HIGH-RISE BUILDING FIRES June 2013

Question 1

Each fire station shall ensure that preplans exist for the high-rise structures in their area. Where possible, a copy shall be placed in the ___ at each building.

pg 1

Answer 1

fire control room

Question 2

A ____ is defined as: 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.

pg 2

Answer 2

high-rise building

Question 3

In February ___ , the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code was modified to require a fire control room in buildings having occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

pg 2

Answer 3

1976

Question 4

A building four stories or more with at least one standpipe and one elevator may require the same tactical considerations as a __ but may not have the same built-in fire protection systems.

pg 2

Answer 4

high-rise

Question 5

___ have the potential for stack effect, reverse stack effect, and stratification related to the movement of smoke and heated gases.

pg 2

Answer 5

High-rises

Question 6

Personnel must be aware of the time needed to assess the situation upon arrival of the first units, gather information from the annunciator panel or fire control room and building personnel, identify and confirm fire floor, proceed to that floor, locate the fire on the floor, and prepare to operate. This is known as ___.

pg 2

Answer 6

reflex time

Question 7

Modern high-rise buildings are of two basic designs: ___ and ___.

pg 3

Answer 7

residential and commercial.

Question 8

___ high-rise buildings with living and sleeping quarters can include hotels, apartment buildings, condominiums, hospitals, or assisted living facilities. These occupancies are characterized by center hallways, numerous interior compartments (such as rooms, closets, etc.), and 24-hour occupancy.

pg 3

Answer 8

Residential

Question 9

___ 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.

pg 3

Answer 9

Commercial

• Occupancy loads are usually greater during normal business hours.
• Elevators, stairwells, and mechanical rooms are located in the middle core of the building.
• The office or residential space makes up the perimeter of the floor.

Question 10

A common feature in newly-constructed hotel and office high-rise buildings is an ___.

pg 4

Answer 10

atrium

• These are typically located at the main entrance and are the focal point of the structure.
• The atrium makes it difficult to control smoke conditions as many floors can be simultaneously exposed to smoke and fire conditions.
• Typical requirements for buildings with atriums include full sprinkler protection, smoke exhaust systems, and smoke curtains.

Question 11

Buildings that were constructed prior to the __ code requirements are typically steel and concrete and may have a wide variety of design features and systems.

pg 5

Answer 11

1976

• Most are not sprinklered and do not have fire control rooms, modern fire alarms, or elevator control systems

Question 12

A high-rise building constructed after the __ 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.

pg 6

Answer 12

1976

Question 13

Building codes offer multiple opportunities for the builder to use ___.

pg 6

Answer 13

Trade-Offs

• For instance, compartmentation may reduce or eliminate the need for sprinkler protection.

Question 14

Multiple layers or thick gypsum and masonry walls will typically have a ___ fire resistance rating.

pg 6

Answer 14

2hr

Question 15

Some high-rises have ___ , which allow personnel to determine the height of the facade relative to the roofline.

pg 7

Answer 15

scuppers

Question 16

Access to the roof area is normally through a ___ or a ___ at the top of the stairwell(s) or through the penthouse machine room areas.

pg 8

Answer 16

hatch or bulkhead

Question 17

___ units may be found on the roof area or on various floors.

pg 8

Answer 17

HVAC

• Shut-off switches will be found adjacent to these units and possibly in the fire control room.
• Taller buildings may also have HVAC units at a midway point within the structure.

Question 18

In most cases, ___ are located on the roof.

pg 8

Answer 18

elevator control rooms

• The control panel (shut off) for each elevator is located in this room and should be labeled by the respective elevator car number.

Question 19

Due to the way curtain walls are mounted to the floor sections or frame of a building (bolted or welded brackets), gaps of ___ are common between the floor and exterior wall.

pg 10

Answer 19

6 to 12 inches

• Fire- stops are required; however, the efficiency of this barrier is questionable at best.

Question 20

Fire resistive measures for floor/ceiling support systems include ___ and ___ .

pg 11

Answer 20

• intumescent coating
  
  • the direct application of spray- on fireproofing
• membrane fireproofing
  
  • suspended ceiling assemblies

Note: In buildings built prior to 1980, sprayed-on asbestos fiber may be present.

Question 21

High-rise buildings with fixed windows are required to have certain windows that can be broken in the event of an emergency. The windowpanes that CAN be broken are marked with a ___ or ___ etched in the lower corner of the pane.

pg 13

Answer 21

Maltese cross or a fire helmet

Some of these windows may also be opened with special keys or devices.

Question 22

In buildings with fire control rooms and electric locks on stairwell doors, the doors will usually ___ automatically when the system goes into alarm to provide unimpeded access/egress.

pg 13

Answer 22

unlock

A stair door unlock switch, which will simultaneously unlock without unlatching stairway doors, may be in the fire control room.

Question 23

___ stairs usually have individual entrances and access only one section of the building.

pg 14

Answer 23

Isolated

• Openings for ventilation may be found at the top of some stairwells and some may be equipped with fans that can be used to pressurize the entire stairwell.
• Most high rise buildings will have at least one stairwell that provides access to the roof either through a hatch

Question 24

___ may be found in center-core construction.

pg 16

Answer 24

Scissor stairs

​

Question 25

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

pg 16

Answer 25

Accommodation stairs

• Should fire occur within the occupancy, it can easily spread to all of the floors serviced by this type of stairway.

Question 26

Automatic sprinkler systems are in place in high-rise buildings constructed after ___ , unless the compartmentation option was chosen.

pg 18

Answer 26

1976

The majority of standpipes found in interior applications at a high-rise are wet systems.

Question 27

Generally (after 1976), a hydrant should be located within ___ of the standpipe and sprinkler FDCs.

pg 20

Answer 27

100 feet

Question 28

Sprinkler control valves for each floor may be found at ___.

pg 22

Answer 28

stairwell landings

Depending upon the length and size of the structure, valves may be located in hall closets or recessed above the drop ceiling.

Question 29

A ___ serves only a specified portion of the building and has no openings on other floors.

pg 25

Answer 29

blind shaft elevator

Question 30

Independent service is not to be confused with firefighter’s service. In independent service the elevator car doors will ___ when arriving at the specified floor.

pg 25

Answer 30

open automatically

In firefighter’s service, the doors will not open until the “door open” button has been activated.

Question 31

A ___ is used for any system in a high-rise where detection, fire protection, air handling systems, and communication are centralized for fire department use.

pg 26

Answer 31

fire control room

• Fire control rooms are usually located near, or at the main lobby entrance, typically at an outside wall. Fire control rooms must be marked with a sign and will contain the following:
  
  • Annunciator panel(s)
  • Telephone communication systems (“fire phones”)
  • Public address systems
  • Pressurization/smoke control systems
  • HVAC Controls
  • Emergency generator and standby power status
  • Automatic door unlocking systems
  • Telephone
  • Key box
  • Copy of building plans

Question 32

Personnel should also consider that the best way to control occupants and maintain their safety may be to ___.

pg 29

Answer 32

protect in place.

• If more than two floors above the fire still contain occupants, a Search and Evacuation Branch should be established with a chief officer in charge.
• An evacuation on a smaller scale may only require the use of a Search and Evacuation Group.

Question 33

The term ___ refers to the typical smoke movement found in residential and commercial structures without impact from environmental conditions.

pg 30

Answer 33

mushrooming

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 34

___ which is cool and low-lying, characterizes fires brought under control by sprinkler systems.

pg 31

Answer 34

Cold smoke

Question 35

The ___ 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.

pg 31

Answer 35

stack effect

(more noticeable in winter due to outside temperatures)

• Hot air is less dense than cold air and tends to rise through stairways, elevator shafts, and utility chases.
• Smoke will rise until the temperatures balance, or stratify.
• Stratification may occur in sealed buildings when the temperature of the smoke produced is not sufficient to cause it to rise all the way to the top of the building.

Question 36

Along with the possibility of a backdraft or flashover, there is the threat of ___ on upper floors where the windows have been compromised

pg 33

Answer 36

wind-driven fires

exist with exterior winds as low as 10-20 mph.

Question 37

Five conditions must exist for a ___ to occur:

• Fire in the structure.
• Failed or open window to the outside in the fire area/apartment.
• Presence of wind on the exterior of the structure.
• Failed or open door to area/apartment leading into a common hallway
• Unobstructed path to an outlet for the fire to vent

pg 33

Answer 37

wind-driven fire

Question 38

The wind-driven fire requires that either the first due truck and/or rescue squad establish a ___ area by forcing entry into an adjoining apartment

pg 34

Answer 38

safe haven/refuge

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.

If wind-driven fire conditions are present, no horizontal ventilation should be performed until directed by Command​

Question 39

Contents of these buildings (high-rises) have a rate of heat release that can allow a fire to double in size every ___.

pg 34

Answer 39

90 seconds.

Fire extension will be a significant concern if the fire is located on the lower two or three floors of a high-rise with mercantile occupancies (restaurants, bars, hair salons, etc.)

Question 40

While the possibility for fire extension exists (Dumpster/compactor fires), ___ contaminating the structure is the greatest concern.

pg 36

Answer 40

smoke and gas

Some dumpsters have a 11⁄2-inch outlet for drainage.

Question 41

Buildings under construction are required to have a riser ___ below the finished floor.

pg 38

Answer 41

two floors

if concrete work is still underway and the formwork is in place and burning, personnel must not be committed to the interior for operations

Question 42

Personnel should position accordingly in a ___ and/or at the ___ of the structure under construction.

pg 38

Answer 42

flanking position & corners

Question 43

Additional signals that are received on the annunciator panel(s) in the fire control room are a strong indicator of an ___.

pg 40

Answer 43

advancing fire

Question 44

The ___ for high-rise fires must consist of five basic points:

• Determine fire floor.
• Verify fire floor.
• Control occupants.
• Control of building systems.
• Confine and extinguish the fire.

pg 40

Answer 44

operational plan

Question 45

___ must be brought under fire department control.

pg 39

Answer 45

Building systems

At a minimum, this must include control of the elevators, fire pump, and any air handling system(s).

Question 46

In a ___ garage, charge the FDC and operate the hoseline off the riser on the fire floor. Use a combination of PPV and the garage ventilation system to keep the attack stairwell clear of smoke.

pg 44

Answer 46

below grade

Using Exhaust Fan to Keep Attack Stairwell Clear of Smoke

Question 47

The minimum initial alarm assignment for a high-rise fire consists of:

pg 47

Answer 47

• 5 engines
• 2 trucks
• 1 rescue squad
• 1 EMS unit
• 2 Battalion Chiefs
• 1 Command Aide
• 1 EMS Supervisor

Question 48

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• Park in proximity to the building
• View as much of the structure as possible
• Determine the number of floors of the high-rise
• Take note of wind direction
• Bring rapid entry keys
• Abandon the rig
  
  • Check the annunciator panel
  • check the building directory
  • Recall all elevators
  • Determine the elevator and stairwell that is used
• Report any evacuation to Command
• Officer and crew proceed to the reported fire floor

pg 47

Answer 48

first due engine’s

Question 49

The ___, along with the ___, shall proceed together to the reported fire floor.

pg 48

Answer 49

first engine, first due truck and rescue squad

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 50

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• Establish water supply, driver/operator must remain with the apparatus.
• Remaining crew reports to the fire floor to assist the first engine in placing the first hoseline in service.
• Prepare to deploy a second hoseline

pg 49

Answer 50

second due engine company’s

• The officer should be positioned at the standpipe outlet if the crews are paired up on one line
• 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
• Assigned to advance their own line onto the fire floor as a second attack line or back-up line. This decision will be made as determined by the officer of the first engine, unless the chief in charge of fire attack has arrived at the fire floor.

Question 51

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• Establish water supply to the secondary FDC driver/operator 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
• Proceed to the floor above the fire to work with the second truck company

pg 51

Answer 51

third due engine company’s

Question 52

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

Park away from the building.

Entire crew proceeds to the attack stairwell one floor below the fire floor as the RIT.

pg 51

Answer 52

fourth due engine company’s

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 53

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• Park on Side Alpha unless fire location can be readily identified.
• If there is no need for the aerial or if the fire floor is out of reach, the entire crew should enter the building together
• Assist first due engine in gathering information at the lobby/fire control room.
• Forcible entry on the fire unit.
• Initiating primary search in the fire unit.
• Coordinating the evacuation of the fleeing occupants.
• Removing obstructions hindering fire attack and hoseline deployment.

pg 53

Answer 53

first due truck company’s

Question 54

In ___ 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).

pg 53

Answer 54

residential

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 55

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• View as much of the structure as possible
• Assess the need for elevated master streams
• Take note of wind direction
• Bring rapid entry keys
• Ensure that a stairwell has been identified as the “evacuation” stairwell

pg 54

Answer 55

second due truck company’s

• If the fire and/or victims are within reach of the aerial, it should be raised to the fire floor. Otherwise, the entire truck crew should enter the building together.
• If the second due truck is a tower ladder and operating with a crew of three, the operator should provide power to the bucket, enter the bucket, raise the tower to the level of the fire, and remain ready for placement as needed

Question 56

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• Report to fire floor with first engine and truck
• Deployment of a tagline
• Forcible entry on the adjacent units for primary search and possible alternative fire attack
• Assessment of fire extension
• Personnel may assist in the movement and operation of hoselines

pg 55

Answer 56

Rescue Squad company’s

• If the rescue squad arrives on the fire floor well before the first due truck, they assume the first due truck responsibilities on the fire floor.
• The rescue company officer must announce this change on the radio and the first due truck shall acknowledge the change to the rescue company responsibilities.

Question 57

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• Assemble their EMS equipment on their stretcher and report to Command
• Crew should have their protective clothing and SCBA with them
• EMS supervisor has responded, he or she should report to the Command Post.

pg 56

Answer 57

EMS Units

Question 58

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• Gather all available information from companies
• Assume Command

pg 56

Answer 58

Command Officers

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 59

Every alarm after the first will be at least:

pg 56

Answer 59

• 3 engines
• 1 truck
• 1 Battalion Chief

The light and air unit is included with the second alarm

Each engine, truck and resuce company on the second alarm and greater shall bring two spare air cylinders per unit to the staging area.

Question 60

The ___ area is to be established by the sixth due engine, typically the first engine on the second alarm.

pg 57

Answer 60

Base

^{(In a high-rise fire situation, this area will be designated as “Base”)}

• The driver of the sixth due engine should become the Base Officer
• Staging will be set up at least two floors below the fire floor

Question 61

The ___ responsibilities are as follows:

• Unit tracking
  
  • Unit identification
  • Task assigned and location
  • Time entered and air level
  • Number of personnel
• Elevator operations
• Building systems control
  
  • HVAC/pressurization systems
  • Fire pump and fire suppression systems
  • Fire alarm
  • Fire phone
  • Building speaker system
• Stairwell identification
• Coordinating civilian evacuation of building

pg 58

Answer 61

Lobby Control

• Unit tracking
  
  • Crew 1 (Officer and Firefighter)
• Building system control
  
  • Crew 2 (Left Bucket Firefighter)
• Elevator operations
  
  • Crew 3 (Driver/Operator)

Question 62

___ is the area for assembling resources close to the operations on the fire floor

___ is the area where incoming fire apparatus and other vehicles park.

pg 60

Answer 62

Staging & Base

Once Logistics is established crews working in the Logistics Section may be sent to retrieve tools and equipment from the apparatus parked in Base.

Question 63

___ shall be used in commercial occupancies, regardless of how small the fire might be, as conditions can change rapidly.

pg 61

Answer 63

Taglines

Question 64

The three basic ___ tactics include:

• Horizontal through the windows.
• Vertical through stairwells.
• Use of the building’s HVAC system.

pg 62

Answer 64

ventilation

• Horizontal ventilation in a commercial high-rise is not a prudent tactic.
• The preferred method is to use horizontal ventilation by pressurizing the attack stairwell
• 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.
• Vertical ventilation using elevator shafts is the least desirable option

Question 65

The purpose of the search and evacuation operation is to ___.

pg 64

Answer 65

control occupants

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 66

The ___ is responsible for managing all civilian patients.

pg 66

Answer 66

EMS Branch

EMS supervisor should be assigned to manage the EMS Branch.

Question 67

The ___ is responsible for the care and treatment of fire department personnel.

pg 66

Answer 67

Medical Unit

• EMS supervisor should be assigned to manage the Medical Unit.
• The Medical Unit is responsible for the development of the Medical Plan, which should include a rehabilitation component.
• Medical Unit will be located one floor below staging.
• The Rehab Manager reports to the Medical Unit leader.

Question 68

The two Safety Officers could be directed to ___ and ___ safety.

pg 67

Answer 68

interior and exterior

Question 69

Battalion Aide or an EMS Supervisor will normally serve as the initial ___.

pg 67

Answer 69

Planning Section Officer.

Question 70

___ is primarily responsible for ensuring that adequate personnel and equipment are available.

pg 67

Answer 70

Logistics