42 Questions
What is the primary consideration for developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for operations involving sloping roofs?
Life safety
Why may older structures built before a local building code was enacted not conform to code requirements for roof construction?
They were built before the local building code was enacted
What risk do firefighters face when walking upon the roof of a burning building?
Plunging through a fire-weakened structure
Why may a sloping roof support fewer firefighters than a flat roof?
It sheds water and snow when properly pitched
What is the size of the building in question?
35 by 105 feet
Where is exposure 3 located?
In an open lot sloping downward
What does the firefighter carry while climbing to the roof?
A power saw slung over his back, and a flathead axe and a pike pole
What is the condition of the walking space on the roof?
Filled with 6 inches of slush
What were the contributing causes to firefighter Brady's survival of a roof collapse incident?
Fire destruction of the roof deck, lack of collar beams, unanchored wood plates
Where did Fire Captain Francis Federici die in a similar incident?
Bridgeport, Connecticut
What are some primary structural elements crucial in roof construction?
Header and trimmer beams, ridge rafters, hip rafters, bearing walls
Where did firefighter Harry Korwatch lose his life due to a roof collapse?
Yonkers, New York
What type of roof did the Yonkers fire building have?
Sloping gable roof supported by heavy timber trusses and thin unsupported wood decking
What caused firefighter Harry Korwatch to plunge through the roof in Yonkers?
Flames from the fire below charred and weakened the 1-inch roof deck
Which type of wood construction has the largest area of unsupported roof deck?
Timber truss construction
Which type of roof construction is mentioned as safest to walk on?
Rafter construction
What may cause areas of rotted or decayed roof deck in poor plank-and-beam roofs in rural areas?
Accumulations of snow or ice
What type of roofing shingles present a collapse hazard to firefighters?
Slate and tile shingles
What type of roof was involved in the firefighting operation in the Bronx, New York?
Hip roof
What are some activities that firefighters are required to perform on sloping peaked roofs?
Roof venting and chimney fire operations
What are the three most common types of sloping roofs mentioned in the text?
Gable roof, Hip roof, Gambrel roof
What caused the eaves to push out beyond the bearing walls on both sides during the firefighting operation?
Roof collapse
What tools were utilized by firefighters to combat the fire on the sloping hip roof in the Bronx?
Hand lines and an exterior master stream
What was firefighter Michael Brady doing when the roof started to collapse?
Entering the attic space
What was used to create a vent cut to release smoke and flames from a building on a sloping gable roof?
Sawsall (reciprocating saw)
What is a potential cause of collapse for slate and tile shingles on a roof?
Destruction of the wooden roof deck by fire
What hazard do ice, snow, rain, and humidity pose for firefighters working on slate and tile roofs?
Increased slipperiness
What is a crucial factor in determining the safety of a roof for firefighters to walk and operate on?
The pitch of the roof
How can firefighters protect themselves on peaked roofs?
Using roof ladders hooked onto the ridge rafter or operating from an aerial or tower ladder
What can conceal a fire-weakened roof structure, leading to unexpected collapses without warning signs?
Slate and tile roofs
What must fire departments have to safely operate and vent peaked roofs?
Standard operating procedures and necessary equipment like aerial ladders
What is the primary consideration for developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for operations involving sloping roofs?
Safety of firefighters during operations on sloping roofs
What activity should firefighters perform when preparing a pre-fire plan for a hazardous building?
Identify the type of roof construction and include it in the plan
What is mentioned as a way to protect firefighters from a rafter collapse on a peaked roof?
Standing and operating from an aerial ladder or platform
What has resulted in severe injuries to firefighters due to collapsing slate shingles?
A fire in a four-story brownstone mansion in Manhattan
What has led to firefighters being killed or injured by falling objects near fire buildings?
Falling objects such as slate shingles, tools, and even people jumping from windows near fire buildings.
What is the main danger posed by falling slate or tile shingles for firefighters?
Severe injuries due to the weight and thickness of the shingles
What are the potential causes of slate and tile shingle collapse during a fire?
Destruction of the wooden roof deck, sudden temperature changes, and powerful hose streams
What type of objects have caused harm to firefighters near fire buildings?
Falling objects such as slate shingles, tools, and people jumping from windows
What risk do slate and tile roofs pose in terms of concealing a fire-weakened roof structure?
They can lead to unexpected collapses without warning signs
What environmental factors can make slate and tile roofs hazardous for firefighters to work on?
Ice, snow, rain, and humidity making the roofs extremely slippery
What is crucial in determining the safety of a roof for firefighters to walk and operate on?
The condition of the roof deck and the presence of structural reinforcements
Study Notes
Dangers of Slate and Tile Shingle Roofs for Firefighters
- Slate or tile shingles can be 2 inches thick and weigh up to 10 pounds, posing a significant danger when falling from a height.
- A fire in a four-story brownstone mansion in Manhattan resulted in severe injuries to FDNY Lieutenant Robert O'Connell due to collapsing slate shingles.
- Slate and tile shingle collapse can be caused by destruction of the wooden roof deck by fire, sudden temperature changes, and powerful hose streams.
- Firefighters have been killed or injured by falling objects such as slate shingles, tools, and even people jumping from windows near fire buildings.
- Slate and tile roofs can conceal a fire-weakened roof structure, leading to unexpected collapses without warning signs.
- The chances of a firefighter losing balance and falling off a sloping rooftop are greater than those of being injured in a roof collapse.
- Ice, snow, rain, and humidity can make slate and tile roofs extremely slippery, posing a hazard for firefighters working on them.
- The pitch of a roof is a crucial factor in determining its safety for firefighters to walk and operate on.
- Firefighters can protect themselves on peaked roofs using roof ladders hooked onto the ridge rafter or by operating from an aerial or tower ladder.
- Only standing and operating from an aerial ladder or platform can protect a firefighter from a rafter collapse on a peaked roof.
- Fire departments must have standard operating procedures and necessary equipment, like aerial ladders, to safely operate and vent peaked roofs.
- When preparing a pre-fire plan for a hazardous building, firefighters should identify the type of roof construction and include it in the plan.
Test your knowledge of firefighting rescue incidents with this quiz. Read the scenario and answer questions to see how well you understand these high-pressure situations.
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