Places Of Worship

Question 1

Ventilation openings provide an excellent location for water application to extinguish fire in what 2 areas?

Answer 1

Above the concealed Attic or Cockloft

Note: Vent Opening is typically located on the front or rear of the long side of a place of worship

Question 2

When the attic vent is at the front of a church, where will it be located in relation to the Rose window

Answer 2

A few feet above the Rose window

Question 3

Often located on exposures two and four, Clearstory windows will be located at approximately what height

Answer 3

Above eye level

Note: Clearstory walls rise above the roof lines of the lower isles where the windows are located.

Question 4

True or false: operating a tower ladder stream into a rose window will extinguish the fire at the upper reaches of the church

Answer 4

False

May extinguish fire

Question 5

Clearstory windows are often located on what exposure (s)

Answer 5

2 and 4

Question 6

Most fires in places of worship that are discovered and reported quickly will be extinguished with the use of how many handlines

Answer 6

1 or 2 handlines

Question 7

True or false: seating areas in churches are often large areas with movable seats

Answer 7

True

Question 8

True or false: When fire involves a Place of worship in a Rowframe, Rowframe FF procedures shall apply

Answer 8

True

Note: places of worship can be found in brownstones, rowframes, or PD’s.

Question 9

A Place of Worship that has pointed arches, tall designs, flying buttresses, vaulted ceiling‘s and large, open interior areas and built in the shape of a crucifix is indicative of what style of architecture

Answer 9

Gothic architecture

Note: all firefighters should be aware of this type of architecture and the inherent features

Question 10

In newer architecture places of worship, name a feature that will not be found as opposed to older architecture

Answer 10

Hi vaulted ceiling‘s will not be found

Note: Both older and newer architecture places of worship are susceptible to early collapse

Question 11

Older style of churches are susceptible to early collapse due to what type of construction feature

Answer 11

Large high timber truss roof

Question 12

Newer style of churches are susceptible to early collapse due to what type of construction feature

Answer 12

Lightweight truss construction

Note: newer style may also have a bell tower, steeple or other features described within this bulletin

Question 13

Name the five major defects or faults in the construction of places of worship

Answer 13

1. Early collapse potential 2. Numerous concealed voids 3. A vast quantity of combustible material used in the truss roof construction 4. Lack of fire suppression and detection systems 5. Large open areas with limited or no fire stopping

Question 14

Since FF’s must gain access to the attic space to check for fire extension, what type of staircase may they encounter

Answer 14

Narrow spiral staircase

Question 15

Old dried out lumber with an accumulation of (blank) will contribute to the fire load

Answer 15

Candle wax buildup

Question 16

A decision to employ TL streams that were positioned early on as part of the incident strategy will be implemented when fire reaches where

Answer 16

Upper inaccessible areas of a place of worship

Question 17

Name three additional hazards that can be found in Places of Worship

Answer 17

1. Exterior insulation finishing systems (EIFS)
2. Cell sites
3. Fire escapes

Question 18

Cellar fires located in Places of Worship may extend how to the upper floors

Answer 18

Hidden voids

Question 19

Choir Lofts are often located where

Answer 19

Directly above the main entrance and below the large rose window

Note: It is common for the pipes from an organ to partially block part of the Rose window affecting stream application into the Rose window

Question 20

High vaulted ceiling‘s can be (blank) or more ft. in height

Answer 20

60

Note: This height will require a 2 1/2 hose to adequately reach the ceiling and apply water

Question 21

Name six collapse dangers that are found in Places of Worship

Answer 21

1. Bell tower
2. Minaret
3. Steeple
4. Ceilings
5. Sidewalls
6. Roof

Question 22

True or false: There may be a steeple found above a bell tower

Answer 22

True

Question 23

What exposure or exposures in a Place of Worship have the greatest collapse potential

Answer 23

Exposures 2 and 4 (Bearing Walls)

And exposure side of the steeple or Bell Tower ( front of the building)

Question 24

When it is determined that the fire cannot be controlled with handlines, what strategy will be implemented next

Answer 24

Exterior fire attack

Question 25

True or false: TL’s should be placed near the front/center of a structure

Answer 25

False

Placed near the front of the structure in a “corner safe” area outside of the collapse danger zone

Question 26

When fire is located in the cellar of a Place of Worship, what size handline is used

Answer 26

1 3/4

Note: Mobility of operations are a prime consideration when fire is located in a cellar

Question 27

Name 3 places a fire may originate in the cellar area of a church

Answer 27

1. Gas/oil fired boilers for heat or hot water
2. Electrical service panel boxes
3. Kitchen stoves used in daycare facilities

Question 28

For cellar fires, where should the 1st handline be stretched to

Answer 28

Entrance door that provides the quickest access to the cellar

Question 29

The use of a third line in a Place of Worship will be directed where

Answer 29

Directed by the IC

Question 30

Name 2 areas of a church where handlines will not be able to extinguish fire due to limited access

Answer 30

Attic or Bell Tower

Once fire reaches this area, firefighters will have to be withdrawn and an exterior operation employed

Question 31

True or false: The Rose window may provide adequate ventilation of the large vaulted spaces in churches

Answer 31

False. Rose window “May Not” provide adequate ventilation. Generally it is best to vent the window closest to the fire in conjunction with the hoseline advancement and fire extinguishment

Question 32

When does the first arriving ladder company assume responsibility for the entire church structure

Answer 32

Until second ladder company arrives

Question 33

Who is responsible to ensure that the cellar area is examined for fire

Answer 33

Second arriving ladder

Question 34

Name two different types of roof coverings mentioned in this bulletin that add a significant dead load to a Place of Worship

Answer 34

Slate and Terracotta Tile

Question 35

Where should a rear mount aerial ladder be placed at a church fire

Answer 35

Away from the immediate fire building.

Note: Make room for the TL

Question 36

The incident command post will be located where

Answer 36

Front of the fire building but outside the potential collapse zone

Question 37

The IC should consider transmitting an additional alarm during what occasion

Answer 37

Two handlines are anticipated or are in operation on the interior

Question 38

A properly positioned TL can cover a building with a frontage of how many feet

Answer 38

100

Question 39

When fire is located within the large open area of the Nave, the first priority is a TL stream located where

Answer 39

Into the Rose Window

Note: When fire is not visible within the large area but suspected to be within the concealed area of the attic or cockloft, water application into the ventilation opening is the priority

Question 40

What action can start minor fires in the surrounding areas of a Place of Worship

Answer 40

The force of updrafts

Note: This will send large pieces of burning material quite some distance

Question 41

At a cellar fire where will the 2nd hoseline be stretched to.

Answer 41

Charged outside of the fire building to back up 1st line.

Note: If not needed for back up then stretch to floor above