Toronto Fire Services Training Note: Fires in Abandoned Buildings PDF

Training & Technical Operations Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: June 20, 2023 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION...

Training & Technical Operations Division Training Note FROM: Fire Chief EFFECTIVE DATE: June 20, 2023 FILE IN TFS TRAINING MANUAL UNDER: GROUP: 100 Firefighting Knowledge and Skills SECTION: 106 Fireground Operations SUB-SECTION: 106.10 Fires in Abandoned Buildings UNIT: TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................... 2 2 HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH ABANDONED BUILDINGS..................... 2 3 CLASSIFICATION OF ABANDONED BUILDINGS BY DEGREE OF HAZARD....................................................................................................... 2 4 FIRE SUPPRESSION OPERATIONS INVOLVING ABANDONED BUILDINGS.................................................................................................. 3 5 SUMMARY.................................................................................................... 4 Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.10 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: June 20, 2023 Page 1 of 4 1 INTRODUCTION It is the goal of Toronto Fire Services to extinguish fires effectively and efficiently in abandoned buildings while minimizing the exposure of firefighters to the unique hazards associated with them. 2 SAFETY HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH ABANDONED BUILDINGS Include, but are not limited to: Open shafts Pits and holes – with possible accumulation of water Maze-like configurations Limited/obstructed entry and egress Blocked, damaged or missing stairs Structural degradation Combustible contents; fire load Delay in discovery of fire Multiple fire locations Biological hazards Hazardous chemicals 3 CLASSIFICATION OF ABANDONED BUILDINGS BY DEGREE OF HAZARD Normal – no notable hazards, no special precautions required Caution – interior hazards exist, use extreme caution Hazardous – serious hazards exist to warrant exterior defensive actions Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.10 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: June 20, 2023 Page 2 of 4 4 FIRE SUPPRESSION OPERATIONS INVOLVING ABANDONED BUILDINGS The initial Incident Commander must complete a 360-degree size-up before committing to a firefighting strategy. Areas of particular concern are: Is there a placard present on the building? What are the smoke and fire conditions? Where is the fire located? What are the structural conditions? Are there signs of recent entry? The Incident Commander is responsible to determine whether a fire is fought offensively or defensively and then to assess the strategy and tactics used for the Incident Action Plan. NOTE: A defensive strategy is recommended to protect firefighters from the dangerous conditions that abandoned buildings present. Do not risk firefighters' lives for property that cannot be saved. Should there be reports of someone inside an abandoned building on fire, the IC must carefully assess the conditions present which include the following: 360-degree size-up Smoke and Fire conditions present Use of Thermal Imaging Camera Occupant Survival Profile Initial Risk Assessment and Implement Safe Action Plan To improve chances of survival for occupants and firefighters entering the building for a rescue, the following should be done: Identify location of fire Consider exterior use of a straight hose stream into the room with the fire to reduce the temperature of compartment. This will improve the chances of survival for the victim and improve operating conditions for firefighters Remove boarding at entry point to occupant, if known, to reduce chances of firefighter injuries due to known hazards in these structures Enter building at closest point to occupant, if known, to reduce chances of firefighter injuries due to known hazards in these structures Ensure RIT is established and briefed If RIT is not on scene, then IRIT must be established and aware of the rescue attempt A District Chief must be assigned as the Incident Safety Officer Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.10 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: June 20, 2023 Page 3 of 4  Entry team must use a hose line and backup crew must be in place. (TN 106.6 Backup Line vs. Second Line) Firefighters should use the thermal imaging camera to try to determine the location of fire and possible location of person(s) inside. If Occupant Survival Profile indicates there is a possibility of survival, the IC should determine the safest point of entry to use based on identified location of the fire, ventilation considerations and the entry point closest to the occupant. An IRIT/RIT must be established prior to entry and boarding of windows/doors must be carefully removed to allow firefighters means of emergency egress. Due to the potential of abandoned buildings having compromised roofs, ventilation should be completed from an aerial ladder/tower/platform to avoid firefighters falling through. 5 SUMMARY The Incident Commander must use all available information, technology, and resources to determine the safest Incident Action Plan based on all the information presented upon their arrival The Incident Commanders' Rules of Engagement must be used as a decision tree to help the IC determine whether it is a "Go" or "No Go" situation The fire and smoke conditions must be assessed to determine an "Occupant Survival Profile" Toronto Fire Services Training Note: 106.10 Training & Technical Operations Division Effective Date: June 20, 2023 Page 4 of 4