Ch 10. Fighting Fires in Vacant Commercial Occupancies

Question 1

Most of the occupancies to which firefighters respond are _____. (129)

Answer 1

single family residences

Question 2

Proportionately, more firefighters die and are seriously injured in _____ than in residences. (129)

Answer 2

vacant commercial occupancies

Question 3

As a group, ________ constitute some of the most dangerous grounds on which to face the enemy. (129)

Answer 3

vacant commercial occupancies

Question 4

Two key factors are implied when describing a building as a vacant commercial occupancy. (129)

Answer 4

1) some or all of the stuff that used to be in the building is gone
2) there should be no civilian life hazard involved

Question 5

The first concern with a fire in a vacant commercial property is _____. (130)

Answer 5

the risk to firefighters

Question 6

Assign one ______ to monitor the building for signs of collapse. (133)

Answer 6

safety officer

Question 7

If an entire floor is involved in a building of ordinary construction, expect it to last for about _____ before collapse. (135)

Answer 7

10-20 minutes

Question 8

When collapse does come [at a vacant commercial property], the walls may go ____. (135)

Answer 8

in or out

Question 9

Establish collapse zones _____. (135)

Answer 9

early

Question 10

Why can fires in vacant commercial buildings be large in scope? (135) 3 answers

Answer 10

1) theoretically no occupants so the alarm will be delayed
2) Old oil-soaked floors may contribute to the fire spread
3) Holes in the walls and other surfaces may foster widespread extension

Question 11

Vacant occupancies that exhibit structural decay or those that have had previous fires are dispatched as _____, meaning that firefighters won’t enter the structure if it’s involved. (135)

Answer 11

Code Red

Question 12

Vacant occupancies that have worth, are structurally sound, and that have never experienced a fire are dispatched as ______, meaning that cautious interior operations may be conducted. (135)

Answer 12

Code Yellow

Question 13

______ determines whether an offensive or defensive approach is in order. (135)

Answer 13

Risk analysis

Question 14

Offensive attacks should be mounted from ______ portion of the structure. (135)

Answer 14

unburned

Question 15

What is the first and most important part of the extinguishment process? (135)

Answer 15

confining the fire

Question 16

There aren’t many reason not to pull a _____ for the initial attack in any vacant commercial occupancy. (135)

Answer 16

2 1/2-inch line

Question 17

As a rule of thumb, if you cant knock down the flames with a single 2 1/2-inch line inside, you _____. (137)

Answer 17

might consider going defensive for a while

Question 18

What will provide reach and great knockdown power with the least disruption of the thermal balance? (137)

Answer 18

an indirect attack off the ceiling

Question 19

Always use ______ when conducting offensive operations in a vacant building. (137)

Answer 19

backup lines

Question 20

The backup line [at a vacant property fire] should be approximately _____ behind the attack crew to protect their path of escape. (137)

Answer 20

one hose length

Question 21

Defensive operations are ______ operations. (140)

Answer 21

holding

Question 22

Position [defensive lines] from the unburned portion of the structure, if possible, so as to ______. (140)

Answer 22

confine the fire to the smallest area possible

Question 23

If attempts to get ahead of the fire prove to be impossible or impractical, then _______. (140)

Answer 23

attempt to flank as much as possible

Question 24

[in a vacant property fire], the key is ______. (140)

Answer 24

first get ahead of the fire and stop its progress

Question 25

at fires at vacant properties, a ______ search, working off of a charged 2 1/2-inch line, offers the best protection. (141)

Answer 25

oriented

Question 26

______ is essential if you intend to save the structure. (141)

Answer 26

ventilation

Question 27

_____ ventilation will probably be the best method to use in a vacant commercial occupancy.

Answer 27

natural

Question 28

_______ venting through windows and doors may be the least effective, but it will be the safest. (142)

Answer 28

natural horizontal

Question 29

Take the windows from the _____ first, and take them from the highest point in the window frame. Then take out windows on the _____. Take these windows completely out. (142)

Answer 29

lee side; windward side

Question 30

If you're going to open the roof [at a vacant commercial property], then you next concern is _____. (142)

Answer 30

the type of roof

Question 31

Cut gable roofs ______. (142)

Answer 31

at the highest point possible

Question 32

venting is done for what 3 reasons? (143)

Answer 32

1) channel smoke and heat away from occupants 2) reduce damage from fire and smoke 3) make our jobs easier

Question 33

The process of checking for extension is normally carried out in 3 phases: (143)

Answer 33

1) above the fire 2) around the periphery of the fire 3) below the fire

Question 34

For [vacant commercial] buildings of ordinary construction, generally, the only attention mandated for the exterior walls will be _____ and _____. (144)

Answer 34

around the window frames and other structural openings

Question 35

regarding checking for extension in vacant commercial buildings of ordinary construction, the ceilings and floors will normally be made of wood and may require _____. (144)

Answer 35

full overhaul

Question 36

Newer [vacant commercial] buildings, predominantly of wood-frame or ordinary construction, will have ____ construction in their floors and ceilings. (144)

Answer 36

Truss

Question 37

_____ can play a key role in these [vacant commercial occupancy] fires. (144)

Answer 37

exposures

Question 38

Unlike most incidents, the _____ become the prime concern in many of these [vacant commercial occupancy] emergencies. (144)

Answer 38

exposures

Question 39

[At a fire at a vacant commercial occupancy], prioritizing which [exposure] to protect first is often _____. (144)

Answer 39

a judgement call

Question 40

Some factors to consider [when prioritizing exposures at a vacant commercial building fire] are: 5 (144)

Answer 40

1) Wind 2) Distance from the source of the fire 3) Life safety issues in any exposure 4) Value of the building 5) Historical or religious value of the structures

Question 41

When the source of the [vacant commercial] fire is in a worthless building, then ______. (144)

Answer 41

the exposures take on additional value

Question 42

Proportionally, more firefighters are killed and injured in these types of buildings than any other type. (145)

Answer 42

vacant commercial occupancies

Question 43

[At vacant commercial occupancy fires], what tops the list of the RIT officer's concerns? 4 (145)

Answer 43

1) Construction features 2) Access routes 3) Location of the fire 4) Number of personell

Question 44

In determining the best means of access [at a vacant commercial occupancy fire], the members of the RIT should be looking for _____. 4 (145)

Answer 44

1) Balconies 2) Fire escapes 3) Add-on stairs 4) Other features that can provide a way to the upper floors

Question 45

[At vacant commercial occupancy fires], from the time of the 360 walkaround and onward, the _____ should be evaluating fire conditions. (145)

Answer 45

members of the RIT

Question 46

Afire in a vacant commercial occupancy is one of the instances in which multiple _____ may be warranted. (145)

Answer 46

safety officers

Question 47

If crews and the fire are on the upper floors, it's vital to establish _____ as soon as possible. Ground ladders set up by the RIT will normally serve this purpose, but tower ladders and other aerials will also work well if they're available. (145)

Answer 47

a secondary means of egress

Question 48

A new unoccupied srip mall occupancy should considered a vacant commercial occupancy. True or False? (150 & 308)

Answer 48

True

Question 49

_____ should top the list of IC's concerns at a fire in a vacant commercial occupancy. (150& 308)

Answer 49

Early collapse

Question 50

A department's risk policy should have no relevance as it relates to a fire in a vacant commercial occupancy. True or False? (150 & 308)

Answer 50

False

Question 51

Asit relates to vacant commercial occupancies, they are usually _____ or _____. (150 & 308)

Answer 51

Wide open or tight

Question 52

You can anticipate collapse in a vacant commercial of ordinary construction if an entire floor is totally involved for _____ minutes. (150 & 308)

Answer 52

10 to 20

Question 53

Offensive attacks should be mounted from the _____. (150 & 308)

Answer 53

Unburned portion

Question 54

The author's choice of offensive attack in a vacant commercial is an _____. (150 & 308)

Answer 54

Indirect attack off the ceiling

Question 55

A _____ should be the line of choice for a backup in a vacant commercial fire. (150 & 308)

Answer 55

2 1/2" line with a smooth bore nozzle

Question 56

With defensive operations at a vacant commercial, _____ should be the tool of choice. (150 & 308)

Answer 56

Elevated streams from master appliances

Question 57

What type of search does the author suggest ata a vacant commercial fire? (150 & 308)

Answer 57

Oriented method searching off a 2 1/2" line

Question 58

The author considers a _____ hole adequate as the initial ventilation hole in the roof of a vacant commercial. (150 & 308)

Answer 58

10X10 (if constraints only allow for a 5X5 hole, then that's okay, too. pg. 143)

Question 59

If available, what is the safest and easiest method of venting a roof at a vacant commercial? (150 & 308)

Answer 59

Skylights

Question 60

Once the exposure line is in place, the next action in exposure protection is to _____. (150 & 308)

Answer 60

Get inside the exposure and check for extension

Question 61

What is the key concern to the RIT officer in a fire in a vacant commercial occupancy? (150 & 308)

Answer 61

Construction features

Question 62

If using more than one safety officer at a fire in a vacant commercial, what is the author's suggestion on where they should operate? (150 & 308)

Answer 62

one inside and one outside