Chapter 12 High-Rise Buildings

Question 1

Rules for using an elevator:

Answer 1

1. Do not use for a fire on a lower floor level
2. Never take directly to the fire floor or above (2 floors or more below the fire)
3. Place under independent (FD) control
4. Control all cars in multiple hoistways
   
   • Controlling elevators is responsibility of Lobby
5. Never overcrowd elevators
6. Wear PPE, including SCBA, and bring forcible entry tools
7. Send equipment rather than FFs on elevators

Question 2

What is ground support in a high-rise?

Answer 2

Ground Support is a support unit used to move supplies to the interior staging area when using elevators is deemed to be unsafe.

Question 3

How far does each FF travel during Ground Support tactics?

Answer 3

Two floors only

Question 4

What makes high-rise fire fighting different?

Answer 4

In lower portion: main difference is exposure of many floors above.
Above the 8th floor, most exterior defensive tools are no longer effective.

Question 5

Estimates for floor height in a high-rise building:

Answer 5

First floor: 20 feet
All others: 10 feet

Question 6

Special Considerations for High-RIse Fires:

Answer 6

1. Elevator ops
2. Access/egress issues
3. Standpipe ops
4. Floor layouts (can vary drastically)
5. Ventilation
6. Procedures or Ops that are specific to the building

Question 7

Older tower builds have 3 positives and 1 negative.

Answer 7

1. Better compartmentation
2. More fire-resistive components
3. Generally better exit facilities

-1. Many are not protected by sprinklers

Question 8

Smoke-proof towers are built as separate structures, thus reducing the possibility of ______________.

Answer 8

Smoke entering the stairs. Also, the stairs could be pressurized to reduce smoke infiltration.

Question 9

the smoke-proof tower or pressurized stairway should be the stairway of chose for ______________.

Answer 9

Occupant evacuation.

Question 10

The colder it is outside and the warmer it is inside, the greater the what?

Answer 10

positive stack effect (upward movement)

Question 11

The warmer it is outside and the colder it is inside, the greater the what?

Answer 11

negative stack effect (downward movement)

Question 12

Stack effect

Answer 12

The vertical airflow caused by temperature differences within and outside the building.

Question 13

Much research has been done regarding wind-driven fires in high-rise buildings. Several possible tactics have been introduced as a result:

Answer 13

1. Controlling windows and doors
2. Applying positive-pressure ventilation
3. Deploying wind control devices
4. Using exterior fire streams

Question 14

Of the wind-driven high-rise fire factors, this is the most practical.

Answer 14

Controlling windows and doors.

Question 15

What is the primary rescue tactic in a high-rise building?

Answer 15

A well-placed offensive attack

Question 16

Important questions in regards to high-rise stairs:

Answer 16

1. Are people in the stairway?
2. Are any stairways filled with smoke?
3. Are doors from the stairway to each level locked?

Question 17

What is the greatest property conservation exposure at a high-rise?

Answer 17

Downward - water flows through curtain walls, electrical fixtures, and other openings, damaging valuable property below the fire.

Question 18

The average time to walk up one floor for the first 9 floors was:

Answer 18

20.8 seconds (Total: 3 min 7 seconds to reach 10th)

Question 19

The average time to walk up one floor for the last 8 floors:

Answer 19

59 seconds (total time: 28 minutes, 52 seconds to reach 48th (top) floorl

Question 20

Climbing stairs table

Answer 20

Time is in seconds:

Floors 1-10: 20.8
Floors 11-20: 27.8
Floors 21-30: 33.6
Floors 31-40: 45.9
Floors 41-48: 59

Question 21

Total number of FFs responding was not as important as the ____________________ for the resources allocated to complete critical tasks.

Answer 21

response time

Question 22

What is the most frequently cited problem during major emergency operations?

Answer 22

Communications

Question 23

What is Base?

Answer 23

Base for high-rise fires is a location where support equipment and personnel are held in reserve on the exteriorof the building.

Question 24

The duties of the interior staging officer are:

Answer 24

1. Report to the Ops Chief (IC if no Ops Chief)
2. Maintain records of the companies that are in staging and rehab
3. Maintain a minimum reserve of engine and truck company personnel
4. Request additional resources to maintain the established reserve force
5. Maintain an adequate supply of air cylinders and other equipment as needed
6. Supply first aid equipment and medical services for units that are involved in rescue and suppression

Question 25

The duties of Lobby Control:

Answer 25

1. Controlling, operating, and accounting for all elevators
2. Locating and controlling all interior stairs
3. Directing incoming companies to the proper elevator or stairway
4. Consulting with the building engineer
5. Controlling or shutting down the HVAC system after consulting with the IC

Question 26

What is the only way to effective gain access to the upper floors of a high-rise building?

Answer 26

Controlling the elevators and stairways

Question 27

Definition of a high-rise

Answer 27

A building beyond the reach of the available aerial fire equipment.