Fires in timber framed buildings under construction PN818 Flashcards
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Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
What are the main hazards associated with fires in timber framed buildings under construction?
- rapid fire spread.
- early collapse of building and scaffolding.
- high levels of radiated heat.
- limited access and egress.
- adverse ground conditions including trenches
- Combustable building materials & plant
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
Why are the risks of fire in timber framed buildings significantly reduced once construction is complete?
Completed timber framed buildings comply with relevant building regulations and therefore fire spread and development will be reduced.
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
How will station based staff normally be made aware of timber framed buildings being contructed on their ground?
Regulatory fire safety (RFS) will inform station-based personnel of any identified timber framed buildings being constructed on their ground, as part of the station notification procedure. If during the course of their activities watches identify the location of timber framed buildings under construction they should inform their local fire safety office and visit the site.
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
What planning should station based staff carry out on construction sites with timber framed buildings?
Regular 7(2)(d) visits should be undertaken to familiarise crews with local timber framed construction sites in conjunction with representatives/authorised persons from building contractor/site representative
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
When performing familiarisation visits to construction sites with timber framed buildings, what should crews pay particular attention to?
- Size and flow rates from local fire hydrants.
- Identifying which, if any, surrounding buildings and structures would be at immediate risk from the radiated heat from a fire.
- Combustable building materials & equipment
- Consider additional appliances required on the PDA
- Identify a RVP
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
What En-route actions should the the IC be considering?
- MDT
- Crews to be rigged in full PPE
- Inform crews of all information gathered and hazards likely to be encountered.
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
What on arrival tactics should the IC consider?
- siting of appliances
- attending the pre determined RVP
- securing a water supply
- identifying surrounding risks e.g buildings and cars
- maintaining access and egress routes
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
What firefighting tactics should the IC consider?
- A defensive approach If no rescues are required.
- Evacuation, If the building is partially occupied.
- Deploying covering jets to surrounding risks.
- Aerial appliances as water towers ( consider water loading).
- Weight of attack.
- Thermal image cameras to detect hotspots and identify fire growth within the structure particularly in cavities within the building.
- Deploying safety officers
- Only using scaffolding to undertake rescues where there is an immediate risk to life and where no other means of reaching those requiring rescue is available.
- Only deploying teams elsewhere in the building once the location & severity of the fire is known and the risk/benefit considered.
- Protecting access & egress routes of crews.
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
If tasks are required to be carried out elsewhere in the building i.e. rescue, what should the IC ensure?
The location and severity of the fire must be confirmed and the IC is satisfied it can be tactically controlled,
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
What must be considered before committing BA crews elsewhere to the fire?
Any benefit to be derived from committing personnel beyond the fire and/or elsewhere in the building must be properly assessed and then balanced against the risks present before undertaking such tasks.
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
What must the IC ensure when crews are undertaking tasks in the building or compartment which are supplementary to direct firefighting?
The IC must ensure that their way out of the building is fully protected at all times by the deployment of sufficient additional BA teams, jets and equipment.
Fires in timber framed buildings under construction
If water supply problems, what should the IC consider?
The IC should consider the attendance of;
- bulk media advisor
- Hose laying unit
- High volume pump
