Emergency Response Planning and BIM February 18, 2009Greg Jakubowski, P.E., CSP, FSFPEPrincipal - Fire Planning Associates, Inc

ObjectiveEmergency Responders practice the one profession where the workers are generally unfamiliar with the work environment. They race into atmospheres that are likely to be immediately dangerous to life and health with minimal knowledge about the structure, building, layout, hazards or protection features present. To be most effective, with the highest level of safety, they must have pre-incident information about the buildings they are expected to respond to. How can this be achieved through the BIM?

Montreal Case Study1986 Fire Started on 10th FloorBurned for 13 Hours to 16th FloorCouldnt Find Standpipe ConnectionFD Knew for 3 Years Connection was Mislabeled as Sprinkler SystemFD Hooked to Wrong Pipe Broke it Due to Pressure$51MM (Canadian) Settlement

Further DriversNIOSH Firefighter Death Case StudiesISO Requirements for PreplanningIBC Requirements for PreplanningNFPA 1620 Likely to Be a Standard in 2009Which Connection do I Hit?

Further DriversI Hope We Never Have a Fire in That Place

Further DriversI Hope We Never Have a Fire in That Place

Who Has the Information?The Design TeamFire Marshal/Building Code OfficialOld-TimersSomeone Who ForgotThe Other ShiftWe need to Capture This Information and Get it to the Ground Troops!!!

Who Will Use the Information?The First-In Officers - Basic InformationHydrantsSite LayoutImmediate HazardsQUICK ACTION PLANThe Incident CommanderDetailed InformationThe Planning OfficerDetailed Information

What Do Firefighters Need to Know That Might Kill Them?Storage/use of flammable/combustible liquids and gasesHazardous MaterialsCombustible interior finishesTanks or pressure vesselsA structure or faade that is susceptible to early collapsePotential areas of rapid fire spreadHazardous openings in floors/roofsHeavy items on roofs/chimneysSwimming pools, pits or other firefighter trapsBlocked means of egressHazardous areas such as shops, labs, kitchens, storageUse of high magnetic field equipment such as NMR or MRI

Proper Prior Planning Requires Attention to DetailWho Has a Stake in This?Building OwnersBuilding OccupantsDesign/Remodeling TeamsInsurance IndustryThe CommunityThe Responders Themselves

Proper Prior Planning Requires Attention to DetailBest When Done Through Design & ConstructionInclude Annotated Pictures/DiagramsMust Have a Common FormatOnce Completed, Must Be:DocumentedCommunicatedAvailable/SharedKept Updated

What Do We Do With the Info Once We Have It?Catalog it and Make it Available to the Troops!Conduct Virtual WalkthroughsDo ICS Simulation Drills!Be Sure It Is Available When NeededKeep It Updated

PREPLANNING CAN SAVE LIVESLets Get Firefighters, FPEs, A/Es, Building Depts., and Others to Work Together!!!

Questions???

Greg Jakubowski215-380-0404 gregj@fireplanningassociates.com