FFP 1505 - Fire Prevention

College of Public Safety Administration

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2021 (595)

Course Description

This course is a survey of the principles of fire prevention and investigation. It includes a study of fire hazards in various occupancies; a review of fire prevention codes; a study of procedures and techniques of fire prevention inspection, public relations, methods of determining the area of fire origin, fire cause, fire spread and location and preservation of evidence.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will be able to describe the qualifications, duties and responsibilities of a Fire Inspector related to:
    1. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1031 Level I Inspectors.
    2. The categories of inspections.
    3. The general liability considerations of all inspectors.
    4. The three interpersonal communication skills that inspectors should possess.
    5. Reports, letters, violation notices and procedures necessary to accomplish their goals.
  2. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the principles of fire chemistry related to fire development and extinguishment by:
    1. Describing physical and chemical changes of matter related to fire.
    2. Discussing sources of heat energy and the transmission of heat.
    3. Explaining the self-sustained chemical reaction involved in the combustion process.
    4. Defining the stages of fire development within a compartment and summarizing factors that affect fire development within a compartment.
    5. Identifying methods used to control and extinguish fire.
    6. Identifying fire hazards caused by a variety of behaviors and conditions.
  3. The student will be able to explain the different construction types and occupancy classifications as defined by the model building and fire codes by:
    1. Comparing the occupancy classification groups used by the three main building codes.
    2. Discussing the common construction materials used in the building of structures.
    3. Explaining the difference, purposes and uses of fire walls and fire partitions.
    4. Describing the different building components.
    5. Defining and describing the parts of a means of egress system and calculate occupant loads.
    6. Identifying site access requirements and conditions.
  4. The student will be able to discuss the differences between public and private water supply distribution systems, discuss hydrants and hydrant inspection considerations, water-based and special agent fire protection systems and fire detection and alarm systems by:
    1. Describing the different systems.
    2. Explaining the different types of hydrants and the hydrant marking systems.
    3. Discussing the different types of water-based and special agent fire protection systems and their components.
    4. Comparing the different types of water-based and special agent fire protection systems in different situations including their advantages and disadvantages.
    5. Reviewing the types, use and placement of portable fire extinguishers.
    6. Explaining the function of each of the fire-detection and alarm system components.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will, with minimum 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by the individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Summer 2005 (350). C&I Approval: 11/20/2015, BOT Approval: 03/15/2016, Effective Term: Fall 2016 (520). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2021 (585).
C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2021 (595)

Related Programs

  1. Fire Officer Leadership (FOL-TR) (670) (Active)
  2. Fire Science Technology (FIRE-AS) (640) (Draft)
  3. Fire Science Technology (FIRE-AS) (620) (Active)
  4. Homeland Security and Emergency Management (EAM-AS) (640) (Active)
  5. Public Safety Administration (PSA-TR) (670) (Active)