High Rise Office Buildings Flashcards
High rise btwn 1945 and 68
- Medium weight construction
- All have fire towers
- Mix of pre 1945 and post 68 characteristics
Characteristics of high rise office buildings built before 1945
1.Heavy weight between 20 to 23 lbs per square foot
2. Structural steel in encased in concrete
3. Exterior walls masonry
4. Exterior walls substantial tied in
5. Not usually plenum
6. Normally steam heat
7. Not usually central lair
8. Exterior windows open
9 between 1938-68 all have fire tower
10 floors reinforced concrete
11 no core construction
High rise after 1968
- Lightweight construction
- Lack of compartmentation
- Spray on fireproofing of structural steel
- Exterior curtain walls combo metal and glass
- Method of securing curtain walks leave a 6-12 space
- Extensive plenums
- HVAC
8 HVAC serve multiple floors usually - Exterior walls not openable
10 fire towers not requires - Floors usually light weight
12 core construction use is extensive
How do I place the HVAC system in the non- circulating mode?
- Open all outside aid supply dampers
- Closing all mixing dampers
- Open all exhaust dampers
What is your 1st consideration when dealing with HVAC system in a high rise office building fire?
Determine the status of all HVAC systems in building
Shut down any systems that have not automatically shut down including both supply and return fans
After the fire floor has been determined what should be done with HVAC
All HVAC zones that do not include fire area shall have there supply fans. Activated
According to the 1968 building code buildings over how many feet must have a fire pump?
300 feet
So 301 feet
According to the 1938 building code buildings over how many feet must have fire pump
250 feet so it is 251feet
Whose responsibility is it to start the fire pumps
The building engineer but he may not be there to start it or be assigned other duties
Where is the fire pump room located
Normally located on lowest floor
Where will the bypass valve be located on the fire pump
On the discharge side of the fire pump
How will you readily ID the discharge side of the fire pump
The gauges on discharge side will be calibrated for higher pressures than inlet side
When starting the fire pump you must first check the bypass valve to see if it is in the ______ position.
Closed position (stem in)
To close the discharge gate of the fire pump turn it ___________
Clockwise
If you cannot figure out where the bypass valve is can you start the fire pump with bypass valve in open position
Yes you can but inform engineer when he arrives
The efficiency of the fire pump will be reduced if bypass valve is open what kinda of loss will you experience
25% in 8” riser
45% in 6” riser
What are the steps to start the fire pump
- Close knife switch
- Close circuit breaker
- Push start button
- Move selector level to desired position
NOTE if does not start emergency power lever located at panel shall be used
Fire pump pressures
Floors1-10. 150 psi 11-20. 200 psi. 21-30. 250 psi 31-40 300 psi 41-50. 350 psi 51-60. 400 psi 61-70. 450 psi 71-80. 500 psi
The building engineers are responsible for staring the fire pumps and he will be responsible for setting the pump pressures to supply the standpipe
No he will be assisted by an ECC or the ECC will set the pressures himself . The engineer may not know the pressures needed to make sure there is adequate
Most high rise buildings that have fire pumps have only one needs to be started because the pressures will be to great and cause the engine pumps to churn
False both pumps shall be started and operated a nearly the same pressure
If one pumps is operating at a higher pressure than the other what shall be done
Increase the pressure in the less effective pump by moving the pump pressure lever to higher position
NOTE if engineer is present this should be left to him cause he will have greater knowledge of system
The relief valve of a fire pump is required to be set at what ?
15 psi above that required to deliver a rated capacity of 50 psi at highest floor outlet
If a fire pump exists it will be the primary water supply for firefighting in most ops
False .. FD pumpers are
A 10-76 shall be transmitted when
When a report of fire is confirmed in high rise office
NOTE only fire
ALL HANDS AT any fire requiring the stretching and operation of one hand line
Second alarm at high rise office will be transmitted when?
- Visible fire emanating through exterior skin of building
- Visible smoke emanating through exterior skin
- Serious fire verified
In high rise office building who controls horizontal ventilation
All horizontal ventilation is controlled communicated and coordinated by the IC
Who is the battalion chief assigned as the fire sector/branch chief?
Second due Battalion chief
Fire sector is fire floor and floor above
Where is fire sector branch located?
First floor below the fire where conditions permit
The fire branch shall be equipped with following ?
- SCBA for all personnel
- Copy of floor plan
- Fire sector/branch log
- Post radio
If Fire sector/ branch chief will operate on _______channel and his aide will operate on ______channel?
chief on Primary tactical
Aide on command channel
Search and Evacuation Chief will operate on _________channel and his aide will opera rate on _________channel
Secondary Tactical
Command channel
The forward area chief will operate on _______channnel and his aide on ______channel
Command
Aide on primary tactical
What is the forward staging area?
A designated location on upper floors where personnel and equipment are maintained in as state of readiness for tactical deployment
Two floors below the original fire floor
What is the lobby control unit responsible for?
- Recall control and operate all elevators…recall and search all elevators that terminate in lobby
- Establish control of all building access points and direct personnel to correct stair/elevator or route
- Direct building occupants and exiting personnel to proper ground level safe ares or route
System control unit responsibilities
- Monitor control class E communications
- HVAC SYSTEM
- any other systems as directed by IC
- Evaluate communications systems