Fire Attack Operations: Hoseline Diameter and Flow Capabilities

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Questions and Answers

What is a critical aspect of an offensive fire attack?

Rapid movement of attack lines (correct)

Avoiding primary search

Prioritizing the garage over bedrooms

Slow movement of attack lines

Which area should be given search priority during an offensive fire attack?

Living room

Garage

Bedrooms (correct)

Kitchen

What should drive hoseline deployment, ventilation, and searches?

Time of day

Fire location and conditions (correct)

Weather conditions

Lighting conditions

Where is fire attack best conducted during an attic fire?

From below with a standard flow hoseline Signup and view all the answers

Which action is recommended prior to vertical ventilation in an attic fire?

Cooling gases Signup and view all the answers

When combating attic fires, what should be a high priority?

Aggressive salvage Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum flow requirement when using a 2.25" or 2.5" hose line?

250 GPM Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is NOT part of the A.D.U.L.T.S. criteria?

Stand-alone operations Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of all civilian fire deaths are accounted for by fires in single-family dwellings?

70% Signup and view all the answers

Which hoseline is typically used for fire attack operations in most residential fires?

1.75" hoseline Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'L' in the A.D.U.L.T.S. acronym stand for?

Large/compartmented areas Signup and view all the answers

Why does the combination of nozzle and hose diameter for the District's 1.75" hoseline exceed the accepted Freeman Ratio?

It results in significant nozzle reaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is often used to separate the garage from the rest of the house?

A rated fire door Signup and view all the answers

Why should personnel secure open garage doors?

To prevent it from closing on or behind them Signup and view all the answers

What should be assumed about the fire-rated wall between the garage and living areas?

It might be compromised by homeowner modifications Signup and view all the answers

In the event that the garage door fails, where should the first attack line be advanced?

To the main body of the fire Signup and view all the answers

What potential hazard should be considered due to overhead storage in garage rafters?

Additional fire fuel load Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the high-fuel load present in garages?

Storage of combustible and flammable material Signup and view all the answers

What should be done after confirming there is no fire in concealed spaces?

Consider PPV to pressurize the house. Signup and view all the answers

When the garage door is intact during a fire, what is one initial step?

Cut a small triangular hole in the door. Signup and view all the answers

What final step should be taken with the garage door after the main body of fire has been cooled?

Finish the garage door cut and complete its removal. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Garden Apartments?

Access is via an exterior stairwell or balcony. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic defines Townhouse Apartments?

Connected between floors by an interior stairwell within the unit. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is specific to Interior or Center Hallway Apartment Buildings?

Access to units is through an interior hallway. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical factor for managing fire incidents in buildings with multiple units?

Managing door safety Signup and view all the answers

Which is the primary responsibility of the second arriving engine company?

Ensuring a water supply Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered for occupants who are remote from the fire but cannot exit via the interior hallway?

Protect in Place Signup and view all the answers

What immediate action should be taken if a working fire involves a large portion of the attic?

Immediately remove occupants on the top floor Signup and view all the answers

For which buildings are standpipes generally found and utilized?

Structures four stories or taller Signup and view all the answers

What should the fifth arriving engine company do upon arrival?

Determine need for secondary water source Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following materials are older commercial structures most likely made from?

Wood, heavy timber, or masonry Signup and view all the answers

Which challenge is associated with fire fighting in commercial buildings?

Difficulty in locating and accessing fires deep inside Signup and view all the answers

What can remodels and occupant changes in commercial buildings lead to?

Increased life safety concerns Signup and view all the answers

How can ventilation be effectively accomplished in commercial buildings?

Using both horizontal and vertical methods Signup and view all the answers

Why is using a rope recommended during firefighting in commercial buildings?

To ensure a safe means of egress Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of 2.5" hoselines in commercial firefighting?

They can knock down a large volume of fire Signup and view all the answers

What should be opened to provide adequate ventilation in addition to a vertical ventilation roof cut?

Roof scuttles Signup and view all the answers

How many ladder companies are typically assigned to ventilation at commercial structures?

Two Signup and view all the answers

Movement inside a structure in excess of how many feet should be avoided?

175 feet Signup and view all the answers

Why should movement inside a structure be limited to 175 feet?

Based on a 200' hose lay Signup and view all the answers

What should be considered if there is a need to move past 175 feet inside a structure?

A secondary access point Signup and view all the answers

High piled stock inside a structure could hinder what?

Egress Signup and view all the answers

What should the 5th engine identify the need for?

Secondary water source Signup and view all the answers

Where should the 2nd aerial be positioned?

Opposite the first aerial Signup and view all the answers

Who does the 2nd aerial report to for assignment?

C Side Supervisor Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

A.D.U.L.T.S. Criteria

A.D.U.L.T.S. stands for Advanced fire conditions on arrival, Defensive operations, Undetermined location of fire, Large/compartmented areas, Tons of water needed, and Standpipe operations.
These criteria are used to determine when to deploy a 2.25" or 2.5" hose line.

Single-Family Dwellings

Fires in single-family dwellings are the most common structure fires and account for approximately 70% of all civilian fire deaths.
Offensive Fire Attack
- Rapid movement of attack lines is critical.
- Complete primary search, prioritizing bedrooms, escape paths, and the immediate fire area.
- Hoseline deployment, ventilation, and searches should be driven by fire location and conditions.
Attic Fires
- Attic fires are common and can contribute to rapid deterioration of interior conditions and structural failure.
- Assume the fire has extended to the attic until proven otherwise by direct examination of the attic space.
- Attic fires are usually ventilation-limited, so limiting the number of openings above the fire will control fire growth and development.
- Suppression efforts in the attic are most effective if the attic remains ventilation-limited.
- Once water application has begun, vertical ventilation may help with confinement and extinguishment.
- If the fire entered the attic from the exterior, initial suppression efforts should extinguish the source fire first and follow the fire's path of travel into the attic space.
- Aggressive salvage should be a high priority, and utilize the TIC to identify hot spots.
- Secure utilities early.
- Attic Fire Plays
  - Bottom up: Attack the fire from the interior of the structure by either locating an access or making a small hole to allow for hose stream application.
  - Eve attack: Attack the fire through the soffit or bird block, applying water to a majority of the underside of the decking.

Garage Fires

Fires in attached garages can grow quickly and spread to living areas if not addressed properly.
The garage has a high-fuel load and can be compared to a small warehouse filled with combustible and flammable material.
Use caution when operating under open garage doors due to the potential of them coming down or collapsing.
Secure open garage doors to prevent them from closing on top of or behind firefighters.
Consider the danger of overhead storage in garage rafters.
Garage Fire Plays
- If the garage door has failed, advance the first attack line to the main body of fire for knockdown, and then advance the second attack line inside the residence.
- If the garage door is intact, cut a small triangular hole in the door with the circular saw or break out a window to allow for water application into the garage for initial knockdown.

Primary Search

Check for extension, and consider PPV to pressurize the house after confirmation that there is no fire in concealed spaces.

Multi-Family Dwellings

Fires in multi-family dwellings can be complex and challenging incidents.
These buildings can be broken down into three basic types: garden apartments, townhouse apartments, and interior or center hallway apartment buildings.
Fire spread between floors can be rapid, and if a large common attic is present, horizontal fire spread can be rapid within it.

Door Safety

Doors in each unit create the potential for smoke and heat to accumulate in the hallway.
Open doors compromise egress and access for firefighters.
Ventilation and searching of hallways is very challenging, especially on lower floors.

Priorities

Possible rescue, fire attack, and water supply.
Standpipes are only found on structures four stories or taller.
The second arriving engine company should ensure a water supply, assist with the first hoseline, and deploy a second hoseline.
Engine companies establish fire attack and standby teams.

Occupant Rescue vs. Occupant Removal

In apartment fires with smoke, occupants are often found at balconies or windows.
Rescue: Residents who are in immediate danger and need immediate rescue.
Removal: Residents who are probably remote from the actual fire and can be safely evacuated.

Commercial Fires

Commercial buildings can range in size from small to large and vary in construction type.
Types of commercial buildings include standalone, buried, "big box" stores, concrete tilt-ups, strip malls, office buildings, and high-rise.
Challenges in Commercial Firefighting
- Difficulty in locating and reaching a fire burning deep inside a large commercial building due to limited access.
- Remodels and occupant changes can increase life safety concerns due to limited or unfamiliar exits.
- Changes can create concealed spaces, multiple ceilings, unprotected sprinkler coverage, compromised compartmentalization or fire stops, heavy HVACs, and new plumbing or duct work penetrating floors to allow fire extension from floor to floor.

Tactics for Commercial Buildings

The importance of locating, confining, and extinguishing the fire remains the same in commercial buildings as it does in residential structures.
Limited access: Commercial buildings may have limited access to windows and long distances to reach an exterior door.
Get Lost: The potential to get lost or disoriented is very real.
Rope: A rope should be considered to ensure a safe means of egress when not operating on a hoseline.
Sprinkler System Limitations: Unknown type storage and high fire loads piled to the ceiling may limit the capability of the sprinkler system.
ADULTS Criteria: Evaluate conditions to determine if the ADULTS criteria is present.
2.5" Hoselines: The ability to use 2.5" hoselines to knock down a large volume of fire while cooling the area is essential.
Multiple Fire Companies: Advancing and maneuvering a 2.5" hoseline in a large commercial structure will require at least two companies.
Ventilation
- Both horizontal and vertical ventilation are key and must be coordinated to assist advancing hoselines.
- This can often be accomplished by the use of windows on the fire floor or opening exterior doors, such as metal overhead rolling doors.
- Roof scuttles, skylights, or hatches should be opened (in addition to vertical ventilation roof cut) to provide adequate ventilation.
- Typically, both ladder companies will be assigned to ventilation at commercial structures.
- Movement inside a structure: Avoid movement inside a structure in excess of 175 feet, and consider a secondary access point if necessary.

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Description

This quiz assesses your knowledge of fire attack operations, focusing on the ideal hoseline diameter and flow capabilities for effective firefighting. Learn about the Freeman Ratio and how it affects nozzle reaction and manpower requirements.