Ch 10. Fighting Fires in Vacant Commercial Occupancies Flashcards
Most of the occupancies to which firefighters respond are _____. (129)
single family residences
Proportionately, more firefighters die and are seriously injured in _____ than in residences. (129)
vacant commercial occupancies
As a group, ________ constitute some of the most dangerous grounds on which to face the enemy. (129)
vacant commercial occupancies
Two key factors are implied when describing a building as a vacant commercial occupancy. (129)
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
The first concern with a fire in a vacant commercial property is _____. (130)
the risk to firefighters
Assign one ______ to monitor the building for signs of collapse. (133)
safety officer
If an entire floor is involved in a building of ordinary construction, expect it to last for about _____ before collapse. (135)
10-20 minutes
When collapse does come [at a vacant commercial property], the walls may go ____. (135)
in or out
Establish collapse zones _____. (135)
early
Why can fires in vacant commercial buildings be large in scope? (135) 3 answers
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
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)
Code Red
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)
Code Yellow
______ determines whether an offensive or defensive approach is in order. (135)
Risk analysis
Offensive attacks should be mounted from ______ portion of the structure. (135)
unburned
What is the first and most important part of the extinguishment process? (135)
confining the fire
There aren’t many reason not to pull a _____ for the initial attack in any vacant commercial occupancy. (135)
2 1/2-inch line
As a rule of thumb, if you cant knock down the flames with a single 2 1/2-inch line inside, you _____. (137)
might consider going defensive for a while
What will provide reach and great knockdown power with the least disruption of the thermal balance? (137)
an indirect attack off the ceiling
Always use ______ when conducting offensive operations in a vacant building. (137)
backup lines
The backup line [at a vacant property fire] should be approximately _____ behind the attack crew to protect their path of escape. (137)
one hose length
Defensive operations are ______ operations. (140)
holding
Position [defensive lines] from the unburned portion of the structure, if possible, so as to ______. (140)
confine the fire to the smallest area possible
If attempts to get ahead of the fire prove to be impossible or impractical, then _______. (140)
attempt to flank as much as possible
[in a vacant property fire], the key is ______. (140)
first get ahead of the fire and stop its progress
at fires at vacant properties, a ______ search, working off of a charged 2 1/2-inch line, offers the best protection. (141)
oriented
______ is essential if you intend to save the structure. (141)
ventilation
_____ ventilation will probably be the best method to use in a vacant commercial occupancy.
natural
_______ venting through windows and doors may be the least effective, but it will be the safest. (142)
natural horizontal
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)
lee side; windward side
If you’re going to open the roof [at a vacant commercial property], then you next concern is _____. (142)
the type of roof
Cut gable roofs ______. (142)
at the highest point possible
venting is done for what 3 reasons? (143)
1) channel smoke and heat away from occupants
2) reduce damage from fire and smoke
3) make our jobs easier
The process of checking for extension is normally carried out in 3 phases: (143)
1) above the fire
2) around the periphery of the fire
3) below the fire
For [vacant commercial] buildings of ordinary construction, generally, the only attention mandated for the exterior walls will be _____ and _____. (144)
around the window frames and other structural openings
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)
full overhaul
Newer [vacant commercial] buildings, predominantly of wood-frame or ordinary construction, will have ____ construction in their floors and ceilings. (144)
Truss
_____ can play a key role in these [vacant commercial occupancy] fires. (144)
exposures
Unlike most incidents, the _____ become the prime concern in many of these [vacant commercial occupancy] emergencies. (144)
exposures
[At a fire at a vacant commercial occupancy], prioritizing which [exposure] to protect first is often _____. (144)
a judgement call
Some factors to consider [when prioritizing exposures at a vacant commercial building fire] are: 5 (144)
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
When the source of the [vacant commercial] fire is in a worthless building, then ______. (144)
the exposures take on additional value
Proportionally, more firefighters are killed and injured in these types of buildings than any other type. (145)
vacant commercial occupancies
[At vacant commercial occupancy fires], what tops the list of the RIT officer’s concerns? 4 (145)
1) Construction features
2) Access routes
3) Location of the fire
4) Number of personell
In determining the best means of access [at a vacant commercial occupancy fire], the members of the RIT should be looking for _____. 4 (145)
1) Balconies
2) Fire escapes
3) Add-on stairs
4) Other features that can provide a way to the upper floors
[At vacant commercial occupancy fires], from the time of the 360 walkaround and onward, the _____ should be evaluating fire conditions. (145)
members of the RIT
Afire in a vacant commercial occupancy is one of the instances in which multiple _____ may be warranted. (145)
safety officers
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)
a secondary means of egress
A new unoccupied srip mall occupancy should considered a vacant commercial occupancy. True or False? (150 & 308)
True
_____ should top the list of IC’s concerns at a fire in a vacant commercial occupancy. (150& 308)
Early collapse
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)
False
Asit relates to vacant commercial occupancies, they are usually _____ or _____. (150 & 308)
Wide open or tight
You can anticipate collapse in a vacant commercial of ordinary construction if an entire floor is totally involved for _____ minutes. (150 & 308)
10 to 20
Offensive attacks should be mounted from the _____. (150 & 308)
Unburned portion
The author’s choice of offensive attack in a vacant commercial is an _____. (150 & 308)
Indirect attack off the ceiling
A _____ should be the line of choice for a backup in a vacant commercial fire. (150 & 308)
2 1/2” line with a smooth bore nozzle
With defensive operations at a vacant commercial, _____ should be the tool of choice. (150 & 308)
Elevated streams from master appliances
What type of search does the author suggest ata a vacant commercial fire? (150 & 308)
Oriented method searching off a 2 1/2” line
The author considers a _____ hole adequate as the initial ventilation hole in the roof of a vacant commercial. (150 & 308)
10X10 (if constraints only allow for a 5X5 hole, then that’s okay, too. pg. 143)
If available, what is the safest and easiest method of venting a roof at a vacant commercial? (150 & 308)
Skylights
Once the exposure line is in place, the next action in exposure protection is to _____. (150 & 308)
Get inside the exposure and check for extension
What is the key concern to the RIT officer in a fire in a vacant commercial occupancy? (150 & 308)
Construction features
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)
one inside and one outside
