Townhouse manual Flashcards
This term refers to a townhouse consisting of two or more occupancies under one roof that are connected by a common wall.
back to back
A________ is the material covering the area where the first-floor floor joists meet the exterior wall.
Band board
A ________is a round or square, thin-walled structural steel column used to support beams or timbers stretching over long spans.
Lally column
– An ___________ townhouse consists of two stacked dwellings (one over the other).
These usually involve a 2-level occupancy over 1-level occupancy with entrances on opposite sides,
over–under
Consists of two stacked Dwellings each with a separate entrance and address. Share common floor separated by firewall.
Piggy back
A multi story dwelling attached to at least two other dwellings. May or may not be separated by firewalls. Typically will have a common cockloft under a flat roof.
row house
Two dwellings under one roof sharing a common wall.
duplex
This term refers to a void space created between the top-floor ceiling and the
building’s roof decking.
cockloft
A multistory dwelling normally attached to several other units.
Typically, adjacent occupancies have fire-rated floor and wall assembly separation.
townhouse
also called a “stacked townhouse,” is a 4-story townhouse with two separate addresses and entrances. One address occupies the first two floors, and the second address occupies the third and fourth floors
two over two
Four Dwellings connected together under one roof with separate addresses. Each occupying a different quadrant.
Quadplex
A building construction style that can be inclusive of various types of townhouse styles under one roof. Page 9
hybrid
What style construction is usually found in duplexes and row houses?
Ordinary construction pg. 11
Wood-framed townhouses built prior to the 1930s may have utilized
Balloon frame construction
What are the two basic roof types of town houses?
Light weight using trusses and woodframe using rafters to a ridge pole
What do many townhouse is constructed during the 1980s have for roof sheathing?
fire retardant (FR) plywood sheathing roof deck. (should question the integrity even before fire occurs)
What are the two types of firewalls typically found in town houses?
Masonry or gypsum
What is the most common style of window used to town houses today?
Double hung, sliding sash pg 14
Per the manual what are the two standard locks on exterior doors?
mortise and rim
Zero clearance chimneys are also known as what?
Metal flue or pre-fabricated chimney
What is the fire flow estimate for a townhouse?
10gpm per 100 ft.² of involved area.
If units encounter delays in responding and need to change the arrival order, Affecting assignments, what channel should it be addressed on?
On the tactical channel so all incoming units are made aware.
The following townhouse fire situations should cue the IC to request a second alarm
known rescues,
fire in two separate occupancies,
fire on more than one level of the townhouse, and
fire in attic space.
refers to the accumulation of a large number of belongings that
have little-to-no apparent value.
Compulsive hoarding disorder
Notable challenges to mitigating incidents involving hoarding conditions may include, but are not limited to
access and egress issues,
increased fire load,
collapse concerns due to weight and load shifting,
delays in extinguishment and rescue operations, or
long burn times and vent-limited fires.
Where should the first engine position for a townhouse fire?
In a position to allow rapid hoseline advancement, but leave priority position for the truck. In most cases the first engine pulls past or stops short two addresses past involved unit depending on the trucks travel direction.
The first engine should communicate what information?
Layout, on scene, size up, 360, situation report.
If there is no rear access, how should the third engine position?
at the end of the row closest to the involved unit to ensure hose lines can be placed to the rear. Allow space for the second truck
Where should the second truck position if there is no access to the rear?
Side alpha in front of the uncovered exposure. Ladders and truck operations in the rear are the priority.
Where should the first truck position?
the most strategic location for rapid ladder placement and entry into the
structure. Crews should anticipate using the aerial and should position the turntable either directly in front of the involved unit or upwind from it.
Five conditions must exist for a wind-driven fire to occur:
fire in the structure,
a failed or opened window or exterior door in the fire area,
wind on the structure’s exterior,
a secondary failed or opened window or door remote from the fire area, and
an unobstructed flow path from the fire area to the secondary failed or open window or door.
What may be considered to complete the 360° lap for middle unit townhouse?
Enter through the bravo or Delta exposures to view side Charlie.
What is the purpose of the initial attack line?
To protect occupants, the interior stairway, and advance to the seat of the fire for confinement and extinguishment if possible.
If personnel on the attack line do not need support from the second line, then the second line may be used as
The line above the fire (command must be informed)
Where is the best location for the second line to ensure the safety of the search crew above?
At the base of the stairs on the fire floor to prevent fire from spreading up the stairs.
How is the soffit attack carried out?
By matching the stream with the angle or pitch of the roof and flowing through the soffit into the attic for an unvented fire. A 2 1/2 inch smooth bore provides effective reach in penetration from the exterior.
What are the two key characteristics that make basement fires particularly challenging?
- Limited access points. 2. Potential for immediate, unimpeded fire impingement on the structural support for the floor above.
Fires in ___________ basements have unimpeded access to the structural supports of the floor above.
unfinished
The initial handline for a basement fire may be deployed to
an exterior basement entrance, if present, for fire attack or
the front door, utilizing the fire stream reach to protect the interior stairs and upper floors.
If there is no exterior access to the basement, how can you attack the fire?
Apply fire stream through window opening,
remove band board on the exterior and apply stream,
extend a window cut through the band board,
deploy bresnan distributor nozzle through a hole over the immediate fire area.
If the basement door cannot be closed or is nonexistent how can you prevent vertical fire spread?
Use a narrow fog pattern aimed at the ceiling over the stairs to contain the fire.
If there is no exterior basement entrance or openings, what most the officer consider before attacking via stairs?
structural stability,
life hazard,
fire and heat conditions at the top of the basement stairs.
What should be done early for balloon frame construction?
Remove the siding and deploy hand lines to upper floors to check for vertical extension
What is the most effective method for extinguishing in attic fire?
Placing a hose line at the level of the fire in the attic.
How many handlines are sufficient to handle a cockloft fire?
One line. Unless the void space is several feet
What wind speed can cause wind driven fire?
As low as 10 to 20 mph
Five conditions must exist for a wind-driven fire to occur
fire in the structure,
a failed or opened window or exterior door in the fire area,
wind on the structure’s exterior,
a secondary failed or opened window or door remote from the fire area, and
an unobstructed flow path from the fire area to the secondary failed or open window or door.
What are alternative tactics for wind driven fires?
elevated master streams through the fire room window,
handlines to upper floor windows via portable ladders, and
large-caliber handlines positioned with the wind to the back of the hose crew.
What should not be performed on wind driven fires?
Horizontal ventilation until directed by command
What should the first engines tactics be on a large volume of fire in a townhouse that is spreading to adjoining exposures
Perform a holding action or a quick knock down on the townhouse of origin using a master stream or 2 1/2 inch hose line. Page 40
Where should the second hose line be stretched on a large volume of fire in a townhouse?
To the most severely threatening exposure, likely downwind.
Personnel should remain cognizant that forcible entry is ________ and can adversely impact the fire’s path and intensity.
ventilation
_________ on the fireground can be one of the most dangerous and most important tasks performed by firefighter
Ventilation
What are considered the most critical areas to search?
Means of egress and sleeping areas
What areas are considered the most dangerous to be searched?
Area closest to the fire on the fire floor and the area directly above the fire.
What should support the primary search?
Ladders to upper story windows and hoseline engaged on the fire.
What are the two reasons for ventilation
Before any ventilation takes place, the ventilation team must answer the following questions
What is the location of the fire?
What is the current ventilation status?
Will adding ventilation openings affect fire conditions?
Where is the hoseline?
________involves applying heavy-caliber streams to the fire side of the firewall to
prevent horizontal spread of fire to the attached exposure.
Defending a firewall
