13-04 - DANGERS OF VACANT/ABANDONED BUILDINGS

Question 1

What is a vacant building

Answer 1

1. empty
2. unoccupied
3. owner w/ expressed interest in building

Question 2

What is an abandoned building

Answer 2

1. no clear owner, landlord, or responsible party that can be easily reached
2. these buildings are often not secured, poorly maintained, dilapidated, and in a dangerous condition.

Question 3

According to the NFPA, there are approximately _____ structure fires that occur in vacant and abandoned buildings every year in the U.S.

Answer 3

31,000

Question 4

These fires result in an average of ____ firefighter injuries annually and have become a matter of increasing concern as our economy weakens

Answer 4

4,500

Question 5

Fire Department members shall notify the _____ Fire Command (MFC) if they discover a vacant/abandoned property that presents a danger to firefighters.

Answer 5

Floor Captain at Metro

Question 6

Provide what information to MFC

Answer 6

1. occupancy address
2. hazard description
3. other pertinent information

Question 7

The same information should be documented where

Answer 7

1. FPOS
2. F-2

Question 8

what agency responsible for the abatement of buildings which constitute a nuisance, are hazardous, or in a substandard condition. The provisions of Chapter 89 of the Los Angeles Building Code contain the requirements and procedures that LADBS applies to such buildings. LADBS requires fencing and posting of signs at vacant or abandoned structures to prevent entry

Answer 8

Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety

Question 9

Fire department will place what size placards on buildings

Answer 9

24” x 30”

Question 10

the placards shall be placed on how many sides of the building

Answer 10

two sides

Question 11

The Fire Department will make every attempt to minimize damage to the property owner’s structure while installing the “warning” placards. If the owner chooses to install the placards or use a private company, please have the owner notify the Fire Marshal’s office, in writing, within __ days of the date of this letter. Upon such notification, the Fire Department will make available placards (property of the City of Los Angeles) with installation directions for the owner or the owner’s representative.

Answer 11

14 days

Question 12

Placard symbols: Full red square

Answer 12

structure had normal structural conditions at the time of mark (not be used by LAFD)

Question 13

Placard symbols: Red square with white diagonal line

Answer 13

Hazardous Building: structural or interior hazard exists and interior firefighting or rescue operations should be conducted with caution

Question 14

Placard symbols: Red square with white X

Answer 14

Dangerous Building: structural or interior hazards exist to a degree that consideration should be given to limit fire fighting to exterior operations only, with entry only occurring for known life hazards

Question 15

Vacant/abandoned marker hazard identification symbols: The following symbols shall be used to designate known hazards on the vacant/abandoned building marker. All that apply shall be placed directly above the placard.

Answer 15

1. R/O- roof open
2. S/M- stairs, steps, and landing missing
3. F/E- avoid fire escapes
4. H/F- holes in floor