Washington Twp. Fire & Rescue

Provides information on NFPA 1001, Standards for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications

Objectives

Describe the effects of fire and suppression activities on the common building materials.

Describe items to be observed during size-up of a building.

Describe dangerous building conditions created by a fire or by actions taken while trying to extinguish a fire.

Objectives Continued

Identify indicators of building collapse.

Describe actions to take when imminent building collapse is suspected.

Describe building conditions that create additional risk in construction, renovation, and demolition.

IC's, fire officers, and firefighters must be able to identify the buildings in which they fight

fires. Fire behavior, fire travel, and the potential for structural failure are critical pieces

of information that can be gained simply by reading a building and understanding

construction characteristics for each classification or type of building.

The stability of a structure is dependent on the structural elements designed, engineered, and installed to support the total weight of the structure and its contents.

Every ounce of the structure's weight and the weight of its contents is applying pressure, and gravity is constantly trying to pull it to the ground.

Review

Type I

Know as fire-resistive construction, it maintains its structural integrity during a fire. Intended to allow occupants time to exit a building. This construction consists mainly of reinforced concrete with structural members that retard the spread of fire through the building. The primary fire hazard in this construction is the interior finishes.

Strengths

Resists direct flame impingement Confines fire well Little collapse potential from the

effects of fire alone Impervious to water damage.

Weaknesses

Difficult to breach for escape/access Difficult to ventilate Massive debris following collapse Floors, ceilings, and walls retain

heat

Type II

Known as noncombustible construction, it is made up of the same materials as fire-resistive construction except that the components lack the insulation or other protection of a type I. It has a rating on all parts of the structure. Materials like wood can only be used in limited quantities. Heat build up can cause members to fail. Fire extension to the roof can lead to eventual roof involve and fail.

Strengths

Almost as resistive to fire as Type I Confines fire well Almost as structurally stable as

Type I Easier to vertically vent than Type I

Weaknesses

Difficult to breach for access/escape Unprotected steel can fail due to

heat Roof less stable than Type I Steel components subject to

weakening by rust and corrosion Massive debris following collapse

Type III

Know as ordinary construction, it requires that the exterior walls and structural members be made of noncombustible or limited combustible materials such as concrete, clay, and brick. The primary fire concern specific to this construction is the problem with fire and smoke spreading through concealed spaces. Fire stops can help reduce with this spread.

Strengths

Resists fire spread from outside

Relatively easy to vertically ventilate

Weaknesses

Interior structural members vulnerable to fire involvement

Fire spread potential through concealed spaces

Susceptible to water damage

Type IV

Known as heavy-timber construction, it requires that exterior and interior walls and associated members be made of noncombustible or limited combustible materials. Type IV was used extensively in old factories, mills, churches; but is rarely used today. Primary fire hazard is the massive amount of combustible contents from the members as well as content. Although Type IV remains stable for long periods of time under a fire condition, they give off tremendous amounts of heat.

Strengths

Resists collapse due to flame impingement

Stable Relatively easy to ventilate Relatively easy to breach for

access/escape Manageable debris following collapse

Weaknesses

Susceptible to fire spread from the outside

Potential for fire spread to other structures

Susceptible to rapid interior flame spread Susceptible to water damage

Type V

Know as wood-frame construction, its walls, floors, roofs, and other supports are made completely or partially of wood or materials of smaller dimension than Type IV. Most common type of construction. Used to construct most single-family residence. It has the highest potential for fire extension.

Strengths

Easy to breach Resistant to collapse from

earthquakes due to its light weight and flexibility

Collapse debris is relatively easy to manage

Weaknesses

Susceptible to fire spread from the outside

Susceptible to rapid flame spread inside

Susceptible to total collapse due to fire of explosion

Susceptible to water damage

Size Up

The size up of a structure is one of the first tasks to be completed by the first-in company. It allows all incoming units to have an idea of what they are about to arrive to. It also has a large roll in giving a firefighter a “situational awareness” plan. The incoming companies will arrive and be able to start their assigned tasks quicker knowing what they dealing with, and not have to take the extra time looking at and assessing the situation.

Size Up, continued

Things the firefighters need to take into account in the size up, and may add to the broadcast are:

Age of the building (are there signs of weathering or deterioration?) Construction materials (is it all metal, concrete, brick with cable tattle-

tails?) Roof type (is it arched or lightweight?) Renovations or modifications (have rooms or sections been added,

facades or false ceilings?) Dead loads (are there large HVAC units, water tanks, or heavy objects on

the roof?) Exposures Occupancy type Other visible hazards

Building construction information is a key part of size-up.

Proper identification of the building and its occupancy will provide valuable information.

Utilities and building services: Plumbing

Electrical

Heating

Air conditioning

Ventilation for restrooms

Stair systems

Elevators

Fire protection systems

These items should be recorded on a Pre-Fire Plan.

Dangerous Building Conditions

There are two primary types of dangerous building conditions that may be posed by a building

Conditions that contribute to the spread and/or add to the intensity of the fire

Conditions that make the building susceptible to collapse

Other dangerous building conditions

Fire loading

Combustible furnishings and finishes

Roof coverings

Wooden floors and ceilings

Large, open spaces

Water weight

Give examples to each above

Collapse

All firefighter should have knowledge of the indicators of building collapse. We all know that collapse is possible whenever there is heavy fire involvement, high heat, and excessive water usage. Some other indicators are:

Cracks or separations in walls, floors, ceilings, and roof structures Evidence of existing structural instability such as the presence or

tie rods or star that hold walls together Loose bricks, blocks, or stones or the debris around the structure Deteriorated mortar between masonry Walls that appear to be leaning Structural members that appear distorted

Collapse, continued

Material that can support/add to collapse:

Gusset plates/gang nails

Steel or wooden trusses

Bowstring construction

Wooden I-beams

Glues

*Note*

As units arrive, it is the OIC, truck officer’s and engineer’s responsibility to insure the placement of the apparatus is out of the collapse zone and that the equipment and personnel are in a safe area.

Construction, Renovation, and Abandoned Hazards

Buildings under construction, renovation or abandoned are extremely vulnerable to fire due to the building materials are open and exposed. Dry wall and other coverings are not yet installed or are just missing. There are a lack of doors and other barriers that would normally slow fire spread. Other contributing factors are the additional fire loads and ignition sources brought by contractors and their associated equipment. Voids and concealed spaces are created such as rain roofs (second roof installed over an old roof) installed in roofs that are beyond repair, mansard fascias, and secondary floors.

Summary

Failure to recognize the potential dangers of a type of construction and effects that fire, heat, and water play may have on it, can be catastrophic to firefighters. For everyone's safety we all must have the basic knowledge of building construction. Knowledge of methods, materials, and designs and how anything we do any effect the building (ventilation, water suppression, breaching, ect). This information will help promote a safer and more effective fire attack.