (Rome)

A

Emperor Augustus forms the “Vigiles,” a group of firefighters from slaves. Their motto was “Semper Vigilans” (Always Vigilant).

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3
Q

What happened on this date?

872 A.D. (France)

A

Passing of the “curfew” law, originally meaning “cover fire,” requiring fires to be put out or controlled at night.

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4
Q

What happened on this date?

1189 (England)

A

Law passed requiring new buildings to have stone walls and slate roofs to reduce fire spread.

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5
Q

What happened on this date?

1240 (Flanders) & 1736 (South Carolina)

A

Early approaches to fire insurance (community pool in Flanders, first firm in America)

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6
Q

What happened on this date?

October 6, 1871

A

The Great Chicago Fire (Mrs. O’Leary’s cow) and the Peshtigo brush fire. Anniversary date for annual Fire Prevention Week.

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7
Q

What happened on this date?

1903

A

Iroquois Theatre fire, killing 570 people, leading to new standards for drapes/curtains.

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8
Q

What happened on this date?

April 18, 1906

A

San Francisco Earthquake and the resulting massive fire, requiring block-by-block firefighting.

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9
Q

What happened on this date?

1911

A

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, killing 143 employees and highlighting issues with building construction and exits.

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10
Q

What happened on this date?

1942

A

Coconut Grove fire, killing 492 people, leading to standards for exits opening in the direction of escape and focus on building conditions.

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11
Q

What happened on this date?

1970s

A

Publication of “America Burning” and formation of the NFPCA (later USFA) to address the nationwide fire problem.

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12
Q

Hero (of Alexandria)

A

Invented the first recorded “fire pump” (c. 1500 B.C.)

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13
Q

Augustus

A

Roman Emperor who formed the “Vigiles” firefighters (24 B.C.).

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14
Q

William the Conqueror

A

Passed a major “curfew” law in 1066.

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15
Q

Benjamin Franklin

A

Promoted “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” linked fire prevention/protection to insurance, established organized fire brigades in Philadelphia, created “Fire Marks.”

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16
Q

Andrew Gratacap

A

Leather craftsman who designed an early, distinctive American fire helmet in the late 1700s.

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17
Q

Moses Latta

A

Built the first steam-powered fire pumper used by a paid fire department in Cincinnati (1854).

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18
Q

William Channing

A

Developed a telegraph fire alarm system around the time paid departments began.

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19
Q

John Parmalee

A

Invented the automatic fire sprinkler system, leading to the development of Fire Protection Engineering.

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20
Q

Define

Vigiles

A

Early organized firefighters in Rome, formed by Emperor Augustus from slaves

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21
Q

Define

Curfew

A

Originally from French law (“cover fire”) requiring cooking/heating fires to be controlled at night; an early fire prevention regulation.

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22
Q

Define

Fire Marks

A

Lead symbols placed on colonial homes insured by specific fire companies (Benjamin Franklin’s idea).

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23
Q

Define

Bucket Brigade

A

An early, basic firefighting method where people passed buckets of water in a line; gradually replaced by pumpers.

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24
Q

Define

Hand Pumper

A

Mechanical device (like the Newsham pumper) used to squirt water on fires, replacing bucket brigades; required many people to operate.

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25
# Define Steam Pumper
Steam-powered fire apparatus that replaced large numbers of men needed for hand pumpers; required horses to pull due to weight.
26
# Define Fire Zouaves
A group formed from New York firefighters who volunteered to fight in the Civil War (noted for courage and high casualties)
27
# What is... Scorched Earth Policy
Military tactic used in wars (like the American Revolution and Civil War) where retreating forces burn everything that might help the enemy.
28
# What is... Catastrophic Theory of Reform
The idea that major fire disasters often reveal flaws and lead directly to significant changes and improvements in fire safety standards and regulations
29
# Define Fire Protection Engineering
A field developed after the invention of the automatic sprinkler, focusing on the science and design of fire safety systems and building construction.
30
Volunteer Fire Company
Early firefighting organization in America where citizens served voluntarily when alerted; the basis of the fire service before paid departments in large cities.
31
Paid Fire Fighters / Paid Fire Department
Professional firefighters who are paid for their service, replacing volunteers in many larger cities starting in the mid-1800s due to issues with the volunteer system and technological changes.
32
What organization, formed by insurance companies, first published recommended building codes in the late 1800s?
National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU)
33
Name three key regional model code organizations that emerged in the 20th century.
BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators International), SBCCI (Southern Building Code Congress International), ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials)
34
# What happened on this date? 1666
Great fire of London
35
# Name their impact Massachusetts colony
Outdoor smoking ban
36
National Board of Fire Underwriters’ accomplishments
System of fire prevention and protection used today Funding rewards for conviction of arsonists Developed guidelines Municipal water supplies Firefighting apparatus
37
What is the nongovernmental entity that has had a significant impact on fire prevention through the development of regulations?
Insurance industry
38
# Define Factory Mutual Insurance Company, known as FM Global
one of the leading companies in the world in providing insurance to highly protected risk property owners.
39
The Great Chicago fire destroyed how many businesses and killed how many people?
17,500 buildings destroyed 300 killed
40
In 1850, how did the alarm boxes work?
The person would pull the lever. It is connected to the fire house by telegraph.
41
What put out the Great Chicago Fire?
A Rain storm
42
What magnatude was the 1906 San Fran Earthquake?
8.2
43
How did they stop the San Fran earthquake fire?
They destroyed some buildings to create a barrier | The hydrants worked here ## Footnote Rain eventually put it out
44
Why couldnt the firefighters in the San Fran Earthquake Fire put out the fire?
The watermains broke so they had no water
45
Indirect Costs of Fire
Hidden/secondary consequences & expenses caused by a fire (e.g., lost business, lost jobs, relocation). Not direct property damage or firefighting expenses.
46
Direct Costs of Fire
Tangible financial losses directly resulting from a fire incident: Property damage (structure, contents) Injury and death costs (medical, funeral, lost wages) Fire suppression expenses (fire department resources, water, etc.)
47
Personal Costs of Fire
* Injury, death, and related medical/emotional trauma * Loss of home, belongings, and sentimental items * Psychological distress (PTSD, anxiety, grief) * Displacement and disruption of daily life * Financial burdens (even with insurance, deductibles, temporary housing, etc.) * Loss of security and sense of safety
48
community costs of fire
* Strain on public services (fire, EMS, police, utilities) * Economic losses (business disruption, job loss, reduced tax revenue) * Environmental damage (air/water pollution, habitat destruction) * Disruption of infrastructure and essential services   * Negative impact on community morale and tourism * Potential increase in insurance rates for the area * Cost of rebuilding and recovery efforts
49
In 1066, William the Conqueror decreed that all home fires were to be extinguished and covered every evening at a time signaled by the ringing of a bell. This eventually led to the concept of:
curfew
50
Founded in 1735, the first fire insurance company in the American colonies was called
Charleston’s Friendly Society for the Mutual Insurance of Houses Against Fire.
51
Following the Great Fire of London, Nicholas Barbon formed a group for the insurance of buildings against fire. It grew into:
The London Fire Office.
52
# Define Conflagration
A large, destructive fire that spreads rapidly over a wide area, often defying control efforts and crossing natural or man-made barriers
53
# Define Rattle Watch
a group of volunteers who patrolled streets at night, using large wooden rattles to sound the alarm upon discovering a fire or other emergency. It was an early form of fire detection and community alert system.
54
What was the impact of hostile fire on civilization?
A rampant fire had the potential to destroy an entire city or town.
55
Where do the first records of fire prevention and protection date back to?
Ancient Rome
56
What significant event in American history highlighted the need for improved fire prevention?
The Great Chicago Fire (1871)
57
How did early fire prevention efforts by state and local governments primarily manifest?
Ordinances that prohibited storage or use of flammable materials and limited hazardous occupations/combustible construction.
58
What industry played a significant role in early fire prevention and protection efforts?
The insurance industry.
59
What was the mission of the NBFU?
To establish the stock insurance industry; later, efforts turned to developing guidelines for municipal water supply/firefighting apparatus and fire prevention/protection standards.
60
What does Mutual Fire Insurance refer to?
A not-for-profit system where policyholders are members of the company, and premiums exceed losses/surplus funds are distributed among members.
61
What does Stock Fire Insurance refer to?
Insurance provided by commercial, for-profit companies, such as the insurance companies whose executives founded the NBFU.
62
According to the text, what has been a significant factor in reducing fire fatalities and injuries since the 1970s?
Success in fire prevention and protection.
63
How does the insurance industry impact fire prevention?
Through the development of regulations.
64
Historically, how did the United States' fire record compare to other parts of the Western world?
It was among the worst.
65
Despite reducing fatalities/injuries, how does the current U.S. fire death rate still compare to many European countries?
Still significantly higher.
66
The Great Chicago Fire is described as one of the most famous examples of what in American history?
Conflagrations (large, disastrous fires)
67
Early fire prevention efforts by state and local governments usually occurred after what?
Aftermath of a devastating fire.
68
Besides prohibiting flammable materials and limiting hazardous occupations, what else did early ordinances often regulate?
Combustible construction.
69
What organization, mentioned as comprised of experienced fire prevention/protection engineers, conducted insurance inspections?
The National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU).
70
What was a primary goal of the fire insurance companies and the NBFU concerning insuring property?
Insuring only well-built and well-maintained properties.
71
What did performing periodic inspections help insurance companies determine?
The effect of improving fire-safe construction and promoting good fire prevention practices.
72
The mission of the NBFU was initially to establish the stock insurance industry; however, what happened when those efforts proved "futile"?
They directed their efforts toward funding rewards for arson convictions and developing guidelines for municipal fire services.
73
What standards does the NBFU's present-day system of fire prevention and protection include?
Construction and fire safety codes, municipal water supply, fire apparatus, municipal fire alarm systems, fire departments, and the fire insurance rating system.  
74
Where did the stock insurance companies, as a system of factory mutuals, evolve from?
Small groups of New England cotton mill owners.
75
# Define Conflagration
A very large, destructive fire that defies control and causes extensive damage over a large area.
76
# Define Mutual fire insurance
A nonprofit system in which all policyholders are members of the company; when premiums exceed losses, surplus funds are distributed among the members.
77
Name three national reports on fire protection and prevention from the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
While the text specifically mentions "America Burning" (1973), other notable reports include "America Burning Revisited" (1987) and reports from organizations like the NFPA and USFA.
78
What term describes for-profit fire insurance companies?
Stock fire insurance companies.
79
What term describes fire insurance companies formed as nonprofit entities by groups?
Mutual fire insurance companies (or factory mutuals)
80
Which group developed the National Building Code in 1905?
The National Board of Fire Underwriters (NBFU).
81
Whose interests are protected when FM Global engineers inspect industrial facilities?
The policyholders' interests (their clients).
82
What was the original mission of the NFPA?
To standardize fire protection procedures and equipment, particularly concerning automatic sprinklers and electrical systems, leading to the development of codes and standards
83
What was the original mission of the NBFU?
To establish the stock insurance industry and later, to develop guidelines for municipal fire services and fire prevention standards.
84
# True or flase Each year, fires kill more Americans than all other natural emergencies combined, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes;
True
85
What percent of fire deaths occur in residences?
80%

Fire Prevention (5 decks)

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