Highrise Flashcards
1
Q
Air moving downward inside a tightly sealed building
A
reverse stack effect
2
Q
Leaving building occupants in place during a fire outbreak
A
protect-in-place
3
Q
Separation of fire gases into layers
A
stratification
4
Q
Smoke reaching the ceiling and moving laterally toward the walls
A
mushrooming
5
Q
Allowing communication with building occupants
A
public address system
6
Q
A void between the ceiling and the floor above
A
plenum
7
Q
Smoke generated by a sprinkler response to a small fire
A
cold smoke
8
Q
A non-load-bearing enclosing wall located on the outside of a structure
A
curtain wall
9
Q
express elevator
A
An elevator that travels only between upper floors
10
Q
A building with six or more stories
A
high-rise building
11
Q
Stairs that do not serve all building floors
A
isolated stairs
12
Q
Providing status information about circuits or conditions
A
annunciator panel
13
Q
A multistory open vertical space within a building
A
atrium
14
Q
What modification was made to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code in February 1976?
a) Addition of fire-resistant construction requirements
b) Requirement for fire control rooms in high-rise buildings
c) Installation of sprinkler systems in all buildings
d) Implementation of stricter elevator regulations
A
b) Requirement for fire control rooms in high-rise buildings
15
Q
What types of occupancies can be found in high-rise buildings?
a) Assisted living facilities, hospitals, and schools
b) Restaurants, gyms, and swimming pools
c) Retail stores and shopping malls
d) Manufacturing facilities and warehouses
A
b) Restaurants, gyms, and swimming pools
16
Q
Which of the following is a characteristic of residential high-rise buildings?
a) Center-core construction
b) Numerous interior compartments
c) Large open expanses on each floor
d) Atriums at the main entrance
A
b) Numerous interior compartments
17
Q
What is the purpose of a fire control room in a high-rise building?
a) To house security personnel
b) To monitor HVAC systems
c) To coordinate fire department operations
d) To store firefighting equipment
A
c) To coordinate fire department operations
18
Q
Which fire protection feature is required in high-rise buildings constructed after 1976?
a) Class 3 standpipe system
b) Firefighter service to the elevators
c) Full sprinkler protection
d) Local fire warning system
A
c) Full sprinkler protection
19
Q
What type of construction materials are commonly used in high-rise buildings constructed before 1976?
a) Steel and concrete
b) Wood and masonry
c) Glass and precast metal panels
d) Lightweight concrete
A
a) Steel and concrete
20
Q
What is a common feature of flat roofs in high-rise buildings?
a) Atriums for smoke control
b) Helicopter pads and communication equipment
c) Reinforced drywall interior walls
d) Masonry fire walls for separation
A
b) Helicopter pads and communication equipment
21
Q
What type of void space is often found in high-rise buildings with slab concrete floors?
a) Suspended ceiling assemblies
b) Insulated metal deck roofs
c) Plenum areas created by drop ceilings
d) Gypsum board mounted to metal studs
A
c) Plenum areas created by drop ceilings
22
Q
What are the interior walls of residential high-rise buildings typically constructed from?
a) Masonry
b) Reinforced drywall
c) Wood or metal studs
d) Lexan polycarbonate sheets
A
c) Wood or metal studs
23
Q
What type of construction material is lightweight concrete?
a) Traditional concrete with added insulation
b) Concrete with alternative aggregates
c) Concrete with spray-on fireproofing
d) Hollow-core precast concrete
A
b) Concrete with alternative aggregates
24
Q
What are some of the functions that can be housed in high-rise basements or below-grade areas?
a) Parking garages, trash compactors, mailrooms
b) Bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms
c) Conference rooms, cafeterias, gyms
d) Swimming pools, tennis courts, gardens
A
a) Parking garages, trash compactors, mailrooms
25
What are some challenges posed by parking garages in high-rise buildings?
a) Limited access for apparatus
b) Lack of radio operations
c) Absence of sprinklers
d) All of the above
d) All of the above
26
How are designated breakable windows for emergencies marked?
a) With a Maltese cross or fire helmet etched in the lower corner
b) With a red circle or a warning sign
c) With a green checkmark or a safety symbol
d) With a blue triangle or an emergency exit sign
a) With a Maltese cross or fire helmet etched in the lower corner
27
In high-rise buildings, which type of doors indicate an electric or telephone room or another type of closet?
a) Fire-rated metal doors
b) Wood doors in metal frames
c) Inward opening doors
d) Outward opening doors
d) Outward opening doors
28
Where are the keys and forcible entry tools usually carried in buildings with locked doors above the lobby or first-floor level?
a) By the first engine, truck, or rescue squad proceeding to the fire floor
b) By the building manager or security personnel
c) By the occupants of the building
d) By the local fire department chief
a) By the first engine, truck, or rescue squad proceeding to the fire floor
29
What type of stairwell may lead to confusion during an incident when personnel misunderstand stair access and enter the wrong floor or floor area?
a) Isolated stairs
b) Scissor stairs
c) Accommodation stairs
d) Ventilation stairs
b) Scissor stairs
30
What type of valves may be found in stairwell landings or hall closets in high-rise buildings?
a) Sprinkler control valves
b) Pressure-reducing valves
c) Pressure-regulating valves
d) Standpipe riser outlets
a) Sprinkler control valves
31
What is the purpose of pressure-reducing valves in standpipe systems?
a) To control water pressure during flowing conditions
b) To control water pressure during nonflowing conditions
c) To limit static and residual pressure to a maximum of 175 psi
d) To restrict water flow in the standpipe system
c) To limit static and residual pressure to a maximum of 175 psi
32
What type of elevators are sometimes referred to as "low-rise" and "high-rise" banks?
a) Electric traction elevators
b) Hydraulic elevators
c) Express elevators
d) Freight elevators
c) Express elevators
33
What is the purpose of a fire control room in high-rise buildings?
a) To house the building's fire pumps
b) To provide a central location for fire protection systems
c) To control the HVAC systems
d) To monitor and suppress fires in the building
b) To provide a central location for fire protection systems
34
Which of the following is NOT a life hazard to occupants during high-rise fires?
a) Significant loss of life
b) Panic due to smoke contamination
c) Horizontal and vertical fire extension
d) Sprinkler activation
d) Sprinkler activation
35
In high-rise buildings, the best way to control occupants and maintain their safety during a fire may be to:
a) Conduct a complete evacuation of the building
b) Establish evacuation routes to locations below the fire
c) Use the building's PA system to communicate with occupants
d) Wait for firm direction from the fire department
b) Establish evacuation routes to locations below the fire
36
The collapse of a suspended ceiling in a high-rise building can:
a) Trap firefighters and render escape impossible
b) Expose low-hanging wires and cables
c) Cause the building to collapse
d) Create a backdraft or flashover condition
b) Expose low-hanging wires and cables
37
Mushrooming smoke in high-rise structures refers to:
a) Smoke rising upward from the fire floor
b) Smoke banking off the roof or ceiling and migrating downward
c) Smoke moving vertically through elevator shafts and stairwells
d) Smoke caused by sprinkler activation
b) Smoke banking off the roof or ceiling and migrating downward
38
The stack effect in high-rise buildings is the natural movement of air resulting from:
a) Temperature difference between inside and outside the building
b) Smoke contamination in stairwells and elevator shafts
c) Sprinkler activation in the building
d) Wind-driven fires on upper floors
a) Temperature difference between inside and outside the building
39
The reverse stack effect in high-rise buildings occurs when:
a) Hot air rises through stairways and elevator shafts
b) Cold air moves downward in a vertical shaft
c) Smoke migrates to a floor level below the fire floor
d) Wind creates a pressure differential in the building
c) Smoke migrates to a floor level below the fire floor
40
Wind-driven fires in high-rise buildings primarily occur due to:
a) Structural damage from the aircraft
b) Rapid fire spread caused by undivided areas
c) Failed or opened windows in the fire area or apartment
d) Intense heat and temperatures in the fire area
c) Failed or opened windows in the fire area or apartment
41
Coordinated ventilation is critical in suppressing wind-driven fires, and horizontal ventilation should be performed:
a) Immediately upon arrival at the fire floor
b) Only if directed by Command
c) To allow the smoke to escape the building
d) After the stairwell doors are closed and controlled
b) Only if directed by Command
42
Horizontal fire extension in high-rise buildings can occur due to:
a) Failed or opened windows in the fire area or apartment
b) Smoke movement through elevator shafts and stairwells
c) Fire spreading through unprotected or compromised void spaces
d) Presence of wind on the building's exterior
c) Fire spreading through unprotected or compromised void spaces
43
Floor-length windows in high-rise buildings can pose a hazard to firefighters when:
a) They are broken or removed by firefighting crews
b) They are located close to the floor level
c) They create low-visibility conditions
d) They fail to control the spread of fire
a) They are broken or removed by firefighting crews
44
What are the five basic actions of the operational plan for high-rise fires?
a) Determine fire floor, control occupants, control building systems, confine and extinguish the fire, evacuate the building.
b) Verify fire floor, control occupants, control building systems, confine and extinguish the fire, provide exposure protection.
c) Determine fire floor, verify fire floor, control occupants, control building systems, confine and extinguish the fire.
d) Determine fire floor, verify fire floor, control occupants, control building systems, ventilate the building.
c) Determine fire floor, verify fire floor, control occupants, control building systems, confine and extinguish the fire.
45
Why is discipline important during high-rise operations?
a) It ensures effective communication among personnel.
b) It helps maintain control and accountability.
c) It prevents firefighter casualties.
d) It reduces resource commitment.
b) It helps maintain control and accountability.
46
What should be done to control building systems during high-rise fires?
a) Shut down all building systems to prevent fire spread.
b) Maintain control over elevators, fire pump, and air handling systems.
c) Evacuate the building to minimize damage to the systems.
d) Request additional alarms and RIT resources for building system control.
b) Maintain control over elevators, fire pump, and air handling systems.
47
Why is ventilation coordination important in high-rise fires?
a) It helps extinguish the fire more quickly.
b) It prevents smoke from spreading to other floors.
c) It improves communication among personnel.
d) It reduces wind conditions at the fire level.
b) It prevents smoke from spreading to other floors.
48
What should be considered when selecting hoselines for high-rise firefighting?
a) The weight of the hoseline.
b) The size of the fire floor.
c) The flow and reach capabilities of the hoseline.
d) The availability of standpipe outlets.
c) The flow and reach capabilities of the hoseline.
49
What should be done before advancing hoselines into areas with suspended ceiling assemblies?
a) Check for fire in the plenum using a thermal imaging camera.
b) Disconnect the suspended ceiling to prevent entanglement.
c) Remove all furniture and partitions in the area.
d) Use fog nozzles for better penetration.
a) Check for fire in the plenum using a thermal imaging camera.
50
What should be done when deploying hose from a standpipe discharge below the fire floor?
a) Communicate the tactic to the IC.
b) Charge the hose in a tenable atmosphere.
c) Notify the fire department of the deployment.
d) Abandon the apparatus and assist with standpipe operations.
b) Charge the hose in a tenable atmosphere.
51
What are the disadvantages of using gated wyes during standpipe operations?
a) Congestion in the stairwell and loss of water flow.
b) Reduced nozzle reaction and increased hoseline kinks.
c) Loss of water supply redundancy and rapid-fire growth.
d) Impeded hoseline advancement and decreased flow and pressure.
c) Loss of water supply redundancy and rapid-fire growth.
52
How should vehicle fires in attached parking garages be treated?
a) As a separate incident from high-rise fires.
b) With a minimal resource commitment.
c) By initiating the ventilation system manually.
d) As high-rise building fires rather than simple vehicle fires.
d) As high-rise building fires rather than simple vehicle fires.
53
What tactical options should be considered for vehicle fires in attached parking garages?
a) Deploy hoseline directly from the engine to the vehicle fire.
b) Operate standpipe hoseline from the fire floor.
c) Operate standpipe hoseline on the below-grade floor.
d) All of the above.
d) All of the above.
54
What is the minimum initial alarm assignment for a high-rise fire?
a) Four engines, one truck, one rescue squad
b) Five engines, two trucks, one rescue squad, one EMS unit, two battalion chiefs, and one EMS supervisor
c) Three engines, one truck, one rescue squad, one EMS unit, one battalion chief, and one EMS supervisor
d) Six engines, three trucks, two rescue squads, one EMS unit, three battalion chiefs, and one EMS supervisor
b) Five engines, two trucks, one rescue squad, one EMS unit, two battalion chiefs, and one EMS supervisor
55
What are the responsibilities of the first due engine upon arrival on the scene?
a) Establish water supply and report to the fire floor
b) View as much of the structure as possible and park in proximity to the building
c) Provide a lobby report and gather information from building occupants
d) Connect to the standpipe outlet and communicate with Command via radio
a) Establish water supply and report to the fire floor
56
What should personnel do if they find smoke conditions in the lobby?
a) Charge the attack line before opening the door to the fire floor
b) Determine the origin of the smoke before continuing upstairs
c) Recall elevators and place them in firefighter service Phases 1 and 2
d) Deploy a hose pack and forcible entry tools to the stairwell
c) Recall elevators and place them in firefighter service Phases 1 and 2
57
What are the responsibilities of the second due engine?
a) Establish water supply and report to the fire floor
b) Park away from the building and abandon the vehicle with hose packs and RIT equipment
c) View the opposite side of the structure and report fire and smoke locations
d) Help the first engine place the first hoseline in service before deploying the second line
d) Help the first engine place the first hoseline in service before deploying the second line
58
What should the officer of the second due engine do upon arrival?
a) Obtain keys and check the status of the fire control station
b) Establish a water supply and stretch the supply hoseline to the FDC
c) Communicate with Command via radio and check for extension on the floor above
d) Assist the first engine with connecting to the standpipe outlet
c) Communicate with Command via radio and check for extension on the floor above
59
What are the responsibilities of the third due engine?
a) Establish a secondary water supply and deploy a hoseline to extinguish any fire found on the floor above
b) Assist the second truck company and report via radio fire and smoke locations
c) Park on side alpha and raise the aerial to access the unit involved
d) Provide lobby control and communicate with the IC at the command post
a) Establish a secondary water supply and deploy a hoseline to extinguish any fire found on the floor above
60
What should the fourth due engine do upon arrival?
a) Park away from the building and proceed to one floor below the fire floor to establish I-RIT
b) Help the first due engine with the initial hoseline and relieve the first engine in the stairwell
c) Assist the third due engine with establishing a secondary water supply
d) Bring hose packs and forcible entry tools and report directly to the command post
c) Assist the third due engine with establishing a secondary water supply
61
What is the responsibility of the fifth due engine?
a) Help the first due engine place the first hoseline in service
b) Establish a secondary water supply and report directly to the command post
c) Assist the third due engine with a secondary water supply if needed
d) Provide lobby control and assume the responsibilities of the first due truck
c) Assist the third due engine with a secondary water supply if needed
62
Lobby control operations in high-rise buildings involve responsibilities related to:
a) Fire suppression techniques
b) Public relations and media management
c) Building systems control and accountability
d) Hazardous materials handling
c) Building systems control and accountability
63
Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of personnel assigned to accountability in a high-rise fire?
a) Locating in a visible position for incoming units
b) Recording all pertinent information on a command board or tracking sheet
c) Checking in with the accountability function upon entering the incident's operational area
d) Controlling elevator operations and stairwell identification
d) Controlling elevator operations and stairwell identification
64
Building system control in high-rise buildings includes control over:
a) Fire pump, fire alarm system, and HVAC
b) Sprinkler system, elevator status, and nonambulatory residents
c) Pressurization system, PA system, and fire phones
d) All of the above
d) All of the above
65
The firefighter assigned to elevator operations in a high-rise building must perform tasks such as:
a) Obtaining a set of keys, recalling elevators, and checking the shaft for fire or smoke
b) Delivering companies to appropriate floors and ensuring personnel do not go above the fire floor
c) Knowing the attack and evacuation stairwell locations and passing the information to incoming companies
d) All of the above
d) All of the above
66
Staging in a high-rise fire refers to:
a) Controlling and coordinating media presence at the scene
b) Assembling resources close to operations on the fire floor
c) Establishing a designated area for fire department vehicles to park
d) Setting up a command post for incident management
b) Assembling resources close to operations on the fire floor
67
The base manager in a high-rise fire is responsible for:
a) Coordinating ventilation efforts in the building
b) Maintaining a pool of available firefighting crews and equipment
c) Recording all pertinent information on a command board or tracking sheet
d) Managing the evacuation process and controlling evacuee movement
b) Maintaining a pool of available firefighting crews and equipment
68
Searching smoke-filled floors above the fire in a high-rise building:
a) Is unnecessary as occupants usually evacuate on their own
b) Requires multiple crews per floor and the use of search ropes
c) Should only be conducted during regular work hours
d) Is the responsibility of the building engineer, not the fire department
b) Requires multiple crews per floor and the use of search ropes
69
The three basic tactics for ventilation in a high-rise building include:
a) Horizontal ventilation, vertical ventilation, and HVAC system ventilation
b) Elevator shaft ventilation, stairwell ventilation, and rooftop ventilation
c) Window ventilation, door ventilation, and basement ventilation
d) Sprinkler system activation, pressurization system activation, and HVAC shutdown
a) Horizontal ventilation, vertical ventilation, and HVAC system ventilation
70
The purpose of a search and evacuation operation in a high-rise fire is to:
a) Extinguish the fire and prevent further spread
b) Control occupants, prevent panic, and complete primary and secondary searches
c) Coordinate media relations and provide updates to the public
d) Assess damage and determine the cause of the fire
b) Control occupants, prevent panic, and complete primary and secondary searches
71
Command should establish a search and evacuation group in a high-rise fire if:
a) There are more than two floors above the fire that contain building occupants
b) The fire department lacks the necessary resources to handle the incident
c) The fire is spreading rapidly and poses a threat to neighboring buildings
d) The incident is occurring during nighttime hours
There are more than two floors above the fire that contain building occupants
72
What is the typical height range of a midrise building?
a) 1 to 3 stories
b) 3 to 6 stories
c) 6 to 10 stories
d) 10 to 15 stories
b) 3 to 6 stories
73
How far is the maximum distance between the lowest level of fire department vehicle access and the highest occupiable floor in a midrise building?
a) Less than 50 ft
b) Less than 75 ft
c) Less than 100 ft
d) Less than 150 ft
b) Less than 75 ft
74
Which of the following construction methods is commonly used in commercial midrise buildings?
a) Lightweight wood construction
b) Noncombustible construction
c) Ordinary construction
d) Podium construction
b) Noncombustible construction
75
What is the term used to describe a construction method that combines lightweight wood and noncombustible materials in mixed-use midrise buildings?
a) Pedestal construction
b) Platform construction
c) Podium construction
d) Hybrid construction
c) Podium construction
76
What type of midrise building design is characterized by a centralized multistory concrete parking structure surrounded by wood-frame units?
a) Walk-up design
b) Wrap-around design
c) Assisted living design
d) Commercial design
b) Wrap-around design
77
What type of midrise balcony is supported on three sides by bearing walls and is open on only one side?
a) Cantilevered balcony
b) Recessed balcony
c) Hinged balcony
d) Wrap-around balcony
b) Recessed balcony
78
Which type of fire sprinkler system is commonly used in lightweight midrise buildings?
a) NFPA 13R residential sprinkler system
b) Preaction system
c) Inert gas system
d) Clean agent gas system
a) NFPA 13R residential sprinkler system
79
What is the purpose of a preaction valve in a preaction fire sprinkler system?
a) To hold the suppression agent from the piping
b) To detect developing fires
c) To initiate discharge of the extinguishing agent
d) To open the sprinkler heads
a) To hold the suppression agent from the piping
80
Where are standpipe riser outlets typically located in midrise buildings?
a) In the stairway
b) In the hallway
c) In the parking garage
d) In the atrium
a) In the stairway
81
What is the purpose of self-closing fire partition doors in long hallways of midrise buildings?
a) To compartmentalize the fire
b) To provide access to work or living areas
c) To slow the lateral spread of fire and smoke
d) To allow for long hose stretches
c) To slow the lateral spread of fire and smoke
82
What are some fire hazards associated with midrise buildings?
a) Lack of communication systems
b) Presence of standpipes and sprinkler systems
c) Stairway pressurization fans
d) Concrete form work and support bracing
a) Lack of communication systems
83
What can cause fire extension in midrise buildings?
a) Vertical void spaces
b) Lightweight construction
c) Large open attic areas
d) Scaffolding collapse
a) Vertical void spaces
84
What specific challenges do firefighting operations face in midrise buildings under construction?
a) Missing fire-rated materials
b) Absence of operational sprinkler and standpipe systems
c) Inaccessible water supply systems
d) Rapid collapse due to lack of drywall
a) Missing fire-rated materials
b) Absence of operational sprinkler and standpipe systems
c) Inaccessible water supply systems
85
Which type of building shares characteristics with midrise buildings and requires overlapping tactics?
a) High-rise buildings
b) Garden apartments
c) Industrial complexes
d) Single-family homes
b) Garden apartments
86
What should the first command officer do upon arrival at a midrise building fire?
a) Establish Command
b) Evaluate the need for additional resources
c) Request additional alarms and RIT resources
d) All of the above
d) All of the above
87
How should personnel check for fire beneath raised floor systems in IT-related occupancies?
a) Look for fire in plenum spaces above drop ceilings
b) Conduct a lap around the building
c) Evaluate the location and extent of smoke and fire
d) Coordinate with other units to complete a size-up
a) Look for fire in plenum spaces above drop ceilings
88
What should be included in the on-scene report for a midrise building fire?
a) Unit identification and side of structure
b) Number of floors above ground
c) Evident conditions and location
d) All of the above
d) All of the above
89
Which factors can impact an officer's ability to complete a lap around a midrise building?
a) Topography and grading-related issues
b) Number of floors visible from different sides
c) Communication problems
d) Conflicting understandings of the building's size and layout
a) Topography and grading-related issues
b) Number of floors visible from different sides
90
What determines whether the initial attack line is stretched from the engine or from a standpipe?
a) Fire location
b) Building height
c) Occupancy type
d) Access points
a) Fire location
91
What is the purpose of exposure lines in midrise buildings?
a) Prevent fire spread to adjacent structures
b) Extinguish large-volume fires
c) Provide communication systems
d) Establish primary water supply
a) Prevent fire spread to adjacent structures
92
What is the minimum initial alarm assignment for a midrise building fire?
Five engines, two trucks, one rescue squad, one EMS unit, two battalion chiefs, one command aide, and one EMS supervisor.
93
What should the fifth due engine company do at a building without a standpipe?
a) Establish a secondary water supply.
b) Assume lobby control.
c) Confer with the IC.
d) Bring hose packs and forcible entry tools.
d) Bring hose packs and forcible entry tools.
94
Which units carry out tasks such as searching for victims, locating the fire, forcible entry, ventilation, and utility control?
a) Engine companies
b) EMS units
c) Battalion chiefs
d) Truck and rescue companies
d) Truck and rescue companies
95
Where should the first due truck park at a midrise building fire?
a) On side Alpha
b) On the fire side of the building if accessible
c) In front of the involved structure
d) Next to the incident command vehicle
a) On side Alpha
96
Where should EMS units park at an incident?
a) Close to the incident
b) Far away from the incident
c) Near the command post
d) Near the fire control room
a) Close to the incident
97
What should the first due chief officer do upon arriving on-scene?
a) Assume or establish command
b) Gather all available information
c) Exchange information with the initial IC
d) Determine the command post location
b) Gather all available information
98
Which chief officer is typically assigned division supervision of operations on the fire floor?
a) First due chief officer
b) Second due chief officer
c) Third due chief officer
d) Fourth due chief officer
b) Second due chief officer
