Questions and Answers
What makes high-rise firefighting operations particularly challenging?
What is unique about high-rise firefighters?
What is the purpose of establishing guidelines for fire units in high-rise responses?
What do high-rise firefighters need to be knowledgeable about?
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Why is it essential for fire units to maintain their disciplines during high-rise responses?
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What is a crucial aspect of high-rise firefighting operations?
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What do firefighters need to do upon arrival at a high-rise incident?
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What makes high-rise firefighting operations an 'Ivy League' of the fire service?
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What type of alarm can be activated by conditions that are recognized as smoke, but not by actual fire?
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What is the primary reason for following the guidelines in NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2022?
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What can affect the sensitivity of fire detection devices over time?
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What is the purpose of maintaining a logbook according to the New York City Fire Code 2014?
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Which type of occupancy would require the response of a full alarm box assignment?
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What information should be included in the alarm information passed on to responding fire units?
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What is the purpose of notifying the public utility company in utility emergencies?
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What is the term for the failure of fire detection devices due to physical damage or lack of maintenance?
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What is the benefit of having multiple detection devices in a high-rise building?
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What is the term for the process of investigating and mitigating life safety issues during an emergency response?
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What is the primary purpose of pre-incident fire and all-hazard emergency planning in high-rise buildings?
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What type of fire alarm system is often found in high-rise residential buildings constructed in the 21st century?
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What type of fire alarm is activated without the interaction of a human being?
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Why may the fire department/brigade consider dispatching only one fire unit to investigate the cause for an alarm in a commercial building during normal working hours?
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What is the purpose of communicating life safety components to occupants in high-rise buildings?
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What type of fire alarm system is often found in high-rise residential buildings built prior to the 21st century?
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What is the role of the AHJ in responding to alarms in high-rise buildings?
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What is the purpose of audible tones, bells, and announcements in high-rise buildings?
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What is the typical response to a fire alarm in a commercial building during normal working hours?
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Why may the communication center increase the response to a full alarm assignment in high-rise buildings?
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What is the primary goal of the communication center in case of a chemical release or explosion?
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What factor has a significant impact on the stack effect in a building?
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What might be mistaken for a fire condition on the roof of a building?
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What is the primary reason for airflow traveling towards areas of lower pressure?
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What is the purpose of the Critical Information Dispatch System (CIDS)?
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What is the first step of the first arriving fire unit?
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Why is it important to include the fact that 'nothing showing' from the building envelope in the initial radio report?
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What is indicative of a wind-impacted event in a fire?
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What happens when the building envelope is compromised and fire is showing, but not venting to the exterior?
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What is the purpose of the 'house watch' desk?
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What should a comprehensive report include in a fire incident?
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What is the primary role of emergency call operators?
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Why is it important to consider the wind direction when responding to a fire in a residential structure?
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What is the primary direction of heat and smoke migration in a high-rise building?
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What is the purpose of observing the color, volume, and degree of turbulence of fire or smoke vents?
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What is the purpose of the alarm card?
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What is the benefit of having a secondary entrance to a building during an incident?
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What should be notified when fire or smoke is observed venting from a high-rise office building?
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What is the limitation of the building information field in the CIDS?
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What is the effect of external wind pressures on a fire in a high-rise building?
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Why is it important to determine the point of entry to a building during an incident?
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Why is it important to confirm the alarm or emergency address and location to the communication center?
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What type of voids or shafts are heat and smoke most likely to migrate to in a high-rise building?
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What is the purpose of the initial command position established by the first arriving fire unit?
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What is the primary factor that influences the direction of fire or smoke venting from a high-rise building?
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What is a critical factor to consider when responding to a fire in a high-rise building?
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What should be included in the initial radio report when responding to a fire in a high-rise building?
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What is the term for the phenomenon where fire or smoke is drawn up and away in a vertical column?
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What should each firefighter be equipped with before leaving the apparatus?
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What is the purpose of having multiple detection devices in a high-rise building?
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What is indicative of a negative stack effect in a high-rise building?
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What is the primary purpose of gathering building intelligence during an initial response to a high-rise alarm?
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What is the role of the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) in high-rise buildings?
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In the event of an electrical fault incident, what is a potential pathway for smoke laden with carbon monoxide to enter the building?
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Why is it important to report airflow information to the incident commander?
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What is the primary reason for the fire team to investigate the main electrical service panel room?
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What is the primary purpose of the FLSD logbook in the City of New York?
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What is the primary purpose of interacting with the Fire Safety Director (FSD) or Building Information Representative (BiR) upon arrival at a high-rise building?
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What should the fire officer do if they are unaware of the ongoing event outside the building?
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What is the significance of distance from the arriving fire apparatus to the entrance door in high-rise buildings?
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What is the significance of the 2016 Brussels terrorist bombing events in the context of high-rise building emergency response?
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What is a potential consequence of a failure in a public water supply, natural gas, or steam underground pipeline exterior to a high-rise building?
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What is a potential hazard that firefighters should be cautious of while investigating the main electric service supply room?
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What is the benefit of using the side doors instead of the revolving door when entering a high-rise building?
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What is the primary responsibility of tall building owners and property managers in the context of emergency response?
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Why is it important to ensure that firefighters have all necessary tools and equipment before entering a high-rise building?
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What should the fire units do upon arrival at the scene?
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What is a common indicator of an electrical fault incident involving underground conduits?
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What is the term used to describe all methods and means of airflow in and out of a building?
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What is the primary purpose of smoke management and control exhaust ventilation in high-rise buildings?
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What is the significance of the initial alarm information in high-rise building responses?
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What is a characteristic of natural airflow paths in high-rise buildings?
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What is the primary purpose of the size-up process on arrival at an incident scene?
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Why is it important for firefighters to understand the ventilation profile of a building?
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What is the significance of maintaining disciplines during high-rise responses, according to the SOPs/SOGs?
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What type of incident can occur due to the pressure buildup in an electrical transformer failure?
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What should the building's FLSD/BiR consider making announcements about?
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What is the average weight of a manhole cover that can be blown onto the roof of a low-rise building during an electrical fault incident?
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What should firefighters do upon arrival at the scene to ensure their safety?
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What is the purpose of the IC or fire officer signing the logbook entry upon leaving the building?
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What is the primary responsibility of the first officer to arrive at a high-rise fire incident?
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What is the purpose of performing a size-up during a high-rise fire incident?
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What should firefighters do when entering the lobby of a high-rise building during a fire incident?
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What is the importance of recalling elevator banks to the lobby during a high-rise fire incident?
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What should firefighters take note of when examining elevator banks in a high-rise building during a fire incident?
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Why is it important to understand the physical layout of a high-rise building during a fire incident?
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What should be done with the elevator banks/cars if time permits during a high-rise fire incident?
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What is the role of the fire officer during the lobby size-up?
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What should be evaluated during the size-up process in a high-rise fire incident?
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What is the purpose of the fire officer inquiring with the FLSD/BiR about the elevator recall?
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What is a potential threat to building owners/property management that justifies considering a second Fire Command Center (FCC)?
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What could lobby security personnel prevent from happening?
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What information can current FACP systems provide about alarm devices?
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What feature can some FACP systems provide to aid in fire investigation?
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What is the benefit of having a redundant FACP system with AHJ approval?
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What is the starting point of the investigation for confirmation of a condition or fire location?
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What can be broadcast to occupants during emergency response efforts?
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What can be used to direct occupants concerning the method and means for egress?
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What is the purpose of a redundant Fire Command Center (FCC)?
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What can be reviewed by the IC while responding to a fire alarm?
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What is the ideal location for the fire alarm control panel room/fire command center in new construction?
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Why is it important to have a remote fire alarm annunciator panel in the immediate vicinity of the main entrance?
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What is the benefit of having a two-way communication system in the FACP?
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What is the purpose of the FACP having an all-call mode or to selected floors as needed?
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Why is it important to consider the location of the FACP room in relation to the lobby area?
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What is the role of the AHJ in regards to the FACP/FCC location?
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What is the purpose of having a fire warden phone on each floor?
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What is the role of the fire wardens in an alarm emergency or fire situation?
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Why is it important to have a separate room for the FACP/FCC in the lobby area?
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What is the importance of prior training for familiarization with the evacuation plan?
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What is the consequence of alarms and tones sounding without a follow-up broadcast and announcement?
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What is the benefit of having the FACP/FCC room in the lobby area?
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What is the purpose of the fire department/brigade requesting plans for the FACP/FCC location?
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What is the purpose of the evacuation plan in a high-rise building?
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What is the term for the floor zone involved in an alarm emergency or fire situation?
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What is the purpose of including specifics of various evacuation modes in the fire safety and all-hazard emergency action plans?
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What is the primary reason for shutting down the HVAC system during a high-rise fire response?
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What is the purpose of the FACP/FCC features in high-rise buildings?
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What is the role of the building engineer in high-rise fire responses?
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What is the purpose of establishing a command post in the lobby of a high-rise building?
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What is the benefit of recalling all elevators to their terminal floor during a high-rise fire response?
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What is the purpose of NFPA standards for fire safety and all-hazard emergency action plans?
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What is the role of fire wardens in high-rise office buildings?
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What is the benefit of having a single tenant or multiple tenants in high-rise office buildings?
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What is the purpose of the IC's report detailing the analyzed and completed actions, duties, and responsibilities?
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What is the benefit of communicating with the building engineer during a high-rise fire response?
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Study Notes
High-Rise Firefighting Operations
- High-rise firefighting operations are physically demanding and require a high level of knowledge and expertise, earning them the reputation of being part of the "Ivy League" of the fire service.
- Firefighters must be knowledgeable of complex building designs, floor layouts, transportation systems, machinery, utilities, energy systems, and hazardous materials.
Responding to Alarms
- High-rise buildings with mixed-use occupancies should have full fire protection systems, including fire alarm systems with control panels.
- Fire alarm systems can be classified as automatic or nonautomatic, and may be connected directly to the fire department or through a central alarm monitoring company.
- The type and number of fire units required to respond to an alarm depend on the type of alarm, occupancy, and additional information received.
Initial Alarm Information
- Alarm information provided to responding fire units may vary depending on the location and should include the address, reason for the request, and type of emergency.
- The protocol for emergency calls should also notify the appropriate public utility company to respond and assist as needed.
First Fire Unit to Arrive
- The first arriving fire unit should announce their arrival via radio or mobile data terminal, establish an initial command position, and provide a report with an update of intelligence about the initial alarm.
- The unit should confirm the alarm or emergency address and location with the communication center to ensure all responding units are notified.
Size-up on Arrival
- Emergency responders should habitually conduct a visual size-up on arrival at the incident scene, especially in high-rise buildings where events can be more complex and unpredictable.
- Recent events have underscored the need for all-hazard (nonfire) emergency planning and response by building personnel to render aid in chaotic situations.
Logbook Maintenance
- The Fire and Life Safety Director (FLSD) should maintain a logbook with entries recorded for all fire alarm activations, including staffing, fire incidents, fire alarm system offline entries, nonfire emergency incidents, and notifications to the fire department or other agencies.### High-Rise Building Ventilation Profile
- The term "ventilation profile" describes all methods and means of airflow in and out of a building.
- Every building type has a ventilation profile, including potential openings that permit airflow and smoke movement into and out of the building.
- High-rise buildings are subject to natural airflow paths due to the stack effect, which can be influenced by factors such as:
- Building height: Greater height, greater draft
- Temperature differentials: Internal vs. external temperatures and humidity
- Pressure differentials: Difference in pressure inside and outside the building
- Air leakage: Openings between walls and floors
- External weather conditions: Wind can introduce air and high pressure
Stack Effect and Fire Behavior
- Stack effect can cause fire to vent from the structure in a vertical column or horizontally, depending on wind conditions.
- Firefighters must consider the color, volume, and degree of turbulence of venting fire or smoke to determine the direction of airflow.
- Wind-impacted events can cause fire to erupt in a star pattern or produce puffs of smoke.
Initial Incident Report and Investigation
- The initial report should include information about the fire unit transmitting, assumption of command, address confirmation, visual observation, intended actions, and needs.
- Firefighters should consider the wind direction and its impact on fire behavior when approaching the building.
- The entrance into a building can provide clues about the stack effect, such as a draft of air at the back or in the face.
Building Intelligence and Initial Operations
- The initial response information may offer specific details about the response, depending on the sophistication of the fire protection systems.
- Firefighters should gather intelligence about the building, including the reason for the alarm, its location, and the status of occupants.
- The first officer to arrive should communicate this information to the department/brigade communications center and/or the chief officer.
Lobby Size-Up and Fire Alarm Control Panel
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Firefighters should perform a size-up, which includes an analysis of known facts, alarm information, and visual observations.
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The fire officer should interact with the FLSD/BiR and check the FACP displays while firefighters perform their lobby size-up.
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The FACP room should be located in a remote area, and a remote fire alarm annunciator panel should be placed in the lobby area for easy access.### Fire Safety and Emergency Response in High-Rise Buildings
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In high-rise buildings, fire wardens can use phones on each floor to report the status of their floor and determine if all persons are accounted for and if any occupants require assistance during an emergency.
Fire Command Center (FCC) and Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP)
- The FCC can be a hinderance to the lobby command structure during a major incident, and a second FCC with identical features may be necessary as a backup.
- The FCC can be used to broadcast further instructions to occupants during an emergency.
Potential Threats and Security Measures
- Building owners and property managers should consider the potential threat of terrorist or anarchist attacks, or actions by individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
- Having a redundant FACP system can thwart a deliberate attempt to disrupt emergency response efforts by rendering the primary FCC inoperable.
- Lobby security personnel can survey persons entering the lobby but will not be allowed into the elevator lobbies or stairwells.
Fire Alarm Activations and Investigation
- Modern FACP systems provide detailed information about fire alarm activations, including the exact location of the device and the time of alarm initiation.
- FACP systems can display alerts from various devices, including manual pull stations, smoke detectors, heat detectors, and sprinkler systems.
- Alarm systems can provide a time/date sequence of activation and allow for scrolling back to note previous activations.
- The lowest floor of a device having been activated should be the starting point of the investigation for confirmation of a condition or fire location.
Establishing Building Status and Command Post
- The FDNY will often establish their high-rise building command post presence in the lobby due to the availability of building intelligence and resources.
- The FACP features should determine the HVAC air-handling equipment operational status.
- When alarm devices activate, the HVAC system should automatically shut down to exclude fresh air from feeding the fire and to limit smoke contamination.
Implementation of Fire Safety and Emergency Action Plans
- Building owners, managers, and/or FLSDs are required to prepare fire safety and all-hazard (nonfire) emergency action plans.
- The elements of the plan provide the details and duties of the FLSD, and depending on the occupancy type, other staff members and/or the tenants.
- Building engineers can assist with the coordination, use, and controls of the HVAC system during an emergency.
- Fire wardens can assemble employees and guide them through evacuation procedures if their floor zone is involved in an alarm emergency or fire situation.
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Description
This quiz assesses understanding of protocols for investigating electrical fault incidents and potential fire hazards in buildings. It covers procedures for examining electrical panels, detecting carbon monoxide, and collaborating with building authorities.