Fire Alert Guidelines

OMB Control Number 3041-0029

Major Fire or Catastrophe Alert
I.

Introduction
A.

Background
In 1982, there were approximately 676,500 residential, structural fires in the
United States, based on data from the U.S. Fire Administration and the
National Fire Protection Association. These fires resulted in almost 5,000
deaths, 44,000 injuries, and $3,253 billion in property loss. Such fires and fire
losses are of major concern to the Consumer Product Safety Commission,
which since its inception has made a strong commitment toward improving fire
safety. A key factor in reducing these fire losses is to learn more about the
hazard scenarios involved. In-depth investigations of these fires should provide
data critical to any regulatory or voluntary action that the Commission should
choose to follow-up to these incidents may be a heightened public awareness of
the Commission and its goal of consumer safety.
It is the purpose of these guidelines to provide information concerning the
investigation of major fires or other catastrophic events involving consumer
products. Such events may require procedures beyond those normally required
for routine investigations, not only because of the need for detailed technical
information about the incident, but also because of the likelihood of the
incident being of high public visibility and importance.

B.

Incidents of Interest
Incidents to which these guidelines apply include:
1.
2.
3.

Fires in commercial buildings, hotel, motels, and public places.
Incidents in which there were multiple losses of life and/or large
property losses.
Incidents that will generate major metropolitan, regional, or national
news interest.

It should be noted that while most of these high visibility incidents will
probably be fires, our interests are not limited to fires. These guidelines
should also be used for other types of serious incidents; e.g., multiple fatalities
due to CO poisoning from residential heating equipment.

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C.

Implementation of the Program
When any Commission employees learns of an incident meeting the criteria
noted above the following procedures are to be followed:
1.

As discussed in the January 13, 1984 memorandum from Jeanne Devers
White to the Regional Office Directors and Resident Posts, the
employee is to immediately (anytime - day or night) notify his/her
Regional Office Director or Director's designate of the incident. The
Director or Director's designate will in turn notify OEX. (See
Attachement 1)

2.

As soon as possible, complete the Major Fire or Catastrophe Alert Sheet
(see Attachment 2) and tele-copy simultaneously to OEX, OPM, EPDS,
HS, ES, and CACA. Resident posts should tele-copy this form to the
same addresses with a copy to their Regional Office.

3.

The field is to proceed with the investigation of the incident on its own
initative, indicating its course of action on the Alert Sheet and by
telephone. (See Attachment 3)
a.
b.

c.

II.

For selected incidents of Commission interest, OEX may indicate
the need for special procedures, on a case-by-case basis.
Any technical directorate desiring further information and/or
sample collection should coordinate these requests through Art
McDonald in EPDS (492-6539). According to established
procedures, CACA will continue to contact the field directly in
cases where there is possible Section 15 involvement.
For all incidents followed up for in-depth investigation, use the
product-specific guidelines detailed in the Commission's 9010.24
In-Depth Investigations Manual (see Attachment 4) where
applicable. Additionally, a combustion toxicity guideline is
currently being developed which should be used where casualties
are believed to have occurred due to the inhalation of
combustion products. For all fire investigations, use the Human
Behavior/Escape from Fire guidelines (Appendix 31 of 9010.24)
where appropriate.

Instructions for Collecting Specific Information
Whenever possible, product-specific guidelines should be used; however, the following
general instructions should apply to most investigations, including those for which a
specific product has not been identified as the cause of the fire.

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A.

Free Text Summary
Please provide a summary of the sequence of events that occurred prior to,
during, or subsequent to the incident. If a sample was collected, be sure to
include the sample collection number in the free text.

B.

Description of Product
1.
2.

3.
C.

Description of Victim Contact with Product
1.
2.

D.

If product is known, see 9010.24 instructions where specific guidelines
exist.
If product is known but specific guidelines do not exist, describe any
interaction between the victim(s) and product(s) involved, and describe
how the interaction was related in any way to the cause of the incident
and/or casualties.

Description of Victim
1.
2.

3.

E.

If product is known, see 9010.24 instructions where specific guidelines
exist.
If product is known, but specific guidelines do not exist, describe the
product(s) directly involved in the incident in detail, also indicating
manufacturer, brand name, model number, age, history of use and
repairs, and any other information that may be relevant to the
investigation. Describe in detail how each product was involved in the
incident.
If product is not known, proceed to D.

Report the type of injury, as well as the age, sex, and long term
prognosis for each of the victims.
Determine if any of the victims were under the influence of alcohol or
drugs at the time of the incident, or if they suffered from any physical
infirmities that may relate to the cause or outcome of the incident.
Describe the location of each victim relative to the location of the point
of ignition, explosion, etc. Also, describe how they were alerted to the
fire, etc. and what actions they took to escape.

Description of Environment
If a fire occurred, describe the room of origin and report the extent of smoke
and flame damage to the room and the rest of the structure (e.g., confined to
the item of origin, floor of origin, entire structure, etc.). Include a description
of other items in the room that burned or smoldered, including the wall,

window and floor coverings. If possible, describe the nature of the fire,
whether primarily smoldering, flaming, or both. If this was a smoldering fire,
try to characterize the smoke produced; e.g. dense, dark smoke, etc. Indicate if
this appeared to be a quickly burning fire (i.e., rapid flame spread). Note the
length of time between ignition and discovery of the fire. Describe the factors
related to the movement of smoke, e.g., open stair wells or forced-air heating
or air conditioning systems.
F.

Fire Detection and Suppression Devices
If a fire occurred, determine whether or not smoke detector(s) were present and
if and when they alerted the victim(s) to the fire. Report the type of detector(s)
- photoelectric or ionization, the number and location of each detector in
relation to the fire, whether they were AC or battery-powered, the age of the
detector(s), manufacturer, brand, model number, and any other information that
may be relevant to the incident or detector(s) involved. If a smoke detector
was present, but did not function properly, try to determine the cause of the
malfunction (e.g., no batteries, dead batteries, etec.). If sprinklers were present
determine their role in the extinguishment of the fire.

G.

Fire Toxicity
Guidelines concerning fire toxicity are currently being developed. Until they
are finalized, the following information should be collected for all fires
involving deaths or injuries which are believed to have occurred due to the
inhalation of combustion products.
1.
2.
3.

4.
5.

Describe the location of each victim relative to the point of origin of the
fire. Use photographs or diagrams wherever possible.
Describe the area immediately around each victim (e.g., burn areas, soot
cover, etc.)
Describe all major furnishings in the room that burned or smoldered,
including the wall, window, and floor coverings. If possible, describe
the nature and amount of smoke produced by these furnishings.
Indicate whether any household chemicals were involved in the fire in
addition to the furnishings involved.
If a fatality occurred, be sure to get a copy of the medical examiner's or
coroner's report, and where available, a copy of the autopsy report. Of
particular interest is information provided from any blood report. Of
particular interest is information provided from any blood chemistry
tests including carboxyhemoglobin levels (COHb). If included in post
mortem reports, provide a description of burn to face and nasal hair,
evidence of soot in upper airways, color of face and hands, and any
evidence of burns or damage to eyes.

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H.

Other
1.

2.

III.

Remember that timeliness of investigation is extremely critical to the
collection of the most complete information about the incident and to
the likelihood of sample collection.
Identify clearly the source of information provided; i.e., the persons with
whom the CPSC investigator spoke or corresponded about the accident.
If a fire occurred, the investigator should contact the fire department
responsible for fighting the fire (normally the department in whose
jurisdiction the fire occurred) for information about the incident and
where possible, obtain a copy of that department's report. In major
fires, several different fire departments may be involved. If a fatality
occurred, the investigator should try to get the medical examiner's or
coroner's report. If an autopsy was performed try to get a copy of the
autopsy report.

3.

Often it is difficult to determine immediately the cause of the incident.
There may be conflicting statements from the fire department, victim,
and other observers or investigators. When this occurs, state clearly
what all parties thought was the cause of the incident as well as any
conflicting opinions. If the investigator has any reason to believe that
statements made by any parties are inaccurate, he or she should give his
or her version of what the scenario and events appeared to be.

4.

It should be remembered that guidelines cannot be expected to cover all
the pertinent factors that may apply to a particular incident. Thus, the
investigator should be sure to include an explanation of any such factors
in the narrative, even if they have not been specificaly mentioned in the
guidelines.

Instructions for Photographing and/or Diagramming Accident Scene and Factors
Related to the Accident Sequence
A.

Photographs or diagrams of the products involved in the incident are very
helpful. If applicable, indicate where ignition occurred, and from where
specific samples were obtained.

B.

A diagram or sketch of the floor plan is important when indicating such things
as room of origin, extent of damage, location of victims, escape routes, or
where escape routes were blocked, movement of smoke, etc.