Toronto Fire Roof Operations PDF

Standard Operating Guideline ROOF OPERATIONS Date Issued: December 31, 2019 Rescinds: N/A Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-ROOF PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for roof operations. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel are responsible for deter...

Standard Operating Guideline ROOF OPERATIONS Date Issued: December 31, 2019 Rescinds: N/A Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-ROOF PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services personnel with a guideline for roof operations. RESPONSIBILITY All personnel are responsible for determining the type of roof they will be working on and following proper procedures regarding firefighting and roof operations. Company Officers are responsible for ensuring personnel operate safely during roof operations and are aware of their surroundings. Incident Commanders are responsible for the management and command of the incident. Incident Commanders should establish a Roof Sector, as required by the incident and ensure a coordinated fire attack. GENERAL Laddering Company Officers and/or Incident Commanders should consider the need for an aerial ladder or ground ladders for access and direct deployment as required (fire attack, search and rescue, emergency escape) for roof operations. Place aerial and/or ground ladders where crews can work/travel from the uninvolved to the involved areas. Roof ladders should be used for operations on any rooftop where pitch presents a safety concern, there is a possibility of structural weakness, or any time there is a traction issue on the roof covering. Ladders should be placed on the strong areas of the building's roof. The strongest areas of the roof are typically at the corners, hips and valleys. Page 1 of 3  Standard Operating Guideline Raise the fly of an extension ladder/aerial three to five rungs above a roofline to allow firefighters to easily get on and off the roof. This will also allow firefighters to easily identify the ladder location when attempting to exit the roof. Roof Operations When operating on a roof, crews shall:  Communicate and co-ordinate with the Interior Fire Attack crew, Sector Officer or Incident Commander  Wear full PPE including SCBA  Size-up the roof including landmarks (vents/stacks etc.), location of perimeter edges and pitch, prior to leaving the ladder  Ensure an inspection cut is completed prior to committing to the roof  Always monitor conditions and crew with a Thermal Imaging Camera  Establish proper roof travel patterns by: o Ensuring the roof is safe by sounding the path of travel with a tool o Attempting to maximize travel above/on top of exterior load bearing walls  Position a secondary means of egress along the path of travel close to where crews are venting  At no time, cut any ventilation hole between a crew and their means of egress, to prevent being cut off by fire extension  Use smoke indicator holes during roof travel  Bring proper equipment that is dictated by the roof construction (roof ladder, ventilation saw, sounding tool, etc.)  Immediately vacate the roof, when a defensive fire is declared  Immediately vacate the roof, when directed by the IC or the Roof Sector Officer When operating on a roof, crews should:  Have a charged hose line in place for their protection  In low visibility, utilize a Thermal Imaging Camera. If a crew member becomes disoriented, they should remain still or ‘take a knee' and attempt to re-establish contact with their crew.  Hoist any tools utilizing rope, anytime equipment cannot be safely or efficiently carried  Exercise extreme caution when operating at an abandoned structure Page 2 of 3  Standard Operating Guideline Ventilation Roof Sector Officer should be in direct contact with Interior Fire Attack Crew(s) for CAN reports/updates. Company Officers and/or Incident Commanders shall consider the need for ventilation and coordinate its implementation with interior crews, as soon as possible. Refer to Training Note 105.3 – Vertical Ventilation for further information. ATTACHMENT(S) TN 105.3 - Vertical Ventilation RELATED SOGS G-ABAN Hazards Created by Abandoned Buildings Page 3 of 3