Archive | Fire

Fire Severity Outcome Comparison of Apartment Buildings Constructed from Combustible and Non-combustible Materials

Wood is a natural, sustainable, and economical material used for construction. It is also combustible, which causes structures constructed from wood to be perceived as less safe than structures made from non-combustible materials, such as steel and concrete. However, fire safety in residential buildings is multi-layered, and advancements in wood products and treatment, such as […]

A Review of Fire First Responder Responses to Lift Assist and Traumatic Fall Incidents: Analysis on City of Surrey Medical Incident Response

This study reviews the increasing demand for fire first responder response for non-emergency patient lift assists as well as requests to traumatic fall/back injuries within the City of Surrey, British Columbia. The purpose of this analysis is to understand the incident volumes, trends, frequency, and resources required to meet the current demands.

Canadian Firefighter Fatality and Injury: Trend Analysis of Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada Fatality and Injury Claims 2006 – 2018

The purpose of the study is to determine the trends for time-loss injury and fatality claims among firefighters due to industrial diseases by generating and comparing time-series data of Association of Worker’s Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) in 10-year periods. For that purpose, three Cohorts have been created and compared: Cohort 1 (2006 -2015), Cohort […]

Fire Risk in Senior Population Analysis of Canadian Fire Incidents

This research explores the risk of casualties (fatalities and injuries) among the senior population (aged 65 and over) in the event of a fire compared to the general population. The researchers analysed data available through the National Fire Information Database (NFID). The research also explores variations in risks of fatalities and injuries as a function […]

Fires that Commence on Balconies of Multi-Residential Buildings: Analysis of the National Fire Incident Database

The purpose of this study was to examine the significance of fires that occur on the exterior of multi- residential buildings. This research was motivated by the findings from previous work, that suggested there are existing vulnerabilities associated with fires that commence in external, recreational areas such as balconies and patios (6).

Structure Fires in British Columbia: Exploring Variations in Outcomes as a Function of Building Height and Life Safety Systems

This report examines structure fires in British Columbia (BC) that occurred over a thirteen year period to explore variations in outcomes as a function of building height and life safety systems. The study outlines the data definitions that were used to identify the relevant subset of fires that occurred in the province during this time […]

Fires in Canada Originating from Smoking Materials Analysis of Canadian Fire Incidents

Research over time indicates that smoking materials continue to be a leading cause of residential fires in Canada. With newer data available through the NFID and provincial annual fire reports, this study intends to provide a more recent picture of fire risks related to smoking – including the potential impact of increased e-cigarette use in […]

Fire Protection System(s) Performance in the Residential Building Environment: Examining the Relationship between Civilian and Firefighter Injuries: A Retrospective Evaluation of Residential and Residential Apartment Fires, 2005 to 2015

This paper summarizes the findings from an analysis of the fire protection performance of sprinkler systems and smoke alarms in residential and multi-level residential buildings in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick between 2005 and 2015 inclusive. The primary focus is on the relationship between the presence of protective […]