Ch 18 pg 461-467 using elevators

Horizontal Ventilation Challenges

• Horizontal ventilation in high-rises is complex and difficult to control, especially during fires.
• Falling glass from broken windows poses a significant hazard to both firefighters and bystanders, potentially causing severe injuries or fatalities.
• Serious fires necessitate police involvement to secure the building's lobby and surrounding areas, with crowd control measures required at least one block away.
• Personnel should utilize remote or sheltered entrances to minimize exposure to falling debris.
• Fire personnel must remain clear of the base area of the building unless engaged in specific tasks.

Safety Precautions for Firefighters

• Pumper operators should minimize exposure time near the building to avoid risks from falling glass.
• Full protective gear is essential for all firefighters on scene.
• After charging hoses, operators should monitor the apparatus from within the cab rather than frequently checking the pump panel.
• Hoses connected to Siamese connections may need protection with plywood to safeguard against falling glass.
• Some cities require fire department connections to be placed at building perimeters or under protection to shield against falling glass hazards.

Atmospheric Effects

• The stack effect influences smoke behavior in high-rises, affecting ventilation strategies.
• Positive stack effects can draw smoke upward, posing a danger to occupants on upper floors unless properly vented.
• Fire on lower floors can attract cold outside air and intensify fire spread without proper window venting, especially on cold days.
• Extreme caution must be taken before issuing orders to vent windows, particularly during hot weather conditions that may exacerbate smoke movement.

Window Venting Guidelines

• Venting windows can cause smoke to enter the building rather than exit, complicating firefighting efforts.
• A cautious approach involves creating a small opening to assess conditions before wider glass removal.
• Use of pressure-sensitive tape or contact paper can help contain glass fragments during the venting process.
• Fire personnel operating near open windows must be vigilant to prevent accidental falls due to strong winds.

Elevator Usage in High-Rise Fires

• Elevators are essential for firefighters to access higher floors, distinguishing their use from that of the general public who may descend past the fire.
• Opening elevator doors on the fire floor poses significant risks, potentially leading to unintended stops at dangerous locations.
• Firefighters must treat elevators as a necessary but risky option, making use only when essential.

Response Times and Firefighting Procedures

• Reflex time is critical, defined as the duration from alarm receipt until water flows on the fire.
• While response time may be similar to lower buildings, high-rise situations involve additional complexities such as removing and transporting equipment.
• Firefighters must verify the fire floor, then ascend to the level below the fire to connect hoses and initiate water supply.

Elevator Design Considerations

• Large high-rises often implement separate banks of elevators to reduce wait times and streamline access.
• Sky lobbies serve as transfer points, merging express and local elevator services efficiently in buildings taller than 40 stories.
• For example, the World Trade Center used sky lobbies on the 44th and 78th floors for efficient transit between different elevator banks.

Test your knowledge about the complexities and hazards of horizontal ventilation on the fire floor of a high-rise building. This quiz will cover the effects of breaking windows and the risks associated with falling glass during fire emergencies. Understand the importance of safe ventilation practices in high-rise firefighting operations.