High Rise Buildings PDF

High Rise Buildings Understanding Vertical Challenges Fire Protection - Ch 4 - Occupant safety of any structures is paramount and tall buildings present signi cant occupant safety challenges - A balanced, a...

High Rise Buildings Understanding Vertical Challenges Fire Protection - Ch 4 - Occupant safety of any structures is paramount and tall buildings present signi cant occupant safety challenges - A balanced, active re protection system (FPS) is vital to meet this challenge - Buildings that do not have a balanced re protection system increase the loss of life and risk for extensive property damage - Tall building FPS accomplishes: 1. Automatically trigger re alarm system (FAS) 2. Activate re alarm system and show device on re alarm control panel (FACP) 3. Identify location of device and announce location with voice communication system - FPS System will activate the following: 1. Fire pump, sprinkler system, and water ow alarm 2. Smoke control system, HVAC 3. Stairwell pressurization, release, re doors, phase 1, recall of elevators and sprinkler water ow activation - Signi cant bene t to active high rise FPS: - Size up from FACP and noti es occupants - Command from FACP if near lobby - Pre-plans or battle plans need to identify the location of the FACP/ FCC for Fire Attack - extinguish and Control re/ smoke spread - FACP assist with giving the “all clear” - Fire ghter high rise di culties: - Crowded stairwells make it di cult to get to Fire for - Frustrations with time to re, getting reassigned to occupants, noise - Fire protection system, not properly maintained - Fire command center (FCC)/ re alarm control panel (FACP) - Lobby, designated room, and a satellite location on upper oors should be bombproof with window to see lobby - Two way/ one way radios used to communicate at standpipes and egress points “red phones” fi fi fi fi fi fi fi ffi fi fi fi fl ffi fi fi fi fl fi fl  - Announcements should be well planned, short, precise, and action orientated (protect occupants from being placed in harms way) utilizing all-call mode or speci c oors - Control elevators phase 1 recall, HVAC units shut down or exhaust mood, pressurization systems and FACP information - FACP life cycle 15 years - First line of defense during an emergency - Malicious alarms - deliberate acts - Nuisance alarms - occur by mistake (working, testing, smoking…) - Nuisance alarms have been reduced to single engine responses - FACP devices may need to be serviced every six months instead of every year based on nuisance alarms - Remote station re alarm system - Signal sent to a remote supervision, location and appropriate actions taken (signals come from multiple locations on property) - Central Station Monitoring - Supervisory/ trouble signal – communicate with person designated by subscriber if that fails call re department - Pressurized stairwell system - Cannot require more than 30 psi of force to open door into stairwell - Assist with in-building relocation area (IBRA) - System designed to prevent smoke back ow - Supply in lots every 3 to 5 oors - Multiple open doors can cause a system to fail - Systems did not exist prior to 1970 - Fire alarm panel is required to pressurize, elevators, and stairwell shafts (NFPA 5000) - Manual controls at FACP/ FCC (learn your buildings) - Evacuation of occupants - Fire oor, 2 oors above/ 2 oors below - Relocate to IBRA - Stairway reentry - unlocked on occupant side, but not on stairway side - Re-entry ingress must be provided every 4 oors and automatically activate with re alarm activation or phase 1 elevator recall with manual override switch in FCC - Required because of MGM re Las Vegas, smoke- lled stairwells with locked ingress doors caused 84 Deaths and 700+ injured fl fl fi fl fl fi fi fi fl fi fl fl fi  - Elevator recall - “Solid light, take the ight; ashing light, possible stalled ight” - Flashing light - re alarm initiating Device (FAID) has been activated and may cause elevator to stop function trapping re ghters - Phase 1 (recall phase) - detection activation (lobby, machine, room, shaft, smoke/heat detectors, or activation of a sprinkler device) - recalls elevators to Main lobby/ Sky lobby - doors automatically open, elevator is no longer usable by occupants - Provides Elevator in readiness/ ready for re department use - Phase 2 (operational phase) - Lights on in the car if capable of phase 2 operation - Exit car 2 oors below - Doors close automatically if door open button is let go - Turn phase 2 o in car on arrival to oor, recall to lobby - Standpipe sprinkler systems - Water supply comes from vertical risers with standpipe connections - “ re hydrants in the sky” (NFPA 14) - Class 1 - 2.5 inch connection - Class 2 - 1.5 inch connection - Class 3 - both 2.5 inch and 1.5 inch connections - Auxiliary hose cabinets required every 150’ from the stairwell ( 130’ of hose + 20’ of reach is the standard from stairwell standpipe) - 200’ max from standpipe to a given point on the oor “as the crow ys” - Sprinkler systems - Don’t - turn o sprinkler until directed by iC - Fire under control, no extension, - deactivate sprinkler system until accident is found - Do - Chalk Open sprinkler head - Under IC direction, close control valve, open main drain, inspectors test, to assist draining residual water - Spare sprinkler head maybe used to replace activated sprinkler head, no fewer than 6 and head box, located in re pump room - IC order rewatch if system is shut down for long periods fi fl fi ff fi fl ff fi fi fl fl fl fi fi fl fl  - Water and sound of activated sprinkler head discharge will help you locate - Beware for water-saturated, unstable stock - 30 minute water supply from elevated rooftop gravity tanks (uses head pressure), serves both re protection, and domestic water supply (45,000/ 15,000 re department reserve) - Pressure tank - 2/3 full with water, 1/3 air with High/low alarms, found anywhere in building - Stationary Fire Pumps (NFPA 20) - Most common type centrifugal - Diesel or electric (electric must have back up generator) - System has augmented water supplies from tanks/FDC’s - Pump may have more than one domestic water supply - No longer use pumps and series in high-rise buildings, if lowest pump fails, whole system fails - FDC’s/ Siamese connections - Multiple FDC is required when building can be access by multiple streets - Sign on building must designate type of FDC and lettering must be greater than 1” (FDNY 2” lettering) - FDC May have trash in it, check before pumping - FDC’s May Require - Red or blue light at FDC to help with visibility - Locking caps - 5 inch Stortz - Pump pressure signage - Color coding of caps - Sprinkler system - Green - Combination system – yellow - Standpipe – red - Non-automatic - silver - Water based re protection system testing - Flow test NFPA 25 (must be able to withstand pressure without leaking) - Annually on sprinkler branch lines - Standpipes every 5 years, including a test for each PRV with 3” dedicated express drain - 250 gpm out of each 2.5” outlet - Hydrostatic test - exceed highest pressure for system fi fi fi  - Common failures during tests: - Ball drip, stuck open - Check valve/clapper are stuck closed due to rust or debris - Pressure reducing device (PRD) - restricts water pressure - Types - Pressure reducing valve (PRV) - Pressure restricting valve - Pressure control valve - Methods of testing PRV’s - 3’’ express drain - Draining opposite riser and using as express drain - Connect each one to a ground level hose outlet and allow it to ow outside - MarK PRV’s, remove them from every other oor and bench test, reinstall and Hydro test, and then repeat - Fire, extinguishing systems - Commercial kitchens/ hood systems - Anywhere grease-laden vapors are created - Wet chemicals are best suited for this application and exhibit rapid surface knockdown of ame and re spread - May or may not be connected to FACP/FCC - Discharge of system automatically closest gas line - Discharge must be reported to the local health department - Duct work res spread rapidly, dampers help prevent spread - Pre-action systems - Gas (air/ nitrogen) lled system that requires activation of detection system, attached to a FACP, to release gas and open water valve to allow water to ow into the sprinkler system with closed sprinkler heads - Protect, sensitive/valuable things (software rooms, archives, rare books) - Replaced by clean agent systems - environmentally friendly, inert gases (FM, 200, Novec 120) - Other types of extinguishing systems - Carbon dioxide - unoccupied, control, rooms, transformer, bolts, and live electrical equipment - Dry chemical - Live electrical equipment - Halon - replace by clean agents fl fi fl fi fl fi fl  - Water mist - provide re protection without damaging, important contents - Out of service criteria for re protection systems (Impairment) - Planned or unplanned drastically impacts re department/ re brigade and there should be a O.O.S. tag system in place - Full or partial impairment - Red tag - repaired immediately - Critical de ciency - Orange tag - corrected in 30 days - Non-critical de ciency - Yellow tag - corrected in 30 days - Noti cations must be made in advance for repairs and planned work - Passive Fire Protection Systems - Fire doors - Between double doors 1/8” gap allowance or astragal - vertical ange installed - 3/4” max gap allowance for bottom of the door - Firewalls - runs from slab to slab within the structural stability under re conditions to allow collapse of the construction on either side without collapse of the rewall - Fire Barrier - can be vertical or horizontal, design to restrict re spread in open areas (separate shafts, exits, single occupancy into di erent re protected areas) - Smoke barrier - one hour re rated membrane, vertical or horizontal, walls, oors, and ceilings, design to restrict smoke movement - Smoke partition - vertical application only - Doors are either self closing or automatic closing - Fire resistant joint systems - used on joints made in or between re rated assemblies - Fire resistance rating of structural members - Required for columns, girders, trusses beans, lentils, and other structural members - Structural members that may be impact damaged require Corner guards- not less than 5 ft’ from the oor - Through penetrations - hole that passes from one side to the other requires re stopping - Fire blocking/ draft stop -maintained to provide continuity and integrity of the construction within a concealed combustible space fi fl ff fi fl fi fi fi fi fi fi fi fi fl fi fi fi fi  - Opening protectives - re and shutter door, assemblies, glazing must be rated and labeled permanently - Concealed plenum space - ceiling to oor deck above, must be draft stopped or have a re sprinkler system installed within - Shaft enclosures - vertical utility shafts, laundry chute and trash shoots must have a 2 hr re rating - Area of refuge (Area of rescue assistance) - Not required with full re sprinklered building - 1 wheelchair space for every 200 occupants (30” x 48”) - Direct access to stairway platform or elevator bank - Separate from rest of oor with smoke barrier - 2 way communication connected to FCC or central monitoring station - Fire ghters should know these areas on pre-plans or battle plans to be checked during recon Other building systems - Ch 6 - Fire proof - misleading and removed from NFPA documents actually means re resistive - Mark exits, stairs/ paths, doors and obstacles with photoluminescence - Only door frame marked with photoluminescence is at exit discharge level - Egress/ passage and movement - Stairways are the oldest system still existing - Transportation systems (people movers) stairs, elevators, escalators : - Stairs - 2 hr re rating with 1 hr rated doors - Considered equivalent to areas of refuge - Fire ghters to maintain stairway shafts free of smoke and obstructions - Contain smoke with: 1. Smoke, blockers/curtains 2. Shaft pressurization with fans 3. In-house smoke management equipment - Stairways service water supply depots and transportation for support operations fi fi fi fi fi fi fl fi fi fl  - “Point of no return” - greater than 5’ from an exit when experiencing ashover - Prior to 19 century open stairways allowed, smoking, re travel - “welcome statement” - new construction, grand open stairway at main entrance two mezzanine level - Transfer Hallway - Connects stairways to each other in an enclosed within the stairways - Return stairs (u-shaped stairs, half turn stairs, switch back stairs) - go 1 oor up or down with half landings - Quarter Landing (double L) - 2 landings in return stairs - Straight stairs - straight run from base to termination point - Dangerous, due to tripping and speed while traveling downward - Slower re ghting operations with this stair type due to safety - May also be present, duplex, and triplex structures - Scissor stairs - crisscross in same enclosure, or separate enclosure, 2 sets of stairs - Di cult to keep smoke out of if shared enclosure - Flawed design makes occupants travel to the core of the building to exit - Door locations, alternate, making labeling di cult and understanding of physical position in building di cult - Switching stairways requires entering the corridor and traveling at least 15’ - Smoke migration may happen in both stairwells due to re apartment door left open and stairwell doors open - L shaped stairs - enter and exit at di erent physical locations - Winder stairs (access/ tenant/ convenience/ spiral/circular stairs) - access stairs only in tenant space and Maisonette/ Multi oor dwelling units - open stairwell concepts (commercial space): - 6 to 8’ spacing of sprinkler heads - Draft curtain with detection devices - Spiral or circular stairs were originally designed in castles to make for easier defenses fi ffi fl fi fi fl fl ff ffi ffi fi  - Fire (smoke) tower stairs - separate enclosed tower or external building accessed by crossing through the open air vestibule or balcony - Smoke is drawn up and out of the space or vent - Preferred evacuation stairs for re incidents - Post 1960 construction but not used due to the loss of retail space ( $ ) from open air, vestibule, or balcony - Exterior cage stairs and re escapes - May include dry standpipes - Drop-down ladder or weighted ladder at street level - Subject to degrading due to the atmosphere - Fail due to weight of people, re ghters and charged standpipes - 5 yr examination for structural integrity required by code - Fixed ladders - used to access mechanical rooms, mezzanines, rooftops… - 24’ or greater require a cage - Escalators - First built in 1896 at the Coney Island pier in Brooklyn bye, Charles Seeberger (Otis elevator) - Major components: - landing, comb plate, truss/ structure, track an emergency stop button - E stop located at top and bottom below or adjacent to handrails (do not isolate power) - Elevators - Hoisting and lowering mechanism, car or platform, which moves between rails and serves two or more landings - May have upper/lower/middle banks in high-rises - Occupant evacuation elevators (OEE) - 2 or more elevators running separately in a hoist-way - Destination control elevator system - no oor selection, buttons available for occupants, controlled by lobby keypad - Fire ghter access operations are available - Cable-less elevators - powerful magnets, allow elevator car to move vertically and horizontally through shafts - Communication systems - Fire department, radio, communications fi fi fi fi fi fl  - Fidelity - transmitting and receiving communication - “Step-on” transmit, while others are transmitting Fire ghters unit response - Ch 9 - High Rise re ghters “Ivy League” of the re service - Life Safety components included in battle plans/ pre-plans - Mixed-use occupancy should be fully sprinklered - Fire alarm: - Automatic alarms - activated without human interaction (detection devices) - Non-automatic alarms - human interaction required (phone calls, manual, pool stations, physical activation of computer for noti cation, text or voice message emergency call center) - Single unit for alarm response normal business hours 09:00 - 17:00 unless multiple calls or other forms of noti cation are made - Full alarms should still be utilized for places of assembly, hotels, transient facilities, and medical care facilities (high occupancy loads) - 2 categories of unwarranted alarms: 1. Nuisance alarms - caused by dust steam humidity 2. False alarms - defective component or device and vandalism - A logbook can be kept at buildings to monitor devices for patterns/ defects of devices - Initial alarm information fi fi fi fi fi fi  - Address or location and reason for response - Emergency Call Operators should be mindful a person may be in a position of peril - First re to units arrive on scene - Position as appropriate per call type “optimum position for operations, while still addressing safety” - prior to leaving apparatus take all necessary equipment - Time lost returning to the unit cannot be replaced - Choose type of command - Con rm address or location - Size up exterior-interior (building intelligence, FACP…) - “Nothing showing” is not accurate due to the concept of ventilation limited (ventilation controlled) res, especially in high- rises - Fire is showing from a high-rise immediately call for additional alarms - Create action plan, or utilize pre-plan/battle plan - SOP's/SOG's established because every response is legitimate and taken professionally by all - False alarms are no excuse to allow complacency or condolence to relax the disciplines of the duty and size up - Size up on arrival - Visual size up on every emergency response type as a routine discipline - Manhole covers are 110 pounds and if smoke issuing is ignited can kill our main people, smoke rich with carbon monoxide might enter a complex and the complex should be checked for electrical issues - High Rise Building Ventilation Pro le - Ventilation pro le - all methods and means of air ow in and out of a building - Appearance of the entire re building’s ventilation openings, showing ow paths of any air movement into the structure, as well as smoke, heat, or ame out of the structure - Flow path to and from the structure as well as inside the structure (Doors to corridors, stairs, elevator shafts, utility voids…) - Building height - The greater the height, the greater the draft fi fi fl fi fl fi fi fi fl  - Temperature di erentials - internal, external and humidity will be factors in the stack e ect - Normal stack e ect - interior temperature is higher than exterior temperatures - Pressure di erentials - interior versus exterior pressure will a ect air ow (air ow will travel to areas of low pressure) - Air leakage - openings to exterior and from oor to oor between walls and oors permit air ow - External weather conditions - Wind introduces air at high pressures - Smoke or re showing - Consider color, volume, and degree of turbulence, but also how it is presenting - Natural updraft - up and away in a vertical column - Wind - Drawn in a horizontal direction - Fire showing, but not venting to the exterior, the interior pressure is lower than the exterior pressure, smoke and Fire are now subject to internal drafts in the structure - Wind impacted event - wind over pressurizes re room and it will relieve back pressure out of the vent point - Smoke or re is belching and pu s - Fire is irrupting in a star pattern - Wind assessments in high-rises can be made from above or below the re oor - Accessing the building - Use non-revolving doors for entry - Positive Stack E ect - Felt with an Inward draft of air when as the door is opened (feel on back head) - Negative Stack E ect - air movement is owing down and out of the building (felt on face) - Air ow information helps the IC determine smoke control, rescue or shelter in place operations and re attack - Lobby Size up - O cer to FACP (room may be in the basement) - Fire ghters divide up tasks to include phase 1 recall, stairwell, locations, building layout and access to lower level ff ffi fl fi fl fi fi fi ff fl ff ff fl ff ff fl ff fi ff fl fl fl fi fl  - Implementation of re and safety all hazard (non- re) emergency action plan (EAP) - NFPA requires building owners, managers, FLSD’s to create plans for sta members, tenants, building engineers… (if adopted by jurisdiction) - Fire wardens assigned to each oor, assemble occupants, follow evacuation procedures to a particular zone or out of the building - Floor plans available on rst responder arrival/ they also be digital at FACP - FLDS provide great value in o ce buildings and the hotels "vertical cities” - Building engineers are the brain trust for building systems - Commander with controlling HVAC systems and utilities - Lead engineer report to FCC during an incident, remain available for IC or FLSD - Security personnel can assist with access to camera system, so IC can view incident - Secure lobby or incident scene per IC - Announcement of re alarm activations - Without follow up broadcast for why the alarm activated will cause people to become desensitized - Announcements bolster con dence and compliance to the re and life safety procedures - Residential high-rise is least prepared for re alarm activations - False sense of security, created by re, resistive construction - Train occupants to close doors when evacuating re apartment - Failure to keep occupants informed will promote complacency - Recall of elevators (elevator- in- readiness) - Non- re EAP should also consider the needs of rst responders - Employees of building recall elevator bank serving oor, if not, automatically recalled for rst responder use - Vital to expedite intervention during emergency responses - I elevator lobbies are cleared of people fi ff fi fi fi fi fi ffi fl fi fi fi fi fl fi fi  - Resources of keys in building intelligence cards (BIC) - Knox box, FCC interior location approved by AHJ - Used when building representatives are not on site - FLSD on site, keys are located in FCC - Only take 1 set of keys per company - Having BIC available has proven to be a signi cant enhancement in delivery of re and emergency services - Battle plans - Obtained electronically while in route (most expedited versatile to disseminate) or physically on scene - provide ground level footprint/ oor mapping - Identify ground access doors, stairwells and elevator banks - "No attack" call by IC used to protect occupant removal, emphasis on smoke management, and evaluation - Communications vital to operations - Communication - the transmission of information and/or instruction that is passed, shared, and acknowledged - Communication is key for e ciency, performance, and organization of any large or small event between supervisors and re ghters - Every re ghter "Eyes and ears” for command and their situational progress reports support, vital strategies and tactics - Radio discipline is implemented during training and followed on all emergency calls - Messages must be “acknowledged” by the receiver - Do not use radio when face-to-face communication is possible - Speak calmly with a moderate volume and clear communication - Common terminology will lessen misinterpretation - North America is slow to incorporate SCBA/ communication like Europe in helmets (due to tradition) - Di cult to speak with face piece on, disconnecting and reconnecting portable microphone is di cult, and may lead to tangling - 3 steps to radio transmissions 1. Formulate information as a thought 2. Identify themselves fi ffi fi fi fi fi ffi fl ffi fi  3. Transmit message - MAYDAY transmissions: - Collapse occurred - Collapse imminent - Fire ghter, seriously injured - Fire, ghter, trapped - Fire ghter, missing - Fire, ghter, lost - Urgent transmissions: - Fire ghter injured (non-life-threatening) - Collapse feared - Loss of water - Fire, extending from Area/ room/ building - Need to “back out” - Water supply required “10-70” another unit brings water to 1st engine - When a message is preceded by mayday, or urgent, all other communication ceases - “go ahead with your message” IC acknowledge, status and location must be obtained - IC will deploy rapid intervention crew (RIC) as necessary - Determining and con rming the location of the re, emergency, or medical incident - “initial stages of command” - gathering building intelligence, and meeting with FLSD/ engineer/ BIR - FLSD/ BIR responsible for evacuation of re oor, oor above and below - Fire ghters start with the activation on the lowest level and work up - 6 boundaries of re spread/ extension 1. (4) - Walls 2. Floor 3. Ceiling - 7th boundary combustible exterior cladding - Best practice is to attack re from the same level, rather than to descend into lower level - Negative stack e ect does not negate this tactic - Tools appropriate for investigation - Be prepared for the unexpected fi fi fi fi fi fi ff fi fi fi fi fl fi fl  - Always carry forcible entry, regardless of arrival and unit type - Protocols and priorities - Protocols “discipline of duty” - Battle plan - provide tactical options, speci c to buildings beyond SOP/ SOG and pre-plans - Mutual aid companies function better when they adopt, consistent practices and training and SOP/ SOG’s - Accomplished with regional/ Area wide training programs - Discipline starts from the moment of the alarm noti cation - Be disciplined on every response - No time for super uous information which is a waste of time - Locating the Fire oor/ source of alarm/ emergency - Periodic condition reports to IC: - Target oor, ascending from 2 oors below - Report of conditions on arrival to target oor - Identifying attack stairwell with con rm Fire - Agreed-upon standard terminologies to describe observations that will determine strategies and tactics to implement a battle plan - Water supply for Engine/ pump and building - Speci c Heat - heat absorbed by water that changes its temperature - Heat absorb from ame gas will increase to 212*F - Engine/ pump attaches to the street hydrant grid system and augments the building re protection system (FPS) - Providing adequate ows through the standpipe system, hose, and nozzles - Speci c heat of water - raise the temperature of 1 g of water 1°C - Establishment of Primary water supply - “the re goes as the rst line goes” - timing, positioning and extinguishment of the re will dictate the resolution of the issues of structural, compromise, smoke, mitigation, and danger to the life and safety of the occupants and re service personnel in an IDLH - Smoke migration is an issue in high-rise res fi fi fi fl fl fl fl fl fi fi fi fl fi fi fl fi fi fi  - Redundancy to safety and e ciency should be fostered in all operational aspects - Humans can prove to be unreliable in maintenance of re protection system (FPS) - FDC not more than 100’ from a re hydrant - NFPA 14 - Connect left side of FDC rst and then right side because the spanner wrench is not hampered tightening the swivel this way - Supply standpipe (1st), then sprinkler system - Pump operators estimate distances to FDC’s and required ttings - standpipe zones should be labeled on oors to know which FDC to pump including height and pressure required - Pump FDC @ 100psi and 5 psi/ oor (10’) to provide 2.5” inch hose with 1 1/8 smoothbore with 250 GPM - greatest ow at low pressure - Vanity oors - oor numbers do not correspond with physical oor heights of the building (4,9,13 based on cultural beliefs may be 3a, 8a or 12a) - Another reason to have required pressure displayed at or on the FDC - Suggested practice assigning a water supply o cer from rst alarm units - ensure water supply, proper FDC is connected - 0 on ow meter at pump indicates Riser Control Valve (RCV) is closed - notify command - Send Investigation team standpipe RCV and open it - RCV required every 100’ in 300’ or taller buildings - Low water pressure found ensure engine pumps FDC as standard practice - Damage/ Defective FDC - Supply through ground level standpipe connection (bring a double female) - Remove pressure reducing devices (PRV - vane type) before supplying - Non-removable PRV's only ow One direction - All else fails option is to pump the re pump test headers but the valve to the test headers must be opened it is in the fi fl fl fl fl fi fl ffi fi fl fi fl ffi fl fi fi  pump room, send crew (high friction loss due to pumping through a broken pump) - Standpipe system operations - Use ow through meter gauges to adjust discharge pressures with the control valve, with water owing - PRV is installed in standpipe when static pressures exceed 400 psi, pressures are further reduced at each standpipe hose valve - Prior to Meridian plaza upper oors could have as low as 65 psi - 175 psi NFPA 14 standard due to the use of 1 3/4” hose and adjustable nozzles - Pump operator is responsible to investigating/ troubleshoot standpipe issues starting at the lowest level - “Bumping” FDC - opening and closing discharge valve to get seized clapper to open by creating a water hammer - Greater ows than expected on ow meter indicate a burst or ruptured pipe - Fractures are most common and horizontal pipe runs due to standing water in - “The value of 5 year acceptance test” - fractures may be found during this time - Standpipe systems may be required to be charged with air (25 psi) while building is under construction - Hose placement, advance and back out - Below grade - standpipe connections at or below grade can expose re ghters to ow path - Advance directly from engine to avoid ow path - mechanical rooms - may requirer foam to extinguish - Fire above grade - Standpipes will be Primary water supply found in the stairwells - FDNY uses connections on the oor below Fire utilizing 3 to 4 lengths (200’) of hose and requiring second due to be 2 oors below (now using 2” for easier deployment with comparable gpm to 2.5”) - Use standpipe connection closest to Fire - Does not use gated wye insu cient ows for 2 lines fl fl fl ffi fl fl fl fl fl fl fi fl fi  - Before hose advancement, make sure occupants are out of the stairwell (check at least 5 oors above) - Most e cient method for hose line placement is to locate the seat of the re prior to stretching - Use a search line in the absence of a hose line, faster and will lead you back to your entry point - Ventilation limited re - Quick water application up and around to reduce heat energy in closed room forestalling rapid re development - Advancing hose (O ce buildings) - Fire ghters all on the same side of the hose line to reduce pro le - Pinch point - narrowing of a space, bottle neck, created by objects or humans - Maintain door control at the stairwell or use smoke blockers - re rated exible curtain - 2 re ghters minimum to entry door of re room - 2 in 2 out - maintained - Come up short utilize brake away nozzle with increaser to extend line - Protection of life is foremost, and protection of property is secondary - Position hose line between the re in the area of those endangered - Back up line may become the attack line - Back up (Safety) line - Quick Water on Fire - do not delay Fire attack if back up line is not in place yet - Average - attack team and back up team deplete air in 10 mins - pair up engine companies to get lines in service - Heat release rate will be a major factor on how close you can approach the re - Heat and smoke (fuel) accumulate above drop ceilings - O ce spaces have “dwarf partitions” partitions, not extending through ceiling to oor above - ow/de ect water through Plenum space, and extinguish re on opposite side of the wall ffi fi fi fi fi fi ffi fi fi fi fi ffi fl fl fl fi fi fi fl fl  - Need to Back out can be caused by rapid re development (RFD) while rst line is advancing - “Hero pipe” - used from the oor below for res with heavy conditions - Aerial master streams can be used where they can reach for heavy re conditions - IC call for additional resources early - Andrew Fredrick - “Black Fire” - ventilation limited res creating thick black smoke with ample fuel and temperature ready to ignite - “Fire ghter Soup” - penciling to disrupt thermal balance with a steam laden atmosphere - “Nozzle technique” - circular pattern hitting ceiling oor and walls while advancing to seat of re - European re extinguishment - 3D or smoke cooling using nozzles that produce a ne mist - Cool smoke while advancing - Works well when Fire is not producing tremendous amounts of energy - Support of operations - Truck o cer and attack o cer need to communicate to coordinate operations - Truck company use a search line and nd seat of re (con rm location, volume of re and smoke an estimated distance from attack stairwell) - All re ghters are responsible to get kinks out - RIC/ Fast Team - Training programs structured to enhance the attributes of size up and psychological reinforcement - Most likely calls for distress, building core, remote or access stairway, perceived, or known area of concern. - Tools and equipment - SCBA pack, search ropes/ webbing, Stokes basket with long backboard or SKED - IC/ Domain supervisor should give a brie ng to the RIC/ FAST company and make action plan - RIC/FAST should not deploy when MAYDAY/ urgent is messages heard (make tactical plan) - First order of assessment for a down re ghter is ABC’s fi fi fi ffi fi fi fi fi ffi fl fi fi fi fi fi fi fi fi fi fi fl fi  - Downed re ghter treatment acronym FAIR - re, air, immediate medical care, removal - RAT - rapid ascent team - assign to transport tools and equipment up to the forward staging area - especially important when elevators are not in service - Support stairwell evaluation’s - Operating in duty uniforms, not in PPE - Not operating in IDLH - Evacuation, search and rescue - Life safety is paramount - Tools: - Search lines, regardless of conditions - Keep rope elevated at corners/ objects - Deploy in short distances to ensure correct direction - Have multiple ropes in case you need to extend, multiple simultaneous searches, attaching tag lines (15-20’ search a 40’ radius) - TIC, subject to failure, why ropes are used - Most common area for victim: 1. Path to egress 2. Elevator lobbies 3. Restrooms 4. Near exterior windows - Ventilation support group - Stairwells are considered “sacred” - Expertise to channel smoke/contaminants to most e cient vent point from building - PPV is a standard operation - HVAC support group - Link to building engineer - Create pressure di erentials to limit smoke migration - Close supply damper to Fire oor to reduce air supply - NFPA 92 - Standard of smoke control systems - Fire pump support group - No ow test - circulate water through pump back to suction side, (operating or churn test) -Diesel pumps run 30 minutes/ week vs Electric pumps run 30 mins/ month or both types 30mins/ week (AHJ driven) - Assess discharge gauge to assume appropriate ow fl fi fi ff fl fi fl ffi  - Team - minimum of 2 re ghters - Procedure how to start pump is labeled on Controller - Communications support group - Use all available means of communication in the building - Lobby control unit (LCU) - Critical component to high-rise operations - Assist with accountability of deployed or staged units - Marshall them to assign positions - Assume control of the elevator - Up to 3 elevators - Test buttons, function and observe shaft prior to use - Let command know if elevator not functioning properly - Critical information on interior, elevator door 1. Tactical channel 2. Phone number to lobby 3. Attack stairwell designation 4. Evacuation stairwell designation - recon the lobby - OIC done LCU vest - Work with IC, reduce burden - Tools: - Hand held radio for each re ghter - SCBA with extra cylinder - Elevator Evacuation Kit - Specialized re unit operation - Rescue Squad - Used by IC to watch for hazards, such as drop ceiling failure, ashover, building collapse… - Drop ceiling most vulnerable element within an o ce space - Battle ground - area, space, oor or building that directly is involved or has a potential to be involve in operations in the mitigation of an emergency or re suppression - Transportation modes for re ghter operations in evacuation - New code allows elevators to be utilized during res/emergencies - Attack stairwell - Stair and standpipe closest proximity to Fire fl fi fi fi fi fi fi fi fl fi fi ffi  - Delay, attack to rescue occupants - Stairwells must be protected - “Well Hole” Space between handrails to hoist hose up - Stretch to landing or further above the re oor when advancing from the stairwell - All Fire related emergency operation should be launched from a re rated enclosed stairs - Remote stairs - Common in super blocks - amenities in walking distance - Disciplines in air management - Fire ghters are subject to the limitations of air supply in the performance of their duties - End-of-Service-Time Indicator - low air alarm (viberalert) - Alarm activates @ 35% of full cylinders (NFPA 1981) - Extended duration SCBA - usage time up to or greater than four hours - Con ned space, below grade oor levels, mass transit facilities, maritime vessels below deck…. - Air conservation: - Controlling your emotions - 5 Di erent Techniques : - One is not superior over the other, each individual learned what's best for them 1. Control - breathe slow - no technique 2. Skip breathing - hold normal inhalation for several seconds, followed by an additional insulation 3. Box breathing - inhale, hold, exhale 3 to 4 seconds in each position 4. Reilly emergency breathing technique (R-EBT) - slow inhalation, athletic humming sound exhalation 5. Straw breathing - slow inhalation, pursed lip exhalation - Fire ghter air replenishment systems (FARS) - Air supply for FD use piped in high-rises similar to stand pipes to re ll cylinders - Reduces physical demand and personnel - Maximize personal e orts of life safety, and extinguishment - Re ll cylinders in under 2 minutes - Slow to adopt in jurisdictions fi fi fi ff fi ff fl fi fl fi fi  - Most Departments: - Each re ghter who enters a high-rise carries an additional cylinder to be left at forward staging area (2 oors below) - Ventilation Protocols - Ventilation of a high-rise building must be authorized by IC - Controlled ventilation not “antiventilation” - All re ghters must understand the e ects of their tactics on ventilation - Natural internal high-rise air movement, most prominent factor is stack e ect - PPV reduces time needed to accomplish ventilation - 1st open door creates a bi-directional ow that will feed/ invigorate re to accelerate proportional to the fuels available - Horizontal ventilation not accomplished well in commercial structures because windows don't open (O ce spaces, hospitals, hotels) but can be performed in residential occupancies from the apartment above re or ability to open windows - Door control - limits smoke migration - Smoke blockers used in all circumstances, but particularly with the lack of PPV systems - Positive pressure stairwells - Introduce a positive pressure greater than what is being produced by the re - Smoke on multiple oors can overwhelm exhaust systems caused by re extension to multiple oors - HVAC - “Floor zone areas” - Shut down supply and return to a ected oors to limit fresh air feeding re and smoke migration and keep oors/zones above pressurized - Smoke dampers in supply and return duct close down automatically when smoke control system is engaged. - Single control system operated by building engineer at FCC - Positive pressure, ventilation, portable fans - Valuable means to achieve stairwell pressurization - Best Practice for PPV: - Fans at the door leading into the base of the stairwell and upper oor to augment pressure - Additional fan placed 3 oors below the re oor fi fl fi fl fi fi fl ff fi fi fi fi fl fl fi fl ff fl fi ffi fl fl ff  - Vent stairwell established and all other stairwells pressurized open all stairwell doors to the oor and vent 1 oor at a time - 30 oors 2 mins to evacuate smoke with base door open and roof access open - Natural Ventilation - Not e cient in high-rise applications - residential high-rises allow for horizontal ventilation because windows open - horizontal ventilation brings smoke and heat onto the re ghters in the stairwell - Taking glass Do/ don’ts - Not desired, due to the risk factors of pedestrians, re ghters below and damaging equipment - Only done if re is controlled or extinguished and requested by re branch or sector - Must be coordinated with re ghters on the ground and ingress and egress must be prevented during this time - Tape glass to prevent it from falling out and pull it in to building - Give “all clear” once glass has been removed completely - residential high-rises position on the oor above tie rope to haligan and throw it through window below or use D-hook - Taking window in the wind will create a blowtorch e ect - Wind-Driven Fires - Window failures can change conditions abruptly - Fire venting up and out of the window indicates it is not a ected by wind and has unidirectional wind ow (one way) - Bidirectional ow - wind re and smoke in and out of same window - Dynamic ow - Wind, re and smoke in/out with uctuations in direction (pulsations) - Smoke in the stairwell is indicative to the door onto the re oor being left open - No smoke check stairwell door for signs of heat utilize TIC - Smoke and heat pushing under the stairwell door indicates re apartment door is left open - Wind impacted res - notify command immediately fi fi fi ff fi fi fl ffi fl fi fi fl fi fi fi fi fi fl fl fl fl fl ff fi fl  - Alternative tactics: - Drop Fire curtain from above to control ow path with smoke blocker at stairwell door - Mass evacuation - all stairwells being used evacuate is a “no attack” situation - Close door to Fire apartment and Flank Fire - wall breach from adjoining apartment approach from an exterior balcony - Defensive tactic - residential high-rise nozzle from oor below or distributor nozzle from two oors above the re - Wind Control Devices: - Fire blanket -10’ x12’, 30 lbs, - Fire curtain - 6’ x 8’, 26.5 lbs, Cover most common size residential windows - Water towers - designed to direct large caliber streams into upper reaches of tall buildings, precursor to ladder pipes ( other LCD types : deck pipe, deck gun) - High-rise tool - nozzle that can be used from above, below or adjacent windows/balconies 300 gpm new devices named hero pipe - max ow of 700 gallons per minute at 80 psi - Core drill - penetrate concrete walls and oors utilize distributor nozzle fl fi fl fl fl fl