Farmington Hills Fire Department

Fire Prevention

Fire Marshal Stephen F. Hume

The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for Fire Prevention activities that include:

• Code Enforcement.
• Plan Review.
• Fire and Arson Investigation.
• Public Education.
• Hazardous Materials.

Code Enforcement

Career firefighters conduct periodic fire prevention inspections in all occupancies (except one- and two-family dwellings) within their response district. Buildings are inspected for the purposes of enforcing the fire and life safety regulations, familiarizing firefighters with the building and educating occupants in good fire safety practices.

Plan Review

The Plan Review Office ensures that submitted plans for new construction and renovation comply with current Codes. Upon completion of the building, an inspector will inspect the project to insure that final construction is in accordance with the Code.

Fire and Arson Investigation

The Fire Marshal and fire investigators are trained to investigate the cause of fires in the community. Fires determined to be suspicious or incendiary are jointly investigated with the assistance of our Police Department.

Safety Education and Community Programs

Public Education

All firefighters play an active role in educating the public about recognized safety practices.

For information about any of the following programs, please contact the Fire Prevention Division at (248) 871-2820:

• Fire Station tours.
• Fire Safety Training for home and business owners.
• Elementary school safety programs.
• Preschool safety programs.
• Kitchen fire safety.
• Participation in neighborhood events.

• Fire Open House: Thousands of residents participate in our Annual Open House each year. It’s a perfect opportunity to meet Farmington Hills firefighters, learn how to protect your family from the hazards of fire, get valuable tips for preventing injuries, and learn about the variety of services provided by the Fire Department.

• Smoke Detector Installations

  If you are a resident of Farmington Hills, firefighters can visit your home to check your smoke detectors and provide information on a replacement if necessary. Home fire and safety inspections are also offered. To request an inspection, contact the Fire Prevention Division at (248) 871-2820.

• Safety Car Seat Inspections

  If you’re a resident of Farmington Hills, the Fire Department’s nationally certified child safety seat technicians will inspect your child car seats for proper installation and possible product recall. Child safety seat technicians are also available to participate in community events. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact the Department at (248) 871-2800.

U.S Fire Facts

- The leading cause of home fires are cooking, smoking, heating, electrical equipment, and intentionally set fires.

- In 2005, U.S. fire department responded to 1.6 million fires - 24% were home fires.

- In 2005, home fires killed 3,050 people.

- Home fires killed roughly 8 people every day in 2005.

- In 2005, 13,300 fire injuries from home fires (not including fire fighter injuries) were reported to U.S. fire departments.

- As of 2004 96 percent of all homes (with telephones) have at least one smoke alarm.

- Operating smoke alarms were present in only half of the home fires reported in 2000-2004.

- Sixty-five percent of home-fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

- Only 23% of households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.

          In the United Sates, in 2005

- A fire department responded to a fire every 20 seconds.

- An outdoor fire was reported every 39 seconds.

- One home fire was reported every 83 seconds.

- A structure fire was reported every 62 seconds.

- One civilian was injured in a fire every 29 minutes.

- One civilian died in a fire every 2 hours and 23 minutes.

 

Fire Safety

• Home Inspection

• One of the best ways to prevent fire in the home is to do a home inspection specifically looking for the fire hazards or preparing for emergency measures in case of a fire. Inspect your home one section at a time:

  Kitchen
  All electrical appliances and tools should have a testing agency label. Have the appliances repaired if they aren't working right. If an appliance gets wet, have it serviced.

  • Check the cords on all appliances. If they are worn or frayed, have them repaired.
  • Don't overload the outlets.
  • Make sure appliance cords are kept on the counter to prevent them from being pulled down by young children.
  • Don't store things over the stove. People get burned while reaching.
  • Turn pot handles so children can't pull them down.
  • Wear tight sleeves when cooking. Loose-fitting garments can catch fire.
  • Check to see if curtains or towel racks are close to the stove.
  • Check to see if the stove and oven are clean of grease and oil.
  • Be sure a fire extinguisher is placed in the kitchen. The Phoenix Fire Department recommends a minimum 2A10BC extinguisher.
  • All cleaning products and other chemicals should be stored out of the reach of young children, not under the sink. Cleaning products and other chemicals also should be stored separately from foods.
  • Be sure microwave ovens have room to "breathe," all the vents are cleared of obstructions.

  Living room or family room

  • Be sure portable space heaters are at least three feet away from anything that can catch fire including walls and curtains.
  • Use a metal or glass fireplace screen. Have the chimney checked and cleaned regularly.
  • Put lighters and matches where small children won't find them.
  • Too small or too full ashtrays are no good. Ashtrays should be large, deep and emptied frequently, but only when all signs of heat and burning are gone.
  • Before going to bed, look under cushions for burning cigarettes. Check carpeting where ashtrays have been used.
  • Allow plenty of air space around the TV and stereo to prevent overheating. If these appliances are not working correctly, be sure to have them repaired. In the meantime, unplug them.
  • Check for worn or frayed extension cords or other electrical cords.
  • Extension cords should not run under rugs and carpets or be looped over nails or other sharp objects that could cause them to fray.
  • Check for overloaded outlets or extension cords.
  • Electrical sockets should be covered with a child-proof fitting.
  • Lamp and light fixtures should be used with bulbs with wattage at or below maximum prescribed by the manufacturer.

  Bathroom

  • Check for overloaded extension cords and outlets.
  • Don't place or use any appliances near water.
  • Make sure all medicines and cosmetics are kept out of the reach of small children. Install safety latches on drawers, cupboards and medicine cabinets if the home has small children.
  • Dump old or outdated medicine into the toilet.

  Bedrooms

  • Smoke detectors should be tested regularly to be sure they are functioning correctly.
  • Have a working flashlight next to each bed.
  • Again, check for overloaded outlets, extension cords and heaters that are too close to combustible items.
  • Each member of the family should know what to do in the event of a fire.
  • Do all family members know the fire escape plan?
  • Plan two escapes from each bedroom in case of a fire.
  • If you smoke, DO NOT smoke in bed.

  Basement, Garage and Storage

  • Store gasoline and other flammables in tight metal containers. Don't use flammable liquids near heat, a pilot light or while smoking.
  • Have heating equipment checked yearly.
  • Clean up workbench.
  • If a fuse blows, find the problem. Be sure to replace a fuse with one the correct size.
  • Don't store things near the furnace or heater.
  • Get rid of stored newspaper or other rubbish. Newspapers stored in a damp, warm place may ignite spontaneously.
  • Oily, greasy rags should be kept in labeled and sealed non-glass containers, preferably metal.
  • Keep all chemicals, paints, etc. in their original containers.
  • Set your water heater at 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

  Outdoors

  • Is your roof fire retardant? Roofing material, whether it is asphalt shingle, shake shingle, tile or slate can be treated with fire retardant processes.
  • Don't ever use gasoline on a grill. Once the fire has been started, never use lighter fluid or gasoline. Use dry kindling to revive the fire.
  • Move the lawnmower away from gasoline fumes before starting. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.
  • Install a lightning protection system.
  • Don't store more of anything than is needed.

Fire Safety for people with Disabilities

Plan your Escape

Most fire deaths happen in the home.  Everyone should have a home fire escape plan so they will have time to escape in the event of a fire.

- Include everyone in your family in the plan and practice it once a year.

- Make sure that there are two ways out of every room and every building.

- Include provisions in your plan for anyone who has a disability.

- If there is a fire, its important to get out right away and meet at an established meeting place.

- Keep a phone by your bed in case you become trapped by smoke or fire and are unable to escape.

- If there is a fire or smoke call 911 or the fire emergency number.  People who are deaf and use a text telephone device should call the TTY-equppied 911 center or emergency services center in there communities.

Install Smoke Alarms

Having working smoke alarms in the home gives people more time to escape if there is a smoke or fire.

- Install alarms on every level of the house and outside all sleeping areas.

- For added safety, install smoke alarms in every room where people sleep.

- Choose smoke alarms that use strobe (Flashing) lights for people deaf or hard of hearing.

- Install a new battery in all conventional alarms at least once a year.

- Test your alarm at least once a month using the test button or an approved smoke substitute.

- Some smoke alarms have features that make them easier to test if you are unable to reach the alarm, such as with a flashlight or television remote.

Escaping a Fire

- If there is smoke or fire blocking one of our ways out, try to use your second way out.

- If you must go through smoke crawl low or get as low as you can go under the smoke.  The cleanest air is low.

- If you must wait for rescue, close the door to keep the smoke out, wit by the window, and make your presence known to fire fighters.