High Rise Building Operations

Question 1

What type of high-rise occupancy has higher safety concerns?

Answer 1

residential

Question 2

what type of high-rise buildings have a higher potential for large fires with limited
compartmentalization possibilities.

Answer 2

Commercial

Question 3

What are the Priorities for the initial response units at a high-rise fire?

Answer 3

a. Provide for immediate life-safety demands.
b. Locate, Confine, and Extinguish the Fire
c. Determine need for additional units.
d. Establish Control of the Lobby and vertical access.
e. Establish Command.
f. Support the building’s built-in fire protection systems.

Question 4

What are the eight basic categories of critical
factors for IC assignments?

Answer 4

a. Building Construction
b. Potential or Reported Fire Conditions
c. Occupancy type
d. Life Safety Hazard
e. Interior/Exterior Arrangement
f. Required Resources
g. Current Actions
h. Special Circumstances

Question 5

The response for an automatic fire alarm system at a commercial high-rise
building will consist of ______

Answer 5

one suppression unless its a water flow alarm and then its two suppression

Question 6

Response for a target hazard (hospital, nursing home, residential, other high hazards) will consist of

Answer 6

three units, an Engine, Ladder Company (in most instances), and a Battalion Chief.

Question 7

What shall happen to the IC if a high-rise incident turns into a confirmed high-rise fire?

Answer 7

an exterior incident
command post shall be established.

Question 8

Engine company roles for a high-rise fire alarm response

Answer 8

1. Places apparatus away from structure to allow access for later
   arriving companies.
2. Enters building with:
   a. Three (2 ½”) standpipe packs and the standpipe
   equipment bag
   b. TIC and hand tool.
3. Additional equipment specific to the call or company staffing.
4. The officer shall determine the fire floor and check the
   annunciator panel. They will obtain the elevator keys, master
   keys, and communication handset/fire phone.

Question 9

Ladder company response for a high-rise fire alarm

Answer 9

Places apparatus for maximum advantage of the unit
2. Enters the high rise with:
a. Forcible entry tools
b. Pike pole
c. TIC
d. Search Bag

The primary concern is to support investigation efforts.

Question 10

Engine crew high rise fire responsibilities

Answer 10

Crew proceeds to the fire floor and determines/communicates:
5. Life safety and the need for immediate evacuation or search and
rescue
6. Primary concern is to locate, confine and extinguish the fire.
7. Designate attack and evacuation stairwells.
8. Ventilation-immediate needs for HVAC or positive pressure.
9. Safety of elevator system and whether elevator use can
commence or be discontinued

Question 11

Ladder company high-rise fire responsibilities

Answer 11

Places apparatus for maximum advantage of the unit
2. Enters the high rise with:
a. Forcible entry tools
b. Pike pole
c. TIC
d. Search Bag

The primary concern is to support fire attack efforts.

Question 12

Second engine for high-rise fires

Answer 12

1. Establishes water supply and connects to the appropriate FDC
   that will supply the sprinkler and standpipe of the reported fire
   floor. Lines shall remain uncharged unless the officer becomes aware of a malfunction or the building’s fire pump system.
2. Places apparatus so as not to obstruct access to the building for
   later arriving Ladder companies.
3. Notifies command of the established positive water supply and prepares to check the fire pump for proper operation and that all
   valves are in their proper position.

Question 13

Second alarm staging

Answer 13

Dispatch will create a second incident, with the location being a
location established for a level two staging area, no closer than ¼ mile with a separate channel provided for staging.