Townhouse

Question 1

Piggyback Townhouse?

Answer 1

Townhouse consisting of two stacked dwellings (one over the other), each with a separate address and entrance. These occupancies share a common floor separated by a fire wall on that floor.

Question 2

Over-under townhouse?

Answer 2

Consists f two stacked dwellings (one over the other). These are usually two level occupancies over one level occupancies with entrances on opposite sides

Question 3

Rowhouse?

Answer 3

Multi-story dwelling attached to at lest two other dwellings. These dwellings may or may not be separated by fire walls. Typically a rowhouse will have a common cockloft under a flat roof.

Question 4

Duplex?

Answer 4

Two dwellings under one roof sharing a common wall.

Question 5

Quad?

Answer 5

Four dwellings connected together, under one roof, with separate addresses.

Question 6

Hybrid Townhome?

Answer 6

Building construction style that can be inclusive of various types of townhouse styles under one roof.

Question 7

Townhouse construction is typically ________?

Answer 7

lightweight frame using the platform frame method

Question 8

Townhomes in the 1980s have FR plywood roof sheathing that should be considered?

Answer 8

Unsafe, much of the FR plywood is defective due to early decomposition

Question 9

Foundation walls of townhomes are either?

Answer 9

Masonry block or poured reinforced concrete monolithic

Question 10

What are the two standard locks on exterior townhouse doors?

Answer 10

Rim and mortise

Question 11

Will commercial townhome stairwells be enclosed?

Answer 11

Yes

Question 12

Fire flow estimate for Townhome?

Answer 12

10gpm per 100sqft of involved area

Question 13

What situations in townhome fires should cue the OIC to request a second alarm?

Answer 13

• known resuces
• fire in two separate occupancies
• fire on more than one level
• fire in attic space

Question 14

Back to back townhouse?

Answer 14

Townhouse consisting of two or more occupancies under one roof connected by the side C wall

Question 15

Typically the first due engine will pull past how many addresses on a townhouse fire?

Answer 15

2 addresses past or stop 2 short

Question 16

If there is no rear access available the third due engine on a townhouse fire should position?

Answer 16

At the end of the row closest to the involved unit

Question 17

If there is no rear access for the second truck on a townhome fire where should they position?

Answer 17

Side A in front of the uncovered exposure

Question 18

If utilizing a soffit attack what handline should be selected?

Answer 18

2 1/2 with a smoothbore

Question 19

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

Answer 19

1) first hoseline is deployed to the fire location on the exterior to perform a quick knockdown in a sweeping fashion. Crews should not flow water into windows or doors due to the fact this might force products of combustion into the dwelling toward the occupants.
2) Once first hoseline is in place and operating effectively, the second line should be deployed to the interior. Crew must inspect the ceiling area and the floor condition at the point of entry.
3) Once fire is knocked down on the exterior of the dwelling, the hoseline may be redeployed to the interior.
4) The coordination of tactics and ops between the first engine and the special service units or additional engine companies must be completed before the special service units can enter the building

Question 20

What is a Bresnan Distributor Nozzle?

Answer 20

Cellar nozzle

Question 21

If when the rear door is opened it swings towards the basement door and blocks it or vise versa what should be done?

Answer 21

One of the doors should be removed to aid in the movement of the hoselines and allow better access.

Question 22

What are the most common scenarios for attic fires in townhomes?

Answer 22

• Fires in the living area or basement that have extended into the structural components and entered the attic via void space
• interior fire that has vented through a window and exposes the vented soffit area
• fire that has originated on the exterior of the dwelling and has involved the siding and exposed the soffit area
• electrical fires that originate from ceiling fans, exhaust fans, and recessed lighting
• fire that has originated in the attic itself by natural occurances, such as lightning strikes
• current or prior work done by roofers, plumbers, and/or painters

Question 23

What areas of the structure can crews operate in that do not have large dead loads above?

Answer 23

hallways, bathrooms and bedrooms

Question 24

In the case of the roof burning away what areas should crews not operate in due to high dead loads?

Answer 24

open areas such as foyers due to the long, unsupported span of the truss

Question 25

While attic fires may require multiple lines to control, how many lines does a cockloft fire typically require?

Answer 25

1 line, unless there is a significant void of several feet

Question 26

If a new gable style roof has been placed over a cock loft what technique has been proven effective for extinguishment?

Answer 26

application of streams through the gable ends and/or through the cockloft vents or openings made by firefighters

Question 27

During a wind driven fire if crews cannot make entry what are the three tactics NIST demonstrated with positive results? They involve using an exterior attack:

Answer 27

1) using elevated master streams through the fire room window
2) via portable ladders
3) with a large caliber stream and the wind at the back of the crew

Question 28

What are the three general areas for turntable placement at townhome fires?

Answer 28

1) If it is a contents fire with an interior attack, place turntable in front of the involved unit
2) If there is an attic fire, place the turntable in front of the upwind exposure
3) For a heavily involved situation that may require use of master streams, turntable of the first truck should be in front of the most threatened exposure. Second truck should be in front of the next most severely exposed unit. If possible, both turntables should be able to rotate back to the original fire unit.

Question 29

Coordinated ventilation can improve the survivability of victims because it:

Answer 29

• reduces heat and smoke on the interior
• reduces potential for flashover
• allows firefighters to search faster and more effectively
• allows for locating the fire more rapidly

Question 30

How do you defend a firewall with an elevated stream?

Answer 30

apply heavy caliber streams to the fire side of the firewall to prevent horizontal fire spread to the attached exposure