High Rise Reference

Question 1

Define a high rise structure…

Answer 1

A residential high rise by CFD definition is 6 stories or more.

A typical fire service definition for high-rise structures is a building that is beyond the exterior reach of the aerial apparatus available.

Question 2

What is a high rise building construction type?

Answer 2

Type 1 - Fire Resistive. They have non combustible materials and have fire protection by encasement.

Question 3

List required high rise equipment…

Answer 3

TICS, Drager X-am 2500, Irons, High rise appliance bag, High rise hose packs (44mm and 65mm), Lock box and access keys.

Question 4

What are three main areas of size up?

Answer 4

Size up should occur at three main areas

1. Exterior on arrival
2. Lobby area
3. Interior staging level to the fire floor

Question 5

How many floors do interior crews stage below the fire floor?

Answer 5

2 Floors below the fire floor

Question 6

What are the three priorities of the Incident Action Plan?

Answer 6

1. Life Safety
2. Incident Stabilization
3. Property Conservation

(LIP)

Question 7

When should stairs be used in a high rise?

Answer 7

When there is an alarm involving 5 floors and below.

Question 8

When can elevators be used at the discretion of command?

Answer 8

Alarms at 6 floors and above.

Question 9

What is the minimum number of personnel in an elevator at a fire incident?

Answer 9

3…
Officer (Red Hat)
Elevator Control Person
Firefighter

(Probationary firefighter cannot be the elevator control person)

Question 10

When should the elevator be stopped to reassess conditions?

Answer 10

Halfway to the desired location to check for smoke and then every five floors to check again. If any smoke is found, the elevator is not to continue any further. Advise command and reassess. Discretion can be used by command if it is felt that checking the elevator shaft every five floors is not necessary.

Question 11

What are the two designations for stairwells used by the CFD?

Answer 11

Fire attack and evacuation

Question 12

If Phase 1 cannot be established, what is CFD protocol?

Answer 12

Crews are not to use the elevator and to notify command

Question 13

What does the forward slash with an engine unit number signify when written at the top of the door in high rise operation?

Answer 13

The forward slash indicated that the primary search has been completed by that company.

Question 14

What does the back slash and completed X with an engine unit number signify when written at the top of the door in high rise operation?

Answer 14

This signifies that the secondary search has been completed on that floor, by that company.

Question 15

What are the three types of Interior Standpipe Connections?

Answer 15

Class 1 - (Fire Department use only - 65mm connections)
Class 2 - (Occupant use only - 38mm connections)
Class 3 - Fire Department use and/or occupant use - 65mm and 38mm or 65 to 38mm reducers)

Question 16

In regard to scissor stairwells, the entry/exit points should be the same on every _______ floor.

Answer 16

Second

Question 17

Establishing Command…

Command options as per CFD Incident Command are…

Answer 17

In COMMAND with a staged location (stationary command post)

MOBILE COMMAND which is investigation, size up or tactical

Question 18

Transferring Command…

Answer 18

High-rise incidents that escalate beyond an investigation should have a transfer of COMMAND to the appropriate DISTRICT CHIEF on arrival.

Question 19

If an auxiliary apparatus arrives first on scene and had no immediate engine support, the officer should establish command and go mobile to assess alarm conditions. The auxiliary crew should not proceed to investigate any floor until additional assistance arrives.

Answer 19

On arrival of the engine company, Command can be transferred by radio to the engine officer.

Question 20

Crossover floors…
Crossover floors have an unlocked stairwell door allowing a crossover through the floor from one stairwell to another. There is a maximum of five floors allowed in a highrise before a crossover is in place.

Answer 20

Crossover floors should be identified in each stairwell.

Question 21

Defining smoke…
Identifying the type of smoke assists Command in developing an Incident Action Plan and determining if additional resources are required (whether it smells like cooking, electrical, etc.)

Answer 21

Heavy smoke and/or limited visibility will indicate to Command the necessity to immediately request additional alarms, develop and IAP, and expand the command structure.

White smoke could be an indication of an extinguishing system being used.

A light haze in a hallway which appears to be smoke is often the result of a discharged fire extinguisher but might be treated as smoke until determined otherwise. Steam from a broken radiator pipe may appear to be smoke as well.

Question 22

Initial entry…

On initial entry the first arriving team should…

Answer 22

Secure access keys and/or swipe cards from lock box or security personnel
Check fire alarm panel
Set up lobby control and/or alarm control when enough resources are on scene
***Check for a two stage alarm system to see if the second stage has been interrupted. Acknowledge alarm to interrupt second stage activation if this has not been done.
Check for bystander info
Note location of stairwells
Ensure elevators are recalled but ensure fire service availability
Proceed to interior staging
Proceed to the fire floor through appropriate stairwell
Advise incident command of Conditions, Actions, Needs (CAN Report)

Question 23

Smoke movement…
Smoke can travel to different locations within a high rise through various corridors such as holes for pipes, elevator shafts, and stairwells where doors are not closed properly. As well, the HVAC may circulate smoke into areas removed from the fire.

Answer 23

The taller the high rise the more likely smoke movement may be affected by STACK EFFECT or STRATIFICATION. On a working incident, all floors are checked initially. They should continually be monitored and verified clear prior to terminating Command.

Question 24

Positive and Negative Stack effect…
Positive stack effect is significant in colder climates because of the greater difference in temperatures inside the building as compared to the outside. This effect will cause a strong draft from the ground floor to the roof as well as bringing building air from the exterior to the inner core. The effect strengthens with the height of the building.

Answer 24

Negative Stack Effect can occur on hot days in the reverse manner where smoke is pushed downward and the building air moves from the inner core to the exterior. Negative stack effect is not normally as strong due to the outside and inside temperatures not varying as much in the summer as they do in the winter.

Question 25

Stratification and Mushrooming of smoke…
Stratification is more common in a taller high rise with a fire on a lower floor, where smoke rises until it becomes cool and then settles on a particular floor. Smoke created by a fire controlled sprinkler is not as hot therefore it cools quicker and may not continue to rise. Stratified smoke can still contain high levels of carbon monoxide. CO should be checked on all floors.

Answer 25

Mushrooming of smoke…
Although the fire can be on a lower level, smoke will often make its way to the top floor and then work its way back down.

Question 26

Evacuation: Working Incident…
If Incident Command determines that designated floors require evacuation and a public address system is available, it is recommended that initially 5 floors be evacuated, if it is safe to do so. This includes the fire floor, two below and two above. Occupants are evacuated via a designated stairwell to a lower crossover floor or to the lobby. All other floors are to remain in place at this time, if it is safe to do so.

Answer 26

Evacuation should concentrate on the highest risk first…
Fire floor, 2 floors above, and 2 floors below.
Floors above the fire. 5 at a time, working to the top.
Floors below the fire. 5 at a time, working to the bottom.

Question 27

Main Fire Alarm Panel/Alarm Control…
Alarms can be acknowledged but should not be silenced until the area has been investigated or a full evacuation of the building has taken place.

Answer 27

In addition, there should be personnel on scene ensuring no occupants can re-enter the premises.

Question 28

Elevator Procedures…
If elevators are going to be used, Phase 1 firefighter control must be established.
Phase 1 key control switches are located at three common areas:
Elevator foyer (most common)
Near alarm panel
Security desk

Answer 28

Initial teams utilizing an elevator in a fire-related incident must have an officer inside the elevator car. This team must have a designated Elevator Control person who should remain with the elevator. A minimum of 3 personnel is required in an elevator for the first investigating team.

Probationary firefighters should not be assigned elevator control.

Question 29

What is a two stage fire alarm and/or public address system? CFD Manual

Building with a two stage alarm system and/or public address system may have evacuation notices that are made by building personnel or pre-recorded announcements that run on the activation of any fire alarm.

Answer 29

If the alarm goes into stage two, the entire building will be instructed to evacuate. Stage two happens when a second device gets triggered or a pre-set times (generally around 5 minutes) has not been interrupted.

Question 30

What information is found in a Fire Safety Plan in high rise incidents?

Answer 30

Each high rise should have a Fire Safety Plan located at the main entrance or at Security.

Fire Safety Plans should contain information on crossover floor locations, FDC connection locations, FDC standpipe and sprinkler locations, general floor layouts, HVAC instructions, etc