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224-4 HOMES AND CAMPS IN FOREST AREAS <br />Foreword <br />This publication has been prq>ared as a guide for of­ <br />ficers of f re agencies for the enactment of necessary <br />regulaiicns. It will also serve tc- acquaint home ov/ners. <br />resort owners, and other* with certain good practices to <br />prevent structural fires in forest areas and damage to <br />valuable timberland and watershed areas. <br />Throughout thp United States and Canada, in forest <br />areas, permanent homes, cabins, summer camps, and <br />resorts are being built in increasing numbers. The crowd­ <br />ing of cities has increased the desire for country living and <br />each year more people are enjoying the beauty and natu­ <br />ral vari^y of forest h ' . <br />This migration t. rests and watershed areas <br />brings a year-round iit< ,>revention problem. Durinr the <br />summer season, particulai ly, fuel and weather ons <br />unite to produce the most hazardous fire situati. <br />When a fire does get started in forest areas it is quite <br />different from the city fire, where discovery and response <br />usually entail short ttavel time. Urbr.i fire departmentr <br />can reach the scene of a fire quickly with adequate equip­ <br />ment, manpower, and water supplies so that they <br />most instances, extinguish a blaze promptly. Sv< <br />seldom the case in forest areas. The light constructii. <br />many homes, the flammable cover growth adjacent to ^ <br />site, the relative inaccessibility to fire fighting apparatu>, <br />and lack of water supplies create a difficult condition. <br />Once a building fire gains headway, total destruction <br />usually results, with the added danger that flying brands <br />may start a fast-spreading forest fire or ignite other near­ <br />by structures. <br />Since the danger also exists that a forest fire may in­ <br />vade the residential area, certain precautions are neces­ <br />sary to protect these structures. Therefore, it u essential <br />that uniform standards and prevention measures be <br />adopted. <br />The National Ffre Codes’^ and other publications of <br />the National Fire Fotpction Association. Inc. are ap­ <br />plicable 'o the consfciw. ion and safeguarding of forest <br />properties and should be followed for detailed fire control <br />and fire safety information. Always check with local <br />authorities regarding building codes. They may vary <br />from none to quite comprehensive, usually on a county <br />basis. <br />Standard for <br />Homes and Camps in Forest Areas <br />NFPA 224-1979 <br />NOTICE: An asterisk (*) following the number or tetter <br />designating a paragraph indicates explanatory materiat an that <br />paragraph in Appendix A. <br />Chapter 1 Introduction <br />1-1* 5c<q>e. This standard contains fire protection ,e- <br />quirements for homes, cottages, camps, multiple oc­ <br />cupancies. and tracts or subdivisions of mobile hemes or <br />recreational vehicles in forest areas where indoor or out­ <br />door fires may endanger life or property. <br />Purpose. This publication is intended to serve as a <br />! tdard for officers of fire control agencies. It can serve <br />basis for regulations in areas not otherwise covered by <br />ir.-zed fire protection and as a practical advisory <br /><id^ V‘»r property owners in forest areas. It will also serve <br />acquaint home owners, resort owners, transients, and <br />..cber forest area owners with specific good practices to <br />prevent structural fires and save life in forest areas and <br />prevent or minimize damage to valuable timberland. <br />grazing land and watershed areas. <br />1-S General. When a fire does get started in fores: <br />areas it is ouite different from the city fire, where <br />discovery and response usually entail short travel time. <br />Urban fire departments can reach the scene of a fire <br />quickly with adequate equipment, manpower, and water <br />supplies so that they can, in most instances, extinguish a <br />blaze promptly. Such is seldom the case in forest areas. <br />The light construction of many homes, framed canvas <br />(plastic) tents, the flanunable cover growth adjacent to <br />the site, the relative inaccessibility to fire fighting ap­ <br />paratus. and lack of water supplies create a dimcult con­ <br />dition. Once a building fire gams headway, totUl desmic <br />lion usually results, with the added danger *.nat flying <br />brands may start a fast-spreading forest fire or if^ite <br />other nearby stnr ^nres. <br />Since the danger also exists tl a a forest fire may in­ <br />vade the iT^ideniial area, cert&i:: ^precautions are neces­ <br />sary to protect these structures. Therefore, h u essential <br />that uniform standards and prevention measures be <br />adonted.