TB 179 - Residential Garage Fires Flashcards

1
Q

It is imperative that first-in Company Officers conduct a 360° survey of the involved garage to communicate:

A

-TYPE of garage (attached vs detached) and USE
-Fire involvement
-Exposures
-Unusual hazards
-Rescue problems

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2
Q

Both attached and detached garages have the potential to have been converted for residential use or for other purposes.

The Los Angeles City “________” prescribes standards governing residential CONVERSIONS.

A

“Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance”

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3
Q

Both legal and illegal garage conversions may be difficult to recognize from the exterior.

While a legitimate conversion will feature inspected framing, utilities, and protective drywall, an illegal conversion may lack certain safety features.

Residential CONVERSIONS complicate fire operations by ___________.

A

increasing the likelihood of a potential LIFE HAZARD

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4
Q

A reliable method to identify CONVERTED garages:

A

-lack of garage door

-presence of additional address numbering (1/2 addresses)

(If present, these indicators should be communicated over the radio to improve the situational awareness of all members.)

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5
Q

While detached garage fires may expose and threaten adjacent structures, overhead electrical wires, or other objects, attached garages fires may also spread into the residential portion of the structure.

This may occur as the result of:

A

-open connective door

-through the attached attic space.

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6
Q

True or False?

Fire sprinklers and smoke detectors are not generally required by the Fire Code in UNFINISHED and/or DETACHED garages

A

True

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7
Q

In an effort to develop situational awareness for responding companies, the first arriving resource must:

A
  1. Give an initial size-up to Metropolitan Fire Communications (MFC), informing all incoming resources of their findings.
  2. Upon gathering more situational awareness, Officers should announce any additional pertinent findings or needs found during the 360° survey, in an updated (comprehensive) sizeup.
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8
Q

The decision to initiate an interior attack on a garage fire, or to support it with vertical ventilation, should be made only after completing a RISK ANALYSIS and addressing factors including, but not limited to:

A

-Garage type and occupancy status

-Fire involvement and burn time upon arrival

-Likelihood of occupants, and consideration of survivability based on observable conditions

-Fire load and presence of known or observed excessive storage or hazardous materials

-Priority of exposure protection, search and rescue, or other functions, based on findings

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9
Q

During the size-up, particular attention should be paid to indicators of a garage residential CONVERSION.

Information gathered will help to inform __________.

A

-priorities

-strategy

-tactics

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10
Q

Responsible officers must ensure that the line selected will be sufficient to adequately reduce British Thermal Units (BTU) and extinguish the fire.

The _______ and ______ upon arrival should determine firefighting line selection.

A

volume of fire and extension

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11
Q

Attached garage fire:

It is imperative that the residential ______ be checked for extension as soon as practical.

A

attic space

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12
Q

While many garages have been converted into living spaces (both legally and illegally), firefighters must realistically consider whether to operate in Rescue, Property, or Exposure Profile, and whether to commit to an Offensive or Defensive Mode.

Alternative tactics such as Transitional Attack combined with ______ ventilation should be considered whenever possible.

A

horizontal ventilation

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13
Q

Attached garage fire:

A search of both the garage and the attached residence should be a primary, especially if the garage has been converted into living quarters.

Early deployment of _______ to the residence may limit smoke damage inside, and assist with search efforts.

A

blowers

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14
Q

A “row” of residential garages (not to be confused with covered carports) is often associated with ________.

These enclosed structures generally stand alone, separate from the residential structure or structures

A

apartment complexes and bungalow-style developments

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15
Q

Row of residential garages construction features that contribute to fire extension:

A

-interior walls lack fireproofing between the individual garage spaces

-may feature either a common attic or an open space toward the tops of these dividers

(Although horizontal spread is a concern, vertical ventilation tactics should only be utilized after careful CONSIDERATION to the CONSTRUCTION style and CONDITION of these STRUCTURES.)

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16
Q

Roof operations on a garage fire should ONLY be conducted when conditions allow for a SAFE and EFFECTIVE EXECUTION.

A RISK ANALYSIS must be performed, and vertical ventilation on a garage fire should be _________.

A

the EXCEPTION, not the rule.

17
Q

Creating a desired horizontal opening in a wood, fiberglass, or lightweight metal garage door may be accomplished with __________.

A

either a chainsaw or rotary saw.

18
Q

Members should avoid making assumptions regarding garage occupancy or conversion, and instead rely on _______ to determine the appropriate Operational Mode, and whether vertical ventilation is warranted.

A

observations

(Do a 360 survey)

19
Q

Common garage door styles are:

A

-sectional
-roll up
-tilt up
-swinging
-sliding/barn

20
Q

Officers are reminded that fire ground “activities that present a significant risk to the safety of members shall be limited to situations where there is a potential to ________.”

A

save endangered lives

21
Q

Garages, by their very nature, are hazardous under fire conditions.

The following make them hazardous:

A

-housing an automobile
-presence of flammable liquids, pesticides, fertilizers
-interior unfinished
-additional storage located above open or plywood-decked ceiling joists/collar beams
-roofs may be constructed with small dimensions of lumber
-newer garages may have lightweight truss roofs

22
Q

Horizontal ventilation of a converted garage may be accomplished by opening or cutting the garage door. This helps in providing:

A

(1) effective ventilation
(2) improved visibility
(3) access to the seat of the fire
(4) greater survivability for occupants
(5) improved conditions for personnel.

23
Q

DETACHED Garage Fire

The fire attack company should consider developing their INITIAL hose lay to ____________.

A

reach the FARTHEST portion of the involved garage, as well as any immediate EXPOSURES that may take precedence IF the garage is WELL INVOLVED upon arrival

24
Q

The decision to engage in offensive fire attack and perform search and rescue must be based on __________.

A

-observed CONDITIONS

-INFORMATION gathered

-potential for SURVIVABILITY

25
Q

It is expected that first arriving Companies to any residential garage fire will make every reasonable effort to complete the following:

A

-complete a 360° survey

-determine and communicate the TYPE of garage (attached vs detached)

-determine and communicate the STATUS of the structure (garage vs residential conversion)

26
Q

When the living space of a residential structure with an attached garage shows signs of involvement, the strategy must include __________.

A

Immediate attack on the garage fire WHILE hose lines are developed into the residence

27
Q

What will determine line selection and placement on attached garage fires?

A

Fire VOLUME

Fire EXTENSION

28
Q

When addressing the fire through an overhead garage door, members must ensure that the overhead door is __________.

A

PROPPED OPEN (pike pole, rubbish hook, etc.)

(This avoids CLOSING on members, causing injury, blocking egress, or compromising hose lines)

29
Q

ATTACHED Garage Fire

What should be the primary consideration for the IC?

A

-Quickly applying water onto the bulk of the fire through the MOST ACCESIBLE PORTAL

-Assigning a company to simultaneously make entry into the livable space to control and IDENTIFY any EXTENSION

30
Q

When ventilation is done VERTICALLY, serious consideration must be given to:

A

-construction and STRUCTURAL CONDITION

-presence of a residential CONVERSION

-fire load

-fire VOLUME

-BURN TIME.

31
Q

Fire behavior in a garage is unique due to __________.

A

-typically Unobstructed FLOOR PLAN

-often UNFINISHED interior

-potentially heavy FIRE LOAD

32
Q

Garage fires pose significant risks to LAFD members due to:

A

-construction features

-hazardous fire loading

-potential for ILLEGAL residential conversions