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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of Communications alerting crews to hazards associated with abandoned buildings?
What is the primary concern when assessing the structural conditions of an abandoned building?
What is the recommended strategy for firefighting in abandoned buildings?
What is the purpose of the Incident Commander's 360 degree size up?
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What is the primary consideration for the Incident Commander when deciding whether to fight a fire offensively or defensively?
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What is the purpose of the Incident Commanders' Rules of Engagement?
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What percentage of firefighter deaths in the United States are attributed to fires in vacant/abandoned buildings?
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What is the primary goal of Toronto Fire Services regarding abandoned buildings?
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What type of strategy should be considered when an active and progressing fire is present in an abandoned building?
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What is the recommended course of action for Fire Departments regarding vacant/abandoned buildings?
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What is the purpose of the abandoned/vacant building program implemented by Toronto Fire Services?
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How many abandoned and vacant buildings are estimated to be in Toronto?
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Study Notes
Abandoned Buildings and Firefighting Risks
- Over 250 abandoned and 500 vacant buildings exist in Toronto, posing a significant risk to firefighters.
- Fires in vacant/abandoned buildings account for 75% of firefighter deaths in the United States.
Recommendations for Fire Departments
- Conduct inspections of vacant/abandoned buildings and pre-fire planning to identify hazards, structural integrity, building age, construction techniques, and building materials used.
- Develop SOPs/SOGs with respect to abandoned buildings and identify/document known abandoned buildings in the response area.
Hazards Associated with Abandoned Buildings
- Open shafts and pits with possible water accumulation
- Maze-like configurations
- Limited/obstructed entry and egress
- Blocked, damaged, or missing stairs
- Structural degradation
- Combustible contents (fire load)
- Delay in discovery of fire
- Multiple fire locations
- Biological hazards
- Hazardous chemicals
Classification of Abandoned Buildings by Degree of Hazard
- Normal: no notable hazards, no special precautions required
- Caution: interior hazards exist, use extreme caution
- Hazardous: serious hazards exist, warrant exterior defensive actions
Fire Suppression Operations in Abandoned Buildings
- Initial Incident Commander must complete a 360-degree size-up before committing to a firefighting strategy
- Assess strategy and tactics used for the Incident Action Plan, considering placard presence, smoke and fire conditions, fire location, structural conditions, and signs of recent entry
- Incident Commander should exercise extreme caution and consider a defensive strategy to protect firefighters from dangerous conditions in abandoned buildings.
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