NCJ Number
65445
Journal
Fire and Arson Investigator Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: (JULY-SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 29-38
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS DATA SHEET PERTAINS TO INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. IT PRESENTS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING OR LESSENING THE EFFECT OF INCENDIARY FIRES.
Abstract
THE PRIMARY TYPES OF INCENDIARY FIRES DISCUSSED ARE THOSE COMMITTED FOR NONPROFITABLE REASONS; I.E., SPITE, REVENGE, THRILLS, OR POLITICAL MOTIVATIONS. WHILE MAJOR EMPHASIS IS ON TYPES OF INDUSTRIAL PLANTS WHICH ARE MOST OFTEN INVOLVED IN FIRES, GENERAL PRECAUTIONS FOR ALL PLANTS ARE PRESENTED. SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MAY ALSO PERTAIN TO RIOTING OR CIVIL COMMOTION, TO ARMED ATTACK, OR TO ARSON COMMITTED FOR FRAUDULENT REASONS, ALTHOUGH THESE TOPICS ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY DISCUSSED. RATHER, ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE PROPERTIES THAT ARE HABITUALLY TARGETS OF INCENDIARISTS. FIRST, STRIKEBOUND PLANTS AND PLANTS EXPERIENCING LAYOFFS ARE DISCUSSED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN. SECOND, SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR PROTECTING VACANT BUILDINGS AGAINST CHILDREN, VANDALS, VAGRANTS, AND PYROMANIACS. THIRD, TYPES OF PLANTS THAT COULD BE SOCIAL OR POLITICAL TARGETS ARE IDENTIFIED, TOGETHER WITH MEASURES THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT AGAINST FIRES. FOURTH, YARD STORAGE, AN AREA WHICH OFTEN PRESENTS EASY ACCESSIBILITY AND EASY ESCAPE, IS CONSIDERED, WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROTECTION. FIFTH, LOCATIONS HAVING INCURRED FIRE LOSSES ARE EXAMINED AS AREAS THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBJECTED TO A SECOND ATTACK. FINALLY, GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AND SECURITY MEASURES THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN EVEN AT NONTARGET PLANTS, SUCH AS MAINTAINING THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM, CONTROLLING FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND COMBUSTIBLES, AND LIMITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE INCENDIARIST, ARE DELINEATED. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.