Fresno Fire Department 202.003 Commercial/Big Box Fires PDF

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES TACTICAL OPERATIONS 202.003 COMMERCIAL/BIG BOX FIRES EFFECTIVE: SEPTEMBER 2018 Current Revision Date: 3/18/19 Author’s Name/Rank: John Creasy, Captain Tammy Williams Management Analyst II Administrative Support: Next Revision Date: Review Level: 3/18/22 3 PURPOSE...

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES TACTICAL OPERATIONS 202.003 COMMERCIAL/BIG BOX FIRES EFFECTIVE: SEPTEMBER 2018 Current Revision Date: 3/18/19 Author’s Name/Rank: John Creasy, Captain Tammy Williams Management Analyst II Administrative Support: Next Revision Date: Review Level: 3/18/22 3 PURPOSE To establish a standard and consistent method for the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) to combat commercial big box structure fires. APPLICATION Commercial big box fires provide a high hazard, low frequency event for the members of the Department. The considerations for fighting fire in these types of occupancies are significantly different than those of a (one) 1 and (two) 2 residential or smaller commercial fire. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section left intentionally blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE • • • • • TAC channels should be utilized early in the incident. Apparatus should support fire protection systems. Utilization of divisions should be considered. Request additional alarms if smoke is present. Air management by crews should be closely monitored. PROCESS 1. First in Officer/Apparatus: The first in officer is instrumental to the organization of the overall incident. A well-organized incident is key to ensuring the safety and accountability of all members on scene of a fire. The first in officer is responsible for: Section 202.003 Page 1 of 5 a. Size-Up: Conduct a size-up using the elements described in Standard Operating Procedure Manual, Section 202.023, Structure Fires. • Use available information while en route to assist with size up. • Request additional alarms if visible smoke. • TAC channels are to be utilized. b. Situational Awareness: Gather intelligence. • Make contact with onsite personnel. • Utilize security cameras if available. • Smoke conditions. • Be cautious of cold smoke. o Gives false impression of extent of fire. o Pressurized smoke = large fire. • Ensure a 360 is completed. o Utilize divisions/companies to assist with 360. • Determine if there is a savable life. o Direct occupants to evacuate the building. o Consider wide area search for missing occupants. • Roof type o Majority of roof construction utilizes corrugated metal covered with spray foam. o Difficult to sound roof and locate support members. o Difficult to determine if roof integrity has been compromised. o Large solar fields could impact ability to effectively ventilate roof • Construction o Typically, single story structure built on a slab foundation. o Concrete tilt-up or concrete block construction. Section 202.003 Page 2 of 5 o Flat roofs with bar joist truss roof system with corrugated metal roof deck. • Hazards o Heavy fire loads with high pile storage. o Collapse hazards within structure from merchandise. • Occupant load o Majority of these facilities have occupants in the building 24 hours a day. o Patrons during the day. o Employees during the evening. c. Follow up radio report of current conditions and strategic objectives. d. Declare Operational Mode. e. Additional considerations. • Fire protection systems o Assign unit to support sprinkler system early o Sprinkler system is best way to hold fire in check while crews search for seat of fire o Standpipe systems in these facilities are not consistent with fire department use on initial attack • Utilities • Electrical utilities in these buildings are usually located in interior room. • Access o Limited entrance and egress o Utilize multiple crews to access multiple points of entry. o Locating the best access for fire attack. 2. Additional Apparatus Considerations: a. Fire Attack Section 202.003 Page 3 of 5 • Utilize 2 ½” hand lines. • Labor Intensive will require multiple crews. • Air management will be essential. b. RIC • Proactive RIC crew. • Must maintain accountability of interior crews. • Track air management of interior crews. • RIC crews for each access point. o Name each RIC crew. c. Ventilation • Vertical Ventilation (Coordinate with fire attack). • Due to construction of the roof, consider using existing openings. o Sky lights and roof hatches. • Horizontal Ventilation (Coordinate with fire attack). • Consider requesting MVU early in incident. 3. First Chief Officer: • Following transfer of command, assume command. a. Announce command post location. • Reinforce response - request additional alarms. • Build ICS organization according to the needs of the incident. • Maintain an adequate number of apparatus in staging. INFORMATION Big box stores can be broken down into two categories; general merchandise (Walmart, Target) and specialty stores (Barnes and Nobles, Best Buy). These big box stores are considered to be disposable shells to cover merchandise. They have Section 202.003 Page 4 of 5 heavy fire loads with high pile storage which could cause a collapse hazard for crews due to fire or water application. DEFINITIONS Big Box Store: typically a large, free standing, cuboid, generally single-story structure built on a concrete slab foundation. The flat roofs are typically bar joist truss roof systems with a corrugated metal roof deck with walls that are concrete block or concrete tilt-up construction. Floor space in big box stores range between 50,000 to 200,000 square feet. Cold Smoke: smoke that has lost its velocity and is smooth flowing. CROSS-REFERENCES Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 201.001, Incident Command Section 201.005, Risk Management Principals Section 202.000, Structure Fires Section 202.003 Page 5 of 5