PD ch 3 Flashcards
2.2 Cellars that are used for living quarters may contain large amounts of combustible household items, contributing to a large fire load. Some possible indications of a cellar fire are:
ï¨ Fire or smoke venting from a cellar window
ï¨ Smoke pushing from the chimney (especially during warmer weather)
ï¨ High heat and heavy smoke with no visible fire on the first floor
ï¨ Very hot floorboards on the 1st floor
ï¨ Smoke from attic windows or louvered vents (especially in older homes with balloon frame construction)
2.5 The status of the interior cellar door (open, closed, burned, unable to locate) is a critical factor. If conditions permit, the status and door construction should be determined and communicated to the Incident Commander. Door construction can be a critical factor in preventing or slowing fire extension (steel, solid wood, luan panel, etc.).
Note: Members operating on the first floor above a cellar fire must be aware that they are operating in a very dangerous area.
note see other side
2.6
The Incident Commander should consider ordering an exterior hoseline to be operated into a cellar window to allow for a quick knockdown when there will be a delay in applying water from the interior. Some examples are as follows:
ï¨ Unable to gain entry to or advance the hoseline to the cellar level
ï¨ Unable to locate the interior cellar entrance
ï¨ A serious or advanced cellar fire
LESA L- Location E- Entry unable S- serious/advance fire A- advance HL into cella unable
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This can only be attempted when no members are operating in the cellar and must be carefully coordinated and communicated to all units operating on scene. Companies operating above the fire must be aware that conditions may change severely when the hoseline is operated through the cellar windows. If possible, members operating above must close the interior cellar door at the top of the stairs. The following options should be considered for safety, based on conditions:
ï¨ Operate under the protection of a charged hoseline on the floor above
ï¨ Secure an area of refuge, ensuring a ready means of egress
ï¨ Exiting the building
The Incident Commander must weigh all these factors before utilizing an exterior hoseline stream into a cellar window. The Incident Commander must ensure the safety of all members operating above the fire before utilizing this tactic.
First Hoseline:Cellar PD fire
2.7.1 The first hoseline will be stretched through the main entrance to the top of the
interior cellar stair.
2.7.2 The first hoseline should not be advanced down the interior cellar stairs unless fire and stairway conditions permit for the rapid and safe descent of the hoseline. Various factors, including the following, would preclude the descent of
the first hoseline down the interior cellar stairs:
ï¨ High heat conditions at the top of the stairs
ï¨ Questionable stability of the stairway
ï¨ Immediate availability of a second hoseline
ï¨ Initial size-up indicating a serious fire condition
SHSH
S- serious fire
H- high heat
S- Stability stairs
H-hoseline 2nd
The risk of injuries to members is the paramount concern in making the decision to advance down the interior cellar stairs versus maintaining the hoseline at the top of the cellar stairs.
*cont other side
2.7.3 When there is an exterior cellar entrance and the first hoseline does not advance into the cellar, then the first hoseline will maintain its position on the first floor to:
ï¨ Protect the interior stairs leading to the floors above
ï¨ Protect members conducting searches on the first floor and the floors above
ï¨ Extinguish any fire that is extending from the cellar
(The only exception to the above policy is listed in section 2.7.4 of this chapter)
The second hoseline will be stretched via an exterior cellar entrance using the front, side or rear of the building to extinguish the fire.
Control of the interior cellar door is critical. This door should be maintained closed when an exterior entrance is used for attack. The first hoseline will remain on the first floor until the cellar fire is CONTROLLED. The engine company officer shall communicate any adverse changes to the Incident Commander.
**2.7.4 When there is no other hoseline available and there is a delay in gaining access or applying water to the cellar through the interior, the Incident Commander may consider repositioning the first hoseline from the first floor into the cellar through an exterior entrance.
THE DECISION TO REPOSITION THE FIRST HOSELINE CAN ONLY BE MADE BY A CHIEF OFFICER.
If possible, primary searches on all floors above the fire should be complete before proceeding. The repositioning of the first hoseline must be carefully coordinated and communicated to all units operating. The Incident Commander should transmit an URGENT message utilizing the emergency alert button to broadcast this to all members and ensure an acknowledgement from all units/members operating in the INTERIOR.
For safety, all members operating on the first floor must be withdrawn before the hoseline is moved and members operating on the upper floors may need to be repositioned to a safe area, near a means of egress. Fire conditions above the fire may become severe when this hoseline is repositioned.
Second Hoseline:Cellar PD fire
2.8.1 Initially positioned and charged outside the fire building as a back-up for the first hoseline. When not needed to back-up the first hoseline, it can be used to extinguish any fire that may extend to the floors above or positioned as per the Incident Commander. Enough hoseline shall be considered in the stretch for possible advancement into the cellar through an exterior entrance.
2.8.2 When the first hoseline does not advance down the interior stairs, or no interior access to the cellar exists, then the second hoseline can be directed by the Incident Commander to:
ï´ Enter the cellar via an exterior entrance if present or
ï´ Apply water into a cellar window for a quick knockdown if there is a heavy
fire condition or entry is delayed.
Note: This must be carefully coordinated and communicated to all units operating at the scene as per section 2.6 of this chapter.
Third Hoseline:Cellar PD fire
- 9.1 Whenever two hoselines are stretched and operating, a third hoseline will be positioned and charged at the front of the building and operated as ordered by the Incident Commander.
* same as 1st and upper fl fires
FIRST FLOOR FIRES
3.1 First Hoseline:PD 1st fl fire
Through the front door to extinguish the fire.
3.2 Second Hoseline:PD 1st fl fire
Initially positioned and charged outside the fire building as a back-up for the first hoseline. If not needed to back-up the first hoseline, it can be used to extinguish any fire that may extend to the other floors or to exposures.
BET
B-backup
E-Exposures
T- Top floors
3.3 Third Hoseline: PD 1st fl fire
Whenever two hoselines are stretched and operating, a third hoseline will be positioned and charged at the front of the building and operated as ordered by the Incident Commander.
* same as cellars and upperfloors
UPPER FLOOR FIRES
4.1 First Hoseline:Upper fl PD
a. Through the main entrance and up the interior stairs to the fire floor to extinguish
the fire.
b. When there is no access to the upper floors by way of the main entrance, locate and stretch via the stairway that provides access to the fire area.
4.2 Second Hoseline:Upper fl PD
Initially positioned and charged outside the fire building as a back-up for the first hoseline. When not needed to back up the first hoseline, it can be used to extinguish any fire discovered in the cellar, on other floors, or in exposures.
BOCE B-Backup O-other floors C-Cellar E-exposures
4.3 Third Hoseline:
Whenever two hoselines are stretched and operating, a third hoseline will be positioned and charged at the front of the building and operated as ordered by the Incident Commander.
* same as cellar and 1st fl
BUILDING FULLY INVOLVED: PD FIRE
5.1 Whenever the first arriving engine company backstretches to the hydrant, they should consider dropping two hoselines in front of the building.
5.2 Units shall maintain the front of fire building accessible for tower ladder placement.
5.3 CONSIDER stretching a 2 1/2 inch hoseline for a faster knock down, greater reach of stream, increased volume of water and increased exposure protection.
Note: A 2 1/2 INCH HOSELINE SHALL ALSO BE CONSIDERED WHEN ENCOUNTERING A WIND IMPACTED FIRE.
5.4 Operate the hoseline on the exterior to protect exposures before entering the building.
Note: Buildings fully involved have an increased collapse potential and require a complete evaluation by the IC before entering.
5.5 Wood frame buildings that initially appear fully involved may only have their exterior siding burning.
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EXPOSURE PROTECTION
- 1 Fire “lapping” out of a window, or burning on the exterior of a building, presents a serious exposure problem.
- 2 Openings in the underside of eaves (i.e. vent openings) or deteriorated siding may allow for fire extension to the attic of an exposure or the original fire building.
- 3 Units operating a hoseline to extinguish fire on the exterior of a building should sweep the stream across the face of the building, starting at the top, so the water cascades down the exterior. Do not operate the stream directly into the windows.
- 3.1 Consider stretching a 2 1/2 hoseline if increased volume or reach of the stream is a consideration.
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