St. John's Fire District Tactical Guidance Manual PDF

Tactical Guidance Manual VERSION 1 UPDATED July 1, 2024  Table of Contents Intent 3 Incident Priorities 3 Strategic Objectives 3 Air Management...

Tactical Guidance Manual VERSION 1 UPDATED July 1, 2024  Table of Contents Intent 3 Incident Priorities 3 Strategic Objectives 3 Air Management 4 Tactical Objectives 4 Duties of Engine Companies 6 Duties of Truck Companies 8 Duties of Chief Officers 8 Risk Management 9 Communications 11 Guidance for Managing Two-In/Two-Out 13 A.D.U.L.T.S. Criteria 13 Single-family Dwellings 13 Attic Fires 14 Garage Fires 15 Multi-family 16 Commercial Fires 18 2 Intent The intent of this document is to provide both an operational and a training platform for a safe and effective response to structure fires. Several key points should be understood regarding this document: The procedures outlined in this document are designed for the initial deployment of resources during the first 10 minutes of emergency scene operations. They will not fit every fire situation, and Incident Commander (IC) is free to adjust them as needed to the situation they are facing. These Tactical Guidelines are truly “best practices” and will be appropriate for the initial deployment of initial resources at the vast majority of incidents, to include motor vehicle collisions. Deviation from them may be done for sound reasons, based upon the incident conditions or resource limitations and a developed incident action plan. It is the intent that the Tactical Guidance document be a “living” document that is open to review and revision, to truly capture what is the “best practice” as realized over time and to ensure they are in compliance with Model Procedures. As individual Company Officers carry out their duties as described in these Tactical Guidelines, it is critical they maintain situational awareness and advise the IC if they have completed their assignment or if they are unable to complete and why and what additional resources they may need to complete. Successful incidents require that several actions be accomplished by individuals and companies, often at the same time. To ensure a successful outcome, personnel will rely on their training and an IC who will direct these companies in their work. Incident Priorities Life Safety Firefighter Health and Safety Incident Stabilization Property Conservation Environmental Conservation Strategic Objectives R.E.C.E.O.V.S. (Rescue, Exposures, Confinement, Extinguishment, Overhaul, Ventilation, and Salvage) is the acronym used to help identify strategic objectives considered at any fire. Rescue is the highest priority for all members responding to 3 an emergency. We do this by making an aggressive and coordinated attack on the seat of the fire utilizing the skills and tools of each unit. Air Management The objective is to be outside the Hazardous Atmosphere /Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH) atmosphere prior to the activation of the low air alarm. Crew members should maintain an ongoing awareness of their crews and their own air status. Air levels should be checked when entering a new area or going to a new floor. Prior to entry, the company should identify an exit strategy. Instill the mindset to consider transition out of operations when the air is at 50% cylinder capacity (2250 PSI). Tactical Objectives Tactical objectives are defined as they relate to the type of Company. Engine Company Tactical Objectives include, but are not limited to: Size-up the situation and locate the fire. Size-up is intended to include a look at enough of the structure as practical to determine the probable location and type of fire [incipient/room & contents/ structure], smoke conditions [color/intensity/density], access to the building, possible ventilation points, occupants, probable hose lay, length of hose lay, route to the fire location, and logical assignments to other units. Essentially, it helps the officer determine if this fire fits the “Tactical Guidelines” model for offensive fire attack. Confine the fire – Place a hoseline between the fire and any known occupants or possible occupants, but do not delay water application for the sake of ensuring the line is between occupants and the fire. Extinguish the fire – Selection of the proper hoseline and nozzle combination and efficient deployment of the line. Protect exposures – Eliminate fire extension and evacuate occupants. Exposures refer to both interior and exterior areas that are, or might be, affected by an expanding fire. When given the assignment “Exposures”, the first consideration is to life safety and secondly to fire spread. For interior exposures (upper floor, adjacent business, etc.), while not specifically communicated, a Primary Search is expected to be included. Provide a water supply – This is done through the appropriate use of hydrants, standpipes, and sprinkler systems. The Engineer shall advise Command when a 4  water supply has been established. In some instances this may require Rural Water Supply. RIT – Readiness to deal with a situation requiring rapid rescue of firefighting personnel. A RIT team shall consist of at least 4 firefighters and one must be a company officer or acting company officer. Engine companies are normally expected to address the following issues during initial fire suppression operations: Locate, confine, and extinguish the fire Conduct a rapid primary search of the fire room or unit Water supply (benchmarked on the radio) Exposures Two-Out (benchmarked on the radio) RIT Team (benchmarked on the radio) Applying water in an efficient, effective, and safe manner is a priority for first- arriving engine companies. The Driver Operator must meet all the requirements including full PPE and SCBA. A Standby Team is assigned prior to the establishment of RIT. A Standby Team can also be assigned as an interim step while waiting for a RIT to arrive and/or assemble. A Standby Team consists of at least two firefighters held outside the hazard area, available for immediate assistance or rescue of an entry team. Once relieved by a RIT, the Standby Team may be assigned to become a Backup Team. Ladder Company Tactical Objectives include, but are not limited to: Search & Rescue – Most often accomplished during a primary search and sometimes as part of a coordinated Vent-Enter-Isolate-Search [VEIS]. Ventilation – Accomplished through various ventilation methods [vertical, horizontal outside vent, and mechanical/hydraulic]. Ladders – The provision of ladders, both ground and aerial, to assist with access, egress, and rescue operations. Forcible Entry – Techniques to provide access to the building/area and operations intended to soften a structure during offensive operations. These operations shall be communicated and coordinated with command. Overhaul – Assisting with the location and mitigation of hidden fire through the opening of walls, pulling of ceilings, and other methods. Salvage – The saving of property, reduction of damage, and preparing the building for return to the responsible party. 5  Utilities – Securing electricity, natural gas/propane, and water. Ladder Company Assignment by Priority The following should be considered the priorities for Ladder Companies: 1st Priority – Life Safety Depending upon many factors including building construction/occupancy type, fire and smoke conditions, and safety of other firefighters on scene, ladder companies should conduct a rapid risk benefit analysis as to what tactic is best to maximize life safety for all (citizen and firefighter) and select the best tactic to complete. 2nd Priority – Ventilation 3rd Priority – Forcible Entry and Ladders 4th Priority – Utilities, Overhaul, and Salvage Note: salvage should be placed higher on the list when the truck is being used to prevent water damage to lower level units in the event of a sprinkler-controlled fire or excessive water application during fire attack. Duties of Engine Companies 1st Arriving Engine Company The first arriving Engine Company shall be responsible for establishing Command (unless established prior to arrival). Priorities include possible rescue, fire attack and water supply. Pre-arrival water supply instructions. Size-up and delivery an initial radio report. Conduct 360 to identify any life safety considerations. Determine the location and extent of the fire. Identify the best and quickest access. Water should be applied to the fire as soon as possible from a safe location to reduce the heat release rates from burning materials. This also is referred to as a “Quick Hit”. Any limited-duration water stream applied from the exterior should be immediately followed by an aggressive interior attack. On arrival at the emergency scene responders find a known rescue situation where immediate action could prevent the loss of life or serious injury, such action shall only be permitted when no less than three personnel (2-in/1-out) are present and equipped to provide emergency assistance or rescue of the team entering the hot zone. Water Supply Considerations Water Supply should be completed by the first two arriving engine companies. 6  If an Engine Company elects to lay its own supply, three-person Engine Companies are encouraged to wrap the hydrant and allow another unit to take the hydrant so that the nozzle person and officer are available to perform initial fire ground operations. Engine Companies responding with four personnel or second arriving making a forward lay are encouraged to wrap the hydrant and leave one person to make the hydrant so that the initial attack crew arrives together at the fire on the engine. 2nd Arriving Engine Company The second arriving Engine Company should support the efforts of the first arriving Engine in order of priority: Complete water supply to the attack engine. Benchmark. Establish Standby Team and maintain 2-in/2-out. Standby Team Members shall: Remain aware of the status of firefighters in the hot zone. Maintain positive communication via radio, visual, or voice with the entry team, in full protective gear with SCBA donned and in standby mode. Only one Standby Team member may be permitted to perform other duties outside the hot zone, provided constant communication is maintained with the team in the hot zone, and provided that those duties will not interfere with his or her ability to initiate rescue as appropriate. No Standby Team Member shall be permitted to serve as a Standby Member of the firefighting crew when the other activities in which the firefighter is engaged inhibit the firefighter’s ability to assist in or perform rescue or are of such importance that they cannot be abandoned without placing other firefighters in danger. Additional support activities that a Standby Team may perform include: Assisting with initial fire attack and hoseline advancement. In the case of a ventilation limited fire, maintain door control by closing the door as much as possible to limit the flow path and by opening the door to relieve heat, smoke, and steam as water is applied. A Standby Team may be reassigned as a Backup Team once additional resources arrive on-scene and the RIT has been established. 3rd Arriving Engine Company The third arriving Engine Company should be responsible for RIT, unless otherwise directed by the IC. RIT is generally positioned on the A side of the structure. However, access routes should be identified. 4th Arriving Engine Company 7 The fourth arriving Engine Company should position opposite the first engine when possible. The company will assess the side opposite the first engine. Exposure protection protection should be considered. Duties of Truck Companies The first priorities and duties of Truck Companies are comprised of the following tactical objectives: Rescue, Coordinated Ventilation and/or Primary Search. Since Ladder Company staffing differ, these task assignments may vary. 1st Arriving Ladder / Rescue Life safety is the primary objective. The first arriving Truck Company should consider rescue its first priority. If immediate coordinated ventilation is needed for the fire attack or search to take place and cannot be performed simultaneously by splitting the crew, the search may be passed to the second arriving Ladder Company or assigned to another Company by the IC. Considerations include no known life hazard (unoccupied structure), heavy smoke or high heat conditions, top floor fire, attic fires, and commercial structures. Ventilation is to be coordinated with fire attack. Prior to ventilating a structure, the Company performing the ventilation shall communicate with the unit(s) operating below and announce over the radio that they are ready to open the structure. If needed, the IC or any interior Company then can stop the ventilation process, if interior conditions do not favor ventilation, i.e., no water on the fire, seat of fire not reached. 2nd Arriving Ladder / Rescue Life safety is still the objective. The second arriving Truck Company should assume either ventilation or search duties and communicate their Task, Location, and Objective, whichever the first arriving Truck Company could not do, or assist the first arriving Truck Company in their operations. Additional support fireground operations will include: Laddering Forcible entry Overhaul Utilities Salvage Roof Reports Wall Reports Duties of Chief Officers 1st Arriving Chief Officer 8 The first arriving Chief Officer will assume command from the initial IC either via radio or face-to-face communication. The transfer of command should include units assigned, the status of water supply, and supplemental needs/alarms. Transfer to another Battalion Chief should only be done after the incident is de-escalating to avoid missed transmissions and loss of situational awareness. If practical in-cab command is preferred to limit distractions, improve communication effectiveness, and functional command presence. 2nd Arriving Chief Officer The second arriving Chief Officer will report to the IC. Generally, the second arriving Chief Officer will serve as the Accountability Officer. The IC may assign the second arriving Battalion Chief to the ISO function if deemed necessary. 3rd Arriving Chief Officer The third arriving Chief Officer will assume the role of Safety Officer and report to the IC. The Safety Officer will don PPE and conduct a Chief Officer 360°. Upon completion of the 360°, they will report any safety concerns to the IC. Risk Management The goals of fire suppression operations shall be to save lives and reduce suffering of people endangered by fire (including firefighters), to control and extinguish fires quickly and effectively, and to minimize property damage from fire and the effects of fire control operations to the extent consistent with firefighter safety. Officers shall make tactical and strategic decisions based upon their training, experience, and sound judgment as applied to the circumstances of the incident. This should include the integration of risk management principles into the regular functions of incident command and after initial development of the Incident Action Plan (IAP). At an emergency incident, the IC shall have the responsibility to: Assume and confirm command and take an effective fixed physical command position, along with stating the mode/strategy. If Command had already been established conduct a transfer of command. Radio transfer is preferred then face-to-face. Avoid taking your initial IC out of the fight to conduct a face-to-face transfer of command. Ensure a 360° size-up is performed on the structure, including assessment on the presence of a basement. Develop an overall strategy and incident action plan. Request additional resources as required. 9  Perform situation evaluation that include risk assessment and operational safety, including the assignment of RIC commensurate with the needs of the incident. Initiate, maintain, and control incident communications. Develop an overall strategy and attack plan and assign units to operationally address the same. Develop an effective ICS organization by managing resources, maintaining an effective span of control, and maintaining direct supervision over the entire incident by creating geographical and/or functional area supervisors as appropriate for the scope and size of the incident. Assure personnel accountability is maintained. Review, evaluate, and revise the operational plan as required, and communicate any deviation from the normally expected Company actions. Continue, transfer (when appropriate), and terminate command. Release resources from the incident. Company Officers and IC shall evaluate the risk to members with respect to the purpose and potential results of their actions in each situation. Company Officers and IC shall take necessary steps to determine whether human life may be endangered. The concept of risk management shall be utilized based on the following principles: Given a specific situation, activities that present a significant risk to the safety of members shall be limited to situations where there is a high potential to save endangered human lives. Risk a lot to save a lot in a highly calculated fashion. Given a specific situation, activities that are routinely employed to protect property and/or environment, shall be recognized as inherent risks to the safety of members, and actions shall be taken to reduce or avoid these risks. No significant risks to the safety of members shall be taken in efforts to knowingly save property and/or environment alone. Risk a little to save a little in a highly calculated fashion. Given a specific situation, no known risk to the safety of members shall be acceptable when there is no possibility to save lives or property. Risk nothing to save nothing. In addition: Firefighters are to use appropriate safety practices, sound judgment, and initiative in emergency situations. 10  Officers shall be mindful of their responsibilities for the safety of their subordinates. As soon as practical, at significant incidents, the IC shall assign a qualified Incident Safety Officer with the specific authority and responsibility to evaluate hazards and provide direction with respect to the safety of operations. A Two-out or Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) will be established when one or more crews are assigned to the hot zone. Communications A communications model shall be used to ensure the receipt and acknowledgment of critical communications. The NATO phonetic alphabet will be utilized to identify sides of buildings (i.e. Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta). An example of a Company being assigned would be: Indigo Command: “Indigo Command to Engine 705” E705: “Command” Indigo Command: “E705, Exposure line Side - Charlie” E705: “Exposure line Side – Charlie” Every effort should be made to eliminate needless phrases and terminology from transmissions. The elimination of terms such as “upon your arrival”, “please” and “could you” will keep transmissions short and to the point. In addition, avoid “good news reporting” This is giving information to the IC that is not priority or pertinent. The following is an example of good news reporting: E703: “E703 to Command” Command: “E703” E703: “E703 is continuing on a right wall search and will advise when complete” It should also be assumed that Company Officers will determine how a task should be completed once assigned. The specific direction of a task should be avoided unless its completion in a specific manner is critical to the incident. Pre Arrival Identify and request resources required to effectively mitigate the incident. Deliver Water Supply instructions prior to arrival when feasible. This includes declaring rural water supply. Initial Radio Reports (IRR) 11 When providing an initial radio report, the initial arriving Company should consider providing basic information that will impact the actions of incoming units as they arrive on the fireground and in consideration of their assignments based upon Standard Operating Guidelines. Critical components include: Arriving Unit(s) Building size (Residential: small, medium, large) Building height (# of floors) Type of occupancy (nursing home, auto shop, restaurant, hotel, etc.) Unique construction (heavy timber, masonry, steel, etc.) Smoke / fire conditions present (Nothing showing, light - moderate - heavy) Establishment of Command Actions being taken Instructions to incoming units We do this by transmitting the components of the acronym as follows: I - Identify arriving unit(s) D - Describe what you see E - Establish Command A - Actions L - Let incoming units know what you want them to do 360° Complete a 360°. If you are unable to complete the 360°, advise what you have seen. Identify known or potential rescue Identify active and potential flow path of fire and fire gases Identify location and extent of fire Determine the size, construction, and age of the structure Assess structural stability Identify hazards Follow-up Report (FUR) will follow a 360° Conditions Actions Needs (CAN) will follow a 360° view and contain: Updates on conditions and potential hazards (basement, overhead wires, etc.) Confirm fire location Announce the Operational Mode and Actions Taken Requests for additional resources, as needed Example: E705: “Engine 705 to Dispatch” 12 Dispatch: “Engine 705.” E705: “360 Complete. Light smoke from an unvented fire located in the A/D corner. Fast Attack Mode. Stretching an 1.75” handline Side Alpha. Venterical needed.” Benchmarks Making Entry Water on Fire Two-Out Established Water Supply Established Fire Under Control Primary Search RIT Established Extrication Initiated / Extrication Complete Guidance for Managing Two-In/Two-Out Reserved A.D.U.L.T.S. Criteria The 1.75” hoseline is a typical hoseline for fire attack operations; it is particularly effective at most residential fires. The District’s 1.75”, while capable of delivering 265 GPM utilizing the integral smoothbore, this combination of nozzle and hose diameter exceeds the accepted Freeman Ratio. This results significant nozzle reaction that requires increased manpower. When higher flow capabilities are warranted, it is prudent to deploy hoselines of a diameter that The acronym A.D.U.L.T.S. provides a criteria for employing a 2.25” or 2.5” hose line. Emphasis should be placed on flow capability rather than hose diameter. The minimum flow requirement is 250 GPM. Advanced fire conditions on arrival Defensive operations Undetermined location of fire Large/compartmented areas Tons of water needed Standpipe operations Single-family Dwellings Fires in single-family dwellings are one of the most common structure fires most agencies respond to. They also account for approximately 70% of all civilian fire 13 deaths. When operating in the offensive mode, rapid movement of attack lines is critical, as is the completion of a primary search. Search priorities should be given to bedrooms, escape paths, and the immediate fire area, as these areas account for the locations of most fire victims. While time of day may increase our probabilities of finding an occupant, it should not be forgotten that parents, children, the sick, elderly and shift workers may occupy a home during the day and be sleeping at any given time. Hoseline deployment, ventilation, and searches should be driven by fire location/conditions. These functions should be carried out regardless of time of day in an offensive fire attack situation. Attic Fires A common occurrence at structure fires in all types of occupancies is the fire extending to the attic. If not addressed, this fire can contribute to rapid deterioration of interior conditions and structural failure. It must be assumed that the fire has extended to the attic until proven otherwise by direct examination of the attic space. Attic fires are usually ventilation limited, so limiting the number of openings above the fire will control fire growth and development. Suppression efforts in the attic are most effective if the attic remains ventilation limited. Once water application has begun, vertical ventilation may help with confinement and extinguishment. If the fire entered the attic from the exterior, initial suppression efforts should be to extinguish the source fire first and follow the fire’s path of travel into the attic space. Aggressive salvage should be a high priority. Utilize the TIC to identify hot spots. Secure utilities early. Attic Fire Plays: Fire attack is best conducted from below with a standard flow hoseline operating directly into the attic space. This is best accomplished by either utilizing an access or pulling ceilings as soon as possible in the operation. Bottom up: Attack the fire from the interior of the structure by either locating an access or making a small hole to allow for hose stream application. Choose an attack position that allows you to take advantage of building construction (i.e. a hallway can provide access to the decking from wall to wall). Once the gases have been cooled, the hole can be expanded for complete extinguishment. Eve attack: Attack the fire through the soffit or bird block – this method applies water to a majority of the underside of the decking. Final extinguishment and 14  overhaul completed by pulling ceiling from the inside. If unable to remove material for hose stream access, go bottom up. Top down: Same concept as bottom up, but from the top. Initial water application through a smoke indicator hole and allow for steam conversion. Water application should be focused on the underside of the decking. Open the roof for complete extinguishment. Gable end: This attack has limited effectiveness, but can provide initial knockdown if the fire is immediately adjacent to the gable. Must be followed up with either bottom up or top down for complete extinguishment. If used, vertical ventilation will be coordinated with fire attack. Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) should not be used until the fire is confirmed under control and flow path is open. Garage Fires A fire that originates in an attached garage can grow quickly and spread to living areas of a single-family residence if not addressed properly. An attached garage often has a high fuel load. The garage can be compared to a small warehouse filled with combustible and flammable material. The garage is often separated by a rated fire door between the garage and the rest of the house. If kept in the closed position, this door will provide adequate protection from fire spread. While a fire-rated wall is required between the garage and living areas, it should be assumed this wall is compromised by homeowner modifications until proven otherwise. This would allow fire spread to the attic or upper floor areas, and these areas should be checked as soon as possible. Personnel should use caution operating under open garage doors due to the potential of them coming down or collapsing. Crews must take steps to secure an open garage door in order to prevent it from closing on top of or behind them. Also, the danger of overhead storage in garage rafters should be considered. Garage Fire Plays If the Garage Door has Failed: Advance the first attack line to the main body of fire for knockdown. Advance the second attack line inside the residence. 15  Primary search Check for extension Consider PPV to pressurize the house after confirmation that there is no fire in concealed spaces. If the Garage Door is Intact: Cut a small triangular hole in the door with the circular saw or break out a window to allow for water application into the garage for initial knockdown. Finish the garage door cut and complete door removal after the main body of fire has been cooled. Advance the second attack line inside the residence. Primary search Check for extension Consider PPV to pressurize the house after confirmation that there is no fire in concealed spaces. Multi-family Fires in multi-family dwellings can be some of the most challenging and complex incidents we face. These buildings are larger than the typical single-family dwelling and frequently have multiple floors, standpipe systems, and many more civilians in potential jeopardy. Fire spread between floors can be rapid, and if a large common attic is present, horizontal fire spread can be rapid within it. These buildings can be broken down into three basic types. These types should not be confused with legal definitions; they are more practical definitions for our purposes to quickly differentiate the layouts of buildings and for use in short reports: 1. Garden Apartments: This is a building with multiple floors, and each unit occupies space on only one of those floors. Access to each apartment is by an exterior stairwell or balcony. 2. Townhouse Apartments: This unit occupies more than one floor and is connected between floors by an interior stairwell within the unit. Bedrooms are typically on upper floors, with kitchen and living areas on the lower floors. Access is via a front door, perhaps along a common walkway that is shared with adjoining units of the same style. 3. Interior or Center Hallway Apartment Buildings: Units within these buildings are, like the garden apartments, occupy only one floor of this multi-story building; however, the difference is that an interior hallway is utilized to access the front 16 door of each unit. This creates the potential for smoke and heat to accumulate in this hallway during a fire (usually when the tenant leaves the door to the fire unit open). When doors are left open, it compromises both the means of egress for the tenants and the main attack path for firefighters. Ventilation and searching of these hallways, especially on lower floors, is very challenging but critical to the successful management of these incidents. Priorities Possible rescue, fire attack and water supply. Consider the use of standpipes. However, these are generally only found on structures four stories or taller. The second arriving Engine Company should ensure a water supply and assist with the first hoseline advancement, control the door, and deploy a second hoseline. First and second Engine Companies establish fire attack and Standby Teams and benchmark on the radio. Occupant Rescue vs. Occupant Removal Quite often, especially in apartment building fires where the hallway is charged with smoke, occupants may be at balconies or windows. It is critical that the first arriving IC make the proper judgment regarding these occupants, being mindful that any resources assigned to rescue/removal will be unavailable for suppression activities. Rescue: Occupants who are in immediate danger and need immediate rescue. These occupants may be at/in the fire apartment, or above it and if not rescued may be forced to jump or attempt escape through a hazardous environment. Removal: This occupant is probably remote from the actual fire, and while they may not be able to exit via the interior hallway, they are behind a closed (usually one-hour rated) door and will be safe for the immediate future. “Protect in Place” until adequate resources arrive to deal with removal should be strongly considered. A working fire that involves a large portion of the attic on arrival is an exception. In this case, immediately removing those occupants on the top floor should be a priority as conditions can deteriorate on the top floor very quickly due to the attic involvement. Resource Additions Engine (5th): Identify the need for a secondary water source. Report to IC for assignment. 17  Aerial (2nd): Position opposite the rst aerial or at an advantageous location. Report to C Side Supervisor or IC for assignment. Commercial Fires Commercial buildings can range in size from small to large and can vary in construction type to include older structures of wood, heavy timber, or masonry, or newer structures of steel and concrete. Commercial buildings are often grouped together forming commercial districts. These buildings can be standalone, with street access, or buried in a cluster of other buildings in an industrial complex. Commercial buildings can fall into many types, including: “big box” stores; concrete tilt-ups; strip malls or shopping malls; of ce buildings; and high-rise. Because of the complexity of these buildings, a re burning deep inside can be dif cult to locate and reach due to limited access. Remodels and occupant changes can increase life safety concerns due to limited or unfamiliar exits. Changes can create concealed spaces, multiple ceilings, unprotected sprinkler coverage, compromised compartmentalization or re stops, heavy HVACs which increase roof loads, and new plumbing or duct work penetrating oors to allow re extension from oor to oor. Tactics for Commercial Buildings The importance of locating, con ning, and extinguishing the re remains the same in commercial buildings as it does in residential structures. The difference with commercial buildings is that they may have limited access to windows and long distances to reach an exterior door. The potential to get lost or disoriented is very real. When not operating on a hoseline, a rope should be considered to ensure a safe means of egress. Unknown type storage and high re loads piled to the ceiling may limit the capability of the sprinkler system. Evaluate conditions to determine if the ADULTS criteria is present. The ability of using 2.5” hoselines to knock down a large volume of re while cooling the area is essential. Advancing and maneuvering a 2.5” hoseline in a large commercial structure will require at least two companies. Both horizontal and vertical ventilation are key and must be coordinated to assist advancing hoselines. This can often be accomplished by the use of windows on the re oor or opening exterior doors such as metal overhead rolling doors. 18 fi fi fl fl fi fi fi fi fl fi fi fi fl fi fi Additionally, roof scuttles, skylights, or hatches should be opened (in addition to vertical ventilation roof cut) to provide adequate ventilation. Typically, both Ladder Companies will be assigned to ventilation at commercial structures. NOTE: Movement inside a structure in excess of 175’ should be avoided. This is based on a 200’ hose lay. If there is a need to move past that distance a secondary access point should be considered. This takes into consideration of the importance of air management and ease of movement. Additionally, there is the potential of high piled stock that could hinder egress. Resource Additions Engine (5th): Identify the need for a secondary water source. Report to IC for assignment. Aerial (2nd): Position opposite the first aerial or at an advantageous location. Report to C Side Supervisor or IC for assignment. 19