Multiple Dwellings

Question 0

OLD LAW TENEMENTS

Answer 0

• Built before 4/12/01
• 3 to 7 stories high
• 20’ to 25’ wide / 50’ to 85’ deep
• Class 3 NFP Construction (Note in Ladders 3 Figure 7A refers to steel “H” columns and steel “I” beams in NLT or RENOVATED OLT)
• In 1934 most OLTs were required to fire retard the stairway enclosure.
• Stairway to the cellar is located INSIDE the building, usually beneath interior stair.

Question 1

HOW HIGH DO DIVIDING WALLS GO IN MDS “CUT”

Answer 1

Prior to 4/18/29 - as high as top floor (C)eiling

Between 1930 and 1940 - firewalls carried to (U)nderside of roof board

After 1940 - firewalls carried to the (T)op of roof boards

Prior to 4/18/29 = floor areas broken up into 2500 sq feet or less

After 4/18/29 = floor areas broken up into 3000 sq feet or less

30-30 rule = After 30 / 3000 square feet

Question 2

NEW LAW TENEMENTS BUILT AFTER 4/12/01 AND BEFORE 1916

Answer 2

• 6 to 7 stories high
• 35’ to 50’ frontage / 85’ deep
• 1st floor (cellar ceiling) is of fireproof construction and unpierced
• Entrance to cellar is via exterior stairs
• Interior stairs are fireproof and enclosed in partitions of fireproof construction
• All interior walls and furred partitions are fire stopped at each story.
• Steel “I” beams found, generally supported by masonry walls.

Question 3

NEWER TYPES OF NLTS ERECTED BETWEEN 1916 AND 1929

Answer 3

• Much larger floor area (150’ x 200’)
• Floor areas broken up into units of 2500 square feet or less
• Dividing walls only go as high as top floor ceiling
• Unprotected steel beams support some wood floor joists. Steel beams supported by vertical steel columns.
• Entrance to basement is by a side or rear door at that level via exterior stair from the 1st floor, or through a passageway in the FRONT of the building.

Question 4

IC CONSIDERATIONS AT MULTIPLE DWELLINGS

Answer 4

OLTs & NLTs

• For fire in an OLT or NLT, special call an EXTRA ENGINE & TRUCK for
  fire on 2 FLOORS. If progress is not made on at least ONE FLOOR IN
  A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, TRANSMIT A 2ND ALARM.
• If fire is in a SHAFT EXTENDING TO AN EXPOSURE, TRANSMIT A
  2ND ALARM.
• If fire is EXTENDING INTO 2 EXPOSURES, TRANSMIT A 3RD ALARM

NEWER TYPES OF NLTS (H TYPE MDS)

• An ADDITIONAL ENGINE & LADDER (beyond a full 1st alarm) should
  be called for a MEDIUM FIRE CONDITION, when it is anticipated that
  2 LINES WILL BE REQUIRED.
• If 2 FLOORS ARE INVOLVED, OR AT EXTENSIVE COCKLOFT FIRES,
  it will generally be necessary to transmit a 2nd alarm.
• When transmitting 2nd or greater alarms for fires which have entered
  the cockloft of large “H” type buildings, the IC should consider calling
  additional BCs to cover critical sectors and/or exposures. These
  additional BCs could be assigned as top floor sector supervisor, roof
  sector supervisor, or as needed.

Question 5

SIGNAL 10-77 “WAHN”

Answer 5

Should provide sufficient units to initially manage a medium fire and smoke condition in a HRFPMD.

“WAHN”

W - WIND IMPACTED

A - ADVANCED FIRE ON ARRIVAL

H - HEAVY SMOKE ON NUMEROUS FLOORS

N - NUMEROUS REPORTS OF PEOPLE IN DIFFICULTY

Question 6

HRFPMDS “WIND FACTOR”

Answer 6

• A major factor for smoke movement with HRFPMDs.
• Wind pressures external to building crate pressures within the structure ON BOTH the windward side (high pressure) and leeward side (low pressure) because of leakage through windows, walls or other openings, however small.
• The degree of increased internal pressure depends upon the extent of leakage.
• Wind blowing into a fire apartment before extinguishment will accelerate the fire into blow torch proportions, pushing fire and heat to lower pressure areas throughout the fire floor and building.
• Wind blowing into an apartment after a fire is controlled will push smoke to lower areas of pressure throughout the building.
• Wind blowing across the roof level is also a factor to consider. If it is blowing into an open roof bulkhead door it will cause heat and smoke to flow downward, causing the lower floors and/or lobbies to be contaminated with smoke during fire operations.
• Generally, wind moving across a roof level will cause a lower pressure to be created which can increase positive stack effect inside the stairwell regardless of which side of the building the wind is impacting or position of the bulkhead on the roof.
• When the fire apartment door has been left in the open position and the windows fail, the public hall becomes an extension of the fire area.
• We must always consider the effects of wind at every fire encountered. Improper ventilation, even when the fire is on a lower floor, or appears to be minor can have disastrous results.

Question 7

ELEVATORS (HRFPMDs)

Answer 7

• The 1st arriving ladder company shall RECALL elevators whether or
  not they will be used.
• The 2nd to arrive ladder company shall ENSURE that all elevators are
  RECALLED AND SEARCHED.
• Regardless of the fire floor, IC MUST ENSURE that all elevators are
  recalled, searched and controlled early in the operation, preventing
  civilians from placing themselves in danger by entering the elevator
  cars during the incident.
• LRFPMDs = RESCUE & SQUAD account for all elevators
• Overloading of elevators must be avoided or the units responding will
  be delayed arriving at the fire/emergency floor. A stalled elevator car is
  an elevator car out of service. Look for maximum load signs and
  consider each member and their equipment to be GREATER THAN
  275 POUNDS.
• After all units are in position, and TWO elevators are available and
  serviceable, maintain ONE elevator on standby in the lobby and ONE
  TWO FLOORS BELOW the fire. This would allow the transport of
  members required for relief and or transport of injured members or
  civilians down to the lobby.

Question 8

2ND LADDER COMPANY TO ARRIVE AT A FIRE IN A HRFPMD

Answer 8

• After searching hallway on the fire floor, initiate a search of THE
  ATTACK STAIRWAY FOR FIVE FLOORS ABOVE THE FIRE to search
  for any building occupants that may have tried to evacuate using
  these stairs.
• Cross reference the above paragraph which is correct for HRFPMDs, with High Rise Office Building procedures below.
• HROB procedures = Fire Sector Supervisor ensures that the attack
  stairway has been cleared of building occupants FOR ST LEAST
  FIVE FLOORS ABOVE THE FIRE.
• Also under the 3rd truck in HROB bulletin, they focus on the attack
  stairway for a reasonable distance above the fire floor.
• The 4th arriving ladder company shall be assigned similarly, to
  operate on the upper floors and to initiate the search of the attack
  stairway (HROB)

Question 9

Which point below about fires in HRFPMDs is incorrect?

A) A priority when performing building inspection in a HRFPMD should be to verify that stairways are correctly labeled.

B) If it is decided that an apartment door should be forced to provide an area of refuge, the door selected must be to an apartment that is entirely on the opposite side of the building as the fire apartment.

C) The signal 10-77 will be given at all HRFPMDs where fire is visible from the exterior on arrival, or other factors indicate the need for the 10-77 assigned units, such as wind impacted conditions.

D) A 10-75 may be the initial signal used at these fires when internal conditions cannot be accurately determined on arrival.

E) A 10-77 can only be used for fires, where as a 10-75 can be used for fires and emergencies.

Answer 9

B) If it is decided that an apartment door should be forced to provide an area of refuge, the door selected must be to an apartment that is entirely on the opposite side of the building as the fire apartment. (INCORRECT)

(FFP MDs HRFPMD SECTION 6)

• Force a door that is entirely on the SAME SIDE of building as the fire
  apartment. This will prevent fire from being drawn across the hall if the
  fire apartment windows fail, putting members in the flow path.

Question 10

Which member will obtain the Post Radio from the 1st arriving Battalion Chief and bring it to the standpipe outlet where the first hose line is being connected and establish a communication link on the Command Channel between the fire sector and the IC, if necessary, at a fire in a HRFPMD?

A) 1st due Engine officer

B) 2nd due Engine officer

C) 1st due Truck officer

D) 2nd due Truck officer

E) None of the above

Answer 10

B) 2nd due Engine officer

(FFP MDs 6.2.2)

• Fire sector supervisor is usually 2nd arriving BC, however 2nd BC is usually not on scene when second Engine arrives, so only one Post Radio is on scene, which the first BC has. Once 2nd BC arrives, he leaves his Post Radio with the IC (1st arriving BC) and then proceeds to location of the 2nd due Engine officer (who has 1st BCs Post Radio) and established fire sector if ordered to do so by the IC.

Question 11

ROOFS OF MULTIPLE DWELLINGS

Answer 11

1) Most Common Roof

      A) Roof boards fastened directly to the main roof beams

      B) Top floor ceiling several feet below main roof beams

      C) Provides for a very sturdy roof

2) Inverted, Raised, or Reversed Roof

      A) Main roof beams at ceiling level

      B) 2x4 framework raised above main roof beams with roof 
          boards attached.

      C) Normally springy

      D) Heavy body of fire in the cockloft, except PARTIAL COLLAPSE

      E) Normally pitched for water run off

Question 12

TRENCH CUTS

Answer 12

1) Defensive operation
2) At least 3’ wide, cut between suitable fire stops.
3) About 20’ from main vent hole
4) Large hole over fire area
5) Cut at narrowest section of roof
6) Take advantage of bulkheads, shafts, skylights within the structure
7) DO NOT utilize fire walls within the structure

8) 2 inspection holes on the fire side of the trench. When fire reaches
inspection holes, open the trench.

9) Keep all personnel off the fire side of the trench

10) Charged line in position on the roof (for protection). This line may be
operated into the trench in a brief sweeping side to side motion.