Fire in High Rise Buildings (medium)

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Questions and Answers

What should a member do after finishing a conversation using the regular telephone handset at the panel?

Turn off the circuit

Unplug the phone (correct)

Plug the handset back in immediately

Leave the handset on the panel

How many phones can typically be used at the same time with the system mentioned?

2 phones

5 phones

3 phones

4 phones (correct)

What is one of the key purposes of the Fire Department Boxes found in the FCC?

To identify fire department personnel

To provide elevator and building access keys (correct)

To store fire hoses

To control building alarms

What is required on the elevator and building access key legend card?

Identification of each key and its function Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the separate split ring arrangement for keys?

To separate elevator keys from building access keys Signup and view all the answers

What additional control features are provided in newer buildings apart from the elevator controls?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems Signup and view all the answers

What potential issue arises if phones are not unplugged after use?

It prevents audible alerts from sounding Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the color-coded tags on keys?

Function of each key Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the guidelines for fires in high-rise buildings?

To mitigate emergencies involving high-rise structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum number of floors for a building to fall under the high-rise fire guidelines?

Four or more floors above grade Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the tactical priorities outlined in the guidelines?

Fire Investigation Signup and view all the answers

Who assumes the role of Incident Commander during a high-rise fire incident?

The first arriving officer Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if fire and/or smoke are visible upon arrival?

Request another alarm Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the first arriving apparatus at a high-rise fire?

To set up the lobby control unit Signup and view all the answers

How many elevators should be captured and put in Phase II control for fire attack teams?

Two elevators Signup and view all the answers

What should each firefighter assigned to elevators do during a high-rise fire incident?

Control an elevator for the fire attack teams Signup and view all the answers

What should the firefighter check in the hoist way before using the elevator?

Signs of smoke, fire, or water Signup and view all the answers

How many floors below the fire can the elevator be taken before proceeding?

5 floors below Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if any elevator controls do not function correctly?

Abandon the elevator and find another Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action regarding the SCBA face piece when ascending stairs?

Don it only when smoke is encountered Signup and view all the answers

What should the firefighters do prior to entering the building?

Observe the building exterior for indications of the fire Signup and view all the answers

What type of elevators should not be used during a fire unless verified safe?

Freight or service elevators Signup and view all the answers

What kind of reports must the Fire Attack Team provide to the IC/Operations Division Officer?

Frequent updates regarding location and conditions Signup and view all the answers

Where should firefighters assemble after obtaining access keys and building information?

In the lobby Signup and view all the answers

What should a crew leader rapidly perform two levels below the fire floor?

Recon for layout clues Signup and view all the answers

How should crews determine the number of hose lengths needed to reach the fire?

Use four lengths when in doubt Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken regarding the fire alarm in the fire area?

Silence it from the Fire Command Center Signup and view all the answers

What equipment should one crew use to search for the fire?

A search tag-line and Thermal Imaging Camera Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided to prevent smoke flooding the stairwell?

Keeping the stairwell door open Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for clearing the stairwell above the fire floor?

The RAT Teams or Fire Attack Group Signup and view all the answers

Where should the hose be connected during a high-rise fire operation?

To the standpipe connection on the floor below the fire floor Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical step before entering the fire floor during working incidents?

Obtain a 'stairwell clear' report Signup and view all the answers

Where are sprinkler cut-off valves usually located?

In the stairwells or above ceiling tiles Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of the Operations Division Officer during a fire in a high-rise building?

Determine which stairwell to use for various operations Signup and view all the answers

What method should be used to pressurize the stairwells if there is no HVAC present?

Using push-pull ventilation fans Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if unfamiliar with the building's ventilation system?

Consult the building engineer for assistance Signup and view all the answers

In property conservation efforts, which items should receive priority?

Rooms with high-value items like computers and documents Signup and view all the answers

How many fire companies are typically assigned per floor to control water run-off?

Three companies Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a recommended site for de-watering the building?

Elevator shafts Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to the water service before removing toilet bowls for de-watering?

Turn off the water service to the toilets Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Purpose

Establish a guideline for mitigating emergencies in high-rise structures.

Scope

Applies to all personnel of the Spring Fire Department.
Guideline is used for fires in any structure with four or more floors above grade.

Responsibilities

High-rise fires are one of the most challenging fire department responses.
This guideline is intended to assist in controlling high-rise fire by following the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
Tactical priorities are:
- Rescue occupants
- Protect exposures
- Fire confinement
- Fire extinguishment
- Property conservation

Assignments

Incident Command (IC): First arriving officer will assume command.
- The officer will remain in command until the arrival of another equal or higher ranking officer.
- A Chief Officer is desired to be the IC.
- If fire and or smoke are visible, another alarm shall be requested.
First Arriving Apparatus / Lobby Control Unit: First arriving apparatus will establish lobby control unit.
- Operator will establish a water supply.
- Officer and crew are responsible for:
  - Capturing all elevators and ensuring they are in Phase I.
    - Two elevators should be in Phase II control.
  - Issuing out elevator and building access key rings.
    - The Lobby Control Unit Officer will split the key rings among the crew.
- This unit will also be responsible for the Fire Command Center (FCC).
  - FCC will have:
    - Plug-in phones for two-way communication with building staff.
    - Elevator controls, recall switches, door open switches, and selector switches for operating the elevators.
    - Controls for unlocking all stairwell doors simultaneously in newer buildings.
    - Controls for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in newer buildings.
    - A public service telephone.
    - Fire Department Boxes with keys:
      - Box will contain elevator & building access key legend card, color-coded and identifying function of each key.
      - Five sets of keys on separate split rings.
      - Keys are tagged with color-coded plastic tags.

Elevator Operations

Elevator will be operated by the firefighter from the lobby control engine whose radio designation is either "Elevator 1" or "Elevator 2".
Before using the elevator, the officer should check the hoist way for smoke, fire or water.
The elevator will be taken to 5 floors below the fire and the following will be checked to ensure correct elevator operations:
- Door close
- Door open (open door 6”-8” and then release finger from button; the doors should shut.)
If any of the elevator controls do not function correctly, the elevator will be abandoned and not be used by the fire department.
All firefighters will wear full PPE including SCBA.
If all elevator operations work correctly 5 floors below the fire floor, the elevator can be rode up to no more than 2 floors below the fire floor.
The doors should be opened slowly in case smoke is encountered.

Fire Attack

Don high-rise equipment for weight distribution and accessibility to handrails.
Observe building exterior upon entering for fire location and path of travel.
Obtain access keys, building plans, firefighter phones from the lobby control unit.
Assemble as a group in the lobby and determine how many elevators will be needed.
Obtain information from Lobby Control regarding fire and rescue priorities, fire location, alarm panel indications and so on.
Verify the route to the fire (elevator car number or stairwell designation) with Lobby Control.
Fire Attack Team must give frequent reports to the IC regarding their location, conditions encountered, actions taken, and resources needed.
If using stairwells, crews should climb without the face mask in place until the smoke condition necessitates the use of SCBA.
Do not use service or freight elevators; only use Phase II service elevators that have been verified to be safe.
Perform reconnaissance of the floor two levels below the fire floor for clues as to the layout on the fire floor, locations of hose cabinets, and relative stairwell locations.
Confirm with the IC which stairwell will be used for attack and which will be used for evacuation.
Travel to the fire floor landing in the designated stairwell.
Request that the fire alarm in the fire area or zone be silenced from the Fire Command Center.
Search stairwell above the fire floor for evacuees or obtain a "stairwell clear" report from RAT crews before entering the fire floor during working incidents.
Search for the fire using a search tag-line and a Thermal Imaging Camera.
Drag the charged 2 ” line from area to area to quickly exhaust crews.
If at all possible, the attack line should be connected and stretched so that the stairwell door does not remain open, flooding the stairwell with smoke.
It is critical to clear the stairwell above the fire floor of escaping occupants.

2” Hose Deployment

Assist in doffing high-rise equipment.
Report stairwell location, floor level, and extent of the fire to the IC.
Connect the hose to the standpipe connection on the floor below the fire floor.
The decision to hook up on the fire floor is situational. If the fire is in an unknown location or of significant size, hooking up below the fire floor is advisable.
Sprinkler cutoff valves are usually found in the stairwells. If they are not in the stairwells, they can usually be found in the ceiling above the ceiling tiles in the corridor outside the stairwell door.

Stairwells

The Operations Division Officer is responsible for determining which stairwell will be used for:
- Fire Attack
- Ventilation
- Rescue
If the building has an HVAC system, this will be used to pressurize the stairwells.
- The controls for this system will be found in the FCC.
If no HVAC is found, the fire department is responsible for pressurizing the stairwells with PPV fans.

Ventilation

Ventilation must be a coordinated effort.
If equipped, the use of the individual floor blowers and ventilation system is ideal for smoke removal. If unfamiliar with the system, do not use it. Get assistance from the building engineer.
If the building is not equipped, the fire department is responsible for providing ventilation.
Pre-incident fire plans should be utilized to determine which stairwell has direct roof access for ventilation purposes.

Property Conservation

Priority should be given to rooms with high-value items such as computers, documents, and expensive electronics.
Due to the large amounts of water discharged by a sprinkler system, a minimum of 3 companies will be assigned per floor to control water run-off.
The primary site for de-watering the building is the restroom.
- The water service to the toilets should be turned off and then the bowl can be removed to expose a drain.
Additional de-watering sites are:
- Mechanical rooms
- Janitorial closet floor drains
- Stairwells
- Elevator shafts shall not be used to de-water the building.

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Description

This quiz covers the guidelines established for mitigating emergencies specifically in high-rise structures. It emphasizes the responsibilities of the Spring Fire Department personnel during high-rise fires, detailing tactical priorities and the role of Incident Command. Understand the protocols to effectively manage and control high-rise fire incidents.