Firefighting In Basements (PN 773)

Question 1

There are 15 hazards that you can reasonably expect to encounter at a basement incident. Can you list 10?

Answer 1

1) Metabolic heat stress
2) High Temperature and Heat barrier
3) Fire-growth resulting in Flashover/Backdraft conditions
4) Uncontrolled ventilation (collapse/pavement lights)
5) Complex layout that may not follow buildings footprint
6) Concealed spread of unburnt products (ducts, voids, false ceilings)
7) Limited Access/Egress
8) Cramped conditions and poor lighting
9) Cable entanglement
10) High fire loading/poor house keeping
11) Limited reference points
12) Stacked racked storage which can collapse and block escape
13) Hazmats without signage
14) Utilities - High Voltages, Intakes, fuel storage
15) Communications Problems

Question 2

The IC must remain at Surface level unless?

Answer 2

A more appropriate location such as a ‘fire control centre’ is identified during pre-planning

Question 3

What 3 things should the IC consider in the early stages of a basement incident?

Answer 3

1) Resources
2) Safety Officers
3) Sectorisation

Question 4

Before operating Ventilation or Smoke Extraction Systems the IC should request the attendance of who?

Answer 4

SFSO

Question 5

What does SFSO stand for?

Answer 5

Senior Fire Safety Officer

Question 6

What is the minimum ‘weight of attack’ for crews entering a basement and crews protecting the Access/Egress?

Answer 6

A 45mm Jet with a branch set to 230lpm

Question 7

If the layout is complicated EDBA and Stage II should be considered, what else might be used?

Answer 7

Guidelines

Question 8

When should a ‘Basement Procedure Implemented’ message be sent?

Answer 8

Once crews have been committed with correct minimum weight of attack and a crew with the same are in position protecting their escape route

Question 9

Why should early consideration be given to relief of firefighting crews?

Answer 9

Metabolic heat stress

Question 10

Can crews be recommitted?

Answer 10

Yes, but the IC should try to avoid this.

Question 11

What piece of equipment may be considered to improve communications?

Answer 11

Leaky feeder

Question 12

Who can give the order to Ventilate?
BA crews
IC
SFSO

Answer 12

IC

Question 13

Does a water supply have to be secured before committing BA teams?

Answer 13

Yes and the hydrant should be twinned with 70mm hose. Any open water supply should be inexhaustible

Question 14

When CAN’T you ventilate a basement or any part of the building that may affect it?

Answer 14

When BA teams are committed

Question 15

Where must a covering Jet be directed during Ventilation?

Answer 15

Never into compartment but adjacent to all openings

Question 16

If it is a persons reported would the IC ventilate prior to BA teams entering?

Answer 16

No

Question 17

Can BA teams operate manual ventilation systems?

Answer 17

Only on the orders of the OIC

Question 18

What are the 3 dangers of incorrect use of ventilation systems?

Answer 18

1 Adverse effects on persons involved
2 Rapid or Uncontrolled fire spread
3 Backdraft conditions

Question 19

Name 5 of the 7 types of fixed installations listed.

Answer 19

1 Automatic Fire Alarms
2 Mechanical Ventilation/Smoke extraction 
3 Falling Mains
4 Sprinklers
5 Foam Inlets
6 Gas flooding systems
7 Protected Shaft/FF Lift

Question 20

What additional piece of equipment should always be made available to BA teams?

Answer 20

TIC

Question 21

Early consideration should be given to the use of EDBA and what else by the IC?

Answer 21

Stage II BA procedures

Question 22

Once the “basement procedure implemented” has been sent what should the OIC ensure?

Answer 22

Implementing Stage II BA if appropriate

Question 23

What particular welfare consideration is stressed in the note?

Answer 23

Hydration