Toronto Fire Services Training Note Area of Refuge (March 2019) PDF

Fire Services Training Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: March 29, 2019 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 101 Buildings SUB-SECTION: 101.1 High Rise Buildings UNIT: 101.1.6 Area of Refuge TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION.....

Fire Services Training Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: March 29, 2019 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 101 Buildings SUB-SECTION: 101.1 High Rise Buildings UNIT: 101.1.6 Area of Refuge TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. 2 2. AREA OF REFUGE ACCESS............................................................................... 2 Toronto Fire Services Training Division Training Note: Area of Refuge Date Prepared: March 2019 Page 1 of 3 1. INTRODUCTION An area of refuge at a high-rise incident can be a safe place for firefighters or building occupants without having to return to the lobby. 2. AREA OF REFUGE Area of refuge on the fire floor is either door on the same side as the fire apartment. It is meant to be a quick, easy to find location for firefighters to retreat to. This area may also be the quickest and safest place for firefighters to bring victims. It will remove them from an IDLH atmosphere. 2. AREA OF REFUGE ACCESS An area of refuge can be set up simultaneously or prior to the fire unit being accessed. When a fire is confirmed at a high-rise incident, Firefighters can force entry (if locked) into the units on either side of the fire unit on the same side of the hallway. These units are chosen rather than units on the opposite side of the hallway, to minimize flow path concerns. If smoke is migrating into the area of refuge, opening the windows will equalize the pressure of the fire apartment and keep smoke out. It is critical these doors are controlled to minimize the products of fire entering the unit. These units will be the area of refuge for a firefighter in trouble. If forcing a door in low visibility, it is important to ensure the door is inward swinging. If a sliding or outward swinging door is located, this could be an elevator or mechanical room and potentially be dangerous if forced open. Upon exiting the fire unit, either a left- or right-hand search shall bring a firefighter to an unlocked door to seek refuge, typically much closer than the stairwell access. Toronto Fire Services Training Division Training Note: Area of Refuge Date Prepared: March 2019 Page 2 of 3 Area of Refuge on the Fire Floor Toronto Fire Services Training Division Training Note: Area of Refuge Date Prepared: March 2019 Page 3 of 3