Strip Shopping Centers Flashcards
Strip Shopping Center refers to commercial occupancies that are:
- joined by party walls or fire walls
- covered by a common roof
- occupied by a variety of business
- accessed by an individual exterior entrance on the first floor
Fire Flow Estimate for Strip Shopping Center?
20 GPM per 100sq ft.
Construction History of Strip Shopping Centers
Most built during the last 30-40 years are noncombustible construction, those built prior to this time are typically ordinary construction
Cockloft
The are located above the ceiling and below the roof deck, in strip shopping centers it is not unusually to find the cockloft exposed in the rear storage area
Roof Construction of Strip Shopping Centers Built of Ordinary Construction
roof deck will be tongue and groove boards or plywood sheating, 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 in gravel
Roof Construction of a Strip Shopping Center of non-combustible construction
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. Below the bar joist in the retail area will be a fire-rated drop ceiling. Lightweight concrete roofs are also common to these structures.
Will renovated Strip Shopping Centers have rain roofs?
Typically
Walls found in Strip Shopping Centers-load bearing
holds the weight of the structure and all forces applied
Walls found in Strip Shopping Centers-non-load bearing
a wall bearing only its own weight
Walls found in Strip Shopping Centers-fire wall
designed to prevent or slow the horizontal progression of fire from occupancies, built from the floor through the roof structure
Walls found in Strip Shopping Centers-Veneer
single thickness of a masonry material added to the structure for aesthetic purposes
Walls found in Strip Shopping Centers-party
load bearing wall separating occupancies not extending above the roof line
Walls found in Strip Shopping Centers-partition
divides an area within an occupancy not extending above the ceiling
With tilit-up construction should the roof assembly collapse down into the structure how should we expect the walls to collapse?
outward
What sides of the structure are parapet walls normally found?
Front and sides, normally not in the back.
What type of floor assemblies are found in strip shopping centers?
- reinforced concrete
- dimensional lumber
- lightweight wood
- steel bar joists
What security device is normally found at the rear doors of Strip Shopping Centers?
drop-in static bar
Strip Shopping Center Fires have many life hazards to firefighters which include:
- collapsing roofs, floors and walls
- heavy fire loading
- maze-like conditions
- limited access and egress
- complicated security measures
- potential for undetected fires in the plenum space
- hazardous materials
- difficult roof top ventilation
- falling facades
- high entanglement potential
What are some indicators of possible wall collapse (Strip Shopping Center)
- Bulges
- Cracks
- Smoke seeping
What is a Facade?
An architectural projection that provides weather protection, occupancy identity, decoration and is supported by the building to which it is attached
What is a marquee?
The roof like structure, often bearing a signboard, projecting over an entrance
What areas of Strip Shopping Centers are normally involved in collapse?
Roof structures, and the cantilever facades or marquees
At what temperature will steel twist and expand?
1000 degree, they will twist and expand causing failure or pushing out exterior walls
What are the warning signs of imminent collapse? (Strip Shopping Center)
- fire burning for more than 20 minutes in ordinary construction or 10 minutes in lightweight truss construction
- smoke or water coming through mortar joints in walls
- walls that are sagging or bulging
- new cracks showing in exterior walls
- heavy floor or roof loads under fire conditions
- spongy roof surface due to fire below
Due to the fact that in strip shopping centers the potential for backdrafts are more treacherous and difficult to alleviate what should crews do with well advanced fires? (ref vent)
Prior to roof ventilation, remove glass, delay entry, allow the fire to show itself, and relieve some of the heat before making entry
What is the least damaging method of extinguishing fire in the restaurant hood system that has extending to the duct work?
Discharging multiple CO2 extinguishers into the duct, delay removing the roof-top ventilator until this extinguishment method has been completed
What is a way to reduce horizontal fire spread in a restaurant hood system fire?
Remove the top ventilator cover
Who is responsible for ensuing that the buildings fire protection systems are supplied? (Strip Shopping Center)
Second due engine
If an offensive exterior attack or defensive operations are used for Strip Shopping Centers what is the preferred truck for side A?
Tower Ladder
Where does the Rescue Company position on Strip Shopping Center Fires?
rear
In order to obtain required GPM flow in a Strip Shopping Center what line selection is typically preferred?
Duel 1 3/4 lines
When you have more than one unit involved upon arrival do you consider them exposure Bravo 1, Delta 1…etc?
No, Bravo 1, Delta 1, etc are only used for areas not involved with fire upon arrival, not areas that the fire has already extended to. If an exposure becomes involved with fire it maintains its name as Bravo 1…etc.
How to use PPV to prevent horizontal fire spread in Strip Shopping Centers?
After confirming no extension to exposure B1, D1 place PPV in front of each front door pressurize exposure. If fire has extended move to next exposure where there is no extension and deploy PPV. Both fans must be started at the same time and there can be no vertical ventilation or removal of glass pans in exposures where PPV is to be used.
Should tag lines be used by crews working without a hose line in Strip Shopping Centers?
yes
Does having the ability to access a safe haven on the opposite side of a firewall qualify as a secondary means of egress from the roof?
yes
What roof conditions should be communicated to command?
- location and volume of smoke and fire
- exposure concerns
- roof loading (i.e. HVAC)
- evidence of a cockloft fire
- Roof construction hazards (i.e. parapats, changes in roof lines, false fronts, fire walls, etc.)
If the fire has possession of the cockloft what type of ventilation must occur?
Vertical, inspection holes may be used to determine the extent of horizontal fire spread
