59 Questions
What are the two general types of structures mentioned in the text?
Opened and enclosed
What are some examples of uncommon features that enclosed structures can encompass?
A nightclub and a high-rise building
What is an example of a structure being converted at one or more points during its lifespan?
A movie theater converted to a thrift store
What can an enclosed structure be of, in terms of construction?
Any type of construction
What is a critical step in determining the presence of a basement?
Performing a 360-degree walk-around of the structure
What can obstruct the visibility of basement windows or doors?
All of the above
What can indicate the presence of a basement?
A sudden drop-off along one side of a structure
What is a strong indicator of a basement in a structure?
Steps leading to a structure's front, side, or rear door
Who can provide reliable information on the presence of a basement in a structure?
Occupants who have evacuated
What can prefire survey plans indicate about a structure?
Whether it was constructed with a partial, full, or walkout basement
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
For safety reasons
What should firefighters do when they cannot determine a structure's basement by other means?
Safely cut an inspection hole through the first floor from an exterior position
What characterizes an enclosed structure with a basement?
Absence of windows and doors sufficient for prompt ventilation and emergency evacuation from either grade level.
Why is reduced situational awareness during basement fires critical for firefighter safety?
It can be a critical factor in firefighter safety.
What type of structure can be built over a basement or on a concrete slab foundation?
Enclosed structure
Which type of space can become extremely dangerous during the course of an interior fire attack due to prolonged zero-visibility conditions, backdrafts, and flashovers?
Enclosed spaces
What should be considered extremely dangerous during a high-rise fire due to the inability to promptly ventilate or evacuate without guidance?
High-rise hallways
Which type of space can cause firefighters to become disoriented within its confines due to complete and sustained loss of vision?
High-rise hallways
What type of space is essentially a horizontally enclosed space and should be considered extremely dangerous during a high-rise fire?
High-rise hallways
What type of space is essentially a vertically enclosed space in which firefighters can become disoriented in zero-visibility conditions?
High-rise stairwells
When involved in fire and not protected by an operable sprinkler system, which area would be considered extremely dangerous in an opened and enclosed structure combination?
Enclosed space
What is a common term used to describe a large enclosed commercial structure?
Big box
What is the approximate size range that defines larger structures, according to the text?
100 ft. x 100 ft. or greater
What was the specific measurement of the enclosed commercial structure in the Goldsboro incident?
$100 ft. \times 100 ft.$
What was one of the critical factors contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
Quick and aggressive interior attack
Why should any large structure be considered enclosed, regardless of the number of windows or doors present?
It possesses the same degree of danger as an enclosed structure.
What is one of the risks associated with exposure to life-threatening hazards during a deep-seated fire in a large enclosed structure?
Dangerous distances from the point of entry to the seat of the fire
Why is it important for firefighters to consider both lateral and vertical dimensions when determining if a structure is enclosed?
To envision worst-case scenarios involving prolonged zero-visibility conditions
What must firefighters remember about large enclosed structures regardless of their configurations?
They have been responsible for numerous firefighter fatalities.
What can obstruct the visibility of basement windows or doors in an enclosed structure?
Smoke and soot buildup
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
To facilitate search and rescue operations in case of entrapment
What is a critical step in determining the presence of a basement in a structure?
Checking for smoke and heat indicators near ground level
What type of structures did the disorientation study examine?
Enclosed structures with fire-resistive, heavy timber, unprotected noncombustible, and protected wood frame construction
What characteristic do all enclosed structures share?
Being enclosed designs, which have claimed the lives of firefighters during fires
What is a common feature of opened structures with basements?
Readily penetrable windows and doors for ventilation and evacuation from ground level but not from the basement
Why can a fire in a basement be extremely dangerous?
Because it can be out of sight during initial size-up and cause reduced situational awareness
What should firefighters prioritize when dealing with enclosed structures?
Safety
In which regions of the US is there a high concentration of enclosed structures?
Central and northeastern regions
What is a common sign of a basement in a structure?
Conducting a 360-degree walk-around or looking for egresses such as basement windows or doors
What should firefighters understand about basements?
That they can be located in various regions and occupancies and may be out of sight during initial size-up.
What increases the risk of fires within rooms in structures?
Rooms being enclosed by design or after construction with simple materials.
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
Because these structures can be life safety hazards.
What is an example of a range in which enclosed structures can vary?
Size, from small townhouses to large warehouses.
What do all enclosed structures have in common regardless of their condition?
They share the dangerous characteristic of being enclosed designs.
What determines the degree of danger associated with large enclosed structures?
The presence or absence of an operable sprinkler system
What should firefighters remember about assessing the risk classification of large enclosed structures?
Not all large enclosed structures are extremely dangerous
Why may firefighters not be able to differentiate a large enclosed structure that is dangerous from one that is extremely dangerous by sight alone?
New construction does not always guarantee the presence of a sprinkler system
What is considered when large enclosed structures are of newer construction in terms of risk classification?
They are considered only dangerous if modern building codes were followed
What type of systems are typically required by codes for large enclosed structures?
Automatic sprinkler systems and standpipe systems
What may render the activated sprinkler heads ineffective in an extremely dangerous setting?
Break-up of water pattern due to wind
What can result in a large enclosed structure being classified as extremely dangerous?
Absence of an operable automatic sprinkler system
What can cause a fire floor to be left unprotected by a closed sprinkler valve?
Sprinkler valve being closed
What can prevent water from flowing when the sprinkler heads activate in large enclosed structures?
Clogging with sediment or calcification
Why are large enclosed structures without operable sprinkler systems classified as extremely dangerous?
Traumatic firefighter fatalities may occur repeatedly during high-risk structure fire operations.
What is a critical factor contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
Absence of operable automatic sprinkler systems
What are typically required for installation based on factors such as occupancy, fuel type, load, and type of construction?
Automatic sprinkler systems and standpipe systems
What can render activated sprinkler heads ineffective in an extremely dangerous setting?
Break-up of water pattern due to wind
Why are large enclosed structures without operable sprinkler systems classified as extremely dangerous?
Traumatic firefighter fatalities may occur repeatedly during high-risk structure fire operations.
What is a critical factor contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
Absence of operable automatic sprinkler systems
Study Notes
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A complete 360-degree walk-around of a structure by a trained firefighter, with a thermal imaging camera if possible, is critical to determine the presence of a basement.
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Basement windows or doors may be visible along the A, B, C, or D sides of a structure, but may be obstructed by plants, shrubbery, parked vehicles, or snow.
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A sudden drop-off along one side of a structure or a slope in the terrain along the foundation line can indicate the presence of a basement.
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Steps leading to a structure's front, side, or rear door are often needed to reach a raised first floor and are a strong indicator of a basement.
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Occupants of a structure who have evacuated are reliable sources of information on the presence of a basement and may also be able to provide the location of the interior basement door.
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Prefire survey plans can indicate whether a structure was constructed with a partial, full, or walkout basement.
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Firefighters should be familiar with the location of all enclosed structures in their response area, specifically those with basements, for safety reasons.
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When a structure's basement cannot be determined by any other means, firefighters can safely cut an inspection hole through the first floor from a safe exterior position.
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An enclosed structure with a basement has an absence of windows and doors sufficient for prompt ventilation and emergency evacuation from either grade level.
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Reduced situational awareness during basement fires can be a critical factor in firefighter safety, as demonstrated in the Washington, D.C. town home fire incident.
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The disorientation study examined various types of enclosed structures, including those with fire-resistive, heavy timber, unprotected noncombustible, and protected wood frame construction.
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Enclosed structures can range greatly in size, from small townhouses to large warehouses.
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Age also varies, from 20-year-old single-family dwellings to 98-year-old warehouses.
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Structures can be in any condition, from well-maintained to dilapidated.
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Enclosed structures can have different shapes, such as square, rectangular, oval, irregular, L or H shapes.
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All enclosed structures share the dangerous characteristic of being enclosed designs, which have claimed the lives of firefighters during fires.
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Opened structures with basements have readily penetrable windows and doors for ventilation and evacuation from ground level but not from the basement.
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These structures can be small to moderate in size, any age, and have a partial or full basement, and a fire in a basement can be extremely dangerous.
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Firefighters should understand that basements can be located in various regions and occupancies and that they may be out of sight during initial size-up.
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Rooms within structures can also be enclosed by design or after construction with simple materials, increasing the risk of fires.
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In the central and northeastern regions of the US, there is a high concentration of enclosed structures, including opened structures with basements, which can be life safety hazards.
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Common signs of a basement include conducting a 360-degree walk-around or looking for egresses such as basement windows or doors.
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Enclosed structures are inherently dangerous due to their enclosed designs, and firefighters should prioritize safety when dealing with them.
This quiz evaluates the importance of conducting a 360-degree walk-around of a structure to identify indications of a basement, and the immediate reporting of any such signs. It covers the use of thermal imaging cameras and the significance of detecting fire or smoke in the basement.
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