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224 4 HOMES AND CAMPS IN FOREST AREAS Foreword This publication :ias been prepared as a guide for of- ficers of fire agencies for the enactment of necessary regulations. it will also serve to acquaint home owners, resort owners, and others with certain good practices to prevent structural fires in forest areas and damage to valuable timberland and watershed areas. Throughout the United States and Canada, in forest areas, permanent homes, cabins, summer camps, and resorts are being built in increasing numbers. The crowd- ing of cities has increased the desire for country living and each year more people are enjoying the beauty and natu- ral variety of forest lands. This migration to the forests and watershed areas brings a year-round fire prevention problem. During the summer season, particularly, fuel and weather conditions unite to produce the most hazardous fire situation. When a fire does get started in forest areas it is quite differt nt from the city fire, where discovery and response usually entail short travel time. Urban fire departments can reach the scene of a fire quickly with adequate equip- ment, manpower, and water supplies so that they can, in most instances, extinguish a blaze promptly. Such is seldo-i the case in forest areas. The light construction of many homes, the flammable cover growth adjacent to the site, the relative inaccessibility to fire fighting apparatus, and lack of water supplies crt o, e a difficult condition. Once a building fire gains headway, total destruction usuJly results, with the added danger that flying brands may start a fast -spreading forest fire or ignite other near- by structures. Since the danger also exists that a forest fire may in- vade the residential area, certain precautions are neces- sary to protect these structures. "Fherefore, it is essential that uniform standards and prevention measures be adopted. The National Fri- Codes'T and other publications of the National Fire rrotection Association, Inc. are ap- plitable to the construction and safeguarding of forest properties and should be followed for detailed fire control and fire safety information. Always check with local authorities regarding building codes. They may vary from none to quite comprehensive, usually on a county basis. Standard for Homes and Camps in Forest Areas NFPA 224-1979 NO ME An asterisk (1) follouling the number or letter designating a paragraph indicates explanatory material on that paragraph in Appendix .4. Chapter 1 Introduction 1-1• Scope. This standard contains fire proe•ction re- quirements for homes, cottages, camps, multiple oc- cupancies, and tracts or subdivisions of mobile homes or recreational vehicles in forest areas where indoor or out- door fires may endanger life or property. 1-2 Purpose. This publication is intended to serve as a standard for officers of fire control agencies. It can serve as a basis for regulations in areas not otherwise covered by organized fire protection and as a practical advisory guide for property owners in forest areas. It will also serve to acquaint home owners, resort owners, transients, and other forest area owners with specific good practices to prevent structural fires and save life in forest areas and prevent or minimize damage to valuable timberland, grazing land and watershed areas. 1-3 General. When a fire does get started in forest areas it is quite different from the city fire, where discovery and response usually entail short travel time. Urban fire departments can reach the scene of a fire quickly with adequate equipment, manpower, and water supplies so that they can, in most instances, extinguish a blaze promptly. Such is seldom the case in forest areas. The light construction of many homes, framed canvas (plastic) tents, the Ilammable cover growth adjacent to the site, the relative inaccessibility to fire fighting ap- paratus, and lack of water supplies create a difficult con- dition. Once a building fire gains headway, total destruc tion usually results, with the added danger that flying brands may start a fast spreading forest fire or ignite other nearby structures. Since the danger also exists that a forest fire may in- vade the residential area, certain precautions are neces- sary to protect these structures. Therefore, it is essential that uniform standards and prevention measures be adopted.