Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the size of the fire building?
What is the size of the fire building?
Where did the captain see light smoke drifting from?
Where did the captain see light smoke drifting from?
What material is the kitchen ceiling made of?
What material is the kitchen ceiling made of?
What did the captain order a firefighter to use to open up the ceiling?
What did the captain order a firefighter to use to open up the ceiling?
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What is the heaviest part of a suspended ceiling that can trap or pin a firefighter inside a burning building?
What is the heaviest part of a suspended ceiling that can trap or pin a firefighter inside a burning building?
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What may happen if a firefighter is caught below a collapsing suspended ceiling?
What may happen if a firefighter is caught below a collapsing suspended ceiling?
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What type of suspended ceiling did Firefighter Kevin Kane of FDNY encounter when he was caught and trapped by a collapsing ceiling?
What type of suspended ceiling did Firefighter Kevin Kane of FDNY encounter when he was caught and trapped by a collapsing ceiling?
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What can happen after a suspended ceiling collapse?
What can happen after a suspended ceiling collapse?
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What part of a suspended ceiling traps or pins a firefighter inside a burning building?
What part of a suspended ceiling traps or pins a firefighter inside a burning building?
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What happened to Firefighter Kevin Kane of FDNY when he broke through the collapsing ceiling framework?
What happened to Firefighter Kevin Kane of FDNY when he broke through the collapsing ceiling framework?
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What are the three common types of suspended ceilings mentioned in the text?
What are the three common types of suspended ceilings mentioned in the text?
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What may happen to firefighters pinned by the ceiling or trapped inside a sealed void after a suspended ceiling collapse?
What may happen to firefighters pinned by the ceiling or trapped inside a sealed void after a suspended ceiling collapse?
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What tool did the firefighter use to remove a section of tin ceiling in the restaurant kitchen?
What tool did the firefighter use to remove a section of tin ceiling in the restaurant kitchen?
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What did the captain call for as the fire was found to have extended into an adjoining store?
What did the captain call for as the fire was found to have extended into an adjoining store?
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What happened when firefighters pulled down the tin ceiling inside the restaurant?
What happened when firefighters pulled down the tin ceiling inside the restaurant?
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What happened to the chauffeur of the ladder company and another firefighter when they forcibly entered the locked adjoining store?
What happened to the chauffeur of the ladder company and another firefighter when they forcibly entered the locked adjoining store?
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What did the trapped firefighter do when he managed to create a hole in the ceiling?
What did the trapped firefighter do when he managed to create a hole in the ceiling?
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What happened to the trapped firefighter when he attempted to move toward the store front?
What happened to the trapped firefighter when he attempted to move toward the store front?
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What did the trapped firefighter feel before realizing he was trapped and may not escape?
What did the trapped firefighter feel before realizing he was trapped and may not escape?
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Where did the trapped firefighter move to after feeling the heat of a flashover?
Where did the trapped firefighter move to after feeling the heat of a flashover?
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What did the trapped firefighter realize when he moved to the cooler rear of the store?
What did the trapped firefighter realize when he moved to the cooler rear of the store?
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What did the trapped firefighter hear before calling for help?
What did the trapped firefighter hear before calling for help?
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What did the firefighters realize when the trapped firefighter called for help?
What did the firefighters realize when the trapped firefighter called for help?
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What is often misattributed as the exact cause of death for firefighters in ceiling collapses?
What is often misattributed as the exact cause of death for firefighters in ceiling collapses?
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Which type of ceilings, found in older buildings, collapse in small pieces and usually cause minimal injury?
Which type of ceilings, found in older buildings, collapse in small pieces and usually cause minimal injury?
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What can cause sudden collapses in directly affixed ceilings?
What can cause sudden collapses in directly affixed ceilings?
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Which type of ceilings pose a risk of serious head or neck injury to firefighters in older structures?
Which type of ceilings pose a risk of serious head or neck injury to firefighters in older structures?
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Where are suspended ceilings commonly found, presenting the most dangerous collapse hazard?
Where are suspended ceilings commonly found, presenting the most dangerous collapse hazard?
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What are suspended ceilings designed to do in renovated buildings?
What are suspended ceilings designed to do in renovated buildings?
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What happens when the vertical supports of a suspended ceiling are destroyed by flames?
What happens when the vertical supports of a suspended ceiling are destroyed by flames?
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What should be considered in firefighting operations to mitigate risks related to ceiling collapses?
What should be considered in firefighting operations to mitigate risks related to ceiling collapses?
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How can understanding the potential hazards of different ceiling types help improve firefighter safety?
How can understanding the potential hazards of different ceiling types help improve firefighter safety?
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What is the most dangerous collapse hazard according to the text?
What is the most dangerous collapse hazard according to the text?
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What is often underestimated as a structural hazard during firefighting according to the text?
What is often underestimated as a structural hazard during firefighting according to the text?
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What are the two categories of ceilings mentioned in the text?
What are the two categories of ceilings mentioned in the text?
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What procedure do FDNY firefighters use to prevent wire entrapment?
What procedure do FDNY firefighters use to prevent wire entrapment?
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What type of ceiling collapse is killing New York City firefighters?
What type of ceiling collapse is killing New York City firefighters?
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What happens immediately after a wood grid suspended ceiling collapses?
What happens immediately after a wood grid suspended ceiling collapses?
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What happens to the air space below and above a fallen wood grid suspended ceiling?
What happens to the air space below and above a fallen wood grid suspended ceiling?
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What should a firefighter do to be ready to rescue a trapped firefighter in case of a ceiling collapse in a multiple dwelling or renovated building?
What should a firefighter do to be ready to rescue a trapped firefighter in case of a ceiling collapse in a multiple dwelling or renovated building?
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In case of firefighters being trapped in shelters or voids beneath a collapsed suspended ceiling in a store, where should rescue attempts be made from?
In case of firefighters being trapped in shelters or voids beneath a collapsed suspended ceiling in a store, where should rescue attempts be made from?
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What action should the officer in command take to limit the risk of crushing firefighters trapped below a fallen ceiling?
What action should the officer in command take to limit the risk of crushing firefighters trapped below a fallen ceiling?
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What should be done when the stability of a suspended ceiling is in question before entering a room?
What should be done when the stability of a suspended ceiling is in question before entering a room?
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What should be considered to prevent fire spread in case of a ceiling collapse in a store?
What should be considered to prevent fire spread in case of a ceiling collapse in a store?
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What can be used to gain access to a store beneath a ceiling collapse?
What can be used to gain access to a store beneath a ceiling collapse?
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What should be checked for before entering a room with a questionable suspended ceiling?
What should be checked for before entering a room with a questionable suspended ceiling?
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What should be done to have a better chance of escape if the ceiling suddenly collapses?
What should be done to have a better chance of escape if the ceiling suddenly collapses?
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What is the crucial first step to rescue trapped firefighters in a store fire with a collapsed ceiling?
What is the crucial first step to rescue trapped firefighters in a store fire with a collapsed ceiling?
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What should firefighters be near to serve as shelters or voids in case of a serious building fire with the possibility of a suspended ceiling collapse?
What should firefighters be near to serve as shelters or voids in case of a serious building fire with the possibility of a suspended ceiling collapse?
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What can contribute to a collapse if the suspended ceiling's vertical hanger strips have been weakened by flames?
What can contribute to a collapse if the suspended ceiling's vertical hanger strips have been weakened by flames?
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What should be practiced to temporarily shore up weakened ceilings, especially during overhauling?
What should be practiced to temporarily shore up weakened ceilings, especially during overhauling?
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What is crucial to prevent a fire-weakened suspended ceiling from collapsing?
What is crucial to prevent a fire-weakened suspended ceiling from collapsing?
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What should be used to open up the ceiling to prevent a fire-weakened suspended ceiling from collapsing?
What should be used to open up the ceiling to prevent a fire-weakened suspended ceiling from collapsing?
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What should firefighters attempt to stay near in case of a suspended ceiling collapse in a serious building fire?
What should firefighters attempt to stay near in case of a suspended ceiling collapse in a serious building fire?
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What should be ready at every fire to rescue trapped victims or firefighters suddenly trapped by ceiling collapse and fire?
What should be ready at every fire to rescue trapped victims or firefighters suddenly trapped by ceiling collapse and fire?
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What should firefighters be trained to recognize in occupancies with dangerous suspended ceilings?
What should firefighters be trained to recognize in occupancies with dangerous suspended ceilings?
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What should be examined and communicated before committing firefighters to a serious fire in a large-area occupancy?
What should be examined and communicated before committing firefighters to a serious fire in a large-area occupancy?
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What can help firefighters examine areas below quickly and protect against fire increase after a suspended ceiling collapse?
What can help firefighters examine areas below quickly and protect against fire increase after a suspended ceiling collapse?
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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.
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Description
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.
