CFD SOP 210.00: High-Rise Fire Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions and standard operational terms from Chicago Fire Department Standard Operating Procedure 210.00 (Fire in a High-Rise Building).

Area of Rescue Assistance

A location designed to hold building occupants, including those with limited mobility, during a fire or other emergency when evacuation may not be safe or possible.

Blind Shaft Elevators

Elevators that serve specific floors of a building, located in a shaft that does not have hoistway doors on the floors that are not served.

Door Unlocking Switch

A switch on the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) or at the security desk used to unlock all exit stairwell doors.

Evacuation Stairwell

A stairwell or stairwells designated by the CFD for the evacuation of building occupants during an emergency, with a Smoke-proof Tower or pressurized stairwell being preferred if available.

Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP)

A panel located in an approved area (usually line-of-sight at the main entrance) that provides indicators and/or controls for a building's fire suppression and communication systems.

Fire Attack Stairwell

A stairwell designated by the CFD used to stretch hose lines to the fire area, which becomes contaminated with smoke and heat due to the door being kept partially open.

Fire Department Connection (FDC)

The exterior connection to a building's standpipe and/or sprinkler system featuring two protected 2 ½ inch female couplings; also referred to as a Siamese Connection.

Fire Helmet/Maltese Cross Indicator Light

An indicator light on the elevator control panel that flashes intermittently upon activation of a fire alarm initiating device in the elevator machine room or hoistway.

Fire Investigation Team (FIT)

The 1st arriving Engine Company and 1st arriving Truck Company, working together as a team to investigate and mitigate a reported high-rise fire.

Forward Fire Command Post

A position, normally established two floors below the fire floor, from which the Forward Fire Commander coordinates upper floor operations.

Forward Staging Area

An area established three floors below the fire floor adjacent to the Support Area where deployed companies without specific assignments stage with tools and equipment.

High-Rise Building

Any building that is 80 feet or more above grade.

Incident Commanders' Radio Interface (ICRI)

A device that bridges or connects two different simplex radio channels and/or extends radio coverage.

In-House Portable Radios

Two-way radios operated by building staff designed to transmit and receive signals on the same frequency via an internal antenna.

Lapping Effect

The spread of combustion products up the building exterior, exposing upper floor windows to radiant heat or direct fire, leading to window failure and fire extension; also known as Auto Exposure.

Life Safety Plan

Key building data summarized into a binder, booklet, or tablet accessible to firefighters in an emergency; also known as a First Responder Command Plan (FRCP).

Lobby Command

The position in the lobby near the FACP from which the Incident Commander oversees all high-rise fire operations, using the radio designation 'Command'.

Multilator

A compact oxygen distribution system with multiple individual regulators designed to provide oxygen therapy to multiple patients simultaneously from a single 'K' tank.

Phase I Emergency Recall

The act of recalling all elevators in a bank to the main floor/lobby using a key switch or through activation of fire suppression/detection systems.

Phase II Emergency Recall

The act of operating an individual elevator car that has already been recalled using a key switch inside that car; also known as Fire Service Mode.

Radio in Box (RIB)

A 25-watt mobile radio in a portable case requiring an external power source (110VAC or 12VDC) to increase radio range compared to 5-watt handheld radios.

Rapid Ascent Team (RAT)

A team of firefighters that conducts thorough searches of stairwells at a high-rise fire and assists any civilians encountered in those stairwells.

Rapid Support Companies

Companies utilized to transport or remove equipment to and from upper floors if elevators become inoperable, normally wearing only helmet and gloves.

Reflex Time

The time it takes to move firefighters and equipment to a specific location and place necessary firefighting equipment into operation.

Rehab Area

A designated non-hazardous area in the lobby or adjacent structure where members obtain relief from extreme working conditions through rest, recovery, hydration, and medical monitoring.

Smoke-proof Tower

An enclosed stairwell connected at each story to an outside shaft or fire-proof vestibule that vents to the outside, required in non-sprinklered high-rises over 264 feet tall.

Stack Effect

The natural movement of air inside a building created by differences between inside and outside air temperatures and building height, which magnifies fire/smoke movement.

Standpipe Outlet

A hose connection from a standpipe riser with male threads used to connect fire hose for fire attack.

Support Area

An area established three floors below the fire floor to provide logistical support, EMS support, and equipment management for the incident.

Three Company Relief Method

A system providing continuous relief on hose lines using a rotation of one company on the attack line, one on standby in the stairwell, and one in ready reserve in Forward Staging.

Triangular Communications

A method used to transmit and receive radio messages using the Command Van as a link to relay communications hampered by concrete and steel.

Wind-Driven Fire

A rapidly developing fire resulting from prevailing winds entering a fire-vented location, pressurizing the interior and creating a deadly flow path indicated by pulsating flames and smoke.

Zoned Standpipe System

A vertical arrangement of piping in buildings exceeding 275 feet where separate standpipe risers and pumps supply separate zones, with no zone exceeding 20 stories.