Chapter 6: Modern Building Construction Flashcards
Why was the residential building considered the enemy in the case study?
Due to its modern construction practices that made the home almost completely airtight.
Why was the house elevated approximately 19 feet?
The house was elevated approximately 19 feet due to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regulations for a home in a flood-prone area.
What type of space was the ground-level door of the elevated home?
The ground-level door of the elevated home was a stairway only, not an occupied space.
What type of fire did the crew face on the first floor?
The crew faced high heat and zero visibility, described as being similar to a basement fire.
What type of fire did the crew experience on the second floor?
The crew found no visible fire on the second floor, but the heat continued to rise.
What did the homeowners do following the incident?
The homeowners donated the use of the home to the fire department for training purposes prior to demolition.
What type of fire did the department experience in the modern home?
The department experienced a ventilation-limited fire in a modern home.
What were some features of the home’s construction?
The home had finished trusses on the first floor, radiant heating loops in the north walls, a cold roof, wall construction with an air gap between exterior sheathing and interior, spray foam and foam board insulation, and an air exchange system.
What are the stages of fire development?
The stages of fire development change when a fire becomes ventilation limited. It is common with today’s fire environment to have a decay period prior to flashover, which emphasizes the importance of ventilation.
Example sentence: Understanding the stages of fire development is crucial for effective fire management.
What is forcing the front door considered as?
Forcing the front door is considered as ventilation. Forcing entry has to be thought of as ventilation as well. Although forcing entry is necessary to fight the fire, it must also trigger the thought that air is being fed to the fire, and the clock is ticking before either the fire gets extinguished or it grows until an untenable condition exists, jeopardizing the safety of everyone in the structure.
Additional information: Ventilation through entry points can impact fire behavior significantly.
What does ‘No smoke showing’ indicate?
No smoke showing indicates that once the fire becomes ventilation limited, the smoke being forced out of the gaps of the houses greatly diminishes or stops altogether. No smoke showing during size-up should increase awareness of the potential conditions inside.
Example sentence: Firefighters should be cautious when there is no smoke showing as it may indicate ventilation-limited conditions.
Why is coordination important during a fire attack?
Coordination is important during a fire attack because adding air to the fire without applying water in the appropriate time frame can lead to the fire growing larger and safety decreasing. Examining the times to the point the structure is untenable gives the best-case scenario of how coordinated the attack needs to be.
Additional information: Proper coordination between ventilation and fire attack is crucial for firefighter safety.
What do flow paths provide during a fire?
Every new ventilation opening provides a new flow path to the fire and vice versa. This could create very dangerous conditions when there is a ventilation-limited fire. During UL testing, the homes were constructed to standard practices, not to energy conservation standards.
Additional information: Understanding flow paths is essential for predicting fire behavior in different scenarios.
What is one material that firefighters need to be aware of during prefire planning?
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF)
This foam product is sprayed on to coat the surfaces between the joists and studs in walls and in ceilings to eliminate voids and increase energy efficiency.
Where can spray polyurethane foam (SPF) be found in homes?
Builders are using this foam in homes regardless of the home’s age, from newly built, lightweight construction to remodeled, 40-year-old homes. It is also common in commercial construction.
This foam product is very different from the traditional attic insulation.
What tactic can firefighters use when faced with a roof with spray-on foam insulation?
A good tactic may be to stretch a precautionary hoseline to the roof for safety.
Many of these materials do not just add to the fire spread and advancement, they also contribute to the myriad toxins that are causing cancer at alarming rates among firefighters.
