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”
The best way to determine a building hazard is by conducting a walk through during the ___ phase
.
pg 17
construction
the best way to determine the content hazards is by conducting a yearly ___ walk through.
pg 17
post-construction
___ running front to rear are often used to separate occupancies.
pg 17
Parapets
Bulges, cracks, and smoke seeping are all indicators of possible ___ collapse.
pg 18
wall
When observed, a collapse zone distance at least one and a half times the height of the wall must be maintained.
The potential for structural collapse at a strip shopping center is dependent upon several variables. The type of construction along with the size, intensity, and duration of a fire are all factors that can contribute to collapses. Collapses generally involve:
pg 18
- roof structures
- cantilever facades
- marquees.
___ are free-standing or supported, and can include a parapet, marquee, canopy, or a cornice.
pg 18
Facades
When steel trusses are heated and expand, they may push the facade causing a collapse.
At ___, steel will twist and expand, causing failure or pushing out exterior walls.
pg 18
1000 F
Fires in the ___ above the suspended ceiling may burn undetected, weaken the roof supports, and collapse, trapping personnel below.
pg 18
plenum space
Warning signs of imminent ___:
- Fire burning for more the 20 minutes in ordinary construction or 10 minutes in lightweight truss construction.
- Smoke or water coming through mortar joints in walls.
- Walls that are sagging or bulging.
- New cracks showing in exterior walls.
- Heavy floor or roof loads under fire conditions.
- Spongy roof surface due to fire below.
pg 19
collapse
In well-advanced fires, prior to roof ventilation, advancing companies should remove the ___, ___, ___ and relieve some of the heat and smoke prior to making entry.
pg 20
glass, delay entry, allow the fire to show itself
The potential for ___ is also possible in the plenum spaces above the ceiling and in remodeled roofs where the new roof is built over an existing roof leaving dead areas.
pg 20
backdraft
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,
Advancing hoselines into strip shopping center occupancies can be difficult due to ___.
pg 21
overcrowded aisles
___ and ___ across elevated ceilings may be a result of a well-advanced fire distant from the point of entry.
pg 21
Flashover and rollover
The minimum resources assigned to fires in strip shopping centers are:
pg 22
- 4 engine companies
- 2 truck companies
- 1 rescue company
- 1 EMS unit
- 2 battalion chiefs
- 1 command aide
- 1 EMS supervisor
The ___ should
- lay appropriate supply line(s) and take a position on the front of the building while leaving room for the aerial apparatus.
- give a preliminary lay out report, on-scene report, size-up report, and make initial unit assignments to tactically mitigate the situation.
pg 22
first due engine
The ___ shall
- ensure that a water supply is established to the first due engine and building fire protection systems.
- When multiple unmarked connections are present, ensure all connections are charged.
- responsible for deploying the back-up line.
pg 22
second due engine
The ___ shall
- position in the rear when possible.
- responsible for hoseline operation in the rear and support of the rescue and truck companies operating in this area.
- Advise the incident commander of the rear conditions and if a sprinkler connection is located in the rear of the building and charge it if required..
pg 22
third due engine
The ___ shall
- assume the duties of the RIT
- water supply to the third due engine in rear if needed.
pg 22
fourth due engine
The ___ should
- take a position in front of the involved store
- use of the aerial for roof access,
- ground ladder deployment,
- use of the master stream (particularly if the unit is a tower ladder)
- and auxiliary equipment on the unit when needed.
pg 23
first due truck
The ___ shall
- take a position in the rear with a primary assignment of gaining access to the roof.
- Use of the aerial is preferred but care must be given to overhead hazards.
- Lighting of the roof and the rear area
pg 23
second due truck
The ___ should
- position in the rear.
- primarily responsible for gaining access to the rear of the involved occupancy and the immediate exposures on both sides.
pg 23
rescue company
In areas where hydrants are not readily available, the procedure for ___ or ___ operations will be followed.
pg 24
relay or shuttle
The first arriving unit officer shall include the following information in the ___ report:
- Water supply/layout location (if not previously reported),
- Corrected address, if different from dispatch,
- Type of structure, and
- Incident conditions (e.g., fire showing from two windows on the first floor).
pg 24
on-scene
Firefighting operations shall be coordinated with companies operating on ___ to ensure a fire attack is not made through both sides of the building at the same time
pg 24
Side “C”
___ or ___ is the most significant concern in strip shopping centers.
pg 25
Horizontal fire spread or extension
Exposure designation starts with the number one and continues. Once the incident commander makes the distinction of where the exposures starts the ___ does not change even if the fire later extends to exposures.
pg 25
exposure numbering
The use of ___ on each side of a fire will prevent smoke and fire from moving horizontally into the Bravo and Delta exposures.
pg 26
positive pressure
Both Exposure Fans must Be Started at the Same Time or Fire will be Pushed into Exposures.
If the basement entrance is in the rear of the structure, advance the handline from the engine company ___.
pg 29
in the rear.
Inspection holes will assist crews with determining fire extension. ___ cuts are not recommended because the melted tar from the saw will normally reseal the cut and make it difficult to evaluate the conditions below the roof.
pg 30
Kerf
___ in the rear are normally used for rear attack, exposure protection, and roof operations.
pg 31
Hoselines
Once crews are assigned to the roof, at least one additional means of escape must be provided. The ability to access a safe haven on the opposite side of a firewall is considered a ___ .
pg 32
secondary egress
___ from the fire structure before the fire is under control shall not be used.
pg 32
Interior roof access
If the building is tightly closed and a significant amount of smoke is pushing, the ___ should be opened first to control possible backdraft and flashover situations.
pg 33
roof
___ can take place in any type of enclosed area of a structure.
pg 33
Backdrafts
If needed, a large hole may need to be cut as close as safely possible to the seat of the fire. It is best to start with a small hole, about ___, and then expand it
pg 34
2 feet by 2 feet
Truck and rescue companies assigned to the roof should be equipped to perform a ___.
pg 34
trench cut
Skylights, scuttles, ventilators, and exhaust vents are an excellent quick way to ___ a roof system. Cutting along the base of the unit on three sides, then flipping the unit may be your best option.
pg 34
vent
