Building Construction
Building Construction Part 2
Standpipes & Sprinklers
Hazards
Fire Attack
100
Older mid-rise buildings, pre 1960s are typically what type of construction?
Type III Ordinary with masonry bearing walls.
100
What is a common design feature of most all newly constructed mid-rises?
Interior open lobby with a circuit corridor
100
What knowledge is considered imperative of the first engine company officer?
The presence or lack of a standpipe system
100
What is the number one highest hazard that could be present in a mid-rise fire?
Potential for high loss of life due to increased occupancy.
100
What is the NOVA dispatch compliment for a mid-rise?
What is the PWC dispatch compliment for a mid-rise?
NOVA: 4E, 2T, 1R, 1EMS, 2BC, 1 EMS supervisor, 1 command aide
PWC: 5E, 2T, 1R, 1EMS, 2 BC
200
What is a common problem with older mid-rise buildings that have gable roofs?
The roof is usually decorative and results in a large cockloft space where fire can spread throughout the entire assembly quickly. Older mid-rises built pre-1960 were almost predominantly flat roofed.
200
What is an accommodation stairway and what danger does it cause?
A stairway between floors, but within a single tenant space. Allows for vertical fire spread between floors that is not evident from the corridors outside the occupancy.
200
Depending on the size of the buildings, mid-rises, if they have standpipe outlets, may have those outlets located in one of two places?
Stairwells, and at the midpoint in corridor walls
200
What are some of the other major fire hazards in mid-rise construction?
Lack of pressurization fans, lack of standpipes, lack of overall HVAC control, long hallways, lack of communications systems, lack of fire control room, potentially lightweight wood construction.
200
How do you estimate fire flow rate for a residential mid-rise?
and for a commercial mid-rise?
R: 10gpm per 100sqft of the involved fire area (1.75 initial attack line should be adequate).
C: 20gpm per 100sqft of involved area (2.5 initial attack line or two 1.75 for more maneuverability.)
300
Old mid-rises commonly contain what type of window that is extremely dangerous to firefighters due to escape concerns?
Casement
300
What is the definition of a cockloft?
The area above the ceiling but below the roof deck of a building with a FLAT roof.
300
Sprinkler systems inside of lightweight mid-rises are often of the 13R type, which is designed to do what under fire conditions?
Contain the fire, but not flow enough to completely extinguish the fire.
300
What type of fireplaces are common in mid-rise construction, and what problems do they cause?
Zero clearance. Improper installation can lead to fire spread within void areas making fire difficult to locate
300
Where should the initial fire attack originate from?
The stairwell door closest to the fire location
400
What are some common uses of mid-rise architecture?
Tax payers, Nursing homes, etc.
400
Newer style lightweight construction mid-rises are using what type of construction?
Platform
400
True or False,
If the initial attack is made using a hose line stretched from the apparatus, the FDC (if present) does not need to be supplied?
False. It should still be supplied to hook up to later if necessary.
400
What is a cantilevered balcony? And why is it significant in a mid-rise?
Projects our from the exterior load bearing walls, and can fail early under fire conditions
400
Using PWC's quick reference guide, what is the job of the 3rd arriving engine?
Side C, Side C report, hoseline to the floor above. FDC if present.
500
In order to obtain heights in excess of three stories, what size and type of wall studs are being used in mid-rise construction?
2”x6” wood or metal
500
In lightweight construction mid-rises of today, what is the cause of rapid fire spread on the exterior of the building?
Vinyl siding with foam and OSB board underlayment.
500
You have a fire on the 3rd floor. Your crew has connected to the FDC in the attack stairwell using an 1 3/4, 200ft high rise pack flowing a 15/16 smoothbore nozzle. You have your own water at the hydrant 100ft from the structure. Supplying the FDC using (duel) 3in hose, what is your PDP?
191.68
500
What is a "Donut Style" mid-rise and what could be in the center that is a hazard?
Parking Garage, vehicle fires.
500
Per NOVA Ops, what is the roll of the EMS unit if they are trained as firefighters?
Assemble equipment on the stretcher and report to command... and Don your PPE including SCBA!
