Fresno FFD 202.023a - Center Hall Construction PDF

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL TACTICAL OPERATIONS 202.023a CENTER HALL CONSTRUCTION EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 2020 Current Revision Date: 03/14/22 Next Revision Date: 03/14/24 Author’s Name/Rank: John Creasy, Captain Evelyn Yin-Zepeda, Management Analyst II Review Level: 3 Administrative Sup...

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL TACTICAL OPERATIONS 202.023a CENTER HALL CONSTRUCTION EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 2020 Current Revision Date: 03/14/22 Next Revision Date: 03/14/24 Author’s Name/Rank: John Creasy, Captain Evelyn Yin-Zepeda, Management Analyst II Review Level: 3 Administrative Support: ADA PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish a standard and consistent method for Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members to combat fires occurring within buildings constructed with center hallways. APPLICATION This document provides tactical considerations and operational procedures for members responding to reported fires in buildings with center hall construction and is used in conjunction with the Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 202.023, Structure Fires. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE • Additional alarms should be considered if smoke is showing. • TAC channels should be utilized early in the incident. • Utilization of divisions should be considered early. • Fire protection systems should be supported early. • A plan based on possibility of multiple life safety issues should be developed. Section 202.023a Page 1 of 10 PROCESS 1. First-In Officer/Apparatus: The first-in officer is instrumental to the organization of the overall incident. A well-organized incident is the key to ensuring the safety and accountability of all members on scene. The first in officer is responsible for: a. Size-Up: Conduct a size-up using the elements described in Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 202.023, Structure Fires. i. Use personal knowledge or existing pre-plans to assist with size- up. ii. Request additional alarms if smoke is visible. iii. Utilize TAC channels. iv. Assign division supervisors early, avoid using groups. b. Situational Awareness - Gather Intelligence: i. Visualize as much of the building as possible on arrival with a focus on determining location of fire. ii. High life hazard, avoid getting drawn into the rescue problem. iii. Early water is the fastest way to save largest number of people. iv. Make contact with onsite personnel. c. Ensure a 360 is Completed: i.Utilize division/companies to assist with 360. d. Roof Consideration: i. Flat roof construction is common. ii. Identification of bulkhead and interior stairwell access. Section 202.023a Page 2 of 10 e. Construction: i. Age of building and occupancy type will dictate the type of construction. 1) Older buildings both commercial and residential are likely Type 3. 2) New construction for both commercial and residential is likely Type 5. f. Occupant Load: i. High life hazard at all times. ii. Follow up radio report as described in Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 202.023, Structure Fires. g. Additional Considerations: i.Develop plan based on incident priorities. 1) Life vs. incident stabilization. 2) Declare “Rescue” early. ii. Rescue/evacuation vs. extinguishment. 1) Search/rescue/evacuation/shelter in place. 2) Utilization of Vent Enter Isolate Search (VEIS) for victim removal. 3) Utilize law enforcement for evacuation assistance in non-IDLH areas. h. Fire Protection Systems: i. Assign unit to support sprinkler system depending on strategy declared. 1) Sprinkler system is the best way to hold fire in check while crews search for seat of fire. Section 202.023a Page 3 of 10 i. Utilities: i. Locate on-site maintenance staff to assist. ii. Electrical utilities in buildings can vary. 1) Main breaker to building might be found outside or in an interior utility closet. 2) Individual units can contain their own breaker panel for the unit. iii. Coordinate with PG&E to confirm utilities are secure. j. Access: ii. Limited entrance and egress to complex. iii. Consider using a split lay for water supply utilizing first due engine. iv. Determine the best access for fire attack. k. Additional Apparatus Considerations: i. Consider optimal locations for trucks. 1) Stage early arriving engines to allow optimum placement of trucks. l. Fire Attack: i. Consider fire attack options. ii. Direct hallway access. iii. Hallway stretch. 1) Use only when hallway is non-IDLH and fire room door is closed. iv. Stairwell stretch. v. Set up attack lines in relative protection of enclosed stairwell. Section 202.023a Page 4 of 10 vi. Use two hose lines for fire attack. 1) One protects hallway as other extinguishes rooms. vii. Access from windows. viii. Ground/aerial ladders. ix. Access from adjacent rooms. m. Ventilation: i. Remove smoke from hallway to assist with evacuation. 1) Consider positive pressure of stairwells and hallways. ii. Top floor fire. iii. Consider vertical ventilation with hole over fire room and hallway. 1) Identify HVAC and use to remove smoke from uninvolved area. n. RIC: i. Assign RIC group supervisor. ii. Assign multiple RIC teams for crews working on different floors or from different entrances. o. EMS: i. Request additional EMS units for potential patients. ii. Request EMS supervisor to assign as Medical Branch Director. p. Salvage/Overhaul: i. Consider salvage of units below the fire for potential water damage. Section 202.023a Page 5 of 10 ii. Extensive overhaul will be required to ensure rekindle does not occur. Consider a fire watch. b. First Chief Officer: i. Refer to Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 202.023, Structure Fires. 1) Request additional alarms. 2) Maintain adequate resources in staging. INFORMATION Center hall construction is a building feature used to maximize floor space. It features multiple rooms/apartments accessed from a common hallway. Center hall construction is commonly found in a number of commercial occupancies including, but not limited to, apartment buildings, hotels, businesses, care facilities, schools, and hospitals. 1. Tactical Priorities: If the fire building is occupied with multiple residents, tactical considerations to consider include shelter residents in a safe area and begin early extinguishment. Proper placement of initial hand lines to contain/extinguish the fire and prevent fire extension into additional units is paramount. 2. Common Hazards: a. High risk for multiple persons to be trapped or endangered. b. Interior doors left open by fleeing civilians, allowing rapid fire and smoke spread to common areas. c. Open interior stairway allowing for rapid fire and smoke spread. d. Interior fire doors in hallways (if present) often disabled by residents. e. Skylights, bulkheads, scuttle ladders and covers, penthouses and fire escapes. f. Long hallways requiring lengthy hose lays. Section 202.023a Page 6 of 10 2 13 21 4 204 111 ITTTTIT 205 ~1212 ,------1 209 208 I 211 207 :::i: I 206 '" i. Building footprints include: H.I.L.O.T and U designs (See Photos below). Keep in mind certain buildings may contain elements of multiple designs, and variations are common. For example, Figure 3 (below) is primarily an “L” shape, but also has “T” and “O” design components. ARCUS I I Figure 1: “H” Shape - Holiday Gardens - 540 S Peach Avenue - Zone 52608 Figure 2: “I” Shape – Ramada Inn - 5046 N. Barcus Avenue - Zone 42511 Section 202.023a Page 7 of 10 Very long driveway. Enter from Kings Canyon East of Armstrong . Figure 3: “L” Shape - California Armenia Home - 6720 E. Kings Canyon Avenue Zone 52633 1- z ~ £ i f BARSTOW Figure 4: “O” Shape - University Village - 1680 E. Barstow Avenue - Zone 41588 Section 202.023a Page 8 of 10 Canal Figure 5: “T” Shape – Fig Garden Villa Apartments – 1544 E, Fedora Avenue - Zone 46564 201 202 236 "' 106 .! <ii 207 I 135 235 105 134 107 132 205 >, 208 237 136 203 104 206 238 103 102 204 233 131 231 109 108 129 209 229 102 1 128 127 228 216 225 119 Hallwa 214 113 217 114 117 218 222 118 122 Figure 6: “U” Shape Sunnyside Glenn - 5675 E. Balch Avenue - Zone 52625 Section 202.023a Page 9 of 10 DEFINITIONS 1. Center Hallway Construction: A building with multiple occupancies, either residential or business, in which their main entrance is accessed from a common hallway. 2. Type III Construction: A building with exterior masonry load-bearing walls and wood joist floors and roofs, interior bearing walls may be of wood frame, or, when required, an interior bearing wall that is a firewall is constructed of masonry. 3. Type V Construction: The walls and roofs of these buildings are made of combustible materials, most commonly wood. If the walls are wood framed, the roof usually is as well. CROSS-REFERENCES Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I & II Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 202.023, Structure Fires Training and Equipment Manual Section 301.005, Advancing/Operating Hose Lines Section 202.023a Page 10 of 10