Collapse of BB CH8 Easy

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Questions and Answers

What type of buildings are mostly found in the industrial area?

Large one-story factory buildings (correct)

Multi-story office buildings

Residential houses

Small retail stores

What does the ladder company captain initially feel about the run?

It feels like a routine and mundane task

It seems like a plaything for children and a supervisor of burning garbage (correct)

It appears to be a serious emergency

It seems like a potentially dangerous situation

What action does the truck captain direct the forcible entry team to take?

Ventilate the large windows immediately

Force open the normal entrance door (correct)

Wait for further instructions from the engine company

Enter the building without any preparation

What is raised to the roof of exposure 2?

A ground ladder Signup and view all the answers

What did the outside vent firefighter do upon reaching the roof?

Checked conditions at the rear of the fire building and attempted to vent the rear window from the roof Signup and view all the answers

What did the captain do upon realizing the severity of the situation?

Recalled previous truss roof collapses Signup and view all the answers

What did the chief do upon being notified of the collapsed skylight frame?

Ordered evacuation as huge timber trusses and flames became visible in the machine shop Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'timber truss trilogy' refer to?

Deadly collapses in Ridgefield, Brooklyn, and Hackensack in 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s that killed 16 firefighters Signup and view all the answers

What did firefighters do as collapse became imminent?

Were ordered to evacuate to the adjoining building Signup and view all the answers

'Roof firefighter' quickly and safely reached the fire building's roof for what purpose?

To begin venting skylights and scuttle covers Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main dangers posed by timber truss construction to firefighters?

Collapse of the roof pushing out a masonry wall, falling through the roof into the fire, and being crushed and burned by the collapsing roof Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common type of timber truss roof mentioned in the text?

Bowstring truss Signup and view all the answers

What can happen to a building's front masonry wall during a bowstring truss roof collapse?

It can collapse due to the failure of the wall to resist the lever action of falling roof joists Signup and view all the answers

What makes identifying a bowstring truss roof difficult for firefighters?

Its unique structure can provide misleading information about fire conditions and surroundings Signup and view all the answers

What caused the collapse of rear walls to be less likely compared to front walls during a bowstring truss roof collapse?

They were more stable and had fewer openings, making them more resistant to movement of the roof joists Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of a bowstring truss?

Curved top chord and horizontal bottom chord Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of early identification of a truss during a fire?

To ensure safe operations and prevent serious injuries Signup and view all the answers

What does the concave, arched underside of a bowstring truss roof act as?

A 'heat sink' allowing heat and smoke to flow upward Signup and view all the answers

What may mislead firefighters in assessing the severity of a fire in a bowstring truss-roofed building?

Low fire load Signup and view all the answers

What type of buildings are bowstring timber truss roofs most often found in?

Prewar industrial buildings, garages, lumberyards, piers, bowling alleys, and supermarkets Signup and view all the answers

Why do buildings with timber truss roofs concealed by ceilings pose greater danger to firefighters?

Identification of trusses is difficult Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters do upon discovering any type of truss in a building during a fire?

Immediately relay this information to the officer in command Signup and view all the answers

What assists firefighters in identifying trusses and extinguishing fires quickly?

The absence of a ceiling in buildings with timber truss roofs Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to challenges in assessing the severity of a fire in buildings with bowstring truss roofs?

Conflicting reports from those operating above and below a fire Signup and view all the answers

What are three size-up indicators of a truss roof in a building?

A large open space without columns, mounded roof shape, certain occupancies that frequently use truss construction Signup and view all the answers

What makes access to the truss attic space challenging in buildings with timber trusses concealed by a ceiling?

Ornamental tin and suspended panel ceilings obstruct access Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method to quickly access a concealed roof space in a bowstring truss-roofed building during a small fire?

Making a roof cut opening at the sloping ends of the roof deck Signup and view all the answers

In a bowstring truss-roofed building with enclosed web areas of each truss, which truss is likely to fail first in the event of a serious fire?

The truss where the serious fire burns Signup and view all the answers

In a 100 by 100 feet building with truss sections 20 feet on center, how much roof area will collapse if one truss fails?

4,000 square-foot section (a 40x100-foot area) Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical direction for a firefighter to proceed from the roof center above the failing truss to be temporarily safe?

20 feet in a direction perpendicular to the failing truss Signup and view all the answers

What should be the initial strategy if a hoseline cannot extinguish a fire in a place of worship?

Conduct an exterior defensive attack Signup and view all the answers

What is rated as among the most unstable and the first to fail during an earthquake simulation in testing laboratories?

Church towers and steeples Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary venting problem caused by covering the rose window with unbreakable clear plastic?

Smoke and heat buildup leading to backdraft smoke explosion Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters do if two hoselines do not extinguish a fire in a place of worship?

Withdraw and conduct a defensive attack from the outside Signup and view all the answers

What may be a reason for venting stained-glass windows in places of worship?

To prevent smoke explosions and flashovers Signup and view all the answers

When should portable ladders be raised to vent stained-glass windows near the fire?

During initial stages of the fire Signup and view all the answers

Why should firefighters check concealed spaces for fire spread near smoldering fires?

To prevent collapse hazards posed by concealed spaces Signup and view all the answers

What is crucial to check for to prevent collapse and trap of firefighters in places of worship?

Fire spread in the attic Signup and view all the answers

Defensive strategies based on construction type

<ul> <li>Defensive strategies based on construction type</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

What may stone veneer surfaces conceal in places of worship?

Concealed spaces and poke-through holes, posing collapse hazards Signup and view all the answers

Why are church or temple towers with steeples identified as unstable features during earthquakes?

Due to their structural design and height Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential risk posed by venting stained-glass windows near the top first?

Ineffective venting of smoke stratifying near high ceilings Signup and view all the answers

What is crucial for firefighter safety in truss constructed buildings during firefighting operations?

Communication Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk factor for rapid timber truss roof collapse during fires in places of worship?

Wax coating from burning candles Signup and view all the answers

What increases firefighter survival chances during fires in buildings?

Knowledge of building construction Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for places of worship with timber truss roofs to prevent injuries and deaths at fire scenes?

Teamwork among firefighters Signup and view all the answers

What has been found to be often the most unstable structures in a community during earthquakes?

Places of worship, especially the tower and steeple Signup and view all the answers

What is a collapse danger in a house of worship, especially the tower and steeple?

The unique design Signup and view all the answers

What should be implemented for places of worship with timber truss roofs?

Pre-fire plans and defensive strategies Signup and view all the answers

What makes a house of worship a collapse danger during fires?

The tower and steeple design Signup and view all the answers

What do firefighters need to be aware of when responding to fires in places of worship?

Collapse risks and necessary precautions Signup and view all the answers

What is crucial for firefighter safety in places of worship?

Communication, teamwork, and knowledge of building construction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structural member supporting the weight of the roof in a church or synagogue?

Columns Signup and view all the answers

Which area of a burning place of worship is considered the most dangerous during a fire?

Exposure A, B, and D sides Signup and view all the answers

Why are handheld hoselines ineffective for extinguishing fires in attics of places of worship?

Attics contain a significant amount of wood Signup and view all the answers

What can the collapse of a large church ceiling cause?

An explosion-like eruption, blowing out windows and creating a vacuum Signup and view all the answers

What should be the initial attack hoseline in fighting fires in places of worship?

The largest diameter hose available attacking the seat of the fire Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary venting location in a place of assembly?

The rose window at the front of the building and stained-glass windows near the fire on both sides of the structure Signup and view all the answers

What are similar exterior fire spread problems between places of worship and heavy timber mill buildings?

Radiated heat and airborne flying embers being significant hazards Signup and view all the answers

What strategy involves using large amounts of water and high-pressure streams with maximum reach in fighting fires in places of worship?

Strategy for fighting fires in places of worship Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters use as backup to the initial attack hoseline?

A second hoseline attacking from outside the building Signup and view all the answers

What are some dangers that firefighters should be protected from using aerial master streams when dealing with burning places of worship?

Collapse dangers including bell towers, steeples, ceilings, sidewalls, and roofs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fire Safety in Buildings with Bowstring Truss Roofs

A high, decorative front parapet wall can conceal the roof shape from all operating members, except those positioned on the roof.
Early identification of a truss during a fire is crucial for safe operations and can prevent serious injuries.
Firefighters discovering any type of truss in a building should immediately relay this information to the officer in command.
The concave, arched underside of a bowstring truss roof acts as a "heat sink," allowing heat and smoke to flow upward, delaying the build-up of heat and smoke at the floor.
In buildings with a bowstring truss roof, firefighters may receive conflicting reports from those operating above and below a fire, leading to challenges in assessing the severity of the fire.
A low fire load in a bowstring truss-roofed building may mislead firefighters into thinking there is little to burn, but there could be a significant structural fire load in the roof system.
Three size-up indicators of a truss roof in a building include a large open space without columns, a mounded roof shape, and certain occupancies that frequently use truss construction.
Bowstring timber truss roofs are most often found in prewar industrial buildings, garages, lumberyards, piers, bowling alleys, and supermarkets.
The absence of a ceiling in buildings with timber truss roofs greatly assists firefighters in identifying trusses and extinguishing fires quickly.
Buildings with timber truss roofs concealed by ceilings pose greater danger to firefighters, with examples of fatalities in such buildings.
Access to the truss attic space in buildings with timber trusses concealed by a ceiling is challenging, and extinguishing fires in this space is rare.
For example, the Brooklyn supermarket had a truss attic space with timber trusses concealed by ornamental tin and suspended panel ceilings, making access and extinguishment difficult.

Firefighting in Places of Worship

In a church or synagogue, the weight of the roof is supported by the sidewalls, making them primary structural members.
Incident commanders need to be aware that a collapsing roof can push out the sidewalls, and a failing wall can cause the roof to collapse.
The exposure A, B, and D sides of a burning place of worship are the most dangerous areas during a fire.
Attics in places of worship often contain a significant amount of wood, making handheld hoselines ineffective for extinguishing fires in these spaces.
The collapse of a large church ceiling can cause an explosion-like eruption, blowing out windows and creating a vacuum that leads to a flashover of superheated smoke and fire gases.
The emotional factor of fighting fires in places of worship can lead firefighters to take unusual risks, as these buildings often hold sacred objects and are of great significance to the community.
Firefighters need to adhere to the priorities of addressing the life hazard, incident stabilization, and property protection, even in places of worship.
The initial attack hoseline should be the largest diameter hose available and must attack the seat of the fire, while a second hoseline is needed as backup.
Primary venting in a place of assembly should be the rose window at the front of the building and the stained-glass windows near the fire on both sides of the structure.
The exterior fire spread problems of a place of worship are similar to heavy timber mill buildings, with radiated heat and airborne flying embers being significant hazards.
Collapse dangers in a burning place of worship include the bell towers, steeple, ceiling, sidewalls, and roof, and firefighters should be protected from these hazards using aerial master streams from safe areas.
The strategy for fighting fires in places of worship involves using large amounts of water and high-pressure streams with maximum reach, as well as addressing the unique hazards and emotional factors associated with these buildings.

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Description

Test your knowledge about firefighting strategies and safety measures with this quiz based on a tragic incident where firefighters faced unexpected dangers while battling a fire. Learn from the mistakes made in this real-life scenario to prevent similar tragedies in the future.