Introduction
Fire security is an essential issue in the social and economic context but it is equally important to maintain the environmental concerns that must be considered when fire safety codes are developed. This is important because while prevention against fire is a necessary concern it must be seen that the environment is protected at the same time. It should be a concern that any environmental hazard is negotiated while developing a plan for fire protection. When overlooked, fire can cause havoc damage. Such an incident took place during the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire.
Main body
The Beverly Hills Supper Club fire took place in Southgate, Kentucky on the weekend of Memorial Day on May 28, 1977. It is regarded as one of the most devastating fire incidents in the US. The causalities reported 200 injured and 165 deaths. The complex grew in accordance with its gradual popularity over a period of 50 years and it is reported that fire protection issues were completely overlooked in this case. 3000 guests attended the main function though the capacity of the Cabaret Room was much less. This was aggravated by the presence of 182 employees who were serving the guests thus making the place extremely overcrowded.
The fire started in the Zebra room but for the first 25 minutes, no smoke was detected. When the fire was visible, the management tried to put it out with only two small fire extinguishers available, as there was no sprinkler system. The fire broke out quickly and caused huge damage with panic-stricken guests caused equal destruction of human lives due to small outlets and lack of fire safety knowledge. (Lawson, 154-6)
However, there is a very important lesson learned, it is essential to act in accordance with a well laid down plan that would involve a complete notion of formulation related to the aspects of investigation, suppression, compartmentalization, and behavior in relation to hazards that are closely and remotely involved with fire. Thus, mitigating systems should be tested and applied with related production, development, and research. (King, 2006)
The first step of fire safety is the aspect of identifying and marks the areas of potential fire hazards or areas that are most prone to fire. These areas in the premises can be the kitchen or the storage or even places that are exposed to high electrical components. Once these areas are marked and identified it becomes easier for the fire protection process to monitor and incorporate fire protective means.
Next, in the list of fire protection is the aspect of hazards or the amount of hazard a certain area can cause in case of a fire. Again, these areas, such as basements, are to be identified to calculate the number of effects these areas are capable of once a fire breaks out any one of these areas. Proper monitoring and defensive measures are to be taken in these areas as these are the parts that are most ramifying during a fire-fighting incident.
The causes of fire are a basic component of fire protection. It should be mentioned that once the potential causes of fire are enlisted and overviewed it becomes relatively easy to eliminate those causes thus prepare a well-formulated defensive and protective measure against fire. Of course, it is not possible to cover all possible means of fire but covering more certainly means less chance of a fire hazard.
Next in the line is the conclusive and methodical approach of ascertaining the path or the probable fire-spreading map. Once it is evaluated how a fire develops and spreads across a certainly given architecture it becomes easier to develop a defensive line to fight it on its path. This part of the plan is very important and it is considered as a science of fire protection and this measure is a very effective means of countering a potential fire.
Last but not least is the formulation of the water supply in the procedure. Water is the most trouble-free fire-fighting element and works very effectively without any side effects like many gaseous or chemical fire extinguishers. Thus, it is important to develop a map that would determine the availability of water in the premises so that it would be easily accessible if and when a fire breaks out.
Thus, for the inspection tour, it becomes extremely important to enumerate the requirements related to fire security and steps to be taken as a negating measure against fire. In the process, both active fire protection measures and passive fire protection measures are to be incorporated. It is logical and thus commonsensical to include aspects like exposures, hazards, causes, fire spread, and water supply in the procedure.
From a personal point of view, it could be stated that there are lots of scopes and a variety of measures are available and can be learned from this incident to improve fire prevention in the United States. For example, the Egyptian form of fire prevention relies chiefly on the motto that “prevention is better than cure”. It is the belief of the Fire Brigade Ministry that if the general population is well aware of the facts and figures about the probable causes of fire then 50% of the government’s burden of fire prevention would be taken into account. It was statistically proved in 2000 taking Cairo as a model with better and informative citizens was able to reduce fire-related damage by 58% in the first year itself. It should be mentioned that for a dry and hot country like Egypt this measure of public awareness proved to be very successful. This is quite a simple way of establishing protective means and it is well sustainable too without much budgeting. (Lamb, 243-245)
Conclusion
It can well be stated that in relation to fire prevention the US is quite positive in terms of technology of fire prevention but there are no harms at all to use and learn technologies of other developed like France, Switzerland or Germany. However, it can well be stated that simplicity is the main aspect of success and the US would do good to employ simple measures with a simple solution means.
Works Sited
Lawson, Robert G; Beverly Hills: The Anatomy of a Nightclub Fire; Athens, OH: Ohio University Press, 1984.
Lamb, Davis; Cult to Culture: The Development of Civilization; (Wellington: National Book Trust. 2004) pp. 243-245.