Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why are firefighters at a higher risk in commercial buildings compared to residential ones?
Why are firefighters at a higher risk in commercial buildings compared to residential ones?
What is true regarding fire loads in commercial versus residential buildings?
What is true regarding fire loads in commercial versus residential buildings?
What is a recommended practice for firefighters in commercial fires?
What is a recommended practice for firefighters in commercial fires?
What should firefighters prioritize when responding to commercial fires?
What should firefighters prioritize when responding to commercial fires?
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How do civilian life hazards in stores compare to those in residential buildings?
How do civilian life hazards in stores compare to those in residential buildings?
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What is the primary reason landlords historically constructed taxpayer buildings?
What is the primary reason landlords historically constructed taxpayer buildings?
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Which aspect of taxpayer buildings was often overlooked during their construction?
Which aspect of taxpayer buildings was often overlooked during their construction?
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How has the definition and construction of taxpayer buildings evolved over time?
How has the definition and construction of taxpayer buildings evolved over time?
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What type of establishments commonly fall under the taxpayer definition?
What type of establishments commonly fall under the taxpayer definition?
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Why were taxpayer buildings often considered 'temporary'?
Why were taxpayer buildings often considered 'temporary'?
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What construction type is primarily used in newer-style taxpayers as opposed to traditional shopping centers?
What construction type is primarily used in newer-style taxpayers as opposed to traditional shopping centers?
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Which of the following statements accurately describes the characteristics of newer-style strip malls?
Which of the following statements accurately describes the characteristics of newer-style strip malls?
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What roofing types may be found in traditional shopping centers built before the advent of automobile travel?
What roofing types may be found in traditional shopping centers built before the advent of automobile travel?
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Which statement is true regarding the term 'strip malls' as used in contemporary construction terminology?
Which statement is true regarding the term 'strip malls' as used in contemporary construction terminology?
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What impact did the rise of automobile travel have on shopping center design starting in the 1950s?
What impact did the rise of automobile travel have on shopping center design starting in the 1950s?
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What characteristic is common to multitenant commercial buildings recognized by the fire service?
What characteristic is common to multitenant commercial buildings recognized by the fire service?
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Which of the following heights can multitenant commercial buildings reach?
Which of the following heights can multitenant commercial buildings reach?
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In the context of fire service terminology, how are multitenant commercial buildings primarily categorized?
In the context of fire service terminology, how are multitenant commercial buildings primarily categorized?
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What does Class 3 ordinary construction specifically refer to in multitenant commercial buildings?
What does Class 3 ordinary construction specifically refer to in multitenant commercial buildings?
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Which statement does not accurately describe multitenant commercial buildings recognized by the fire service?
Which statement does not accurately describe multitenant commercial buildings recognized by the fire service?
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What is the primary risk associated with bowstring truss roofs in the event of a fire?
What is the primary risk associated with bowstring truss roofs in the event of a fire?
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In what type of building would you most likely find a bowstring truss roof?
In what type of building would you most likely find a bowstring truss roof?
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Which roof type cannot be categorized as a typology of older buildings mentioned?
Which roof type cannot be categorized as a typology of older buildings mentioned?
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What action should be taken if heavy fire is detected within a bowstring truss structure?
What action should be taken if heavy fire is detected within a bowstring truss structure?
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Which roof type is characterized by having a metal deck supported by bar joists?
Which roof type is characterized by having a metal deck supported by bar joists?
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What is a key feature of older style taxpayers that increases fire risk?
What is a key feature of older style taxpayers that increases fire risk?
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How do the dimensions of older style stores typically compare to newer constructions?
How do the dimensions of older style stores typically compare to newer constructions?
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Which construction characteristic is common in new style taxpayers?
Which construction characteristic is common in new style taxpayers?
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What regulatory change commonly applies to the cockloft in older buildings?
What regulatory change commonly applies to the cockloft in older buildings?
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What is a significant difference between the structures of newer shopping malls compared to older commercial buildings?
What is a significant difference between the structures of newer shopping malls compared to older commercial buildings?
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What is the primary reason for cutting a trench on a taxpayer roof?
What is the primary reason for cutting a trench on a taxpayer roof?
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What is a significant drawback of cutting trenches on taxpayer roofs?
What is a significant drawback of cutting trenches on taxpayer roofs?
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What is the minimum requirement for creating an effective trench on a taxpayer roof?
What is the minimum requirement for creating an effective trench on a taxpayer roof?
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What size ventilation hole is recommended over the main body of a fire to slow horizontal extension in the cockloft?
What size ventilation hole is recommended over the main body of a fire to slow horizontal extension in the cockloft?
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What is the likelihood of successfully completing a trench cut on a taxpayer building that is only 75 ft deep?
What is the likelihood of successfully completing a trench cut on a taxpayer building that is only 75 ft deep?
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What is a significant risk associated with the use of thin steel in newer-type taxpayer roofs during a fire?
What is a significant risk associated with the use of thin steel in newer-type taxpayer roofs during a fire?
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What approach did the FDNY take regarding metal deck roofs after recognizing the associated dangers?
What approach did the FDNY take regarding metal deck roofs after recognizing the associated dangers?
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What is a proposed best practice for firefighting operations on bar-joist roofs?
What is a proposed best practice for firefighting operations on bar-joist roofs?
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Why is it essential for firefighters to understand the properties of steel as a thermoplastic metal?
Why is it essential for firefighters to understand the properties of steel as a thermoplastic metal?
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What misconception might firefighters have regarding the behavior of steel in a fire?
What misconception might firefighters have regarding the behavior of steel in a fire?
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What is a significant disadvantage of slab construction in strip malls?
What is a significant disadvantage of slab construction in strip malls?
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How does the fire load in a fully occupied strip mall primarily evolve?
How does the fire load in a fully occupied strip mall primarily evolve?
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What characteristic of the roof in modern strip malls can present unique fire challenges?
What characteristic of the roof in modern strip malls can present unique fire challenges?
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Why is the amount of fire load considered low when the building is completed?
Why is the amount of fire load considered low when the building is completed?
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What potential risk is associated with the large, open-floor area found in strip malls?
What potential risk is associated with the large, open-floor area found in strip malls?
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Study Notes
Firefighter Risks in Commercial Buildings
- Firefighters face increased danger in commercial fires compared to residential fires, despite lower civilian life hazards.
- Higher fire loads in commercial buildings contribute to the risks firefighters encounter during emergencies.
- A rapid cellar search is not necessary if the fire is above, as the likelihood of finding trapped individuals is minimal.
Taxpayer Definition and Characteristics
- Taxpayer refers to a row of stores under one roof, including various establishments like pizza parlors.
- Originates from landlords building quick, cheap structures to generate income for real estate taxes.
- These buildings were initially considered temporary with minimal fire safety features.
Taxpayer Construction Styles
- Older taxpayers (Class 3 ordinary construction) are made primarily of combustible materials: wood for floors, roofs, and walls, with brick or cinder block exteriors.
- Newer taxpayers, also referred to as strip malls, use Class 2 noncombustible construction and lack basements.
- Typical size for older stores averages 20 feet wide and 50 to 100 feet deep; newer stores are generally larger due to slab construction.
Roof Types on Older Taxpayer Buildings
- Common roof styles include standard flat, inverted roofs, metal deck on bar joists, and bowstring trusses.
- Bowstring trusses indicate significant risk; if fire is evident, evacuation and collapse zone establishment are critical.
Ventilation Operations
- Ventilation on flat or inverted roofs should follow established guidelines to mitigate fire spread.
- Cut an 8x8-foot hole over the fire to slow horizontal extension; additional holes may be necessary.
- Trench ventilation is impractical for taxpayers, as it requires extensive cutting and resource allocation.
Fire Safety in Strip Malls
- New strip malls are built to noncombustible standards with slab construction, eliminating the need for climbing down to basements.
- The trade-off for lacking cellars includes the potential for larger fire areas due to flimsy interior partitions.
- Store sizes can range from 20x75 feet to over 60x100 feet, creating large spaces for fire development.
Fire Spread and Roof Collapse
- Modern strip malls possess similar fire spread challenges as older styles, particularly through cocklofts.
- Unprotected steel roofs may collapse quickly (within minutes) due to heat exposure, despite being categorized as noncombustible.
- Fire departments are urged to conduct exterior operations on bar-joist roofs to mitigate risks associated with premature roof failure.
Practical Firefighting Strategies
- Coordinated operations combining ventilation and hose streams are vital for controlling fire spread in strip malls.
- Adjustments in tactics, such as those implemented by the FDNY, reflect a shift towards safety-first approaches in challenging fire situations.
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Description
Explore the various risks firefighters face in commercial buildings as opposed to residential fires. Understand the implications of construction styles and fire loads on firefighter safety. This quiz also covers the concept of taxpayers in the context of fire hazards.