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Home My WebLink About202.023a - Center Hall Construction STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES MANUAL TACTICAL OPERATIONS 202.023a CENTER HALL CONSTRUCTION EFFECTIVE: JANUARY 2020 Current Revision Date: 03/14/22 Next Revision Date: 03/14/24 Author’s Name/Rank: John Creasy, Captain Review Level: 3 Administrative Support: Evelyn Yin-Zepeda, Management Analyst II ADA PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to establish a standard and consistent method for Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) members to combat fires occurring within buildings constructed with center hallways. APPLICATION This document provides tactical considerations and operational procedures for members responding to reported fires in buildings with center hall construction and is used in conjunction with the Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 202.023, Structure Fires. OPERATIONAL POLICY This section intentionally left blank. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE Additional alarms should be considered if smoke is showing. TAC channels should be utilized early in the incident. Utilization of divisions should be considered early. Fire protection systems should be supported early. A plan based on possibility of multiple life safety issues should be developed. Section 202.023a Page 1 of 10 PROCESS 1. First-In Officer/Apparatus: The first-in officer is instrumental to the organization of the overall incident. A well-organized incident is the key to ensuring the safety and accountability of all members on scene. The first in officer is responsible for: a. Size-Up: Conduct a size-up using the elements described in Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 202.023, Structure Fires. i. Use personal knowledge or existing pre-plans to assist with size-up. ii. Request additional alarms if smoke is visible. iii. Utilize TAC channels. iv. Assign division supervisors early, avoid using groups. b. Situational Awareness -Gather Intelligence: i. Visualize as much of the building as possible on arrival with a focus on determining location of fire. ii. High life hazard, avoid getting drawn into the rescue problem. iii. Early water is the fastest way to save largest number of people. iv. Make contact with onsite personnel. c. Ensure a 360 is Completed: i.Utilize division/companies to assist with 360. d. Roof Consideration: i. Flat roof construction is common. ii. Identification of bulkhead and interior stairwell access. Section 202.023a Page 2 of 10 e. Construction: i. Age of building and occupancy type will dictate the type of construction. 1) Older buildings both commercial and residential are likely Type 3. 2) New construction for both commercial and residential is likely Type 5. f. Occupant Load: i. High life hazard at all times. ii. Follow up radio report as described in Operating Procedures Manual, Section Structure Fires. Standard 202.023, g. Additional Considerations: i.Develop plan based on incident priorities. 1) Life vs. incident stabilization. 2) Declare “Rescue” early. ii. Rescue/evacuation vs. extinguishment. 1) Search/rescue/evacuation/shelter in place. 2) Utilization of Vent Enter Isolate Search (VEIS) for victim removal. 3) Utilize law enforcement for evacuation assistance in non-IDLH areas. h. Fire Protection Systems: i. Assign unit to support sprinkler system depending on strategy declared. 1) Sprinkler system is the best way to hold fire in check while crews search for seat of fire. Section 202.023a Page 3 of 10 i. Utilities: i. Locate on-site maintenance staff to assist. ii. Electrical utilities in buildings can vary. 1) Main breaker to building might be found outside or in an interior utility closet. 2) Individual units can panel for the unit. contain their own breaker iii. Coordinate with PG&E to confirm utilities are secure. j. Access: ii. Limited entrance and egress to complex. iii. Consider using a split lay for water supply utilizing first due engine. iv. Determine the best access for fire attack. k. Additional Apparatus Considerations: i. Consider optimal locations for trucks. 1) Stage early arriving engines to allow optimum placement of trucks. l. Fire Attack: i. Consider fire attack options. ii. Direct hallway access. iii. Hallway stretch. 1) Use only when hallway is non-IDLH and fire room door is closed. iv. Stairwell stretch. v. Set up attack lines in relative protection of enclosed stairwell. Section 202.023a Page 4 of 10 vi. Use two hose lines for fire attack. 1) One protects hallway as other extinguishes rooms. vii. Access from windows. viii. Ground/aerial ladders. ix. Access from adjacent rooms. m. Ventilation: i. Remove smoke from hallway to assist with evacuation. 1) Consider positive pressure of stairwells and hallways. ii. Top floor fire. iii. Consider vertical ventilation with hole over fire room and hallway. 1) Identify HVAC and use to remove smoke from uninvolved area. n. RIC: i. Assign RIC group supervisor. ii. Assign multiple RIC teams for crews working on different floors or from different entrances. o. EMS: i. Request additional EMS units for potential patients. ii. Request EMS supervisor to assign as Medical Branch Director. p. Salvage/Overhaul: i. Consider salvage of units below the fire for potential water damage. Section 202.023a Page 5 of 10 ii. Extensive overhaul will be required to ensure rekindle does not occur. Consider a fire watch. b. First Chief Officer: i. Refer to Standard Operating Procedures Manual, Section 202.023, Structure Fires. 1) Request additional alarms. 2) Maintain adequate resources in staging. INFORMATION Center hall construction is a building feature used to maximize floor space. It features multiple rooms/apartments accessed from a common hallway. Center hall construction is commonly found in a number of commercial occupancies including, but not limited to, apartment buildings, hotels, businesses, care facilities, schools, and hospitals. 1. Tactical Priorities: If the fire building is occupied with multiple residents, tactical considerations to consider include shelter residents in a safe area and begin early extinguishment. Proper placement of initial hand lines to contain/extinguish the fire and prevent fire extension into additional units is paramount. 2. Common Hazards: a. High risk for multiple persons to be trapped or endangered. b. Interior doors left open by fleeing civilians, allowing rapid fire and smoke spread to common areas. c. Open interior stairway allowing for rapid fire and smoke spread. d. Interior fire doors in hallways (if present) often disabled by residents. e. Skylights, bulkheads, scuttle ladders and covers, penthouses and fire escapes. f. Long hallways requiring lengthy hose lays. Section 202.023a Page 6 of 10 ARCUS I I 111 ITTTTIT ,------1 209 208 I 211 207 :::i: I 206 '" 205 ~1212 204 213 214 i. Building footprints include: H.I.L.O.T and U designs (See Photos below). Keep in mind certain buildings may contain elements of multiple designs, and variations are common. For example, Figure 3 (below) is primarily an “L” shape, but also has “T” and “O” design components. Figure 1: “H” Shape -Holiday Gardens -540 S Peach Avenue -Zone 52608 Figure 2: “I” Shape – Ramada Inn -5046 N. Barcus Avenue -Zone 42511 Section 202.023a Page 7 of 10 1-z £ ~ i f Very long driveway . Enter from Kings Canyon East of Armstrong . BARS T OW Figure 3: “L” Shape -California Armenia Home -6720 E. Kings Canyon Avenue - Zone 52633 Figure 4: “O” Shape -University Village -1680 E. Barstow Avenue -Zone 41588 Section 202.023a Page 8 of 10 Ca nal 202 20 1 238 237 102 103 136 135 204 203 236 235 104 105 134 206 205 233 >, "' 107 132 131 106 .! 207 <ii 231 208 I 109 129 108 209 229 102 1 128 127 216 228 225 119 Hallwa 214 217 218 222 113 114 117 118 122 Figure 5: “T” Shape – Fig Garden Villa Apartments – 1544 E, Fedora Avenue -Zone 46564 Figure 6: “U” Shape Sunnyside Glenn -5675 E. Balch Avenue -Zone 52625 Section 202.023a Page 9 of 10 DEFINITIONS 1. Center Hallway Construction: A building with multiple occupancies, either residential or business, in which their main entrance is accessed from a common hallway. 2. Type III Construction: A building with exterior masonry load-bearing walls and wood joist floors and roofs, interior bearing walls may be of wood frame, or, when required, an interior bearing wall that is a firewall is constructed of masonry. 3. Type V Construction: The walls and roofs of these buildings are made of combustible materials, most commonly wood. If the walls are wood framed, the roof usually is as well. CROSS-REFERENCES Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I & II Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 202.023, Structure Fires Training and Equipment Manual Section 301.005, Advancing/Operating Hose Lines Section 202.023a Page 10 of 10