Single Family House Manual - June 2013

Question 1

This house style usually has two stories above ground. This home may or may not have a basement. The front door leads into the main entryway and stairwell for the structure. Living and dining areas are usually on the first floor and bedrooms are on the second floor.

Answer 1

Colonial Style

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Question 2

This house style is usually one story and may or may not have a basement. The floor plan is typically very open and the presence of large windows should be expected.

Answer 2

Ranch or rambler

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Question 3

This house style is typically one and a half stories above ground. The front door provides access to the main stairwell leading to the upper bedrooms and basement, if present. The top floor will contain knee walls and dormers.

Answer 3

Cape cod

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Question 4

This house style is usually two stories with stairs at the foyer level, which will allow access to both levels of the home.

Answer 4

Split Foyer

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Question 5

This house style is two to three levels. The front entry is on one level between an upper and lower floor. A short set of stairs will be encountered upon entry that will lead upstairs and downstairs.

Answer 5

Split level

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Question 6

In this type of construction walls are built with long, continuous studs that run from the basement to the attic. The presence of the fire stops between floors is non-existent leading to rapid fire spread.

Answer 6

Balloon frame construction

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Question 7

The square footage of these style houses typically range from 3,000 to well over 6,000 square feet.

Answer 7

McMansion / Estate homes

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Question 8

This is a community of single family detached homes, usually constructed of lightweight building materials that are in very close proximity to each other, usually 10 feet or less.

Answer 8

Cluster homes

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Question 9

The potential for collapse in a single-family dwelling as a result of fire is related to what two distinct factors?

Answer 9

1. The presence or absence of light weight construction materials
2. Where or not the fire is attacking the structural components or contents only

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Question 10

When does the greatest collapse potential exist in a single family home?

Answer 10

When fire is in the basement attacking the vital structural supports under the first floor

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Question 11

The highest priority at all structure fires is _______.

Answer 11

Life Safety

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Question 12

The rescue problem should be addressed by a thorough interior primary search for life that focuses on which areas?

Answer 12

Tenable areas adjacent to the fire, as well as bedrooms and means of egress.

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Question 13

The need for roof openings typically will only be required when the fire has entered what areas?

Answer 13

When the fire has entered the attic area or has gained access to vertical void spaces.

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Question 14

Typical position and initial actions for the first due engine include:

Answer 14

After viewing as many sides as possible, the first engine company should park in a position to allow for rapid advancement of hose lines into the structure, leaving priority position for the truck company.

The following shall be communicated via radio: on-scene report, layout, size-up 360 lap, and situation report.

Primary actions will be deployment of initial attack line , search as the line is advanced.

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Question 15

Typical position and initial actions for the second due engine include:

Answer 15

The second engine should ensure water supply, ensure the first line is operational, and deploy the second line.

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Question 16

Typical position and initial actions for the third due engine include:

Answer 16

The third engine shall position to allow the crew rapid access to the structure while maintaining access and egress to the incident for additional resources.

The engine should take a position to prepare for providing a secondary water supply and visual inspection of side Charlie and report findings to command.

Check for fire Extension

Possible exposure line.

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Question 17

Typical position and initial actions for the fourth due engine include:

Answer 17

The fourth due engine shall position out of the way, so as to not block access for incoming trucks and assume the position of RIT.

If needed, the driver may be assigned to supply water to the third engine.

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Question 18

Typical position and initial actions for the first truck include:

Answer 18

Preferred position for the first truck company at fires will be the most strategic location - normally in the front of the structure. This will allow for rapid deployment of ground ladders (front and rear) as a primary concern.

Other duties will be to force entry, conduct a primary source, and coordinated ventilation.

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Question 19

Typical position and initial actions for the second truck include:

Answer 19

Position as close as possible to the scene and assist the first truck with forcing entry, search, coordinated ventilation, and ladders.

Perform a visual inspection of side charlie. Ground ladders and truck operations will remain a priority.

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Question 20

Typical position and initial actions for the rescue company include:

Answer 20

The rescue squad should position to afford rapid access to the structure, but does not block other companies.

Primary responsibility is search and rescue, however if that task is being accomplished by another unit they may be needed for forcing entry, coordinated ventilation, or ground laddering.

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Question 21

How far away should you park from the rear of a ladder truck?

Answer 21

50 feet

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Question 22

This is a continuous process which contains various benchmarks and decision points where information is obtained during an incident.

Answer 22

Size - up

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Question 23

Size - up is info is provided on an on-going basis and is provided in:

Answer 23

1. Pre-incident (know what needs to be on a preplan, barriers, layouts, etc.
2. Pre-arrival
3. On-scene report
4. 360 lap or walk around
5. Situation report
6. Interior size-up
7. Ongoing size up

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Question 24

This is an easy way to answer or transmit a progress report.

What does the acronym stand for?

Answer 24

A CAN report

Condition
Action
Needs

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Question 25

What is the purpose of the initial attack line?

Answer 25

Protect occupants, the interior stairwell and, if possible, advance to the seat of the fire for confinement and extinguishment.

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Question 26

The second line should be of what length and capable of what flow?

Answer 26

The second line should be of sufficient length to reach the location of the initial attack line or to be advanced to the area above the fire, if required.

This line should be capable of delivering at least the same amount of water as the initial line.

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Question 27

What is the max amount of hoselines that should be stretched through any one entrance?

Answer 27

Two

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Question 28

What are the two purposes to having a line above the fire?

Answer 28

To protect the company doing the primary search.

To extinguish vertical extension

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Question 29

What are four mandatory actions for exterior fires extending into the dwelling?

Answer 29

1. The first hoseline is deployed to the fire location on the exterior of the structure to perform a quick knockdown of the fire in a sweeping fashion.
2. Once the first hoseline is in place and operating effectively, the second line should be deployed to the interior of the building.
3. Once the fire is knocked down on the exterior of the dwelling, the hoseline may be redeployed to the interior to assist the interior line or progress to upper floors to attack any fire

4 The coordination of tactics and operations between the first engine and the special services units or additional engine companies must be completed before the special service units can enter the building.

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Question 30

What two key characteristics make basement fires particularly challanging?

Answer 30

1. Limited access points
2. The potential exists to have immediate, unimpeded fire impingement on the structural support for the floor above.

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Question 31

The location of the initial hand line on a basement fire may be in one of what two places?

Answer 31

1. To the rear / exterior basement access to commence fire attack or
2. To the front door to protect the interior stairs and upper floor(s)

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Question 32

Where is the preferred point of attack for the initial hand line?

Answer 32

An exterior access point that leads directly to the basement.

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Question 33

If the basement door cannot be closed, is non-existent, or burned through, what should the crew on the hand line at the front door do?

What is the main objective of this?

Answer 33

Use a narrow fog pattern aimed at the ceiling over the stairway to contain the fire.

The main objective is to stop vertical fire extension.

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Question 34

What are four ways two attack an advanced basement fire with no exterior entrance?

Answer 34

1. Applying a fire stream into the basement through a window opening.
2. Removing the band board on the exterior. In most cases, this stream should be a straight or solid stream.
3. Extend a window cut down an additional foot or two, the same band board access point will be provided.
4. Deploying a distributor or cellar nozzle from the exterior of the structure.

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Question 35

Breaching an overhead garage door in what area can at times provide access to the overhead door manual relese.

Answer 35

In the center about three quarters of the way up from the bottom.

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Question 36

This is considered the space under a gabled roof.

Answer 36

Attics

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Question 37

This is considered the space under a flat roof.

Answer 37

Cockloft

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Question 38

What 5 methods have proven successful in fighting attic fires?

Answer 38

1. Gaining access and placing a hose line at the level of fire into the attic
2. Hooking the ceiling and directing the stream from below into the attic area.
3. Placing a wide fog stream into an access hole is an effective method when the fire has not self-vented and the roof does not have a ridge vent.
4. Access to the attic area by cutting an access through the gable end
5. Distributor / cellar nozzle deployed through a hole cut in the roof while members are independently supported on a ladder or tower.

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Question 39

What is the typical weight rating for pull down stairs to attics?

Answer 39

250 lbs

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Question 40

What 5 conditions must exist for a wind-driven fire to occur?

Answer 40

1. Fire in the structure
2. Failed or open window to the outside in the fire area
3. Presence of wind on the exterior of the structure
4. Failed or open door to living area
5. An unobstructed path to an outlet for the fire to vent.

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Question 41

What are the responsibilities of the 2nd due truck?

Answer 41

The second due arriving truck shall assist the first truck with accomplishing their assigned tasks.

They will also perform salvage, utility control, checking for extension, and overhaul.

They should also make a visual inspection of side Charlie of the structure and relay conditions to command.

They may also assist with search and rescue.

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Question 42

What two areas are considered the most dangerous areas in a single family home fire?

Answer 42

The area close to the fire on the fire floor and the area directly above the fire.

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Question 43

When must consideration for VES be considered? What areas should get priority?

Answer 43

When fire has possession of the stairs or the first floor is untenable.

Priority should be given to the sleeping areas.

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Question 44

Before any ventilation takes place, the ventilation team must answer what 4 questions?

Answer 44

What is the location of the fire?

What is the current ventilation status?

Will adding additional ventilation openings affect fire conditions?

Where is the hose line?

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Question 45

In what style of construction should you not use PPV?

Answer 45

Balloon frame construction

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