100-03 Fire Alarms

A 360-degree size up is the initial step in responding to a water flow alarm. This involves assessing the situation by observing the surroundings and determining the potential hazards.

After confirming a water flow alarm, personnel should investigate the cause of the alarm inside the structure. This involves finding the source of the water that triggered the alarm.

A Knox Box is a secure box that holds access keys for emergency responders. It's typically located near a building's main entrance, allowing firefighters to access the building during an emergency.

If a building lacks a functioning Knox Box, the area inspector should be informed about the issue. This ensures that the building owner will address the safety concern.

If the proper keys aren't in the Knox Box, the Company Officer decides whether to wait for a key holder or to force entry. This decision depends on the severity of the situation and available information.

When a building representative is present during an alarm response, control of the situation should be turned over to them. This allows the building owner to manage the situation and provide information.

To confirm water flow during an alarm, personnel should check pressure gauges and water gong alarms. These indicators provide evidence of actual water flow in the building.

If no building representative is present, the Communications Center should be informed that the alarm has been silenced. This updates the situation and allows for continued monitoring.

Code 1 is the standard response code for units dispatched to an automatic fire alarm when no further information is available. This indicates a normal response without urgency.

If the Communications Center receives confirmation of a false alarm, all responding units should cancel their response. This avoids unnecessary deployment of resources.

Forcible entry is required when entering a building during a fire alarm response if the interior is not visible and no keyholder is present. This ensures access to determine the cause of the alarm.

Upon arrival at a location where an automatic fire alarm has sounded, personnel should provide an arrival report and check the building for fire or smoke. This assesses the potential hazards and determines the next steps.

When deciding on a Code 3 (emergency) response to a fire alarm, the Company Officer should consider any available or updated information from the Communications Center. This provides guidance on the urgency and severity of the situation.

If notified by a business or homeowner that there is no emergency, units should continue to the scene using Code 1 to verify. This ensures that the situation is accurately assessed and that the alarm is properly silenced.

The primary purpose of the standard operating guideline related to fire alarms is to provide procedures for fire alarm responses. This ensures consistent and effective actions during emergency situations.

After thoroughly searching a building for fire conditions, if no fire is detected, the fire alarm should be silenced. This prevents unnecessary disruption and communicates that the situation has been resolved.