Lofts

Question 1

Lofts can be what type of class construction (4 answers)

Answer 1

Class 1, 2, 3 or 6

Question 2

Which type of loft is considered to be the least common type

Answer 2

Mill (Heavy Timber)

Question 3

Which type of loft is considered to be the most common

Answer 3

Fireproof lofts

Note: Also the newest type

Question 4

The maximum height of older cast-iron lofts

Answer 4

7 to 8 stories

Note: These lofts were built between the 1840’s and 1870’s

Question 5

The frontage and depth of older cast-iron lofts

Answer 5

Frontage: 25 ft.
Depth: 90 ft.

Question 6

The number of staircases found in older cast-iron lofts

Answer 6

Only 1

Note: Will be wooden stairs

Question 7

The height of newer cast-iron lofts

Answer 7

8-12 stories

Note: Constructed from the 1880’s to 1901

Question 8

The width and depth of newer cast-iron lofts

Answer 8

Width: 50 feet
Depth: 90 feet

Question 9

Larger irregularly (P shaped) newer cast-iron lofts will have lengths and depths of how much

Answer 9

Width: 100 feet
Depth: 200 feet

Question 10

The height of mill lofts

Answer 10

4 to 6 stories

Question 11

The type of stairways found in mill lofts

Answer 11

Fire towers

Question 12

The height of fireproof lofts

Answer 12

10 to 15 stories

Question 13

The width and depth of fireproof lofts

Answer 13

Width: 50 to 100 ft. or more
Depth: 75 to 200 feet
Note: Some can span an entire block

Question 14

Name 2 ways fireproof lofts can be interconnected

Answer 14

By automatic fire doors or joined via exterior bridges (skywalks)

Question 15

Fireproof lofts that are over 75’ in height may have how many fire towers

Answer 15

1 or more

Question 16

In fireproof lofts, the automatic sprinkler/standpipes are tied into what 2 water systems

Answer 16

City water system or roof gravity tank

Question 17

Vaulted sidewalks are supported by what 2 structural members

Answer 17

Wrought-iron I beams OR cast iron

Question 18

If a loading dock is present in a loft, freight elevators may be found how far in from the front of the building

Answer 18

20 feet

Question 19

Name a reason why freight elevators are not used initially at fire operations

Answer 19

Will be located close to rubbish removal areas

Question 20

Aerials and portables should not be placed on what type of windows

Answer 20

Any window that serves the elevator shaft

Note: These windows are required to display a “SHAFTWAY” sign in front

Question 21

Utility shafts will terminate in what area of a loft

Answer 21

The roof level

Note: Can present severe vertical and horizontal fire extension problems

Question 22

Name 5 types of fire escapes found in loft buildings

Answer 22

1. Standard 2. Counter balance stairway/ladders 3. Vertical 4. Party wall balconies 5. Exterior screened stairway

Question 23

Straight run stairs made of wood and covered with wainscoting will also be covered with what

Answer 23

Tin

Note: Do not overlook this area during overhauling

Question 24

Original hardwood finished flooring is from ____ to ___ of the building mill lofts

Answer 24

Front to rear

Question 25

After (2) 2 1/2” lines are stretched up a stairway, name 3 other ways to get a 3rd line up to the fire floor

Answer 25

1. Alternate stairway 2. Exterior rope stretch 3. Fire escape

Question 26

When will the 2nd hoseline be stretched to the floor above

Answer 26

Only when not needed on the fire floor

Question 27

Outside streams will be used to extinguish what type of fire

Answer 27

Visible

Question 28

Positioning of the hoseline with FF’s to the side of the entrance to fire area will be done when

Answer 28

Potential backdraft on intermediate floors when vertical vent is not possible

Question 29

What type of floors exposed to fire can spall violently and possibly fail when struck by water

Answer 29

Segmented Arch Floors | Note: Use reach of the stream and do not operate the line directly overhead

Question 30

Sprinkler systems may serve which floors

Answer 30

Cellar and sub-cellar | Note: May be Dry piping with fusible link sprinkler heads OR Perforated pipes

Question 31

Non automatic sprinkler systems rely on what type of water source

Answer 31

FD water supply solely

Question 32

True or false. In lofts where the sprinklers serve the upper floors, section valves may be found on individual floors/areas

Answer 32

True | These valves must be checked to ensure they are in the full open position

Question 33

The number of interior stairs typically found in cast iron loft buildings

Answer 33

1

Question 34

Who will ensure the sprinkler system is supplied

Answer 34

3rd due engine

Question 35

True or false. At upper floor fires where 2 lines have already been stretched, the High Rise Nozzle can be a consideration as the 3rd line

Answer 35

True

Question 36

Cast iron lofts may have up to 4 doorways fronting the street. Name the 4 types of doors

Answer 36

1. Freight elevator 2. Residential elevator vestibule 3. Commercial entrance 4. Interior stairway entrance

Question 37

When will engine companies operate in accordance with FFP Class A FP MD’s

Answer 37

Fireproof Loft Buildings

Question 38

How will elevators that are very old with limited load capacities and open cage cabs be operated

Answer 38

Manual mode requiring an operator | Note: These elevators will not have Fireman Service

Question 39

Name 2 tool requirements for lofts that have large open floor areas

Answer 39

Search ropes and TIC’s

Question 40

In cast iron and mill loft buildings where fire is in the cellar/ sub cellar, what will the 2nd ladder do if the 1st ladder cannot make access down interior stairs

Answer 40

Gain access to cellar area via alt. route (adjoining building)

Question 41

In cast iron and mill loft buildings where fire is in the cellar/ sub cellar, ladder chauffeurs will be positioned where

Answer 41

Front of the building | Note: This member will be available to position or reposition ladders as needed

Question 42

In cast-iron and mill loft buildings, name 3 ways the roof man gets to the roof

Answer 42

1. Adjoining building 2. Aerial/ TL 3. Fire escape

Question 43

When fire is located in the lower floors of cast iron and mill loft buildings, where will the 1st OV be positioned

Answer 43

Rear of the building to coordinate vent | Note: Only exception is to assist LCC with a life hazard in front of the building

Question 44

When will ladder companies operate as per FFP Class A FP MD’s

Answer 44

Fireproof Loft buildings

Question 45

Where does the 1st due BC establish the command post

Answer 45

Front of the fire building

Question 46

If structural stability of a gravity tank is questionable what can be done

Answer 46

Drain the contents of the tank and divert the water off the roof into a drain pipe OR open a standpipe outlet on a lower floor

Question 47

LCS’s should avoid striking what part of a loft building

Answer 47

Columns | Note: Floor collapse can occur by the failure of a single column

Question 48

When fire is located at upper floors of cast iron and mill loft buildings, who is responsible to bring the saw to the roof

Answer 48

2nd due roof

Question 49

True or false. When properly cast, structural members of cast-iron will withstand a great deal of thermal stress

Answer 49

True

Question 50

What will happen if an improperly cast column is cooled by a hoseline

Answer 50

Will contract disproportionately leading to potential failure

Question 51

At 1100 degrees cast-iron loses ____ % of its original strength

Answer 51

58% | Note: The strength lost is cumulative and never regained

Question 52

Which type of columns will elongate or extend when heated

Answer 52

Iron fibers (just like steel)

Question 53

Which type of columns will crack when heated

Answer 53

Cast-iron

Question 54

In a Cast Iron / Mill Loft Building and fire is located in the cellar/sub cellar, which engine will supply the sprinkler

Answer 54

2nd due | Note: But only if 1st engine has not done so

Question 55

In a Cast Iron / Mill Loft Building and fire is located on a lower floor, which engine will ensure the sprinkler is supplied

Answer 55

3rd due

Question 57

Steel tension cable rods can fail at _____ degrees

Answer 57

800 | Note: These will be found in Mill Lofts

Question 58

Iron window shutters will generally be installed on which sides of a loft building

Answer 58

Rear and Side walls

Question 59

Iron window shutters are mandated to be installed in buildings less that ___ ft. from another building

Answer 59

30 ft. | Note: Or less than 50 feet vertically from the roof of an adjoining building