STRIP MALL FIRES SOG Quarterly Training May 2013

STRIP MALL FIRES SOG Quarterly Training May 2013

STRIP MALL S. O. G. Terminology Building Construction Keys to Incident Resolution First Alarm

TERMINOLOGY Strip Mall § A long building consisting of a row of various stores, restaurants, or businesses that open onto a common parking lot. § The building may be a single row, L-shaped, multiple stories.

TERMINOLOGY Mansard § Any portion of roof that extends past the perimeter walls that contains void spaces. § Usually designed for hiding air handling equipment, shielding the front of the building from sun and rain and displaying signage. § Usually known in the construction industry as “Fascia” § Rarely have fire stopping which makes horizontal fire spread easy. § 2 common types in Glendale § Cantilever § Hung § May be supported or unsupported

MANSARDS

MANSARD

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Cantilever Mansard § Constructed by having roof joists run past the exterior wall. § A truss can be cantilevered 1/3 of it’s length. § If joist burns through, a teeter-totter effect can cause the cantilevered portion to collapse, crushing whatever or whoever happens to be underneath it. (Pennsylvania Fire)

CANTILEVER CONSTRUCTION

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Hung Mansard § Typically nailed or bolted to a ledger board that is nailed or bolted to the exterior of the building. § Inherently weak and has collapsed without any fire involvement.

VIDEO

KEYS TO INCIDENT RESOLUTION STOP THE HORIZONTAL SPREAD OF FIRE How do strip malls burn to the ground? § Strip malls have common attics, partition walls, drop ceilings and overhangs/mansards/facades that promote rapid horizontal spread of fire. Rapid deployment of initial attack line to locate, confine, and extinguish fire to the unit of origin. Deploy additional hose lines in adjacent units and aggressively pull ceilings to search for and to stop horizontal spread of fire in the attic. Investigate the mansard to determine the presence or absence of fire. NO FIREBLOCKING is common. Aggressive vertical ventilation and assessment for the need of strip ventilation.

FIRST ONSCENE - ENGINE Enroute considerations § Time of day § Weather § Smoke showing – Where are other engines coming from? Where is your hydrant? Lay a line in? Size Up § Make a clear and concise size-up that provides a description of the building type, the type and severity of conditions present, the location of conditions and the actions being taken.

INDEX THE BUILDING

FIRST ONSCENE – ENGINE Rescue is ALWAYS the first priority. No Rescue = 2 out! Risk a lot to save a lot! Order needed resources 360 is imperative! Does the structure have a secondary means of entry/ egress. What kind of forcible entry is needed? Locate and Confine the fire § Choose the correct hose line. Offensive or defensive? § interior attack with primary search; 1 ¾” quick and mobile § Heavy Fire showing in one unit – consider 2 ½” with straight bore for penetration Pull ceilings to check for extension Do not stage crews or operate under mansards Be prepared to take command of the incident.

FIRST ONSCENE - ENGINE

SECOND AND THIRD ENGINES Water Supply Assist with search Exposures – Use Rear Access if possible RIC Think ahead regarding exposures Pull ceilings, get lines in place and coordinate operations with truck if possible. 2 story structure working above the fire § Remember that lightweight construction is used in floor joists. Sound the floor above fire units! If fighting fire in mansard, consider CAFS for reduced water weight. * *This is the opinion of the presenter and not in the document

FIRST ONSCENE – TRUCK Laddering § Do not ladder mansards. Operate off of aerial if possible § You can’t have too many ladders

FIRST ONSCENE - TRUCK Ventilation Priorities § Open the mansard, from the back if possible. Consider opening from an end, and underneath is your last resort. § DO NOT CUT ON A LIGHTWEIGHT ROOF OVER FIRE § Heat hole as close to fire as is safe § Think ahead for strip ventilation. Include mansard in your strip. § Give up enough real estate to be able to complete your task! § Communicate with your second truck Be prepared to take command Forcible Entry

VENTILATION Ventilation § Cut indicator holes and observe other indicators to identify roof construction as soon as possible.

SECOND TRUCK Be prepared to take command Secondary ladder(s) You can’t have too many! Spot for defensive actions Coordinate with first in truck to cut off fire with multiple strips Handline to the roof Forcible Entry RIC

LOCATE, CONFINE, EXTINGUISH • Size up – 360 • Alternate Entry • Resources • Primary search • Water on the fire • Handline(s) in the exposure(s) • Heat hole and strip • Cut the fire off before it runs the attic and mansard • Soften the Building

BE SAFE OUT THERE