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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 2016)
vernonia rural fire protection district october20 2016 Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Fire Safety in Manufactured Homes About manufactured homes - Manu- factured homes (sometimes called “mo- bile” homes) are transportable structures that are fixed to a chassis and specifical- ly designed to be towed to a residential site. They are not the same as modular or prefabricated homes, which are factory- built and then towed in sections to be in- stalled at a permanent location. In order to distinguish between modular, prefabricated and recreational trailer homes, the following definition for a manufactured home from http:// www.nfpa.org/501: A structure, transportable in one or more sections that in the travel- ing mode is 8 body-ft (2.4 m) or more in width or 40 body-ft (12.2 m) or more in length or that on site is 320 sq. ft. or more, is built on a permanent chas- sis, is designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation, whether or not connected to the utili- ties, and includes plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein. Such terms shall in- clude any structure that meets all the requirements of this paragraph except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily files a certification required by the regulatory agency. Calculations used to determine the number of square feet in a structure are based on the structure’s exterior di- mensions, include all expandable rooms, cabinets, and other projections contain- ing interior space, but do not include bay windows. The federal government regu- lates the construction of manufactured housing. Since 1976, manufactured homes have been required to comply with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) manufac- tured housing construction and safety standards, which cover a wide range of safety requirements, including fire safe- ty. Post-1976 manufactured homes bear a label certifying compliance with these standards. The HUD standard has been en- hanced over the years and the HUD “Fi- nal Rule” for smoke alarms in manufac- tured homes is largely based upon NFPA 501. Today, new construction of manu- factured housing is required to contain, among other provisions: • factory installed hard wired or 10-year battery source, interconnected smoke alarms with battery back-up (including alarms inside or immediately adjacent to all rooms designated as sleeping ar- eas, top of the stairs and on the basement ceiling near the stairs) • provisions for special devices for hear- ing and visually impaired persons NFPA’s national fire data indi- cate that manufactured homes built to HUD standards (post-1976 construc- tion) have a much lower risk of death if fire occurs compared to pre-standard manufactured homes. The latest data (2007-2011) also shows that the overall fire death rate per 100,000 housing units is roughly the same for manufactured homes and for other one- or two-family homes. Despite the federal requirements for factory-installed smoke alarms (and the fact that eight out of ten manufac- tured homes, and seven out of ten manu- factured home fires, now involve post- HUD-Standard units based on 2007- 2011 data), 51 percent of fires in manu- factured homes were reported as having no smoke alarms present. This suggests a problem with detection devices being removed by occupants. Safety Tips To increase fire safety in manufactured homes, NFPA offers the following guidelines: Choose a HUD-certified manufac- tured home - If you are in the market to purchase or rent a manufactured home, select a home built after 1976 that bears the HUD label certifying compliance with safety standards. Keep smoke alarms working - Never remove or disable a smoke alarm. If you experience frequent nuisance alarms, consider relocating the alarm further away from kitchen cooking fumes or bathroom steam. Selecting a photoelec- tric smoke alarm for the areas near- est kitchens and baths may reduce the number of nuisance alarms experienced. As an alternative, NFPA 501 permits a smoke alarm with a silencing means to be installed if it is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance. Test all smoke alarms at least once a month by push- ing the “test” button. It is not necessary to use smoke or a real flame to test the smoke alarm’s operability, and it is risky to do so. Replace batteries at least once a year, and when the alarm “chirps,” sig- VRFPD Board President Terry Lindauer welcomed new Training Captain Will Steinweg at his swearing in ceremony last month. naling low battery power. Occasionally dust or lightly vacuum smoke alarms. Make sure you have enough smoke alarms - If your older manufactured home does not have smoke alarms in or near every sleeping room and in or near the family/living area(s), immediately install new alarms and fresh batteries to protect these rooms. For the best pro- tection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. Plan your escape - Know ahead of time how you will get out if you have a fire. Develop an escape plan which in- cludes having an alternate exit out of ev- ery room. Make sure you can open and get out of windows and doors. All post- HUD Standard manufactured homes are required to provide windows designed for use as secondary escape routes for the bedroom. Familiarize yourself with their operation and don’t block access to them. Immediately fix any windows that have been painted or nailed shut, doors that are stubborn or “stuck,” and locks that are difficult to operate. Security bars or grates over windows or doors should have quick-release devices installed in- side, which allow you to open them in an emergency. Hold a fire drill twice a year to rehearse how you will react if the smoke alarm sounds. Electrical - Hire a licensed electrician if you notice flickering lights, frequent blown circuits, or a “hot” smell when us- ing electricity. Use extension cords for temporary convenience, not as a perma- nent solution. Avoid overloading electri- cal receptacles (outlets). Electrical cords should not be run under carpets or rugs, as the wires can be damaged by foot traf- fic, then overheat and ignite the carpet or rug over them. Ground-fault circuit interrupters reduce the risk of electrical shock and should be installed by elec- tricians in kitchens and baths. Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters monitor electric cir- cuits for arcing and should be installed by electricians on bedroom circuits. Cooking - Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires in U.S. homes. Supervise older children who cook and stay in the kitchen when heat- ing anything on the stove. Keep cooking surfaces clean and place anything that can burn well away from the range. Heat oil slowly and know how to slide a lid over a pan if you experience a grease 15 fire. Read more cooking safety tips. Heating - Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. When purchasing new space heat- ers, select appliances with automatic shut-off switches. Kerosene heaters are illegal for home use in some jurisdic- tions. Check with your local fire depart- ment before purchasing a kerosene heat- er. Turn off portable space heaters before falling asleep or when leaving the room. Refill kerosene heaters outdoors, after the heater has cooled down. Supervise children and pets when space heaters are operating. Read more heating safety tips. Walls - All post-HUD Standard manu- factured homes are required to have wall linings that do not promote rapid flame spread, with special protection around primary heating and cooking equip- ment, such as the furnace and cooking range. Presently, gypsum wallboard has replaced plywood wall paneling and wood based ceiling panels in the fabrica- tion of manufactured housing walls and ceilings. This action has dramatically reduced the impact of fires in manufac- tured homes. Do not mount anything on the walls – such as paneling, drapery, or wall hangings – that would reduce this protection, especially near major heat sources. Smoking - If you have smokers in your home, ask them to smoke outside. Wher- ever people smoke, set out large, non-tip ashtrays on level surfaces and empty them frequently. Thoroughly douse butts with water before discarding. Check around and under cushions for smolder- ing butts. Read more smoking safety tips. Protect yourself from intruders - In- stall outdoor lighting to deter intruders, including would-be arsonists. Keep gas- oline, charcoal lighter and other flam- mable liquids locked in an outdoor shed. Don’t store items underneath your home. Store firewood away from your home and keep trash and other flammable de- bris cleaned up. Report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Information obtained from NFPA.org. Calls responded to September 1-30 Fire Emergency Medical Service Hazardous Condition Service Call Good Intent Severe Weather & Natural Disaster Special Incident No Emergency Found False Alarm Total 0 42 4 11 2 0 0 0 1 60
