Chapter 17 Fire Attack High Rise Buildings Flashcards
What are the 2 styles of Highrise design
There are basically two styles of high rise construction designs – a centre core design
and a centre hall design.
What are floor trusses required to have by code
Code requires that the floor trusses have a 2-hour fire rating. This can be achieved by
drywall or concrete encasing or more commonly a sprayed on protective coating.
What is a concern for fire command when dealing with an office-style high rise
A concern for Fire Command is that windows in an office-style centre core structure
typically DO NOT OPEN. The ventilation sector must be conscious of the design
feature. At least one stairwell will provide roof access.
Name some types of stairwell design
Straight stairs
Circular stairs
Scissor stairs
Return stairs
Define stairwells and what can they be classified as
stairwells are the vertical shafts in the building. These may be
classed as either protected or unprotected.
What is a protected Stairwell
A protected stairwell is a critical component in the life safety concerns of a
high rise structure. These are enclosed fire rated shafts that serve primarily for
emergency egress paths for the occupants.
What are some considerations for using an elevator
● Location of fire/fire floor or alarm activation must be known prior to using the
elevators
● Check the elevator shaft for signs of smoke and fire prior to use.
● NEVER take the elevator to the fire floor – exit two floors below the reported
fire floor.
● TEST the operation of the elevator car by stopping at floor #2 prior to
proceeding any higher in the structure.
● NEVER pass the fire floor.
● NEVER use the elevators unless in Firefighter operation mode.
● Clear understanding of Phase I and Phase II elevator operation.
● Elevator control requires irons and a fire extinguisher in the elevator car with the
operator.
● Elevator use by firefighter personnel should be limited to 6 FF per elevator car.
● Elevators generally should only be used for alarms/fires above the 5
th
floor.
What is a standpipe system
▪ A STANDPIPE SYSTEM (according to NFPA) is “An arrangement of piping,
valves, hose connections and allied equipment installed in a building or structure.
▪ The purpose of the standpipe system is to shorten the length of supply and fire
attack hose lines.
▪ A STANDPIPE is the riser portion of the system piping that delivers the water
supply for hose connections and sprinklers on combined systems vertically from
floor to floor.
What are the 3 types of standpipe system
● Dry system – not filled with water until needed in firefighting. Used only by
firefighters. Must be manually charged by the fire department.
● Wet system – standpipe is filled with water and is pressurized at all times.
● Wet/Dry Combination system – Portions of the system are pressured with water
and other portions are pressured with air.
The standpipe system can also be divided into one of three classes what are they
● Class I - provides 65mm hose line connections to supply water. These are usually
found in the stairwells of the high rise structure or at dedicated areas within a
warehouse.
● Class II – provides 38mm hose cabinets that may be used by either occupants or
firefighters.
● Class III – provides both a Class I and Class II standpipe system – hose cabinet
and standpipe connection. The 65mm connection may be in the stairwell or found
in the hose cabinet.
What order should high rise structure be searched during search and rescue
Floors in a high rise structure must be searched in order of the GREATEST risk of
exposure to the fire hazards and threat of loss of life.
● Fire Floor(s) – where is fire is
● Floor above fire floor(s) – exposure, smoke migration and vertical extension.
● Floor below the fire floor(s) – extension and collapse.
● Top Floor – escape route hazard.
● And then all the other floors starting from the top floor down.
What types of evacuation are the Evacuation Sector responsible for
● Shelter in Place
● Limited or partial Evacuation
● Full Evacuation
When would you not use the elevator during high rise operations
If alarm activation is below the 6
th
floor – DO NOT use the elevators.
What is in the red High rise bag and how much does it weigh
RED BAG – STOP – at standpipe connection
Includes: 1 - Pre-connected, 3M length of 65 mm hose with pre-connected gated wye, 1 -
Length 44 mm Hose, 1 - Small, 10mm x 20m Rope Drop Bag, 2 Sprinkler Wedges, 2
Sprinkler Dowels, 3 Door Wedges, Tools; 1 - Pipe Wrench, 1 -Hose key, 1 - Retract a-bit
screwdriver, 10 - Rubber Door Stops, 1 – Recessed Sprinkler Wedge. 2 -sets Lumbar
Crayon (Primary/Secondary Search) Weight Approx. – 22 KGs
What is in the green high rise bag and how much does it weigh
GREEN BAG – GO – Fire Attack
Includes: 2 - Lengths of 44 mm hose with attached Akron nozzle, Weight approx. 21
KGs
When assigned to a sector where the high rise kits are required, a set of “Irons” are
essential to carry if forced entry is required.
Define a high rise structure as it pertains to Edmonton Fire Rescue.
Edmonton Fire Rescue defines a High Rise structure as a building (residential or
commercial) having 6 floors or more above ground. Or 18m above ground.
Explain the two types of building construction and differences involved in high
rise structures.
There are basically two styles of high rise construction designs – a centre core
design and a centre hall design.
Centre core structures have a concrete continuum design (extends upward floor to
floor) that contains the stairwells, elevator shafts, utility and HVAC systems.
Windows do not usually open. An open floor plan may exist or compartments.
Centre Hall structures as the name implies have offices or apartments that are
found on either side of a centre hall. Stairwells are found at the end of the
hallways BUT the elevators and utility shafts are centrally located with the
building.
Describe the type and classes of stairwells.
Types – Scissor style, return, straight and circular
Classes – Unprotected and protected.
Elevator control is essential in high rise events. Describe 6 considerations when
using elevators.
● Location of fire/fire floor or alarm activation must be known prior to using
the elevators
● Check the elevator shaft for signs of smoke and fire prior to use.
● NEVER take the elevator to the fire floor – exit two floors below the
reported fire floor.
● TEST the operation of the elevator car by stopping at floor #2 prior to
proceeding any higher in the structure.
● NEVER pass the fire floor.
● NEVER use the elevators unless in Firefighter operation mode.
● Clear understanding of Phase I and Phase II elevator operation.
● Elevator control requires irons and fire extinguisher in elevator car with
operator.
● Elevator use by firefighter personnel should be limited to 6 FF per elevator
car.
● Elevators generally should only be used for alarms/fires above the 5
th floor.
What is a standpipe system and describe the various types and classes.
A STANDPIPE SYSTEM (according to NFPA) is “An arrangement of piping,
valves, hose connections and allied equipment installed in a building or structure.
The purpose of is to shorten the length of supply and fire attack hose lines.
Types – Dry, Wet, Wet/Dry combo
Classes I, II, III
Identify the sectors that Fire Command may assign at a high rise incident.
Lobby
RECON
Fire Attack
Search & Rescue
Ventilation
Evacuation
Interior Staging
REHAB
RIC
Salvage & Overhaul
Describe 5 differences between a walk-up and a high rise apartment structure.
Below 6 floors in height
Centre hall design is the most common
Elevators may not be on site – maybe in centre or at one end of building
Elevator use in walk ups - SOG’s state do not use as under the 5 floor guideline.
Alarms systems may be upgraded depending upon age of building.
Alarm systems may be panel style or breaker style (found in electrical room)
Smoke/heat detectors may be in the hallway or suite or both.
Stairwells usually at the end of halls – return style.
Standpipes/sprinklers systems may be on site.
Hose line advancement key to F/A - High Rise kits may be utilized.
Usually have common attic space. Ventilation concerns.
May have commercial occupancy on ground level/residential floors above.
