High Rise Firefighting (PN 633) Flashcards
How is a high rise building defined?
‘A building at such a height or position that external firefighting and rescue operations may not be feasible’
What are the 4 headings that hazards at high rise fires can be grouped under?
1) Building height and design
2) Management and use
3) Fire Behaviour
4) Firefighting and Rescue Operations
What do DRM and WRM stand for?
Dry Rising Main and Wet Rising Main
A WRM is required in buildings that are in excess of what height?
60 Metres pre 2006
50 Metres post 2006
The planning requirements for Rising Mains started in the 50’s so buildings from this decade and before may not have these facilities
What 2 basic facilities may be provided?
Firefighting Shaft (protected stairwell) Firefighting Lift
Protected Shafts and Mains ‘May be found’ in buildings exceeding what height?
7.5 Metres
What might the presence of a Sprinkler System indicate?
Larger compartments with potential for higher fire loading
What 5 factors should be considered when establishing the ‘Level of Risk’ at a highrise building?
- Size
- Complexity of Layout
- Contents
- Processes
- Occupiers
What does ORD stand for?
Operational Risk Database
What does the note state should be printed en route from the MDT?
Electronic Premises Information Plate (ePiP).
Note. MkIII Appliances do not have a printer but the rear MDT is detachable.
When siting Appliances during initial attendance what 3 things should be considered?
1) The Siting of oncoming Aerial Appliances
2) Other oncoming special Appliances and Emergency Services
3) Falling Objects
Where should the IC remain?
At ground floor level
When can a ‘High Rise Procedure implemented’ Message be sent? (3)
When:
1) A Risk assessed Bridgehead is in place
2) Access and Egress to Bridgehead is secure
3) The Bridgehead has 2 charged Jets
What should a DRM be able to supply?
1500 lpm
What should a WRM be able to supply?
1500 lpm for 45 minutes
What does HVAC stand for?
Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning System
Can LFB Personnel switch off sprinkler systems?
Yes, on the instruction of the IC, but it is unlikely
Where is a sprinkler ‘stop valve’ normally located?
Ground Floor
Can firefighters use lifts?
Yes providing that it is a ‘Firefighter Lift’
When using a Firefighting Lift at an Incident where must you get out?
At least 2 floors below
How must a firefighting Lift be controlled?
Operate the fireman’s switch and then designate a firefighter to remain with the lift.
Note. it is often necessary to keep the buttons depressed for operation
Can a firefighter lift be used where the incident location isn’t known?
No, use the stairs!
If the lift is not working what 3 things should the IC consider?
1) Increase Resources for carrying equipment to Bridgehead
2) Use of an Aerial Appliance to transport kit, depending on building design
3) Additional Resources to carry casualties from the Bridgehead
Where should the Bridgehead be established?
2 floors below unless safe to be closer due to building design
What is the minimum rank for a Fire Sector Commander?
Leading Firefighter
What may be established below the Bridgehead?
A staging area
If there is more than one stairwell what might the IC consider?
Using one stairwell for ‘Attack’ and one for ‘Evacuation’
What does PRA stand for?
Premises Risk Assessment
All high-rise residential premises need to be Risk Assessed. The score will then indicate whether an ORD entry is required and an ePIP can then also be created
What may affect the performance of fixed installations?
Poor maintenance and/or Vandalism
The F.I.R.E bag contains 5 items listed in the note. What are they?
1) Controlled dividing breaching and Short Length
2) 3 Hose Sleeves
3) DeltaFire Quick attack branch
4) Set of lift keys
5) F.I.R.E Tool Roll
What does F.I.R.E stand for?
Fire Initial Response Equipment
On which floor should the ‘Controlled dividing breaching’ be plugged directly in to the outlet?
The floor below the fire floor
The first firefighting Jet should be connected to the breaching. Which outlet should the covering Jet be connected to?
The fire floor Outlet
Building design does not always allow for this
What should the second outlet on the dividing breaching be used for?
Subsequent fire fighting jet
Under what circumstances can the second outlet on the breaching be used for the covering Jet?
A riser outlet is not present on every floor or are unusable on the fire floor?
How is the ‘Fire Sector’ defined in vertical sectorisation?
The floors on which the fire is situated, 1 floor above and the floors between the Bridgehead and the fire floor(s) normally 1 below
During vertical sectorisation which sector is directly above the ‘Fire Sector’?
The ‘Search Sector’
During vertical sectorisation how is the ‘Lobby Sector’ defined at a High Rise Incident?
The ground floor to the fire Sector including the Bridgehead
When charging a DRM what must the pump operator ensure?
That they have a charged double feed of 70mm Hose from the Hydrant to the base pump and a twin 70mm feed connected to the DRM Inlets
Pump Operator Note. Higher pumping pressures are used to overcome gravity but it is wise to gradually increase the pressure to avoid Water Hammer damaging the main (Not in the note)
What does PIB stand for?
Premises Information Box
Normally opened using a GERDA key
What height in floors or meters must a building be to attract a high rise PDA?
6 floors or 18 meters
What is the PDA for high rise building?
5 pumping appliances and an Aerial or 8 pumps and an Aerial where multiple calls received
In vertical sectorisation which sector does the bridgehead fall in?
The lobby sector
If an IC asks someone to check the riser outlets prior to charging what should they take with them?
Controlled hand branches or male blank caps as they can then shut outlets on other floors that may be jammed open
Not in the note
When working in the search sector how might search teams ensures that flats are not searched on multiple occasions?
By clearly labelling the door or handle of the searched property. The F.I.R.E bags should contain door labels
Fire in a high rise building can spread externally to other compartments when fire breaks out of windows. Fire has a tendancy to flow along nearby surfaces, what is this effect known as?
The ‘coanda’ effect
‘Falling glass from a high-rise building can ……… on wind currents and travel great horizontal distances’
What’s the missing word?
Plane
