HFD High-Rise Firefighting Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Houston Fire Department High-Rise Firefighting Guideline (II-05), covering operational definitions, building systems, and crew responsibilities.

Access Control

The duty of recording all crews entering the building, their destination, and when they exit, as well as distributing building information and keys.

Blind Hoistway

A section of an elevator shaft without hoistway doors to allow elevator service to floors further within that section.

Crew Staging

A holding area for available crews awaiting an assignment, usually located two floors below the fire floor.

Divisions

Established geographical areas of operation with an assigned supervisor to reduce the Incident Commander’s manageable span of control.

EMS Group

A group responsible for managing triage, treatment, and transport of civilian casualties under a Senior EMS Supervisor.

Fire Department Connection (FDC)

A connection through which the Fire Department can pump water into the building's sprinkler or standpipe system.

Fire Attack Group

Initially composed of at least one Ladder and two Engine companies tasked with proceeding to the fire floor to investigate and mitigate the incident.

Fire Service Mode Phase 1

An elevator mode that recalls elevators to a designated recall point for Fire Department use.

Fire Service Mode Phase 2

An elevator mode that allows for in-car operation requiring a key to permit control of that elevator.

Lobby Control

A unit established by the first arriving Engine, supported by the fourth Engine and Second District Chief, responsible for access control, elevator control, and monitoring building system panels.

Medical Branch

The branch responsible for all on-scene medical care, overseeing the EMS Group for civilians and the Rehab Group for firefighters.

Pressure Regulating Valve (PRV)

Valves in standpipe systems designed to reduce outlet pressures; required when pressures exceed $100\,\text{psi}$ in older codes or $175\,\text{psi}$ in newer standards.

Rapid Ascent Team (RAT)

The Second and Third Ladder companies responsible for clearing stairwells of occupants, ensuring doors and roof hatches are closed but unlocked, and informing the IC about ventilation access.

Rehab Group

A group established to meet the medical and recovery needs of firefighters, consisting of an EMS Senior Supervisor, ALS unit, BLS unit, and the Rehab Truck.

Resource Group

A group established to transport equipment, tools, and extra air bottles from street level to the Crew Staging floor.

Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)

A team of three or preferably four members responsible for rescuing trapped, lost, or endangered firefighters.

Stack Effect / Chimney Effect

A natural event where cool air enters lower levels and warm air rises to upper levels of a building.

Reverse Stack Effect

Common in Houston's warm climate, this occurs when warm air enters upper levels and cool air inside the building flows down and out of the lower levels.

Stairwell Support Force

Personnel responsible for the manual transport of tools, equipment, or supply hose through stairwells from the lobby to the Resource Group.

Systems Control Unit

A unit that evaluates and manages high-rise building systems including HVAC, fire suppression, fire alarms, electrical, and security systems.

Fire Control Center (FCC)

The center of communication in a high-rise building containing PA systems, firefighter phones, alarm panels, and elevator status panels.

FM-200

A non-toxic gaseous extinguishing agent used in computer rooms that works by depleting oxygen levels.

Type I Standpipe

A standpipe system that provides $2\frac{1}{2}\text{''}$ outlets without hose for Fire Department use.

Type II Standpipe

A standpipe system that provides $1\frac{1}{2}\text{''}$ outlets with hose intended for civilian use.

Type III Standpipe

A combination system providing $2\frac{1}{2}\text{''}$ outlets with $1\frac{1}{2}\text{''}$ reducers and hose, intended for both civilian and firefighter use.

Shunt Trip

A device that activates to kill elevator power before a sprinkler opens to prevent discharging water on energized electrical circuits.

System Pressure

The constant pressure maintained in the standpipe system by fire pumps supplied from the city main.

Depository Box

A law-mandated box containing elevator keys, building access keys, high-rise surveys, and floor plans for emergency responders.