Based on the picture above ask yourselves the following questions:• Identify the construction features of the building that will help to increase or decrease fire spread.
• List any construction features that may impact the safety of crews operating in or around the building.
• Identify size-up information. What does the situation tell you?
• What is the Benefit to be gained by taking the Risk?
• Is this a Go or No Go situation?
Are there any other considerations to assist our decision to Go or No Go? Is there anything else to add?
As always if you have any pictures or ideas to submit please send us an email at rkuley@yahoo.com. Thanks to JJ Walsh (Batt 7/A) for the info above.
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This is a two story Cape Cod style single family dwelling of ordinary (Type 3) construction (if I'm reading the brick pattern correctly) or wood frame (Type 5). Ordinary construction gives us time as it is made up of solid wood on the interior and exterior masonry walls (first floor in this case).
Fire is showing from the second floor windows, side Alpha and Bravo, quadrants Alpha and Bravo. Smoke is showing from the second floor window, side Alpha, quadrant Delta, and side Charlie, quadrant Bravo. It appears the fire is in a free burn (growth) stage, consuming quadrants Alpha and Bravo and working its way to Delta and Charlie. A 360 walk around would help to narrow this down more specifically.
The house has dormers, which would indicate knee-wall construction. With the volume of fire in this area, it is possible extension has made its way into the knee-wall, the hidden void space that surrounds the second floor on all sides and top. Fire in this area will rapidly spread and significantly raise temperatures to trigger flashover and/or back draft. Crews must quickly and cautiously open up the void space. This is a small house, so limit the number of fire personnel on the interior to only what is needed.
Truck crews can assist with ventilation and checking for extension by opening up the windows, high on the roof if safe and possible, and venting the knee-wall space, approximately 2 feet up from the soffit edge.
From the exterior, you can tell there have been some updates to the home, thermal windows, front porch enclosure and siding. Also note the casement window on Bravo, quadrant Bravo, probably a bathroom. The kitchen is likely in the rear, while the front is probably made up of a living room and bedroom/den space. Personnel must be cautious of the wires on Bravo, especially the individuals watching from this location without PPE.
This would be a "go" fire. Crews can make the first floor and survivability for victims is possible. Survivability on the second floor would only be possible in the Charlie and Delta quadrants, but crews would have to work fast. The fire is venting well from the windows, so an aggressive attack from the interior stair should be effective. Heat conditions will be tolerable for crews since the fire is above. If there are no life safety considerations, a quick stop of the fire will reduce property damages. Vent, Enter, and Search is an option, but getting a line to the interior stairs to hold and control the fire is a must, and this must be coordinated. Victims who are sheltered by a closed door on the second floor may be able to buy some time, but fire entering the knee-wall will increase smoke and heat throughout. Victims may have a chance escaping from second floor windows, Charlie and Delta sides, but probably not down the interior stairs with the amount of fire showing. The interior stair will likely be in proximity to the front door entrance.
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