70 Questions
What did the restaurant manager do upon seeing the smoke near the grease vent duct?
Notified the fire department immediately
Where did the first arriving ladder captain and forcible entry team go as directed by the manager?
Rear kitchen area of the restaurant
Why did the captain order a firefighter to open up the ceiling with a 10-foot pike pole?
To access the source of the smoke and potential fire
What is the design purpose of the sheet metal duct mentioned in the text?
To exhaust cooking vapor from a hood over the restaurant stove to the outer air
What is the heaviest part of a suspended ceiling?
The grid system
What may happen if a firefighter is caught below a collapsing suspended ceiling?
All of the above
What happened to Firefighter Kevin Kane of FDNY, Ladder Company 110?
He broke through the collapsing ceiling framework, was engulfed in flame, and killed
What are the three common types of suspended ceilings mentioned in the text?
Wood grid, metal grid with permanently affixed ceiling, lightweight metal grid system with permanently affixed ceiling
What may happen after a suspended ceiling collapse?
There is often a subsequent rapid fire increase
What is the potential outcome for firefighters pinned by the ceiling or trapped inside a sealed void?
They can be burned to death or asphyxiated by toxic smoke
What is the part of a suspended ceiling that traps or pins a firefighter inside a burning building?
The grid system or framework behind the ceiling sheathing
What is the potential danger for a firefighter who breaks through a plaster or panel ceiling?
They may become engulfed in fire
What did the firefighter use to remove a section of tin ceiling in the restaurant kitchen?
A pike pole
Where did the firefighter find the fire to have extended?
Into an adjoining store
What happened when firefighters pulled down the tin ceiling inside the restaurant?
It exposed more flames
What happened to the chauffeur of the ladder company and another firefighter when they forcibly entered the locked adjoining store?
The suspended ceiling collapsed on the chauffeur
What did the trapped firefighter manage to do in the ceiling?
Create a hole to see the fire trucks outside
What happened when the trapped firefighter attempted to move toward the store front?
He became wedged between the ceiling and the floor
What did the trapped firefighter feel, indicating a dangerous event?
The heat of a flashover
Where did the trapped firefighter move to, knowing he was moving away from potential rescue?
To the cooler rear of the store
What did the trapped firefighter hear, indicating the presence of his colleagues?
Muffled voices coming from the front of the store
What did the trapped firefighter call for as his colleagues realized he was trapped?
Help
What is often misattributed as the cause of death for firefighters in ceiling collapses?
Burns
What type of ceilings are found in older buildings and collapse in small pieces?
Directly affixed ceilings
What can cause sudden collapses in directly affixed ceilings?
Water absorption into plaster from hose streams
Which type of ceilings pose a risk of serious head or neck injury to firefighters in older structures?
Thick, heavy plaster ceilings
Where are suspended ceilings commonly found?
Stores and top floors of multiple dwellings
What are suspended ceilings designed to do in renovated buildings?
Cover old ceilings and insulate top floors
What happens when the vertical supports of a suspended ceiling are destroyed by flames?
The entire grid framework collapses
What should be considered in firefighting operations to mitigate risks related to ceiling collapses?
The type of ceiling and its collapse characteristics
How can understanding the potential hazards of different ceiling types help improve firefighter safety?
By taking appropriate precautions during rescue operations
What is a common misconception about the cause of death for firefighters in ceiling collapses?
It is often misattributed to burns or smoke inhalation
What is the risk associated with older structures having thick, heavy plaster ceilings?
Serious head or neck injury to firefighters
What is the main danger posed by suspended ceilings in firefighting scenarios?
The entire grid framework collapses when vertical supports are destroyed
What is a procedure used by FDNY firefighters to prevent wire entrapment?
Simultaneously opening both buckles of a mask to let the equipment fall to the ground
What type of ceiling collapse is killing New York City firefighters?
Wood grid suspended ceiling
What may happen if a firefighter is caught in wire after a ceiling collapse?
Not be able to escape a room that flashes over
What is the risk associated with the wood grid suspended ceiling collapse?
Rapid increase in fire in the space directly over the fallen ceiling
What should a firefighter do when the stability of a suspended ceiling is in question?
Make an inspection opening in the ceiling with a pike pole near the entrance
What should be done if firefighters are trapped in shelters or voids at the rear of a store beneath a collapsed suspended ceiling?
Rescue attempts should be made from adjoining stores
What should the officer in command do to maintain control of a rescue attempt after a collapse?
Limit the number of firefighters participating in the rescue attempt
In what situation should hoselines be positioned into adjoining stores?
To prevent fire spread in case of a ceiling collapse
What should a firefighter do when a fire is suspected in the space above a suspended ceiling?
Make an inspection opening in the ceiling with a pike pole near the entrance
What can happen if the officer in command does not limit the number of firefighters participating in a rescue attempt after a collapse?
The combined weight of the firefighters can crush those trapped below
What should be used to penetrate partition walls separating stores in a large one-story building?
Pike pole
What is the recommended action when attempting entry into a store beneath a ceiling collapse?
Position hoselines into adjoining stores to prevent fire spread
What is a procedure used by FDNY firefighters to prevent wire entrapment?
Using a hand movement to simultaneously open both buckles of a mask
What type of ceiling collapse is killing New York City firefighters?
Wood grid suspended ceiling
What is the main danger posed by suspended ceilings in firefighting scenarios?
Entrapment and entanglement of firefighters in thin wires
What happens when a ceiling collapses in one large section?
The air space below the ceiling is momentarily compressed and the air space above is briefly placed under a vacuum
What should a firefighter do if the stability of a suspended ceiling is in question?
Make an inspection opening in the ceiling with a pike pole near the entrance
Where should rescue attempts be made if firefighters are trapped in shelters or voids at the rear of a store beneath a collapsed suspended ceiling?
From adjoining stores
What should the officer in command do to maintain control of a rescue attempt after a collapse?
Limit the number of firefighters participating in the rescue attempt
What should be used to penetrate partition walls separating stores in a large one-story building?
Pike pole
What is the potential outcome for firefighters pinned by the ceiling or trapped inside a sealed void?
Serious injury or death
In what situation should hoselines be positioned into adjoining stores?
To prevent fire spread
What is the risk associated with the wood grid suspended ceiling collapse?
Entanglement in wire
What is the design purpose of the sheet metal duct mentioned in the text?
To channel air in the building
What is the crucial first step to rescue trapped firefighters in a store fire with a collapsed ceiling?
Sweeping the collapse area with a hoseline to knock down flames
What should firefighters do if rescue attempts are made without extinguishing the fire?
Trapped firefighters may succumb to the products of combustion before being reached
What should firefighters do when operating at a serious building fire with the possibility of a suspended ceiling collapse?
Attempt to stay near large pieces of furniture or stock that can serve as shelters or voids
What is essential before committing firefighters to a serious fire in a large-area occupancy?
Proper examination and communication of the type of ceiling in a structure
What can contribute to a collapse if the suspended ceiling's vertical hanger strips have been weakened by flames?
Hose streams directed into a concealed space to extinguish a spreading fire
What is crucial to prevent a fire-weakened suspended ceiling from collapsing?
Proper methods of opening a ceiling with a pike pole
What should be practiced to temporarily shore up weakened ceilings, especially during overhauling?
Shoring techniques
What can help firefighters examine areas below quickly and protect against fire increase after a ceiling collapse?
Tunneling beneath collapsed ceilings with portable ladders
What should be used to penetrate partition walls separating stores in a large one-story building?
Pike pole
What should firefighters do to prevent wire entrapment?
Use proper methods of opening a ceiling with a pike pole
What should be done to prevent a firefighter from breaking through a plaster or panel ceiling?
Use proper methods of opening a ceiling with a pike pole
What should be used by firefighters to prevent wire entrapment?
Pike pole
Study Notes
Firefighter Ceiling Collapse Hazards
- A firefighter becomes trapped under a collapsed ceiling during a fire rescue operation
- Ceilings are often underestimated as a structural hazard during firefighting
- The exact cause of death for firefighters in ceiling collapses is often misattributed to burns or smoke inhalation
- Ceilings are categorized as directly affixed or suspended, with different collapse characteristics
- Directly affixed ceilings, found in older buildings, collapse in small pieces and usually cause minimal injury
- Water absorption into plaster from hose streams can cause sudden collapses in directly affixed ceilings
- Older structures with thick, heavy plaster ceilings pose a risk of serious head or neck injury to firefighters
- Suspended ceilings, commonly found in stores, top floors of multiple dwellings, and renovated buildings, present the most dangerous collapse hazard
- Suspended ceilings are designed to cover old ceilings, insulate top floors, and conserve energy in renovated buildings
- When the vertical supports of a suspended ceiling are destroyed by flames, the entire grid framework collapses, posing a serious hazard
- The type of ceiling and its collapse characteristics should be considered in firefighting operations to mitigate risks
- Understanding the potential hazards of different ceiling types can help improve firefighter safety during rescue operations
Fire Safety Precautions for Suspended Ceilings
- When a suspended ceiling collapses during a fire, a rush of fresh air mixes with superheated gases, potentially causing an explosive fire increase.
- A collapsed ceiling with a wood framework can fuel the fire, giving firefighters trapped below very little time to be rescued before the fire and smoke reach them.
- Sweeping the collapse area with a hoseline to knock down flames is the crucial first step to rescue trapped firefighters in a store fire.
- A ladder should be ready at every fire to rescue trapped victims or firefighters suddenly trapped by ceiling collapse and fire.
- If rescue attempts are made without extinguishing the fire, trapped firefighters may succumb to the products of combustion before being reached.
- Firefighters should be trained to recognize occupancies with dangerous suspended ceilings, such as stores, top floors of multiple dwellings, and renovated buildings.
- Proper examination and communication of the type of ceiling in a structure is essential before committing firefighters to a serious fire in a large-area occupancy.
- Hose streams directed into a concealed space to extinguish a spreading fire can contribute to a collapse if the suspended ceiling's vertical hanger strips have been weakened by flames.
- Proper methods of opening a ceiling with a pike pole are crucial to prevent a fire-weakened suspended ceiling from collapsing.
- Firefighters operating at a serious building fire with the possibility of a suspended ceiling collapse should attempt to stay near large pieces of furniture or stock that can serve as shelters or voids.
- Shoring techniques should be practiced to temporarily shore up weakened ceilings, especially during overhauling.
- Tunneling beneath collapsed ceilings with portable ladders can help firefighters examine areas below quickly and protect against fire increase.
Test your knowledge of firefighter safety in relation to ceiling collapse hazards with this quiz. Learn about the specific risks and characteristics of directly affixed and suspended ceilings, and how to mitigate these dangers during firefighting operations.
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