(Photos by author.)
“BREAD AND BUTTER OPERATIONS: THE 2 1/2-STORY HOUSE FIRE PART 1—SIZE-UP
It’s 2:00 on a spring afternoon when your home alert tone breaks the silence. “Fire Control on the air for a reported house fire, on Broadway near First Street; unknown address.”
This scenario is repeated across the United States some one thousand times a day. According to the most recent statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, there were 359,000 fires in oneand two-family dwellings in 1990; and 17 of 50 firefighter deaths in buildings occurred in dwellings or apartments in 1991.
Although no two fires are alike, oneor two-room fires in these structures should become the “bread and butter” of your department’s operations. Standard operating procedures tailored to your department, along with proper training, can increase your “save” ratio.
As’ you respond, you start your size-up. “Umm, let’s see, Broadway and First. I wonder if it ‘s one of the old houses on the east side of the street; or maybe it’s one of the new ones, built with all the lightweight trusses; or maybe one of the ranches up that way. I wish ire had an address. It sure icould help set things up.”
Departments must keep abreast of all the new construction, remodeling, and renovating of existing buildings going on in their communities today. Don’t be caught short because a builder used lightweight trusses in a new development and nobody in your department was aware of it.
“Fire Control to Car l. We now hare a second cal! reporting that the fire is in a house at J5 Broadway; additional calls indicate that this is a working fire. ”
“Car 1: Received.’’
OK 35 Broadway should be one of those older 2 1/2-story frames. We’re got pretty good water up there, and there shouldn ’t be much of an exposure problem.
“Fngine / to Fire Control: We hat e a 2 1/2-story frame house, heavy smoke showing pom the first floor. ”
Oh boy, I sure hope these guys remember our drills!
ON-SCENE SIZE-UP
All department members who enter burning buildings should be required to undergo extensive training in all aspects of interior firefighting, including SCBA, safety, ventilation, engine and truck operations, and construction. One area that generally is overlooked is what I call “house sizing.” Firefighters should be able to look at most houses from the outside and be able to formulate a floor plan for that house. A bilevel in New York State has the same characteristics as a bilevel in California. Of course, not all houses follow this rule, but most houses of a particular design share similar floor plans. “Modern” or “contemporary” houses are an exception to this rule, as they often have unique layouts.
“Car / on the scene. / have a 2’/.>story, wood-frame private house with fire on the first floor rear, probably in the kitchen area. Companies are leading in with l⅝-inch handlines and searches are underway. Further particulars to follow.’’
The basic 2Vfc-story frame (or brick) house is prevalent throughout the country. Features commonly found in these houses include front and side/ rear entrances; living room, dining room, and kitchen on the first floor; and bedrooms and bathroom facilities on the second floor. Some of the attics have regular stairs, and some have only drop-dow n stairs. The basements are accessible from stairs in the kitchen or from a side door at grade level, which gives access to both the basement and the kitchen.
The major weakness of this type of house from a firefighting standpoint is the open staircase, which allows rapid movement of heat, smoke, and flames to the upper areas of the structure. Even under light fire conditions, such as from a couch or stuffed chair, untenable levels of smoke and gases can accumulate on the second floor (in the bedrooms).
“Car I to Fire Control: All visible fire on the first floor is knocked down. The search team has located and removed a victim from a secondfloor bedroom. Secondary search is now in progress. Crews are overhauling the fire area. ”
This open staircase requires that the upper level in this type of house always be searched for trapped victims. Even during the day, the bedroom cannot be overlooked —babies take naps, and some people work the night shift. Whether this search is accomplished from outside or inside is a matter of department policy.
Before conducting any operations, train personnel to size up the buildings they are about to enter. Look at windows, doorways, porches, and any other place that can help you determine the layout.
DRILL ON SIZE-UP
A drill to increase your department’s skill in “sizing-up” houses is easy to set up. All you need is a department member with a camera and a roll of film. Go around to your own members’ houses (with their permission) and take pictures. Include front, rear, and side shots. Using a slide projector, show these houses to your department and have members discuss the layouts of their own houses. Note similarities in layouts. This way members are exposed to an outside view of a house, accompanied by a “verbal” tour of the inside of the house.
Bring new’ construction of any type in the district to members’ attention in this manner also. The slides then can serve as a permanent record for future reference.
“Car 1 to Fire Control: The secondary search is complete and negative. The fire is under control. ”
“Boy, I guess these guys are paying attention. ”
Next: Engine company operations in 2 ½-story frames
