High Rise Building Fires Flashcards
Feb 1976 Virginia building code was modified to require a fire control room in buildings more than____ feet above the lowest level of fire dept access.
75
Two basic high rise buildings exists in the NOVA region.
before and after construction of February 1976
Class 3 standpipe systems have what diameter outlets and reducers.
2.5 in diameter and 1.5in reducers
With a few rare exceptions all NOVA high rise buildings have what?
At least 2 approved exits on each floor.
Enclosed stairwells.
Some type of smoke control system or compartmentation. (built after april 1991)
Fire walls in high rises typically have a__ fire resistive rating
2hr
Interior walls of a residential high rise ae typically constructed from?
gypsum board mounted to metal studs
Govt or newer high rise interior walls are made with ?
reinforced drywall which encases either a layer of wire mesh or solid sheet of lexan ploycarbonate.
Curtain walls may have gaps of_____ between the floor and exterior wall
6-12inches
Fire resistive measures for floor and ceiling supports systems include?
spray on fire proofing (intumescent coating) and suspended ceiling assemblies (membrane fireproofing)
Low mass concrete is _____% lighter than traditional concrete.
10-88
Traditional concrete has a density range of _____bs pcf
150
Low mass concrete can be broken down into what 2 categories?
Lightweight with 60-100pcf
Superlight weight less than 60pcf density
Low mass concrete provides a higher or lower compression strength?
higher. Traditional 20000psi
low mass 60000psi
Lightweight concrete failure occurs at __%of the designed load after____mins of fire exposure
80/45
Windows are typically made of what in high rises?
plate glass, tempered glass, or Lexan polycarbonante.
What are stairs called leading from floor to floor within in a single occupants space?
Accommodation stairs, also known as access or convenience stairs
What does a gates presence in a stairwell mean?
Denotes the last floor with an exterior entrance
Main difference between stack effect and mushrooming when it refers to smoke movement in high rises.
Mushrooming is when smoke is uninfluenced by external environment. Stack effect happens in tightly sealed building and the temp difference outside than inside.
What 5 conditions must exist for a wind driven fire to occur?
Fire
Failed or open window to the outside in the fire apt
Wind
Failed or open door to the outside into hallway
path to outlet
What wind speeds can wind driven fires be possible?
10-20mph
What should personnel communicate when they first reach the fire floor on wind driven fire?
Fire conditions to include volume, intensity and temp through the tic
If wind driven fire exits no ____ should be performed until directed by command.
horizontal ventilation
Contents of these buildings can have a rate of heat release that can allow a fire to double in size every____
90 seconds
What is the area above the ceiling called?
plenum space
What are the 5 basic points of operational plan for a fire in a high rise?
1)Determine fire floor. 2) Verify fire floor 3) Control occupants 4) Control building systems 5) Confine and extinguish fire
Officers should consider what type of hose line in advanced fires in upper floors of high-rise buildings
2.5in line
Officers should consider deploying hose from the standpipe discharge____the fire floor.
below
Why should officers consider not using gated wye during high rise ops?
Handle could be closed or other handle opened. loss of pressure and flow if 2 lines are opened
What is the initial alarm for a high rise fire?
5 Engines, 2 Trucks, 1 Rescue, 1 EMS unit, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Ems supervisor
When can elevators without fire mans service be used?
- When the 1st engine or truck have taken the stairs and determined they are safe for use
- How many fire companies can be in one elevator car together?
2 Crews
- What are the search priorities in a residential high-rise fire?
- Fire unit, exit hallways, adjacent units, unit across the hallway
- What are the search priorities for a non-residential high-rise fire?
- Immediate fire floor area, floor above fire area, top floor, floors in-between
- Who establishes the base area?
- 6th due engine, driver becomes Base Officer
- Where is staging located on a high-rise fire?
- Two floors below the fire floor
- What additional equipment should each company bring with them to staging on a high-rise fire?
- Two spare cylinders
- In addition to the 2 spare cylinders, what is the minimum equipment engine companies shall bring to staging?
- 100’ 2 ½” hose bundle and 100’ 1 ¾” hose bundle
- What are the responsibilities of Lobby Control?
- Unit tracking, elevator operations, building systems, stairwell identification, civilian evacuation
- What are the three ventilation tactics for a high-rise fire?
- Horizontal through windows, vertical through stairwells, using the HVAC system
- What is the preferred method of ventilation in a high-rise?
- Horizontal ventilation by pressurizing the attack stairwell with the intention of forcing the smoke out the fire apartment window
- If there are still building occupants more than two floors above the fire in a high-rise, what ICS position should be activated?
- Search or evacuation group
- What is the minimum staffing for stairwell support?
- One firefighter every two floors
- Where should the search and evacuation post be setup?
- At least two floors above the highest fire floor, near the evacuation stairwell
- What equipment is the priority to be moved up the stairwell by support?
- Air cylinders, anticipate no more than 15-20 min use from each cylinder
- What equipment should stairwell support expect to deliver to the fire area?
- Cylinders, extra SCBAs, deployment of supplied airline, water, standpipe packs, lighting, radios/batteries
