Collapsed Structures (PN 302)

Question 1

There are 5 natural causes of collapse listed in the note can you name 4?

Answer 1

Earthquake
Hurricane
Lightning
Flooding
Subsidence

Question 2

There are 5 HUMAN causes of collapse listed in the note can you name 4?

Answer 2

Renovation 
Accidental Impact
Arson
Terrorist induced 
Gas explosion

Question 3

What 2 classes may buildings be divided into?

Answer 3

FRAMED and UNFRAMED

Question 4

The Steel frames in buildings are made up of:

Stanchions
Main beams
Secondary beams
Roof Spars
Tie beams

Which one of these runs vertically?

Answer 4

Stanchions

Question 5

Concrete frames are Monolithically cast on site, what 3 components of a building frame do they form?

Answer 5

Slabs
Columns
Beams

Question 6

** There are SIX stages of Rescue remembered using the acronym REPEAT. What does R stand for? **

Answer 6

Reconnaissance and Survey

Question 7

During the Reconaissance and Survey stage of a rescue information gathering is essential so that a search plan targets areas where people were last seen or known to be. A crew member should be designated to interview escapees, witnesses or those rescued to obtain this information. Which piece of equipment should other crew members consider the use of?

Answer 7

The TIC

Question 8

Which part of an UNFRAMED building carries the structural load?

Answer 8

The Walls

Question 9

What are the 3 categories of collapse?

Answer 9

Internal
External
Total

Question 10

There are 4 types of INTERNAL collapse, name them

Answer 10

Pancake
Lean-to collapse
‘V’ collapse
Tent collapse

Question 11

** There are 6 stages of Rescue remembered using the acronym REPEAT. What does the 1st E stand for? **

Answer 11

Elimination of utilities

Question 12

There are 3 types of EXTERNAL collapse, name them

Answer 12

90° angle collapse - MOST DANGEROUS
Curtain fall collapse
Inward/Outward collapse

Question 13

** There are 6 stages of Rescue remembered using the acronym REPEAT. What does P stand for? **

Answer 13

PRIMARY surface search and rescue - IC must appoint sector commanders and Safety Officers and then small groups grid search using corden tape to identify areas searched and areas that may contain casualties. Historicaly half of casualties that survive are rescued near the surface but SECONDARY collapse is a real danger to searchers.

Question 14

In London who are the 3 local authorities that have full powers to deal with structures which may become dangerous

Answer 14

1) The City Corporation
2) The ‘INNER’ London Borough Councils
3) The ‘OUTER’ London Borough Councils

They will appoint a Dangerous Structures Engineer

Question 15

** There are 6 stages of Rescue remembered using the acronym REPEAT. What does the 2nd E stand for? **

Answer 15

EXPLORATION of voids and spaces

Removal of debris to access voids mainly based on regular periods of silence and listening

Question 16

If a building becomes dangerous as a result of fire a message is to be sent to the LOC who will notify a Dangerous Structure Engineer for the district concerned. What does LOC stand for?

Answer 16

LONDON OPERATIONS CENTRE contacted via control

Question 17

** There are 6 stages of Rescue remembered using the acronym REPEAT. What does A stand for? **

Answer 17

ACCESS by selected debris removal.

Question 18

The scale of building collapse can vary greatly and may involve:

Major Incident procedure
Terrorist related incident procedure 
Fires and HAZMAT procedure 
Civil Disturbance Procedure 
Radioactive substances procedure 

Which 2 agencies may therefore require the LFB to preserve evidence?

Answer 18

The Police

The HSE

Question 19

** There are 6 stages of Rescue remembered using the acronym REPEAT. What does T stand for? **

Answer 19

TERMINATE by general debris removal

Question 20

• NGO’s may offer assistance following publicity surrounding such events. These offers should be directed to the OOD. But who will ultimately make the decision as to whether this help is taken? *

Answer 20

The Duty Assistant Commissioner

Question 21

These are usually protracted incidents and so plans should be made accordingly. There are 17 hazards that may cause injury to personal during rescues listed. Can you name 9?

Answer 21

1) Obstructed Access
2) Restricted Vision (dust etc)
3) Underfoot conditions
4) Falling Objects
5) Overhanging Hazards
6) Airbourn Particulates
7) Oxygen deficiency
8) Secondary Collapse
9) Weight of Casualty
10) Bulk and Weight of Debris
11) Explosive/Flammable atmospheres
12) Poor Lighting
13) Biological Hazards
14) Utilities
15) Asbestos
16) Sharps
17) Secondary devices (terrorism)

Question 22

The IC should establish an RVP, PPE required and restricted zones at an early stage and consider requesting the following:

USAR Advisor (UA)
Dangerous Structure Engineer
Specialist Teams from partner agencies

What does USAR stand for?

Answer 22

Urban Search and Rescue

Question 23

When inside buildings personnel should move close to standing walls but should they force open doors or windows?

Answer 23

No as they may have become load bearing during the collapse

Question 24

There are 5 specialist skills the LFB USAR team can offer to an IC that are listed in the note. Can you name 3?

Answer 24

1) Mapping and Planning
2) Technical searches
3) Breaching and breaking into voids
4) Shoring
5) Lifting and Moving

Question 25

Crews must be kept to a minimum, safety officers appointed, an emergency team established and crews must be rotated regularly. But what 2 things must also be communicated to all personnel on scene.

Answer 25

1) An evacuation signal

2) An Assembly Point