Ch 15. Fighting Fires in Churches

Question 1

When a fire breaks out at a church or temple, much of the ____ may be at stake. (223)

Answer 1

tradition of a community

Question 2

3 types of churches (223)

Answer 2

1) Old, traditional, Gothic (ordinary construction)
2) Modern traditional (smaller, more fireproof, easier ground for firefighting ops)
3) Conversions

Question 3

In the old, gothic, cruciform variety, ______ is far and away the biggest problem during a fire. (223)

Answer 3

ventilation

Question 4

[In the old, gothic, cruciform variety], ______ roofs are the norm.

Answer 4

slate

Question 5

Experts agree that a church isn’t the place for _____ if fire has entered the nave. (225)

Answer 5

PPV

Question 6

[Due to very high ceiling in churches], _____ overhaul of the rafters may be the only option. (225)

Answer 6

hydraulic

Question 7

If the fire breaks out ion the basement [of an old gothic church], there may ______. (225)

Answer 7

be slim hope for saving the building

Question 8

Many [old gothic] churches have _____, especially if the interior, nonbearing walls have been finished with lath and plaster. Flames can enter the space behind these walls and run to the ceiling. (225)

Answer 8

Numerous void spaces

Question 9

Some _____ have very ornate, geometric roofs that may be difficult to ventilate. (225)

Answer 9

modern churches

Question 10

[at modern churches] suspect _____ and all of their associated problems. (225)

Answer 10

truss assemblies

Question 11

Modern churches tend to have more _____ built into the overall design. (225)

Answer 11

firestopping and other safety features

Question 12

____ will likely prevail [in modern churches] exterior, load bearing walls, and the piers and buttresses may be more ______ than _____. (225)

Answer 12

Steel; decorative than fuctional

Question 13

Fires involving churches should almost always require a _____ line as the initial attack. (226)

Answer 13

2 1/2”

Question 14

Predictably, the _____ is the architectural wild card, since it may suffer from any of the deficiencies common to any other renovated structure. (227)

Answer 14

converted house of worship

Question 15

_____ usually has fixed seating, which is an asset during primary searches. (227)

Answer 15

older churches

Question 16

early collapse isn’t usually a concern in _____ and _____ churches. (227)

Answer 16

old-style gothic and modern traditional

Question 17

[in old-style and modern traditional churches], there’s always a direct relationship between _____. This does not apply to conversions, however. (227)

Answer 17

the massiveness of a building and its fire-resistance

Question 18

A large loss-of-life fire is defined as: (227)

Answer 18

one that claims more than 5 individuals

Question 19

Strategically, you must make every effort to _____ if you expect services ever to take place in that house of worship again. (229)

Answer 19

maintain interior operations

Question 20

It’s a general rule [at church fires] that you must _____ if you plan to save the structure. (229)

Answer 20

get inside and fight the fire directly

Question 21

If fire is attacking the [old-style or modern church] structure and time has ticked past a time frame of _____, you as the IC must consider withdrawal, and soon. (229)

Answer 21

10 to 20 minutes or so

Question 22

Even with the biggest and the best and the oldest [churches], you should always establish _____ at well-advanced fires, just in case. (229)

Answer 22

collapse zones

Question 23

You may want more than one _____ at a working church fire. (229)

Answer 23

safety officer

Question 24

If you can’t _____, your ability to save the upper portions of the structure, and thus the entire structure itself, will be questionable. (230)

Answer 24

ventilate succesfully

Question 25

If you absolutely can't open up the roof, _____. Go big and go fast. (230)

Answer 25

apply as much water as necessary to cool the interior and simultaneously extinguish the fire.

Question 26

Suppression operations should have 3 qualities: (230)

Answer 26

1) Speed 2) strength 3) simplicity

Question 27

Speed counts [at a church fire], so commit your first engine to _____. (230)

Answer 27

the front of the building

Question 28

What is the most appropriate area to take the initial lines at a church fire? (230)

Answer 28

One that will cut off the fire to the smallest area possible

Question 29

An oriented man working the center aisle of the church can conceivably control _____ searchers- half to his left and half to his right. (231)

Answer 29

4 or even 6

Question 30

In old-style and modern churches, the prime places to search include __7__ (231)

Answer 30

1) the chancel 2) vestiary 3) nave 4) foyer 5) choir loft 6) basement 7) classrooms and meeting rooms of adjoining structures

Question 31

If roof ventilation is contemplated at an old traditional church, _____ will prove the safest means of access to the roof. (232)

Answer 31

aerials

Question 32

_____ are essential at fires in churches. (233)

Answer 32

Backup lines

Question 33

Generally, if the fire is in the church itself, the _____ should suffice. (233)

Answer 33

one large caliber backup line

Question 34

The nave usually only requires _____. (233)

Answer 34

one crew with a 2 1/2" line

Question 35

If you take an attack line downstairs [into a basement at a church fire], it should be _____. (233)

Answer 35

long enough to reach to the far end of the basement.

Question 36

As always, [at a church fire], you should position the nozzle of the backup line _____. (233)

Answer 36

2/3 of the way between the stairway and the attack crew

Question 37

There are no specific rules to follow for salvage [in a church], but let _____ prevail. (233)

Answer 37

common sense

Question 38

The greatest concentration of precious items in a church or temple will be _____. (233)

Answer 38

around the altar

Question 39

_____ will top the list of concerns for the RIT crew as they make their 360-degree walkaround. (234)

Answer 39

The sheer size of some of these structures

Question 40

If activated, it may be best if the members of the RIT are accompanied by _____. (234)

Answer 40

a safety officer or some other experienced veteran

Question 41

Topside ventilation is normally difficult to impossible in a working church fire. True or false? (238 & 311)

Answer 41

True

Question 42

When overwhelming the underside of a ceiling in an old church, _____ may be your only option. (238 & 311)

Answer 42

Hydraulic overhaul

Question 43

Older churches usually have _____ seating. (238 & 311)

Answer 43

fixed

Question 44

Converted churches generally have _____ seating. (238 & 311)

Answer 44

Movable fold up chair

Question 45

Early collapse _____ usually a concern on old-gothic churches. (238 & 311)

Answer 45

isn't

Question 46

The author gives from _____ to _____ minute time frame before collapse can be anticipated in an old-gothic church. (238 & 311)

Answer 46

10 to 20

Question 47

According to the author, there is no excuse to pull any line smaller than a ____ with any evidence of a fire in a church. (238 & 311)

Answer 47

2 1/2" Line

Question 48

In older gothic churches, what feature will aid in search efforts? (238 & 311)

Answer 48

Pews

Question 49

Salvage efforts can be very labor intensive at a church fire. True or false? (238 & 311)

Answer 49

True

Question 50

How should searches be conducted in converted churches? (238 & 311)

Answer 50

oriented man working off a 2 1/2" line