Vacant Structure Fire Operations PDF (WHITEHALL OHIO DIVISION OF FIRE)

Standard Operating Procedure Title: Vacant Structure Fire Operations S.O.P. - 700.7 Section: 700 – Tactical Operations Pages: 5 Issue Date: 01/01/2021 Approved: Revised Date: Chief Preston Moore Effective Date: 01/01/2021 1.0 Purpose: This standard operating procedure provides guidance and fir...

Standard Operating Procedure Title: Vacant Structure Fire Operations S.O.P. - 700.7 Section: 700 – Tactical Operations Pages: 5 Issue Date: 01/01/2021 Approved: Revised Date: Chief Preston Moore Effective Date: 01/01/2021 1.0 Purpose: This standard operating procedure provides guidance and fire attack action at occupancies that are identified as vacant structures. 2.0 Responsibility: This Standard Operating Procedure shall pertain to all personnel in this organization. It shall be the responsibility of the department officers to implement this operating procedure. It shall be the responsibility of the department officers to train members in the application of this procedure. It shall be the responsibility of each member to know, understand and use this procedure as it applies to the situation at hand. Each member will use good judgment in the use of this procedure. 3.0 Procedures and Information: 3.1 Intent A) It is the intent of this procedure to minimize the possibility of serious injury or death in vacant structures through the application of limited fire attack options. While the intent of this procedure is to offer guidance and standardized response to fire in vacant structures with emphasis on safety, the Incident Commander is granted flexibility in the application of the SOP due to circumstances that may be unique to a given incident. 3.2 Definitions 1 A) A structure shall be considered vacant if: 1) The structure is not being used for its designed purpose, is absent of a permanent occupant, and is presently unoccupied. 2) It has been identified by the Fire Division and/or the Building Department as a vacant structure using the above definition or relevant definition from applicable building code provisions. 3.3 Marking System for Vacant Structures A) In the future, some vacant structures may be identified to indicate the level of hazard that exists. The identification marking of vacant structures will be accomplished by using high visibility, contrasting marking paint or posted signs. Identification markings will be located on the front and rear of the structure. Additional markings may be added, such as an arrow pointing to the safest point of entry into structure. The size of painted markings will be approximately 12” x 12” or larger. B) For the purpose of this procedure, structures meeting the criteria to be defined as a vacant structure shall have one of the following classifications: 1) Vacant structure with MINOR structural compromise – Interior hazards exist to such a degree that interior operations can be conducted ONLY after examination and with extreme caution. a) In a structure marked with a square and a single red diagonal line extending from one corner to the opposite corner, offensive firefighting can take place with extreme caution. b) If offensive operations are undertaken in a vacant structure with minor structural compromise, the following actions should be considered: i. Ventilation shall be coordinated with fire attack. ii. Two means of egress shall be maintained on every floor of the structure. 2 iii. Identified hazards shall be communicated to all personnel on the scene. iv. Minimal personnel should be utilized for fire control efforts within the structure. ** It is important to remember that a structure identified to have only minor compromise can, over time, deteriorate and become a structure with SEVERE compromise. 2) Vacant Structure with SEVERE structural compromise – Every effort must be made to conduct operations from the exterior ONLY (with limited exception for civilian life safety). a) In a structure marked with a square and two diagonal lines extending from corner to opposite corner, offensive operations may only be conducted in situations where a viable victim is visually seen or heard and where immediate action could prevent the loss of life. Immediately following any rescue attempt, all remaining firefighting action will be accomplished in a defensive strategy only. 3.4 Attack Precautions A) Initial arriving companies, who observe and identify a working fire in a vacant structure, will notify MECC Dispatch upon arrival. Prior to the initiation of an interior attack in a vacant structure with no civilian life safety threat(s), personnel must psychologically adjust to a “NO RUSH” approach, as the greatest life hazard is that of the fire personnel who are entering the structure. In this instance, a slower and more cautious approach to conduct operations is 3 appropriate. More time than usual should be devoted to the size-up of vacant structures. B) The structural stability of the vacant structure or building parts will be the most important aspect determining the initial attack strategy (interior vs exterior). C) Vacant structures promote the rapid spread of fire, both vertically and horizontally. In addition, possible collapse and extension to exposures require the rapid application of water to achieve timely fire control and extinguishment. D) The use of a minimum number of personnel should be used at all times based upon the hazard profile for any given incident. 3.5 Hazards to Consider for Structures with Structural Compromise A) B) C) D) E) F) G) H) Unusually heavy water load on roof due to poor drainage. Holes in floors. Holes in roof (open, missing or broken skylights). Missing stairway treads and/or railings. Weakened parapets. Breached or missing fire walls. Unstable front or rear porches, stairs, or fire escapes. Damage from previous fires. 3.6 Hazard Symbols Used with Marking System A) The following letters may be used to indicate specific hazards identified in marked vacant structures: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) F – Floor hazard R – Roof hazard W – Wall hazard H – Holes in structure S – Stairs compromised C – Chimney 4 Example: F C H W 3.7 Hazards to Consider for Structures with Severe Structural Compromise A) B) C) D) E) F) G) H) I) Structure may be in imminent danger of collapse. Large holes in floors. Sagging floors, roofs, and/or roof beams. Missing girders and/or floor beams. Missing and/or eccentrically loaded columns. Structurally significant cracks in masonry walls. Open and/or unprotected vertical and/or horizontal voids. Damage from previous fires. Structure may have “CONDEMNED” signs displayed. 3.8 Safety A) The life safety hazard at vacant structure fires is almost solely that of members of the Division. At all times, operations are to be conducted in a disciplined and planned manner with emphasis on the safety of operating personnel. Because vacant structures tend to have low victim potential, they should be searched within the limits of safety using a reasonable number of personnel after building conditions and size-up have been evaluated. B) Unmarked vacant structures shall be approached with the same degree of extreme caution as marked vacant structures. The IC has sole responsibility for the operations and safety of all personnel. 5 This page intentionally left blank. 6