High-Rise Fire Response Protocols

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Questions and Answers

What color background indicates the key for the Building Sprinkler & Standpipe Lock?

White

Yellow

Red

Blue (correct)

Which keys should not be used if the emergency is below the fifth floor?

Stairway Door keys

Sprinkler Lock keys

Electrical Room keys

Elevator keys (correct)

What function does the Elevator Car Emergency Power Selector switch perform?

Controls elevator lighting

Opens the elevator door

Stops the elevator in case of fire

Selects which elevator car will operate under emergency power (correct)

Under what condition should elevators be used during an emergency?

Under the fire department's control in fire service mode Signup and view all the answers

What color background is used for the Elevator Inspection On/Off switch?

Yellow Signup and view all the answers

Which key is labeled for the Elevator Emergency Stop/Run switch?

Orange background Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of placing elevators into 'Phase I' operation?

To recall the elevators to their predetermined floor Signup and view all the answers

What color background indicates the keys for Fire Service Phase 1?

Red Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum hook-up requirement to the FDC?

Two 3" lines Signup and view all the answers

What pressure should sprinkler systems be charged to?

150 PDP Signup and view all the answers

For standpipe systems, what additional pressure is required per floor above 150 PDP?

5 PSI per floor Signup and view all the answers

In a zoned fire protection system, who is responsible for pressurizing the correct system?

The water supply group Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the function of the Public Address System (PA)?

Provides one-way communication to building occupants Signup and view all the answers

How many plug-in phones can the system usually support at one time?

Four phones Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a plug-in phone is used in the communication system?

It triggers an audible alert and light on the control panel Signup and view all the answers

What should be done after using a plug-in phone in the system?

Unplug the phone when finished talking Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Rapid Ascent Teams (RAT)?

To ensure stairwells are cleared and roof hatches are unlocked. Signup and view all the answers

How far should Crew Staging be positioned relative to the fire?

Two floors or lower below the fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for establishing an effective Resource during the early stages of a fire?

At least one company to stockpile equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team)?

To survey the layout and assist fire attack groups. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the floor above the fire a priority in fire operations?

It is where the fire is most likely to spread next. Signup and view all the answers

What should happen if the hydrant is far from the supply engine?

The Incident Commander should be informed. Signup and view all the answers

How should Lobby Control be reinforced during an incident?

With an additional engine company. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the Fire Attack Group play during an incident?

They deploy hose lines and suppress the fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary location for de-watering the building?

Restroom Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Operations Division Officer regarding stairwells?

To determine stairwell use for fire attack, ventilation, and rescue Signup and view all the answers

What should be used to pressurize the stairwells if an HVAC system is present?

HVAC system controls Signup and view all the answers

How many companies should be assigned per floor to control water run-off from a sprinkler system?

Three Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following locations should not be used for de-watering the building?

Elevator shafts Signup and view all the answers

Who should be consulted if unfamiliar with the building's ventilation system?

Building engineer Signup and view all the answers

Where are sprinkler cut-off valves typically located?

Ceiling above corridor tiles or stairwells Signup and view all the answers

What guidelines should be followed regarding property conservation during fire incidents?

Prioritize rooms with high value items Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of flaking the line out before moving into the fire area?

To remove kinks and ensure efficient operation Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with the staircase before initiating a fire attack?

Pressurize it to control smoke travel Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to stay close to a wall while moving towards the fire?

To protect against falling debris and identify floor instability Signup and view all the answers

What can be used to protect the advancing team’s flank from fire during an attack?

A second line Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters do after forcing a door during a search?

Use door straps to prevent it from re-engaging Signup and view all the answers

How should doors be marked after a primary search?

By placing a door strap around the door strike Signup and view all the answers

What should be done before charging the line?

Ensure all the firefighters are in position Signup and view all the answers

Why is probing the overhead space necessary during an advance towards a fire?

To check for potential fire extension Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rapid Ascent Teams (RAT)

Clear stairwells of occupants
Unlock and close all stairwell doors
Unlock roof hatch but keep it closed to pressurize stairwell
Inform Incident Commander which stairwell has the roof hatch

Crew Staging

Two floors or lower below the fire is essential for sustained attack
For every company on the fire floor, an equal number of companies should be in crew staging

Resource

At least one company should be assigned to Resource to stockpile equipment and air bottles
Additional companies assigned as practical, either in Resource or near Crew Staging

RIT

Established at every high-rise incident
Consider establishing a RIT branch in the event of a working fire
RIT surveys floor layout and moves to closest tenable position to attack crew
Second RIT should be established if enough companies are present

Lobby Control

Lobby should be reinforced with an additional engine company due to the extreme need and work assignments required

Floor Above the Fire

Fire commonly spreads by lapping out the windows and into the floor above
Hose lines should be placed on both the fire floor and floor above
Floor above is the next highest priority for rescue after the fire floor

Water Supply

Apparatus/Operators from the first and second arriving apparatus create the water supply group
Connect to the FDC
Establish an uninterrupted water supply to the supply engine
If the hydrant is a long distance from the engine, notify the IC
Standard hook up: minimum of two (2) 3" lines
Lines remain uncharged until advised by IC
Engine should lay hose from the building to a safe location
Charge sprinkler systems to 150 PDP
Charge standpipe systems to 150 PDP + 5 PSI per floor
Charge combination systems to 150 PDP
If a pre-determined pressure is noted on the FDC, follow the building operating pressure
If the building has a zoned fire protection system, verify the correct system is pressurized before charging the FDC
Verify the location of the fire with IC

Building Information

Public Address System (PA)
One-way communication to building occupants
May be used for selective floors or the entire building
Stairwells may or may not have PA speakers
Two-way communication
Plug-in telephone handsets (FF phones)
Provide communication between the FCC and various points in the building
Typical locations for jacks:
Elevator lobbies on each level
Alarm pull-stations beside stairwell doors
In the elevators of newer buildings
How the FF phones operate
Plugging in activates an audible alert and a light on the FCC control panel
Someone in the FCC flips a switch to open the circuit to communicate
Members unplug phones when finished talking to avoid preventing alerts
Systems usually support no more than 4 phones at once
These phones provide a valuable alternative to fire department radios

Elevator Keys

Building access keys:
Blue background - "Building Sprinkler & Standpipe Lock"
White background - "Stairway Door keys", "Roof Access in stairwells", "Mechanical, Electrical and Elevator Room"
Elevator keys:
Red background - "Fire Service Phase 1" (recalls elevator), "Fire Service Phase 2" (in-car operation), "Fire Service Phase 1 & 2" (combined phase 1 and 2)
Red background - "Elevator Car Door" (opens car doors after recall)
Yellow background - "Elevator Inspection On/Off switch" (stop an elevator in an emergency)
Orange background - "Elevator Emergency Stop/Run switch" (allows for stopping the elevator at any point in the shaft)
Orange background - "Elevator Car Access Panel" (opens panel with emergency stop/run switch and other components)
Green background - "Elevator Car Emergency Power Selector switch" (selects which car operates on emergency power)

Elevator Operations

Do not use elevators if the fire is below the fifth floor
Elevators will only be used under fire department control in "fire service mode"
Use the building elevator key to capture the elevators
This key can be found in the fire box in the FCC
Capture elevators by using the key switch in the FCC or the elevator lobby
This is called placing the elevators into "Phase I"
Phase I operations recall the elevators to their pre-determined floor with car doors open

High-Rise Hose Lay

Each attack crew carries two (2) 75' high-rise hose bundles
Carry bundles up to the floors above and flake them downward to the standpipe connection
Keep the door closed while flaking the line down
Place the nozzle on the fire floor landing
Utilize 3rd and 4th section of hose if needed to reach the fire
Flake the line out to remove kinks
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
If safe to do so, position the line before charging it

Entering the Fire Area

Force entry on the fire floor if necessary
Maintain control of the door to control smoke travel
Ensure that the stairwell is pressurized before initiating fire attack
Use the thermal imager to identify the fire area and fall hazards
Stay close to a wall while moving towards the fire, probing the floor with a pike pole
Use clues gained from the recon of the floor below to travel to the fire area
Probe the overhead space to check for fire extension
Be aware of fire overtaking the attack crew from behind
A second line may be required to protect the flank from the "donut effect"
Utilize door straps and wedges to facilitate the search
Primary search: Place strap around the door strike
Secondary search: Double back the strap on the outside handle

Sprinkler System

Once ordered, the assigned company should stay with the valve until confirmed there are no flare-ups
Sprinkler cut-off valves are typically in the stairwells
If not in the stairwells, they are usually located in the ceiling above the corridor outside the stairwell door

Stairwells

It is the responsibility of the Operations Division Officer to determine which stairwell will be used for:
Fire Attack
Ventilation
Rescue

Ventilation

Ventilation must be a coordinated effort
Use individual floor blowers and ventilation systems if equipped
If unfamiliar with the system, get assistance from the building engineer
If the building is not equipped, the fire department must provide ventilation
Use pre-incident fire plans to determine stairwells with roof access for ventilation
If a plan is not available, the RAT can provide this info to the Incident Commander

Property Conservation

Prioritize rooms with high-value items (computers, documents, electronics etc.)
Assign a minimum of 3 companies per floor to control water run-off
The primary site for de-watering is the restroom
Turn off water service to the toilets and remove the bowl to expose a drain
Additional de-watering sites:
Mechanical Rooms
Janitorial closet floor drains
Stairwells
Do not use elevator shafts to de-water the building

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Description

This quiz covers essential protocols for firefighting in high-rise buildings. Topics include rapid ascent teams, crew staging, resource management, and the role of the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT). Test your knowledge of effective strategies and safety measures to ensure successful operations in high-rise emergencies.