Toronto Fire Services Standard Operating Guideline: Firefighting Operations in High Rise Buildings PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS Date Issued: March 29, 2021 Rescinds: November 23, 2020 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-FFOH PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for firefighting operations in hig...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS IN HIGH RISE BUILDINGS Date Issued: March 29, 2021 Rescinds: November 23, 2020 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-FFOH PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for firefighting operations in high rise buildings. Incident conditions may vary, which will dictate your actions, in accordance with Toronto Fire Services guidelines, policies and procedures. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel are responsible for understanding and following TFS SOGs during high rise firefighting operations. Sector Officers are responsible for personnel assigned to their Sector during firefighting operations in any high rise emergency situation. Incident Commanders are responsible for developing an Incident Action Plan (IAP) including Strategy, Tactics and Implementation of IMS to effectively control the emergency. Tactical priorities are Rescue and Life Safety, Incident Control, Exposure Protection and Property Conservation. GUIDELINES 1. Size-Up 1.1 For high rise buildings a full size-up may not be possible due to the complexity and size of the structure. Incoming apparatus with different vantage points shall aid in the initial size-up and shall report any important information to the Incident Commander. a) Upon arrival, communicate an initial radio report as per TN 106.13 - Size up to Toronto Fire, confirming the address, building type, occupancy type, any visible signs, the assumption and designation of command, and PAR status. b) If the size-up confirms the presence of smoke or fire, upgrade the incident to a second alarm. c) Incoming apparatus shall be directed to alternate locations if the incident dictates (rescue, water supply, safety perimeter, etc.) d) May include calling for utilities or assistance from other agencies (Toronto Police, Toronto Paramedics, Toronto Community Housing, etc.) e) May include establishing a perimeter or safe zone around the building to prevent injury to firefighters or civilians (Fencing is found on the High Rise Response Truck for falling glass or debris etc.) File Code: G-FFOH Page 1 of 4  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 1.2 First Arriving Apparatus a) Initial Approach I. Made to a pre-planned point of entry unless dispatched to an alternate point. II. In most cases, initial approach location shall be to the main entrance (Alpha side) having the annunciator panel, security/superintendent personnel and Emergency Voice Alarm Communication (EVAC) system. III. Driver of the apparatus will re-locate to the Fire Department Connection (FDC), if possible, and connect as per document TN 101.1.5 - Standpipe Operations. IV. Some incidents may dictate that the second arriving pump apparatus locate at the FDC, due to location/complexity of structure. V. If the first arriving apparatus is not equipped with a pump, ensure that it is not impeding access for subsequent arriving apparatus (rescue, FDC etc.) b) Initial Tasks I. Confirm the location and type of alarm indicated on annunciator panel II. Obtain information from responsible building personnel and occupants, if possible III. Obtain keys and building information (floor plans) from the Fire Safety Plan box for elevators, mechanical rooms and residences, if possible IV. An EVAC announcement may be made if the emergency incident dictates V. Report alarm location, any pertinent information and your actions to Toronto Fire VI. If the incident is above the 4th floor, or 40 feet above ground, an elevator should be taken. VII. Obtain control of the elevator as per SOG G-ELCO – Elevator Control VIII. Entry Control shall be set up as per TN 104.4.2 Section 7 IX. Proceed to two floors below the alarm location and walk up the stairwell to the fire/alarm location X. If smoke or fire were not in the initial size-up, but is encountered during investigation, upgrade the incident to a second alarm XI. Transfer of command procedures will be followed as per TN - 104.1.6 Transfer of Command XII. Perform the appropriate hose stretch as per TN 106.22 – Standpipe Hose Deployment File Code: G-FFOH Page 2 of 4  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE c) Minimum Equipment for Initial Crew I. One donned SCBA per fire fighter with face piece II. One portable radio per fire fighter III. One portable hand light per fire fighter IV. One set of irons (flathead axe, 30" Halligan) V. 3 x 15 metre 65mm Hose Packs and Standpipe Kit VI. Thermal Imaging Camera 1.3 Second Arriving Apparatus a) The crew of the second in apparatus shall proceed to the fire floor to back up the first in crew If the second in apparatus is not equipped with a pump or has been tasked with other duties, this must be relayed to all incoming apparatus and a subsequent pump apparatus shall assist the first in pump with water supply and/or FDC connections. These responsibilities may change as the incident dictates but shall be followed to the best of your ability. b) Minimum Equipment for Second Arriving Apparatus I. One donned SCBA per fire fighter with face piece II. One portable radio per fire fighter III. One portable hand light per fire fighter IV. One set of irons (flathead axe, 30" Halligan) V. 3 x 15m 65mm Hose Packs and Standpipe Kit VI. Thermal Imaging Camera 1.4 Third Arriving Apparatus a) The Officer of the third arriving apparatus assumes Lobby Control unless it is a High Rise, Haz or Squad. Lobby Control must be assumed by a Pump or Aerial class apparatus. b) Minimum Equipment for Third Arriving Apparatus I. One donned SCBA per fire fighter with face piece II. One portable radio per fire fighter III. One portable hand light per fire fighter IV. One set of irons (flathead axe, 30" Halligan) V. Entry Control Board VI. Medical Equipment VII. Thermal Imaging Camera File Code: G-FFOH Page 3 of 4  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE 1.5 First Arriving District Chief a) The first arriving District Chief shall follow TFS procedures on transfer of command. An Incident Action Plan shall be established if not already completed. Ensure priority is given to immediate resource needs as the incident dictates. Incident priorities shall include: I. Search and Rescue II. Fire attack III. Ventilation IV. Communications (activation of DVRS, communication modules on High Rise Response Trucks) V. RIT VI. Increasing alarm level, as required VII. Designation of Staging Location VIII. Designation of Base Location IX. Water Supply X. Other organizations (Hydro, Gas, Public Works, TTC, etc.) XI. Build IMS to meet the needs of the incident XII. Evacuation strategy (Shelter in Place) XIII. Initiate transfer of operations to the Command Vehicle if incident dictates ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOG(S) SOG G-ELCO - Elevator Control SOG G-LOBB - Lobby Control at High Rise Incidents SOG G-ENTR - Entry Control at a High Rise Incidents File Code: G-FFOH Page 4 of 4