Truck Company Operations, 2nd edition Flashcards
Platforms are capable of ___lb load ratings and capabilities of flowing ___gpm
- 1000 lb
- 2000 gpm
Engine companies extinguish fires, truck determine ___ they are extinguished
how
Flashover is capable of killing exposed human life within __ to __ seconds
3 to 5 seconds
Hydrogen cyanide is __ times more deadly than carbon monoxide
33 times more likely
Single family dwellings make up ___% to ___% of our fires
60% to 70%
6 basic operations at most structure fires
- Initial attack line
- Backup line
- Ventilation
- Forceable entry
- Search
- Ladders
Suppression companies are classified as followed (4)
- Engine
- Truck
- Quint
- Specialized
Truck personnel assignment priorities (3)
- 1st = Officer
- 2nd = Driver
- 3rd = Remaining personnel
3 considerations when assigning personnel to a truck company
- A desire to be assigned to a truck
- Fireground experience
- Fireground maturity
One of the most essential and valuable elements in developing and effective truck company
- Training (attitude)
Most important non-emergency function in the FD
Training
Quint (5)
- Aerial device
- Ground ladders
- Water
- Pump
- Hose
Prime reason why quint apparatus are often ineffective as a multi purpose company
Lack of strong and knowledgable officers
Calls for a minimum staffing of 4 persons for a truck company assigned to a paid fire department
NFPA 1710
Minimum requirements (requiring a min of 8 - 10 FF) that should be accomplished at a routine single story, single family dwelling (5)
- Initial attack line
- Backup line
- Ventilation
- Forceable entry
- Search
Minimum and optimal staffing
- Truck
- Quint
- Truck = 4/6
- Quint = 6/8
Fireground responsibility and and assignments are commonly determined for four basic viewpoints
- Primary/Secondary responsibilities
- Inside/outside operations
- Pre-designated assignments
- Scene arrival
Fireground logistical operations can be categorized from two basic viewpoints;
– primary responsibilities =
– secondary responsibilities =
– primary = forcible entry/exit, ventilation, search, and ladders
– secondary = utilities, salvage, overhaul, master streams
5 basic and most often performed truck company assignments
- Ladders
- Forceable entry/exit
- Search
- Ventilation
- Utilities
Each person will be equipped with the following equipment (8)
- SCBA
- PASS
- Pick head axe w/ scabbard
- Radio
- Flashlight
- Search rope (200’ x 3/8 or 5/16)
- Wire cutters
- Door chocks
Common tools used by inside teams (6)
- TIC
- 6’ pike
- Search rope
- Irons and or rabbit tool
- Officer tool (A tool)
- Inside ladder (12’ or 14’)
Tool and equipment list for inside ops focus on 3 primary areas
- Search
- Forceable entry
- Ability to check extension
Common tool and equipment needed by the outside team (9)
- Ladders
- Irons
- Through the lock tools
- Rotary saw
- Chain saw
- Blowers
- 6’ pike
- Utility shut off tools
- TIC
Apparatus needed at a single family dwelling (3)
- 2 engines
- 1 truck
- 1 chief
Apparatus needed at structures larger than a single family dwelling (3)
- 3 engines
- 2 trucks
- 1 chief
The recommended average companies has long been
1 truck per 2 engines
Fireground operations consists of two specific viewpoints (basic procedures)
- Fire attack
- Logistical operation
5 basic rules of fireground safety
- Falling debris always has the right of way
- Equipment in your apparatus in the street is unusable on the fireground
- If the fire is in range, so are you
- What you see may not be what you get
- Your fireground time is slowly being minimized
10 Commandments of truck company operations
- Don’t forget your primary mission
- It’s the basics before arriving on scene
- Determine available fire ground time
- Prioritize fire ground considerations (most important)
- become a Tooltime expert
- Become a mental general contractor
- Use your protective equipment defensively not offensively
- Continually evaluate your fire ground environment
- When in doubt ventilate
- Ensure the viability of your skate route inside outside and topside
First priority of truck company personnel
Support attack operations
Responsible for the delivery and safe operation of apparatus and personnel
Fire officer and driver
The ability to determine available fire ground time is derived from a combination of three factors
- Understanding building construction
- Reading the environment
- Evaluating the fire ground clock
Years:
- Heavy style of construction
- Moderate style of construction
- Lightweight style of construction
- Heavy style of construction = up to 1935
- Moderate style of construction = 1935 -60
- Lightweight style of construction = 1960 until several years ago
If fire is exposing lightweight truss construction for more than ___ minutes or is exposing conventional construction for more than ___ minutes, reevaluate your intended operation
- 5 minutes
- 20 minutes
Most important commandment of the 10 Commandments of truck operations
Prioritize fireground considerations
A priority it is a constant every incident
Firefighter safety
NFPA statistics indicate this is one of the top three fire ground problems encountered on the modern fire ground
Flashover
Replacement for RECEO (4)
- Firefighter safety
- Forceable entry/exit/ventilation
- Fire attack/search
- Other necessary priorities
Arizona State University test with Phoenix firefighters revealed it would take on average___ to ___ minutes to find and rescue a firefighter transmits Mayday
18 to 27 minutes
Priority list for the initial truck company (5)
- Firefighter safety
- Ladders
3a. Forceable entry/exit
3b. Ventilation - Other logistical operations
When a firefighter begins to detect the temperature of the environment as warm or very warm, the temperature around is
400 to 450F
If the floor is at 400 to 450F then the temps at the ceiling level are likely
800F to 1000F
When ventilation is properly executed four major benefits normally result
- Visibility improves
- Interior temps are reduced
- Flashover conditions are minimized
- Dangerous fire gases are released
3 forceable exit considerations
- Inside
- Topside
- Outside
The initial requirements for safe, timely, and competent operation of an apparatus is
A qualified operator with the right perspective
One of the most important attributes of an apparatus operator
Perspective
Third-highest cause of death and injury to firefighters
Responding to an incident and driving back to the fire station
Since 1984 apparatus collisions have accounted for about ___% of all firefighter fatalities
25%
NFPA standards that outlines minimum standards for driving apparatus (2)
- NFPA 1002
- NFPA 1451
An excellent indicator of the level of pride of a driver
The readiness of an apparatus and equipment
Making certain you and your apparatus are ready begins with the careful check at least the following (6)
- PPE
- Fuel and oil levels, air pressure gauge, emergency lights
- Airbrakes and slack adjusters
- Apparatus walk around
- Power tools
- Under the apparatus for any leaks
Total stopping distance is a combination of___and___distances
Perception and reaction distances
Air brakes have an inherent lag time of___to___second longer compared to hydraulic brakes
.5 to 1 second
The largest single factor in total stopping distance
Speed
If speed is doubled, perception reaction distance is double and braking distance is about___times as great
4 times
Total stopping distances:
- 15 mph =
- 30 mph =
- 60 mph =
- 15 mph = 47’
- 30 mph = 148’
- 60 mph = 532’
Seven steps of visual awareness
- Know your blindspots
- Look ahead
- Get the total picture
- Constantly move your eyes
- Maximize your perimeter space
- Allow for sufficient following distance
- Make sure they know your intended actions
Your objective when looking ahead
- 1 or 2 city blocks
- 1/4 to 1/2 mile on highways
Brake lag is___seconds under ideal conditions
1.9 seconds
Eight factors that will affect your efficiency and safety when responding
- Apparatus position
- Passing vehicles
- Intersections
- Oneway streets, curves and hills
- Road conditions
- Sirens
- Backing up
- Tillering
___% of all civilian accidents occurred in intersections and ___% of vehicular deaths occurred in intersections
- 33%
- 25%
Wet concrete requires approximately ___% to ___% more stopping distance than dry concrete
35% to 40%
Being a superior driver on any roadway is a matter of (2)
Good judgement and attitude
Doppler effect
Sirens frequency high on approach, then normal, then low as it moves away
Tall buildings, hills, winding roads, blind intersections, or heavy brush can reduce siren autibility by as much as
two-thirds
NFPA stats show that if nothing showing on arrival, the incident will be false ___% of the time
90%
___% of fire service vehicular collisions happen when backing up
30%
When backing an apparatus (6)
- Walk around
- Not solely rely on cameras/alarms
- Use predetermined hand signals
- Person not visible, apparatus stop
- Person at the rear is responsible for the area at the rear
Tillering techniques (9)
- Hands at 9 and 3 o’clock
- Turn the steering well the opposite direction of the turn
- When backing hands of the bottom of the wheel, push the steering wheel the direction you want to go
- Oversteering is defined as allowing a trailer to move well past the incline position
- Overtillering is defined as Tillerman turning the steering wheel unnecessarily
- Overhang is the portion of the trailer that extends from the center of the trailer wheels (pivot point) to the rear of the trailer
- Be familiar with the blind spots
- Before mounting check the direction of the tiller wheels
- A good Tillerman steers only as necessary
Firefighters and EMS personnel have been killed or injured on this type of Highway than any other type of roadway
Limited access highway
Four stages of temporary traffic control
- Advance warning stage
- Transition stage
- Activity stage
- Termination stage
The duration of a traffic incident is divided into three time constraints:
- Minor
- Intermediate
- Major
- Minor = 1 to 30 min
- Intermediate = 31 min to 2 hrs
- Major = > 2hrs
The initial size up should include (5)
- Address
- Observed conditions
- Initial action
- Instructions for incoming resources
- Request for additional resources
Appratus placement is usually dictated by three factors
- Incident priorities
- Initial priorities
- Functional capabilities
Simple method to use in quickly determining initial priorities is the Rule of 4 approach
- Access
- Ventilation
- Search
- Water
A residential building will have the highest hazard during this time range
9 pm to 7 am
2 Specific considerations that must be initially considered when an arial device will be raised
- Maneuverability
- Reaching an objective
Key factors that affect the capability of an aerial device to effectively reach an objective (5)
- Heights of objective
- Setback
- Length of aerial device
- Presence of hazardous
- Apparatus constraints
A 75 foot aerial device can normally reach the roof of a___story building
Four story building
A 100 foot (or over) aerial device can normally reach the roof of a___to___story building
Six to Eight story building
General definitions:
- Aerial ladder, tower ladder, ladder tower =
- Aerial ladder only =
- A platform attached to a telescoping boom with sideless escape ladder =
- A platform attached to the end of an aerial ladder =
- Aerial ladder, tower ladder, ladder tower = Aerial device
- Aerial ladder only = Aerial ladder
- A platform attached to a telescoping boom with sideless escape ladder = Tower ladder
- A platform attached to the end of an aerial ladder = Ladder tower
An aerial device is often only considered for use on structures of ___ or more floors
3 or more
The area that can be reached by aerial device
Target (scrub)
When spotting an apparatus this should take first priority
Proper personnel access/egress routs
Aerial apparatus should be no later than the___apparatus to arrive
Second
The aerial apparatus should be positioned in this manner to an objective
Perpendicular
Spotting for an aerial device operation, the following minimum considerations will affect stability (5)
- Angle of inclination
- Apparatus limitation
- Extension
- Support
- Ground surface
Concrete curbs can offer a superior footing surface as compared to
Asphalt roadway in the summer heat
When spotting to a structure with the target area blocked, stop next to a curb and raise the aerial device in this manner
Under the obstruction and alongside the structure
Placing apparatus under electrical wires
Not a recommended option
If it is necessary to place an aerial device in the vicinity of electrical wires keep it at least___feet away from the wires. This is about___feet more than most training materials advocate
- 15’
- 5’
A tower ladder can be more effective than a___when placed in front of the building
Aerial ladder
Type of ladder more easily used for defensive operations
Tower ladder
Two basic modes of operating aerial devices from a turntable
- Individually
- Simultaneously
Leave at least___feet and enough room alongside truck apparatus to allow space to open compartment doors and remove equipment
30 ft
Real devices offer maximum strength in this position
Vertical position
Elevated master streams on an arial device is capable of delivering___gallons per minute or more from a 1 1/2 inch nozzle
600 gpm
Two modes for elevated master streams
- Short duration
- Extended duration
Weight of water
8.35 lbs/gal
Common collapse zones
Sides and ends of a building and at least the height of the wall, in some cases twice the height
Consider shutting down an elevated master stream at this location
At the base of the turntable
Apparatus placement considerations prior to spotting apparatus for aerial operations (4)
- SOP’s
- Incident considerations
- Apparatus capabilities and limitations
- Expertise of the driver-operator
Aerial ladders must be positioned about 4 to 6 inches, 6 to 8 inches, or 8 to 10 inches about an objective for the following reasons (4)
- When placed on an objective it can aid in building collapse
- Ladder of truss construction placed on objective will reverse the design criteria of the truss
- Manufacturer requires it
Primary reason why all manufactures recommend that aerials should not be placed on objective
Ladder is hydraulically lowered which can create a significant hazard to the aerial ladder and objective
The definition of “close to the objective” is approximately
2” to 4”
NFPA 1904 requires that all new aerial ladders and elevating platforms have or exceed a rated capacity of ___ lbs supported at the tip, at full extension, and be able to operate at any angle while carrying this load
250 lbs
Generational dates of aerials:
- First generation =
- Second generation =
- Third generation =
- First generation = Prior to 1980
- Second generation = 1980 to 1992
- Third generation = 1992 to present
A truck apparatus lasts
20 yrs
Platform mounted deck guns can safely deliver flows up to ___ gpm
2000 gpm
A pre-plumed waterway and monitor can add___dollars to the overall cost of apparatus and increase the overall length___feet
- $20,000
- 3 ft
And an axle configuration can add about ___ to ___feet
2 to 4 feet
Truck apparatus can be purchased from three basic perspectives
- Buy the biggest
- A truck apparatus to be the centerpiece for the next parade
- Determine the truck that will be used for the majority of the time
Three ratings are necessary to determine the gross vehicle weight (GVW)
- Axel
- Springs
- Tires
Platforms are required to have a minimum capacity of___pounds
750 lbs
NFPA requires a minimum of___cubic feet of enclosed compartment space
40 ft3
NFPA allows a minimum of___pounds for equipment on aerial devices
2,500 lbs
NFPA defines aerial fire apparatus as
An apparatus with a permanently mounted power operated elevating device
Distinct categories of aerial apparatus (4)
- Aerial ladders
- Aerial ladder platforms
- Telescoping aerial platforms
- Articulating aerial platforms
For additional categories of aerial devices
- Mid mountain we announce
- Tillered apparatus
- Quints
- Ladder tenders
Aerial devices are primarily used for
Firefighter access and egress
Rural dept limited to one apparatus
Quint, 75 ft, tandem axle
Rural dept, limited to one truck
Ladder tender or Quint, 75 ft, tandem axle
Urban dept, limited to one truck
Tillered quint, 100 ft, 250-500 lb tip
Urban dept, multiple trucks
- Mid mount, 100 ft platform and
- Tillered, 100 ft, 250-500 lb tip
One of the most popular aerial devices
75 ft aerial ladder quint
Most injuries and deaths in the fire service occur
At structure fires
NFPA statistics indicate that injuries and deaths related to structural incidents are result of three primary factors
- Firefighter falling into it
- It falling onto the firefighter
- The firefighter involved in a flashover
During suppression operations there are three factors working against you
- Fire weakens of building
- Gravity wants a building
- Waterways 8.35 pounds per gallon
To assist in being able to read a building there are eight items of consideration
- Construction styles
- Roof styles
- Age
- Method
- Style
- Access and egress
- Name and utilities
- Status
Conventional construction (≥2X6) derives its strength from
Dimensional width and height
Mill-timber structural members
≥ 8 x 8
Single light weight truss can span
70’
Lightweight construction depends on this for strength
The sum of its members
The amount of time a building can be considered structurally viable depends on
- Type of construction
- How long the fire has been burning
- Severity of the fire
- Proceed to load on structural members/floors
- Extension
- How long for extinguishment
- Available resources
- Status of protective barriers
On center spacing for trused rafters
2’
Sawtooth roofs commonly constructed with rafters of this size
≥ 2 x8
An egg crate, geometric, or diamond pattern roof that commonly has a higher arch than the common bowstring roof
Lamella
Total roof collapse of a lamella roof is expected if fire removes more than ___% of the roof structure
20%
Three ways to form an arched roof
- Lamella
- Bowstring
- Tied truss
Trussed roof shapes ()
- Triangular (gable truss)
- Arch (bowstring, tied truss)
- Pyramidal (bridge truss)
- Flat (parallel chord truss)
Timbered truss roofs (except tied truss) are capable of lasting___ min under heavy fire conditions
30 minutes
Major hazards associated with timber truss construction are a combination of the following three things
- Alterations that exceed the design
- Age
- Operations
Common on center spacing of wooden i joists
2’
Glue will melt at between ___ and ___
250F and 300F
Flat roof (panelized) consists of four major components
- Beams
- Purlins
- 2” x 4” joists
- 1/2” plywood or OSB
Corrugated steel is usually of ___ to ___ gauge thickness
18 to 20 guage
The age of a building is divided into four general classifications
- Pre 1935
- 1935 - 1960 (best time for building construction)
- Post 1960
- 2007
A cheap roof has two characteristics
- Made of lightweight trusses
- 2x4”s used as primary structural members
Less than 50% below grade w/ large windows
Basement
Over 50% below grade w/ small windows
Cellar
Level below cellar
Sub cellar
Underground but can be entered from the exterior
Above ground cellar
Between the grade and the floor above
Crawl space
Most dangerous time of day for life safety in a single-family dwelling
10 pm - 6 am
Victorian type homes were built during the
1930s and 40s
Indicators of converted attics (3)
- Curtains
- flower boxes
- air conditioners
Common considerations for garden apts (4)
- Common attics
- Easy access
- Simplified operation
- Age
Center hallway apartments common considerations
- Hallways
- Age
- Common attic
- Lobby
3 basic types of walls in a ocular dwelling
- Division wall
- Partition wall
- Offset wall
Brownstones, railroad flats, row houses, and tenements all share common fireground priority
Search
Where kitchens and bedrooms are located in railroad flats
Kitchens = back Bedroom = front
Old law (3)
- Interior stairway from basement to interior of building
- Stairways constructed of wood
- Floor joists in basement are exposed
New law (3)
- Basements are not accessible to the interior
- Stairways are not primarily made of wood
- First floor joists are not exposed to the basement
Fireground challenges of tenements (8)
- Close proximity to other similar buildings
- Adjoining buildings
- Common attic
- A high probability of renovation
- Probable use of lightweight members
- Attached basement
- Light and air shafts
- Tin ceilings
Taxpayers were built in the
1800s to early 1900s
Occupants in Taxpayers are usually non ambulatory between
10 pm - 7 am
Two common configurations in a mini-mall
- single story
- Presence of fascias
3 primary differences between commercial buildings and residential
- Size
- Fire load
- Lack of standard floor plan
Height classification of High rise
75 ft
Good rule of thumb is to never step into an elevator if
The elevator can potentially go the the fire floor
Two types of hallways in a high rise
- Center
- Circuit
Metal begins to fail between
800 and 1000F
Most roofs are rerooted every
15-20 yrs
Balloon frame years
1940’s-50’s
Fascia
Consider tis method of construction the most dangerous
When determining the roofline of a building with a parapet (6)
- Rafter tie plates
- Windows
- Equipment on the roof
- Attic vents
- Scuppers
- Perimeter
Mortar consisted of only sand and lime, lack of rebar, exterior walls were 13” thick
Pre-1935
Cement used in mortar, steel rebar used, exterior walls were 8” thick
Post 1935
4-6” concrete cap on top of parapet
Post 1959
Identification of URM (6)
- Rafter tie plates
- Deeply recessed windows
- Concrete bond beam cap on top of the exterior wall
- King row (every 4-7 rows)
- Lime mortar
- Lintals over windows
Operational considerations for collapse zone (4)
- Front and rear walls are the greatest risk
- Side walls pose a secondary risk
- Safe areas, corners
- Away from building at least the height of the walls
5 ways fire and its by-products can vertically spread in newer multi story buildings
- poke thru construction
- Lapping
- radiation
- HVAC
- Gap between the exterior panels and interior beams
Vinyl siding width
4 in.
Most firefighter dates occur as a result of
running out of air and smoke inhalation
Electrical and gas utilities that are considered not within the norm (3)
- Duplex (two wires)
- Quadraplex (4 wires)
- Large transformers
4 building occupancy categories
- Occupied
- Unoccupied
- Vacant
- Abandoned
Smoke is a mixture of 3 basic elements
- Unburned solid particulate
- Aerosols
- Gassas
Hydrogen cyanide is ___ times more toxic than CO
30 times
Bodily organs that are vulnerable to cyanide pouncing are (3)
- Brain
- Heart
- Central nervous system
These types of materials burn with a great-brown smoke and that smoke would burn at around this temp (2)
- Wood, paper, wool, cotton
- 1,123F
Fire can progress through 4 phases of progression
- Ignition
- Growth
- Fully developed
- Decay/Smoldering (oxy = 13-15%)
Volumetric expansion of gases can increase the atmospheric pressure up to ___ times the normal atmospheric pressure of 14.7 psi
3 times
4 distinct trademarks of backdraft
- Unvented fire that is contained by a structure
- Smoke issuing from openings under pressure or that is visibly being drawn into the structure
- Doors and windows are hot to the touch
- Heavy dark turbulent smoke
If horizontal ventilation is the only option in a backdraft situation then the opening should be made here
At windows/doors located at the corner of a structure
Three heat zones within a room:
- Moderate
- High
- Extreme
- Moderate = 300º - 450ºF
- High = 500º - 600ºF
- Extreme = 800º - 1000ºF
Flashover can create the following 4 conditions
- Sudden intense rise in temp from 800ºF to 1000)F to greater than 1800ºF
- Sudden loss of visibility for interior personnel
- Immediate drop in oxygen level from 21% to 4%
- Immediate increase in CO level to 4000 ppm
Signs of flashover (5)
- Environment with inadequate ventilation
- Sudden increase in temp for no apparent reason
- Personnel forced to stay low
- Visible tongs of flame or rollover
- Smoke changing to thick turbulent smoke
2 primary considerations can minimize or eliminate a flashover
- Ventilation (any type)
- Penciling
Time to escape in a flashover
3 to 5 seconds
Flash points:
Conventional materials =
Synthetic materials =
Conventional materials = 1123ºF
Synthetic materials = 800º - 900ºF or less
Primary distinctions between backdraft and flashover (3)
- A room can flashover before reaching optimal conditions for backdraft
- Backdraft is a true explosion; flashover is not
- Backdraft is an air driven event; flashover is a temperature riven event
The importance of reading smoke can be viewed from 3 key perspectives
- Conditions
- Personnel safety
- Assignment
If the temperature is hot enough to be noticed by the FF
375º - 450ºF = (800º - 900ºF at the ceiling)
Actual working time of a 30 min air bottle
15 - 18 min (also stated as 14 to 18 min)
Ability to analyze fire, smoke, and interior conditions can provide valuable info that is necessary to asses the following conditions (4)
- Operations
- Location and extension of fire
- Fireground time available
- Your involvement
Basic elements of reading smoke from 3 perspectives
- Extension of smoke
- Interior smoke
- Exterior smoke
One of the most dangerous fires that fireground personnel will encounter
Basement fire
5 attributes of smoke
- Color
- Density
- Amount
- Pressure
- Dynamics
Color of smoke can be divided into four categories
- White to light with little to no heat or direction
- Smoke with some color, pressure, and heat
- Smoke with significant color, pressure, and heat (black fire)
- Fire
Graphic indicator of the potential flammability of the smoke
Density
The amount of smoke is a graphic indicator of
The amount of fire
The pressure of smoke trumps ___
Color
Reading pressure is 3 fold
- The greater the pressure the more fire
- Consider the size of the building
- Rate of curl or expansion of escaping smoke and gases is an indicator of a hot fire
3 dynamics of smoke
- Static
- Pressurized
- Negative (greatest hazard of the three)
Attic fires best suppressed by (2)
- Vertical vent
- Piercing nozzle
Three strike rule
- Strike one =
- Strike two =
- Strike three =
- Strike one = Smoke with heat
- Strike two = Less than acceptable visibility
- Strike three = Environment is not improving