SOG 2-4

Commercial Structure Fires

• Rescue units should position apparatus to provide maximum ingress and egress for medical/rescue support and not impede movement of other apparatus.
• Personnel assigned to rescue units should report to command in full PPE.
• Initial arrival report should include:
  • Building description (number of stories, structure type, size)
  • Brief description of conditions (flames, smoke, etc.)
  • Location of fire activity (phonetic terms, e.g. alpha/bravo corner)
  • Brief description of action to be taken (attack mode, etc.)

Command Establishment

• Command will be established in one of three modes:
  • Investigation Mode (nothing showing)
  • Offensive Mode (working command)
  • Defensive Mode (formal/defensive ops)
• Command will be assumed by the first arriving unit in accordance with county IMS policy and Chain of Command policy.

Strategy and Priorities

• Establishment of an effective water supply is critical to success.
• Basic rule: 20 gpm per 100 square feet of involved area for medium load commercial occupancies.
• Risk/benefit and constant evaluation of structure for collapse, backdraft, flashover, etc. will be ongoing throughout the incident.
• Control/securing of utilities will need immediate attention.
• Occupancy preplan is extremely helpful.

Rescue and Exposures

• Primary strategy is to minimize potential loss of life.
• Primary goals should be achieved through primary search (if required and conditions allow) and aggressive interior fire containment.
• Exposure protection must be ordered and carried out early to prevent fire spread.

Attack and Extinguishment

• Confine fire through rapid advancement of interior attack lines.
• Consider using large caliber streams for attacking fires under roofs of truss construction.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• CO alarms are considered Code 1 responses unless a medical emergency exists.
• Scene management:
  • Establish command and give arrival report to Fire-Rescue Communications.
  • Conduct scene survey and evacuate the building.
  • Do not enter the building without full PPE, including SCBA.
• CO monitor levels:
  • Less than 10 ppm: not significantly high.
  • 11 ppm to 99 ppm: potentially dangerous.
  • 100 ppm or greater: potentially lethal levels.

Rehabilitation

• A rehabilitation sector will be needed on all working incidents.
• Refer to SOG Chapter-Rehabilitation.

Rapid Intervention Team

• A RIT should be recognized early and assigned accordingly.
• Multiple RITs may be required depending on the number of crews working and the size of the structure.

Safety Considerations

• Officers must constantly perform a risk/benefit assessment.

• "Reading smoke" is an important skill for the incident commander in protecting personnel from a hostile fire event.

• Predictions can be made by evaluating key attributes of the smoke.

• Suspended loads and ceilings will be considered and checked for possible collapse concerns.

• Warning signs of imminent collapse:

  • Heavy fire burning 20 minutes or more.
  • Smoke or water coming through mortar joints in walls.
  • Walls sagging or bulging.
  • Cracks showing in exterior walls.
  • Heavy floor or roof loads.
  • Spongy roof surface.### Occupant Refuge and Search

• Occupants may take refuge in restrooms, storerooms, and office spaces during a fire

• All areas must be searched, if conditions allow

• Occupants may also be found in rear areas such as offices, stock rooms, and restrooms

• Windows and doors to these areas may be barred, covered with steel mesh, or bricked over

Ladder Company Tactics

• Tasks assigned to ladder companies include search for victims, location of the fire, forcible entry, ventilation, and control of utilities
• Early laddering of the roof is necessary for assessment of conditions above the fire and to provide a ready route for crews assigned to rooftop duties
• Laddering the roof is often easier at the rear due to the absence of a parapet
• At least one additional means of escape must be provided for crews on the roof

Ventilation

• Aggressive ventilation is crucial and should be done early
• Ventilation can assist members operating inside and help slow down the lateral spread of fire through the attic area
• Vertical ventilation can be accomplished by removing scuttle covers and skylights
• Venting the front showroom windows provides for significant horizontal ventilation when indicated

Response and Staging

• All personnel must wear full PPE with SCBA, handheld radio, hand light, and thermal imager (if available)
• Crews investigating the fire should not be left alone without backup
• A 360-degree perimeter search of the building will be conducted
• No forced entry should be made unless there are indicators of smoke, fire, or other events
• First arriving engine should position in a manner that allows rapid advancement of hose lines into the structure or effective use of master streams

Water Supply

• The first arriving engine should lay in supply hose and connect to the FDC if possible
• The second arriving engine should position for water supply to the first engine if needed
• Command will advise third and fourth arriving apparatus as to their assignment

Forcible Entry

• Forcible entry into commercial structures is often more difficult than residential structures due to heavier doors and security locks
• Personnel proficient in "through the lock" forcible entry can save on property loss

Rescue and Primary Search

• The primary concern at any structure fire is life safety
• Officers/command must quickly evaluate the life hazard potential associated with the fire situation
• The lack of alternate means of egress from the second level must be considered

Test your knowledge on fire rescue dispatch procedures including alarm response, staging, and safety measures. Questions cover responsibilities of fire rescue personnel, appropriate dispatch protocols, and staging procedures for incidents. Be prepared to assess scenarios and make critical decisions.