PN773 Firefighting in basements Flashcards
Firefighting in basements can be a high risk activity and may present BA teams with a number of
unique challenges. List 4?
Physically demanding conditions.
Extreme temperatures.
Ventilation difficulties.
High fire loading.
The commander of the first appliance in attendance should locate who?
“responsible person”
(this will aid the initial assessment of hazards in and of the building and gather all relevant information to formulate a firefighting/rescue plan.)
What other sources of information should also be investigated?
Fire alarm panels or
premises information boxes,
(These can provide key information such as the size of the basement, access and ventilation options.)
Where should the IC remain throughout the incident?
The IC is to remain at surface level, unless preplanning arrangements have located a more appropriate location, such as the designated Fire Control Centre.
Will the presence of basements always be externally obvious?
No.
Basements in commercial, retail and residential premises may not have visual
clues such as stallboard or pavement light windows.
What should be considered prior to committing BA teams?
Ventilation of the basement must be considered and the IC must
locate facilities or other options available for this purpose. Any decision to ventilate must take into account the following:
(a) The adverse impact this may have on persons involved in the premises.
(b) The benefits of undertaking early ventilation, for firefighters entering, or persons evacuating the building.
What should be in place for the IC to send the message “Basement procedure implemented”?
Once the IC has committed BA teams to the basement area with a minimum 45mm hose line and
branch set to 230lpm and a team to protect the egress route with a second 45mm hose line and branch set to 230lpm, a message should be sent to Brigade Control.
Due to the nature of fire fighting in basements being physically demanding and IC should consider what?
Early reliefs.
As BA teams may experience difficulty in maintaining effective communications, what could be used to assist with this?
The use of a leaky feeder should be a major consideration before
committing crews.
Prior to ventilation taking place, what should be in place?
Covering jets must be in position adjacent to any openings.
(A covering jet must never be directed through
any opening into the fire compartment because doing so will push the flame and unburnt
products of combustion back into the compartment, along with a quantity of fresh air. This will potentially increase the fire intensity and the risk of flashover within the compartment. It may also strike crews working inside.)
If the immediate rescue of persons is not required, and practicable what should take place before committing BA teams?
Ventilation of the basement should take place.
The incorrect use of ventilation systems may?
3 things
(a) adversely affect any persons involved;
(b) result in rapid or uncontrolled fire spread;
(c) lead to backdraught conditions.
BA teams should descend as speedily as practicable into basements. Why?
BA teams may need to pass through a thermal barrier.
The IC must consider requesting who?
To gain advice before operating ventilation or smoke extraction systems.
The IC must consider requesting the attendance of a
senior fire safety officer (SFSO).
What other piece of equipment may assist operations in more complex basements?
Guide lines.
also the use of extended duration breathing apparatus, EDBA could be beneficial.
