What type of facilities are considered target hazards in the context of fire safety?

In the context of fire safety, target hazards refer to occupancies or facilities that present a significant risk or have the potential for severe consequences in the event of a fire. These can include structures that house large numbers of people, critical infrastructure, or facilities storing hazardous materials.

Occupancies with the highest priority are categorized as target hazards because they are essential for public safety and their loss or destruction would have serious repercussions. Such facilities may include schools, hospitals, high-rise buildings, and assembly occupancies where a large number of people congregate. This prioritization is crucial for fire services, as they must focus their resources and planning efforts on preventing incidents and conducting effective fire response strategies in these high-risk environments.

In contrast, residential buildings, vacant lots, and commercial strip malls do not typically fall into the target hazard category to the same degree. While they can certainly have fire incidents, they do not present the same level of risk or impact on community safety as the highest priority occupancies do. Target hazards require a more concentrated response and preventative measures to ensure safety and minimize risk.