Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the two general types of structures mentioned in the text?
What are the two general types of structures mentioned in the text?
- Wooden and concrete
- Small and large
- Residential and commercial
- Opened and enclosed (correct)
What are some examples of uncommon features that enclosed structures can encompass?
What are some examples of uncommon features that enclosed structures can encompass?
- A park and a school
- A playground and a residential house
- A nightclub and a high-rise building (correct)
- A library and a hospital
What is an example of a structure being converted at one or more points during its lifespan?
What is an example of a structure being converted at one or more points during its lifespan?
- A restaurant converted to a park
- A church converted to a school
- A grocery store converted to a library
- A movie theater converted to a thrift store (correct)
What can an enclosed structure be of, in terms of construction?
What can an enclosed structure be of, in terms of construction?
What is a critical step in determining the presence of a basement?
What is a critical step in determining the presence of a basement?
What can obstruct the visibility of basement windows or doors?
What can obstruct the visibility of basement windows or doors?
What can indicate the presence of a basement?
What can indicate the presence of a basement?
What is a strong indicator of a basement in a structure?
What is a strong indicator of a basement in a structure?
Who can provide reliable information on the presence of a basement in a structure?
Who can provide reliable information on the presence of a basement in a structure?
What can prefire survey plans indicate about a structure?
What can prefire survey plans indicate about a structure?
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
What should firefighters do when they cannot determine a structure's basement by other means?
What should firefighters do when they cannot determine a structure's basement by other means?
What characterizes an enclosed structure with a basement?
What characterizes an enclosed structure with a basement?
Why is reduced situational awareness during basement fires critical for firefighter safety?
Why is reduced situational awareness during basement fires critical for firefighter safety?
What type of structure can be built over a basement or on a concrete slab foundation?
What type of structure can be built over a basement or on a concrete slab foundation?
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?
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?
What should be considered extremely dangerous during a high-rise fire due to the inability to promptly ventilate or evacuate without guidance?
What should be considered extremely dangerous during a high-rise fire due to the inability to promptly ventilate or evacuate without guidance?
Which type of space can cause firefighters to become disoriented within its confines due to complete and sustained loss of vision?
Which type of space can cause firefighters to become disoriented within its confines due to complete and sustained loss of vision?
What type of space is essentially a horizontally enclosed space and should be considered extremely dangerous during a high-rise fire?
What type of space is essentially a horizontally enclosed space and should be considered extremely dangerous during a high-rise fire?
What type of space is essentially a vertically enclosed space in which firefighters can become disoriented in zero-visibility conditions?
What type of space is essentially a vertically enclosed space in which firefighters can become disoriented in zero-visibility conditions?
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?
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?
What is a common term used to describe a large enclosed commercial structure?
What is a common term used to describe a large enclosed commercial structure?
What is the approximate size range that defines larger structures, according to the text?
What is the approximate size range that defines larger structures, according to the text?
What was the specific measurement of the enclosed commercial structure in the Goldsboro incident?
What was the specific measurement of the enclosed commercial structure in the Goldsboro incident?
What was one of the critical factors contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
What was one of the critical factors contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
Why should any large structure be considered enclosed, regardless of the number of windows or doors present?
Why should any large structure be considered enclosed, regardless of the number of windows or doors present?
What is one of the risks associated with exposure to life-threatening hazards during a deep-seated fire in a large 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?
Why is it important for firefighters to consider both lateral and vertical dimensions when determining if a structure is enclosed?
Why is it important for firefighters to consider both lateral and vertical dimensions when determining if a structure is enclosed?
What must firefighters remember about large enclosed structures regardless of their configurations?
What must firefighters remember about large enclosed structures regardless of their configurations?
What can obstruct the visibility of basement windows or doors in an enclosed structure?
What can obstruct the visibility of basement windows or doors in an enclosed structure?
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
What is a critical step in determining the presence of a basement in a structure?
What is a critical step in determining the presence of a basement in a structure?
What type of structures did the disorientation study examine?
What type of structures did the disorientation study examine?
What characteristic do all enclosed structures share?
What characteristic do all enclosed structures share?
What is a common feature of opened structures with basements?
What is a common feature of opened structures with basements?
Why can a fire in a basement be extremely dangerous?
Why can a fire in a basement be extremely dangerous?
What should firefighters prioritize when dealing with enclosed structures?
What should firefighters prioritize when dealing with enclosed structures?
In which regions of the US is there a high concentration of enclosed structures?
In which regions of the US is there a high concentration of enclosed structures?
What is a common sign of a basement in a structure?
What is a common sign of a basement in a structure?
What should firefighters understand about basements?
What should firefighters understand about basements?
What increases the risk of fires within rooms in structures?
What increases the risk of fires within rooms in structures?
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
Why should firefighters be familiar with the location of enclosed structures with basements?
What is an example of a range in which enclosed structures can vary?
What is an example of a range in which enclosed structures can vary?
What do all enclosed structures have in common regardless of their condition?
What do all enclosed structures have in common regardless of their condition?
What determines the degree of danger associated with large enclosed structures?
What determines the degree of danger associated with large enclosed structures?
What should firefighters remember about assessing the risk classification of large enclosed structures?
What should firefighters remember about assessing the risk classification of large enclosed structures?
Why may firefighters not be able to differentiate a large enclosed structure that is dangerous from one that is extremely dangerous by sight alone?
Why may firefighters not be able to differentiate a large enclosed structure that is dangerous from one that is extremely dangerous by sight alone?
What is considered when large enclosed structures are of newer construction in terms of risk classification?
What is considered when large enclosed structures are of newer construction in terms of risk classification?
What type of systems are typically required by codes for large enclosed structures?
What type of systems are typically required by codes for large enclosed structures?
What may render the activated sprinkler heads ineffective in an extremely dangerous setting?
What may render the activated sprinkler heads ineffective in an extremely dangerous setting?
What can result in a large enclosed structure being classified as extremely dangerous?
What can result in a large enclosed structure being classified as extremely dangerous?
What can cause a fire floor to be left unprotected by a closed sprinkler valve?
What can cause a fire floor to be left unprotected by a closed sprinkler valve?
What can prevent water from flowing when the sprinkler heads activate in large enclosed structures?
What can prevent water from flowing when the sprinkler heads activate in large enclosed structures?
Why are large enclosed structures without operable sprinkler systems classified as extremely dangerous?
Why are large enclosed structures without operable sprinkler systems classified as extremely dangerous?
What is a critical factor contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
What is a critical factor contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
What are typically required for installation based on factors such as occupancy, fuel type, load, and type of construction?
What are typically required for installation based on factors such as occupancy, fuel type, load, and type of construction?
What can render activated sprinkler heads ineffective in an extremely dangerous setting?
What can render activated sprinkler heads ineffective in an extremely dangerous setting?
Why are large enclosed structures without operable sprinkler systems classified as extremely dangerous?
Why are large enclosed structures without operable sprinkler systems classified as extremely dangerous?
What is a critical factor contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
What is a critical factor contributing to firefighter fatalities in unprotected large enclosed structure fires?
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.
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Description
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.
