High-Rise Buildings SOP

High-Rise Buildings SOP Introduction

• High-rise buildings in Boston are diverse, with different designs, fire protection, construction methods, and evolving code requirements
• Firefighting personnel should familiarize themselves with each building in their area and its life safety systems
• Fighting high-rise fires is complex and requires solid Incident Command and strategic, tactical coordination

High-Rise Building Definition

• Buildings measuring 70 feet or more above grade.
• Emergency evacuation is usually impractical, so internal firefighting becomes necessary

Core Construction

• Outer steel frame links to an internal concrete core, common in tall buildings
• Shear walls are core walls that provide significantly more lateral stiffness than the outer frame
• The core's high lateral stiffness helps to withstand wind and earthquake forces
• The outer steel frame works with the core to resist horizontal loads
• Lighter steel columns support vertical loads

Curtain Wall

• Non-structural outer covering that keeps weather out
• The facade carries only its own weight using lightweight materials
• Lateral wind loads transfer to the main structure via floor/column connections

Evacuation Stairwell(s)

• Stairwells designated to evacuate building occupants during emergencies
• Pressurized stairwells are preferred, if available

Fire Attack Stairwell

• Designated for use by the Fire Attack Team to extend hose lines
• Doors open between the stairwell and fire, increasing contamination risks of smoke and toxic gases
• It is the 2nd arriving Ladder Company's job to implement a smoke curtain if they can

Fire Attack Team

• This is an initial suppression task force
• Comprised of the first and second arriving Engine and Ladder Companies
• Tactical objectives are coordinated while working closely together

Fire Command Center (FCC)

• The primary location for the display and manual control of detection, alarm, communication, and control systems
• Specifically designated to control operations during a fire or other emergency

Lobby Control

• Established and overseen by the Evacuation Chief
• Assist in locating building staff
• Ensure all elevators are in Phase I mode
• Operate additional elevator cars as incident progresses

Main Command Post

• The position is used to oversees and commands all high-rise fire operations
• It is usually located in the building lobby near the Fire Command Center

Plenum Space

• Space between structural and dropped ceilings or raised floors, facilitating air circulation for HVAC systems
• Usually at greater than atmospheric pressure, it can be used for heated/air-conditioned or return airflows

Stack Effect

• The natural movement of air inside a building due to temperature differences and the building's height
• Magnified during high-rise building fires
• Smoke and fire gases move into stairwells and elevator shafts on lower floors during cold weather
• Reverse stack effect causes flow from upper to lower floors during warm weather
• Higher buildings increase the effect

Upper Command Post

• Position controlled by a Chief Officer, sits two floors below the fire floor
• Supplies special equipment like hoses, masks, radios, and tools
• Considers possible electrical failure and elevator loss

Wind-Driven Fire

• Fire develops quickly because of winds entering a fire-vented area
• Pressurizes interior, creates deadly flame paths and temperatures
• Pulsating flames are indicative

Older High-Rise Buildings Construction

• Bearing walls are made of masonry, mostly reinforced concrete
• Walls at the bottom are thick due to material weight, tapering as height increases
• They have more mass with operable windows
• Mass and exterior walls reduces collapse likelihood

Modern High-Rise Construction

• Core construction is the most common
• Floor spaces are made of steel skeleton with columns, girders, and beams
• Elevators, stairways, and utility shafts are located in the core, either center or side
• Stairways and elevators are located on exterior walls in side-core construction

Core Construction Heat Vulnerability

• Less mass means more heat and collapse vulnerability
• Floors have been known to sag under heat
• Coating sprayed on steel supports helps withstand flames
• Plate or tempered glass may be used; windows may or may not be operable
• Modern buildings typically have heat-resistant, inoperable windows

High-Rise Fires and Broken Glass

• Broken glass can cut supply hose lines or injure people
• Modern buildings use special operable window panels secured from the inside with a tool
• Tool location should be noted in fire plans

Fire Behavior and Spread Phenomena

• Stack effect (positive & negative)
• Vertical extension
• Fire in the plenum space
• Blowtorch effect
• Heat buildup

Stack Effect Details

• Vertical shafts channel heat and smoke upwards through convection
• Stratification occurs, with hotter smoke rising and cooler smoke staying low
• Ventilation occurs naturally when the air inside a building is hotter than outside
• Lower openings draw in fresh air and top openings discharge it
• Natural pressure plane is where stratification separates smoke

Positive Stack Effect

• Outside temperatures are lower, also known as the winter stack effect
• More extreme in cold climates, smoke cools as it leaves fire area goes through stair and elevator shafts
• Causes smoke airflows follow naturally up vertical shafts, settling on upper floors

Negative Stack Effect

• Outside temperatures are higher, also known as the summer stack effect/reverse
• More extreme in warm climates, smoke cools as it leaves fire area goes through stair and elevator shafts
• Causes smoke to settle on floors below the fire, and firefighters might need to relocate Command Post or use SCBA sooner

Vertical Extension Factors

• Auto extension
• Curtain wall extension
• Vertical shaft extension

Auto Extension

• Heat breaks windows, causes fire spreads to upper floors on outside
• Heat causes window glass to fail with materials on floors easily ignited

Curtain Wall Extension

• Structural steel supports modern walls with outer/curtain walls connected to create a space
• Fires may spread vertically with faulty installation or heavy fires

Vertical Shaft Extension Contributing Factors

• Stair shafts
• Elevator shafts
• Electric chase ways
• Trash chutes
• Mail chutes
• Poke through holes for plumbing distribution
• Access stairs
• HVAC supply/return shafts

Fires in Plenum Spaces

• Should check plenum space above suspended ceilings because this space serves as air return
• Firefighters working in corridor from stair shaft, should remove ceiling tiles in both directions
• This helps them see if the fire is in the plenum, and use hose to protect advancing crews
• Firefighters should beware of ceiling assemblies dropping and trapping their crew

Blowtorch Effect Details

• Occurs when door is left open or window fails quickly, with in-rushing wind intensifying fire across the space without warning.
• Fire and wind cause fireballs that can overwhelm protective gear & hoses
• Even where little smoke or fire, a failed window likely creates conditions for a blowtorch effect, which must be communicated to the IC

Heat Buildup in High-Rise Fires

• Large quantities are produced that are difficult to dissipate, with rehab/crew rotation critical

First Alarm Response

• 3 Engine Companies
• 2 Ladder Companies
• 1 Rescue Company
• 1 Tower Company
• District Chief (District Commander)
• Safety Chief
• Accountability Chief
• Evacuation Chief
• Deputy Chief (Division Commander)
• RIT Engine Company
• Drone Unit

First Arriving Unit Responsibilities

• Size up of building, report to lobby, locate Fire Command
• Annunciator panel provides indications, check for other protection systems

Confirmed High-Rise Fire Actions

• 1st Engine and ladder company need to arrive at the scene
• Establish and initiate fire location
• Securing elevators and keys
• #213 SOP
• Order a second alarm once confirmed
• Give info like temperature, wind speed, and direction

Confirmed Fire Response Details

• One RIT Ladder Company
• One RIT Chief

Second Alarm Response Additions

• Air Supply Unit (W12)
• Special Unit (H2)
• Public Information Officer (PIO)
• Mobile Command Unit

Third Alarm Response Additions

• Fire Commissioner/Chief of Department
• Chief of Operations

Third Alarm Response Procedures

• The Fire Commissioner/Chief of Department assumes Command.
• The Chief of Operations assumes Operations Chief duties.
• The Deputy Fire Chief proceeds to the Upper Command Post to assume command of floors of operation.

First and Second Arriving Team Operations

• The first and second arriving Engine and Ladder companies form the initial Fire Attack Team
• They accomplish objectives and coordinate their actions with the Main and Upper Command Posts
• Each Engine Company equips the High-Rise Bag and 200' of 2½" hose with smooth bore nozzle
• The Engine Companies must work together to advance the initial attack line and connect hoses
• The Company Chauffeurs secure a water supply and connect the building's FDC with 3" high-pressure hose, awaiting IC orders

Ladder Company Responsibilities

• Comprehensive guidelines are contained in SOP #205 (A) for Fire Department Connections and Standpipes
• Equipped with forcible entry tools, ropes, imaging cameras, curtains, and keys
• Ladder Companies will check the Fire Attack Stairwell for occupants before line advancement.

Initial Engine/Ladder Coordination One Floor Below the Fire

• Reconnaissance the floor and note layout proximity to stairwells
• Designate The Fire Attack Stairwell and Evacuation Stairwell, after notify Fire
• Ensure the Fire Attack Stairwell is clear occupants for a minimum of five (5) floors above the fire floor from the fire.

3rd Arriving and Rescue/Tower Responsibilities

• The 3rd arriving Engine Company reports to the Main Command with equipment
• The Rescue and Tower Companies report to the Main Command await assignement
• Rescue & Tower, if confirmed can help locate ventilation, investigate elevators, assist with search of above floor

RIT Group Duties

• RIT Companies stand by the apparatus until fire confirmation
• RIT reports to the RIT Chief
• Upper Command Post with RIT Chief and establish staging area for RIT
• Familiarize selves with designated stairwells Fire Attack and assist deploying them

Safety Officer Duties

• Safety chief to check the area near the bulding
• Ascend Upper Command locate Fire Attack Stairwell
• Ensure components are staged a floor below fire

Safety continued

• ensure that the Fire Attack Stairwell have been cleared/ensure the standpipe
• Ensure the Upper Command Post and staging checked hazardous gases on site
• with ICT to monitor Monitor both foregound, communication channel evacuation

Evacuation Chief Duties

• Report Main Command, locate the Fire Command find the location and calls
• Ensure elevators in fire service
• coordinate Evacuation Operation monitor Commu Channel
• verifylog completion to IC, searches are complete

Evacuation Companies Duties

• Main command equipment to face Upper Command, the Fire Attack Stairwell
• check halls for monoxide

RIT Group and Window info

• Post follow Department removeal Command request Resuce follow Procedure
• Window removal when

Accountability Chief Duties

• report Main Command boards system,
• He/She IC Comand with stations trck and locate

Accountability con

• Account Commu for Evacuate
• monitor fre channel Comu for fire

Lobby Control Duties

• Companies for the control assign direct-2nd floor
• locate staff systems Equip ment to obtain set keys entry to
• Ensure all elevators set fire in order so account or

Fire company

• Second Alarm, theHigh- to Upper to assist securing attcklines
• Secon Ladder main assig equip 5gas
• bring air Cylinders on arms

Safety first

• Command delay as postion in moving man power
• operations accopish safe effectiv move to post

More safe tactics

• offierss Risk assess command
• preps protection fire bework Designed

Other High Rise Fires Procedures

• The ideal command is Lobboy, establish to fire.
• The operation of EOC.
• A 200 -foot clear to appaching

Demolitions

• Stand needs be in a condition of readiness
• Air pressurizing system. Required all work than 70 fee

New build requires:

• Stand Needs states readiness once heigh then with air pressurized

Spec Pressure/Activation

• Shall maintion connections 25 psi with nitro drier.

Activation:

• Alaram automatcially below 92spi, made site and by Boston for a repair the .

safet pre fire planning:

• building heigh changes/entrance fire System change

saftey notes site

• layout of the building
• connection FDC visible
• The log hours on up to date —all standpipess working normal
• locations hoists, Chiefs - due training
• contruc the concrete pile.
• fuel load —equiomet safe. Constuctions safe units concers.