40 Questions
What was the author's sudden realization when entering the high-rise office building in Atlanta?
The air was being drawn down to a lower level by the air conditioning/reverse stack effect.
What aspect of the John Hancock Center in Chicago did the author observe years ago?
The self-closing doors on the 13th floor.
What contributed to the air rush past the author as they entered the high-rise office building in Atlanta?
The doors being opened on the main lobby level.
What was notable about the 100-story John Hancock Center in Chicago?
It had three exit core stairwells.
What is the purpose of a jockey pump in a high-rise building?
To control the pressure in the sprinkler system
In a high-rise building, what is the purpose of a Full Control Annunciator Panel?
To display the status of various fire protection and mechanical systems
What is the purpose of access stairwells in a high-rise building?
To allow building occupants to move from one floor to another during a fire event
What is the purpose of Class 1, 2, or 3 standpipe systems in high-rise buildings?
To supply water to various points throughout the building for firefighting purposes
What is the main consideration when dealing with elevator car fires in high-rise buildings?
Preventing smoke from entering the elevator shafts
When would turning off the fire pump be beneficial during a high-rise building fire?
When there is sufficient water supply from other sources for firefighting purposes
What caused the difficulty in opening the swinging entrance doors?
The slight northerly breeze blowing towards the building frontage
What made the crews believe that the wind rushing into the lobby was due to the slight breeze gaining velocity?
The sensation of wind tunnel while entering the building
Why did the crews experience a wind-tunnel effect in the elevator shaft ways?
Caused by the wind entering the windows blown out from the fire
What led to the conditions becoming untenable in the attack stair above the fire floor?
Heavy black smoke entering the stairwell
What dilemma did the chief face regarding addressing the mass-rescue effort on upper floors?
Commitment of initial resources to fire attack and search efforts
What was the reason for tenants streaming down from upper floors?
To reach lower floors and attempt to flee from smoke
Why did the search crew deploy out onto the fire floor from the opposite stair?
To locate and rescue missing tenants
What is the term used to describe the doors of a tall building that act as dampers for the chimney?
Lobby entrance doors
Why does air move rapidly through internal shaft ways in a tall building in cold weather?
Due to temperature differential, building's height, and internal/external pressures
What can occur if stair doors are opened in a tall building during cold weather?
A rush of air will enter the building and shoot up the stairwells
Why is using a smoke/fire tower as the attack stair considered poor strategy?
It increases the probability of overwhelming the attack crew
What can happen when ventilating a common, standard stair shaft in a tall building?
Creation of a flue which may pull smoke from the fire floor into other areas of the building
What is the significance of having a small open window at the top of an emergency exit stairwell in a high-rise building?
It turns the stairwell into a virtual wind tunnel and may result in fatalities
In which type of tall buildings can stratification take place?
Tall buildings where smoke rises up until it cools and levels off on upper floors
What is the term used to describe the upward draft that occurred during the 1993 World Trade Center bombing?
'Winter stack effect'
When can you have a 'winter stack effect' in a tall building?
During both winter and summer months
What are the potential risks associated with rapid contamination of upper floors with carbon monoxide (CO)?
Increased risk of multiple fatalities in stair shafts and elevators due to carbon monoxide poisoning
What happened during a fire in Paris three years ago involving a small open window at the top of an emergency exit stairwell?
Creation of a Venturi effect resulting in fatalities for 17 occupants
What is the natural phenomena mentioned in the text that has a significant impact on firefighting operations in high-rise buildings?
Stack effect
What is the purpose of soffit vents in one-story ranch homes, as mentioned in the text?
To pull air into the attic and ventilate hot air trapped in the enclosed space
What is the role of the building's HVAC system in creating a natural draft within the core area?
To heat or cool the interior, leading to a natural draft
Why are revolving doors installed in tall buildings, according to the text?
To contain the loss of cold and warm air during summer and winter seasons
What was the reason given for locking the swinging and revolving doors in a 40-story office building in the Deep South?
To conserve air conditioning
What could happen if lobby doors are opened during a high-rise building fire when the fire is below the neutral pressure plane?
The smoke would be drawn down through the core of the building
What did the author observe about the swinging and revolving doors in a 40-story office building in the Deep South?
They were all locked, contrary to established fire codes
What was the danger pointed out to the guard regarding the practice of locking doors in a high-rise building during emergencies?
It probably violated local fire codes
What result did one high-rise building experience due to the summertime downward draft (reverse stack effect) during a fire on the 12th floor?
Untenable conditions in the lobby due to smoke migration from lower floors
What is typically located two floors below a fire in a high-rise building?
The staging floor for firefighters
What did repositioning the staging floor farther down below the fire create for personnel during firefighting operations?
Logistic problems and increased distance from where they are needed
Why should lobby doors be kept closed as much as possible during summer in high-rise buildings?
To maintain favorable conditions for firefighting operations
Test your knowledge about the challenges faced by first responders during fires and the potential involvement of stack effect. Explore the impact of stack effect on building ventilation and the difficulties it may pose during emergency situations.
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