IFSTA: High-Rise Firefighting (22 Questions)

Question 1

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, products of
combustion travel upward toward the top of a building. If fire does not generate enough
heat to cause the smoke to rise to the top of the building, the temperature of the smoke
will eventually equal that of the surrounding air. When this equalization of temperature
occurs, the smoke loses its buoyancy, ceases to rise, and forms layers of smoke within
the building. This is known as:
A) Stack effect
B) Stratification
C) Heat intensity and compartmentation
D) Ceiling jets, or mushrooming

Answer 1

B) Stratification

Question 2

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, the natural
vertical movement of heat and smoke (convection) in tall structures is known as
_______________. This occurs because of differences in the density of the air inside
and outside of these buildings (due to temperature differences inside and outside the
structure). The greater the difference between the inside and outside temperature and
the greater the building height, the greater the effect will be.
A) Stack effect
B) Stratification
C) Heat intensity and compartmentation
D) Ceiling jets, or mushrooming

Answer 2

A) Stack effect

Question 3

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, when heat,
smoke, and other products of combustion rise until they encounter a horizontal
obstruction, they will spread laterally until they encounter a vertical obstruction, then
bank downward. This is known as __________________.
A) Stack effect
B) Stratification
C) Heat intensity and compartmentation
D) Ceiling jets, or mushrooming

Answer 3

D) Ceiling jets, or mushrooming

Question 4

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, the construction
of high-rise apartment buildings helps protect adjoining apartments and common halls,
but provides an extremely hot environment for firefighters. Fires in tightly sealed high-
rise compartments may become ventilation controlled and flash over when a window
fails or when firefighters open a door to make entry to a fire room. This is known as
______________.
A) Stack effect
B) Stratification
C) Heat intensity and compartmentation
D) Ceiling jets, or mushrooming

Answer 4

C) Heat intensity and compartmentation

Question 5

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, there are several
other variables that involve wind, which of the following is not a relevant variable?
A) Height and shape of the structure
B) Barometric pressure
C) Wind speed
D) Wind direction

Answer 5

B) Barometric pressure

Question 6

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, firefighters must
remember that steel structural members elongate when heated. A 50-foot (15 m) beam
may elongate by as much as ___ inches (____ mm) when heated to a room
temperature of about 1,000°F (538° C).
A) 2 inches, 50 mm
B) 4 inches, 100 mm
C) 6 inches, 150 mm
D) 10 inches, 255 mm

Answer 6

B) 4 inches, 100 mm

Question 7

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, which of the
following about wind driven fires is incorrect?
A) Wind velocity may be negligible at ground level but reach significant force at
upper levels, so firefighters cannot base tactical decisions on fire conditions that
may occur many stories below the emergency floor
B) This effect is triggered when a door is left ajar and a window suddenly breaks
under intense heat and a blast of wind
C) The instant combination of fire and wind can blast fireballs across rooms and
down corridors without warning, In these situations, tremendous volumes of fire
and high heat conditions can quickly consume compartmented occupancies and
advance into public hallways
D) If windows in the fire area are intact, firefighters on attack lines do not need to
maintain coordination with those tasked with ventilation from the floor above the
fire or adjacent compartmented areas

Answer 7

D) If windows in the fire area are intact, firefighters on attack lines do not need to
maintain coordination with those tasked with ventilation from the floor above the
fire or adjacent compartmented areas

Question 8

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, in a report
published in 2009 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a
number of full-scale experiments were conducted in a seven- story building in New York
City. Which of the following were identified?
A) Wind conditions need to be considered in size-up; wind speeds of 10 to 20 mph
are high enough to create wind-driven effects in buildings with an uncontrolled
flow path
B) Controlling doors is a basic yet effective way to interrupt the flow path in a
building. Care should be taken when opening stairwell doors leading to the fire
floor. If after opening the door a few inches there are rapid changes in the
volume or velocity of the smoke in the hallway, the door should quickly be closed
C) Positive-pressure ventilation fans always improved stairwell conditions, but were
not able to reverse the direction of wind-driven fires. Positive-pressure ventilation
was successful when used in conjunction with controlling doors, window control
devices, and nozzles operated from the floor below the fire
D) All of the above

Answer 8

D) All of the above

Question 9

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, in a report
published in 2009 by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a
number of full-scale experiments were conducted in a seven- story building in New York
City. Which of the following statements is incorrect?
A) In other tests, water was applied externally from either below or outside the fire
room window. In all cases, application of water suppressed enough fire in the
room to reduce corridor and stairwell temperatures by at least 50 percent
B) Controlling doors is not effective way to interrupt the flow path in a building
C) Wind conditions need to be considered in size-up; wind speeds of 10 to 20 mph
are high enough to create wind-driven effects in buildings with an uncontrolled
flow path
D) Positive-pressure ventilation fans always improved stairwell conditions, but were
not able to reverse the direction of wind-driven fires. Positive-pressure ventilation
was successful when used in conjunction with controlling doors, window control
devices, and nozzles operated from the floor below the fire

Answer 9

B) Controlling doors is not effective way to interrupt the flow path in a building

Question 10

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, standpipe
systems are divided into three classes based on NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation
of Standpipes and Hose Systems. Which of the three classes are designed only for fire
department personnel or other trained personnel?
A) Class I
B) Class II
C) Class III
D) All of the above

Answer 10

A) Class I

Question 11

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, a full evacuation
of a high-rise structure may be deemed necessary, but it will be a labour-intensive and
lengthy effort. Which of the following is not a best practice when fully evacuating a high
rise?
A) Designate fire attack stairwells and evacuation stairwells
B) Establish a Rapid Ascent Team
C) Use the emergency voice communication system to direct residents out
D) Create refuge stops on specific floors to allow evacuees to rest

Answer 11

D) Create refuge stops on specific floors to allow evacuees to rest

Question 12

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, there are many
problems to contend with during the evacuation of a high-rise building. Which of the
following cause significant problems with evacuation?
A) Locking exit doors
B) Counterflow
C) Stairway exit capacity
D) All of the above

Answer 12

D) All of the above

Question 13

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, in other special
high-rise occupancies, a person’s ability to evacuate may be hindered by age or
medical condition. In hospital and nursing facilities, ___________________ procedures
are generally used for patients who are nonambulatory.
A) Limited/Partial evacuation
B) Shelter in place
C) Full evacuation
D) None of the above

Answer 13

B) Shelter in place

Question 14

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, a strategic
priority during high-rise operations will be gaining access to and monitoring building
systems. Which of the following is a building system firefighters should control?
A) HVAC systems
B) Communications systems
C) Elevators
D) All of the above

Answer 14

D) All of the above

Question 15

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, the primary
responsibility of the first-arriving company is to locate and identify the emergency and
determine its scope. The first arriving fire unit must address the following except:
A) Make a rapid initial size-up of readily visible conditions
B) Utilize the Voice Communication System to update residents
C) Confirm verbal occupant reports and information from the Fire Alarm Control
Panel (FACP)
D) Assume command and request any immediately needed resources

Answer 15

B) Utilize the Voice Communication System to update residents

Question 16

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, for effective
command, control, and relief of operating forces, it is essential that an IC be stationed at
ground level. Some departments prefer a position on the exterior 200 feet (60 m) from
the building. Which of the following is not a responsibility of the IC?
A) Establish command organizations
B) Develop preliminary strategy
C) Use the Voice Communication System to update residents
D) Determine the level of resources needed to implement strategy

Answer 16

C) Use the Voice Communication System to update residents

Question 17

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, firefighters have
been injured or even killed as a result of misuse of elevators during a fire. Which of the
following is not a safety consideration for using elevators at a high-rise call?
A) Only consider using elevators if the fire is above the 3rd floor
B) Do not use an elevator to travel to the fire floor. Stay at least two floors below the
fire floor or according to department policy
C) Never use an elevator that has been exposed to water. Do not squeegee water
into the elevator shaft
D) Do not overload cars; allow no more than six firefighters per ca

Answer 17

A) Only consider using elevators if the fire is above the 3rd floor

Question 18

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, firefighters have
been injured or even killed as a result of misuse of elevators during a fire. Which of the
following is not a safety consideration for using elevators at a high-rise call?
A) Never take an elevator below ground level
B) Maintain the ability to communicate by radio or other means at all times
C) Use elevators for occupant evacuation as soon as possible, even if fire is not
under control
D) Be certain that the IC knows which unit’s are entering an elevator and the car in
which they enter

Answer 18

C) Use elevators for occupant evacuation as soon as possible, even if fire is not
under control

Question 19

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, which of the
following about wind-driven fires in high-rises is correct?
A) The overwhelming majority of civilian fatalities in high-rise residential
occupancies occur when fire spreads beyond the room of origin
B) Wind-driven fire conditions are unique to the top floors of high-rise buildings
C) Where the door to the fire room is open and a stairwell door is also open, a flow
path may be created that pulls intense heat and fire into the corridor
D) Wind-driven fires can hasten fire spread, quickly changing a room and contents
fire into a ‘blowtorch’ of fire extending from the room of origin into a common
corridor or stairwell with an open door

Answer 19

B) Wind-driven fire conditions are unique to the top floors of high-rise buildings

Question 20

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, which of the
following is correct about breaking glass at a high-rise fire?
A) Breaking glass in high rise buildings can be a danger to firefighters inside the
structure as well as firefighters and bystanders at ground level
B) Glass falling from a high-rise may land approximately 200 feet (66m) from the
base of the building
C) After the window is broken, the area in front of the window (not the opening itself)
should be blocked with a desk or chair to prevent firefighters from approaching
the dangerous opening
D) All of the above

Answer 20

D) All of the above

Question 21

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, the situational
report given periodically as needed throughout the incident to update Incident
Command is known as a __________ report.
A) C.A.N. – Conditions, Actions, and Needs
B) Status update
C) Priority radio traffic
D) P.A.N. – Position, Activities, and Needs

Answer 21

A) C.A.N. – Conditions, Actions, and Needs

Question 22

According to IFSTA’s Structural Fire Fighting: High-Rise Fire Fighting, use of plain
English in radio communications transmissions. No 10-codes or agency specific codes
are used when using this language:
A) Formal communication
B) Clear text
C) Informal communication
D) Downward communication

Answer 22

B) Clear text