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224 4
<br />t 10%ltti AND (A\r PS 1% t()HI %I %Ri Ati
<br />Foreword
<br />This publication has been prepared as a ;. uide for of
<br />ficers of fire agen ies for the enactment of necessary
<br />regulations. It will also serve to acnt)aint home owners,
<br />resort owners, and :•hers with cr itai.l good practices to
<br />prevent structural fires in fores, areas and damage to
<br />valuable timberland and .vatershed ateas.
<br />Throughout the United States and Canada, in forest
<br />areas, perm.tnent homes, cabins, summer c2rnps, and
<br />resorts are being built in increasing numbers. The crowd-
<br />ing of cities has increased the desire fi, country living and
<br />each year more people are enjoying the beauty and nartt•
<br />ral variety of forest lands.
<br />This migration to the forests and watershed areas
<br />brings a year round fire prevention problem. During the
<br />sumt.ier seasmi, particularly, fuel and weather conditions
<br />unite to produce the most hazardous fire situation.
<br />When a fire does get &tatted in forest areas it is quite
<br />different from the cite fire, where discovery and response
<br />usually entail short travel time. Urban fire departments
<br />can reach the scene of a fire quickly with adequate equip-
<br />ment, manpower, and water supplies so that they can, in
<br />most instances, extinguish a blaze promptly. Such is
<br />seldom the case in forest areas. The light construction of
<br />many homes, the flammable cover growth adjacent to the
<br />site, the relative inaccessibility to fire fighting apparatus,
<br />an,' 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-sp.eading 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 is essential
<br />that uniform standards anti prevention measures be
<br />adopted
<br />The National Fire t;odei'a and other publications of
<br />the National Fire Protection Association. Inc are ap-
<br />plicable t,.) the construction and safeguarcfin of forest
<br />properties and should he followed for detailed fire control
<br />and fire safety information. Always check with local
<br />authorities regarding building codes. Thev may vary
<br />from noire to quite comprehensive, usually on a county
<br />basis
<br />Standard for
<br />Homes and Camps in Forest Areas
<br />NFPA 224-1979
<br />.`Y1ME .4n asterish I.1 follouang the number or letter
<br />drstgnattng a paragraph indicates explanatory matrrsat on that
<br />paragraph to .4ppendtx :4
<br />Chapter 1 Introduction
<br />1-1• Scope. This standard contains fire protection re-
<br />quiremrnts for homes, cottages, camps, multiple cx-
<br />cupancies, and tracts or subdivisions of mobile homes or
<br />recreational vehicles in forest areas where indoor (,r out-
<br />door fires may endanger life or property.
<br />1-2 Purpose. This publication is intended to serve as a
<br />standard for officers of fire control agencies. It can serve
<br />as a basis for regulations in areas not otherwise covered by
<br />organized fire protection ss a practical advisory
<br />guide for property owners 1r .t areas It will also serve
<br />to acquaint home owners owners, transients, and
<br />other forest area owners specific good practices to
<br />prevent structural fires and ,Ave life in forest arc as and
<br />prevent or minimize damage to valuable timberland,
<br />grazing land and watershed areas.
<br />1-3 General. When a fire does get started in forest
<br />areas it is quite diffe—nit from the city fire, where
<br />discovery and response usually entail short travel time.
<br />Urban fire .irpartinents can reach -he scene of a fire
<br />quickly Witt, ad yyuate equipment, manpower, and water
<br />supplies so thatcttt-y can, in most instances, extinguish a
<br />blazr promptly. Such is seldom the case in forest areas.
<br />The light construction of manv homes, framed canvas
<br />(plastid tents. the flammable cover growth adjacent to
<br />the site, the relative inaccessibility to fire fighting ap
<br />paratus, and lack of water supplies create a difficult con
<br />dition. Onr. a budding fire gams headway, total destruc-
<br />tion usually results, with the added danger that flying
<br />brands may start a fast spreading forest fire or ignite
<br />rather nearby structures
<br />Since the danger also exists that a forest fire may in
<br />vade the residential area, certain precaut:ons are neces
<br />sary to protect these structures. Therefore. it is essential
<br />that uniform standards and prevention measures he
<br />adopted
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