High Rise Operations Flashcards
How many high rises in Tucson?
455 in 2013
What is a high rise?
a. The uniform fire code defines a high-rise as any building over 75 feet in height
b. In Tucson a high rise is considered four or more stories in height of 50 feet
c. All buildings greater than 50 feet in city limits are sprinklered and have standpipes
What’s the highest high-rise in Tucson?
What does Commo call high rises?
Where are the most high rises in the city?
d. Highest building in Tucson is the Unisource Building at 330 feet and 25 floors.
e. City communications may refer to a high rise as Building 3
f. Highest concentration of high-rises in Tucson—U of A
What kind of occupancy types are high rises?
i. Hospitals
ii. Hotels
iii. Apartments
iv. Office Building
etc. ..
What are some design similarities with high rises?
a. Beyond reach of Aerial equipment
i. Height
ii. Building setbacks
iii. Windows that won’t open
b. Potential STACK effect
i. Chimney effect
ii. Fire and Smoke spread to upper floors
c. Unreasonable evacuation time
What are some fire behaviors we’d expect to see in high rises?
a. High rise buildings are not fireproof
b. Many have large open floor areas with a high fire load
c. Flashover potential
i. Usually airtight creating smoldering fires
ii. Heat usually contained inside of building
d. Window failure can result in exterior fire “Lapping Over”
What are some pre-planning aspects with regards to high rises?
a. Access
i. Roadways
ii. Doors-Key box (Knox or Supra Box)
iii. Stairways
iv. Elevators
b. Communications
c. Occupant load
d. Construction
e. Utilities
f. Fire protection equipment
i. Alarm systems
ii. Sprinkler systems
iii. Standpipes
g. Water supply
h. Building engineer/plan
Standpipe Systems defintion
A wet or dry system of piping, valves, outlets, and related equipment designed to provide water at specified pressures and installed exclusively for the fighting of fires
What are standpipes?
b. Standpipe systems provide a means for the manual application of water to fires in buildings
c. They are designed to provide a quick and convenient means for obtaining effective fire streams in large low buildings. These systems are usually dry and have to be supplied with water by the fire department
Standpipe classification
a. Class I intended for FD use, usually dry
i. Standpipe outlets located in stairwells, usually protected by fire-resistive construction
b. Class II intended for Occupants use, wet
i. Hose cabinets only
c. Class III intended for both FD and Occupants
i. Both FD hookups and Hose Cabinets
Fire Department Connections
a. Must indicate intended use
i. Automatic Sprinklers (96.2% effective)
ii. Dry Standpipes (most effective way to supply water to upper floors)
b. Must have removable or breakable caps in place
c. Multiple inlets are usually interconnected
d. Must be accessible to FD
e. Cannot be obstructed
Standpipe Markings
a. Tell at a glance how many systems
b. Engineers ensure correct system supplied
c. Allows Attack Team to correctly ID system and floor level
d. Originate North side, Northwest corner
e. Continue Clockwise around building
Standpipe markings exterior
i. 7 x 7 inch diamond shape
ii. First system marked “A”
iii. Number indicates how many systems
Standpipe markings interior
i. 5 x 5 inch diamond shape
ii. Letter indicates which system
iii. Number placement indicates level above or below ground level
iv. Roof outlet will not have a number, just a letter
v. For outlets above ground level the number will be placed above the letter
vi. For outlets below ground level the number will be placed below the letter
vii. The outlet on the roof will be identified with a letter only. No floor number will be necessary
Making a standpipe connection
a. Lay two 2-1/2 lines to the standpipe connections and remove the tips and place on ground under the connections
b. Remove swivel caps from lower, center or any caps if only two. (horizontal vs. vertical)
i. Check for gasket and observe into coupling for obstructions
ii. Missing gasket—Unused inlet or nozzle tip
c. Connect shut-off butt, tighten w/spanner
d. Open shut-off butt
Making a standpipe connection if the inlets at the FDC are damaged
i. FDC damaged or obstructed
ii. Go to second floor of riser
iii. Use Siamese with double female and appropriate fittings to create a temporary FDC
iv. Note E & P manual states use of wye (TFD has no 2 ½” wyes)
v. Secure fittings with rope to riser to prevent weight damage to riser and outlet
vi. Remember to open valve
Which should you connect first:
Standpipe Connection
or
Sprinkler Connection?
(If separate. If they are joined, then moot question.)
Sprinkler first.
The sprinklers are already putting water on the fire close to the seat.
Draining standpipes
a. Connect a 2 ½” line to the second floor outlet and down to the street
b. Station a FF at the hose discharge outlet
c. Open the outlet gate and drain the standpipe
d. Use a plastic or wooden implement to open the check/clapper valve and drain the remainder of the riser
High rise incident priorities
a. Same priorities as a low rise fire
i. Life Safety
ii. Incident Stabilization / Fire control
iii. Property conservation
Duh…..
Initial response to a high rise alarm
a. 2 Battalion Chiefs
b. 4 Engine Companies
i. Includes RIC
c. 2 Ladder Companies
d. 2 Paramedic Units
e. 2 EC’s
i. Includes RIC
f. 1st Company actions will determine the direction and outcome
First actions when arriving to a high rise fire…
- Exterior Size-up
a. Smoke and /or flames – Automatic 2nd Alarm
b. Designate level 2 staging away from fire building - Ensure adequate water supply
a. Hydrants, Sprinklers, FDC connected - Attack Team
a. 1 Engine and 1 Ladder Crew with High Rise Equipment
b. Enter and obtain information, keys, plans
c. Observe annunciator
d. Bring elevator to lobby
i. Do not use for fires on 6th floor or below
ii. Do not use unless absolutely sure combustion by-products will not affect elevator operation
Attack team size up for high rise fires
a. Select one stairwell for attack and another for evacuation (take stairwell keys)
b. Proceed to fire floor using stairwell investigate
c. Give exact location of fire
d. Fire extent and ventilation needs
e. Resources needed
f. Life Safety concerns
What to do with the HVAC system in high rise fires?
a. Ensure not used until evacuation complete if smoke handling capable
b. Shut down if unsure as to use it
c. Notify building engineer ASAP
d. Oxygen delivered can reinforce fire
e. Maybe manual or automatic
Communicating in a high rise
a. Radios—may not work because of construction types
b. Telephones—Secure a lobby phone number
c. PA system in building
d. Emergency phone systems
e. Runners
f. Simplex channel on radio