FFP - PLACES OF WORSHIP FIRES Flashcards
Categorizing places of worship based on architectural features can generally be divided into two very general categories that firefighters must be familiar with. Which point below regarding the two general categories is incorrect?
A) Older architecture is generally recognizable due to their common distinct architectural features such as ornate decorations, large arched or pointed windows, massive walls, and large columns to name a few. These older architectural structures are susceptible to early collapse.
B) Newer architecture is generally recognizable due to their large open area often without the high vaulted ceilings, simplification of form, and a lack of ornate decorations with a distinctive modern look. These newer architecture structures are not susceptible to early collapse.
ANSWER: B) Newer architecture is generally recognizable due to their large open area often without the high vaulted ceilings, simplification of form, and a lack of ornate decorations with a distinctive modern look. These newer architecture structures are not susceptible to early collapse. (INCORRECT)
- BOTH NEWER and OLDER are susceptible to early collapse
(FFP - Places of Worship 1.3.8)
Recently members were conducting MUD at a large old church in their response area. Members made the following four points during the drill and were incorrect in which one?
A) A place of worship is a building where people gather to worship together such as a church, mosque, synagogue, or temple.
B) The older style architecture is susceptible to early collapse due to high timber truss roof, the bell tower, and the steeple.
C) In the newer style of architecture lightweight truss construction may be found, however the newer structures will not have a bell tower or steeple.
D) The 5 major defects of faults in the construction of places of worship are early collapse potential, numerous concealed voids, the vast quantity of combustible materials used in truss roof construction, the lack of fire suppression and detection systems, and the large open areas with limited or no fire stopping.
ANSWER: C) In the newer style of architecture lightweight truss construction may be found, however the newer structures will not have a bell tower or steeple. (INCORRECT)
- Newer style MAY HAVE BELL TOWER WITH STEEPLE OR DOME.
(FFP - Places of Worship 1.3.1)
Occasionally, places of worship will be found occupying portions of a taxpayer (storefront), brownstone, rowframe, or private dwellings. These occupancies typically do not contain the architectural features described in the places of worship bulletin. As such, firefighting procedures for these occupanices shall be based on the tactics described in the places of worship bulletin. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
A) Agree
B) Disagree
ANSWER: B) Disagree
- Firefighting procedures for these occupancies shall be based on the building type (e.g., Firefighting Procedures Taxpayer, Brownstone, etc.) when the described architectural features are not present. (Treat them as a taxpayer/brownstone/rowframe/PD etc.)
(FFP - Places of Worship 1.2.3)
Collapse is always a major concern for firefighters no matter what types of structure they are operating in. Places of worship have some unique architectural features such as a bell tower. The bell tower is a tower that contains bells, ringing equipment, and possibly a clock. There may be a steeple or a dome above a bell tower. From the choices below, please indicate which item, when found above the bell tower is more unstable?
A) Steeple
B) Dome
C) They are both equally unstable
D) Neither are considered unstable.
ANSWER: A) Steeple
- Steeple on top of a tower is MORE UNSTABLE than a dome on top of the tower.
(FFP - Places of Worship 4.2)
During a drill at the rock regarding the placement of TL and Aerial ladders at a fire in a place of worship, members made the following four points. Which point is not entirely correct?
A) Generally, the primary position of the 1st arriving TL is in the front of the fire building able to reach the rose window in a corner safe position when possible.
B) When the apparatus is an Aerial, it shall be placed in a corner safe position if possible, with the Aerial raised to the rose window to enable the ladder pipe to operate into the rose window.
C) When the building faces on 2 streets and the front of the building is covered by TLs; then place the additional TLs to cover the other street front.
D) Additional TLs should be positioned so that the fire can be cut off and driven back to the point of origin.
ANSWER: B) When the apparatus is an Aerial, it shall be placed in a corner safe position if possible, with the Aerial raised to the rose window to enable the ladder pipe to operate into the rose window. (INCORRECT)
- Aerial ladder should be placed AWAY FROM BUILDING. We need the front of the fire building accessible for TOWER LADDERS.
(FFP - Places of Worship 7.4)
Places of worship contain many avenues of fire extension, which contribute to rapid fire spread and early increased collapse potential. Knowledge of the avenues of fire extension and the effects of fire on the various structural members is necessary in order to develop tactics to accomplish rapid fire control and provide for the safety of members. Which point below regarding fire extension is incorrect?
A) Access to the attic space may be a narrow spiral staircase, which will slow firefighter’s entrance to the area. Finding a stairway that leads to the attic space may take time however, it is very important to check the attic since an unnoticed fire in this area could cause collapse of the roof truss beams and ceiling.
B) Old dried out lumber with an accumulation of candle wax buildup contribute to the fire load. Also adding to the fire load are chairs, wood pews, floors, pulpits, tapestry, combustible wall hangings, and holiday decorations.
C) Fire extension inside walls can quickly spread upwards unimpeded into inaccessible areas of the cockloft, attic, or truss loft area above the ceiling of the structure. The destruction of the roof supporting members results in an early increased collapse potential.
D) There are very few concealed spaces located in a place of worship due to the large open areas. Columns with stone or brick veneer are often solid columns. Likewise, walls are usually made of stone negating any concealed spaces.
ANSWER: D) There are very few concealed spaces located in a place of worship due to the large open areas. Columns with stone or brick veneer are often solid columns. Likewise, walls are usually made of stone negating any concealed spaces. (INCORRECT)
- There are NUMEROUS concealed spaces located in a place of worship.
- Hollow columns with stone or brick veneer are often DESIGNED TO LOOK LIKE solid columns.
- Walls are made to LOOK LIKE stone. However, these too are many times a veneer covering wood lath and plaster. Areas behind these walls and columns can be an avenue of fire extension.
(FFP - Places of worship 2.1)
You are a new Lt. working a day tour and have just arrived at a fire in an old style Gothic Church. The fire has fully engulfed the Church and this will be an exterior operation. The church has large parking lots on both sides of the church as well as in the rear of the church. There is a large bell tower with a steeple in the front of the church. You would be correct to tell the proby that the most dangerous areas outside the church at this fire are _________________________?
A) Exposures 1 / 3 / 4
B) Exposures 2 /3 / 4
C) Exposures 1 / 2 / 4
D) Exposures 1 / 2 / 3
ANSWER: C) Exposures 1 / 2 / 4
FFP - Places of Worship 4.7
Fires in places of worship often require the use of TLs, 1st arriving units must take positions that allow the necessary units and equipment to arrive and operate effectively. In order to ensure this, a street management plan is critical to successful operations. Which point about the street management plan is incorrect?
A) If possible, 1st responding units should try to address street management and fire control. Positions by later arriving apparatus should be taken outside of the potential collapse zone but only if conditions permit.
B) Apparatus shall be parked in such a manner that special equipment, ambulances, etc. can make their way to and from the scene when ordered by the IC.
C) TLs should be placed near the front of the structure, in a corner safe area outside the collapse danger zone.
D) Subsequent arriving TLs should be positioned to reach additional sides of the structure.
ANSWER: A) If possible, 1st responding units should try to address street management and fire control. Positions by later arriving apparatus should be taken outside of the potential collapse zone but only if conditions permit. (INCORRECT)
- It is CRITICAL for first responding units to address street management and fire control. Positions should be taken outside of the potential collapse zone.
(FFP - Places of Worship 5.2)
Fire conditions discussed in places of worship are to be considered of such magnitude as to require the use of two hoselines for extinguishment. Fires in places of worship are particularly vulnerable to the quick spread of fire due to their basic design and use of combustible construction material. Which point(s) below are correct regarding hoseline size in places of worship? (More than 1 correct)
A) When the fire is located in a large open area of a place of worship or the reach of the stream is required to reach higher elevations, the initial lines will generally be 2 1/2”.
B) When the fire is located in a large open area of a place of worship or the reach of the stream is required to reach higher elevations, the initial lines will generally be 1 3/4”.
C) For a cellar fire where operations will be in close quarters, mobility of operations are a prime consideration, therefore interior hoselines stretched should generally be 1 3/4”
D) For a cellar fire where operations will be in close quarters, mobility of operations are a prime consideration, therefore interior hoselines stretched should generally be 2 1/2”
ANSWER: A and C are CORRECT
A) When the fire is located in a large open area of a place of worship or the reach of the stream is required to reach higher elevations, the initial lines will generally be 2 1/2”.
C) For a cellar fire where operations will be in close quarters, mobility of operations are a prime consideration, therefore interior hoselines stretched should generally be 1 3/4”
(FFP - Places of Worship 6.1.3)
E99 is drilling with their new probies on cellar fires in places of worship. Lieutenant Smith told the probies the following four points of information. Lieutenant Smith was correct in all but which point below?
A) Fires in places of worship may originate in the cellar where gas/oil fired boilers for heat or hot water, electrical service panel boxes, and kitchen stoves may be found.
B) Proper placement of the first hoseline requires a coordinated sizeup and communication by the first Engine and Ladder company officers.
C) The 1st line should always be stretched through the main entrance door since this provides the quickest access to the cellar in order to extinguish the fire.
D) The 2nd line will initially be positioned and charged outside the fire building as a backup for the 1st line. When not needed to backup the 1st line, it can be used to extinguish any fire that may have extended to the floor above.
ANSWER: C) The 1st line should always be stretched through the main entrance door since this provides the quickest access to the cellar in order to extinguish the fire. (INCORRECT)
- Stretch 1st line to the entrance that PROVIDES THE QUICKEST ACCESS TO THE CELLAR.
- This is also true for a fire in the 1st floor of the church.
(FFP - Places of Worship 6.2)
After a recent fire in an old style Gothic type church, members of the 1st ladder were discussing operations at this fire. Which point made during the discussion is not correct?
A) As soon as the 1st hoselines knock down the fire, it is imperative that the walls and attic area are checked for fire extension.
B) Venting the side windows, sometimes made with stain glass, will effectively ventilate the upper portions of the structure. Venting the Rose window will also provide adequate ventilation.
C) Interior operating forces at an apparent small, localized fire may be unaware of fire involvement in the trusses above them. Members shall use a thermal imaging camera from below to assess when fire has involved the truss space.
D) When fire is found to involve the truss space, exterior operations should be the primary tactical consideration. Consider the use of search ropes due to the large floor areas of these structures and be aware that seating areas are often large areas with moveable seats. This can delay searches.
ANSWER: B) Venting the side windows, sometimes made with stain glass, will effectively ventilate the upper portions of the structure. Venting the Rose window will also provide adequate ventilation. (INCORRECT)
- Venting stain glass windows WILL NOT EFFECTIVELY ventilate the upper portions of the structure.
- Venting the rose window MAY NOT provide adequate ventilation.
(FFP - Places of Worship 7.1)
Lt. Beck is talking with his members about communications when fighting a fire in a place of worship. Lieutenant Beck told his members that when standing in the street in front of the church, that is considered Exposure 1. He then stated that when members enter the church the altar is usually towards the rear, however most people refer to this as the front of the church. The area where the altar is located is considered the rear or Exposure 3 for firefighting purposes and must not be mistakenly referred to as the front of the church by operating members. Do you agree or disagree with this statement?
A) Agree
B) Disagree
ANSWER: A) Agree
FFP - Places of Worship 5.3
Units have just arrived at a fire in a church. There is a medium fire condition upon arrival and Engines are in the process of stretching the initial hoselines. The fire is located on the 1st floor toward the rear of the church. Which action listed below is incorrect when stretching lines at a place of worship fire?
A) E99 stretched the 1st line into the side entrance of the church since this provided the quickest access to the fire area.
B) E98 stretched the 2nd line, a dry line, and stood fast in front of the building. E98 then entered the church to backup the 1st line and had the line charged inside of the church.
C) In most cases when fire does spread into the attic or bell tower, it cannot be extinguished by the use of handlines due to the limited access to the space and lack of ventilation.
D) For a fire in the attic, the ceiling may collapse before the roof trusses which may cause an explosion like eruption inside the place of worship, which can knock firefighters off ladders and blow out windows.
ANSWER: B) E98 stretched the 2nd line, a dry line, and stood fast in front of the building. E98 then entered the church to backup the 1st line and had the line charged inside of the church. (INCORRECT)
- 2nd line should be STRETCHED & CHARGED OUTSIDE of the church.
(FFP - Places of Worship 6.3)
Listed below are three features that may be encountered at a place of worship. Which feature listed below is not correctly described?
A) Some places of worship have a ventilation opening (attic vent) for the concealed attic space. For firefighters, this ventilation opening provides an excellent location for water application to extinguish fire in the area above the concealed attic or cockloft. this ventilation opening is typically located on the front or rear of the long side of a place of worship. When located in the front, it will be a few feet above the Rose window.
B) Access to a bell tower can be via narrow stairs that will be difficult for firefighters. The height of the bell tower increases the collapse potential. Due to an increased collapse risk, the IC must perform a risk benefit analysis prior to ordering a handline stretched into a bell tower.
C) Choir lofts are often located directly above the main altar below the large rose window. A large wide stair usually provides access to this area making access easy for firefighters.
ANSWER: C) Choir lofts are often located directly above the main altar below the large rose window. A large wide stair usually provides access to this area making access easy for firefighters. (INCORRECT)
- Located directly ABOVE MAIN ENTRANCE below the large rose window.
- A SMALL NARROW stair usually provides access to this area making access DIFFICULT.
(FFP - Places of Worship Section 3)
There are many terms listed in the glossary of this bulletin that members should be familiar with in order to safely operate at a fire in a place of worship. Which term listed below is incorrect?
A) Clearstory windows are a high section of wall that contain windows and are located below the roofline of the lower aisles in a place of worship. Often times these windows are located on the exposure 1 & 3 walls.
B) Cruciform architecture is where the structure is shaped like a cross. Usually, though not exclusively, it is a structure built with the layout developed in Gothic architecture.
C) The nave in a place of worship is the main body of the church. It provides a central approach to the altar.
D) A transcept is a transverse section of any building which lies across the main body of the building. In churches, a transept is an area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform.
ANSWER: A) Clearstory windows are a high section of wall that contain windows and are located below the roofline of the lower aisles in a place of worship. Often times these windows are located on the exposure 1 & 3 walls. (INCORRECT)
- Exposures TWO & FOUR (2 & 4)
(FFP - Places of Worship Glossary)
A Company Officer was discussing collapse concerns at Place of Worship fires. He was incorrect when he stated?
A) A steeple found above a bell tower is more unstable that a dome found above a tower.
B) Both older and newer architecture places of worship are susceptible to early collapse.
C) When the roof fails, it can push the sidewalls out into the street. When the sidewalls fail, the roof will collapse and fall.
D) The most dangerous exposure areas during a fire at a Place of Worship are usually the exposure 2,3 and 4 sides of the building.
ANSWER: D) The most dangerous exposure areas during a fire at a Place of Worship are usually the exposure 2,3 and 4 sides of the building. (INCORRECT)
- Exposures 1 / 2 / 4 MOST DANGEROUS
- Exposure 1 where steeple is
- Exposure 2 / 4 Bearing Walls
(FFP - Places of Worship 4)
NYC has over 6,000 places of worship, several thousand more than any other U.S. city. Which of the following definitions related to places of worship is correct?
A) The choir loft is a narrow-recessed balcony or loft area on an interior upper floor of a place of worship. Usually located above the main entrance and accessed by a wide stair.
B) The nave is the main body of the church. It provides the central approach to the altar.
C) The Rose Window is used as a generic term applied to a circular window. Operating a tower ladder stream into a Rose Window will not extinguish fire at the upper reaches of the church.
D) Buttresses are fairly common on older places of worship, as a means of providing support to act against the vertical forces from the roof structures that lack adequate bracing.
ANSWER: B) The nave is the main body of the church. It provides the central approach to the altar.
A - Usually located above the main entrance and accessed by a NARROW stair.
C - Operating a tower ladder stream into a Rose Window MAY extinguish fire at the upper reaches of the church.
D - Buttresses act as a means of providing support to act against the LATERAL forces from the roof structures that lack adequate bracing.
(FF PROCEDURES PLACES OF WORSHIP FIRES GLOSSARY)
** DON’T GIVE UP THE GLOSSARY **
Categorizing places of worship based on architectural features can generally be divided into two very general categories that firefighters must be familiar with: older architecture and newer architecture. Which type of places of worship are susceptible to early collapse?
A) Older architecture only
B) Newer architecture only
C) Both older and newer architecture
D) Neither older or newer type of architecture
ANSWER: C) Both older and newer architecture
(FFP Places of Worship Fires 1.3.8)
NEW BULLETIN AS OF 8/15/19
“Both older and newer architecture places of worship are susceptible to early collapse.”
