FIRES IN STRIP SHOPPING CENTERS January 2013 Flashcards
The term ___ refers to commercial occupancies that are:
- Joined by party walls or fire walls;
- Covered by a common roof;
- Occupied by a variety of businesses; and
- Accessed by an individual exterior entrance on the first floor.
pg 3
“strip shopping center”
Strip shopping centers refer to ___, housing a variety of occupancies under one roof.
pg 3
long commercial structures
Strip shopping centers in Northern Virginia are typically one-story ___ and ___ construction; occasionally, two-story structures may be encountered.
pg 3
lightweight and noncombustible
The dimensions of the stores in a strip shopping center are typically narrow and deep. The dimensions can vary greatly, but smaller stores may have dimensions on the order of ___. The anchor stores, such as a supermarket, will be much wider than and at least as deep as the smaller occupancies. The width of these large stores can easily exceed 150 feet.
pg 3
30 feet by 75 feet
Strip shopping center ___ can extend beyond the occupancy from which they are accessed,
pg 4
Basements
Fire loading in the strip shopping center may be moderate to heavy. Initial fire flow estimates should be based upon ___ of involved area.
pg 5
20 GPM per 100 square feet
Engine companies should be prepared to use multiple 1 3⁄4-inch lines or a 2 1⁄2-inch hose line.
Some shopping centers have back-to-back stores with ___ and no rear access.
pg 5
addresses on both sides
Protection systems are inconsistent. Some centers have full or partial automatic sprinkler systems that may be wet or dry, while others have no sprinkler protection at all. Automatic sprinkler protection may be fed by the ___ serving the hydrants in the parking lot.
pg 7
same main
Most strip shopping centers in Northern Virginia were built during the last 30 to 40 years and are of ___ construction. Those built prior to this time are typically ___ construction.
pg 8
noncombustible & ordinary
Modern codes require ___ or ___ between occupancies
pg 8
fire walls or party walls
Non-fire rated draft stops made of gypsum or plywood slow down the ___ movement of fire. They may be found in large cockloft areas
pg 9
horizontal
Strip shopping centers built of ___ construction will have roof assemblies supported by steel bar joists. The roof deck may be corrugated metal with a layer of insulation covered by tar paper and roofing tar or a rubber membrane.
pg 10
non-combustible
Strip shopping centers that have been renovated will have a new roof assembly over the existing roof(s). This creates an additional undivided void space which is difficult to access. These roofs are also called ___ because they are built over existing roofs.
pg 10
rain roofs
The original roof was not designed to carry the extra weight of the new roof making it more vulnerable to early collapse.
The following types of walls are found in ___:
- Load bearing – holds the weight of the structure and all forces applied.
- Non-load bearing – a wall bearing only its own weight (such as veneer, curtain, partition).
- Fire wall – designed to prevent or slow the horizontal progression of fire from occupancies built from the floor through the roof structure.
- Veneer – single thickness of a masonry material (ex: stone, brick, or block) added to the structure for aesthetic purposes.
- Party – load bearing wall separating occupancies not extending the roof line.
- Partition – divides an area within an occupancy not extending above the ceiling.
pg 11
strip shopping centers
The method of wall construction can be pre-cast tilt-up, masonry, and wood/metal frame. ___ can reduce the required fire rating of the wall assembly. Often there will be no rated separation between groups of stores if all are the same occupancy type. The type of construction and occupancy dictates the need for a fire wall or fire separation.
pg 11
Automatic sprinklers
The stability of walls in ___ construction depends upon the roof assembly “tying” the building together.
pg 11
tilt-up
Normally the bearing walls of strip shopping centers run from ___.
pg 12
front-to-back
___ are found in the front and sometimes sides; they are not typically found in the rear of the structure.
pg 12
Parapets
A ___ is an architectural projection that provides weather protection, occupancy identity, decoration, and is supported by the building to which it is attached. Draft stopping may be found at intervals in the concealed areas.
pg 13
facade
The ___ in strip shopping centers can be used for storage, offices, and/or other functions.
pg 13
basement
Exterior basement entrances may also be located in the sidewalk at the front or on one of the sides of the building. These entrances are usually under ___ or ___.
pg 14
steel doors or grates
The contents of strip shopping center basements will include many different materials. Firefighters should expect to find items not necessarily related to the business occupying the store above. Stock may be piled from floor-to-ceiling, making sprinkler systems ___.
pg 14
less effective
The security device found at rear doors is normally the ____. The brackets that hold the bars are attached to the door and frame by welding or bolting.
pg 15
drop-in static bar
A newer type of rear security, the ___, can be found in major electronic retailer stores and other retailers in high-crime areas. The bar attaches to the door frame and the door at four points in each corner. This device makes it more difficult to gain access from the exterior.
pg 16
“Maverick Bar”
Restaurant hood systems have several unique problems that need to be addressed. When the fire has entered the ___ the following actions are necessary.
pg 20
duct system,
