Townhouse Manual - 2013

Question 1

This type townhouse is a townhouse consisting of two or more occupancies under one roof connected by the side charlie wall.

Answer 1

A “back-to-back” townhouse.

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Question 2

This type of townhouse consist 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.

Answer 2

A Piggyback townhouse.

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Question 3

This type of townhouse consist of two stacked dwellings (one over the other). These are usually two-level occupancies over one-level occupancies with entrances on opposite sides, but other floor plan variations may exist.

Answer 3

An over-under townhouse.

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Question 4

This type of townhouse is a multistory dwelling attached to at least two other dwellings. These dwellings may or may not be separated by firewalls. Typically has a common cockloft under a flat roof.

Answer 4

A rowhouse

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Question 5

This type of townhouse is two dwellings under one roof sharing a common wall.

Answer 5

A duplex

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Question 6

This type of townhouse is four dwellings under one roof with separate addresses and may have entrances on four different sides.

Answer 6

A quad

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Question 7

This type of townhouse is a building construction style that can be inclusive of various types of townhouse styles under one roof.

Answer 7

A hybrid

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Question 8

This type of chimney is wood-framed with a metal flue.

Answer 8

A zero-clearance or pre-fabricated chimney

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Question 9

Fire flow estimates for townhouses are based on a rate of ________.

Answer 9

10 gpm per 100 sq. ft. of involved area.

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Question 10

What situations should cue the officer in command to request a second alarm?

Answer 10

1. Known rescues
2. Fire in two separate occupancies
3. Fire in more than one level of the townhouse
4. Fire in attic spaces

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Question 11

Where should the first due engine position on a townhouse fire?

Answer 11

The first engine typically pulls at least 2 houses past the involved units. If the truck is entering the block from the opposite direction then stop two houses short.

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Question 12

Primary actions of the first due engine include:

Answer 12

Initial attack line.

Search as the line is advanced.

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Question 13

Initial duties of the second due engine include:

Answer 13

Ensure a water supply

Ensure the first line is operational

Deploy the second line

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Question 14

Initial duties of the 3rd due engine include:

Answer 14

Secondary water supply

Visual inspection of side charlie and report findings to command

Check for fire extension

Possible exposure line

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Question 15

Initial duties of the 4th due engine include:

Answer 15

Complete water supply for 3rd engine if needed

R.I.T.

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Question 16

Initial duties of the 1st due truck include:

Answer 16

Position in the most strategic location that will allow for rapid placement of ladders and entry into the structure.

Force entry

Conduct primary search

Perform coordinated ventilation

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Question 17

Where should the first due truck position the turn table

Answer 17

Either directly in front of the involved unit or upwind from the involved area.

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Question 18

Initial duties of the 2nd truck include:

Answer 18

Ground ladders and truck operations in the rear.

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Question 19

Where should the second due truck position?

Answer 19

In the rear or in a position to cover the rear.

When their is no access to the rear position on side alpha in front of the uncovered exposure.

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Question 20

What are the primary responsibilities of the rescue?

Answer 20

Primary responsibility is search and rescue however if that task is being performed by another unit they may be needed for forcing entry, coordinated ventilation or ground laddering.

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Question 21

What is a CAN report and what does CAN stand for?

Answer 21

A CAN report is an easy way to answer or transmit a progress report.

It stands for Conditions, Actions, Needs.

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Question 22

The second line should be of sufficient length to _____________.

Answer 22

Reach the location of the initial attack line or to be advanced to the area above the fire if required.

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Question 23

Where would you position the second line in order to protect the crew searching above the fire.

Answer 23

At the base of the stairs on the fire floor.

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Question 24

What are the two purposes for placing a line above the fire?

Answer 24

Protect the company doing a primary search

Extinguish vertical extension

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Question 25

What is the max amount of hose lines that can be stretched through any one entrance into a building

Answer 25

Two

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Question 26

The line above the fire should is the responsibility of which unit? How long should this line be?

Answer 26

2nd or 3rd engine

The line should be of sufficient length to reach the area above the fire and into the attic if required.

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Question 27

What are the 5 different methods to attack an attic fire?

Answer 27

1. Gaining access and placing a hose line at the level of the fire in the attic
2. Hooking the ceiling and directing the stream from below into the attic area
3. Placing a wide fog stream into an access hole if the fire has not self-vented and the does not have a ridge vent
4. Access to the attic area by cutting an access through the gable end
5. Distributor / Cellar nozzle deployed through a hole cut in the roof while the member is independently supported on a ladder or tower.

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Question 28

Wind-driven fires can exist with winds as low as _______.

Answer 28

10 to 20 mph

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Question 29

What 5 conditions must be present for a wind-driven fire to occur?

Answer 29

1. Fire in the structure
2. Failed or open window to the outside in the fire area
3. Presence of wind on the exterior of the structure
4. Failed or open door to living area
5. An unobstructed path to an outlet for the fire to vent.

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Question 30

There are three general locations for turntable placement at a townhouse. They are:

Answer 30

In front of the involved unit (for Contents fire with aggressive interior attack)

In front of the upwind exposure (for attic fires)

In front of the most threatened exposure (for situations involving the expected use of master streams)
*The second truck should position in front of the next most severely exposed unit. If possible, both turntables should be able to rotate back to the original fire occupancy to assist with the completion of extinguishing the main body of fire.

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Question 31

If the truck and rescue arrive at the same time, what will each units assignments generally be?

Answer 31

The rescue will be assigned the task of entry and primary search

The truck is responsible for ensuring laddering and outside ventilation is accomplished

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Question 32

What two areas are considered the two most dangerous areas?

Answer 32

The area closest to the fire on the fire floor and the area directly above the fire .

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Question 33

What two areas are generally considered to be the most critical areas to search?

Answer 33

Means of egress and sleeping areas

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Question 34

Coordinated ventilation can improve the survivability of victims because it:

Answer 34

1. Reduces heat and smoke in the interior
2. Reduces potential for flash over
3. Allows firefighters to search faster and more effectively
4. Allows for locating the fire more rapidly

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Question 35

In what type of construction should you not use PPV?

Answer 35

Balloon frame construction

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Question 36

Where should laddering be done in a townhouse?

Answer 36

To all available sides of all floors above ground level with attention given to the bedroom windows.

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Question 37

When should you consider VES?

Answer 37

VES should be considered if fire has possession of the stairs or the first floor is untenable.

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