Chapter 12 Flashcards
Older Apartment Buildings
Fire fighter safety
i. The lack of fire protection (no firestops)
ii. The building may have deteriorated from age and usage prior to the fire, creating a very unstable structure under the attack of flame.
Older Apartment Buildings
Search and Rescue
. A visible life hazard upon arrival, such as people hanging out windows or coming down fire escapes, may indicate an even greater life hazard within the building that is not visible from the street.
ii. Such factors must be considered when making the decision to perform rescue operations before or simultaneously with stretching attack hose line.
Older Apartment Buildings
Confinement/Extinguishment
i. Stretch hose line via the interior stairway to ensure protection of this vital stairway.
ii. For a basement fire, stretch the hose line through the front door to the cellar stairs.
iii. Commence VES operations
Older Apartment Buildings
Ventilation
i. A vital function at older apartment fires is to ventilate the stairway.
ii. The company should then continue vertical ventilation by opening skylights and ventilation covers.
iii. After a hose line is in position and ready for the fire attack, horizontal ventilation can begin.
Older Apartment Buildings
Overhaul
i. Because of the varied construction features, the fire may be in places that are not typically considered.
ii. The attic should always be checked for extension.
iii. If available, thermal imaging cameras should be put into operation to check for hot spots.
Newer Apartment Building
Fire Fighter Safety
i. Potential difficulty in stretching needed hose line from the water source to the fire origin
ii. Performing large search and extinguishment operations can lead to fire fighter fatigue.
Newer Apartment Building
Search and Rescue
i. Possibility for substantially more victims in larger apartments
ii. Marking apartments as they are checked confirms a search has been completed.
iii. Everyone on scene should be familiar with the marking methods.
Newer Apartment Building
Confinement
i. The key is locating the fire and getting the hose line to the right area of the building in a reasonable amount of time.
Newer Apartment Bui;lding
Extinguishment
i. Closely related to confining the fire
ii. A second hose line should be stretched to back up the first line and for possible use on the floor above the fire.
iii. If a stairwell is present, the hose line should be placed there.
Fire Resistive Multiple Family
Fire fighter Safety
i. When using a standpipe, make sure enough fire fighters with enough hose proceed to the floor below the fire and make all the necessary hose line connections.
ii. Rapid fire spread is possible with this type of building.
iii. If using the elevator, stop at least two floors below the reported fire floor and take the stairs.
Fire Resistive Multiple Family
Search and Rescue
. The floor above the fire generally does not become an exposure problem, but it must be searched.
ii. The greater emphasis on search and rescue must be made in the following locations:
(a) The apartment where the fire is located
(b) Common hallways and areas
(c) Stairways
(d) Adjoining apartments
Fire Resistive Multiple Family
Confinement
i. Responding engines should take positions on fire hydrants near fire department connections and supply the system.
ii. Depending on staffing levels, the first-arriving engine companies should ensure that the first line gets put into operation.
iii. As engine companies hook up attack lines, ladder companies can attempt to locate the fire apartment.
Row-Frame
Fire Fighter Safety
i. One of the greatest threats is underestimating the need for adequate personnel early in the incident.
ii. Accessing the roof should be attempted with an aerial or tower ladder if possible.
iii. Built-up gases in the cockloft can ignite, engulfing fire fighters on the top floor.
iv. Changes and developments should be reported to the IC as quickly as possible.
Row-Frame
Confinement
i. To confine the fire in the place or apartment of origin, a smaller hose line is recommended for mobility and maneuverability.
ii. Additionally, stretch hose lines to the top floor of the fire building and the top floors of adjoining exposures as quickly as possible to prevent the fire from spreading to multiple buildings within the structure.
Row-Frame
Extinguishment
i. The location of the fire dictates where the first hose line is stretched.
ii. Any hose lines stretched into row-frame dwellings must be long enough to cover the entire structure from the front to the rear of the building.
iii. Fire fighters advancing hose should also be equipped with tools to pull ceilings.