6. Modern Building Construction Flashcards
Firefighters across the nation have encountered foam products used on commercial flat roofs and typically end up executing a ____ or ____ cut when performing vertical ventilation because of the thickness of the roof.
- step or skim cut
Use caution when performing a step or skim cut, in many installations, the top layer may be a rubberized membrane, which has been known to ____. When faced with this type of roof, a good tactic may be to ____
- off gas and ignite, chasing members off the roof at fire operations
- stretch a precautionary hose line to the roof for safety.
Many of the modern building construction materials not only add to fire spread and advancement, they also ____
contribute to the myriad of toxins that are causing cancer at alarming rates among firefighters.
If ____ is used in the attic space, companies may not see the traditional signs of an attic fire: smoke from the ridge vent, vent caps, or eaves.
foam
When foam is used in attic spaces involved in fire, crews might see smoke, but because of the toxic gases that SPF may emit, it will likely be ____
black smoke rather than grey/ brown laminar smoke.
When attempting to vertically ventilate a roof constructed with SPF, a ____ with a ____ is the only way to get all the way trough on the initial cut.
- deep punk cut
* chain saw
Tools that should always go to the roof are:
Power saw, hook, axe, portable radio, and roof ladder.
What could be the answer to finding and extinguishing deep seated fire under the outer crust of roofs and attic spaces with SPF foam system?
Using a thermal imaging camera and a pressurized water extinguisher filled with a foam type solution.
The worst type of exterior cladding in regard to flammability is usually ____
vinyl siding
When involved in a fire vinyl siding may melt away quickly and mostly just fall to the ground, causing small ground fires. ____ is actually what matters most.
- What lies beneath
- Polystyrene, and polyisocyanurate in the foam panels used for insulation is extremely flammable and will burn into the attic space.
A construction concern is the emerging use of ____ as repurposed building units.
ISBUs - Intermodal Steel Building Units (shipping containers)
What are some important factors to keep in mind when attacking a fire in an ISBU?
- Make a proper stretch: have enough line, and enough water. (think of these buildings as flashover containers)
- We will face higher heat and more volatile conditions. These building contain heat better than traditional structures.
- Construction features may impact egress and restrict you from backing out.
One benefit to ISBU construction is ____
that the compartments are smaller than many lightweight constructed traditional homes with open floor plans.
When searching in a ISBU constructed building, put a greater focus on ____
closing doors to create barriers and areas of refuge, and to limit flow paths.
Considerations for ventilation in ISBU construction.
Horizontal ventilation tactics will be much easier than those for vertical ventilation, even if hurricane glass is installed, due to the heavy gauge steel construction of the ISBU
