11 Questions
What is the primary reason why large commercial buildings are often equipped with automatic sprinkler systems?
To control fires
Why can fires in large commercial buildings be difficult to control if the sprinkler system fails or is absent?
They have complex building features
What is the purpose of pulsing with a straight or solid stream aimed at the ceiling during a fire attack?
To prevent flashover
Why may offensive fire attacks not be effective in the upper floors of large commercial buildings?
The water supply may not reach those floors
When attacking a fire in a large commercial building, why is it important to evaluate the need to defend nearby buildings with additional hose streams?
To prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent buildings
What is the purpose of backup hose lines during a fire attack?
To protect the crew on the initial attack hose line
Why is it a good practice to get a hose line on the floor immediately above the fire during a fire attack?
To prevent the fire from spreading to upper floors
What is the purpose of hose lines below the fire during a fire attack?
To protect egress routes and external exposures
Why is providing at least two water supplies for a working structure fire considered good practice?
To ensure an adequate water supply
What is the purpose of large-diameter hose during a fire attack?
To ensure an adequate water supply
When is the use of an attack pumper concept appropriate during a fire attack?
During fires in relatively small structures
Study Notes
- Large commercial buildings are often protected by automatic sprinkler systems.
- If the sprinkler system fails or is absent, fires in large commercial buildings can be difficult to control.
- Large commercial buildings have a variety of fuels, some of which may result in smaller, slower-burning fires, while others have fuel loads that greatly exceed those found in residential properties.
- Softening the target from an exterior position or a position just inside the building may be less effective in large commercial buildings due to their size and complexity.
- Offensive fire attacks may not be effective in the upper floors of large commercial buildings.
- Final extinguishment involves applying water directly on the burning material to reduce the temperature of the fuel and eliminate pyrolysis.
- Pulsing with a straight or solid stream aimed at the ceiling can reduce the probability of flashover.
- Transitional attacks involve directing a stream from the exterior into a room that is involved in fire where the fire has self-vented.
- The number of hose lines needed will be based on flow requirements and must be enough to apply the necessary rate of flow and protect egress routes for interior firefighters.
- The IC is responsible for predicting where the fire is going and must take into account the construction features of the building.
- Hose lines are needed to prevent fire from moving through natural pathways in buildings.
- Fire can extend vertically up the exterior of a building from windows or other openings on the fire floor(s).
- Evaluating the need to defend nearby buildings with additional hose streams involves many factors, including life hazard in the exposure and proximity to the fire building.
- Backup hose lines are needed to protect the crew on the initial attack hose line and to provide additional flow when required.
- It is a good practice to get a hose line on the floor immediately above the fire.
- Hose lines are occasionally needed below the fire to protect egress routes and to protect external exposures.
- Large-diameter hose eliminates the dilemma of relying on a marginal water supply.
- Providing at least two water supplies for a working structure fire is considered good practice.
- Attacking a fire with anything less than a water supply from a source of water that is capable of supplying flow requirements over an extended period of time is a gamble.
- The use of an attack pumper concept must be well understood by all members and should be limited to fires in relatively small structures.
Test your knowledge of firefighting tactics in large commercial buildings with this quiz! From the importance of automatic sprinkler systems to the use of hose lines and attack pumpers, this quiz covers key elements of managing fires in complex commercial spaces. Keywords include: sprinkler systems, fuels, offensive fire attacks, hose lines, backup hose lines, and large-diameter hose. See how much you know about keeping large commercial buildings safe from fire.
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