Ch 18 pg 468-471

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Questions and Answers

Why are firefighters' service elevators not considered totally safe devices?

They do not operate when the fire alarm is active.

They are designed for freight and service only.

They are frequently used by civilians during a fire.

They can be damaged by fire or water like any other elevator. (correct)

What is an important consideration when selecting a firefighters' service elevator?

It should not serve the fire floor if possible. (correct)

It should serve every floor of the building.

It should have a lock to prevent civilian access.

It should be a freight elevator to carry more equipment.

Why are freight or service elevators often not suitable as firefighters' service elevators?

They typically include a safety override feature.

They are less spacious than standard elevators.

They usually serve every floor, posing increased risk. (correct)

They are exclusively used for transporting cargo.

What action should be taken immediately if the elevator car begins to move from the lobby?

Press the emergency stop button. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to make precautionary stops every five floors during an ascent in a elevator?

To ensure the elevator continues to respond to programmed commands. Signup and view all the answers

What should a firefighter do if the elevator car does not stop after pressing the emergency stop button?

Pop open the door to stop the car. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the purposes of stopping at intervals during ascent in a elevator?

To shine a light upward checking for smoke. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it necessary for a member to remain within the elevator at all times during operation?

The car doors can only be operated from within the elevator by the door open button Signup and view all the answers

What immediate action should be taken upon arriving at the destination if smoke is detected?

Descend two floors and retry if smoke is present. Signup and view all the answers

What precaution should be taken to prevent the elevator doors from closing unexpectedly?

Lay a rolled or folded hose across the doorway. Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary tasks of the first-arriving units during a fire incident?

Locating the fire and determining its size and likely paths of travel and redeploying themselves to confine extension Signup and view all the answers

How many ladder companies are typically required on the fire floor during a fire in a large-area office building?

At least two ladder companies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a critical action taken by the first-arriving units after locating the fire?

Redeploying to confine any extension Signup and view all the answers

What is the preferred hoseline for tackling fires in large open plan office spaces?

2 1/2-in. line with a 1 1/4-in. solid tip Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum pressure allowed in a standpipe zone for new buildings (1993) according to NFPA 14 standards?

175 psi Signup and view all the answers

Why is advancing a hoseline into large open plan office spaces particularly challenging?

Floor level obstructions and overhead fire travel Signup and view all the answers

What role do truck personnel play when a hoseline is being advanced into a burning building?

They monitor and pull the ceiling to check for fire in the plenum space. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason that large-volume hose streams are required for high-rise fires?

They can match the volume of fire present in large open floor offices. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the difficulty firefighters face in high-rise buildings?

Access to water sources is significantly limited at higher elevations. Signup and view all the answers

What innovative solution has been attempted to combat fires on higher floors of buildings?

Lightweight master stream devices that can be carried by one person. Signup and view all the answers

Why might traditional firefighting equipment be insufficient for fighting large-volume fires on high floors?

Standard equipment does not supply enough water flow per minute. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential logistical challenge faced by firefighters when responding to a fire on the 31st floor of a high-rise building?

Transporting heavy hoses and equipment up multiple flights of stairs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of operating fog nozzles on smaller-diameter hoselines at upper stories of a standpipe zone?

They may result in inadequate nozzle pressures and flows. Signup and view all the answers

What issue can arise from stretching additional lines from other standpipe outlets during a fire operation?

It can lead to a reduction in pressures within the system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended nozzle pressure for effective operation on higher floors?

100 psi Signup and view all the answers

What does the one-half capacity rating of a Class A pumper at 250 psi suggest for its operation?

It provides barely adequate pressure for fog nozzles on higher floors. Signup and view all the answers

What is required to address the kickback tendency of devices when the stream angle is lowered to 15°-20°?

Use a secure anchoring method against the nozzle reaction Signup and view all the answers

What method does the first anchoring technique involve for securing the device in place?

Employing two steel-handled Halligan hooks to span a door opening Signup and view all the answers

What was determined to be a more effective supply for portable monitors than a single handline?

A dual 21½-in. supply line setup Signup and view all the answers

What does using 2½-in. hose permit in terms of water flow?

Flows of up to 750 gpm Signup and view all the answers

Why might it be necessary to stretch a second line from an outlet two floors below the fire?

To comply with standard department policy for effective flow Signup and view all the answers

What is the most critical action to take if smoke is reported on several floors while using an elevator?

Get off two floors below the lowest reported floor. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the procedures in the elevator during a fire?

Walking up is an option if the fire is on or above the 8th floor. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if there is an elevator that stops before the fire floor and brings you within eight floors of the fire floor?

Use that elevator instead of the one serving the fire floor. Signup and view all the answers

When entering an elevator during a fire emergency, which of the following should NOT be done?

Enter without proper equipment like a mask. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended action regarding elevator selection during a fire?

Select elevators limited to the sky lobby below the fire for safety. Signup and view all the answers

What should each team that enters an elevator record?

Car number, unit, and destination recorded by a FF who is designated as lobby control Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Safety Precautions for Using Elevators During a Fire

Select elevators that do not serve the fire floor and go only to sky lobbies below the fire.
Get off at least two floors below the reported lowest fire floor if smoke is present.
Know the locations of access stairs before entering an elevator.
If fire is within eight floors of the elevator lobby, walk up instead of using the elevator.
Entering teams must record car numbers, units, and destinations for lobby control.
Firefighters should wear masks and carry forcible-entry tools and portable radios prior to entering the elevator.
Press the call cancel button immediately after entering to prevent unintended stops.

Elevator Safety and Operation

Firefighter-service elevators are not fireproof and are affected by smoke and heat like regular elevators.
Forcible entry tools should be ready to open doors during any malfunction or emergencies.
Use emergency stop buttons immediately if the elevator moves unexpectedly.
Conduct precautionary stops every five floors to confirm responsiveness of the elevator and check for smoke.

Procedures During Elevator Use

Assign a firefighter as the elevator operator to maintain control during the operation.
One team member must stay inside the elevator to ensure it can respond when needed.
After reaching destination, firefighters should be ready to don masks and assess smoke level before exiting.

Additional Safety Considerations

Precautionary stops are critical for confirming smoke levels and ensuring safety.
Initial response teams must locate and assess the fire to prevent extension.
Extensive search efforts may be necessary in large office buildings, involving multiple ladder companies.

Historical Context: Times Tower Fire

The Times Tower fire in 1961 resulted in the deaths of two firefighters while operating on over 20 floors above the fire.
Large open office spaces can create obstructions, complicating fire suppression efforts.
The preferred hoseline for difficult firefighting situations is a 2½-inch line with a 1¼-inch solid tip for high volume and remote extinguishment.

High-Rise Office Firefighting Strategies

Effective firefighting involves discharging high volume hose streams to mitigate large-volume fires across multiple floors.
The use of lightweight master stream devices can facilitate firefighting efforts in upper stories due to their portability.
Suggested anchoring methods for master stream devices include using Halligan hooks to secure against nozzle reaction.
The advantage of 2½-inch hoses lies in their ability to deliver greater flow rates, essential for fire suppression in high-rise scenarios.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the critical initial deployment of firefighting units during emergencies, specifically their roles in locating fires and assessing hazards in large-area office buildings. It explores the importance of teamwork among ladder and truck company personnel to ensure effective search and confinement of fire spread.