Handbook of Tactics Ch 7-8 Flashcards
What are the ladder company’s duties?
LOVERS U Laddering Overhaul Ventilation Entry Rescue Salvage Utilities
4 advantages of having a plan of action at a structure fire?
- FORMALIZES thinking
- Assigns a degree of PRIORITY to each element
- INFORMS each member about what is happening
- Establishes ACCOUNTABILITY for one’s actions
What are 3 basic requirements of an operational plan?
- NUMBER OF PEOPLE of to be committed initially to each area of responsibility
- TOOLS to be provided in each area
- General SCOPE OF DUTIES
What are the 3 basic tools required at all structural fires?
- Halligan
- Flathead axe
- NY hook or pike pole
What is the area of highest life hazard in a private dwelling fire regardless of the time of day?
The bedroom
Five basic tool requirements for an interior ladder crew?
- Halligan
- Flathead axe
- NY hook or pike pole
- Lights
- Portable radio
Five factors which affect the selection and placement of a portable ladder?
- Reach
- Stored length
- Weight
- Material of construction
- Number of personnel required
What is the average height of one residential floor
9 ft
What is the average height of one commercial floor?
12 ft
Is the average windowsill height from the floor?
3 ft
What is the correct climbing angle for a portable ladder ladder?
70 degrees
To determine the distance of the ladder butt from the building, take the working height of the ladder and ____________.
Divide by four
With a 70° climbing angle, how much of a ladder’s total length is lost?
6 %
What is the best ladder position for venting a window?
Tip of the ladder even with the top of the window frame, on the upwind side.
Proper placement of a ladder for VES?
Place the tip at or just below the windowsill.
How many men are required to raise a 35’ aluminum ladder?
Two, if they butt it against the building.
Can a wooden ladder conduct electricity?
Yes, if it is coated with water.
What is a visible indication of a loss of ladder strength due to heat exposure?
A slight bluing of the aluminum.
Heat indicators on a ladder change color at _____.
300 deg F
What NFPA standard covers portable ladders?
NFPA 1932
What is the NFPA requirement for total length of ground ladders on a ladder truck?
Total of 168 ft
According to NFPA 1932, what is the design load for most ladders?
750 lbs
Modern ladders are at least _____ wide at the narrowest point.
16 inches
A large proportion of ladder failures occur during_______.
Training
Tower ladder
A platform attached to a boom with a built-in waterway and a sideless escape ladder.
Ladder tower
The platform attached to the end of an aerial ladder with a built-in waterway provided.
What is the most versatile master stream appliance on the fire ground?
The tower ladder
An _____________ may be able to reach over some obstacles, but they pose an additional problem in that the boom elbow projects opposite the platform, possibly striking obstacles on the other side of the truck.
Articulating boom platform
When raising an aerial to the roof, the ladder should be extended so that at least ________ project above the level of the roof.
5 rungs
When extending the aerial ladder to the roof, how close to the parapet should it be?
1 to 2 inches away from the parapet
When placing the aerial ladder to the roof, it should be ___________ to the building.
Perpendicular
What is the best spotting location for a bucket on a roof with a moderate height parapet?
Place the top rail of the platform just slightly above the top of the parapet.
How should a platform be placed if the roof has no parapet wall?
Place the basket so that it is just resting on the roof.
For parapet walls over 6 feet, how should you place the platform?
It is best to relocate the platform. If this isn’t possible, gain access directly from the bucket using an attic ladder secured to the top sliding section of the boom.
When performing VES from the ladder tower, where should you spot the rig?
As close to the building as possible and with the basket in line with the window.
When performing VES from an aerial ladder, where should you spot the rig?
Stop where the turntable is directly in line with the window and the ladder is perpendicular to the building.
Scrub area
The amount of surface area that may be physically contacted by an aerial device.
How would you obtain the best scrub area for a midship mounted aerial?
Angle the apparatus 15 to 20° away from parallel to the fire building. This will get the cab out of the way for accessing lower floors.
How would you spot a rear-mounted aerial to obtain the best scrub area?
Back it into position.
If nothing demands a specific position on arrival, how should you position an aerial apparatus?
Spot the apparatus 15 ft past the corner of the building you pass as you arrive.
What are the 2 safety rules regarding aerial device operation that shouldn’t be broken except in the most extreme conditions?
- Keep all aerial devices 10 ft or more from overhead power lines.
- Never extend or retract any telescoping device while a person is climbing.
How far must an aerial device be kept from power lines?
10 feet
Is there any circumstance in which you can extend or retract an aerial device while a person is climbing on the ladder?
No.
Overhaul
Any action taken to expose hidden fire and ensure its extinguishment.
What are the two types of overhaul?
Precontrol and postcontrol
Channel rail
Framed out vertical void around steel I beams
True or false, the most important void to check for fire extension is the cockloft?
False. Vertical voids are opened first, then horizontal voids.
Class A combustibles that are showing a __________ on the surface are still hot enough to reignite.
White or gray ash
What is the 15 sec, 2 min rule?
When checking a surface during overhaul, put a bare hand on the surface for 15 seconds. If there is no undue discomfort, perform the same evaluation two minutes later.
What is the last sense that firefighters should use in overhauling?
Common sense
How should you deal with a mattress fire?
- Wet the thoroughly and extinguish all flame.
2. Roll the mattress into a bundle. 3. Carry down the stairway wearing full PPE and SCBA.
During overhaul, where should the first openings be made to find hidden fire?
Near man-made openings in drywall or plaster.
In a room that has seen heavy fire, where should you begin pulling ceiling?
From the doorway, in case the entire ceiling falls.
What is the most effective way to open up a tin ceiling?
Begin at a seam between sheets, then pull back along the length of each sheet. For a top floor fire, it is easier to push down the ceiling from the roof.
What type of building is a good candidate for hydraulic overhauling?
A vacant building
When does salvage begin?
At the moment of arrival.
How many firefighters are needed for shutting down utilities?
2
What is the overriding size-up concern for forcible entry?
The need for speed
4 size-up factors for forcible entry?
- NEED for speed
- TYPE of door and lock assemblies
- TOOLS and manpower available
- Degree of DAMAGE that entry will create
4 basic rules of forcible entry?
- TRY before you pry.
- DON’T ignore the obvious.
- USE the door that the occupants normally use.
- MAINTAIN the integrity of the door.
What is the least concerning factor for forcible entry in most cases?
Tools and manpower available. 2 people should be able to force most doors with a Halligan and flathead axe.
When does forcible entry size up begin?
When you receive the alarm.
What percent of residential doors open inward?
99%
In a residential hallway, what doors are likely to open outward?
Janitor’s closets and elevators
How should you check a doorknob for heat?
Keep your glove on and bend your hand back to expose a little of your wrist.
What can you surmise if you find a lock cylinder 4 inches from the edge of the door?
The owner has made some serious attempts at security.
How many different means of getting a bite on the material does a Halligan offer?
4
How should a Halligan be used to breach an inward-opening door?
- Place the fork 6 inches above or below the lock with the outer curve toward the door, at a 15-20° angle from the door.
- Working together, hit the Halligan while continually moving it outward until it approaches 90°.
- When the fork has been driven 1-2 inches past the end of the door, push the Halligan back toward the door.
When should you attack the hinge side of a door?
When all other methods have been tried.
When attacking the hinge side of the door, which hinge should you start with?
The top hinge first
What method of forcible entry should you use with only one firefighter present?
The baseball swing
How should you force an outward opening door with the axe and Halligan?
- Drive the adze in between the door and jam, 6 inches above or below the lock
- Pull out on the fork end.
Who pioneered the through-the-lock forcible entry technique?
FDNY Captain George Sunilla (1960’s)
Using the through-the-lock technique, you have pulled the lock cylinder and observe a flat shaft sticking out. What type of lock does this indicate?
Rim lock
Using the through-the-lock technique, you have pulled the lock cylinder and observe a square shaft sticking out the rear. What type of lock does this indicate?
Police lock (also fox lock, verily)
Is a police lock found on inward- or outward-opening doors?
Inward-opening doors
Police lock
A steel rod is held by a steel box on the door side and braced against a recess in the floor.
You have removed the lock cylinder and found a square shaft indicating a police lock. How should you proceed?
Place the claw end of the Halligan through the cylinder hole and whack it right off the door.
What are the three types of key cylinders?
- Flat shaft
- Square shaft
- Cam
What is the simplest type of lock to conquer using the through-the-lock technique?
Rim lock
How do you force a rim lock using the through-the-lock technique?
- Pull the lock cylinder.
- Insert a screwdriver through the cylinder hole and turn it to open the lock.
-OR-
Insert the claw end of the Halligan through the cylinder opening and strike it with an axe.
Using the through-the-lock technique, you remove the cylinder and note a little pear-shaped cam nearly flush with the back of the cylinder. What type of lock does this indicate?
Mortise lock
When performing the through-the-lock technique on a mortise lock, if the keyway is at 6 o’clock, what positions must the cylinder be moved through?
From 5 to 7 or 7 to 5
What type of locks call for the use of the through-the-lock technique?
- Police lock (not detectable)
- Fox lock (plainly visible)
- Pivoting deadbolt (plainly visible)
- Rim lock
What type of lock is almost always present on a narrow-stile door?
Pivoting deadbolt
What is the bolt throw of a pivoting deadbolt lock?
1-1/4” or more
Besides the through-the-lock method, what is another conventional option for forcing a narrow-stile aluminum and glass door?
Insert the adze of the Halligan between the two pieces of the top hinge, then pry them apart and lift the door out of the bottom hinge and the lock.
You observe a rectangular steel plate in the center of the door that shields the lock cylinder. What type of lock does this indicate?
Fox lock
How do you force a fox lock?
- Place the adze just behind the top of the plate.
- Drive the adze behind the plate, shearing the top bolt, then the bottom bolt. Repeat for the top bolt on the other side.
- With only one bolt holding the plate, you can now spin it out of the way.
- Use a tool that can be driven behind the slightly-recessed cylinder to pry it out.
- Using your tapered square-key tool, turn the shaft to open the lock (may take 2 full turns).
What type of forcible entry works best in zero visibility?
Hydraulic forcible entry tool (HFT)
What is the working pressure of the HFT?
8,000 psi
Which forcible entry method works against fox locks, multilocks, deadbolts, and drop-in bars?
The HFT
When is an HFT unsuited for use?
When damage is a concern but speed is not.
What is the most difficult forcible entry challenge you might ever encounter?
Multilock door
Can the through-the-lock technique be used against a multilock?
No
What is the best way to force a multilock door?
- Using a circular saw, cut a triangular hole in the lower half of the door on the side between the multi lock cylinder and the doorknob.
- Reach in and unlock the multilock.
What is the best way to force a multilock door that uses a key from the inside and the outside?
Using a circular saw, cut a 10 to 12 inch square around the multilock plate, then reach in and manually retract all four rods.
What are the three types of security gates?
- Manual
- Mechanical
- Electrical
What is the bow of a high-security padlock made of?
Has a bow of casehardened steel at least 3/8” thick.
What is the minimum size of bolt cutters necessary for a high-security padlock?
36” long
When forcing a high-security padlock, what is another conventional alternative to bolt cutters?
Duckbill lock breaker or a miner’s pick
How can you force a high security padlock with a Halligan?
Insert the fork end over the bow and twist padlock to shear the lock or shear the hasp off the door.
What are the fastest means of forcing multiple padlocks using power tools?
Cutting torch or circular saw with aluminum oxide blade
What is the proper blade speed for cutting metal with a circular saw?
Hold the blade on the work at idle speed and then slowly increase the RPMs until it is operating in the cut.
What lock resembles a shiny steel hockey puck?
The American 2000 gate lock
What are 2 methods to force an American 2000 gate lock?
- Twist off with a 36 inch pipe wrench and cheater bar
2. Cut across the lock, 2/3 of the height of the lock away from the keyway with a metal cutting saw or torch
What is the last resort when forcing a metal gate?
Cut the gate itself.
In what 2 circumstances is it best to cut a roll-up door?
- Heavy fire condition were speed is of the essence
2. Damaged or electrically operated door
According to Norman, what is the preferred method of cutting a rollup door?
The 3-cut method
Exothermic torch, or burning bar
Specialized cutting torch that burns a hollow steel rod at more than 5000°F.
What forcible entry is likely to be the best choice when you have light fire conditions?
Through-the-lock method
What is the most common commercial door in the nation?
Narrow-stile aluminum-and-glass door with push bar and pivoting deadbolt.
Using the 3-cut method, where are the 3 cuts made?
- As close to one edge as possible (usually 6-8 in. from the jamb) top to bottom.
- Same as the first, opposite side
- Center cut length of the blade, then pull the slats and continue
