NCJ Number
63944
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
SLIDES AND COMMENTARY PRESENT AN ANALYSIS OF THREE MULTIPLE-FATALITY PENAL INSTITUTION FIRES THAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE SUMMER OF 1977 IN ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA; COLUMBIA, TENN.; AND DANBURY, CONN.
Abstract
THESE FIRES RESULTED IN THE DEATHS OF 68 PEOPLE. A SIMPLIFIED FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS APPROACH HAS BEEN TAKEN IN THE ANALYSIS OF EACH OF THESE FIRES. THE SYSTEM EXAMINES FIVE BASIC ELEMENTS: IGNITION CONTROL, FUEL CONTROL, OCCUPANT PROTECTION, DETECTION-SUPPRESSION, AND TRAINING-PLANNING. EACH ELEMENT AFFECTS THE OTHERS TO PROVIDE AN OVERALL LEVEL OF SAFETY. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EACH ELEMENT IN COMBINATION WITH THE OTHERS DETERMINES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE. THIS, IN TURN, DETERMINES THE LEVEL OF FIRE SAFETY ACHIEVED. SECURITY IS THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS, BUT FIRE SAFETY MUST BE PROVIDED WHILE SECURITY IS MAINTAINED. THE ANALYSIS SHOWS HOW ALL OF THESE MAJOR CONCERNS OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS IN EACH OF THE THREE INSTITUTIONS SOMEHOW FAILED TO PREVENT FIRE FROM OCCURRING. FOR SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF EACH FIRE, SEE NCJ 63941-43. THE KIT CONTAINS COLOR SLIDES AND AN AUDIO CASSETTE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--PRG)