Command Manual Terminology

Question 1

Victorian

Answer 1

Typically constructed prior to 1910, and composed of balloon-frame wood construction with
no or minimal fire blocking in the structural members.

Question 2

Craftsman

Answer 2

Typically constructed prior to 1950’s and typical characteristics include a wooden joist
floor system on a raised foundation. Other characteristics may include a basement and/or
dormer/half-attic spaces above the first floor.

Question 3

Ranch

Answer 3

Typically constructed from 1950’s until 1980’s, and typical characteristics include a concrete
slab type foundation, and conventional wood-frame construction in walls, upper floor and roof
assemblies.

Question 4

Lightweight

Answer 4

Typically constructed from the 1980’s to present and typical characteristics include a
concrete slab-type foundation and lightweight wood-frame construction (Wooden I beams, gusset-
plate truss assemblies, etc.) in upper floor and roof assemblies.

Question 5

Mobile Home

Answer 5

A pre-manufactured structure that is set in place and assembled; typically in a mobile-
home park. Mobile homes are designated as “single-wide” or “double-wide” based on whether it is
comprised of one or two modules set up on the lot.

Question 6

Duplex

Answer 6

A two-unit residential structure is referred to as a duplex. Three or more units are
considered “multi-family” dwellings.

Question 7

Townhome

Answer 7

A residential structure containing multiple, joined individual living units, each with their
own attached garage unit, all contained within one building.

Question 8

Apartment, Side - by - Side

Answer 8

A two-story structure with each unit containing its own internal stairway.

Question 9

Apartment - Stacked

Answer 9

A two or more story structures with individual one-story units stacked on
each other

Question 10

Apartment, 3 story combination

Answer 10

A three story structure with two story internal-stairway units
stacked on top of one story units.

Question 11

Unreinforced Masonry

Answer 11

Typically constructed prior to 1933. Typical characteristics include masonry
brick or block walls with wood roof and floor assemblies. They may have basements and are
susceptible to collapse.

Question 12

Masonry

Answer 12

Typically constructed after 1933. Typical characteristics include masonry brick, block or
poured-in-place concrete that is reinforced and tied together with steel reinforcement. May or may not
have basements or sub-floor areas. Typically has steel-concrete or wood floor assemblies, and wood
roof assemblies.

Question 13

Tilt-up

Answer 13

Typically constructed from the 1970’s and on. Reinforced concrete slabs that are lifted and
secured in place as walls. Can have wood panelized or joist roof spans with wood roof decking or can
have lightweight concrete roof decking.

Question 14

Metal Clad

Answer 14

Steel frame structure with corrugated metal sides and roof assemblies.

Question 15

High Rise

Answer 15

A building that meets the California Fire Code definition of a high rise, exceeding 75-feet
in height

Question 16

Mid rise

Answer 16

A building at least three stories in height, up to a height of six stories that does not meet
the CFC high rise definition.

Question 17

Wide rise

Answer 17

A masonry or tilt-up commercial building that is generally used for warehouse operations
and is characterized by numerous large roll-up doors and loading docks. These buildings are also
generally characterized by high-piled stock

Question 18

Abandoned

Answer 18

A structure that is not being used for any purpose and is not being maintained or
preserved for some future use or occupancy. In many cases the building could be classified as a
public nuisance awaiting demolition. A building in this condition typically has no value or negligible
value.

Question 19

Vacant

Answer 19

A building that is not currently in use, but which could be used in the future. The term
“vacant” could apply to a property that is for sale or rent, undergoing renovations, or empty of contents
in the period between the departure of one tenant and the arrival of another. A vacant structure has
inherent value, even though it may not contain valuable contents or human occupants.

Question 20

Unoccupied

Answer 20

A structure that is not occupied by any persons at the time an incident occurs. An
unoccupied building could be used by a business that is temporarily closed (i.e. overnight or a
weekend). The term unoccupied could also apply to a building that is routinely or periodically occupied, but the occupants are not present at the time an incident occurs. A residential structure could be temporarily unoccupied because the residents are at work or on vacation. A building that is temporarily unoccupied has inherent property value as well as valuable contents

Question 21

Evacuated

Answer 21

A building that was occupied (or could have been occupied) at the time that an incident
occurred; however all of the occupants have self-evacuated, have been assisted in evacuating, or
have been rescued by firefighters. At this point there is no possibility of saving the lives of any
remaining occupants. A building that has been evacuated generally has inherent property value as
well as valuable contents

Question 22

Rescue profile - Unknown

Answer 22

The status of the occupants are unknown. No information is available either from
dispatch, PD, RP’s on the scene, or the officer is unable to determine the status of the
occupants after completing a 360. In this scenario the Officer will advise that the
rescue status is unknown.

Question 23

Rescue Profile - Known

Answer 23

The status of the occupants are known. Information confirming the location of the
occupants is available either from dispatch, PD, RP’s at the scene, or the officer is
able to confirm the status of the occupants after completing a 360.

Question 24

RECEO

Answer 24

The approved order of priority acronym for the formation of strategic priorities Rescue,
Exposures, Confinement, Extinguishment, Overhaul