Fire Safety Awareness plan

Over the past year, there have been deadly fires in various type of buildings, according to the latest Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India (ADSI) Report, released by the National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB), as many as 7,435 people were killed in over 7,500 fire accidents in 2022.

As many as 101 people died in a total of 106 incidents of electrical short circuits across Uttar Pradesh in the year 2022, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). This included a total of 83 men and 18 women while five people were injured in similar incidents including four men and a woman. Women are more safer in all aspect in this India.

According to a survey, only 18 per cent of people reported living in houses or apartments compliant with fire safety norms, where checks are conducted annually. The survey collected responses from more than 22,000 citizens across 301 districts of India. 

• 19 per cent were unsure if their fire extinguishing systems worked
• 27 per cent admitted to never ensuring compliance
• 3 per cent had a fire extinguisher but lacked other safety measures
• 21 per cent had not considered fire safety
• 12 per cent didn't provide a clear response.

Regarding workplaces, out of over 11,000 respondents, only 27 per cent confirmed that their office, factory, or shop complied with fire safety standards and underwent regular annual checks. Additionally, 11 per cent mentioned having easy access to a fire extinguisher despite not being fully compliant with fire safety standards.

There are general fire safety precautions you should follow regardless of where you live. Taking time to review tips about the following fire safety issues can help you create a safer and more secure living environment for you, your friends, and family.

Escape Plans

Because fire is a risk in every building — whether you sleep, study, or work there — you should always have an escape plan. You may need to escape within a few minutes of a fire’s start, so your safe exit depends on immediate warning from smoke alarms and advance planning of escape routes.

Escape Plan Basics

• Include two ways out of every room in all escape plans
• Designate a location to meet outside the building
• Verify that smoke alarms are installed to provide early detection and warning so you’ll have enough time to execute your escape plan
• Make sure doors located in your path of travel can be opened from the inside under all lighting conditions
• Verify that doors located in your path of travel Do not require a key to open from the inside
• Take note of whether any disabled or elderly residents will require evacuation assistance
• Conduct a roll call to verify everyone has escaped the building
• Remain outside until notified by the fire department that it is safe to re-enter the building
• Practice, practice, practice your plan!

If your secondary escape route is a window…

• Make sure the window can be opened from the inside
• Assure the window is large enough for you to pass through the opening
• Verify the windowsill is low enough to allow you to crawl through the opening
• Make sure any security bars can be opened from the inside without the use of a key, and that you can open them under all lighting conditions
• Determine how you will escape if the window is above the first floor: will you purchase a rope ladder or other emergency escape device, or will you wait for the fire department to arrive and evacuate you?
• Make sure sloping terrain, the location of the window, or other factors will not prevent the window from being used as a secondary escape route

Electricity

Electrical distribution equipment poses serious fire safety threats that can even be fatal, especially when equipment is used incorrectly.

Electrical Safety Basics

• Protect electrical outlets with plastic safety covers if small children are present in your home
• Never operate electrical appliances around bathtubs, showers, or puddles of standing water
• Use ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection when working where water is near electricity, to protect against electric shock … This means you should use GFCIs in your kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, and outdoor locations
• Replace or repair frayed, loose, or otherwise damaged cords on all electronics
• Shut off the circuit and have it checked by an electrician if any switches feel warm
• Take note of any discolored switch plates, because discoloration could indicate that the electrical wiring behind the switch plate is overheating
• Remember: symptoms of potential wiring problems include household lights that dim or flicker, a TV picture that shrinks in size, frequent blown fuses, or circuit breakers that trip frequently
• Place lamps on level surfaces, away from flammable items, and use light bulbs that match the lamps’ recommended wattages
• Multi USB charger are not allowed on campus and should generally be avoided. They are prone to overheating and a multitude of these devices have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission over safety concerns.  

Extension Cords and Surge Suppressers

• Never use an extension cord as a replacement for permanent wiring
• Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets
• Make sure power strips and surge suppressors are designed to handle the loads you will be using them for
• Connect power strips and surge protectors directly into a wall outlet. Do not connect multiple power strips or surge protectors together
• Avoid overloading circuits by plugging too many items into the same outlet
• Avoid the use of "cube taps" and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle, and try to only plug one high-wattage item into each outlet

Halogen Lighting

• Avoid using halogen lamps whenever possible since they operate at much higher temperatures than normal light bulbs
• If you use halogen lamps, make sure the lamp is placed in a location where it cannot come into contact with drapes, clothing, or other combustible materials
• Keep halogen lamps and cords away from high-traffic areas and turn lamps off when leaving the room for an extended period of time

Cooking

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and household fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of these fires, most of which start with the ignition of common household items including grease, paper, cabinets and curtains.

Cooking Safety Basics

• Never leave food unattended while it’s cooking on the stove, and closely monitor food cooking in the oven
• Maintain a clean and tidy cooking area that is free of items that catch on fire easily, such as cloth (curtains, potholders, towels, etc.), paper (cook books, food packaging, newspapers, etc.), and plastic (food packaging, storage containers, etc.)
• Roll up your shirtsleeves, or wear short, tight sleeves while cooking, so your clothes don’t accidentally hang onto stove burners and catch fire
• Always keep a potholder, oven mitt, and lid on hand
• Never use a wet potholder or oven mitt, in order to avoid scalding when the moisture in the cloth heats up
• Never plug microwaves into extension cords, and never microwave metal containers or tinfoil
• Keep children and pets away from cooking areas

In the Event of Stovetop Fire:

• If the fire is small and contained in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan
• Turn off the burner
• Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool
• Never pour water on a grease fire
• Never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire since it can splatter burning grease out of the pan and spread the fire

In the Event of Oven Fire:

• Turn off the heat
• Keep the oven door closed to prevent you and your clothes from catching fire
• Notify other occupants, and evacuate the building
• Call the fire department

In the Event of Microwave Fire:

• Keep the microwave door closed
• Unplug the microwave to remove the source of heat
• Notify other occupants, and evacuate the building
• Call the fire department

Smoking

The respiratory health hazards of smoking are well-publicized, but a lesser-known fact is that smoking materials are the leading cause of fire-related deaths in the U.S. The most commonly ignited items in these fatal fires are mattresses and bedding, upholstered furniture, and floor coverings.

Smoking Fire Safety

• Smoke outside, so you Do not put others at risk
• Never smoke in bed
• Never smoke in an area where oxygen tanks are being used
• Don’t smoke if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs that impair your ability to handle smoking materials correctly
• Use deep, wide ashtrays on a sturdy surface
• Make sure butts and ashes are extinguished by soaking them in water before discarding them
• Check under furniture cushions, and in other places people smoke, for butts and ashes that may have fallen out of sight
• Keep matches and lighters out of children's sight and reach
• Consider using fire-safe cigarettes, which are less likely to cause fires

Vaping and Electronic Cigarette

On April 9, 2012 UT Austin became a tobacoo-free campus and the ban extends to electronic cigarettes and vapes. Even though statistically there is a less of a chance of a fire than a traditional fire there is still a risk of a fire and/or explosion. 

Heating Safety

Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months, and the second leading cause of home fires annually. Heating equipment includes fireplaces, wood stoves, portable space heaters, and fixed space heaters. Nearly half of all deaths attributed to home heating equipment fires involve portable space heaters. Follow the below tips.

Heating Basics

• Have all heating equipment in your home inspected annually by a licensed professional
• Make sure all gas-fueled and wood-burning heating devices are vented to the exterior of the building
• Consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside of each bedroom if gas-fueled or wood-burning appliances are used in your home

Fireplaces and Wood-burning Stoves

• Have wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and chimneys inspected and cleaned on a periodic basis
• Use properly seasoned wood to reduce creosote build-up in fireplaces and stoves
• Protect fireplaces with a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room
• Allow ashes to cool before removing them from a fireplace or stove
• Dispose of ashes in a metal container

Space Heaters

• Maintain a 36 inch clearance between space heaters and combustible items
• Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep

Smoke Alarms

There are thousands of home fires in the U.S. every year, which result in roughly 3,000 deaths annually. Almost half of these deaths resulted from fires that were reported between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., the time period in which most people sleep. For this reason, providing smoke alarms in bedrooms may be the single most important step toward preventing fire-related casualties in residential buildings.

Smoke Alarm Basics

• Install at least one smoke alarm in every bedroom
• Install additional smoke alarms in hallways and common areas in the vicinity of bedrooms
• Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home
• Make sure the smoke alarms within your home are interconnected so the activation of one alarm will activate all alarms within the home
• Try to use smoke alarms powered by the building electrical system, which have a battery for backup power … However, if this type of smoke alarm is not available, battery-powered units are certainly better than not having smoke alarms

Smoke Alarm Installation

• Install smoke alarms on ceilings whenever possible
• Locate any smoke alarms installed on walls at least four inches below the ceiling
• Locate any smoke alarms installed on walls no more than 12 inches below the ceiling
• Do not install smoke alarms in the corners of rooms
• Do not install smoke alarms next to air-conditioning vents, heating vents, or ceiling fans, to ensure proper functioning of the unit
• Do not install smoke alarms in kitchens or bathrooms, to prevent false alarms

Smoke Alarm Maintenance

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month, by pressing the button on the alarm that allows you to test the unit
• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away
• Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If the alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years

Candles and Incense

Candles and incense are often used to create ambiance or help celebrate a special event, but they are open flames that pose a threat of fire. Most candle fires take place in the bedroom, and many occur when candles are left unattended. In addition, the winter holidays and New Year’s Eve are peak times for candle fires, so be sure to exercise caution when celebrating with open flames.

Candle and Incense Basics

• Remember: candles and burning incense are open flames, and the safest option is not to have them in your home
• Never leave candles or incense unattended, and always extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep
• Keep candles and incense away from curtains, clothing, books and newspapers, and other combustible items
• Keep candles and incense away from flammable liquids (i.e., alcohol, oil, etc.)
• Use durable candle holders, which are made of non-combustible materials, are big enough to collect wax drippings, and don’t tip over easily
• Trim candle wicks to one-quarter inch, and maintain this wick length throughout the candle’s life
• Extinguish taper and pillar candles when their wax melts down to within two inches of the holder, and extinguish votives and other encased candles before the last half inch of wax starts to melt
• Use flashlights during blackouts instead of candles, and always avoid carrying lit candles whenever possible

Laundry

Laundry equipment is often overlooked when addressing the issue of home fire safety. However, laundry appliances pose a serious fire risk because they involve electricity, and the combination of combustible clothing and extremely hot temperatures. The vast majority of laundry fires are caused by dryers that are not cleaned properly.

Dryer Safety Basics

• Have dryers installed and serviced by a competent professional
• Have gas-powered washers and dryers inspected periodically by a professional to ensure the gas line and its connection are intact
• Make sure that the dryer is plugged into an outlet that meets its electrical needs, so it doesn’t overload the outlet and trip circuit breakers or blow fuses
• Keep the area around the dryer clear of boxes, clothing, and other combustibles
• Turn the dryer off when leaving home.

Lint Filters

• Do not operate the dryer without a lint filter
• Clean lint filters before or after each use, and remove any lint from around the dryer drum
• Make sure the dryer exhausts into the exterior or into a listed water trap
• Inspect the area around the dryer for accumulations of lint, paying special attention to the area behind the dryer, and remove any lint you notice
• Inspect the flexible exhaust duct (if your dryer has one), and remove lint accumulations on a periodic basis

Gasoline

Each year gasoline causes several thousand household fires, many of which result in injury and even death. It is helpful to remember gasoline is a volatile liquid that is constantly releasing flammable vapors, which are heavier than air and accumulate at the lowest point in an area. If released inside a building, these vapors sink to floor level and spread out across the room, and if these vapors make contact with an ignition source a flash-fire will likely result.

Gasoline Safety Basics

• Keep gasoline out of children's reach and sight, and never allow children to handle gas
• Never use gasoline inside the home or as a cleaning agent
• Never use gasoline to wash mechanical parts
• Never use gasoline to start a fire in barbecue pits or cooking grills
• Never use gasoline as a replacement for kerosene or diesel
• Do not use or store gasoline near potential ignition sources, including gas-fired water heaters that contain a pilot flame
• Follow all manufacturers’ instructions when using electronics (including all devices with batteries or connections to electrical outlets) near gasoline
• Clean up spills immediately and discard clean-up materials properly

In the Event of Gasoline Fire

• Leave the area immediately, and call the fire department
• Do not attempt to extinguish the fire
• Do not attempt to stop the flow of gasoline

Gasoline Storage

• Store gasoline outside in a garage or shed
• Never store gasoline in glass, or in plastic milk jugs and other non-reusable plastic containers
• Store gasoline in a tightly closed metal or plastic container designed, manufactured, and approved specifically for gasoline storage
• Store only the amount of gasoline necessary to power equipment and machinery

Fueling and Handling Gasoline

• Do not smoke while handling gasoline
• Use caution when fueling machinery and automobile equipment
• Never fuel machinery or equipment indoors, and always let it cool before refueling
• Place portable gasoline containers on the ground before filling, and only fill them outdoors
• Never fill portable containers inside a vehicle or in the bed of a pick-up truck, to prevent a static charge from developing
• Do not get in and out of automobiles while fueling … Although rare, this movement creates an electrical charge on your body that could spark a fire, especially during dry weather conditions

Propane

Over 1,000 home fires are caused by liquid propane annually, and these fires cause hundreds of injuries and deaths. Propane is a flammable gas that is converted to a liquid before being stored within a cylinder or tank. When released from its container, propane converts back to a gas and expands significantly; if this expanding gas comes in contact with an ignition source an explosion can result. When first released, the gas is cold and heavier than the surrounding air, which creates a “cloud” of heavy gas that will stay close to the ground and collect in low areas.

Propane Safety Basics

• Never store or use propane gas cylinders larger than one pound inside your home
• Never store or operate a propane-powered gas grill indoors
• Always handle propane-powered equipment cautiously, according to the manufacturers’ instructions
• Have propane gas equipment inspected by a professional for leaks and faulty parts on a regular basis
• Follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully when lighting pilots
• Leave the area immediately and call the fire department from outside the home if you smell a strong odor of gas

These fire safety statistics and tips refer to fact sheets on the National Fire Protection Association Web site, the authoritative resource for fire prevention information online, Or you can connect us for free consultation.

How do we improve awareness of fire safety?

To improve awareness of fire safety, the Community Fire Safety system must be the central approach. This must be done through its daily implementation not only by governments and Fire Rescue Services, but also by national and Indian fire safety campaigns. For Community Fire Safety to be successful, a system must be implemented to measure its effectiveness. Moreover, more scientific research must be conducted into how the fire-safe behaviour of people can be positively influenced.

Can artificial intelligence (AI) be used in fire safety

Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) be used in Fire Safety? 

Wishing you a very happy new year 2025. Yes, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in fire safety to improve detection, prevention, and response. Artificial intelligence (AI) is an aspect of technology that holds both many advantages and pitfalls for the fire-safety community and general public, but it’s one we can’t ignore. So, what can we expect from its use in fire safety ?

Fire investigation

I have for many years found that investigating serious or fatal fires is very difficult if you are not part of the investigation team or a relevant authority and this often means that when you examine any official report it generally raises many questions that the authorities are sometimes reluctant to answer or clarify. To try to answer these questions it requires a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the relevant authority, and whilst some authorities are quite helpful, others can be very guarded in their responses, and this leads me to ask why should this be?

Could it be that the relevant authority are protecting their own reputation and are not willing to divulge any information that may show where they have not acted in a manner that was in the interests of the general public or other interested parties, or could it be that they are simply covering up mistakes that they made in dealing with the incident or enforcement?

I have always thought that the enforcing authorities should be more open, honest and transparent in these matters as it is only by an approach like this that we can truly learn from these incidents, and this must be in the interests of everyone and not just the enforcing authorities.

It is interesting to note that in some European countries the investigation is done by the police who also have forensic science teams available to them.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

One of the first questions that I asked AI was ‘Can AI be used for fire safety and investigation?’ And this was the response:

‘AI can be used in fire investigation in a number of ways. For example, AI can be used to:

• Identify the origin and cause of fires. AI can analyse data from the fire scene, such as burn patterns, heat distribution and the presence of accelerants, to identify the point of origin and the most likely cause of the fire.
• Reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to a fire. AI can use data from the fire scene, as well as witness testimony and other evidence, to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the fire. This can help investigators to identify suspects and determine whether the fire was accidental or intentional.
• Predict the behaviour of fires. AI can be used to simulate the behaviour of fires under different conditions, such as wind speed, humidity and fuel type. This information can be used to help firefighters develop effective fire suppression and evacuation plans.
• Identify fire hazards. AI can be used to analyse data from building inspections and other sources to identify potential fire hazards. This information can be used to develop fire-safety regulations and to help businesses and homeowners to reduce their risk of fire.
• AI is still under development, but it has the potential to revolutionise fire investigation. By automating tasks that are currently time-consuming and labour-intensive, AI can help investigators to solve fires more quickly and efficiently. Additionally, AI can provide investigators with new insights and perspectives on fire behaviour and fire investigation.

‘Here are some specific examples of how AI is being used in fire investigation today:

• Fire investigators are using AI to analyse burn patterns. AI can be used to identify patterns that would be difficult or impossible for human investigators to see. This can help investigators to identify the point of origin of a fire and to determine the most likely cause.
• AI is being used to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to a fire. AI can be used to analyse data from the fire scene, such as the location of fire debris and the presence of heat indicators, to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the fire. This can help investigators to identify suspects and to determine whether the fire was accidental or intentional.
• AI is being used to predict the behaviour of fires. AI can be used to simulate the behaviour of fires under different conditions, such as wind speed, humidity and fuel type. This information can be used to help firefighters develop effective fire suppression and evacuation plans.
• As AI continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective ways to use AI in fire investigation.’

So, clearly there is an important role for AI in Fire Investigation but unless all of the relevant information is made available, I wonder how accurate the results will be and whether they will be made available to interested parties.

Bibby Stockholm Barge in dry-dock in Falmouth

Bibby Stockholm barge – is it safe for the intended use?

This is a question that I was recently asked by the BBC and as all the authorities and manufacturers were not being very open about the answer, I decided to ask AI the question and this was the response, but please note that the accuracy of all these responses is not guaranteed:

‘Fire safety is of paramount importance on board the Bibby Stockholm barge. The barge is equipped with a number of fire-safety features, including:

• A fire detection and alarm system
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire hoses
• Fire blankets
• A fire escape plan

The crew of the Bibby Stockholm barge are trained in fire-safety procedures and are responsible for maintaining the fire-safety equipment on board. In the event of a fire, the crew will activate the fire-alarm system and extinguish the fire using the fire extinguishers or fire hoses. If the fire is too large for the crew to extinguish, they will evacuate the barge and call the fire brigade.

‘Here are some additional fire safety tips for the Bibby Stockholm barge:

• Keep fire exits clear and unobstructed.
• Do not smoke or use open flames on board.
• Store flammable materials in designated areas.
• Inspect fire-safety equipment regularly and make sure it is in working order.
• Hold fire drills regularly to ensure that the crew is familiar with the fire safety procedures.
• By following these fire safety tips, the crew of the Bibby Stockholm barge can help to prevent fires and ensure the safety of everyone on board.’

I then asked AI: ‘Is the Bibby Stockholm barge safe for 500 people?’ and this was the response: ‘Whether the Bibby Stockholm barge is safe for 500 people is a matter of debate. The barge was originally designed to accommodate 222 people, but its capacity has been doubled by putting bunk beds in its cabins and converting some communal rooms into dormitories. This has led to concerns about overcrowding and fire safety.

‘The UK Fire Brigades Union has warned that the barge is a ‘deathtrap’ and that the government is putting people’s lives at risk by using it to house asylum seekers. The union has also expressed concerns about the lack of training and experience of the staff who will be working on the barge.

‘The Home Office has defended its decision to use the Bibby Stockholm barge, saying that it has been thoroughly inspected and is safe to accommodate 500 people. The Home Office has also said that the barge will be staffed by experienced and qualified staff.

‘Ultimately, whether the Bibby Stockholm barge is safe for 500 people is a matter of opinion. There are valid concerns about overcrowding and fire safety, but the Home Office has insisted that the barge is safe.

It is important to note that the Bibby Stockholm barge is currently being used to house asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable people who are often fleeing persecution and violence. It is therefore essential that the Home Office takes all necessary steps to ensure that the Bibby Stockholm barge is a safe and humane place to live.’

Clearly, in this example AI is not able to fully answer the question but does provide a good overview.

The Royal Clarence Hotel fire

This is an incident that I know a little more about as I carried out an investigation for the BBC and a subsequent programme was shown on the BBC Inside Out programme.

The AI version gave the following response:

‘Dave Jones, a former sector commander of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS), believes that the hotel could have been saved by the fire service. He claims that he told incident commanders that he had found a fire on the third floor, but that his evidence to an inquiry was left out of a fire service report.

‘Jones says that he needed authority to send crews back into the hotel, but that he was met with blank stares. He also claims that 90% of the hotel was perfectly intact, and that it could have and should have been saved.

‘An independent review into the fire concluded that it remained speculative as to whether the historic hotel could have been saved. However, the review did make a number of recommendations for areas of learning for future incidents dealt with by Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.

‘Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has denied any wrongdoing and says that it hopes the review will reassure the public. However, Jones’ claims have raised serious questions about the fire service’s handling of the incident.’

I would add that I also received a number of other responses from serving members of DSFRS that confirmed Dave Jones version of the story but were unwilling to be named due to possible action by their employers.

How can we develop AI to be more helpful in fire safety?

This is what AI tells us:

‘There are a number of ways in which we can develop AI to be more helpful in fire safety. Here are a few examples:

‘Improved fire detection: AI can be used to develop more sophisticated fire-detection systems that can detect fires earlier and more accurately than traditional systems. This can be done by using AI to analyse data from a variety of sources, such as smoke detectors, heat sensors and cameras.

‘Predictive fire prevention: AI can be used to develop predictive models that can identify potential fire hazards and predict where and when fires are likely to occur. This information can then be used to prevent fires from happening in the first place.

‘Firefighting assistance: AI can be used to develop systems that can assist firefighters in fighting fires. This can be done by providing firefighters with real-time information about the fire, such as its location, size and intensity. AI can also be used to develop robots that can help firefighters to extinguish fires and rescue people.

‘Here are some specific examples of AI-powered fire-safety technologies that are currently being developed:

• AI-powered smoke detectors: these detectors can use AI to identify different types of smoke, including smoke from different types of fires. This can help to reduce false alarms and improve the accuracy of fire detection.
• AI-powered fire surveillance cameras: these cameras can use AI to detect fires and smoke in real time. They can also be used to track the movement of fire and smoke, which can help firefighters to better understand how a fire is behaving.
• AI-powered fire prediction models: these models can use data from a variety of sources, such as weather data, building data and historical fire data, to predict where and when fires are likely to occur. This information can be used to prevent fires from happening in the first place, or to deploy resources more effectively in the event of a fire.
• AI-powered firefighting robots: these robots can be used to extinguish fires, rescue people, and explore dangerous environments. They can also be used to collect data about fires, which can help firefighters to better understand how fires behave and how to fight them more effectively.

‘These are just a few examples of how AI can be used to improve fire safety. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and effective fire-safety solutions emerge.

‘In addition to developing new AI technologies, we also need to make sure that existing AI technologies are used safely and effectively in fire-safety applications. This means developing and implementing best practices for the development, deployment and use of AI-powered fire-safety systems. It also means educating firefighters and other fire-safety professionals on how to use AI-powered fire-safety systems safely and effectively.

‘By developing and using AI responsibly, we can make a significant contribution to improving fire safety and reducing the loss of life and property due to fires.’

Can AI be used to carry out fire risk assessments?

This was another question that I asked AI, and this was the response:

‘AI can be used to carry out a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA). FRA is a process of identifying and evaluating the fire risks in a building or structure, and then developing a plan to mitigate those risks. AI can be used to automate many of the tasks involved in FRA, such as:

• Identifying potential fire hazards: AI can be used to analyse building plans and other data to identify potential fire hazards, such as flammable materials, electrical wiring and heating systems.
• Evaluating the risk of fire: AI can be used to evaluate the risk of fire based on the identified hazards, as well as other factors such as the occupancy of the building and the fire-safety measures in place.
• Developing a fire-risk mitigation plan: AI can be used to develop a fire-risk mitigation plan that includes measures to reduce the likelihood of fire, as well as measures to protect people and property in the event of a fire.
• AI-powered FRA tools can help businesses and organisations to save time and money, and to improve the safety of their buildings and occupants. However, it is important to note that AI-powered FRA tools are not a replacement for human expertise. It is still important to have a qualified fire-safety professional review the results of any AI-powered FRA and to provide guidance on the implementation of the fire-risk mitigation plan.

‘Here are some of the benefits of using AI for FRA:

• Accuracy: AI can be trained on large datasets of fire-safety data to identify fire hazards and assess fire risks with a high degree of accuracy.
• Efficiency: AI can automate many of the tasks involved in FRA, which can save businesses and organisations time and money.
• Objectivity: AI is not susceptible to human biases, which can help to ensure that FRA is conducted in a fair and objective manner.

‘However, there are also some challenges to using AI for FRA:

Data quality: AI-powered FRA tools are only as good as the data they are trained on. It is important to ensure that the data used to train the AI is accurate and up to date.

Transparency: it can be difficult to understand how AI-powered FRA tools make decisions. This can make it difficult to trust the results of the assessment.

Accountability: if a fire occurs, it is important to be able to determine who is responsible for the failure of the FRA. This can be difficult to do if the FRA was conducted by an AI.

Overall, AI has the potential to be a valuable tool for FRA. However, it is important to be aware of the challenges involved in using AI for FRA and to take steps to mitigate those risks.’

In short AI can be a game-changer in terms of predicting and preventing fires. Advanced machine learning algorithms can analyse historical data, weather conditions, building structures, and other factors to identify high-risk areas.

• Fire detection

AI-powered sensors and drones can quickly identify fires, and AI-based systems can use computer vision to analyze sensor data to find signs of fire and smoke. 

• Fire prediction

AI can analyze data from smoke detectors, temperature sensors, and other IoT devices to predict where and when a fire is likely to occur. 

• Fire response

AI can help manage evacuation plans by analyzing real-time data and guiding people to the safest exits. AI can also simulate the behavior of fires under various conditions to help firefighters develop effective evacuation plans. 

• Fire investigation

AI can reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to a fire by analyzing data from the fire scene, witness testimony, and other evidence. 

• Fire prevention

AI can analyze data from building inspections to identify potential fire hazards. 

• Firefighting

AI can be used in smart firefighting during actual fire events. 

AI can also integrate with building management systems (BMS) to coordinate with things like HVAC systems to control smoke or lighting to show safe paths.