High Rise

Question 1

A high-rise building is defined as?

Answer 1

6 or more stories highest floor is greater than 75ft above lowest vehicle access

pg.2

“a building with either six or more stories or a building where the highest occupied story/floor is greater than 75 feet from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.”

Question 2

Most High-Rise buildings are built using what type of construction?

Answer 2

Fire-resistive construction

pg.2

“High-rise buildings are present throughout Northern Virginia. These buildings vary greatly in height, ranging from six or seven stories to structures that exceed 30 stories. Most are built using fire-resistive construction”

Question 3

Modern High-rise buildings are of what 2 basic designs?

Answer 3

Residential and commercial

pg.3

“Modern high-rise buildings are of two basic designs: residential and commercial”

Question 4

What are Residential High-rise buildings characterized by?

Answer 4

Center Hallways & numerous interior compartments

pg.3

“These occupancies are characterized by center hallways, numerous interior compartments (such as rooms, closets, etc.), and 24-hour occupancy”

Question 5

What are Commercial High-rise buildings characterized by?

Answer 5

Center Core construction.

pg.3

“Commercial high-rise buildings are characterized by center-core construction, with circuit corridors around the core of the building and may have relatively large, open expanses on each floor.”

Question 6

Buildings constructed prior to the 1976 code requirements are typically constructed of what?

Answer 6

Steel and concrete

pg.5

“Buildings that were constructed prior to the 1976 code requirements are typically steel and concrete”

Question 7

A High-rise building constructed after the 1976 code will be of what construction?

Answer 7

Fire Resistive

pg.6

“A high-rise building constructed after the 1976 code change will be of fire resistive construction, which provides resistance to collapse of structural members and floors and resistance to the passage of fire through floors and horizontal barriers”

Question 8

What size are the outlets on a Class 3 standpipe system?

Answer 8

2 1/2 inches in diameter

pg.6

“A class III standpipe system. The outlets on this system are 2 1⁄2 inches in diameter”

Question 9

What size are the reducers on a class 3 standpipe system?

Answer 9

1 1/2 inch reducers

pg.6

“A class III standpipe system. The outlets on this system are 2 1⁄2 inches in diameter and have 1 1⁄2-inch reducers”

Question 10

Fire Walls are made of what material?

Answer 10

Gypsum and Masonry walls

pg.6

“Multiple layers or thick gypsum and masonry walls are typically used to enclose stairway, elevator, and other shafts. These will typically have a two-hour fire resistance rating, at a minimum. Masonry fire walls may be found separating occupied areas from storage, utility, and commercial areas”

Question 11

How long is a fire walls fire resistance rating?

Answer 11

atleast 2 hours

pg.6

“These will typically have a two-hour fire resistance rating, at a minimum”

Question 12

Where are HVAC shut-off switches found?

Answer 12

Adjacent to the unit or the fire control room

pg.8

Question 13

In most cases where are elevator control rooms located?

Answer 13

On the roof

pg.8

“In most cases, elevator control rooms are located on the roof. The control panel (shut off) for each elevator is located in this room and should be labeled by the respective elevator car number”

Question 14

What marking let’s us know that a windowpane can be broken?

Answer 14

Maltese cross or Fire helmet

pg.13

“The windowpanes that CAN be broken are marked with a Maltese cross or a fire helmet etched in the lower corner of the pane”

Question 15

The doors that seperate occupancies within a high-rise have what characteristics?

Answer 15

Either fire rated metal or wood in metal frames.

pg.13

“Doors that separate the various occupancies within a high-rise are either fire-rated metal or wood in metal frames”

Question 16

Inward opening doors lead to?

Answer 16

apartments and offices

pg.13

“These are inward opening – that is, the door swings into the apartment or office from the hallway”

Question 17

What could an outward door indicate?

Answer 17

Electric or telephone room

pg.13

“The presence of outward opening doors indicates an electric or telephone room, or other type of closet”

Question 18

Define an isolated stairwell?

Answer 18

a stairwell with an individual entrance that only accesses part of the building.

pg.14

“Isolated stairs usually have individual entrances and access only one section of the building”

Question 19

What are accomidation stairs?

Answer 19

floor to floor, unprotected stairways within a single occupant’s space

pg.16

“Accommodation stairs, also known as access or convenience stairs are open, unprotected stairways leading from floor-to-floor within a single occupant’s space”

Question 20

What are Scissor stairs?

Answer 20

Independent stairwells on either side of the core. Sometimes they only serve every other floor

pg.16

“Scissor stairs, , may be found in center-core construction, although this is rare. These stairs are simply independent stairwells on either side of the core. However, in some cases, each stairwell will only serve every other floor. In other words, one of the stairs may serve the even-numbered floors and the other the odd-numbered floors”

Question 21

What type of sprinkler systems do High-rise buildings constructed after 1976 tend to have?

Answer 21

Automatic sprinkler systems

pg.18

“Automatic sprinkler systems are in place in high-rise buildings constructed after 1976, unless the compartmentation option was chosen”

Question 22

Majority of standpipes found at a High-rise are what type?

Answer 22

Wet systems

pg.19

“The majority of standpipes found in interior applications at a high-rise are wet systems. However, some older structures are equipped with dry standpipes”

Question 23

A Hydrant should be located within how many feet of the standpipe and sprinkler FDC’s?

Answer 23

within 100 feet

pg.20

“Generally (after 1976), a hydrant should be located within 100 feet of the standpipe and sprinkler”

Question 24

Which risers are more preferabble, those within a stairwell or a hallway?

Answer 24

Risers within a stairwell

pg.22

“preference should be given to using risers in the stairwell. Personnel should refrain from using hallway risers unless absolutely necessary”

Question 25

Many new FDC’s have incorporated locking caps, how are these opened?

Answer 25

With a specifc key

pg.20

“Many of these new FDCs have also incorporated locking caps, which can only be opened with a specific key”

Question 26

Where are sprinkler control valves found?

Answer 26

Stairwell landings, hallway closets, and recessed aboved dropped

ceilings

pg.22

“Sprinkler control valves for each floor may be found at stairwell landings. Additionally, depending upon the length and size of the structure, valves may be located in hall closets or recessed above the drop ceiling”

Question 27

Pressure-reducing valves can have what effect on fire streams?

Answer 27

Restrict flow

pg.22

Question 28

How do you bypass a pressure reducer valve?

Answer 28

Break the L shaped arm

pg.23

“They can be defeated by breaking the “L” shaped arm that restricts the riser wheel”

Question 29

Central air conditioning within a high-rise may interconnect how many floors?

Answer 29

10 to 20 or more

Question 30

Elevators in high-rise structures are typically controlled by what?

Answer 30

Electric traction

pg.24

Question 31

What are express elevators?

Answer 31

elevators that bypass a portion of the building

pg.24

“Express elevators, which bypass a portion of the building via a blind shaft, are found in many high-rises throughout the area”

Question 32

Where are fire control room usually located?

Answer 32

near or at main lobby entrance

pg.26

Question 33

Where are telephone communication systems locaed within a high-rise?

Answer 33

Stairwell landings, elevator cars and floor lobbies

Question 34

What is a Public address system?

Answer 34

allows personnel within the fire control room to communicate to any floor.

pg.27

“Public address systems – A system is designed to allow personnel in the fire control room to communicate to any single floor, combination of floors, or the entire building. Speakers are located in hallways, elevators, stairwells, rooms, or tenant space exceeding 1,000 square feet, and all dwelling units. In addition to the use of the public address system, individual floors can be placed into alarm to assist in the evacuation operation”

Question 35

When evacuating if more than 2 floors above the fire still contain occupants what must be established?

Answer 35

Search and Evacuatin Branch

Question 36

What is mushrooming?

Answer 36

smoke rises until it reaches the roof/ceiling then it banks back down to the fire floor

pg.30

“Mushrooming results in smoke rising upward from the fire floor until it reaches the roof/ceiling level. The smoke then banks off of the roof/ceiling and migrates downward, back towards to the fire floor”

Question 37

What does cold smoke charecterize?

Answer 37

cool and low lying smoke thats under control by a sprinkler system

Question 38

What is stack effect?

Answer 38

air movement within a sealed building based off the different air temperature’s inside and outside of the structure

pg.31

“The stack effect is the natural movement of air within a relatively tightly-sealed building due to the temperature difference between the air on the inside and outside of the structure”

*more noticeable during winter*

Question 39

What is reverse stack effect?

Answer 39

air movement in a vertical shaft due to higher outside temperatures

pg.32

“The stack effect can be reversed (referred to as reverse stack effect), resulting in the movement of air in a vertical shaft, due to the outside temperature being higher than that inside”

Question 40

What is the most effective measure for preventing flashover?

Answer 40

cooling the overhead area

pg.33

“To prevent flashover, it is imperative that the overhead area is cooled with hose streams. This is the most effective method for controlling and preventing flashover. Additionally, since crews are dealing with enclosed or confined spaces, straight or solid streams must be used”

Question 41

What is the area above the ceiling called?

Answer 41

Plenum space

pg.33

“The plenum space, or area above the ceiling, is a clear avenue for a rapid collection of smoke and super-heated gases. Advancing personnel must check this area either with a thermal imaging camera or physical inspection”

Question 42

What should the situation report include?

Answer 42

volume of fire

heat intensity

temperature from thermal imaging camera

pg.34

“The situation report should include the volume of fire, intensity of heat felt and temperatures observed through the use of a thermal imaging camera”

Question 43

Where do most wind-driven fires occur within a high rise?

Answer 43

upper floors

pg. 33

“Most wind- driven fires occur in the upper stories of high-rises, but have also been documented in lower levels down to the third floor. Additionally, these hazardous conditions can exist with exterior winds as low as 10-20 mph”

Question 44

Who establishes a safe haven/refuge area in a wind-driven fire?

Answer 44

first due truck or rescue

pg.34

“The wind-driven fire requires that either the first due truck and/or rescue squad establish a safe haven/refuge area by forcing entry into an adjoining apartment. Personnel should not force entry or open the door of the apartment directly across the hall from the fire apartment as this will allow the wind driven fire to have an outlet and increase the intensity of the fire. Additionally, by forcing or opening the doors of the apartments next to the fire apartment, personnel can establish alternate means of suppressing the fire. This may be accomplished by breaching an adjoining wall and directing the stream through the wall and on the fire. If this tactic cannot be employed, personnel can deploy their hoseline to the adjacent balcony and direct the stream into the fire apartment from there”

Question 45

What’s an alternative method of attacking a fire apartment/compartment when entry can’t be made via stairwell?

Answer 45

exterior attack w/elevated master streams through window

exterior attack w/ portable ladders

pg.34

An exterior attack using elevated master streams through the fire apartment window.

Exterior attack via portable ladders.

“If either of these tactics is employed, communication is paramount and must be coordinated between interior and exterior companies. The exterior personnel preparing for attack must ensure that no fire department personnel are present in the apartment or common hallway prior to flowing water”

Question 46

If wind-driven fire conditions are present, no horizontal ventilation should be performed until directed by Command. True or False

Answer 46

true

pg.34

“If wind-driven fire conditions are present, no horizontal ventilation should be performed until directed by Command. Additionally, personnel should not vent the bulkhead of any stairwell until personnel on the fire floor can confirm that the stairwell doors are closed and controlled”

Question 47

“fires involving and areas should be a signal that extension into one of these shafts is a possibility.”

pg.37

Answer 47

kitchen and bathroom

Question 48

If you come across a metal door that opens towards you, what should you suspect?

Answer 48

Electrical vaults

pg.37

Electrical Vaults

“These rooms may be present almost anywhere within the building. Firefighters operating in limited visibility must be extremely careful not to inadvertently enter one of these rooms. Firefighters who come across a metal door which opens toward them should suspect one of these rooms. While no longer commercially available, carcinogenic Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) may be present”

Question 49

If a building is under construction where is a riser required to be located?

Answer 49

2 floors below the finished floor

pg.38

“Buildings under construction are required to have a riser two floors below the finished floor. However, if concrete work is still underway and the formwork is in place and burning, personnel must not be committed to the interior for operations. Every effort must be made to fight the fire from exterior positions, as the formwork supporting the curing concrete is being destroyed”

Question 50

What should comman officers consider requesting to supplement high-rise firefighting operations?

Answer 50

RIT Level 2

pg.40

“Command officers should also consider requesting a RIT Level II response to supplement the operation”

Question 51

What are the 5 basic points for the operation plan?

Answer 51

Determine fire floor.

Verify fire floor.

Control occupants.

Control building systems.

Confine/extinguish fire.

pg.40

Question 52

Building systems must be brought under fire department control. At a minimum, this must include what?

Answer 52

control of elevators

fire pump

air handling systems

pg.40

“Building systems must be brought under fire department control. At a minimum, this must include control of the elevators, fire pump, and any air handling system(s)”

Question 53

If an area has a suspended ceiling what should firefighters check prior to advancing?

Answer 53

check for fire in the plenum

pg.42

“Prior to advancing hoselines into areas with suspended ceiling assemblies, firefighters should always check for fire in the plenum, either physically or with a thermal imaging camera”

Question 54

If assisgned to vent the fire floor, what should companies take the time to do?

Answer 54

open windows on the same side of the building as the fire floor and check wind conditions before opening the fire door

pg.41

“At residential high-rises, ventilation is more likely than at commercial occupancies. In residential high-rise fires, companies that are assigned to vent the fire floor should take the time to open a window on the same side of the building as the fire and check the wind conditions before opening the fire door. Engine crews should not open doors into the fire area until this information is relayed to them, or risk being driven off the floor or seriously injured should fire be blown over them”

Question 55

In most cases who will be assigned as fire attack group supervisor?

Answer 55

2nd due chief

pg.41

“The first chief at the scene must establish Command. In addition to overall Command, chief officers may also be used in tactical positions that include directing operations on the fire floor, lobby control, search and evacuation, planning and logistics, and others as needed by the Incident Commander. Chief officers should be assigned to Tactical Command positions early into an incident to establish and build an effective, efficient command structure. The second due chief will likely assume the first of these positions. In most cases, this will be as the fire attack group supervisor”

Question 56

A fire load in residential occupancies requires a fire flow of what/

Answer 56

1O GPM per 100 SQ FT of the involved area

pg.42

“The fire load in residential occupancies is considered low and requires a fire flow of 10 gpm per 100 square feet of involved area”

Question 57

A fire load in commercial occupancies requires a fire flow of what?

Answer 57

20GPM per 100SQ FT of the involved area

pg.42

“The fire load in commercial occupancies is considered moderate and requires a fire flow of 20 gpm per 100 square feet of involved area”

Question 58

how should a vehicle fire in a parking garage attached to a high-rise building be treated?

Answer 58

High-rise building fire

pg.44

“Additionally, there will be an extended reflex time in identification and location of a vehicle fire and the stretching of hoselines to extinguish the fire. This task may take several companies to accomplish and quickly tax the resources deployed. Considering these factors, personnel should treat a reported vehicle fire in a parking garage attached to a high-rise as a high-rise building fire, rather than a simple vehicle fire”

Question 59

What’s the initial alarm assignment on a high-rise fire?

Answer 59

5 engines
2 trucks
1 rescue squad
1 EMS unit
2 Battalion Chiefs

1 Command Aide

1 EMS Supervisor

pg.47

Question 60

Where does the 1st due engine park on a high-rise fire?

Answer 60

in proximity to the building, not blocking access to others

pg.47

“Park in proximity to the building so as to not block access for other apparatus”

Question 61

What units proceed to the fire floor?

Answer 61

1st engine and 1st truck or rescue

pg.48

“Officer and crew proceed to the reported fire floor, along with the crew of the first due truck or rescue squad, to verify the location and extent of fire and commence firefighting operations”

Question 62

Who’s responsibility is to identify and verify the fire floor?

Answer 62

1st due engine officer

pg.48

“It is the first due engine officer’s responsibility to identify and verify the fire floor. The officer should also advise if the entry level is other than the first floor, or if the floors have an odd configuration”

Question 63

Firefighters should consider fire to be where if smoke is found in the lobby?

Answer 63

lobby, floor below, or elevator pit

pg.48

“If smoke conditions are found in the lobby, personnel must determine if the fire is located on the lobby level or possibly on a floor below, or in the elevator pit. Elevators equipped with automatic recall will stop at an alternate floor above this area. The location of these cars must be determined and the car checked for occupants”

Question 64

In addition to stand-pipe packs, what should crews bring with them to fire floor?

Answer 64

accesory bag, radios, handlights, forcible entry tools

pg.48

“The first engine, along with the first due truck crew and rescue squad, shall proceed together to the reported fire floor. In addition to standpipe packs, at a minimum these crews shall also take the accessory bag, radios, handlights, and forcible entry tools”

Question 65

Elevators that do not have fire service control shall not be used until when?

Answer 65

1st engine and truck or rescue squad have climbed stairs and assessed the situation.

pg.48

“Elevators that do not have fire service control shall not be used until the first engine and truck/rescue squad have climbed the stairs and assessed the fire floor situation. The first engine officer will advise Command if the elevators can then be used”

Question 66

Companies must stop floors below and use the stairs for the remainder of the ascent?

A. 1 below

B. 3 below

C. 2 below

D.4 below

Answer 66

pg.48

“Companies must stop at least two floors below the fire floor and use the stairs for the remainder of their ascent to the fire floor. No more than two companies should be in the elevator together. If the fire is reported to be six floors above ground level, or lower, personnel should walk up”

“Proceed to the floor below the reported fire floor. Note: Due to the sheer size of these structures, the initial reported fire floor may be incorrect. Personnel must thoroughly inspect the surrounding area”

Question 67

Noteworthy

Answer 67

pg.49

“The officer of the first engine, in conjunction with the officer of the truck or rescue squad, shall identify the standpipe outlet that is closest to the fire. The stairwell that contains this outlet shall be announced as the attack stairwell. ALL companies and chief officers must know which stairwell has been identified as the “attack” stairwell. Those assigned to evacuation must then use a different stairwell that shall be clearly identified as the “evacuation” stairwell.

Before the attack commences, take into consideration the possibility that occupants may be present in the stairwell above the point of attack. Once the door to the fire floor has been opened and the line advanced, the door will remain open and the stairwell may become polluted with smoke. This area should be confirmed clear of building occupants prior to commencing attack, if at all possible”

Question 68

2nd due engine company responsibilities?

Answer 68

establish water supply

report to fire floor and assist with first line deployment

prepare to deploy a second hoseline depending on conditions

Question 69

Once the first line is operating, members of the second engine may be used in different roles, depending on the needs of the situation. They may:

Be used as a rescue team and to comply with OSHA and NFPA requirements who should be paired as a rescue team and station where?

Answer 69

The 2nd due engine officer and firefighter.

They should be station in the attack stairwell

pg.50

“Provide a rescue team until another crew is assigned to this duty. To comply with OSHA

and NFPA requirements, the officer and a firefighter from the second engine should be stationed at the standpipe outlet in the stairwell as a rescue team in the event that is needed. These two persons must not be committed to tasks that could not be stopped if the initial hose team got into trouble. At that point, hoseline advancement would be stopped and these two personnel could move in to assist”

Question 70

Third due engine responsibilities?

Answer 70

If present establish seondary water supply

view opposite side of structure from 1st engine, report conditions

proceed to floor above fire

pg.51

The third due engine company’s responsibilities are as follows:

 Establish water supply to the secondary FDC (if one is present). If so, the driver/operator will have to remain with the apparatus. If no secondary FDCs are present then the entire crew can abandon the apparatus.

 View the opposite side of the structure from where the first due engine positioned. Take note of fire/smoke location, number of floor, conditions evident, and persons in distress and report via radio.

 Proceed to the floor above the fire to work with the second truck company in checking for extension and for occupants.

Question 71

Fourth due engine company responsibilities?

Answer 71

park away from building

RIT, 1 floor below fire floor from the attack stairwell

pg.51

 Park away from the building.

 The entire crew proceeds to the attack stairwell one floor below the fire floor as the RIT.

If the fire floor is below grade, the RIT shall position outside the IDLH however in close proximity of the fire floor. This may be one floor above the fire floor but not below the fire floor

Question 72

Fifth due Engine company responsibilities?

Answer 72

report to command post

confer with ic and report to the lobby as lobby control

pg.51

 The fifth due engine will report directly to the Command Post. Upon conferring with the Incident commander, the entire engine crew will report to the lobby area of the building to assume Lobby Control.

 The crew should proceed to the lobby with their complement of tools. Lobby Control is a vital operation on a highrise and requires coordination among the personnel.

Question 73

Where should the 1st due truck park?

Answer 73

Alpha

pg.52

“The first due truck should park on Side Alpha unless fire location can be readily identified. If so, the truck should then park on the fire side of the building if it is accessible”

Question 74

Fill in the blanks

3-person truck/tower crew with 2 personnel entering the structure:
 Officer: ______, ______, ______
 Firefighter: _______ or _______ and a ______

Answer 74

3-person truck/tower crew with 2 personnel entering the structure:
 Officer: Thermal imaging camera, hook, 21⁄2-gallon water can
 Firefighter: Set of irons or hydraulic door opener (depending upon occupancy type)

and lifeline

pg.53

Question 75

What’s a neccessity when searching large open areas in commercial occupancies?

Answer 75

tagline

pg.53

“use of a tag line is a necessity in commercial occupancies with large open areas to search”

Question 76

In residential occupancies what are the search priorities?

Answer 76

fire unit

exit hallways

adjacent units and units across from involved units

pg.53

In residential occupancies, search priority is as follows:

 The fire unit.

 Exit hallways.

 The adjacent units and the unit(s) across the hall from the involved unit(s).

Otherwise, search priority is as follows:

 The immediate fire area and floor.
 The floor above the fire area.
 The top floor including the hallways, stairwells, and elevators leading to these areas.  Floors between the floor above the fire and the top floor.

Question 77

Fill in the blanks:

3-person truck/tower crew with 2 personnel entering the structure:

 Officer: ______, ______, ______

 Firefighter: ______ and ______

Answer 77

pg. 54

3-person truck/tower crew with 2 personnel entering the structure:

 Officer: Thermal imaging camera, hook, 21⁄2-gallon water can

 Firefighter: Set of irons or hydraulic door opener depending upon occupancy type and

lifeline

Question 78

Fill in the blanks:

3-person truck / tower crew with 3 personnel entering the structure:

 Officer: ______, ______, ______

 Driver: ______, ______

 Firefighter: ______, ______

Answer 78

pg. 54

3-person truck / tower crew with 3 personnel entering the structure:
 Officer: Thermal imaging camera, hook, and a prying hand tool (Halligan)

 Driver: 2 1⁄2-gallon water can, hydraulic door opener

 Firefighter: Set of irons, lifeline

Question 79

Where does the rescue squad park on a High-rise fire?

Answer 79

away from the building

pg.55

“The rescue squad must park away from the building and with the entire crew proceed to the fire floor with the first due engine. The rescue squad must NOT park close to the building to avoid inhibiting engine company access to supply the building’s systems, trucks positioning for aerial use, and ambulances moving in and out of the area with patients”

Question 80

Fill in the blanks:

3-person rescue squad, truck/tower crew with 3 personnel entering the structure:

 Officer: ______, ____, ______

 Driver: ______, ______

 Firefighter: ______, ______

Answer 80

pg.55

3-person rescue squad, truck/tower crew with 3 personnel entering the structure:

 Officer: Thermal imaging camera, hook, and a prying hand tool (Halligan)

 Driver: 2 1⁄2-gallon water can, hydraulic door opener

 Firefighter: Set of irons, tagline

Question 81

Where should EMS unit park on high-rise events and report to?

Answer 81

away from the building allowing for rapid egress and report to command.

pg.56

“EMS unit should park away from the building in an area that allows for rapid egress if a patient needs to be transported. The crew should assemble their EMS equipment on their stretcher and report to Command. If the EMS unit is staffed with personnel trained as firefighters, the crew should have their protective clothing and SCBA with them. If an EMS supervisor has responded, he or she should report to the Command Post”

Question 82

Who’s expected to consume command of the fire attack operations on the fire floor?

Answer 82

2nd due chief

pg.56

“The second due chief shall proceed to Command for briefing. It is expected that this chief will assume Command of the fire attack operations on the fire floor”

Question 83

Every alarm after the first will bring what?

Answer 83

at least 3 engine

1 truck

1 bc

pg.56

Every alarm after the first will bring at least three engines, one truck, and one Battalion Chief. Additional alarms may also include deputy or assistant chiefs, light and air units, and other special response units as needed. These additional units may be used for relieving first alarm units or filling essential roles on the fireground, including:

 Rapid Intervention Team(s)  Search and Evacuation
 Stairway Support
 Base

 Staging
 EMS Branch or Group
 Safety
 Rehabilitation
 Logistics
 Planning
 Reconnaissance for fire extension and smoke migration

Question 84

The base area is to be established by whom?

Answer 84

6th due engine

pg.57

“The base area is to be established by the sixth due engine, typically the first engine on the second alarm. In a high-rise fire situation, this area will be designated as “Base” and will simply become a parking area for fire apparatus. If not already identified, that officer should announce this location”

Question 85

What is the base area?

Answer 85

parking area for apparatus

pg.57

“In a high-rise fire situation, this area will be designated as “Base” and will simply become a parking area for fire apparatus. If not already identified, that officer should announce this location”

Question 86

Who becomes the base officer?

Answer 86

the driver of the 6th due engine

pg 57.

“The driver of the sixth due engine should become the Base Officer. It is expected that Command will later assign an officer to this position as the Command structure is built. The officer should check in with the Incident Commander for assignment. The remaining personnel of the sixth due engine company should be prepared to set up staging two floors below the fire floor unless otherwise directed to perform a different assignment by command”

Question 87

On a high-rise firewhere is staging set up?

Answer 87

2 floors below fire floor

pg.57

Question 88

How many air cylidners should engine companies on second alarms and greater bring?

A. 2

B. 3

C. 4

D. 1

Answer 88

pg.57

“Given the critical importance of air supply in highrise firefighting operations, each engine company on the second alarm and greater shall bring two spare air cylinders per unit to the staging area”

Question 89

What length and diameter sized hose should engine companies bring when reporting to staging?

Answer 89

100ft, 2 1/2 high rise pack

100 ft 1 3/4

pg.57

“Additional engine companies shall report to Staging, unless otherwise directed by the Incident Commander, with a 100-foot, 21⁄2-inch highrise pack and a 100-foot, 13⁄4-inch highrise pack at a minimum. Based on the minimum complement of a second alarm in the NOVA region, this will result in the resources available at Staging having at least 300 feet of 21⁄2-inch hoseline available for large-flow firefighting and 300 feet of 13⁄4-inch hoseline available for overhaul and small fire knockdown”

Question 90

Which alarm is the light and air unit included with?

Answer 90

2nd alarm

pg.57

“The light and air unit is included with the second alarm and will need to be positioned at a forward position (close to the building) with stairwell access to Staging. Most of these units are equipped with a 250-foot air hose, as well as extra air cylinders that will be required at Staging. Incident Commanders should consider calling for multiple light and air units, as well as other sources of spare cylinders, if a major operation is underway”

Question 91

What are the lobby control duties?

Answer 91

unit tracking( officer and firefighter)

elevator operations (driver)

building system controls (left bucket)

stairwell identification

civilian evacuation coordination

pg.58

Lobby control is responsible for a variety of critical tasks, as described below.  Unit tracking and recording, inclusive of:

o Unit identification
o Task assigned and location o Time entered and air level o Number of personnel

 Elevator operations.

 Building systems control.

o HVAC/pressurization systems
o Fire pump and fire suppression systems o Fire alarm
o Fire phone
o Building speaker system

 Stairwell identification (attack/evacuation).

 Coordinating civilian evacuation of building. Due to the possibility of displaced civilians congregating in the lobby area, personnel may have to designate an alternate area to which civilians are evacuated.

Question 92

What is staging?

Where is it located?

Answer 92

area for assembling resources close to the fire floor

2 floors below fire floor

pg.60

“Staging is the area for assembling resources close to the operations on the fire floor, ideally two floors below the confirmed fire floor”

Question 93

Who becomes the staging officer?

Answer 93

an officer designated by command

pg.60

“An officer should be designated as the Staging Officer by Command. As the incident escalates, it is likely that companies will be put to work quickly. However, the need for establishing Staging cannot be ignored and must be assigned. This may be delayed until a unit from the second or third alarm can be assigned, but does not diminish its importance”

Question 94

How are units to be parked in the staging area?

Answer 94

diagonally along one side of the street

pg.61

“The Base Manager should begin organizing units by function, and parking them in an orderly fashion. This would include parking units on diagonals along one side of the street to allow for easy egress and to keep a travel lane open. Parking all the engines, trucks, medics, and rescue squads in groups of like vehicles helps facilitate the operation. Equipment should be taken from the apparatus, particularly air cylinders, and assembled for movement up to the fire building as needed”

Question 95

Noteworthy

Answer 95

pg.61

“Taglines shall be used in commercial occupancies, regardless of how small the fire might be, as conditions can change rapidly”

Question 96

An X on a door indicates what?

Answer 96

a search has been conducted in that apartment

pg.61

Question 97

A / on a door or adjacent to it indicates what?

Answer 97

a search is underway

Question 98

What should be written next to an X after the search is complete?

Answer 98

unit designator

pg.61

Question 99

Can horizontal ventilation be used in an active high-rise fire? Yes or no?

Answer 99

No

pg.62

“Generally, horizontal ventilation in a commercial high-rise is not a prudent tactic. Window size and construction, the square footage of the fire floor, unpredictability of the wind, and the likelihood of increasing the intensity of the fire makes this a poor option. Therefore, while the fire is active, horizontal ventilation should not be used in a commercial high-rise”

Question 100

If smoke has already polluted the attack stairwell and is not contained and venting out of the fire apartment what should be opened?

Answer 100

The exhaust opening at the top of the stairwell

pg.62

“If smoke has already polluted the attack stairwell and is not contained and venting out the fire apartment, the exhaust opening (bulkhead, scuttle, etc.) at the top of the stairwell must be opened”

Question 101

Can an evactuation stairwell also be used as a ventilation stairwell?

Answer 101

No

pg.63

“However, personnel must remember that a stairwell that is still in use as an evacuation stairwell cannot be used for ventilation. The use of PPV in the evacuation stairwell is solely used for pressurization, since the bulkhead is closed”

Question 102

What is the least desireable option for vertical ventilation?

Answer 102

using elevator shafts

pg.64

“Vertical ventilation using elevator shafts is the least desirable option. The openings at the top of the shaft are typically inadequate, and on higher buildings, the shaft may not extend to the top of the building. Additionally, the mechanical room for the elevators is typically located at the top of the shaft, and the smoke will have to be moved up and through this room to get out of the building. Open shaft doors on affected floors create an additional hazard for firefighters and occupants”

Question 103

noteworthy

Answer 103

pg.65

“A Search and Evacuation Branch or Group should be activated if there are more than two floors above the fire that still contain building occupants”

Question 104

Where should the search and evacuation post be set up at?

Answer 104

2 floors above the highest fire floor

pg.65

“A chief officer, if available, should be assigned as the group supervisor. This officer should set up the Search and Evacuation post at least two floors above the highest fire floor. This should be located inside the floor, and near the evacuation stairwell. The location of the Search and Evacuation group shall be announced once it is established. The location must be specific as to what floor it is on and near what stairwell, for example, “Battalion 401 to Command, the Search and Evacuation group is located on floor 15 at stairwell Charlie.”

Question 105

Whatis stairwell support?

Answer 105

where elevators areinoperable stairwell support is used to shuttle equipment

pg.66

“Stairwell Support is a function that should not only be anticipated on the incident, but may be one of the highest priorities during the early stages of the event. If the fire occurs in a building where crews cannot use the elevators, or use of the elevators is lost, Stairwell Support becomes the “lifeline” to the operation at and above the fire”

Question 106

Whose responsiblefor managing all civilian patients?

Answer 106

EMS branch

pg.66

“The EMS Branch is responsible for managing all civilian patients. An EMS supervisor should be assigned to manage the EMS Branch. If units encounter civilian patients upon arrival, that is a good indication of more patients to come. At a fire in an occupied high-rise where patients are found by the first due units, additional EMS resources should be ordered to the scene”

Question 107

What is the Medical Unit responsible for?

Answer 107

care/treatment of fire department personnel

pg.66

Question 108

Ideally where will the Medic unit be positioned on a high rise fire?

Answer 108

1 floor below staging

pg.66

Question 109

Noteworthy

Answer 109

Given the complexity and sheer size of a high-rise incident, Command should consider requesting a second Safety Officer. The two Safety Officers could be directed to interior and exterior safety.

Question 110

Noteworthy

Answer 110

pg.67

“The Battalion Aide or an EMS Supervisor will normally serve as the initial Planning Section Officer”