GOG 10-41 Collapse Zone.docx

**PURPOSE:** This GOG will outline the procedures for recognizing, developing and enforcing collapse zones at any incident where the Incident Commander (IC) has identified a potential for a structural collapse. **SCOPE:** These guidelines shall apply to all members of the KCFD. **GUIDELINES:**...

**PURPOSE:** This GOG will outline the procedures for recognizing, developing and enforcing collapse zones at any incident where the Incident Commander (IC) has identified a potential for a structural collapse. **SCOPE:** These guidelines shall apply to all members of the KCFD. **GUIDELINES:** RESPONSIBILITY The Incident Commander is responsible for gathering information from the building itself and the crews on scene to identify the potential of a collapse. The IC will gather information from visual cues, time of involvement, pre-fire building condition, building construction, level of involvement, company, group and/or division leaders' reports to determine the possibility of any collapse. A continuous monitoring of the building on all sides is imperative. All personnel on-scene have the obligation to report any signs of building compromise through the chain of command. Once a collapse zone is established it is the responsibility of all on-scene personnel to adhere to the zones that have been established. It is the responsibility of all officers on-scene to enforce the collapse zone. DEFINITIONS ***Collapse Zone***- the area around the perimeter of a structure that could contain debris if the building collapsed. At a ***[minimum]*** it should be 1 ½ times the building height. ***Exclusion Zone***- a zone established by the Incident Commander to prohibit specific activities in a specific geographic area. If the incident has gone defensive, the exclusion zone is moved far enough away from the structure to place fire fighters outside the collapse zone. PROCEDURE 1. Companies should note from pre plans, buildings that are in disrepair and communicate with other shifts and the dispatch center so notes can be entered into CAD. 2. Upon arrival the IC (or assign the safety officer) should conduct a 360 degree walk around of the whole structure noting any unstable areas or possible portions of the building that should be monitored or included in an exclusion zone including but not limited to parapet walls, awnings, fire escapes, facades, signage, and lighting. 3. If there are any concerns, the IC should ask for Emergency Traffic tones from dispatch to be transmitted over the TAC channel to establish an exclusion zone to all companies, groups and or divisions. The transmission should include the geographical location of the zone and the issue for which the zone was established. The IC should assign someone to monitor and enforce the exclusion zone. This can also be done by a group or division supervisor operating in the area of concern. 4. Any exclusion zone should be marked with Fire Line Tape after being transmitted over the Tac channel. 5. If at any time, the IC feels that a collapse is possible, he/she should establish a collapse zone that is a **[minimum]** of 1 ½ times the building's height, taking in consideration the building construction and the possibility of debris traveling greater distances in the event of a collapse. 6. When the IC declares a change in strategy from offensive to defensive a PAR (Personal Accountability Report) should be ordered to ensure all personnel have evacuated the structure. A collapse zone should be established at this point to ensure that all defensive operations are set up outside of the collapse zone. This collapse zone shall be transmitted over the TAC channel and marked with Fire Line Tape. 7. The collapse zone will stay in place and be enforced until either the IC states otherwise or the incident is under control and handed over to the appropriate agency and/or properly marked to protect the public. The IC may consider contacting Dangerous Buildings to turn over the scene to them for increased public safety. REFERENCES: NFPA 1500 standard on fire department occupational safety and health program NIOSH Workplace Solutions: Preventing Deaths and Injuries to Fire Fighters by Establishing Collapse Zones at Structure Fires