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Broward County High Rise Firefighting Procedures
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Broward County High Rise Firefighting Procedures
Broward County High Rise Firefighting Procedures
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1
Question
What defines a high-rise structure for firefighting operations in this document?
Page 1
Answer
A building fifty (50) feet or more in height. The building may be residential, commercial, or mixed-use property.
2
Question
What is the primary purpose of this high-rise procedures document?
Page 1
Answer
To enhance life safety and fire suppression operations at high-rise structures in Broward County.
3
Question
What challenges do high-rise fires present to firefighters according to the SOG?
Page 1
Answer
Increased reflex time to remote fire, possibility of large number of victims, standpipes, and required knowledge to control building systems.
4
Question
What components make up this high-rise document?
Page 1
Answer
Standard SOG, tactical worksheets (FOGs), terminology, and an appendix on best practices and hazards.
5
Question
Who is intended to use this SOG and reference document?
Page 1
Answer
All Fire Rescue agencies within Broward County to increase safety and effectiveness at high-rise fires.
6
Question
What are the overall objectives of high-rise procedures?
Page 1
Answer
Establish benchmarks to mitigate incidents increasing life safety, define terminology and tactics, increase knowledge of systems like standpipes and HVAC, describe high-hazard events and mitigation tactics.
7
Question
What are the primary operational objectives in high-rise incidents?
Page 1
Answer
Life safety first, followed by incident mitigation and property conservation. Prioritize initial attack line, stairwells control, and water supply for maximum life safety impact.
8
Question
What is the first arriving unit officer responsible for upon arrival?
Page 2
Answer
Size-up, locating fire alarm panel, assessing fire location and hazards to occupants, securing elevator for Fire Department use.
9
Question
What decision must the initial arriving unit officer/crew make?
Page 2
Answer
Whether the incident warrants investigation or quick-fire attack mode.
10
Question
What should the initial officer transmit to incoming units?
Page 2
Answer
Findings from size-up, alarm panel, building reps/occupants, and whether in investigation or fire attack mode.
11
Question
In investigation mode, what should the initial officer do on the fire floor?
Page 2
Answer
Recon using full PPE, forcible entry tools, minimum extinguisher. Consider staging high-rise kit and hose in stairwell.
12
Question
How many firefighters are needed per attack line in fire attack mode?
Page 2
Answer
Minimum of 4, preferred 5 or 6 FF’s for efficient hose management and OSHA 2 in/2 out compliance.
13
Question
What equipment should be brought to the lobby for fire attack team?
Page 2
Answer
High-rise kit, high-rise hose bundles (2 or 2.5 inch preferred), conventional forcible entry tools, multipurpose extinguisher, Hydraulic Forcible Entry Tool (HFT).
14
Question
When should elevators be used versus stairs for fire/smoke reports?
Page 2
Answer
Above seven (7) stories, use elevators with caution. Below seventh floor, use stairs.
15
Question
What checks are needed before using elevators returned to main egress floor?
Page 3
Answer
Check elevator shaft for presence of water and smoke with ECF. If present, do not use; if clear, put into Fire Department Use (Phase II).
16
Question
What should ECF do in elevator car during Phase II operations?
Page 3
Answer
Stay in car to ensure doors do not close, leaving firefighters stranded. Return car to main egress floor.
17
Question
Where should high-rise hose bundles connect to standpipe before deployment?
Page 3
Answer
Connect to 2.5-inch outlet on floor below fire, couple together prior to deployment in attack stairwell.
18
Question
What should be avoided on standpipes for maximum fire flow?
Page 3
Answer
Gated wyes and/or water thieves connected to standpipe in high-rise deployments.
19
Question
What option aids monitoring standpipe water pressure without extra personnel?
Page 3
Answer
Connect gate valve and flow meter after first 50 feet of hose to outlet, place in protected stairwell on/near fire floor.
20
Question
What initial duties does the second arriving unit officer assume?
Page 3
Answer
Duties of Lobby Control Officer as described in next section.
21
Question
What are the initial functions of the Lobby Control Officer?
Page 4
Answer
Begin accountability, designate/transmit stairwells, control alarm panel (use PA first), contact building rep (pref maintenance), verify systems, assist locating utilities.
22
Question
Why prefer maintenance personnel as building representative?
Page 4
Answer
Best knowledge of HVAC, other features, Knox Box keys, special needs occupants, meter rooms, gas lines, power shunts.
23
Question
How early must attack and evacuation stairwells be designated?
Page 4
Answer
As early in incident as possible by Lobby Control/IC communicating with interior crews for smoke/fire assessment.
24
Question
What water supply priority note exists for Class 1/III standpipes?
Page 4
Answer
High priority to back up in-house fire pump, but consider dedicating personnel to working attack line first in engineered systems with functioning pump.
25
Question
What should second arriving Driver Engineer do for FDC supply?
Page 5
Answer
Establish hydrant water supply, supply FDC with two 2.5 or 3-inch hose lines in close proximity.
26
Question
What pressures may some standpipe systems require with PRVs?
Page 5
Answer
Very high operating pressures in excess of 300 PSI, identified above FDC. Requires tandem pumping or 4-way valve.
27
Question
How verify if pumping to check valve only in standpipe system?
Page 5
Answer
Temporarily close FDC discharges, reopen; if gauges no drop/spike, pumping to check valve. Crack another discharge to cool pump.
28
Question
What role for third arriving Driver Engineer if second assists attack line?
Page 5
Answer
Initiate water supply actions. Remainder of crew as Aide to Command/Lobby Control or evacuation/incident priorities.
29
Question
What do fourth, fifth, sixth arriving units check in for?
Page 5
Answer
With Command for prioritization of Search, RIT, Staging, Ventilation, Rehab based on conditions/progress.
30
Question
What is the priority for establishing RIC at high-rise fires?
Page 5
Answer
High priority for full RIC Group beyond 2 in/2 out or Initial RIC.