Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of pressurizing stairwells during high rise fires?
What should be done when smoke and flames are observed pulsing in and out of window openings?
What is NOT a preferred action when dealing with a known wind-driven fire?
Which is considered a building within a building during high rise operations?
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What is the primary focus of the third due truck in a high rise fire, regardless of fire location?
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How do flames appear during wind-driven fires?
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What actions are restricted when managing an incident with known wind-driven fire conditions?
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In what priority should smoke control measures be implemented in a high rise fire situation?
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What action helps maintain the integrity of the attack stairwell?
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When should an attack on a fire be halted due to wind-driven conditions?
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What is a critical factor in assessing the use of an elevator during a fire scenario?
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The elevators should not be used if?
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Before entering an elevator during a fire situation, what is an essential safety check?
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What is the minimum hose line length that should be prepared for a fire attack?
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What check is performed while using firemen's service function of an elevator?
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What is the role of the third due truck in a fire incident involving stairwells?
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What is the primary reason for utilizing fans on the fire floor after a fire has been controlled?
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Which condition is a factor in deciding whether to use exterior streams during a fire?
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When should firefighters consider using another apartment on the same floor for smoke exhaust?
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What must not be delayed when using exterior cooling during a high rise fire?
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Which responsibility applies to all personnel during a fire incident?
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What is a critical aspect of managing smoke control in a high rise fire situation?
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What should be prioritized during the initial response to a high rise fire?
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What should be done before using the firemen service in the elevator?
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What should be done when an electric fan is not immediately available for stairwell pressurization?
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When should consideration be given to placing fans two floors below the fire in a high rise?
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Which of the following actions should the third due truck prioritize?
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What is the procedure when the fire location in a high rise is unknown?
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What must the focus be on when the third due engine checks the lowest level of a structure?
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What is an important factor for personnel to remain alert for during high rise operations?
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What should be done with stairwells during high rise fire incidents?
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What action should personnel take when approaching a fire in a high rise building?
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What must personnel do immediately when noticing signs of a wind-driven fire?
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What is a critical safety protocol before opening the door from the attack stairwell to the fire floor?
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When should crews halt their advance during a fire attack?
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What should firefighters ensure before leaving the door to the fire compartment open?
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What condition must be met before firefighters can safely open the door to the attack stairwell?
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What is a sign that indicates the need for caution during an attack on a fire?
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What is the protocol regarding the door to the fire compartment when adjacent apartments need to be searched?
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What should be done if signs of wind-driven fire are suspected while approaching the attack mode?
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What must be confirmed before opening the door to the fire compartment on the fire floor?
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What should crews be prepared for before opening the door from the attack stairwell to the reported fire floor?
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When personnel suspect a wind-driven fire, what is an immediate action they should take?
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What indicates that crews should be alert to a wind impacted fire as they open the attack stairwell door?
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What is the primary reason for maintaining the integrity of the stairwell during a fire response?
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Study Notes
High Rise Fires Overview
- High rise refers to buildings over 5 stories or 75 feet above the lowest fire department access.
- These fires pose significant challenges due to rapid smoke spread and difficulty in reaching occupants.
Smoke Control Strategies
- Pressurizing stairwells is crucial to contain smoke and toxic gases.
- Ventilation of smoke is not a primary option; focus on maintaining stairwell integrity.
- Electric fans should be used when possible; gas fans may be a backup.
- First Truck places a fan at the base of the attack stairwell; fans are positioned two floors below for buildings above the 9th floor.
- The third truck must ensure all stairwells are pressurized and manage smoke control effectively.
Tactics for Unknown Fire Location
- No use of elevators; conduct checks from the entry level upward until the fire source is found.
- Pay close attention to continuous vertical openings, such as trash chutes and elevator shafts.
Wind Effects on Fire Behavior
- Wind-driven fires manifest as flame and smoke pulsating in and out of windows, creating hazards in door operation.
- Notify Incident Command (IC) and refrain from opening apartment doors into corridors when a wind-driven fire is suspected.
Stairwell Operations Guidelines
- Ensure attack stairwell integrity by pressurizing it and keeping doors tight.
- Utilize self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) with regulator prepared before entering.
- If signs of a wind-driven fire are observed, halt the attack and communicate with command for a strategy adjustment.
- Ensure corridors are clear of smoke and occupants before conducting searches.
Designation of Stairwells
- The first due engine designates the attack stairwell, while the third due truck identifies the ventilation stairwell after checking for occupants.
Guidelines for Elevator Usage
- Elevators must not be used if smoke, heat, or fire is detected; if detectors in the hoistway are activated; if the fire is below the fifth floor; or if civilians are present.
- Before entering an elevator, check the hoistway for smoke or fire, and ensure emergency preparedness with PPE and SCBA in hand.
- If the elevator fails to stop midway, connect the regulator before continuing operations.
Attack Line and Lobby Control
- If smoke or fire is detected, a charged hose line must be advanced, ideally 200 feet in length.
- The second engine should assist the first in stretching and preparing to extend the line.
- Lobby control may serve as a Central Command Operations (CCO) for assessing needs, controlling elevators, and assisting occupants with evasion strategies.
Ventilation and Pressurization in High-Rise Fires
- Electric fans are preferred for pressurizing enclosed stairwells; gas-powered fans may be used if electric ones are unavailable.
- Positioning fans two floors below the fire floor is recommended when the fire is above the 9th floor for better pressurization.
- Air movement for pressurization or ventilation should utilize fans located inside the building.
- Quick pressurization of all stairwells is imperative for safety.
Incident Command Responsibilities
- The Incident Commander or designee directs stairwell ventilation and pressurization.
- Personnel must monitor annunciator and control panels, reporting information as required.
- Alarms should be reset and silenced as per the Incident Commander's instructions.
Post Knock-Down Ventilation
- Maintaining smoke control after the fire is crucial, continuing to limit smoke spread.
- Fans should be placed on the fire floor to support airflow.
- If hydraulic ventilation fails, smoke should be exhausted through an apartment on the opposite side of the same floor.
Use of Exterior Streams
- Exterior streams can cool interior compartments but must not interfere with primary water supply actions.
- Initial positioning of aerial units should prioritize occupant rescue and firefighter egress when deploying exterior cooling methods.
- Fire Department connections to building fire protection systems shouldn’t be delayed by exterior cooling operations.
Search Protocols in Unknown Fire Locations
- In cases of unknown fire locations, crews must ascend through the building on foot, inspecting each level without using elevators.
- The lowest level must be checked for potential fires, especially in continuous open vertical shafts like trash and elevator chutes.
Wind-Driven Fire Awareness
- Personnel should be vigilant for indicators of wind-driven fires, including:
- Smoke or flames fluctuating in and out of window openings.
- High pressure felt against doors while opening.
- Smoke movement around door edges.
- Flame movement visible in corridors.
- Any signs of wind-driven fires must be reported to the Incident Commander immediately.
Stairwell Operations Protocols
- Stairwell integrity is crucial; personnel should prepare for smoke migration before opening doors.
- Facepieces should be worn, and SCBA regulators ready before entering a smoke-logged area.
- Signs of wind impact require halting progress, notifying command, and reconsidering attack strategies.
- Keep the door to fire compartments closed until:
- Adjacent apartments are searched.
- The corridor is confirmed clear of occupants.
- All other doors in the hallway are closed.
Ventilation and Pressurization in High-Rise Fires
- Electric fans are preferred for pressurizing enclosed stairwells; gas-powered fans may be used if electric ones are unavailable.
- Positioning fans two floors below the fire floor is recommended when the fire is above the 9th floor for better pressurization.
- Air movement for pressurization or ventilation should utilize fans located inside the building.
- Quick pressurization of all stairwells is imperative for safety.
Incident Command Responsibilities
- The Incident Commander or designee directs stairwell ventilation and pressurization.
- Personnel must monitor annunciator and control panels, reporting information as required.
- Alarms should be reset and silenced as per the Incident Commander's instructions.
Post Knock-Down Ventilation
- Maintaining smoke control after the fire is crucial, continuing to limit smoke spread.
- Fans should be placed on the fire floor to support airflow.
- If hydraulic ventilation fails, smoke should be exhausted through an apartment on the opposite side of the same floor.
Use of Exterior Streams
- Exterior streams can cool interior compartments but must not interfere with primary water supply actions.
- Initial positioning of aerial units should prioritize occupant rescue and firefighter egress when deploying exterior cooling methods.
- Fire Department connections to building fire protection systems shouldn’t be delayed by exterior cooling operations.
Search Protocols in Unknown Fire Locations
- In cases of unknown fire locations, crews must ascend through the building on foot, inspecting each level without using elevators.
- The lowest level must be checked for potential fires, especially in continuous open vertical shafts like trash and elevator chutes.
Wind-Driven Fire Awareness
- Personnel should be vigilant for indicators of wind-driven fires, including:
- Smoke or flames fluctuating in and out of window openings.
- High pressure felt against doors while opening.
- Smoke movement around door edges.
- Flame movement visible in corridors.
- Any signs of wind-driven fires must be reported to the Incident Commander immediately.
Stairwell Operations Protocols
- Stairwell integrity is crucial; personnel should prepare for smoke migration before opening doors.
- Facepieces should be worn, and SCBA regulators ready before entering a smoke-logged area.
- Signs of wind impact require halting progress, notifying command, and reconsidering attack strategies.
- Keep the door to fire compartments closed until:
- Adjacent apartments are searched.
- The corridor is confirmed clear of occupants.
- All other doors in the hallway are closed.
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Description
This quiz covers the safety protocols and considerations specific to high-rise fire incidents, including the challenges posed by smoke spread and the use of positive pressure fans. It focuses on strategies to protect occupants and effectively manage fire suppression in these complex environments.
