Hoffman Estates Fire Department Fire Scene Operations - 007 Guidelines PDF

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: FIRE SCENE OPERATIONS – 007 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Ti...

HOFFMAN ESTATES FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES SOG Category & Identification Number: EFFECTIVE DATE: FIRE SCENE OPERATIONS – 007 January 1, 2022 NIMS COMPLIANT SOG Title: Highrise Guidelines Revision: 4 APPROVED BY: NUMBER OF PAGES: Re-evaluation Date: Alan Wax January 1, 2026 Fire Chief 4 PURPOSE A highrise building will be classified as any structure five stories or more. Fire suppression activities in these buildings requires the use of previous SOG's on fireground command, divisions, safety, standpipe or sprinkler system use or support and elevator use. POLICY Like standard fire suppression incidents, highrise incidents require the following tactical priorities be completed in order: 1. Life Safety 2. Incident Stabilization 3. Property Conservation Initial attack crews may facilitate the removal of building occupants using protected or pressurized stairwells or fire service-controlled elevators. Incident Command must not only send crews to the fire floor, some of the initial crews must be sent to the floor above the fire as well. Secondary companies should be assigned to the top floor and the floor below the fire floor. These crews should search for occupants above the fire and direct their removal. Once the second command officer arrives on the scene, a Division should be established two floors below the fire floor. All companies working on or above this level will report directly to this officer. ABOVE-GROUND FIREFIGHTING STRATEGY should include: 1. Attack the fire 2. Conduct a ventilation assessment 3. Placing crews above the fire 4. Back-up on the fire floor 5. Reinforcement above the operation, search and rescue, salvage and overhaul. 1 ELEVATORS Elevators should be used only when equipped with fire service option controls. These elevators should be used to transport personnel two floors below the fire floor. All occupants traveling in elevators should have their SCBA units on and ready for immediate use in case the elevator stops at an area exposed to smoke and fire. Elevators should be stopped every five floors to insure control of the elevator. During the stop, the shaft above the elevator car should be inspected (between the hoistway doors opening with a hand light) for any smoke. If smoke is seen, that elevator shaft should not be used. RESCUE Removing or protecting occupants from a fire in a highrise building is one of the most difficult, yet critical tasks facing the fire department. Initial crews should focus on the removal of building occupants using protected stairwells or fire service-controlled elevators. Alternate stairwells should be used for fire control and occupant evacuation, due to the smoke entering stairwells once fire control has begun. All occupants should be evacuated at least two floors above and below the fire floor. Occasionally, occupants above the fire may have to be moved higher in the building if protected or pressurized stairwells are impassable due to smoke or fire. When appropriate, the use of protect-in-place may be utilized. VENTILATION Smoke spread is unquestionably the most significant life hazard problem existing at the time of a fire in a highrise building. Most smoke removal is accomplished by using large exterior windows, along with mechanical smoke removal equipment. When available, the building's ventilation system may be used to aid in smoke removal. It is necessary to check the area above the ceiling tile for large amounts of smoke (frequently this area is used as an air return for the building's ventilation system). If this area is used as an air return, then smoke and fire can spread from one area to another or fire can get behind the advancing companies and cut off their means of escape. It is frequently necessary to check all upper floors above the fire for determining the level of smoke and the concentration of that smoke. If stratification of the smoke has taken place, it will be necessary to cross ventilate that level in order to relieve the smoke trapped at that level. STAIRWAYS In structural firefighting operations, at least one stairway should be kept clear to provide access to or escape from floors above the fire. This will require communicating which stairway is being used for firefighting access and/or ventilation and which is being kept clear for access above. Stairways may or may not have vent hatches or roof access at the top to allow venting for trapped smoke. Early positive pressure ventilation clears smoke trapped in the shaft or keep smoke from entering. Avoid intentionally venting the fire into a stairway. 2 AIR HANDLING SYSTEMS Unless the system is designed for smoke removal and fresh air supply it should be shut down until the fire is stabilized and the method of smoke removal is decided. Lobby Control (or the Building Systems Officer when assigned) is responsible for establishing contact with Building Engineering personnel to assist with these systems. The controls may be at a Building Control System in the lobby or in an equipment area. ALARM AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS Fire Alarm and/or one or two-way voice communications systems are required for all high-rise buildings. These provide a method of sounding alarms or making announcements on individual floors selectively or the whole building. Lobby Control will have the responsibility for operating these systems at the main panel. INITIAL FIREGROUND OPERATIONS All highrise buildings located in the Village are equipped with fire service option control of elevators, lock boxes (with two sets of building keys) and Chicago-style elevator lock boxes. With these features in mind, the initial tower, engine and ambulance units must complete the following tasks for a well-organized and coordinated fire attack: TOWER LADDER COMPANY If it is necessary for the aerial ladder to be placed in service, the incident commander shall assign an additional support crew to assist. These companies will be under the direction of the Tower 22 Officer who will coordinate their efforts and emergency operations through the proper use of NIMS. The tower company should take one set of building keys from a lock box and proceed to the fire alarm annunciator panel. Once the zone/floor of the fire alarm activation has been determined, the tower company will move to that area to ascertain the cause of the activation. The tower crew should carry the forcible entry bag, irons, pressurizer water can, and a hand light, along with full protective clothing and SCBA's. If the building's elevators are to be used, the tower company must follow all appropriate SOG's regarding the use of fire service option controls and elevator use. Keys will be taken from the building's elevator key box. The tower company's responsibilities are reconnaissance in nature, and appropriate situations should be reported immediately to command. If fire or smoke conditions are found, the tower company should assist in occupant evacuation and determine which stairwell will be used for evacuation and, if possible, which stairwell should be used for connection to standpipes. The tower company will continue assisting with evacuation until the arrival of the engine company or as directed by command. Once the engine company arrives with attack hose lines, the tower company will initiate their normal tasks of primary search, forcible entry, or ventilation. 3 General operations and locations must be reported to command. ENGINE COMPANY The engine company should take one set of building keys from a lock box and proceed to the fire alarm annunciator panel. Once the zone/floor of the fire alarm activation has been determined, the engine company will wait until the report from the truck company is received (See exceptions below) Once the tower crew reports smoke or fire conditions above the fourth floor, the engine company will proceed to the elevators and transport the apartment packs two floors below the fire floor (using fire service option controls and following all appropriate SOG's on elevator use). The engine company should attack the fire using standpipe operations (Fire Scene Operations 4). General operations and locations must be reported to command. AMBULANCE COMPANY Ambulance companies should stage until assigned by Command. PROCEDURE DEFINITIONS Protect-in-Place: "Protect-in-Place" refers to situations where it is safest to remain indoors rather than face uncertainty outside. Depending on the emergency, appropriate areas to shelter may vary. In general, when sheltering, first responders should provide safety by placing protection between occupants and the danger. This could include walls, rooms without windows, locked doors, furniture, etc. If it is decided to secure occupants where they are, consider taking the following actions:  Find a safe location.  Shut all doors and windows.  Stay away from areas exposed to the threat.  Enact barriers between occupants and the threat. EXCEPTIONS REFERENCES MABAS Illinois Policies and Procedures current online reference MABAS Division 1 Operating Guidelines/Policy Statements MABAS Policy 332 High Rise Incidents End of Document 4