MCCCD Program Description

Fundamentals of Fire Prevention

Course: FSC108

First Term: 1995 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Fundamentals of fire prevention. Includes techniques, procedures, regulations, and enforcement. Also includes discussion of hazards in ordinary and special occupancies. Field trips and lectures from industry also included

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Cite the main points relating to the national fire problem. (I) 2. Describe the need, responsibilities, and importance of fire prevention organizations. (I) 3. Explain the components of an inspection and the enforcement steps that are utilized. (I) 4. Describe governmental division of authority relating to fire prevention laws, regulations, and standards. (II) 5. Identify the difference between laws, regulations, and standards, and cite examples of each. (II) 6. Describe the main structural components of building construction and their relationship to fire safety. (III) 7. Describe the components and utilization of the various types of fire extinguishment, protection, and alarm systems. (III) 8. Identify the basic steps necessary for the investigation of fires. (IV) 9. Explain the major public education activities and their objectives. (IV) 10. Describe the components of a fire prevention record and reporting system. (V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Goals of fire prevention activities A. History of major fires in America B. Importance of fire prevention C. Fire prevention organizations 1. Responsibilities 2. Functions 3. Private organizations D. Roles of government 1. Federal 2. State 3. Local E. Inspection and enforcement 1. Responsibilities 2. Methods 3. Objectives 4. Permits 5. Litigation II. Fire prevention laws, regulations, and standards A. Laws and authority 1. Federal 2. State 3. Local B. Building codes C. Fire prevention codes D. Zoning ordinances and fire zones E. Technical standards F. Plans review programs G. Fire protection engineering H. Hazard marking systems III. Building hazards and protection systems A. Building construction terms and fire spread B. Occupancy classification C. Types of construction D. Common problems in existing construction E. Interior finish and contents hazards 1. Flammability 2. Other hazards F. Fire sprinkler systems 1. Effectiveness 2. Types 3. Components 4. Testing and inspection G. Fire standpipes 1. Wet systems 2. Dry systems H. Special hazard extinguishing systems 1. Portable extinguishers 2. Other systems I. Fire alarm and detection systems 1. Types 2. Functions 3. Components 4. Installation and testing IV. Fire investigation and public education A. Objectives B. Identifying and point of origin C. Establishing cause D. Arson and case preparation E. Fire investigation tools F. Investigation reports G. Public education 1. Activities 2. Special programs V. Fire prevention and records and reports A. Records and data utilization B. Types of records retained 1. Inspections 2. Violations found and corrected 3. Citations and permits issued 4. Building plans reviewed 5. Investigations and results 6. Public education and activities 7. Others C. Retention periods D. Utilizing records to support legislation

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 6/27/1995

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.