Road Camp 12 fire — Board of Commissioners records, S1805, box 8, folder 6 — reading text

COPY reproduced by STATE ARCHIVES OF FLORIDA Departrment of State R. A. Gray Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250 Series 05 Box 5. File Folder & t INVESTIGATION OF FIRE AT JAY ROAD PRISON CAMP -- REPORTS | The Treasurer gave a brief follow-up report on his investigationl of fire in wooden buildings used for prisoners. He said that as State Fire Marshal he set fire to barracks in the Live Oak Road Prison Camp and watched it burn for testing purposes. He said skhex&ixxkxkestthat the fire was started and stopped in three minutes and in the side of the puilding where there was no paint that the heat was up to 1600 degrees and the smoke had AVL bofrte on Aiieroned the entire area and fire was racing to the side of the pbuilding where fire resistant paint was used. He said that where the paint &R was - used the heat was 300 degrees and the smoke much less. The heavy smoke a was the most hazardous part of the fire which would be the most injurious to people trying to get out of the building. Another test proved that it took over three minutes to break out of a building with an ax. He said that all technical data would be compiled and the complete report would be turned over to the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Division of Corrections with the recommendations that wooden puildings in the prison system be phased out as soon as possible. However, in the meantime, that the State Road Department use tke fire resistant paint on ke buildings, that additional exits be constructed, and that electrical work be done where needed. Mr. Conner thanked Mr. Williams for the report and said that his committee would move expeditiously in following the recommendations. He stated that he had a full report on the investigation of the fire at the Jay Road Prison Camp and would like to submit the report for inclusion in the Minutes of the Board. Without objection the following report was received and approved: COPY FULL REPORT OR Bee ie ae vag Read F Lea myn Ripert % Se OL e Narzhae YE, frtleciny INSURANCE COMMISSIONER STATE FIRE MARSHAL FINANCIAL RESPONSI uty TALLAHASSEE ne es IVISION BROWARD WILLIAMS 1% 32304 LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM STATE TREASURER GAS DIVISION 15 August 1967 REPORT OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL Fire Safety Inspection 13 Road Prison Camps (wood frame construction) This report is a result of the fire safety inspection of thirteen wooden frame road prison camps conducted by Deputy State Fire Marshals T. W. Burkhart and C. W. McPherson under the direction of Chief Deputy W. T. "Tommy" Knight. During that inspection, it was found that trash cans were allowed to go unemptied, there was a significant lack of proper fire extinguishers, combustible materials were improperly stored, all of which are contrary to good fire prevention practices. It is the opinion of those making the inspections that the following steps should be taken to reduce fire hazards at the several road prison camps. 1. All wooden dormitories at these thirteen camps should be phased out as soon as economically possible. 2. All buildings, especially dining rooms, kitchens and dormitories should be wired in rigid conduit or E.M.T. throughout. All electrical apparatus connected to the electrical system shall be con- _nected thereto by approved permanent connections if stationary and by approved cords and male plug if portable. All electrical apparatus installed where the operator may be grounded shall be pro- vided with a ground. 3. It is recommended that all dormitories be pro- vided with one additional exit door at each end of the dormitory. These two additional exit doors should be controlled from the wicket and used only in case of emergency or fire drill. All exit doors throughout the camp should swing outward. 4. Prompt release of all exit doors should be guar- anteed by correctional personnel on duty while 10. le 2F inmates are locked in dormitories and keys shall be readily accessible at all times in any emer- gency. All paint should be stored in an approved storage cabinet as required by State of Florida, State Fire Marshal's Rules and Regulations, Chapter 5A~-16, Rule 5A-16.33. All bedding should be maintained fire-resistive by chemical treatment. All trash cans throughout the camps should be ‘of noncombustible construction and be provided with a close fitting lid. These trash cans should be provided particularily for hobby shops, etc. Water pump electrical circuits for all camps utilizing their own source of water supply should be separate from all other electrical circuits and should run underground to the pump from the source supplying electrical current to the camp. It is recommended that a 2" standpipe be run into the wicket and outside the kitchen. The standpipe in the wicket should be provided with 50' of 1 1/2" hose and adjustable stream nozZle and the standpipe at the kitchen should be provided with 75' of 1 1/2" hose and adjust- able stream nozzle. Water supply should be sufficient to maintain at least 30 pounds pres- sure at the nozzle when in use. A fire evacuation plan and a fire drill plan ‘should be in effect and written copies of the plan available to all supervisory personnel for the protection of all persons in the event of a fire and for their evacuation to areas of refuge and from the building when necessary. Fire drills should be held at regular intervals to insure the effectiveness of the plans. In addition, the plans should be posted in con- spicious places in dormitories, dining halls, etc. Battery powered emergency lights should be pro-~ vided in the wicket in case of power failure, etc. Range hoods in kitchens should be reworked so that they comply with approved installations. Exhaust fans in kitchens should not be so located to override hood exhaust system. Approved fixed fire extinguishing equipment should be installed e in each range hood and duct. : - | 13. Exhaust fans in dormitories should be installed horizonally in the ceiling near the center of the building. The exhaust duct should be of one hour fire rating and should terminate in a pent- house with permanently open louvers. No other exhaust fans should be permitted in dormitories. All existing openings into the attic should be closed. 14. ‘All combustible materials and flammable liquids should be kept at a minimum in the dormitories. 15. Lint traps for dryers in laundry should be cleaned after each day ‘of use. 16. All dormitories, guard sleeping quarters, and dining halls should be painted on the inside with fire-retarding paint (UL listed) 17. No Smoking signs should.be posted at gas pumps and all tank and pump installations should comply with Chapter 5A-15, Part VI "Service Stations", Rules and Regulations of the State Fire Marshal. 18. No additions, repairs or alterations should be made to electrical system by other than a qualified electrician. The use of extension cords should be kept to a minimum. 19. Each camp should be provided with an approved incinerator. These recommendations are presently being studied by.a special committee composed of representatives of each of the Cabinet offices and State Road Department and the Division of Corrections. FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION--SUNLAND TRAINING CENTERS Deputy State Fire Marshal C. W. McPherson made fire safety inspections at the Sunland Training Center at Gainesville, Florida, and the Sunland Hospital in Orlando. As’ a result of those inspections, the Fire Marshal recommends that additional fire control equipment such as increased sprinkler capacity, installation of fire and smoke doors, changes in the swing of some exit doors, central storage of combustible materials, additional fire extinguishers, and other similar safeguards be developed. The inspections of the Sunland institutions have not been =o completed, and a detailed Fire Marshal's report on each institution will be prepared and furnished the members of the Board of Commissioners of State Institutions in the near future. : I also requested Mr. Robert E. Gresimer, the Engineer in charge of the Liquified Petroleum Gas Division of my office, to examine liquified petroleum and other gas appliances and handling facilities at the several road prison camps and the Sunland Training centers. Those inspections revealed a need for many corrective measures not only at the road SHINE but at some of the Sunland installations. For example, at one road camp “here was an open natural gas line at the kitchen range down stream from a closed gas valve. An opening of “he valve could obviously permit the escape of gas and contribute to an explosion. The inspec*ion also revealed that tanks storing liquified petroleum gas were improperly installed. Gas lines were not buried to a safe depth of 15 inches, appliances need new controls, heaters in several instances’ were not securly fastened which could permit a rupture of a gas transmission line. Safety emergency shut-off valves should be installed in certain instances. These matters which must be corrected as quickly as possible will be brought to the attention of the several Superintendents and the division staff so they may be corrected immediately. StaZ Broward Williams State Treasurer and State Fire Marshal STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE THE CAPITOL TALLAHASSEE A DOYLE C 4 : vente ae 32304 i July 20, 1967 feet SOARD OF COMMISSIONERS CONSTRUCTION DIV, Mr. Louie Wainwright, Director ia JUL 75 ige/ Division of Corrections ‘9. BM. 620 S. Meridian Street 7181920 /11 12) 112/814; 516 Tallahassee, Florida r' Dear Louie: First, I want to thank you for the diligence you have shown in conducting a thorough investigation into the fire at the Road Prison Camp at Jay, Florida. The Cabinet Subcommittee on the Division of Correc- tions has asked that Attorney General Faircloth furnish an investigator to work on this matter and with the help and support of your staff to give us a complete report. The Cabinet Subcommittee on the Divisions of Correc- tions feels that it is imperative that we speed up the phasing out program of the 13 remaining Road Guard Camps that house prisoners in wooden buildings. Please furnish me and the other members of the Committee a detailed report on the funds necessary and your recom- mendations for completely eliminating wooden buildings in the road prisons system. When we receive your report, I am considering asking the Governor to broaden the call to the Legislature to include this matter. With warm personal regards, I am Sincerely, AEE nen Commissioner DC/b1 'ec: Honorable Fred 0. Dickinson, Jr., Comptroller, State of Florida Honorable Earl Faircloth, Attorney General, State of Florida po ir . Terry Lee, Sr., Coordinator, Commissioners of State Institutions DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS: ROAD PRISONS —_ ee FIRE AT ROAD PRISON CAMP AT JAY -- REPORT i 25 Sr m The Comptroller read the following report to the Board relative to the fire at the Road Prison Camp at Jay in the absence of the Commissioner of Agriculture, Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Division of Corrections: TYPE LETTER The Secretary of State moved that the report be received. His motion was seconded and adopted. \ After a brief discussion relative to phasing out the six wooden buildings finding funds to operate Sumter Correctional Institution at full capacity, fire prevention, having fire drills for inmates, and inspection of equipment, particularly gas systems, in the buildings, CCCCESCHOCEACEHECKECGHEEGA thakxkhexfabinekxtanmrkckerx motion was made and adopted that the Cabinet Committee work wkkhx Kogxmenxknxkheiexdepaxkments, Divrisiern—of_Corrections, Fire Marshal, with a selected group of men eee departments familiar with the problem and present specific recommendations to the Board- Dkr Fe) LORIDA DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS TELEPHONE 224-1269 301 FARRIS BRYANT BUILDING’ TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32304 LOUIE L. WAINWRIGHT, DIRECTOR July 24, 1967 The Honorable Doyle