Hoffman Estates Fire Department Highrise Guidelines

Questions and Answers

What is the primary concern when removing or protecting occupants from a fire in a high-rise building?

Firefloor accessibility

Stairwell congestion

Smoke spread (correct)

Elevator malfunction

When should elevators with fire service option controls be stopped during a high-rise building fire?

When smoke is visible in the hoistway

Every five floors (correct)

Only when occupants are on board

Every two floors

What is the purpose of inspecting the elevator shaft during a high-rise building fire?

To inspect for smoke (correct)

To determine the fire floor

To check for occupants

To ensure the elevator is functioning properly

Why should alternate stairwells be used for fire control and occupant evacuation?

Because smoke enters stairwells once fire control has begun Signup and view all the answers

When should occupants above the fire floor be moved higher in the building?

When protected or pressurized stairwells are impassable due to smoke or fire Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary method of smoke removal in high-rise building fires?

Large exterior windows Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using protected stairwells during high-rise building fires?

To protect occupants from smoke and fire Signup and view all the answers

How far above and below the fire floor should occupants be evacuated?

Two floors above and below Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Tower Ladder Company during initial fireground operations?

Assisting in occupant evacuation and determining stairwell usage Signup and view all the answers

What equipment should the tower company carry during initial fireground operations?

Forcible entry bag, irons, pressurizer water can, and a hand light Signup and view all the answers

Who is in charge of coordinating the efforts of the Tower Ladder Company during initial fireground operations?

The Tower 22 Officer Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of taking keys from the lock box?

To operate the building's elevators using the fire service option controls Signup and view all the answers

What should the tower company do if fire or smoke conditions are found during reconnaissance?

Assist in occupant evacuation and determine which stairwell will be used for evacuation Signup and view all the answers

What should the tower company do once the engine company arrives with attack hose lines?

Initiate their normal tasks of primary search, forcible entry, or ventilation Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the fire service option control of elevators in high-rise buildings?

To allow firefighters to access higher floors quickly Signup and view all the answers

Why is an additional support crew assigned to assist the Tower Ladder Company during initial fireground operations?

To help the Tower Ladder Company if the aerial ladder needs to be placed in service Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary action of the engine company upon arriving at the fire alarm annunciator panel?

Wait until the report from the truck company is received Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for situations where it is safest to remain indoors rather than face uncertainty outside?

Protect-in-Place Signup and view all the answers

According to the procedure, what should the ambulance company do upon arrival?

Stage until assigned by Command Signup and view all the answers

What should first responders do when sheltering occupants during a Protect-in-Place situation?

Provide safety by placing protection between occupants and the danger Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the engine company taking one set of building keys from a lock box?

To gain access to the building for general operations Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of the reference for the High Rise Incidents policy?

MABAS Policy 332 Signup and view all the answers

When should the engine company proceed to the elevators to transport the apartment packs?

Once the tower crew reports smoke or fire conditions above the fourth floor Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of shutting all doors and windows during a Protect-in-Place situation?

To enact barriers between occupants and the threat Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the highrise guidelines?

To ensure effective fire suppression in highrise buildings Signup and view all the answers

In the order of tactical priorities for highrise incidents, which is the first priority?

Life Safety Signup and view all the answers

What action should initial attack crews take when responding to a highrise fire?

Send crews to the fire floor and one floor above it Signup and view all the answers

After the second command officer arrives, where should a Division be established?

Two floors below the fire floor Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for the evacuation process during a highrise fire scenario?

Use of protected or pressurized stairwells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the above-ground firefighting strategy in highrise operations?

Rescue occupants using ladders Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification for a highrise building as stated in the guidelines?

Any structure with five stories or more Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT need to be reviewed for fire suppression activities in highrise buildings?

Underground tunnel access Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential risk when the area above ceiling tiles is used as an air return?

It can allow smoke and fire to spread rapidly. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if smoke stratification has occurred at a certain level?

Cross ventilate that level to relieve trapped smoke. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to keep at least one stairway clear during a firefighting operation?

To facilitate the movement of firefighters and equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken regarding air handling systems during a fire?

They should be turned off unless designed for smoke removal. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for managing alarm and communication systems in high-rise buildings during a fire incident?

The Building Systems Officer or Lobby Control. Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided when venting during a firefighting operation?

Intentionally venting smoke into a stairway. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of fire alarm systems in high-rise buildings?

To notify occupants of a fire and facilitate evacuation. Signup and view all the answers

What is critical for firefighters when establishing control over a building during a fire?

Communicating stairway use for access and ventilation. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Highrise Guidelines

A highrise building is classified as any structure five stories or more.
Fire suppression activities in highrise buildings require the use of previous SOG's on fireground command, divisions, safety, standpipe or sprinkler system use or support, and elevator use.

Tactical Priorities

Life Safety
Incident Stabilization
Property Conservation

Initial Attack Crews

Facilitate the removal of building occupants using protected or pressurized stairwells or fire service-controlled elevators.
Initial crews should focus on the removal of building occupants using protected stairwells or fire service-controlled elevators.

Incident Command

Must not only send crews to the fire floor but also to the floor above the fire floor.
Secondary companies should be assigned to the top floor and the floor below the fire floor.
These crews should search for occupants above the fire and direct their removal.

Above-Ground Firefighting Strategy

Attack the fire
Conduct a ventilation assessment
Place crews above the fire
Back-up on the fire floor
Reinforcement above the operation, search and rescue, salvage, and overhaul

Elevators

Elevators should be used only when equipped with fire service option controls.
These elevators should be used to transport personnel two floors below the fire floor.
All occupants traveling in elevators should have their SCBA units on and ready for immediate use in case the elevator stops at an area exposed to smoke and fire.
Elevators should be stopped every five floors to insure control of the elevator.

Rescue

Removing or protecting occupants from a fire in a highrise building is one of the most difficult, yet critical tasks facing the fire department.
Alternate stairwells should be used for fire control and occupant evacuation, due to the smoke entering stairwells once fire control has begun.
All occupants should be evacuated at least two floors above and below the fire floor.

Ventilation

Smoke spread is unquestionably the most significant life hazard problem existing at the time of a fire in a highrise building.
Most smoke removal is accomplished by using large exterior windows, along with mechanical smoke removal equipment.
When available, the building's ventilation system may be used to aid in smoke removal.

Stairways

In structural firefighting operations, at least one stairway should be kept clear to provide access to or escape from floors above the fire.
Stairways may or may not have vent hatches or roof access at the top to allow venting for trapped smoke.

Air Handling Systems

Unless the system is designed for smoke removal and fresh air supply, it should be shut down until the fire is stabilized and the method of smoke removal is decided.

Alarm and Communications Systems

Fire Alarm and/or one or two-way voice communications systems are required for all high-rise buildings.
These provide a method of sounding alarms or making announcements on individual floors selectively or the whole building.

Initial Fireground Operations

Tower Ladder Company:
- Take one set of building keys from a lock box and proceed to the fire alarm annunciator panel.
- Determine the cause of the alarm activation.
- Report general operations and locations to command.
Engine Company:
- Take one set of building keys from a lock box and proceed to the fire alarm annunciator panel.
- Wait until the report from the truck company is received.
- Proceed to the elevators and transport the apartment packs two floors below the fire floor.
- Attack the fire using standpipe operations.
Ambulance Company:
- Stage until assigned by Command.

Procedure

Protect-in-Place: refers to situations where it is safest to remain indoors rather than face uncertainty outside.
During sheltering, first responders should provide safety by placing protection between occupants and the danger.

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Description

This quiz covers the standard operating guidelines for highrise fire scene operations by the Hoffman Estates Fire Department, compliant with NIMS standards.