High Rise Flashcards
Composite metal floor decking is commonly referred to as what due to the popularity of a widely used product brand name.
Q decking
P. 5
Traditional concrete has a density range of ________ per cubic foot (pcf).
150
P. 10
Research has shown that under fire conditions, lightweight concrete failure occurs at 80% of the designed load after _________ minutes.
45
P. 11
The extensive use of sprinkler systems in the NOVA region minimizes the threat of large-scale fires. However, concern exists for those situations where the sprinklers fail to control the fire or are turned off. Contents of these buildings have a rate of heat release that can allow a fire to double in size every ________?
90 seconds
P. 31
Officers should consider _________ in advanced fires or fires in the upper floors of residential high-rises.
2 1/2” lines
P. 39
The fire load in commercial occupancies is considered moderate and requires a fire flow of ________ gpm per 100 sqft of involved area.
20
P. 39
The _______ due engine, should establish the base area.
Sixth
P. 54
________ refers to the area used for assembling resources close to operations on the fire floor, ideally two floors below.
Staging
P. 58
Vertical ventilation using ________ represents the least desirable option.
Elevator shafts
P. 62
Command should establish a search and evacuation branch or group if more than _______ above the fire still contain building occupants.
Two floors
P. 63
Some government buildings and merchant buildings may have reinforced this?
Drywall
P. 8
What season is stack effect more noticeable due to the considerable differences between inside and outside temperatures?
Winter
P. 28
Contents of high-rise buildings have a rate of heat released that can allow a fire to double in size every ______ seconds?
90
P. 31
In a wind driven fire, the first due truck and/or rescue squad must establish ________ area by forcing entry into an adjoinging apartment
Safe Haven / Refuge
P.31
What shall an engine company do prior to charging the hose line and open the door to the floor?
Make sure the rest of the stairwell is cleared.
P. 47
A base is established by the 6th enigne or first engine on the second alarm. Who becomes the Base Officer?
Engine Driver
P. 54/58
Staging is set up _____ Floors below the fire floor.
2
P. 58
A fire stream in excess of 350 GPM that is deployed from the tip of an aerial device.
Elevated Master Stream
How many basic ventilation techniques are there for high-rise operations?
3
What is the least desirable option for verticle ventilation?
Elevator Shaft
Who shall check HVAC settings prior to ascending to the fire floor?
First due truck officer
Drop ceilings are often used to hide wires and HVAC Ducts, but can create these
Void spaces
what is a concern with a curtain wall on the exterior of the building?
gaps between floor and exterior wall
if hallways are sectioned off by the use of fire doors, you will typically find a stairwell and ___________ for each area or section
Standpipes
what year was the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code modified to require a fire control room
1976
Along with stairwell riser, what else may be found in the stairwell for buildings constructed after 1976
Sprinkler control valve
An elevator that bypasses a portion of the building via a blind shaft and is found in many hi-rises in known as?
express elevator
what is a clear avenue for a rapid collection of smoke and super-heated gases?
plenum spaces
a report of a vehicle fire in a parking garage attached to a high-rise should be treated as?
High-Rise Fire
portable ground ladders are found in varying lengths. Most straight ladders are 16’ and 20’ ladders. Most extension ladders run from ______-foot to 40-foot
24
Unprotected stairs in a multistory building that connects two or more floors for the same occupant space
Access Stairs
Light-colored lazy-moving smoke typically generated by a sprinkler response to a small fire is called what?
Cold smoke
A building that the highest occupied story is located more then 75 feet above the lowest level of the fire department vehicle access
Highrise Building
This occurs when air moves downward inside a building due to the temperature difference between the air inside and outside
Reverse stack effect
This occurs when air moves upward inside a tightly sealed building due to the difference in temperature inside and outside
Stack Effect
This architectural feature makes it difficult to control smoke conditions because of the simultaneous exposer of smoke and fire conditions to many floors
Atrium
Buildings constructed prior to ______ code requirements may lack sprinkler systems ,fire control rooms ,modern fire alarms,or elevator control systems
1976
Fire walls typically have a minimum _____ fire-resistance rating
2 Hour
Due to increased security concerns,drywall may be reinforced with a encased layer of?
Wire mesh or Lexan Polycarbonate
Lightweight concrete failure occurs at 80% of the designed load after how many minutes of fire exposure?
45 minutes
Highrise building windows can be made from what ?
Plate Glass,Tempered glass,Lexan Polycarbonate
Stairwell to hall doors swing in what direction?
Into the stairwell
Buildings with fixed windows should have designated _______ _______
Breakable windows
How will breakable windows be marked
Maltese cross /Fire Helmetin the lower corner
What does the presence of a security gate in the stairway denote?
Lowest level terminating at an exterior entrance
Where is the machinery for a Otis Gen 2 elevator mounted ?
Top of the car
This operation mode allows the elevator car doors to open automatically when the car arrives at the specified floor
Independent service
What can occur in any enclosed area within a structure
Backdraft
What must be done to a burning object in a chute that is involved in fire ?
A heavy object must be dropped on it from above to dislodge it
Buildings under construction must have a riser how many floors below the top- most finished floor
Two floors
In 1976 building code required a fire control room and buildings with occupied floors more than ___ feet.
75
Generally characterized, a highrise building is greater than how many stories?
6 or 7
The presence of a scupper on a highrise will indicate what?
the roofline
Access or convience stairs are ____?
stairs leading from floor to floor within a single occupant space
Buildings constructed after 1976 stairways should contain what?
hardwired communications to the fire control room
Highrise buildings constructed after 1976 contain ______ .
automatic sprinklers
Hydrants installed after 1976 should be located within how many feet of the standpipe?
100 feet
A blind shaft elevator is considered what type of elevator?
express
Indication of the blind shaft elevator control panel can be indicated by ____.
lack of call buttons for floors
In a wind drive highrise fire, what unit establishes the safe haven area?
first due truck or rescue
Fire resistance construction in highrises can limit the spread of fire but contents of these buildings have a rate of heat release that allows fire to double in size every _____.
90 seconds
Mercantile style highrises represent a significant concern for buyer extension on floors located _____ .
lower 2 or 3 floors
The fire load in residential occupancies requires a fire flow of ____ GPM per ____ square feet in volved.
10 and 100
What is the minimum initial alarm assignment for a highrise fire?
5 engines, 2 trucks, 1 rescue squad, 1 EMS unit, 2 battalion chiefs, 1 EMS supervisor
Units should utilize stairwell access up to what floor before using an elevator?
6th
After conferring with the IC, the 5th engine then reports to ____ area to assume ____ control.
lobby, lobby
The 6th due engine should estabilsh what area?
base
A midrise building is considered how many stories that are less than how many feet?
3-6 stories, 75 ft.
The minimum initial alarm assignment for a midrise is what?
5 engines, 2 trucks, 1 rescue squad, 1 EMS unit, 2 battalion cheifs, 1 command aid, and 1 EMS supervisor
In 1976, the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code required a fire control room in buildings with occupied floors located at what height?
75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access
With a few exceptions, all NOVA high-rise buildings have at least how many exits from each floor?
Two
What is the minimum fire rating time for fire walls?
2-hour fire-resistive rating
What distance gap can there between be a curtain wall and the floor they are attached to?
6” to 12”
Studies have shown lightweight concrete develop thermal cracks in as little as how many minutes of fire exposure?
14 - 16 minutes
High-rise buildings with fixed windows may have window panes etched with what symbol to indicate they are breakable?
Maltese cross or fire helmet
What type of stairs lead to confusion as they don’t lead to every floor and typically lead to every other floor?
Scissor stairs
When you encounter a security gate in the stairwell, what does that indicate?
It’s the last floor with an exterior entrance
Pressure-reducing valves will limit pressure to a maximum of how many psi?
175 psi
Can an engine driver bypass an unusable FDC and directly connect to the ground-level standpipe riser, if it has a pressure-reducing valve?
No, it will be ineffective due to the one-way valve
What is the natural movement of air within a tightly sealed high-rise; it results from the temperature difference between the air inside and the air outside; smoke rises until the temperature balances, at which point the smoke begins to settle or stratify; this occurs most noticeably in winter?
Stack Effect
Wind-driven fires have been documented as low as what story on a high-rise?
Third floor
Hazardous wind-driven conditions can occur with wind speeds as low as?
10-20 mph
When sprinklers fail in a high-rise, the contents of these buildings have a rate of heat release that can allow fire to double every?
90 seconds
What is the required fire flow for commercial high-rise buildings as their fire load is considered moderate?
20gpm per 100 sqft.
What is the fifth-due engines primary responsibility on a high-rise fire?
Lobby control
Where does the fourth-due engine set up I-RIT?
One floor below the fire
Who will serve as the initial person coordinating base activities?
Driver of first engine arriving at base
Where is staging set up on a high-rise fire?
Two floors below the fire
Virginia Uniform Building Code requires a fire control room in building with occupied floors located more than how many feet above the lowest level of fire department vehile access?
75 feet
How long is the minimum fire resistance rating on fire walls in enclosed high rise stairways?
2 hours
What is composite metal floor decking commonly referred to as?
Q decking
What can assist with determining the height of the roofline and when the façade roof starts?
scuppers
What is the density range of traditional concrete?
150 pounds per cubic foot
In high rise buildings, what does an outward opening door indicate?
electric, telephone room or other type of closet
What type of stairs are open, unprotected stairways leading from floor to floor within a single occupant’s space?
accommodation stairs
What is found on the last floor with an exterior enternce?
security gate
What type of standpipe systems are usually found in high rise buildings?
wet systems
How many feet from standpipe and sprinkler FDCs are hydrants found if installed after 1976?
within 100 feet
In HVAC, what is sometimes installed in the ductwork that is a form of passive fire protection?
dampers
What is it called when smoke movement in residential and commercial high rise structures is uninfluenced by external environmental conditions causing smoke to rise upwards to the ceiling or roof then banks downward back towards the fire floor?
mushrooming
What is a natural movemnet of air within a tightly sealed high rise building which results from the temperature difference between air inside and outside of the structure?
stack effect
What occurs when the smoke temperature is not sufficient to cause it to rise all the way to the top of the building?
stratification
What should be NOT be performed, until directed by Command, during a wind driven fire in a high rise building?
horizontal ventilation
How can water be removed after a bumpster or comapactor fire?
1 1/2” drainage pipe
In a high rise building fire, what should firefighters suspect if they encounter an outward opening metal door?
electrical vaults/rooms
What should firefighters do before advancing a hoselines in areas with suspended ceiling assemblies?
check for fire in the plenum
If taking the elevator during a high rise fire, where should firefighters get off in relation to the fire floor?
2 floors below the fire floor
Where should the fourth due engine company position for I-RIT on a high rise fire?
one floor below the fire floor
Fire load in commercial occupancies requires a fire flow of ____ per ____ of involved area
20 gpms; 100 Square ft
Definition of a high rise
6 or more stories or greater than 75’ above FD vehicle access
A common new feature in high rises is an atrium. These make it difficult to control?
smoke
The five basic points of high rise building fires operational plan are:
determine fire floor, Verify fire floor, control occupamts, control build systems, confine and extinguish fire
Who becomes the base officer?
sixth engine driver
Generally after 1976, a hydrant should be located within _____ ft of the standpipe and sprinkler FDCs.
100
In reference to elevators, a ______ serves only a specified portion of the building and has no opening on other floors
Blind shaft
Due to the way curtain walls are mounted to the floor, gaps of ___ are common between floor and exterior walls
6 to 12 inches
This smoke effect is more common in the winter time
Stack effect
Where should the medical unit be located at a high rise fire?
1 floor below staging
Unless otherwise specified by command, who is assumed to take command of the fire attack operations on the fire floor?
2nd due battalion chief
some high rise have these which allow personnel to determine the roofline?
Scuppers
Many building with newer construction have exterior _______ constructed of glass or pre-cast netal or masonry panels
Curtain walls
A typical requirment for buildings with atiums is?
Full Sprinkler protection
Personnel must be aware of the time needed to assess the situation upon the arrival of the first units, gather information from the annunciator panel or fire control room and building personnel, identify and confirm the fire floor, proceed to that floor, locate the fire on the floor, and prepare to operate. This is known as:
Reflex time
what does the driver of the first engine do?
park out the way and join crew in structer
Majority of building fire pumps are which type of pumps
centrifugal
how many companies can ride in the elevator together
2
It is the responsibility of the _________ due Engine Company to assume lobby control
Fifth due Engine
An X on a door shall indicate
A search has been conducted
What units go to the fire floor together if possible
The first engine, Truck or Rescue squad
Where does the RIT stage in a high rise fire
One floor below the fire floor
A high rise is defined as having _____ or more stories or the highest occupies hight is greater than ________ feet from Fire Department access
Jun-75
How many floors below the fire floor must companies stop and use the stairs when using an elevator to get to the fire floor?
Two floors below
What is the search priority in residential highrise occupancies
The fire unit, exit hallways, the adjacent units across the hall form the involved unit
Second alarm units park and await orders in what location
Base
What position may be one of the highest priorities in the early stages of and high-rise fire event when elevators are not working?
Stairwell support
What is the typical length of fire resistance rating of fire walls
Two hours
What building occupancy, commonly found in Northern Virginia, will typically have a higher fire load
Government
The fifth engine crew is assign to lobby control, the crew will have indivisual task. Who will have the building system control
Left bucket fire fighter
Stairs that usually have individual entrances and access only one section of the building
Isolated stairs
In commercial occupancies, the fire load is considered moderate. What is the required fire flow for moderate fire loads?
20 gpm per 100 square feet
Unprotected stairways leading from floor-to-floor within a single occupant’s space
Accommodation stairs
An elevator that bypasses a portion of the building via a blind shaft
Express elevator
The third due Engine company is responsible for
Proceed to the floor above the fire to check for extension and for occupants
Every alarm after the first alarm will bring at least the following units
3 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 BC
What FDCs is mounted away from the building in the surrounding yard
Yard Stanchion FDC
Pressure-reducing valves will limit pressure to a maximum of ___ PSI.
175
What is the time needed in a highrise to assess the situation, gather info, ID and confirm fire floor, proceed to the floor, locate fire & prepare to operate called?
Reflex time
How many engines on a high rise fire?
5
Where does I-RIT go in a highrise fire?
1 floor below the fire
Who helps 3rd due engine establish secondary water on a highrise fire?
5 th due engine driver
When should units utilize stairwells in highrise fires?
Below grade fire and above grade fires up the sixth floor
Where should the medical unit be located at a highrise fire?
1 floor below staging
How should firefighters be staged for stairwell support?
Every 2 floors
What are the common gaps for curtain walls?
6-12 inches
What is a lightweight construction over a non- combustible garage called?
Podium construction
What another name for wrap around mid rise design?
Texas donut
What are 3 general balconies for midrise?
Catilevered, hinged and recessed
What type of sprinklers do many lightweight midrise building have?
13R
1st due truck should position to maximumize what?
Scrub area
How should personnel in lobby control position for accountability ?
In a highly visible location
What critical tasks must lobby control do?
Accountability, elevator control, building systems control, civilian evacuation and stairwell Id
What must lobby control account for on units entering the building?
Unit ID, crew size, time enter,task and location and air level
Who should notify command of a list of nonambulatory residents in a highrise?
Lobby control
What radio channels should crews use if radio communications becomes an issue?
Nonrepeated talk around channels
How to get rid of a lodge item on fire in trash chute?
Drop a heavier object on top to dislodge
What are stairs that serve two or more floors?
Acess Stairs
What is a non load bearing wall that is attached to structual members of the building?
Curtian Wall
What is the void above a drop ceiling called?
plenum space
What occurs when the outide temperature is warmer than the inside?
Reverse Stack effect
What occurs when the outside temperature Is cooler than the inside?
stac effect
What is the creation of thermal layers called?
stratification
Highrise building code was modified in?
Feb-76
Residential Highrises are characterized by?
Center Hallways
Commercial highrises are characterized by?
Center core constrction
What famous fire had weak streams caused by a defective Presure reducing valve?
One Meridian Plaza
Pressure reducing valves will limit pressure to?
175psi
When smoke reaches the ceiling and begins to spread out this is called?
Mushrooming
Wind driven fires can occur on floors as low as?
3rd floor
Wind speeds as low as … can cause wind driven fires?
10 to 15
Fire doubles in size every?
90 seconds
Who establishes base?
6th engine
A mid rise is how many stories?
3 to 6
Midrises may be equipped with what type of sprinkler?
13r
What class of standpipes has a 2.5” with a 1.5” reducer?
class 3
Fire walls in high rises are rated for?
2 hours
Determine fire floor, verify fire floor, control occupants, control building systems, confine and extinguish the fire
Operational plan for high rise fires
Who’s responsibility is it to identify and verify the fire floor?
First due engine officer
Units should utilize stairwells to access fires up through the
6th floor
The officer of what engine should identify the standpipe outlet providing the best means for fire attack?
1st
Who must communicate to command via radio which stairwell has been identified as the attack stairwell?
1st engine officer
The officer should obtain keys, check the status of the fire control station/annunciation panel, proceed to the first engine’s location
2nd engine
Proceed to the floor above to work with the 2nd truck
3rd engine
Where should the 4th engine position as RIT?
Floor below
Fifth due engine
Lobby control
OIC and RB of 5th engine
Unit tracking
LB of 5th engine
Fire control room
If the first due truck has what the crew may ride the bike up to the fire floor?
Tower ladder
Every alarm after the first will bring what units?
3 engines, 1 truck, 1 BC
First engine, 2nd alarm
Base
Driver of 6th due engine
Base manager
OIC, LB and RB of 6th engine set up staging how many floor below the fire floor?
2
Driver of 5th engine
Elevators
Least desirable option for vertical ventilation
Elevator shafts
To effectively shuttle equipment a firefighter should be positioned where?
Every 2 floors
The medical unit should set up where?
1 floor below staging
In what month and year did the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code modify the fire protection requirements for high rise buildings?
February of 1976
This type of high rise is characterized by center-core construction with cicuit corridors around the building’s core.
Commercial High-rise
Which of the following is not a required fire protection feature?
At least 3 approved means of egress from each floor
What allows personnel to determine the height of the roofline and the start of a façade?
Scuppers
Research has shown that under fire conditions, what fails at 80% of the designated load after 45 minutes of fire exposure?
Lightweight Concrete
Windows that are breakable in the event of an emergency are marked with what?
A Maltese Cross
What does a security gate at the landing of a stairwell indicate?
That is the lowest level with an exterior entrance
What term refers to the typical smoke movement found in residential and commercial high-rise structures when the smoke is uninfluenced by external environmental conditions?
Mushrooming
Cool and low-lying smoke, also known as cold smoke, is indicative of what?
Fires brought under control by sprinklers
Which of the following is not needed for a wind driven fire to occur?
An obstructed path to an outlet where the fire can vent
During a wind driven fire, once personnel reach the fire floor, they must communicate what information to Command?
Volume and intensity of fire as well as temperatures observed on the TIC
During a wind driven fire, the first due truck or rescue should establish a haven area where?
An adjoining apartment
Fire doubles in size every how many seconds?
90 seconds
High rises under construction must have a riser how many floors below the top-most finished floor?
Two
Officers should consider 2 1/2” hoselines in advanced fires or fires where?
Upper floors of residential high rises
The officer of which unit should provide a lobby report to the first due command officer communicating fire alarm status and reported fire location?
First Due Engine
I-RIT should be positioned where?
One floor below the fire floor
In residential occupancies, after the fire unit, where is the priority to search?
Exit hallways
The sixth due engine officer shoud announce this location, if not already identified/
Base
If a 360-degree lap of a midride is impractical, what should an officer do?
Coordinate with other units to complete a size-up
