Fireground Strategies

by Avillo, Anthony

• ISBN13: 9780878148400
• ISBN10: 087814840X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-05-01
• Publisher: Fire Engineering Books & Videos

Summary

Addresses many fire situations to explain tactics from the point of view of the fire officer who must identify a strategy, develop an action plan, and implement tactics.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	xvii
Introduction	xxi
How to Use This Book	xxvii
Size-Up, Pre-Fire Planning, & Incident Communications	1	(50)
Coal Was Wealth	3	(25)
Construction	3	(3)
Occupancy	6	(1)
Apparatus and manpower	6	(2)
Life hazard	8	(1)
Water supply	9	(3)
Auxiliary appliances	12	(2)
Street conditions	14	(1)
Weather	15	(3)
Exposures	18	(2)
Area and height	20	(2)
Location and extent	22	(3)
Time	25	(1)
Hazardous materials	25	(2)
Size-up and the initial radio reports	27	(1)
C-BAR	28	(12)
Command	29	(1)
Building	29	(5)
Action	34	(2)
Resources	36	(4)
The FAST team response	40	(2)
Radio reports from companies	42	(4)
Task-Assignment Model	44	(1)
CAR	45	(1)
Command progress reports	46	(2)
CABS	47	(1)
Conclusion	48	(1)
Questions for discussion	49	(2)
Heat Transfer: Strategic Considerations	51	(30)
The Stages of Fire	52	(4)
Ignition	53	(1)
Growth	53	(1)
Flashover	54	(1)
Fully developed	54	(1)
Decay	55	(1)
Heat Transfer	56	(11)
Conduction	56	(3)
Convection	59	(3)
Radiation	62	(5)
Case Study	67	(2)
Potter Place fire	67	(1)
The collapse and subsequent exposure fires	68	(1)
Flashover	69	(9)
Flashover variables	71	(2)
Signs of impending flashover - exterior	73	(1)
Signs of impending flashover - interior	74	(1)
Flashover prevention	75	(1)
Flashover safety precautions	76	(1)
Flashover and occupant/building survival	77	(1)
Conclusion	78	(1)
Questions for Discussion	79	(2)
Building Construction & Firespread	81	(50)
Class 1: Fire-Resistive Construction	82	(4)
Firespread problems of fire-resistive construction	83	(1)
Elevator shafts	84	(1)
Compactor and incinerator shafts	84	(1)
Access stairs	85	(1)
Occupant indifference	85	(1)
Case Study	86	(6)
Granton Avenue high-rise fire	86	(4)
Structural problems of fire-resistive construction	90	(2)
Class 2: Non-Combustible/Limited-Combustible Construction	92	(6)
Firespread problems of non-combustible/limited-combustible construction	92	(3)
Structural problems of non-combustible/limited-combustible construction	95	(1)
Characteristics of steel under fire conditions	96	(2)
Class 3: Ordinary Construction	98	(13)
Fire problems of ordinary construction	100	(4)
Structural problems of ordinary construction	104	(5)
Safety tips for the roof firefighters	109	(2)
Class 4: Heavy-Timber Construction	111	(4)
Firespread problems of heavy-timber construction	112	(3)
Structural problems of heavy-timber construction	115	(1)
Class 5: Wood-Frame Construction	115	(13)
The three basic types of wood-frame construction	120	(5)
Lightweight-wood construction	125	(1)
Firespread and construction problems of lightweight-wood construction	126	(2)
Conclusion	128	(1)
Questions for Discussion	129	(2)
Strategic Modes of Operation	131	(24)
The Basic Classifications of Firefighter Strategy	132	(9)
Offensive	132	(2)
Offensive/defensive	134	(1)
Defensive/offensive	135	(1)
Indirect method of attack	136	(2)
Defensive	138	(1)
Interior defensive operations	139	(1)
No attack (non-intervention)	140	(1)
Strategy Modification	141	(1)
Case Study	142	(3)
Kennedy Boulevard multiple dwelling	142	(3)
Managing the Multiple-Strategy Fire	145	(1)
Case Study	146	(7)
The Certified Bakery fire	146	(7)
Conclusion	153	(1)
Questions for Discussion	154	(1)
Private Dwelling Fires	155	(26)
The Occupant Factor	155	(5)
Unsafe sleeping habits	155	(1)
Carelessness and indifference	156	(1)
Improper storage and housekeeping	156	(2)
Complacency	158	(1)
Home repair specialists	158	(2)
Firefighting Problems in Private Dwellings	160	(9)
Open stairways	160	(1)
Excessive and improper storage and debris	160	(1)
Setbacks and landscaping obstacles	161	(1)
Combustible exteriors	161	(2)
HVAC systems	163	(1)
Voids in construction	164	(1)
Dangerous peaked roof conditions	165	(1)
Roof construction	166	(1)
Roof coverings	167	(2)
Roof slope	169	(1)
Life Safety Problems in Private Dwellings	169	(2)
Critical Interior Control Factors	171	(7)
CRAVE	171	(7)
Conclusion	178	(1)
Questions for Discussion	179	(2)
Multiple Dwellings	181	(42)
Firefighting Problems in Multiple Dwellings	182	(20)
Combustible cockloft	182	(3)
Combustible cellar	185	(1)
Light and airshafts	186	(4)
Attached buildings	190	(2)
Roof access priority at multiple dwellings	192	(1)
Concealed spaces	193	(1)
Stacked kitchens and bathrooms	194	(1)
Tin ceilings	194	(1)
Unsafe fire escapes	195	(3)
Open interior stairways	198	(1)
Renovations	199	(2)
Gas-supplied utility fixtures	201	(1)
Life Hazard Problems in Multiple Dwellings	202	(2)
Limited egress	202	(2)
Large Number of Occupants and Apartments	204	(3)
The fire escape rule of thumb	204	(2)
Dogs	206	(1)
Basic Firefighting Procedures	207	(7)
CRAVE	207	(7)
Old-Law Vs. New-Law Buildings	214	(3)
Fire-Resistive Multiple Dwellings	217	(4)
Characteristics	218	(3)
Conclusion	221	(1)
Questions for Discussion	222	(1)
High-Rise Operations	223	(42)
Command and Control Operations	225	(10)
Establishment of incident command	225	(1)
High-rise control points	226	(9)
Firefighting Problems in High-Rise Structures	235	(18)
Extreme heat	235	(1)
Spalling concrete	236	(1)
Manpower requirements	237	(1)
Reflex time	238	(1)
Control of building systems	239	(2)
Standpipe pressure reducers	241	(1)
Difficulty in ventilation	242	(1)
Stratification of smoke	243	(1)
The stack effect	243	(1)
Unsafe aluminum balconies	244	(1)
Enclosed underground parking garages	245	(3)
Utility control	248	(1)
Curtain walls	249	(1)
Buildings under construction	250	(3)
Life Safety Problems Related to High-Rise Structures	253	(9)
Occupant indifference	253	(1)
Control of occupants	253	(2)
Control and coordination of stairwells	255	(1)
Accounting for personnel	256	(6)
Basic Firefighting Procedures	262	(1)
CRAVE	262	(1)
Conclusion	263	(1)
Questions for Discussion	264	(1)
Contiguous Structures: Row Houses, Garden Apartments, & Townhouses	265	(34)
Firefighting Problems in Contiguous Structures	267	(15)
Lightweight construction	267	(2)
Combustible open cockloft	269	(2)
Combustible exterior and roof	271	(1)
Manpower sponge tendency	272	(2)
Difficult rear access	274	(2)
Unusual layouts	276	(2)
Dumbwaiter shafts, laundry chutes, and elevators	278	(1)
Poor apparatus access	279	(1)
Poor water supply	280	(1)
Storage areas/garages	281	(1)
Life Hazard Problems in Contiguous Structures	282	(5)
Early collapse	282	(1)
Rescue/evacuation load	283	(1)
Cockloft backdraft	284	(1)
Accountability	285	(2)
Case Study	287	(6)
The Roc Harbor townhouse complex fire	287	(6)
Basic Firefighting Procedures	293	(3)
CRAVE	294	(2)
Conclusion	296	(1)
Questions for Discussion	297	(2)
Taxpayers & Mixed-Use Occupancies	299	(24)
Firefighting Problems in Mixed-Use & Taxpayer Occupancies	301	(12)
Forcible-entry difficulties	301	(1)
Light shafts	302	(2)
Cellar concerns	304	(1)
Lack of fire protection equipment	304	(1)
Common cocklofts	305	(1)
Tin ceilings	306	(3)
Poorly fire-stopped cornices and facades	309	(1)
Hazardous materials	310	(3)
Life Hazard Problems in Mixed-Use & Taxpayer Occupancies	313	(5)
Transient occupancy	313	(1)
Life hazard above the store	314	(1)
Cellar access and egress	315	(2)
Overhead wires and utility hazards	317	(1)
Basic Firefighting Procedures	318	(3)
CRAVE	318	(3)
Conclusion	321	(1)
Questions for Discussion	322	(1)
Commercial Occupancies & Strip Malls	323	(48)
Firefighting Problems with Commercial Occupancies & Strip Malls	324	(32)
Heavy fire loading	324	(1)
Hazardous processes/materials	325	(1)
Forcible-entry/access difficulties	326	(6)
Terrazzo and concrete floors	332	(1)
Water-absorbent stock	333	(1)
Open facades	334	(1)
Roof and floor overload	335	(1)
Combustible cockloft/truss roof	336	(2)
Presence of a rain roof	338	(2)
Utility dangers	340	(5)
Large, open areas	345	(1)
Drop ceilings	346	(2)
Mantraps	348	(3)
Deep-seated fires	351	(2)
Rack storage	353	(2)
Sprinkler-induced cold smoke conditions	355	(1)
Strip Mall Characteristics	356	(3)
Life Hazard Problems in Commercial Occupancies	359	(2)
Transient occupancy	359	(1)
Accountability	359	(1)
Blocked exits	360	(1)
Panic	361	(1)
Basic Firefighting Procedures	361	(2)
CRAVE	362	(1)
United States Postal Service Property Fires	363	(5)
General guidelines	364	(1)
Operational guidelines for incident stabilization--postal mailboxes	364	(1)
Operational guidelines for incident stabilization--postal vehicles	365	(2)
Operational guidelines for incident stabilization--postal buildings	367	(1)
Terminating a United States postal property incident	368	(1)
Conclusion	368	(1)
Questions for Discussion	369	(2)
Hazardous Materials Incidents	371	(12)
The First Responder's Role	371	(5)
Indications of the Presence of Hazardous Materials	376	(4)
``Copological'' indicators	376	(1)
Look for people running away from the incident	376	(1)
Look for odd-colored liquids or smoke	377	(1)
CRAVE	377	(1)
Control Zones	378	(2)
Conclusion	380	(1)
Questions for Discussion	381	(2)
Operational Safety	383	(70)
Planning for Unusual Responses	383	(3)
Apparatus Positioning	386	(5)
Avoid travel against the flow of traffic	388	(1)
Avoid ``bumping'' an engine already committed	389	(1)
Avoid blocking an intersection of two-lane road	389	(1)
Avoid positioning the engine directly behind the ladder company	389	(1)
Avoid positioning the ladder truck where the aerial device will be ineffective	390	(1)
Avoid committing additional alarm apparatus without orders	390	(1)
Avoid radio silence	391	(1)
Dead-End Street Response	391	(3)
Functional Fixity	394	(2)
Incident Scene Management	396	(40)
The ``what-ifs'' of decision-making	396	(1)
Operating with tactical worksheets	397	(4)
Span of control	401	(2)
Battalion chief position and duties at fires	403	(2)
The safety officer	405	(2)
The FAST team	407	(1)
Perimeter control -- Use of barrier tape	408	(3)
Building search considerations	411	(10)
Thermal imaging camera considerations	421	(1)
Master stream considerations	422	(11)
Emergency fireground communication	433	(3)
Vacant Building Dangers	436	(6)
Are they really vacant?	436	(1)
Illegal manufacturing	437	(1)
Dogs	437	(1)
Illegal utility connections	437	(1)
Flammable liquids and gases/excessive combustibles	438	(1)
Compromised structural elements	438	(1)
Previous fires	439	(1)
Dangerous fire escapes	440	(1)
Boarded-up windows and doors	440	(2)
Alerting Our Own	442	(5)
Truss construction	444	(1)
Vacant buildings	444	(1)
No entry	444	(1)
Enter with extreme caution	445	(1)
Unsafe building features	445	(1)
Structural damage (post-fire)	446	(1)
Demobilization	447	(2)
Incident Critique Considerations	449	(2)
Conclusion	451	(1)
Questions for Discussion	452	(1)
Conclusion	453	(4)
Index	457