Church Administrators & Emergency Planning

Minnesota Department of Public SafetyState Fire Marshal Division

Topics

• Church Fires in Minnesota

• Prevention of Fires

• Fire Protection Systems

• Emergency Planning

Church Fires in Minnesota

• From 2004-2012 (9 years):– 332 fires (37 per year)

– $7,740,706 in property loss ($860,078 per year)

– 23 fires with $50,000 damage or more (94% of the total property loss)

Church Fires in Minnesota

• Most common causes:– Intentional: 37

– Equipment failure: 31

– Act of nature: 12

– Other “accidental” cause: 55

– Cause not listed: 130

Church Fires in Minnesota

• Area of origin (where they start):– Outside area: 35– Kitchens: 11– Assembly / sanctuary: 11– Heating / mechanical spaces: 11– Egress system (halls, entrances, etc.): 9– Storage areas: 9– Bathrooms: 5– Office areas: 4

Preventing Fires

• High Risk Areas for Preventable Fires:– Cooking (how trained are people who cook

in your facilities)

– Candles (keep at least 18 inches from things that can burn – wood, paper, plastic, cloth materials, etc.)

– Heating / mechanical areas:

• Maintenance of equipment

• Combustible storage near heating equip.

Interior Concerns

• Refrain from storing gas-fueled equipment in the building:– Snow blowers, lawnmowers, etc.

– Allowed inside building if stored in separate fire-rated room

• Egress system (corridors, stairs, etc.) blocked with storage

Exterior Concerns

• Keep dumpsters away from buildings

• Storage sheds and outbuildings – keep at least 10 feet from main building

• Wood chip / mulch fires

Fire Protection – Hierarchy of Effectiveness

• Fire sprinkler systems – about 1 church saved each year

• Fire alarm systems – about 2 fires detected each year

• Construction features:– Non-combustible construction – limits

spread– Fire separation walls / doors

• Portable fire extinguishers

Fire Safety & Evacuation Planning

• Required for larger churches:– Multi-use facilities with large reception

spaces, day care, or pre-school functions

– Used exclusively for worship for 2,000 or more occupants (big church!)

– Buildings used for housing and sleeping purposes (Families Moving Forward, Interfaith Hospitality Network, etc.)

Fire Safety Plan – Contents

• Procedure for reporting fires

• Site plans (hydrants, FD access locations, occupant assembly point)

• Identification of responsible persons:– Maintenance of fire protection systems

– Building housekeeping and maintenance (eliminating fire hazards)

• Business interruption considerations

Fire Evacuation Plan – Contents

• Means of notifying occupants of a fire:– Fire alarm system, public address, etc.

– What does it sound like?

• Identification of egress routes

• Procedures for accounting for staff and occupants (primary & secondary means)

• Relocation of occupants

• Reporting the fire to the fire department

Questions