Last
year there were over 1,000 fires in condominiums around the country.
As bad as that number is, that is only the tip of the problem
. When a
single-family home catches fire, the fire departments usually can
put the blaze out before it spreads.
In a condominium association, fires almost always spread to
multiple units in minutes, before the firefighters can even get
there. Owners and
renters who live in condominium units need to take extra care in
preventing fires as these accidents can have a severe impact on
neighbors, sometimes resulting in injury or death.
A condo association board can take the lead in working with the residents in helping to prevent fires. With responsibility for the common areas, the board should make sure that an annual fire prevention inspection is part of their routine and that it isn’t overlooked in the rush of other association business. The board can also look at adopting common-sense rules to make sure that resident’s don’t overlook fire safety in day-to-day activities.
An example would be to have a rule prohibiting barbecue grills from being placed up against buildings. Last year in Michigan, an improperly connected grill exploded, and since it was up against the unit, the building quickly caught fire, taking out 4 units before it could be contained. Requiring the grill to be placed 10’ from a building might have prevented this damage.
Another area where the board can be pro-active is in the cleaning of fireplace chimneys. Whether it’s the association’s responsibility or if the resident is supposed to do it, the board should make sure that it gets done.
Also, make sure smoke detectors in common rooms or hallways are functioning, and twice a year, remind residents to check their smoke detectors and change the batteries.
Lightning strikes cause a large number of fires every year, so you will want to make sure your buildings have an adequate lightning protection system. Inspect them to make sure they haven’t been damaged or broken.
Based on the causes of the fires in condo’s last year, here are a few tips for the residents:
- The number one cause of fires was careless smoking. While some associations are trying to ban smoking inside of units, that issue is going to take a long time in state legislatures and courts. However, association’s can encourage smokers to be more careful. For example, enclosed ashtrays, or ashtrays utilizing water or sand, help to snuff out the cigarette. Surprisingly, most of the fires that resulted from cigarettes didn’t start from smokers falling asleep while smoking, but from cigarette butts not being put out properly. If you are going to place ashtrays on flammable objects, such as a wooden end table, put something non-flammable between the ashtray and the wood. Make absolutely sure all ashes are out before emptying the ashtray.
- The second greatest cause of fires was unattended cooking. This often results in injuries as people try to put them out using whatever is handy (in one case a woman used the cushion from a nearby chair, which promptly caught fire, also, burning her severely). Make sure a fire extinguisher capable of putting out grease and other fires is very close-by, not back in the bedroom closet. Also, if frying or broiling, keep a flame-resistant oven mitt and the lid for the pan handy. Don’t leave the kitchen when cooking.
- The third largest cause of condo fires was candles. As romantic and aromatic as candles are, they can also be considered lit fires looking to grow. Make sure they are not placed anywhere near items that can catch fire easily, such as lampshades or curtains. Candleholders that are enclosed and taller than the candle are safer than candles placed on pedestal-type holders. As with ashtrays, try and put something non-flammable between the candleholder and the furniture it sits on. Put candles out if you leave the room for any length of time.
- Electrical fires are next, often due to overloaded outlets and extension cords, space heaters placed near flammable objects, bad cords that weren’t repaired or replaced and loose connections in outlets. If cords or wall outlets feel warm to the touch, they are either overloaded or loose. Disconnect or unplug them immediately. Never leave a space heater turned on in an unoccupied room.
Fire prevention should always be taken seriously, but is often overlooked in the bustle of everyday activity. However, if you live in a condo, you not only need to be concerned about your own home, but the safety and security of your neighbors. Take some time to walk around your home and see if you’ve made it as fire-safe as you can.
For more information about fire prevention, visit the web site of the National Fire Prevention Association – http://www.nfpa.org