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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIR-102Bergen Community College Division of Business, Social Sciences & Public Services Department of Social Sciences Departmental Policy Syllabus FIR 102 Fundamentals of Fire Prevention/Fire Inspector I Date of Most Recent Syllabus Revision: March 31,2009 Course Typically Offered: Fall__X__ Spring__X__ Summer____ Every Semester____ Other_________________ Syllabus last reviewed by: BCC General Education Committee ____ Date:____________ (Most courses need review Ad Hoc Committee on Learning Assessment ____ Date:____________ by only one of the following) Curriculum Committee: ____ Date:____________ An individual classroom syllabus for this course must include as much of the following information as is applicable: Basic Information about Course and Instructor Semester and Year: Course and Section Number: [e.g., FIR102-001] Meeting Times and Locations: Instructor: Office Location: Phone: Departmental Secretary: [optional] Office Hours: Email Address: Course Description FIR 102 – Fundamentals of fire Protection/Fire Inspector I This course is an introduction to the study of the basic principles of fire prevention and inspection. Students will learn to utilize the tools necessary to perform inspections, properly make citations, and oversee corrective action. Emphasis of the course is to develop competency in basic fire code enforcement through proficient use of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and referenced standards. 3 lectures, 3 credits Prerequisites: None C-requisites: None Student Learning Objectives: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to 1. Identify the characteristics and behavior of fire and required fire prevention principles. 2. Explain the historical development of fire prevention codes and in particular the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code. 3. Define the legal authority for fire code enforcement and the resultant “hierarchy of review .” 4. Identify violations of the NJ Uniform Fire Code within public, commercial, and residential structures in such areas as general fire safety, means of egress, fire protection equipment and systems, and the operation and maintenance of equipment, processes, and occupancies. 5. Describe the operational status of fixed fire extinguishing systems and fire detection systems. 6. Demonstrate communication to property owners, in both oral and written form, concerning fire code violations and their corrective action. 7. Identify occupancies that require emergency plans and list the requirements necessary for proper implementation. Means of Assessment: Instructors will distribute grading rubrics for all written assignments. 1. Students will be able to define the concepts and basic nomenclature utilized in carrying out fire prevention and fire inspection duties, and will be able to describe the nexus between fire codes and fire safety. This knowledge will be assessed through active engagement in class discussions, on objective and written examinations, and/or in writing assignments. 2. Students will be expected to know the basic legal aspects of code enforcement, and how they are applied in NJAC5:70 through class discussions, on objective and written examinations, and/or in writing assignments. 3. Students will be able to describe the evolution of 1983 adoption of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of this concept through active engagement in class discussions, on objective and written examinations, and/or in writing assignments. 4. Students will be expected to learn how to inspect and properly cite violations using the proper forms required by the Uniform Fire Code. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of this material through active engagement in class discussions, on objective and written examinations, and/or in writing assignments. 5. Students will be expected to recognize the education and training required for careers in the fire prevention and inspection positions in fire organizations. Students will demonstrate their knowledge by developing a personal professional growth plan. Course Content 1. As a general introduction to the field of fire prevention and inspection, students will be introduced to concepts and applications of theory and practice in fire prevention and inspections. 2. Various aspects of the work of fire prevention and fire inspection officials is explored, including; career opportunities, the need for profession development and academic education, and the multiplicity of tasks required by the fire prevention and inspection personnel to meet demands of the public for protection and to satisfy government mandates. 3. The major emphasis of the course is requirement for fire code enforcement as a key element for life safety within commercial facilities. 4. The course will focus on building construction principles with emphasis on life safety devices, code requirements, and inspection and enforcement techniques. Topic headings in this course. Theory of Fire Code Enforcement Administrative Code Requirements Legal Aspects of Code Enforcement Hierarchy of Review Reference Standards Inspection Overview Skills and Tools of the Inspector Building Construction and Plan Review General Fire Safety Occupancy Loads Means of egress Fire Protection Systems Fire Protection Systems Code Requirements NFPA 25 – Inspection, testing and maintenance of water systems Special Features of the Course (if any) [to be designated by the instructor] E.g., the use of learning technologies in the course (Internet, PowerPoint, etc.); the inclusion of technological literacy and/or information literacy learning in the course; etc. Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials Required Texts: New Jersey Uniform Fire Code Book (Current Edition) The International Fire Code 2006 – NJ Edition (Current Edition) International Code Council. ISBN 1580017614 Research, Thinking, Writing, and/or Examination Requirement(s) All students in the Fire Prevention/Fire Inspector I course will engage in one or more written assignments. These assignments may be essay questions on one or more tests, an essay test, or a short written report based on outside readings or activities. Students should be encouraged through classroom activities to think about, analyze, and use basic fire science nomenclature in the analysis of fire protection issues. Memorization of key concepts and theories should be thought of as the first, not the final, stage of learning significant course materials. Grading Policy In determining a student’s semester grade, a minimum of three, and preferably more, grading mechanisms should be employed. Multiple choice, matching, fill-in, true/false, and short answer questions are appropriate. Term projects and research reports may be utilized, as well as essay questions based on outside readings should be considered. If a web site for the course is developed (this is encouraged), students may also be evaluated on the basis of their participation in online discussions. Online exams are acceptable, if they are one of several assessment tools. Grading System: Students will be presented with a grading system for the course on the first day of the semester. The grading system will include, at a minimum, two or three components: 1. A scale for determining grades A-F, such as the following: a. A = an average of 90 or higher b. B+ = an average between 87 and 89 c. B = an average between 80 and 86 d. C+ = an average between 77 and 79 e. C = an average between 70 and 76 f. D = an average between 65 and 60 g. F = an average lower than a 65 2. An explanation for the value of course components can include as per the following: a. 2 quizzes - each quiz represents 10% of the final grade for a total of 20% b. Code Project: represents 20% of final grade c. attendance/participation represents 10% of final grade, d. a mid-term examination represents 20% of the final grade e. a cumulative final exam represents 30% of final grade. Attendance Policy BCC Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling purposes. Fire Science Discipline Attendance Policy: The discipline has agreed to leave attendance policies up to the discretion of each course instructor. Attendance Policy in this Course: To be determined by the instructor Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements [optional but recommended] Examples: Code of Student Conduct. Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty. ADA statement. Sexual Harassment statement. Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology. Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours. \ \ Student and Faculty Support Services The distance Learning Office-for any problems you may have accessing your online courses Room C-334 210-612-5581 psimms@bergen.edu Smartthinking Tutorial Service On Line at: www.bergen.edu/library/learning/tutor/smart/ind ex.asp The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908 The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908 The Online Writing Lab (OWL) On Line at: www.bergen.edu/owl The Office of Specialized Services (for Students with Disabilities) Room S-131 201-612-5270 www.bergen.edu/oss The Sidney Silverman Library Room L-226 201-447-7436 Course Outline and Calendar UNIT # TOPIC ASSIGNMENT Week 1 Overview of Course Week 2 The Theory of Code Enforcement NJ Uniform Fire Code Chapter 1 Week 3 Code Administrative Requirements NJ Uniform Fire Code Chapter 2 Week 4 Legal Aspects of Code Enforcement Week 5 Reference Standards NJ Uniform Fire Code Chapter 45 Week 6 Inspection Overview Week 7 Inspections Skills and Tools Week 8 Building Construction and Plan Review MID-TERM EXAM NJ Uniform Fire Code Chapter 6 Week 9 Continued NJ Uniform Fire Code Chapter 7 Week 10 General Fire Safety NJ Uniform Fire Code Chapter 3 Week 11 Occupancy Loads and Means of Egress NJ Uniform Fire Code Chapter 10 Week 12 Continued NJ Uniform Fire Chapter Code 8 Week 13 Fire Protection Systems Uniform Fire Code Chapter 9 Week 14 Fire Protections Systems Code Requirements NFPA Standards 25,231,231C, 231D, 231E, and 231F Week 15 Continued Short Paper Due Week 16 Cumulative Final Exam, Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class.