United States Fire Administration Chief Officer Training Curriculum Operations Module 15: High-Rise...

United States Fire Administration

Chief Officer Training Chief Officer Training CurriculumCurriculum

OperationsOperations

Module 15:Module 15:

High-Rise Simulation ExerciseHigh-Rise Simulation Exercise

Ops 15-2


ObjectivesObjectives

Identify critical cues at a high-rise Identify critical cues at a high-rise incidentsincidents

Establish incident objectivesEstablish incident objectives Select tactics Select tactics Identify and request resourcesIdentify and request resources Select alternate solutionsSelect alternate solutions Establish an appropriate ICS Establish an appropriate ICS

organization to manage the organization to manage the incidentincident

Ops 15-3


OverviewOverview

High-rise: building 75 feet or High-rise: building 75 feet or greater in heightgreater in height

Buildings less than 75-feet height Buildings less than 75-feet height high may present similar difficultieshigh may present similar difficulties

If fire on top floors of four- or five-If fire on top floors of four- or five-story building, treat as high-risestory building, treat as high-rise

Ops 15-4


Knowledge of BuildingKnowledge of Building

““Old” or “new” style construction?Old” or “new” style construction?

Built-in life safety and fire Built-in life safety and fire protection—where and how do they protection—where and how do they operate?operate?

Current occupancy?Current occupancy?

Floors compartmented?Floors compartmented?

Open space?Open space?

Old StyleOld Style

Ops 15-6


Old-Style CharacteristicsOld-Style Characteristics

Bearing wall—masonryBearing wall—masonry Most reinforced concrete—some Most reinforced concrete—some

notnot Large mass (weight)Large mass (weight) Less likely to collapseLess likely to collapse Floors/walls—reinforced concreteFloors/walls—reinforced concrete Many have unreinforced masonryMany have unreinforced masonry

New StyleNew Style

Ops 15-8


New-Style CharacteristicsNew-Style Characteristics

Core construction—but not allCore construction—but not all Steel skeleton—column, beam, and Steel skeleton—column, beam, and

girdergirder Elevators, stairs, utilities in coreElevators, stairs, utilities in core Center core constructionCenter core construction Less mass (weight)—more Less mass (weight)—more

vulnerable to heatvulnerable to heat

Ops 15-9


New-Style Characteristics New-Style Characteristics (continued)(continued)

Floors have been known to sag 2 Floors have been known to sag 2 feetfeet

Sprayed-on coating on steelSprayed-on coating on steel

Some new high-rises constructed Some new high-rises constructed without corewithout core

– Stairs, elevators, and utilities at Stairs, elevators, and utilities at various places buildings—mainly on various places buildings—mainly on exterior wallsexterior walls

CoreCore

Ops 15-11


Structural Framing SystemsStructural Framing Systems

Skeleton of the buildingSkeleton of the building

Both styles use interior and exterior Both styles use interior and exterior columnscolumns

Ops 15-12


Exterior Walls—Both StylesExterior Walls—Both Styles

Poured in-place concrete—old stylePoured in-place concrete—old style Prefabricated—new stylePrefabricated—new style

– Walls lighter weight than old styleWalls lighter weight than old style

Ops 15-13


Exterior Walls—New StyleExterior Walls—New Style

Bolts to structural frame Bolts to structural frame or floor slabor floor slab

Leaves space between Leaves space between wall and floorwall and floor

Unless sealed, can lead to Unless sealed, can lead to fire and smoke extension fire and smoke extension to floors above and water to floors above and water damage to floors belowdamage to floors below

RoofRoof

Ops 15-15


Roofs—Both StylesRoofs—Both Styles

2-hour fire-restrictive rating2-hour fire-restrictive rating Know the:Know the:

– Stair shaft exitsStair shaft exits– Obstructions on the roofObstructions on the roof

Ops 15-16


Interior Partition Construction Interior Partition Construction and Compartmentation—Old and Compartmentation—Old StyleStyle Interior walls—poured concreteInterior walls—poured concrete High level of compartmentationHigh level of compartmentation Walls usually go from floor to to Walls usually go from floor to to

floorfloor

Ops 15-17


Interior Partition Construction Interior Partition Construction and Compartmentation—New and Compartmentation—New StyleStyle Interior partitions and walls usually Interior partitions and walls usually

drywall on a metal studdrywall on a metal stud May or may not be high-level of May or may not be high-level of

compartmentationcompartmentation

Ops 15-18


Electrical SystemsElectrical Systems

Systems extremely Systems extremely complex and hazardouscomplex and hazardous

Chases one cause of Chases one cause of vertical fire spreadvertical fire spread

Main electrical usually Main electrical usually located in basementlocated in basement

Utility company or building Utility company or building engineer should shut down engineer should shut down systemsystem

Electrical Chase

Elevator LobbyElevator Lobby

Ops 15-20


ElevatorsElevators

NormalNormal conditions—elevators only conditions—elevators only practical method of moving peoplepractical method of moving people

FireFire conditions—elevators become conditions—elevators become erratic and dangerouserratic and dangerous

Many control features affected by Many control features affected by smoke, moisture, and heatsmoke, moisture, and heat

Ops 15-21


Elevators—Safe UseElevators—Safe Use

Knowledge of how they workKnowledge of how they work

Maximum amount of people—5 to 6Maximum amount of people—5 to 6

Possible malfunctionsPossible malfunctions

What malfunctions can occur?What malfunctions can occur?

Ops 15-22


Elevators—HoistwaysElevators—Hoistways

Can be multiple elevators in Can be multiple elevators in hoistwayhoistway

Split-bank elevators—low, medium, Split-bank elevators—low, medium, high-risehigh-rise

Ops 15-23


Elevators—Emergency Service Elevators—Emergency Service FeatureFeature

Moves cars to designated locationMoves cars to designated location

May be activated by fire alarm May be activated by fire alarm systemsystem

Manual recall may be done by Manual recall may be done by switches in lobby, fire control room, switches in lobby, fire control room, or elevatoror elevator

Ops 15-24


Elevators—Good JudgmentElevators—Good Judgment

Can speed up initial investigation Can speed up initial investigation and fire controland fire control

Can malfunction and take you to Can malfunction and take you to the fire floorthe fire floor

Using stairs is safest methodUsing stairs is safest method Do not take elevator closer than Do not take elevator closer than

five floors to the fire floorfive floors to the fire floor Be prepared to take defensive Be prepared to take defensive

actionaction

Ops 15-25


Smoke Control SystemsSmoke Control Systems

Active systems prone to fail under Active systems prone to fail under fire conditionsfire conditions

Dirt and dust damage systemsDirt and dust damage systems If used for smoke removal, closely If used for smoke removal, closely

monitor the areamonitor the area Shut down system if notice any Shut down system if notice any

adverse affectsadverse affects

Ops 15-26


HVAC SystemsHVAC Systems

Under fire conditions, can pump Under fire conditions, can pump heat, smoke and toxins to other heat, smoke and toxins to other areasareas

Best approach—Shut down systemBest approach—Shut down system

Ops 15-27


HVAC Systems HVAC Systems (continued)(continued)

Older buildings:Older buildings:– Close switches that control intake fansClose switches that control intake fans– Switches may be in Mechanical Switches may be in Mechanical

Equipment Room (MER)Equipment Room (MER) Newer buildings:Newer buildings:

– System may automatically shut downSystem may automatically shut down– Systems may provide exhaust on fire Systems may provide exhaust on fire

floor and pressurization of floors floor and pressurization of floors above and belowabove and below

– Best bet—Shut down HVAC and use for Best bet—Shut down HVAC and use for smoke removal after fire controlledsmoke removal after fire controlled

Ops 15-28


Water SupplyWater Supply

Variety of water supply systems:Variety of water supply systems:

– 1 1/2-inch wet standpipe1 1/2-inch wet standpipe

– 2 1/2-inch dry standpipe2 1/2-inch dry standpipe

– 2 1/2-inch wet standpipe2 1/2-inch wet standpipe

– Sprinkler systemsSprinkler systems

Ops 15-29


Water Supply-WARNINGWater Supply-WARNING

Know outlet pressure—type of hose Know outlet pressure—type of hose and nozzle depends on this and nozzle depends on this information:information:– Typical pressure about 65 psiTypical pressure about 65 psi

– This pressure requires smoothbore tip This pressure requires smoothbore tip or low pressure fog nozzleor low pressure fog nozzle

– Fog nozzles requiring 100 psi at nozzle Fog nozzles requiring 100 psi at nozzle produce ineffective streamsproduce ineffective streams

Ops 15-30


Water SupplyWater SupplyPressure Control DevicesPressure Control Devices

Minimum pressure must be Minimum pressure must be available at top flooravailable at top floor

Pressure Relief Valves (PRV) often Pressure Relief Valves (PRV) often placed on lower floors to control placed on lower floors to control head pressurehead pressure

NFPA Standards #14 and #25 NFPA Standards #14 and #25 changed since Meridian firechanged since Meridian fire

Ops 15-31


Sprinkler SystemsSprinkler Systems

Required by codes in most states Required by codes in most states for new constructionfor new construction

Many older buildings do not have Many older buildings do not have sprinklerssprinklers

Preplanning—know zones the Preplanning—know zones the systems protectsystems protect

Most high-rises do not have Most high-rises do not have sprinklers unless retrofit lawsprinklers unless retrofit law

Ops 15-32


Portable Communications Portable Communications EquipmentEquipment

Can be ineffective at high-riseCan be ineffective at high-rise Places in building that prevent Places in building that prevent

signal reception and transmissionsignal reception and transmission Radio frequency affects Radio frequency affects

communications capabilitycommunications capability

Ops 15-33


Built-In Communications Built-In Communications SystemsSystems

Not found in old styleNot found in old style Hard-wired system—sound-Hard-wired system—sound-

powered phonespowered phones May exist in elevatorsMay exist in elevators Local codes should require Local codes should require

hard-wiredhard-wired Headsets should be kept at Headsets should be kept at

high-risehigh-rise Can reduce load on radio Can reduce load on radio

systemsystem

Ops 15-34


Smoke/Heat DetectorsSmoke/Heat Detectors

Floors may have themFloors may have them May or may not be connected to May or may not be connected to

enunciator panelenunciator panel Smoke detectors may be part of Smoke detectors may be part of

HVACHVAC Preplanning knowledge necessary Preplanning knowledge necessary

for effective decision-makingfor effective decision-making

Ops 15-35


Enunciator PanelEnunciator Panel

Know the locationKnow the location Know how to read the panelKnow how to read the panel

Ops 15-36


Fire Control Station/RoomFire Control Station/Room

Should provideShould provide– Specific information on alarmsSpecific information on alarms– Fire protection systems statusFire protection systems status

Often have building Often have building communications system to:communications system to:– Warn occupantsWarn occupants– Provide two-way communications with Provide two-way communications with

elevators, fire pump rooms, and MERelevators, fire pump rooms, and MER May be located in the basementMay be located in the basement

Ops 15-37


Fire Behavior and Fire SpreadFire Behavior and Fire Spread

Elements that affect fire extension:Elements that affect fire extension:– Stack effectStack effect

– Negative stack effectNegative stack effect

– Vertical extensionVertical extension

– Core constructionCore construction

– Fire loadingFire loading

– Heat build-upHeat build-up

Ops 15-38


ICS for High-Rise IncidentsICS for High-Rise Incidents

Staging area managerStaging area manager—located two —located two to three floors below fire floorto three floors below fire floor

Base managerBase manager—located where —located where apparatus parked, usually 200+ feet apparatus parked, usually 200+ feet from buildingfrom building

Lobby control unit leaderLobby control unit leader—organizes —organizes lobby for incoming resources, lobby for incoming resources, determines attack and evacuation determines attack and evacuation stairs, and provides personnel to stairs, and provides personnel to operate elevatorsoperate elevators

Ops 15-39


ICS for High-rise Incidents ICS for High-rise Incidents (continued)(continued)

System unit leaderSystem unit leader—responsible for —responsible for all building systems and their all building systems and their effective operationeffective operation

Ground support unit leaderGround support unit leader——provides for movement of supplies provides for movement of supplies to staging by way of stair shaftto staging by way of stair shaft

Ops 15-40


ICS - 8th Floor FireICS - 8th Floor Fire

Safety

Liaison

Inform ation

Staging6th Floor

Division8

Division9

RescueGroup

VentGroup

Operations

ResourceUnit Leader

SituationUnit Leader

Planning

BaseM anager

Lobby ControlUnit Leader

Ground SupportUnit Leader

System sUnit Leader

Logistics

IncidentCom m ander

Ops 15-41


Activity 15.1: High-Rise Activity 15.1: High-Rise Simulation ExerciseSimulation Exercise

Sides A & B

Sides B & C

Side C

Lobby ElevatorsLobby Elevators

Typical Typical FloorFloor

BaBR

LR K

BaBR

LR K

BaBR

LR K

BaBR

LR K

BaBR

LR K

LR K

BR Ba

LR K

BR Ba

LR K

BR Ba

LR K

BR Ba

LR K

BR Ba

BaBR

LR

BaBR

LR

E

EK K

Stair#1

Stair#2

LL Street

NTypical FloorTonnalee Apartments

22ndStreet

Ops 15-52


Module SummaryModule Summary

Pre-incident planningPre-incident planning– Construction characteristicsConstruction characteristics– Structural features—building systems Structural features—building systems

and fire control roomsand fire control rooms ICS functions for high-rise incidentsICS functions for high-rise incidents

– Staging area managerStaging area manager– Base managerBase manager– Lobby control unit leaderLobby control unit leader– Systems unit leaderSystems unit leader– Ground support unit leaderGround support unit leader

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United States Fire Administration Chief Officer Training Curriculum Operations Module 15: High-Rise...

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