Title 9 Part 1631

The electrical systems of projects are properly designed and installed to eliminate all fire hazards. The danger generally develops from improper use. Special note should be made of the following items:

Only fuses of the proper amperage for the control of the circuit are to be used. To prevent the use of improper size fuses by tenants, authorities should install fustats and adapters of the proper amperage, usually 15 amperes, in the fuse box located in apartments. Tenants should also be cautioned on use of electrical appliances so as not to overload circuit.

All electrical equipment should be kept in a state of good repair. All motors, including oil burner and heat distribution motors, should be cleaned, oiled and checked at frequent intervals as recommended by the manufacturer. Electrical equipment having heating elements should be used with care and safely placed so as not to set fire to adjoining surfaces. All electrical equipment should bear the Underwriters' Label of Approval. Frayed or worn cords on portable devices should be replaced. Extension cords should be used only to meet temporary requirements and should not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring.

Electrical equipment, such as washing machines, dryers, commercial refrigerators, ranges, etc., present a shock hazard unless grounded in an acceptable manner. Certain portable electric tools, such as drills, saws, etc., also present a shock hazard unless properly grounded, usually by means of a multi-prong plug properly connected to the electrical source.

All boiler rooms, incinerator rooms, storage rooms, work shop and similar areas should be kept neat and orderly. Paints, oils and other flammables should be kept in proper cans and stored in a special fireproof room. Gasoline, paint thinners and related items should be kept in containers having self-closing spouts. Oily and greasy rags should be kept temporarily in a metal safety can until such time as they can be disposed of properly. Excess accumulations must not be permitted. Items permitted in storerooms should be restricted to empty trunks, valises, foot lockers, baby carriages, walkers, tricycles, bicycles, sleds and similar items which are used seasonally or at periodic intervals. All other items, including, but not limited to, bedding, mattresses, furniture, kitchen utensils and equipment, clothing, appliances, tools, guns, rifles, sporting equipment, and rubber tires are not to be stored for tenants. Items authorized to be stored must be kept in an orderly arrangement, with at least a three foot unobstructed aisle to reach remote areas of room. Articles should not be stacked higher than two feet from ceiling.

Tenants are usually the worst offenders in the careless use of these items. Many tragedies have been caused by children playing with matches. The tenant aspect of this matter is more fully covered below under section 1631-1.4, Fire prevention campaigns. However, project personnel must also exercise extreme caution in these matters. Smoking can not be allowed in hazardous areas or when working with flammable material. Personnel should be careful not to dispose of lighted matches or cigarettes into wastepaper baskets.

Fire Prevention Week, which is proclaimed each year during the month of October, and the Christmas season are two periods when authorities should take special efforts to make all tenants aware of their obligations to prevent fires. Programs should be developed to inform tenants of precautions to take. During Fire Prevention Week, such programs can be made more effective by coordinating them with those of the local fire department. As a minimum for such programs, notices should be sent to all tenants prior to Fire Prevention Week and prior to the Christmas season stressing the following points:

Note:

The following items should be stressed in the Christmas season notice, together with a reference to items (2), (3) and (4) above for year round observance:

Note:

Notices for both Fire Prevention Week and Christmas season should stress need for knowing how and where to place an alarm. Such notices should stress that in event of Fire or Suspicion of Fire:

During the Christmas holiday, an excessive amount of discarded paper and cardboard boxes, in addition to the usual accumulation, occurs without the usual trash collections. Every effort should be made to dispose of this fire hazard by prompt incineration or temporary storage in a safe place. Incinerator rooms and garbage stations should be thoroughly cleared of all refuse prior to the holiday. A safe area should be set aside for the disposal of Christmas trees and tenants notified.

Regardless of the size of the authority or development, a safety program should be formulated, initiated and followed-up. Such a safety program should include periodic inspections, employee training programs, adequate accident reporting systems, followed-up by analysis, evaluation and corrective action, and cooperation with insurance carrier.

Training programs serve to make employees accident conscious. Such programs may take the form of:

Note:

Slides, motion pictures and printed material may be obtained on loan and without cost from insurance companies and large industrial firms.

Insurance carriers are also interested in preventing accidents. They will usually provide the following services, at little or no charge, and upon request:

Periodic visits are made to each development by division personnel. Any problems affecting safety should be discussed with these men. If they are unable to provide you with the necessary information, they will take such action as will be deemed necessary to obtain that information. In addition, the authority should forward any problems or questions directly to the division's Bureau of Management. Such inquiries will be answered as quickly as possible.