brownsstones Flashcards
- You are a new Lieutenant working in L100 for the 9x6 tour. After lunch you walk into the
kitchen and find the members holding a drill on brownstone buildings. One of the junior
members makes the following statement: “When searching the upper floors, do not overlook the
possibility of small bedrooms having their only entrance from the hall. These rooms are only
found in the front of the building. The single means of egress to the interior hall may cause
occupants to be trapped when fire has possession of the open interior stairs. Because of this,
these rooms have been referred to as the “deadman’s” room”
. Do you agree or disagree with the
member’s statement? 2.1.2 Note
A. Agree or D. Disagree
d could be found in front or rear
- Which point listed below is incorrect regarding the description of brownstone buildings?
2.1
A. The first floor (basement) was composed of a kitchen in the rear with a dining room in the
front, and an interior stairway to the second floor (parlor) and cellar. There is also a large closet.
This floor has two means of egress to the outside.
B. The second floor (parlor) contained the front and rear parlor rooms, a hall, bedroom in the
rear and the main entrance to the building. This floor has two means of egress to the outside.
C. The third and fourth floors contained two bedrooms each, with hall rooms in the front and
the rear, off the stairway. These may have been bedrooms or bathrooms.
D. In brownstones, the basement is the first floor. The interior is of combustible construction,
while the exterior shell is made of non-combustible material. Their width is 20 to 25 feet, and
their depth varies to about 60 feet.
b
- Understanding how brownstone buildings are laid out and the terminology used in
describing them is critically important to the safety of members operating at fires in these
buildings. Which point below is not entirely correct? 2.1.3
A. The entrance to the second floor (parlor) is usually by way of exterior stair or stoop.
B. Entrance to the first floor (basement) is through a doorway located under the exterior stoop.
C. Interior wooden stairs connect the cellar and first floor (basement), and first floor
(basement) and second floor (parlor).
D. An enclosed interior stair connects the second floor (parlor) and upper floors. An iron
ladder gives access from the top floor to the roof through a bulkhead.
d
FIRE TECH’S PROMOTION COURSE 9/30/18 FIRE OFFICERS COURSE
4. Lt. Smith and his members are operating at a fire on the 2
nd floor of a 4 story brownstone.
The fire was in the front parlor room and has been knocked down by the Engine Co. Lt. Smith
then directs the proby to start pulling the ceiling in the front parlor room to check for extension.
Which point below reflects correct information about overhauling on the parlor floor in a
brownstone? 2.2.4,2.2.5
A. The weight of the ornamental plaster on the ceiling is not a concern and is usually found in
the center of the room only. 6’ hooks will be sufficient in all circumstances.
B. The weight of the ornamental plaster on the ceiling is not a concern and is usually found in
the center and perimeter of the room only. 6’ hooks will be sufficient in all circumstances.
C. The weight of the ornamental plaster on the ceiling can cause serious injury to members
operating in this area and is often found in the center and around the perimeter of the room. 10’
hooks may be necessary to pull these ceilings.
D. The weight of the ornamental plaster on the ceiling can cause serious injury to members
operating in this area and is only found on the perimeter of the room. 10’ hooks will be
necessary to pull these ceilings.
c
- During BISP members are inspecting a brownstone building that has been converted into a
multiple dwelling. The building is a 4 story MD that has three apartments. As members enter
the building they notice sprinklers in the hallways. Which statement made by the members is not
correct? 2.2.7
A. Since there are sprinklers in the hallway there will not be a rear fire escape. Most
brownstones have fire escapes.
B. Since there are sprinklers in the hallway there may not be a rear fire escape. Most
brownstones do not have fire escapes.
C. When sprinkler lines are in the halls and extend into individual rooms this indicates the
building was converted to a rooming house.
D. When a brownstone was converted into a multiple dwelling, fire escapes were added or
sprinklers were installed in the interior halls.
a
- The roof position demands an observant, determined, and experienced firefighter due to the
hazards associated with this position. Which point regarding roof construction in brownstone
buildings is not correct? 2.2.15
A. The majority of brownstones roofs are flat construction with no parapet in rear. Some have
a center peak which slopes toward the front and the rear.
B. The cockloft space between the top floor ceiling and the roof is approximately 4” to 6’ in
height and the roof is pitched toward the front of the building.
C. Access to the roof is via the iron ladder leading up to the scuttle opening. The ladder is
usually in a closet.
D. Another type has more floors in the rear than in front. There may be five stories in the rear
with full windows. The roof slopes to the front where there are small front windows making
access to and removal of trapped persons from these areas difficult.
b
- Members were discussing brownstones while conducting building inspection and made
several points regarding these type of buildings. Which point made below was not correct?
(2.2.9,2.2.10, 2.2.11,2.2.12)
A. Doors at top of cellar, basement, and parlor floor stairs normally prevent the immediate
extension of cellar fires up the main interior stairs. However, there will be a rapid build-up of
smoke and heat on upper floors and initial operations will remain the same.
B. Immediate ventilation, entry, isolation, and search (VEIS) of the top floor is mandatory,
and is considered to be one of the most important operations at these fires. This important
operational tactic must be controlled, communicated, and coordinated between the inside and
outside teams.
C. The cellar fire is peculiar in that there are limited means of venting the cellar. The most
that can be expected are a couple of very small windows at ground level in the rear, an opening
under a grating near the basement vestibule, and possibly a coal chute.
D. Rear extensions also have been added on the first floor. In some cases these extensions
may be two or three stories in height, and 10 to 20 feet in depth. They will have their own
cockloft.
a
Doors at top of cellar and first floor (basement) stairs normally prevent
- Brownstone buildings are similar to tenements in their construction in that the interior is
basically non fire proof while the exterior shell is made of non-combustible material. Fires in
brownstones are generally confined to the original fire building however there can be some
spread to adjoining buildings. All of the following are possible points where fire can extend to
an adjoining building except which one? 2.3.2, 2.3.3
A. Beams in the ceiling of the cellar where they butt up against beams of an adjoining
building.
B. Pockets in the walls on the second floor (parlor floor) which are built to facilitate the
operation of the sliding (pocket) doors.
C. Deterioration and faulty construction of the division walls in the cockloft.
D. Fire can extend to an adjoining building via a cornice or Yankee gutter.
b
- Some brownstone buildings may have a second set of stairs in addition to the main
stairway. Which point listed below is correct regarding the second stairway in a brownstone
building? 2.3.4, Private Dwellings Chapter 1 3.3
A. It will be found along a side wall toward the rear of the building. This stair will be anenclosed stair and will go from the cellar to the parlor floor
.
B. It will be found in the rear of the building. This stair will be an enclosed stairway and will
go from the basement to the first floor
.
C. It will be found in the rear of the building. This stair will be an open stairway and will go
from the basement to the parlor floor.
D. It will be found along a side wall or in the rear of the building. This stair will be an open
stair way and go from the 1st to 3rd
floor or will connect the 1st
, 2nd, and 3rd
floors.
c
- Please read the following two points of information and choose the correct answer below.
(23.5,2.3.6) - The large enclosed stairway with wood paneling provides a continuous combustible flue
from the first floor (basement) to the roof. This will allow fire to spread rapidly and cut off
escape of the occupants. - Transom windows, which may be found over the interior doors, can fail under fire
conditions and allow heat and smoke into the hall areas. This also will allow fire to spread
more easily.
A. Both are correct
B. Neither are
correct
C. Choice 1 is
incorrect
D. Choice 2 is
incorrect
c
- Members of E-75 and L-33 are operating at a fire on the 3 rd floor of a 5 story brownstone
building. The fire, which has been knocked down, was on the 3 rd floor and was contained to the
rear bedroom. Which member below is under the functional supervision of his respective
officer? 2.6 #11 note
A. The LCC of L-33 is operating on the pedestal of the tower ladder and can see his officer in
the front windows of the building.
B. The irons firefighter, without using his HT, is overhauling in the rear bedroom and is
talking to his officer who is in the other room.
C. The Door firefighter who is on the landing between the 1
st and 2
nd floors feeding hose to
the advancing hose team.
D. The Control firefighter from E-75 is in the street about 100’ past the fire building and is
removing a kink in E-75’s hose line.
E. The Roof firefighter who is on the roof of the building and communicating with his officer
via handie talkie.
e
- E-99, E-98, E-97, L-100, and LI 01 have just arrived at a fire on the 4th
floor of a five story
brownstone building. The building has one apartment per floor and has a rear fire escape.
Members of L-100, the l
sl due truck, proceed to the 4
th floor of the building and force open the
fire apartment door. The officer left the can man at the door to the fire apartment to maintain
control of the fire apartment door. The Officer and the irons firefighter then immediately started
a thorough primary search at the front door of the fire apartment while proceeding to the location
of the fire which is in the front living room. The officer of L-100 then informed the Officer of E-
99 of the location of the fire and moved a small piece of furniture out of the way so the Engine
had unobstructed access to the fire area. While the 2
nd due truck was making their way to the 5 th
floor, the Officer from L-100 told the Officer of L-101 that the fire was in the front living room
on the 4th floor of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished by the members of E-99 at
which point the Officer of L-100 ordered the front windows vented. Do you agree or disagree
with the actions of the Officer of L-100 at this fire? 2.6
A. Agree D. Disagree
d
- During a recent day tour the senior man of L-100, who is a regular chauffer, decided to let
a newer LCC drive for the day tour to get some experience with this new position. During the
tour L-100 caught a job on the 3rd
floor of a 4 story brownstone building. After the firthe
members were talking about their actions and things they could have done better. The LCC took
the following actions at this fire and was incorrect in which one? 2.6 D
A. He positioned the apparatus to completely cover the fire building, raised the aerial to the
roof, and then immediately moved the ladder to VEIS the top floor.
B. When venting, entering, isolating, and searching the top floor he teamed up with the 2nd due LCC.
C. If this fire was on the top floor the LCC said that he would then raise and position the aerial
to the roof of the exposure for use by the roof and OV firefighters who will be going to the roof.4
D. The LCC chose the middle window on the top floor to VEIS instead of the window over
the main entrance.
a
- L-99 just arrived at a fire on the 4lh
floor of a 5 story brownstone and a person is hanging
out of the middle window on the 4
th
floor threatening to jump. The LCC immediately set up the
apparatus, raised the aerial to the 4
th
floor, and made the rescue of the victim. The roof
firefighter had to find an alternate method to the roof and top floor VEIS was delayed since the
LCC had to use the aerial ladder to address this known life hazard. Do you agree with the
actions of the LCC at this fire? 2.6 D 4
A. Agree or D. Disagree
a
- The tool assignment for the 1
st due OV at a fire in a brownstone building is a 6’ hook,
halligan tool, flashlight, and a HT. The brownstone bulletin mentions two additional tools that
can help the OV firefighter perform his/her job more efficiently. The two tools mentioned in the
bulletin are correctly listed in which choice below? 2.6 E
A. 12’ straight ladder and a 12’ halligan hook.
B. 10’ scissor ladder and a 10’ hook.
C.
“A” frame ladder and a 12’ hook.
D. 24’ extension ladder and a 10’ halligan hook
b
