- Author
-
Bryan, J. L.
|
Milke, J. A.
- Title
- Examination and Analysis of the Dynamics of the Human Behavior in the Fire Incident at the Hidden Brook Treatment Center on February 15, 1979.
- Coporate
- Maryland Univ., College Park
- Sponsor
- National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
-
NBS GCR 80-238
August 31, 1979
32 p.
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Contract
- GRANT-79014
- Keywords
-
evacuation
|
fire departments
|
fire investigations
|
nursing staff
|
patients
|
smoke
|
smoke detectors
- Abstract
- This fire incident was detected at approximately 2330 by the activation of a smoke detector in the first floor corridor and the concurrent activation of the local alarm system. The nursing staff of three persons and one visitor directed and assisted the thirty-five ambulatory patients from the building in approximately seven minutes. The fire was initiated in the first floor lounge of the four-story protected ordinary constructed building. The spread of fire within the lounge was initiated by fire retardant treated wall paneling. The vertical spread of flames and heat up the west stairway was limited by the one hour fire resistant rated door at the first floor. The spread of smoke was limited to a light accumulation in the patient occupied areas, even though dense smoke was observed in the first floor lounge, due to the effective operation of the corridor smoke barrier doors. The Harford County Communications Center was immediately notified by the staff. The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire with one 1-1/2 inch hose line within 15 minutes of the activation of the detector, confining the fire to the area of origin, the first floor lounge. The fire department also performed ventilation, overhaul and salvage operations.