NCJ Number
79868
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 43 Issue: 5 Dated: (September/October 1981) Pages: 80-84
Date Published
1981
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A discussion of common fire safety hazards in correctional institutions is followed by the presentation of steps which correctional administrators should take in developing and implementing a fire safety plan.
Abstract
A survey of 54 jails in one State revealed that 61 percent had no second means of exit from the housing area, 28 percent had no fire and smoke alarm detection system, and 41 percent conducted no fire drills. Correctional personnel must plan, implement, and monitor an effective program to reduce the changes of fires and for responding swiftly to actual emergencies. A written fire safety plan is crucial to effective fire safety management for correctional facilities. Common fire hazards in correctional facilities include inadequate evacuation routes, inadequate or outdated wiring, synthetic petroleum-based construction and furnishing materials, flammable cleaning and cooking materials, and lack of smoke and heat detection equipment. The dangers found in a correctional facility can be minimized by the activities and training of the staff to prevent human errors during emergencies. Since difficulties with locking mechanisms and keys are the most common problems encountered in fire emergencies, a complete set of clearly identifiable emergency keys should be kept in a security area. Written policies and procedures should cover such topics as preventive inspections, evacuation plans, training for staff and prisoners, temporary prisoner security, and the chain of command. Since 75 percent of all correctional fires are started by prisoners, special attention should be given to risks related to prisoners and to the education of prisoners. In addition, staff should be carefully trained so that written procedures are incorporated into daily operations. Nine legal citations and 13 references are listed.