PD ch 4

Question 1

The ladder company officer conducting a search and examination on a floor in a private dwelling should be the only one to initiate the request for additional ventilation on that floor. All other ventilation must be strictly limited and controlled by the Incident Commander.

Answer 1

CHAUFFEUR, OV, AND ROOF FIREFIGHTERS (First To Arrive) GENERAL DUTIES:

4. Members proceeding to the side or rear must visually examine cellar windows to determine interior fire conditions. Members shall not vent windows unless ordered to do so by the Ladder Company Officer. All observations must be reported to the Ladder Company Officer and Incident Commander.
5. Survey the rear and sides for means of entry to cellar, other floors, window bars and rear extensions. Make an immediate handie-talkie notification to the Incident Commander, of means of entry and other conditions found.
   Note: Some buildings have exterior stairs to second floor (with no interior stairs) and fire escapes to attic.

Question 2

QUEEN ANNE DWELLINGS
-Due to their large size, elaborate construction features (especially the attic and roof area) and unique internal features, Queen Anne type private dwellings presents a far more complex fire problem than the average private dwelling.

• balllon framing
• Due to the number of firefighters that may be needed for portable ladder rescue and the number of sleeping areas that may have to be entered and searched, it is good practice to special call an additional ladder company. The Incident Commander will make this decision based upon conditions encountered. Roof ventilation at this type of fire is normally not an initial consideration. It is generally performed by a later arriving unit.
• 2nd or 3rd ladd vent roof

Answer 2

OPENING A PEAKED ROOF
A. Initial Vent Hole
1. The first hole should be made at the main gable.
2. A center hall usually follows the same direction as the main gable.
3. A hole at the main gable, with the ceiling pushed down, will vent the blind attic space, the knee walls and the attic hall and rooms below, allowing rapid line advancement and search by the inside team.
4. The power saw may only be used from the basket of a tower ladder as described in Firefighting Procedures, Ladders 6.

B-blind attic space
A-attic hall
R-rooms below
K- Knee wall