PDF: Abandoned, Vacant, and Under-Construction Structures: SOG Guide

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Abandoned, Vacant and Under-Construction Structures Effective Date: 08/12/2020 Procedure Number 04-37A Revised Date: Number of Pages...

Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) Abandoned, Vacant and Under-Construction Structures Effective Date: 08/12/2020 Procedure Number 04-37A Revised Date: Number of Pages 02 A. Overview Firefighters respond to a variety of incidents in abandoned, vacant and under-construction structures that may require different strategies and tactics due to possible hazardous conditions. Buildings and structures may be or become unsafe due to construction, renovation, fire, vandalism, neglect, age, natural elements or general deterioration. These hazards pose unique threats to firefighters working in and around these structures during emergency incidents. 2. Definitions Abandoned Structure: A structure that has no occupants or any apparent use, and is a state of obvious disrepair or neglect. These buildings may have structural compromise which could contribute to fire spread and increased collapse potential. There is also the potential for biohazard exposure such as discarded needles and human waste. When these structures are identified prior to an incident, Captains should fill out the Abandoned, Vacant and Under-Construction form on Firehome. Dispatch will add the address and details to the CAD. These same steps should also be completed by IC after an incident in a previously unidentified structure. Vacant Structure: A structure that has an owner but no permanent occupants, although reasonable efforts are in place to preserve its value and/or condition. Such as a business that is transitioning between owners or tenants. Under-Construction: A Structure that contains many hazards associated with type and phase of construction. Hazards include but are not limited to, trip/fall hazards, open/unsecured utilities, unstable walls/floors/roofs, open shafts, construction equipment and missing stairs. When construction workers are not on scene, the structure is not intended for occupancy. The structure may or may not have a working standpipe. 3. Guideline A. First-Arriving Company Officer Duties 1. Enroute, evaluate information provided by dispatch including any flagged information, pre- plans, etc. 2. Establish Command in accordance with SOP 04-03. 3. Provide a size-up, ensuring that abandoned, vacant, or under-construction building information is clearly communicated, with any specific hazards described. B. Incident Strategy. 1. Any strategy implemented by Command must take into account firefighter safety, victims, and property conservation. Immediate efforts should be taken to determine if there are victims in the structure. This is accomplished through dispatch and reporting party information, witnesses, 360 of the structure, visual cues, etc. 2. Risk vs. benefit. a. When fighting fires in these types of structures the level of assumed risk should be reduced due to the:  1. Safety of firefighters. 2. Poor or unsafe condition of the structure. 3. Likely absence of occupants. b. This SOG is not intended to prohibit an offensive fire attack, its purpose is to ensure the fire building is quickly identified as abandoned, vacant, or under-construction and that information is transmitted to all crews on scene. Only when victim(s) are present and viable, should an offensive attack and interior operations be performed and only when directed to by Command. Otherwise, a defensive strategy should be used. 1. Search for victims shall only occur from the exterior of abandoned, vacant, and under-construction buildings using visible observation and a thermal imaging camera (TIC) through external windows and doors. If victim(s) are identified, the rescue plan should be immediately communicated to and approved by Command before commencing. C. Abandoned buildings. 1. Due to the danger to firefighters, the likely absence of occupants and the lack of value of these structures the following are tactical considerations for Command: a. A defensive strategy should be declared with defined collapse zones identified and enforced. b. All subsequent suppression or overhaul operations performed inside the structure or on the roof should be done with extreme caution and only with the approval of Command. 2. An offensive strategy should only be used if a known, savable life exists, and the hazards can be mitigated to enhance firefighter safety. a. Approval from Command must be obtained before entry is made. Exception: IC approval is not required for a line-of-sight rescue for a savable life. D. Under-construction buildings. 1. The condition of these buildings can vary significantly depending upon the type and phase of construction. Collapse potential is significantly increased as wall, floor, and roof systems are in various stages of construction, allowing for rapid fire spread and a quicker time to collapse. 2. Fires in wood-frame buildings under construction can grow rapidly, and will likely be well- involved and structurally unsound upon arrival. 3. An offensive strategy should be used only when a rapid fire attack could stop fire spread or if a known, savable life exists. Otherwise, a defensive strategy should be declared with operations conducted outside the structure, with defined collapse zones identified and enforced. All subsequent suppression or overhaul operations performed inside the structure or on the roof should be done with extreme caution and only with the approval of Command. E. Vacant buildings. 1. Structures that are vacant but not abandoned. Unlikely to have occupants, but the structures condition is maintained and ready for occupancy. 2. An offensive strategy should be declared if a known, savable life exists, and/or if the structure is savable and tactics can be deployed in a safe manner, while taking minimal risk. Otherwise, a defensive strategy should be declared with defined collapse zones identified and enforced.