OPS 024 Fires In Large Volume Buildings

Question 1

Safety Critical

General Hazards

What are the general hazards at incidents involving large volume buildings?

Answer 1

• construction, limited compartment atone and fuel loading may allow rapid growth.
• Interior layout may be complex, and involve excessive travel distances.
• Automated machinery may still be operating.
• Only utilise cranes if safe and controlled by staff on site
• Be aware of fast collapse of entire structure.

Question 2

Safety Critical

What hazards are present with LISP buildings?

Answer 2

• hidden fire spread
• large volumes of smoke
• Non combustible sandwich panels can:
  
  • limit external signs of smoke
  • render TIC ineffective from outside
  • Mask fire conditions until BA teams have travelled long distances
  • Reduce signs and symptoms in very large compartments
  • reduce sound of a developing fire

Question 3

Safety Critical

Firefighting operations

Actions on arrival:-

Answer 3

• confirm location of fire,
  
  • hazards, fuel loading, building construction, plans, water supplies, operation of any fixed fire suppression system.
• decide on plan of attack and confirm tactical mode

Question 4

Safety Critical

Firefighting operations

Development and ongoing stages:-

Answer 4

• Review DRA
• Utilise safety officers to monitor conditions
• Consider safe travel distances
• Consider size of BA teams
• Consider additional BA to observe conditions
• Decide firefighting techniques
• Gas cooling may not be effective (compartment up to 70m2)
• Establish clear comes
• Consider need for tactical ventilation and PPV where appropriate
• Ensure any sprinkler system is not prematurely shut down.
• Isolate utility supplies
• consider environmental issues
• consider welfare

Question 5

Safety Critical

Firefighting operations

Closing down stages:-

Answer 5

• Ensure tactics, command structure and management of safety remain paramount.
• Vigilance to prevent re ignitions
• Arrange re-in sections where appropriate