Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of the engine company officer shining his spotlight on the front doorways?
What is the purpose of the engine company officer shining his spotlight on the front doorways?
What is the role of the ladder company roof man?
What is the role of the ladder company roof man?
What does the firefighter assigned the 'outside ventilation' position do?
What does the firefighter assigned the 'outside ventilation' position do?
Why does the aerial ladder operator stay with the truck?
Why does the aerial ladder operator stay with the truck?
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What does the ladder company lieutenant do upon entering the fire building?
What does the ladder company lieutenant do upon entering the fire building?
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What does the engine captain do upon entering the fire building?
What does the engine captain do upon entering the fire building?
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What does the ladder company roof man know about the buildings from the fire inspection?
What does the ladder company roof man know about the buildings from the fire inspection?
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What did the captain suspect as the cause of the fire?
What did the captain suspect as the cause of the fire?
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What did the ladder company officer investigate?
What did the ladder company officer investigate?
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What facilitated the firefighters' access to the upper floors?
What facilitated the firefighters' access to the upper floors?
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What did the firefighters discover inside the concealed space of the fallen staircase?
What did the firefighters discover inside the concealed space of the fallen staircase?
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What did the text provide historical context on?
What did the text provide historical context on?
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What was the role of the captain during the fire extinguishing process?
What was the role of the captain during the fire extinguishing process?
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What did the firefighters encounter after quickly extinguishing the fire?
What did the firefighters encounter after quickly extinguishing the fire?
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What type of materials do building codes require for stair components like balusters and stringboards?
What type of materials do building codes require for stair components like balusters and stringboards?
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In which type of stairways do fire departments position initial firefighting hoselines?
In which type of stairways do fire departments position initial firefighting hoselines?
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Why do many old wooden stairs still exist despite building code changes?
Why do many old wooden stairs still exist despite building code changes?
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What are the three basic types of stairs mentioned in the text?
What are the three basic types of stairs mentioned in the text?
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In which type of buildings are continuous straight-run stairs commonly found?
In which type of buildings are continuous straight-run stairs commonly found?
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What is the distinguishing characteristic of L-shaped stairs?
What is the distinguishing characteristic of L-shaped stairs?
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Which type of stairs is preferred in modern building construction for space efficiency?
Which type of stairs is preferred in modern building construction for space efficiency?
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What can firefighters do to assess potential stair collapse risks?
What can firefighters do to assess potential stair collapse risks?
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What is a common cause of U-return steel stair collapse?
What is a common cause of U-return steel stair collapse?
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What type of stairs are vulnerable to early collapse when ignited by flames?
What type of stairs are vulnerable to early collapse when ignited by flames?
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What can be a consequence of stone treads heated by fire?
What can be a consequence of stone treads heated by fire?
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What should firefighters avoid when using steel-framed stairs with stone treads?
What should firefighters avoid when using steel-framed stairs with stone treads?
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What should be done in the event of a stair collapse risk?
What should be done in the event of a stair collapse risk?
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What is a safety measure for climbing weakened wooden stairs?
What is a safety measure for climbing weakened wooden stairs?
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What is a danger posed to firefighters by stone masonry intermediate landings when heated by fire?
What is a danger posed to firefighters by stone masonry intermediate landings when heated by fire?
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What can firefighters use to gain access to the floor above in the event of a stair collapse risk?
What can firefighters use to gain access to the floor above in the event of a stair collapse risk?
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What is the role of the ladder company roof man in this scenario?
What is the role of the ladder company roof man in this scenario?
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Why does the engine company officer shine his spotlight on the front doorways of the houses?
Why does the engine company officer shine his spotlight on the front doorways of the houses?
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What does the firefighter assigned the 'outside ventilation' position do?
What does the firefighter assigned the 'outside ventilation' position do?
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What does the aerial ladder operator do in this scenario?
What does the aerial ladder operator do in this scenario?
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What type of materials do building codes require for stair components like balusters and stringboards?
What type of materials do building codes require for stair components like balusters and stringboards?
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In which type of stairways do fire departments position initial firefighting hoselines?
In which type of stairways do fire departments position initial firefighting hoselines?
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What are the three basic types of stairs mentioned in the text?
What are the three basic types of stairs mentioned in the text?
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Where are continuous straight-run stairs commonly found?
Where are continuous straight-run stairs commonly found?
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What type of stairs are vulnerable to early collapse when ignited by flames?
What type of stairs are vulnerable to early collapse when ignited by flames?
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What is the distinguishing characteristic of L-shaped stairs?
What is the distinguishing characteristic of L-shaped stairs?
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What presents a different collapse danger for steel-framed U-return stairs?
What presents a different collapse danger for steel-framed U-return stairs?
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What is the danger posed to firefighters by stone masonry intermediate landings when heated by fire?
What is the danger posed to firefighters by stone masonry intermediate landings when heated by fire?
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What can be a consequence of stone treads heated by fire?
What can be a consequence of stone treads heated by fire?
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What does stair stability during a fire depend on?
What does stair stability during a fire depend on?
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What did the firefighters have conflicting views on regarding stair stability during a fire?
What did the firefighters have conflicting views on regarding stair stability during a fire?
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What is a common cause of U-return steel stair collapse?
What is a common cause of U-return steel stair collapse?
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What should firefighters avoid when using steel-framed stairs with stone treads?
What should firefighters avoid when using steel-framed stairs with stone treads?
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What can be a consequence of stone treads heated by fire?
What can be a consequence of stone treads heated by fire?
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What is a danger posed to firefighters by stone masonry intermediate landings when heated by fire?
What is a danger posed to firefighters by stone masonry intermediate landings when heated by fire?
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What is the vulnerability of wooden stairs without fire-retardant soffits?
What is the vulnerability of wooden stairs without fire-retardant soffits?
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What is the safety measure for climbing weakened wooden stairs?
What is the safety measure for climbing weakened wooden stairs?
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How can firefighters determine potential stair collapse on U-return stairs?
How can firefighters determine potential stair collapse on U-return stairs?
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What is the role of ladders in the event of a stair collapse risk?
What is the role of ladders in the event of a stair collapse risk?
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What is the most frequent cause of U-return steel stair collapse?
What is the most frequent cause of U-return steel stair collapse?
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What should be assessed in burning buildings to identify potential collapse risks?
What should be assessed in burning buildings to identify potential collapse risks?
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What can be used to gain access to the floor above in the event of a stair collapse risk?
What can be used to gain access to the floor above in the event of a stair collapse risk?
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What is a risk associated with stone treads on steel-framed stairs?
What is a risk associated with stone treads on steel-framed stairs?
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What did the ladder company officer investigate?
What did the ladder company officer investigate?
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What facilitated the firefighters' access to the upper floors?
What facilitated the firefighters' access to the upper floors?
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What did the captain suspect as the cause of the fire?
What did the captain suspect as the cause of the fire?
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What did the firefighters discover inside the concealed space of the fallen staircase?
What did the firefighters discover inside the concealed space of the fallen staircase?
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What is emphasized as an important fire protection measure for stairway structures?
What is emphasized as an important fire protection measure for stairway structures?
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What did the ladder company officer do upon encountering an occupant who confirmed no fire in his apartment?
What did the ladder company officer do upon encountering an occupant who confirmed no fire in his apartment?
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What is a common cause of U-return steel stair collapse?
What is a common cause of U-return steel stair collapse?
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What is the role of the ladder company roof man?
What is the role of the ladder company roof man?
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Stone masonry intermediate landings often collapse?
Stone masonry intermediate landings often collapse?
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What did the text provide historical context on?
What did the text provide historical context on?
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What did the ladder company officer do upon entering the fire building?
What did the ladder company officer do upon entering the fire building?
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What does the ladder company lieutenant do upon entering the fire building?
What does the ladder company lieutenant do upon entering the fire building?
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Study Notes
Firefighter Stair Collapse Risks and Safety Measures
- Stone masonry intermediate landings often collapse when heated by fire, posing a serious danger to firefighters.
- Firefighters have fallen through four to five stories of collapsing stone intermediate landings during fires.
- Steel U-return stairs with stone treads and unsupported by a steel pan are prone to collapse when the stone breaks.
- Firefighters can determine potential stair collapse by examining the underside of a stone tread or landing on U-return stairs.
- Failure of a stone stair tread is the most frequent cause of U-return steel stair collapse.
- Stone treads heated by fire can crack and shatter, leading to injuries such as broken kneecaps and burns.
- Firefighters should assess stairways in burning buildings for potential collapse risks and signs of structural damage.
- Wooden stairs without fire-retardant soffits are vulnerable to early collapse when ignited by flames.
- Stone treads on steel-framed stairs may collapse and injure firefighters climbing below.
- Safety measures for climbing weakened wooden stairs include staying close to the wall and avoiding unsupported sections.
- When using steel-framed stairs with stone treads, firefighters should avoid stepping on the intermediate landing if possible and use the banister for support.
- In the event of a stair collapse risk, firefighters can use ladders to span weakened stair rises and gain access to the floor above.
Stairway Fire Incident and Response
- Two officers witness a fire in a building's upper floors, prompting them to call for a hoseline and water supply.
- The fire is not a typical garbage fire and is not contained to a specific area.
- The captain supervises as the nozzleman extinguishes the fire using a hose stream while climbing the stairs.
- The roof man reports that the bulkhead door was open, facilitating their access.
- The firefighters quickly extinguish the fire and encounter an occupant who confirms no fire in his apartment.
- The ladder company officer investigates the possibility of hidden fire in the stairway.
- The captain identifies signs of arson and suspects a flammable liquid was used to start the fire.
- The stairway collapses, with a firefighter hanging from the bulkhead doorsill, prompting a rescue operation.
- The firefighters discover fire inside the concealed space of the fallen staircase and extinguish it.
- The text provides historical context on stairway fires in multiple-story dwellings at the turn of the century.
- It highlights the fire protection measures in modern multistory dwellings, including fire-retarding materials and self-closing doors.
- The importance of fire protection for stairway structures, such as fire-retarding soffits, is emphasized.
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Description
Test your knowledge of firefighter safety in relation to stair collapse risks and safety measures with this quiz. Learn about the potential dangers of stone and steel stairs in burning buildings, and understand the safety protocols and preventive measures to minimize the risk of injury to firefighters.
