Command and control ics chapter 10. Traditional Lumberyards

• Lumberyards store commercial lumber in large quantities for sale.
• There are two types of lumberyards: traditional lumberyards and home improvement centers.

Traditional Lumberyards

• Have one or more buildings and a significant open space.
• Buildings house the sales area and products that are susceptible to weather damage.
• Open spaces contain lumber stacks of 2x3 inches and larger.
• Structures in traditional lumberyards can contribute to fire spread, especially if the fire starts or spreads to them.
• Lumber is typically stored outside, so structures are usually small offices, sales areas, or storage sheds.
• Structures are usually of ordinary or wood-frame construction and add to the fire load.
• Structures used to store lumber or wood products may have questionable stability under fire conditions, leading to rapid collapse.
• Metal buildings used for storage can collapse quickly when exposed to heat from burning lumber.
• Finished lumber products like moldings, paneling, and plywood may be stored in open or closed structures which adds to the value of the contents inside the structure.
• Built-in fire protection is not usually provided for outside lumber storage.
• Alarm systems are occasional, resulting in delayed reporting of fires and larger fires upon arrival.

Home Improvement Centers

• Large retail stores that merchandise miscellaneous building supplies.
• Frequently store large amounts of lumber products.
• Often store flammable liquids, miscellaneous combustibles, and toxic materials, which can worsen fires.
• Structures are usually ordinary (masonry walls with wooden roof assemblies) or noncombustible construction.
• Generally have very large floor areas and can be the height of two-story buildings with only one floor.
• Feature high-rack storage inside and outside.
• Automatic sprinkler protection may or may not be present, depending on local codes.
• High-rack storage systems create maze-like patterns.
• Firefighters can become disoriented and lost due to smoke conditions.
• Fires in high-rack storage can spread rapidly through Class A combustibles.
• Smoke spreads rapidly due to the heavy fire loading and wide-open area.
• Racks, made of wood or steel, are subject to early collapse under fire conditions.

Common Problems

• Access to reach the fire area can be difficult in both types of lumberyards.
• Approaching the fire area with apparatus may not be possible, leading to long hoseline stretches.
• Need to carefully place fire apparatus to account for possible fire spread, collapse of stacked lumber, and extreme radiant heat.
• Preplan access points into and around the facility.
• Water supply can be a problem because hydrants may not be available.
• Fire flow may not be sufficient for the fire potential, even when hydrants are available.
• Rapid fire spread is common when fires are not reported quickly and suppressed early.
• Lumberyard and home improvement center fires can grow rapidly, requiring major changes in strategy and increased resource commitments.
• The type and amount of material burning, along with its storage method, affects fire growth and extinguishment.
• Tightly stacked large-dimension lumber burns slower, while loosely stacked smaller-sized lumber burns faster.
• Large, free-burning fires increase the potential for exposing adjacent structures.
• Stream penetration into stacked lumber is important but is more difficult when the lumber is tightly stacked or radiant heat limits approach.
• Straight-tip streams and hoselines with spray nozzles may be necessary.
• Elevated streams may be required in traditional lumberyards.
• Free-burning lumber can generate large quantities of flying embers and spot fires.
• Downwind patrols should be considered to minimize additional fires.
• Fires can become long-term incidents, requiring extended on-scene resource commitments.
• Personnel fatigue can be a factor, so rehabilitation (rehab) needs and relief personnel should be considered.
• Early consideration of resource needs is essential, including additional alarms, mutual aid, elevated stream apparatus, and lighting equipment.
• Early evaluation and request of interagency support is needed, including law enforcement for traffic and utility service companies to manage utilities.
• Emergency medical services should be established for injured firefighters, along with responder rehab areas.
• Overhaul can be extensive and difficult due to large amounts of tightly stacked material and deep-seated fires.
• Instability of stacked lumber can be a problem.
• Wetting agents can speed up the overhaul process.
• Heavy equipment may be required to move material.
• As an alternative to overhaul, a fire watch can be posted.

Cue-Based Predictions

• Defensive mode is applicable from the arrival of the first apparatus for significant fires.
• Protect exposures and establish a high-volume water supply.
• Intense radiant heat may prevent approaching the fire area to place effective streams.
• Long supply lines often require significant numbers of pumping apparatus.
• Lumberyard fires can quickly turn into conflagrations if large streams are not used or sufficient resources are not called early.
• Flying embers are a problem downwind.
• Master streams and large handlines are required to knock down the fire.

Incident Management Cues

• Fires often require multiple tactical operations.
• Fire attack, exposure protection, and ventilation must be coordinated.
• Failure to coordinate tactical operations can result in ineffective fire control and serious injury.
• Tactical operations must be performed in a timely manner and not conflict with each other.

Strategy and Tactics

• Basic strategy varies based on whether the fire is in outside lumber storage or inside a structure.

Outside Storage Fires

• Can grow quickly and spread rapidly depending on the materials and storage method.
• Can create large amounts of heat and spread flying embers over large areas.
• If the fire is not large, use small hoselines (1¾ inch) for a direct attack and to protect exposures.
• For larger fires, use large handlines (2½ inch) to provide reach, fire flow, and penetration.
• Master streams may be necessary from fixed appliances.
• Consider elevated streams for highly stacked lumber storage.
• Consider the water supply when employing large handlines or master streams.
• If conditions permit, attack the fire from a direction that will not move it toward uninvolved materials or structures.
• Protect threatened structures with initial hoselines or appliances.
• Flanking a hot, fast-moving fire allows some fire control and safety for firefighters.
• Establish divisions to control the exterior fire, typically one for each side of the facility.
• Safety must be a prime consideration, especially regarding radiated heat and the possibility of collapse of stacked lumber.

Fires Inside Structures

• Present different problems than outside storage fires.
• Life safety of employees and customers is a primary consideration during business hours.
• Self-evacuation can be difficult due to the maze-like interior and large volumes of smoke.
• The amount of lumber or other combustibles inside a traditional lumberyard structure is usually less than outside.
• Materials like moldings, paneling, and plywood can produce intense fires.
• The structure itself may contribute to the fire load.
• Home improvement centers often have more combustibles inside than typical lumberyards.
• A quick, aggressive attack on the fire's origin is the best approach, tempered with concern for conditions, fire amount, and risks.
• Establish Division 1 from the Incident Command System (ICS) standpoint.
• Consider vertical and horizontal ventilation to provide a safe operating environment and limit fire spread.
• Establish a Vent Group for ventilation.
• Consider internal exposures, especially other combustibles, combustible liquids, or hazardous materials.
• Divide the interior floor space between division supervisors due to the large floor area of home improvement centers.
• Establish Exposure Division B and Exposure Division D.
• Salvage becomes a strategic consideration to protect accounts receivable, building materials, hardware items, and tools from water and smoke damage.
• Establish a Salvage Group for this purpose.
• Evaluate structural stability before firefighters enter and monitor constantly.
• Assign a safety officer.

Changes in Strategic Mode

• Fires in lumberyards and home improvement centers can develop and change quickly.
• Have alternate strategies in place to deal with changing conditions.
• Initial apparatus placement is critical if the fire grows, necessitating a switch from an offensive to a defensive operation.
• Communicate changes in operational mode to all involved.
• Obtain continual progress reports from officers directing tactical operations to prevent injuries or incompatible activities.

Complexes Under Construction

• Present similar problems and safety issues as lumberyard fires.
• In early stages, these occupancies are similar to a lumberyard nailed together.
• Structures are prone to early collapse.
• Hazardous materials may be present.
• Fires generate a tremendous amount of heat and can produce dynamic fire conditions and embers causing spot fires
• Appoint an ember group to manage spot fires
• Limited access, water supply issues, combustible waste, and hazardous operations add to the challenges.
• Conditions that increase problems: exposed wood framing, lack of barriers, open stairwells, non-working fire-protection systems, blocked access, and construction materials.
• Complexes are more at risk to arson and vandalism.
• Increase chances of success by visiting the site, evaluating the risk, and developing a preplan which includes how to position resources, and both fixed and portable fire protection equipment.

Scenario 1 Activities

• Problem A: High radiant heat. Tactical Solution: Use master stream devices. ICS Solution: Establish divisions.
• Problem B: Exposures involved in fire. Tactical Solution: Aggressively attack the structure fires. ICS Solution: Establish divisions for structure fires.
• Problem C: Insufficient water supply. Tactical Solution: Establish water supply operation. ICS Solution: Establish Water Supply Group.

Scenario 2

• Apparatus can be severely damaged by radiant heat.
• FIrefighters must be aware of their positioning and positions that offer shielding.

Scenario 3

• Pumpers would need to be placed on each hydrant due to long lays and reduced hydrant pressures.
• Additional apparatus would be needed in a relay operation from each hydrant.
• Pumpers would be needed to distribute the water effectively.
• This operation would take three to four alarms.