Strip Shopping Center Flashcards
The term “strip shopping center” refers to commercial occupancies that are:
pg.3
- Joined by party walls or fire walls;
- Covered by a common roof;
- Occupied by a variety of businesses; and
- Accessed by an individual exterior entrance on the first floor.
“Strip shopping centers refer to long commercial structures, housing a variety of occupancies under one roof.”
Strip shopping centers in Northern VA are typically how many stories and what construction?
1 story
lightweight construction
pg.3
“Strip shopping centers in Northern Virginia are typically one-story lightweight and noncombustible construction; occasionally, two-story structures may be encountered. The walls are masonry or tilt-up concrete with steel bar joists supporting a metal deck roof. In older sections of Northern Virginia, ordinary construction may be found. The presence of basements is more likely in these older strip shopping centers.”
NOTEWORTHY
pg.3
“The presence of basements is more likely in these older strip shopping centers.”
The walls on strip-shopping centers are made from what type of material?
masonry or tilt-up concrete
pg.3
“Strip shopping centers in Northern Virginia are typically one-story lightweight and noncombustible construction; occasionally, two-story structures may be encountered. The walls are masonry or tilt-up concrete with steel bar joists supporting a metal deck roof. In older sections of Northern Virginia, ordinary construction may be found. The presence of basements is more likely in these older strip shopping centers.”
What are taxpayers?
Residential apartments that are above strip shopping centers
pg.3
“Residential apartments or office space may be encountered above some strip shopping centers. The apartments are often referred to as “taxpayers”. Most taxpayers usually have a separate entrance not connecting to the store below. They are found in older structures, but can also be found in the newer, “town center complex” centers.”
The dimensions of the stores in a strip shopping center are typically _____ and _____. The dimensions can vary greatly, but smaller stores may have dimensions on the order of __ feet by __ feet.
narrow, deep
30 ft x 75 ft
pg.3
“The dimensions of the stores in a strip shopping center are typically narrow and deep. The dimensions can vary greatly, but smaller stores may have dimensions on the order of 30 feet by 75 feet.”
The width of anchor stores can exceed how many feet?
150
pg.3
“The dimensions of the stores in a strip shopping center are typically narrow and deep. The dimensions can vary greatly, but smaller stores may have dimensions on the order of 30 feet by 75 feet. The anchor stores, such as a supermarket, will be much wider than and at least as deep as the smaller occupancies. The width of these large stores can easily exceed 150 feet.”
What type of locks are usually found on rear entry doors?
metal and heavily secured with drop bars and additional locks
pg.3
“Adjacent occupancies may have a common cockloft. Old anchor stores may have been subdivided into several smaller businesses which share a common cockloft.
Storefronts have large plate glass or tempered glass windows and tempered glass doors in a metal frame.
Rear entry doors are typically metal and heavily secured with drop bars and additional locks. Rear windows usually are secured with metal bars or heavy mesh, Figure 1.”
What are rear windows usually secured with?
Metal bars or heavy mesh
pg.3
“Adjacent occupancies may have a common cockloft. Old anchor stores may have been subdivided into several smaller businesses which share a common cockloft.
Storefronts have large plate glass or tempered glass windows and tempered glass doors in a metal frame.
Rear entry doors are typically metal and heavily secured with drop bars and additional locks. Rear windows usually are secured with metal bars or heavy mesh.”
How are basements usually accessed on a Strip Shopping Center?
from the rear via an interior or exterior stair.
pg.4
“Basements are usually accessed from the rear via an interior or exterior stair. Basements can extend beyond the occupancy from which they are accessed,”
NOTEWORTHY
pg.4
“Firewalls may not be present between occupancies. The fire shown in Figure 3 entered the area above the ceiling and quickly traveled horizontally until brought under control using master streams.”
What is the estimated fire loading in a strip shopping center?
moderate to heavy
pg.5
“Fire loading in the strip shopping center may be moderate to heavy. Initial fire flow estimates should be based upon 20 GPM per 100 square feet of involved area. Engine companies should be prepared to use multiple 13⁄4-inch lines or a 21⁄2-inch hose line.”
Initial fire flow estimates should be based upon how many gpm’s per square feet of involved area?
20 gpm per 100 sq ft
pg.5
“Fire loading in the strip shopping center may be moderate to heavy. Initial fire flow estimates should be based upon 20 GPM per 100 square feet of involved area. Engine companies should be prepared to use multiple 1 3⁄4-inch lines or a 21⁄2-inch hose line.”
NOTEWORTHY
Addresses may only be required on the front of each store. Identifying the individual occupancies in the rear may be difficult where numbers are not required, Figure 4.
NOTEWORTHY
pg.5/6
“Some shopping centers have back-to-back stores with addresses on both sides and no rear access, Figure 5. Most often, there is a large parking lot out front and along the ends. The rear is normally accessed by a narrow driveway used for deliveries. This allows access to four sides and staging of incoming apparatus, in most cases unless the rear is congested with other vehicles or obstacles.”
Most strip-shopping centers in virginia are of what construction?
noncombustible construction
pg.8
“Most strip shopping centers in Northern Virginia were built during the last 30 to 40 years and are of noncombustible construction. Those built prior to this time are typically ordinary construction. Some recent structures are being built using lightweight construction methods.”
What is a cockloft?
the area above the ceiling and below the roof deck
pg.8
“The cockloft is the area located above the ceiling and below the roof deck, Figure 7. It is not unusual to find the cockloft exposed in the rear storage area.”
Strip-shopping centers built of ordinary construction will have what type of roof assembly?
wood
pg.9
“Strip shopping centers built of ordinary construction will have a wood roof assembly. The roof deck will be tongue and groove boards or plywood sheeting.”
Non-fire rated draft stops:
- made of gypsum or plywood
- slows horizontal fire spread
- found in large cockloft areas
- penetrations allowing for wiring, ductwork, ect, ect
pg.9
“Non-fire rated draft stops made of gypsum or plywood slow down the horizontal movement of fire. They may be found in large cockloft areas, Figure 9. In large cockloft and attic areas these draft stops usually have penetrations allowing for wiring, ductwork, pipes, and large access holes for maintenance personnel.”
Where are Laminated wooden arches coomon?
old safeway stores
pg.9
“Laminated wooden arches that span a wide area and support the roof may be present. These were common in old Safeway stores. The roof covering is typically “built up” where a bituminous (asphalt-containing) material is laid directly over the wood and covered with roofing felt, then sealed with hot tar, and covered with gravel.”
Exterior Basement access:
pg.14
“Exterior basement entrances may also be located in the sidewalk at the front or on one of the sides of the building, Figure 17. These entrances are usually under steel doors or grates. These entrances may simply be a set of steps, but can also contain conveyors, slides, or chutes for delivery of supplies into the basement. Conveyors, slides, or chutes are very good for ventilation, but should not be used for entering the basement.”
Strip shopping centers built of non-combustible construction will have roof assemblies supported what?
steel bar joist
pg.10
“Strip shopping centers built of non-combustible construction will have roof assemblies supported by steel bar joists. The roof deck may be corrugated metal with a layer of insulation covered by tar paper and roofing tar or a rubber membrane, Figure 10. Below the bar joist in the retail area will be a fire-rated drop ceiling. The roof assembly in the storage area normally is not protected.”
What type of locking mechanisms are found on roll-down gates?
slide bolt with several locks.
pg.15
“Some of these doors will have a spring-loaded ratchet type of system to assist with opening and closing of the gate. The locking mechanism is usually a slide bolt with several locks.”
Rain Roof:
pg.10
“Strip shopping centers that have been renovated will have a new roof assembly over the existing roof(s). This creates an additional undivided void space which is difficult to access, Figure 12. These roofs are also called rain roofs because they are built over existing roofs. The original roof was not designed to carry the extra weight of the new roof making it more vulnerable to early collapse.”
What are the most effective firewalls?
masonry that runs from the foundation through the roofline
pg.11
“The most effective firewalls run from the foundation through the roofline. They are usually masonry, and more substantial than occupancy fire separation walls. Some firewalls terminate below the roof line.”
Floor Assemblies found in strip shopping centers:
pg.13
The following types of floor assemblies are found in strip shopping centers:
- Reinforced concrete,
- Dimensional lumber,
- Lightweight wood, and/or
- Steel bar joist.
Access for strip shopping center basements is usually where?
from the interior
pg.13
“The basement in strip shopping centers can be used for storage, offices, and/or other functions. A common basement may span multiple addresses, Access to basement areas will normally be from the interior. When an exterior entrance to the basement is present, it will normally be at the rear of the store”
NOTEWORTHY
pg.15
“Not uncommon are two-story strip centers with separate occupancies on both levels. Access to the second story generally will be found at the ends or middle of the building from a common public area.”
Where can maverick bars be found?
major electronic retailer stores and other retailers in high-crime areas
pg.16
“A newer type of rear security, the “Maverick Bar”TM, can be found in major electronic retailer stores and other retailers in high-crime areas, Figure 20. The bar attaches to the door frame and the door at four points in each corner. This device makes it more difficult to gain access from the exterior.”
What is the best way to determine a building hazard?
by conducting a walk through during the construction
pg.17
“The best way to determine a building hazard is by conducting a walk through during the construction phase. On the other hand, the best way to determine the content hazards is by conducting a yearly post-construction walk through.”
Entry and Exit Doors
What type of security devices is normally found on rear doors?
Drop in static bar.
pg.15
“The security device found at rear doors is normally the drop-in static bar, Figure 19. The brackets that hold the bars are attached to the door and frame by welding or bolting.
What is the best way to determine a building’s content hazards?
by conducting a yearly post-construction walk through.
pg.17
“The best way to determine a building hazard is by conducting a walk through during the construction phase. On the other hand, the best way to determine the content hazards is by conducting a yearly post-construction walk through.”
NOTEWORTHY
Firefighters on the roof should be cognizant of changes in the depth of the individual stores along the rear of the shopping center. For example, one store may be 90 feet front to back and the adjoining store only 75 feet front to back, Figure 21.
At what temperature does steel start to twist and expand?
1000 degrees
pg.18
“Given the use of trusses in strip shopping center construction, partial collapse of the roof should be anticipated in situations of advanced fires. The roofs and floors may have metal or masonry systems including metal deck and steel bar joists. The walls may be constructed of metal or masonry. Large fires will compromise the roof structures and damage the unprotected steel, destroying the building’s integrity. At 10000 F, steel will twist and expand, causing failure or pushing out exterior walls. Figure 22 shows bar joists beginning to fail and frozen in place once cooled. Heavy loading on roof systems can add a tremendous amount of weight adding to collapse potential.”
NOTEWORTHY
pg.19
When a building has been renovated, the potential for early collapse must be considered. When a second roof or rain roof is placed over an existing roof, there are numerous void spaces where fires can burn undetected for long periods of time and cause considerable damage before being discovered, Figure 23. The original roof was not designed to carry the extra weight of the new roof making it more vulnerable to early collapse.
Apparatus Positioning/Initial Assignments
1st truck:
- position in front(tower ladder)
- roof access/ladders/master stream
pg.23
“The first due truck should take a position in front of the involved store(s). This will allow for the use of the aerial for roof access, ground ladder deployment, use of the master stream (particularly if the unit is a tower ladder, Figure 24), and auxiliary equipment on the unit when needed. If heavy fire conditions are encountered requiring either an offensive exterior attack or defensive operations, the incident commander should use a tower ladder (or more than one if necessary) on side Alpha for mobile ground-level heavy caliber streams. Priority position in the front must be given to a tower ladder if one was on the original assignment or if one was ordered on a special call or greater alarm.”
Exposure Numbering – One Unit Involved
Exposure Numbering – Three Units Involved
Before Positive Pressure
Rapid Horizontal Fire Spread in Buildings with Little or No Separations in the Cockloft
After Positive Pressure
Rapid Horizontal Fire Spread in Buildings with Little or No Separations in the Cockloft
pg.26
“The use of positive pressure on each side of a fire will prevent smoke and fire from moving horizontally into the Bravo and Delta exposures. This procedure can be accomplished with the units checking for extension in these exposures. The company will enter the exposure by the front or rear door, check for extension, and remove several ceiling tiles. Once it has been determined that the fire hasn’t extended, set up a fan blowing inward at the entrance door. If the fire has extended into the exposure, move down to the next. This will pressurize the exposure and prevent the smoke and fire from entering the exposure. While this operation is used, it is important to control the exposure opening size. Do not remove any glass or perform roof top ventilation on the exposure. Roof ventilation of the fire occupancy to channel the fire is imperative. This procedure must have both exposure fans started at the same time, Figure 28, otherwise the fire will be pushed into one of the exposures.”
In older buildings that have “taxpayers” above the mercantile stores, the location of the basement entrance is usually found where?
Where is the basement stairway usually located?
rear of the structure
directly below stairway leading to upper floors
pg.29
“In older buildings that have “taxpayers” above the mercantile stores, the location of the basement entrance is usually found in the rear of the structure. The basement stairway is usually located directly below the stairway leading to upper floors.”
Why aren’t Kerf Cuts recommended?
the melted tar from the saw will normally reseal the cut and make it difficult to evaluate the conditions below the roof.
pg.30
“Inspection holes will assist crews with determining fire extension, Figure 32. Kerf cuts are not recommended because the melted tar from the saw will normally reseal the cut and make it difficult to evaluate the conditions below the roof. Once the task assigned to the roof crew is complete, all members should vacate the roof. Crews should have an alternate escape route from the roof. Preferably on the opposite side from where they initially accessed the roof.”
NOTEWORTHY
pg.30
“Interior crews advancing must check the area above their position in the plenum space above the ceiling. Remove the ceiling tiles at the entrance with a hoseline or long pike pole and use a thermal imaging camera to check the ceiling, Figure 33. Continue this procedure as you advance into the structure. It is best to operate in areas where the fire hasn’t advanced above you. Ceiling tile support grid systems can fail entrapping crews below.”
