TB 25 - Gymnasium Floors

Question 1

What special problems do gymnasium floors present to firefighters?

Answer 1

Ventilation and efficient extinguishment

Question 2

What type of construction are gymnasium floors constructed of?

Answer 2

Tongue and groove hardwood

Question 3

What are gymnasium floor built off of to allow for ventilation under floor?

Answer 3

Concrete on cross laid strips

Question 4

In essence the gymnasium floors are what with a metal angle sealing it to the wall?

Answer 4

Free floating

Question 5

Beneath the floor, a ventilating system is integrated to eliminate what of the floor due to moisture and to minimize the cost of heating and dehumidifying totally fresh air?

Answer 5

Warpage

Question 6

Air is supplied for the floor ventilating system by large fans (located in equipment room) which draw air into air return grilles located along the walls approximately how many feet above floors surface?

Answer 6

2 feet

Question 7

The air passes beneath the floor plenums and into special heat/pump rooms where 20% of the air is exhausted and what percentage of fresh air is drawn in and heated?

Answer 7

20%

Question 8

Fires in gymnasium floor can be started in these floors through what?

Answer 8

Vandalism and carelessness (cigarettes into grilled, torch sparks)

Question 9

In previous fires, because exhaust ventilators were ejecting large amounts of smoke they were left on, only what percent was exhausted with what percentage being recirculated back into gym, the fire was being drawn throughout floor by this forced draft?

Answer 9

20% exhausted

80% recirculated

Question 10

Normal ventilation procedures were impractical on gymnasium fires due to what construction?

Answer 10

Solid concrete roof and high ceilings with no wall openings except doors

Question 11

The hardwood floor used in these floors is of high quality and saws were filled rapidly, with axes having what effect?

Answer 11

Little effect

Question 12

If a fire should start in these types of gyms, what to the gymnasium must be shit off due to ventilating fans?

Answer 12

Main power

Question 13

Manual ventilation procedures should be implemented and consideration given to the dispatching (contact OCD) of the mobile lab and use of what to assist in pinpointing the fire?

Answer 13

“Probe eye”

Question 14

Holes can be cut in the floor where of the fire for containment and final extinguishment?

Answer 14

Ahead