High-Rise Fire Guidelines

High-Rise Fire Guideline

• This guideline applies to Spring Fire Department personnel for incidents in structures with four or more floors.
• The intention is to establish control and coordination during high-rise fires.
• This guideline is NOT intended to restrict the Incident Commander to deviate if necessary.
• The guideline follows the National Incident Management System.
• The tactical priorities are:
  • Rescue Occupants
  • Protect Exposures
  • Fire Confinement
  • Fire Extinguishment
  • Property Conservation

Assignments

• Lobby Control Unit Officer:
  • Captures all elevators, ensuring they are in Phase I.
  • Two elevators should be in Phase II control, designated "Elevator I" and "Elevator II."
  • Issues out elevator and building access key rings.
  • Identifies the floor of the initial alarm activation from the alarm panel.
  • Accounts for all companies that pass through the lobby.
  • Directs personnel to stairways/elevators and evacuees/exiting personnel to safe areas or routes.
• Water Supply Group:
  • Standard hook-up to the FDC is two 3" lines that remain uncharged until advised by the IC.
  • Engine lays from the building to a safe location.
  • Sprinkler systems should be charged to 150 PDP.
  • Standpipe systems charged to 150 PDP + 5 PSI per floor.
  • Combination systems pumped at 150 PDP.
  • If a pre-determined pressure is noted on a plate near FDC, follow the building operating pressure.
  • Confirms with the IC regarding the fire location prior to charging the building's FDC.
  • Ensures the correct zone(s) of a zoned fire protection system are pressurized.
• Other:
  • Triage: Determine the severity of injuries.
  • Treatment: Provide initial medical care.
  • Transport: Move injured personnel to appropriate medical facilities.
  • Rehab: Facilitate rest and recovery for firefighters.

Building Information

Public Address System (PA)

• Provides one-way communication to building occupants.
• Can be used to address selective floors, or the entire building.
• Stairwells may or may not have PA speakers.

Two-Way Communication

• Uses plug-in telephone handsets (FF phones).
• Provides communication between the FCC and various points in the building.
• Typical locations for the plug-in jacks:
  • Elevator lobbies on each level.
  • Alarm pull-stations beside stairwell doors (age of building dictates which side of the door).
  • In newer building elevators.
• Two-way FF phone operations:
  • When plugged in, it activates an audible alert and a light on the FCC control panel.
  • The member receiving the call in the FCC uses a regular phone handset to communicate.
  • Members must unplug phones when finished to avoid preventing other alerts.
  • These systems usually support no more than 4 phones simultaneously.

Building Key Ring Labels

Building Access Keys

• Building Sprinkler & Standpipe Lock - Blue background.
• Stairway Door keys - White background.
• Roof Access in stairwells - White background.
• Mechanical, Electrical and Elevator Room - White background.

Elevator Keys

• Fire Service Phase 1 - Red background (recalls elevator).
• Fire Service Phase 2 - Red background (in car operation of elevator).
• Fire Service Phase 1&2 - Combined Fire Service Phase 1 & 2.
• Elevator Car Door - Red background (opens car doors after elevator recall in Phase 1 and door closure).
• Elevator Inspection On/Off switch - Yellow background.
• Elevator Emergency Stop/Run switch - Orange background.
• Elevator Car Access Panel - Orange background.
• Elevator Car Emergency Power Selector switch - Green background.

Elevators

• Do not use elevators if the emergency is below the fifth floor.
• Use the building elevator key to capture elevators in fire service mode.
• Capture elevators by using the key switch in the FCC, FCC or in the respective elevator lobbies. This is called placing the elevators into "Phase I" which recalls them to their pre-determined floor and open the car doors.
• Do not use freight, service, or any cars without Phase II service unless verified safe for use and not subject to malfunctions from fire, smoke, or water exposure.

Attack Procedures

• Recon:
  • Perform recon of the floor two levels below the fire floor to assess layout, hose cabinet positions, and stairwell locations.
  • Determine if three or four lengths of hose will be required to reach the fire, using four when in doubt.
• Stairwell Confirmation:
  • Confirm with the IC/Operations Division Officer which stairwell will be used for attack and which for evacuation.
  • Travel to the fire floor landing in the attack stairwell.
• Alarm Silencing:
  • Request that the fire alarm in the fire area or zone in alarm be silenced from the Fire Command Center.
• Stairwell Clearance:
  • Search stairwell above the fire floor for evacuees or obtain a "stairwell clear" report from RAT crews before entering the fire floor.
• Search and Fire Location:
  • One crew should search for the fire using the tag-line and a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC).
  • Crews working from the stairwell should follow fixed guidelines to the fire area to facilitate quick movement of the heavy attack line by the engine crews.
• Attack Line Placement:
  • The attack line should ideally be connected and stretched so the stairwell door doesn't remain open, flooding the stairwell with smoke. A hole in the stairwell wall can help.
  • If unavoidable, clear the stairwell above the fire floor of occupants.
  • Coordinate with the IC if the stairwell must be cleared.
• Hose Connection:
  • Connect the hose to the standpipe connection on the floor below the fire floor.
  • Hook up on the fire floor is situational. If the fire is in an unknown location or substantial, hooking up below is advisable.
• Hose Deployment:
  • Each attack crew should carry two high-rise hose bundles (75') up to floors above and flake downward to the standpipe connection, ensuring the door remains closed.
  • Place the nozzle on the fire floor landing.
  • Utilize the third and fourth section of hose if needed to reach the fire.
  • Flake the line out to remove kinks and open the standpipe valve.
  • Purge the line of air before moving into the fire area.
  • Position the crew at corners to move the line efficiently. Position the line before charging it if safe.
• Entry, Search, and Fire Attack:
  • Force entry on the fire floor if necessary while maintaining control of the door to control smoke travel.
  • Ensure the stairwell has been pressurized before initiating fire attack.
  • Move into the fire area, utilizing the TIC to identify hazards.
  • Stay close to walls while moving towards the fire.
  • Utilize clues from the recon of the floor below to travel to the fire area.
  • Probe overhead space for fire extension as the crew progresses.
  • Beware of fire overtaking the attack crew from behind.
  • Utilize the door straps and door wedges to facilitate the search process.
    • Place the strap on the door strike during the primary search.
    • Hang the strap from the outside after the primary search to show the room has been searched.
    • Double back the strap on the outside handle after the secondary search to indicate completion.

High-Rise Fire Guideline

• This guideline applies to all personnel within the Spring Fire Department.
• The high-rise guideline will be used when a fire is reported in any structure that has four or more floors above grade.
• This guideline allows the Incident Commander to establish control and coordination during a high-rise fire.
• The guideline follows the National Incident Management System.
• Tactical Priorities:
  • Rescue Occupants
  • Protect Exposures
  • Fire Confinement
  • Fire Extinguishment
  • Property Conservation

Assignments

• Elevator Control:
  • Two elevators should be captured and in Phase II control.
  • Radio designations for these elevators are "Elevator I" and "Elevator II."
• Key Ring Distribution:
  • Building access key rings will be distributed to:
    • Fire Attack Group leader
    • Crew Staging
    • Rescue Group
    • One set to each of the Rapid Ascent Teams
• Lobby Control Unit Officer responsibilities:
  • Identify the floor where the initial alarm was activated.
  • Account for all companies that pass through the lobby.
  • Direct personnel to the appropriate stairways/elevator and evacuate building occupants.
• Rapid Ascent Team (RAT):
  • Clear stairwells of occupants
  • Unlock and close stairwell doors
  • Unlock the roof hatch
  • Inform the Incident Commander of the stairwell with the roof hatch
• Crew Staging:
  • Located two (2) floors or lower below the fire
  • A general rule of thumb is to have an equal number of companies in Crew Staging to those on the fire floor.
• Resource:
  • At least one company is assigned to stockpile equipment and air bottles with additional companies as needed.
• Rapid Intervention Team (RIT):
  • Established at every high-rise incident, and should be considered for a dedicated RIT Group/Branch during a working fire.
  • Survey a floor for layout.
• Lobby Control Reinforcement:
  • Lobby should be reinforced with an additional engine company.
• Floor Above the Fire:
  • Hose lines on the fire floor and the floor above should be used to confine the fire.
  • The floor above is the next highest priority area for rescue after the fire floor.
• Ventilation:
  • Coordinated effort.
  • Individual floor blowers and ventilation systems should be used if available and understood.
  • If unavailable, the fire department is responsible for providing ventilation.
• Fire Attack Group Reinforcement:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Rescue:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Property Conservation:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Evacuation:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Crew Staging:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Lobby Control:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• RIT Group:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• RAT Groups:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Safety:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Rescue:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Property Conservation:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Ventilation:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Water Supply:
  • The first and second arriving apparatus will create the water supply group.
  • An uninterrupted water supply will be established to the supply engine.
  • The Incident Commander should be notified if the hydrant is far from the supply engine.
  • Use a minimum of (2) 3" lines from the building to a safe location.
  • Sprinkler systems will be charged to 150 PDP.
  • Standpipe systems will be charged to 150 PDP + 5 PSI per floor.
  • Combination systems will be pumped at 150 PDP.
  • If there is a pre-determined pressure on the plate near the FDC, follow the building operating pressure.
  • The water supply group should check with the Incident Commander and confirm the fire location before charging any FDCs.
• Triage:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Treatment:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Transport:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.
• Rehab:
  • Coordinate with the Incident Commander.

Building Information

• Public Address System (PA):
  • Provides one-way communication to building occupants.
  • Stairwells may have PA speakers.
• Two-way communication:
  • Consists of plug-in telephone handsets (FF phones) that provide communication between the FCC and various points in the building.
  • Typical locations for the plug-in jacks:
    • Elevator lobbies on each level
    • Alarm pull stations beside stairwell doors
    • Elevators in newer buildings
  • The two-way FF phones operate as follows:
    • When a phone is plugged in, it activates an audible alert and a light on the control panel in the FCC.
    • The person receiving the call will flip a switch or push a button to open the circuit.
    • The member has two-way communication with the person who has plugged into the system.
    • Members will unplug phones when finished talking.
    • These systems usually support the use of no more than 4 phones at one time.
• Service or freight elevators should not be used unless verified safe for use.

Fire Attack

• Perform recon of the floor two levels below the fire floor for clues about the layout, hose cabinet positions, and stairwell locations.
• Confirm with the Incident Commander which stairwell will be used for attack and evacuation.
• Travel to the fire floor landing in the attack stairwell.
• Request that the fire alarm in the fire area or zone in alarm be silenced from the Fire Command Center.
• Search the stairwell above the fire floor for evacuees or obtain a "stairwell clear" report from RAT crews before entering the fire floor.
• One of the crews should search for the fire using the search tag-line and a Thermal Imaging Camera.
• Connect and stretch the attack line so the stairwell door does not remain open.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist fellow crew members with doffing high-rise equipment.
• Report stairwell location, floor level and extent of the fire to the Incident Commander/ Operations Division Officer.
• Connect the hose to the standpipe connection on the floor below the fire floor.
• Stay with the drain valve until confirmed there are no flare ups.
• Sprinkler cut-off valves are usually in the stairwells, or can be found in the ceiling above the ceiling tiles in the corridor outside the stairwell door.

Stairwells

• The Operations Division Officer determines which stairwell will be used for:
  • Fire Attack
  • Ventilation
  • Rescue
• The HVAC system should be used to pressurize the stairwells.
• If no HVAC system, the fire department is responsible for pressurizing the stairwells with PPV fans.

Ventilation

• Ventilation must be a coordinated effort.
• Pre-incident fire plans should be used to determine which stairwell has direct roof access for ventilation purposes. If one is not available, the RAT should be able to provide this information to the Incident Commander.

Property Conservation

• Priority should be made to rooms with high value items such as computers, documents and highly expensive electronics.
• A minimum of 3 companies will be assigned per floor to control water runoff.
• The primary site for de-watering the building is the restroom.
• Additional de-watering sites are:
  • Mechanical Rooms
  • Janitorial closet floor drains
  • Stairwells
• Elevator shafts should not be used to de-water the building.

High-Rise Structures: Emergency Guidelines

• This guideline applies to Spring Fire Department personnel and addresses incidents in buildings with four or more floors.
• High-rise fires are highly challenging and require a coordinated approach.
• The guideline follows the National Incident Management System.
• Tactical Priorities:
  • Rescue occupants
  • Protect exposures
  • Confine fire
  • Extinguish fire
  • Conserving property

Responsibilities and Assignments

• Lobby Control Unit Officer is responsible for:
  • Capturing and controlling elevators (Phase I and II).
  • Distributing building and elevator access key rings.
  • Identifying the floor where the alarm originated.
  • Tracking companies passing through the lobby.
  • Directing personnel and evacuees.
  • Using the Fire Command Center (FCC) to access key features:
    • Elevator controls (position, recall switches, door open switches, selector switches).
    • Stairwell door unlocking controls in newer buildings.
    • HVAC controls in newer buildings.
    • Public service telephones.
• Lobby Control Unit Officer also manages the Fire Department Boxes, containing:
  • Color-coded elevator and building access key legend cards.
  • Five sets of keys on split rings, with color-coded tags.
• Elevator Operation:
  • Use building elevator keys to put the elevator in Phase II operation.
  • Conduct a thorough inspection of the hoist way for smoke, fire or water before using.
  • Take the elevator 5 floors below the fire floor and test functionality.
  • If the elevator functions correctly, ascend to no more than 2 floors below the fire floor.
  • Open the doors slowly to avoid smoke exposure.

Fire Attack

• Team Setup:
  • Wear high-rise equipment for equal weight distribution and ease of movement.
  • Observe the exterior for fire location and its path of travel.
  • Obtain access keys, building plans, and firefighter phones from Lobby Control.
  • Coordinate with Lobby Control to determine fire and rescue priorities, fire location, and alarm panel indications.
  • Verify the route to the fire (elevator car number or stairwell) with Lobby Control.
  • Maintain frequent communication with the Incident Commander (IC)/Operations Division Officer.
  • Prioritize stairwell climbs without the face mask in place until smoke necessitates SCBA.
  • Do not use service or freight elevators unless they are verified safe and not exposed to fire, smoke, or water.
  • Conduct reconnaissance two floors below the fire floor to understand layout, hose cabinet positions, and stairwell locations.
  • Determine the required hose length; use four lengths when in doubt.
  • Confirm which stairwell will be used for attack and which for evacuation.
  • Travel to the fire floor landing in the attack stairwell.
  • Request silencing of the fire alarm in the affected area.
  • Search the stairwell above the fire floor for evacuees or obtain a "stairwell clear" report.
  • Utilize a search tag-line and thermal imaging camera to locate the fire.
  • Prioritize connecting and stretching the attack line to avoid flooding the stairwell with smoke.
  • Clear the stairwell above the fire floor of escaping occupants.
• Attack Line Connection:
  • Assist fellow crew members with doffing high-rise equipment.
  • Report stairwell location, floor level, and fire extent to IC/Operations Division Officer.
  • Connect the hose to the standpipe connection on the floor below the fire floor.
  • Hook up on the fire floor if required.
  • Once ordered by the Operations Division Officer, ensure the sprinkler cut-off valve is shut off and the drain valve is open, staying with the valve to monitor for flare ups.

Stairwells

• Operations Division Officer determines the use of stairwells for:
  • Fire attack
  • Ventilation
  • Rescue
• Utilize the HVAC system to pressurize stairwells, if available.
• When no HVAC system is present, use PPV fans to pressurize stairwells.

Ventilation

• Ventilation must be a coordinated effort.
• Utilize individual floor blowers and ventilation systems if equipped.
• If unfamiliar with system, seek assistance from the building engineer.
• Use pre-incident fire plans to determine the stairwell with direct roof access for ventilation.

Property Conservation

• Prioritize rooms with valuable items such as computers, documents, and expensive electronics.
• Assign at least 3 companies per floor to control water runoff from sprinkler systems.
• De-water the building using:
  • Restrooms (turn off water service, remove bowl)
  • Mechanical rooms
  • Janitorial closet floor drains
  • Stairwells
• Do not use elevator shafts for de-watering.