Highrise

Question 1

Bridge Head

Answer 1

• 2 floors below unless building features allow safe air to be reliably maintained in a position closer to fire.
• should be Ff lobby, not corridor, unless building design results in corridor performing the lobby.

Question 2

If bridgehead needs repositioning

Answer 2

1/ All informed of decision
2/ BA told to monitor air and reassess TAT
3/ Consider BA withdraw against urgency of task.
4/ ET must be at BH ASAP
5/ Move all to new BH
6/ Consider Stage 2
7/ If life saving delayed, consider alternative methods of rescue.

Question 3

High rise proc implemented TMO indicates RA carried out and SSOW in place.
Only sent when

Answer 3

1/ BH RA as appropriate for incident.
2/ Access & egress BH secured & maintained.
3/ BH est. with 2 charged jets deployed

Question 4

Committing Teams

Answer 4

• Specific tasking of teams should be done at BH once IC decided to commit them above BH.
• Fire SC Inform IC before committing BA
• 1st jet 1 floor below. If unavailable then closest one below fire.
• 2nd jet provided ASAP & 1 length longer & can be from fire floor or next available outlet. Can use additional outlet on dividing breech.

• IC can allow crews to work above BH without BA where no fire/smoke as long as confirm building construction and engineered solutions not compromised.
Comms must be maintained with BH & a SO in stairwell, in contact with SO and IC outside.

Question 5

Evacuation. IC Consider

Answer 5

1/ following evac plan devised by RP’s RA.
2/ effect of FF tactics on evac.
3/ resources req. to support evac or stay put policy.
4/ If safe use other emergency services to support evac.
5/ need to est. separate attack & evac stairwell.

Question 6

Ventilation. IC Consider;

Answer 6

1/ what impact wind may have if openings opened.
2/Enough resources to contain fire if need to breech any built in or engineered solutions.
3/ If risk can’t be properly assessed or sufficient control measures in place, ventilation should only be done post fire.
4/ Door stoppers only used above bridgehead on IC approval.
5/ vent system need door open in.
6/ FSO notify 4P attend 5P.

Question 7

Safety Officers

Answer 7

•Appoint ASAP to monitor conditions in stairwell being used as BH.
• Appoint external to monitor all sides to check for;
1/ falling debris
2/ cordon maintenance
3/ external fire & smoke spread

Question 8

FF shaft

Answer 8

> 18m must make provision for FF

Basic facilities;
FF shaft
Wet/dry main
FF lift

FF shaft inc. main may be found in certain buildings with floor height exceeding 7.5m.

Question 9

Ff Lifts

Answer 9

• where possible should not be smaller 8 person and carry up to 850kg
• Fireman’s lift - normal lift fitted with Ff switch
• minimum for safe use by FFs 
1/ 2 power supplies
2/ water protection (IP rated)
3/ FF switch access level
4/ FF in car control 
5/Ff comms
6/ Floor indicators

Question 10

Dry riser

Answer 10

• over 18 m

* min 1500 lt per min

Question 11

Wet riser

Answer 11

• over 60m (2006 over 50m)
• auto pump & 1 on stby
• warning system to indicate low level
• 1500ltr per min for 45 min
• 4-5 bar prior 2006
• 8 bar after 2006

Question 12

Water suppression

Answer 12

• Residential >30m after 2006
• detect/attack/audible warn
• if extra water req take from different main unless sprinkled one large enough.

Question 13

Controlled dividing breech

Answer 13

• only 1 per riser
• not fire floor
• jet 1 from breech, 2nd from riser, remaining breech outlet should be for jet 3 if req.
• If burst length or reduction in supply both crews carry out DRA & consider withdrawal.
• ECO inform Fire SC if water loss, who should isolate damaged lengths.
• Any personnel must inform Fire SC if anything likely to affect water.