FDNY High-Rise Office Buildings Firefighting Procedures Study Guide

Glossary of Terms

• Access stairs: A stairway, usually open, serving a number of floors of a common tenant; also known as convenience stairs.
• Air diffusers: The air supply outlets of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system ($HVAC$) into the conditioned space.
• Attack stairway: A fire stair being used by the Fire Department to gain access to the fire area, where the door between the stairway and the fire area is being maintained in an open position.
• Building Evacuation Supervisor: When the fire safety director is not present in a class "$E$" office building occupied by less than $100$ people above or below the street floor or by less than $500$ people in the entire building, an employee trained by the fire safety director will staff the fire command station and execute the fire safety plan.
• Building Information Card (BIC): Provides valuable information to the $IC$ in the event of a fire as well as non-fire emergencies for developing strategies and making tactical decisions.
• Churning: A condition in a centrifugal pump in which the impeller is rotating but no water is being discharged.
• Core type building: A building in which the elevators, stairway, and building support systems are grouped together in one area of the building (center core or side core).
• Compartmentation: The subdividing of floor areas by fire-resistive separations into smaller spaces or compartments.
• Curtain wall: A non-bearing wall, built between piers or columns for the enclosure of the structure, but not supported at each story.
• Damper: A device to seal off or to control airflow in an $HVAC$ system.
• ECC: Engine Company Chauffeur; a Fire Department member trained and qualified to operate Fire Department engines.
• Elevator control panel: A visual display unit located in the lobby to indicate the status and location of all elevator cars and necessary controls for the operation of the cars.
• Evacuation stairway: Fire tower or fire stairs remote from the fire area used for the evacuation of building occupants; a fire tower is preferred.
• Fire dampers: A damper used to restrict the passage of heat.
• Fire partition: A rated vertical unit or assembly of materials that separate one space from another within any story of a building.
• Fire Safety Director: A designated employee holding a certificate of fitness from the Fire Department qualifying them to perform required duties.
• Fire Sector or Branch: Defined as the fire floor and the floor above.
• Fire shutter (reversible): A fire damper that can be controlled from a remote location.
• Fire tower: An enclosed stairway connected at each story by an outside balcony or fireproof vestibule vented to the outside.
• Fusible link: A device designed to be actuated by an abnormal rise in temperature.
• Hard wire communications: A system in which wiring physically connects the Incident Command Post and other areas within the building (points of transmission and reception).
• Incident Command Post: Established in the lobby to enable the Incident Commander to exert central control over operations.
• Locked door fail safe system: A system where the lock mechanism is controlled electrically from a remote location.
• Mechanical control center: A location where equipment is located for monitoring building support systems; has limited ability to control systems and may or may not be on the same floor as mechanical equipment rooms ($MER$).
• Mixing dampers: Dampers in the $HVAC$ system which control the mixing of return air and outside air.
• Plenum: An air compartment or chamber to which one or more ducts are connected. In high-rise buildings, the space between the suspended ceiling and the underside of the floor above is used as a plenum for return air collection.
• "Q" decking: A type of composite floor construction in which corrugated steel is used to support the concrete floor.
• Set backs: The area formed when the floor area of a building is reduced, requiring the exterior wall to be recessed.
• Scissor stairs: Two stairs constructed side by side in the core of a building in which doors alternate the point of exit to opposite sides of the core.
• Size-up: An estimate of conditions and problems of a fire or emergency by the Incident Commander.
• Smoke ejector: A fan used by the Fire Department to move smoke or air.
• Sound powered phone system: A portable hardwire telephone system powered by voice sound.
• Forward Staging Area: An area established on a floor below the Fire Sector/Branch to provide logistical support.
• Search and Evacuation Group or Branch: A position established above the Fire Sector/Branch to control and coordinate all search and evacuation operations.
• Standpipe kit: A collection of tools used by an engine company to operate a hoseline from a standpipe system.
• Thermostatic detector: A device to detect an increase in temperature.
• Variation: Permission given by the Department of Buildings and/or Board of Standards and Appeals to construct in variation with the existing Building Code.

1. Introduction and Building Types

• Purpose: To describe High-rise Class "$E$" office buildings, point out fire problems and features, and establish operating methods and precautions.
• Building Varieties: Many buildings are $200' \times 400'$ in area. Some feature up to $6$ stairways on lower floors and $3$ or more on upper floors; however, some only have $2$ stairways from lobby to roof, significantly reducing mobility and tactical flexibility.
• Tactical Focus: Due to construction variation, procedures are general and differ from the "Ladders $3$" approach used at multiple dwelling fires. Resource limitations on the first alarm due to occupancy numbers (thousands) necessitate new signals and controlled coordination.
• High-Rise Class "E" Office Building Categorization:
  • Class "E" Buildings Built Before $1945$:
    • "Heavy-weight" construction, weighing approximately $20 \, \text{to} \, 23 \, \text{pounds per cubic foot}$.
    • Structural steel components encased in concrete.
    • Masonry exterior walls substantially tied to all floors.
    • Plenum type ceilings are generally NOT found.
    • Normally steam heated and usually not centrally air conditioned.
    • Exterior windows were openable.
    • Buildings erected between $1938$ and $1968$ required a fire tower.
    • Floors of reinforced concrete; core construction techniques were not used.
  • Class "E" Buildings Built Between $1945$ and $1968$:
    • "Medium-weight" construction, weighing between $10 \, \text{and} \, 20 \, \text{pounds per cubic foot}$.
    • Fire towers were required.
    • Characteristics are a mix of pre-$1945$ and post-$1968$; required to conform to the $1938$ Building Code but often used post-$1968$ techniques due to variances.
  • Class "E" Buildings Built After $1968$:
    • "Lightweight" construction, weighing about $8 \, \text{to} \, 10 \, \text{pounds per cubic foot}$.
    • Lacks compartmentation.
    • Structural steel protected by sprayed-on fireproofing.
    • Exterior walls are glass and metal curtain walls.
    • A space of $6 \, \text{to} \, 12 \, \text{inches}$ exists between floors and curtain walls, requiring fire stopping.
    • Ceiling plenums are extensive, lack fire stopping, and contain return air, electrical, and communication equipment.
    • Heated by $HVAC$; systems are usually multi-floor.
    • Exterior windows are usually NOT openable.
    • Fire towers are not required.
    • Floors consist of lightweight concrete, "Q decking," etc.
    • Core construction techniques used extensively.

2. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems

• Strategic Objectives: Limit fire spread and control smoke movement. Assist Fire Department members in deployment and primary search.
• Categories:
  • Central Air Conditioning Systems: Processing equipment supplies air to more than one floor.
  • Non-central Air Conditioning Systems: Serve only the floor where equipment is located.
• Sub-systems:
  • Processing equipment (located on $MER$ floors).
  • Supply of processed air to floors.
  • Return of air from floors to be reprocessed.
• Flow Process:
  • Processing: Air returns via the Return Air Shaft ($RAS$) assisted by a Return Air Fan ($RAF$). It passes through mixing dampers, blends with outside air (determined by temperature/humidity), and is filtered, heated/cooled, and humidified. A Supply Air Fan ($SAF$) moves air into the Supply Air Shaft ($SAS$).
  • Supply: Air moves via the $SAS$ to ducts on each floor located in the plenum. Air is distributed to occupied areas via air diffusers in the hanging ceiling.
  • Return: Air flows from occupied areas into plenums (non-ducted), then enters the $RAS$ via fire dampers to return to processing equipment.
• HVAC Strategic Operating Plan:
  • Step $1$: Determine status of all systems. Manually shut down any not automatically stopped, including supply AND return fans.
  • Step $2$: Accurately determine the fire floor.
  • Step $3$: Place systems in non-circulating mode: Open outside air supply dampers, Close mixing dampers, Open exhaust dampers.
  • Step $4$: Activate supply fans for $HVAC$ zones NOT including the fire area to pressurize those zones with fresh air and limit smoke spread.
• Sensors and Safety:
  • Fire Dampers: Actuated by fusible links rated approximately $50^{\circ} \, F$ above maximum normal operating temperature. Closed dampers MUST be manually opened.
  • Local Law No. 5 (1973): Requires ionization or smoke/thermostatic detectors at the air return shaft at each floor. Activation stops air supply and return to the affected floor via reversible fire shutters or fan shutdown. Fans cannot be reactivated until the detector is cleared or the relay is bypassed.
  • Periphery Treatment: Weather/sun variations require supplementary treatment. Flexible connectors used between ducts and periphery equipment can fail, allowing fire to extend between floors via the plenum.

3. Hydraulics: Manually Operated Building Fire Pumps

• Regulations: The $1968$ Building Code requires manual pumps for buildings over $300 \, \text{feet}$. The $1938$ Code requires them for buildings over $250 \, \text{feet}$.
• Preparation:
  • Pump rooms are normally on the lowest floor (cellar or sub-cellar).
  • The discharge side gauge is calibrated for higher pressures than the inlet gauge.
  • Bypass Valve: Should be closed (stem in). If open, expect a loss of $25\%$ in an $8 \, \text{inch}$ riser or $45\%$ in a $6 \, \text{inch}$ riser.
• Four Step Starting Procedure:
  1. Close knife switch to ON position (located on front panel or inside door).
  2. Close circuit breakers; the power "on" light will glow.
  3. Push starting button; the pump "on" light will glow.
  4. Move selector lever to desired position to increase speed/pressure.
  • Note: Use the emergency power lever (push/pull to "on") if the pump fails to start.
• Recommended Pump Discharge Pressures:
  • Floors $1 \, \text{to} \, 10$: $150 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $11 \, \text{to} \, 20$: $200 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $21 \, \text{to} \, 30$: $250 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $31 \, \text{to} \, 40$: $300 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $41 \, \text{to} \, 50$: $350 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $51 \, \text{to} \, 60$: $400 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $61 \, \text{to} \, 70$: $450 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $71 \, \text{to} \, 80$: $500 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $81 \, \text{to} \, 90$: $550 \, \text{psi}$
  • Floors $91 \, \text{to} \, 100$: $600 \, \text{psi}$
• Operational Notes:
  • Capacity is usually $750 \, \text{gpm}$. Most buildings have two pumps connected in parallel. Pressures on both should be equal; if one is lower, increase its speed.
  • Pumps must deliver rated capacity at $50 \, \text{psi}$ at the highest outlet. A relief valve limits pressure to $15 \, \text{psi}$ above this requirement.
  • Primary water supply for firefighting should be $FDNY$ engines because building pumps may provide inadequate nozzle pressure on upper floors. Use one engine per handline to prevent overheating/churning.

4. Operations of the First Alarm Battalion Chief (Incident Commander)

• Strategic Operating Plan (Priority Order):
  1. Determine specific fire floor (or smoke report floors).
  2. Verify fire floor (consult management/occupants/first ladder company).
  3. Control evacuation (search/control stairways, especially in large floor areas).
  4. Gain control of building systems (Elevators, $HVAC$, Communications, Fire Pumps).
  5. Confine and extinguish fire.
• Implementation:
  • The $IC$ position is in the lobby at the Incident Command Post ($ICP$).
  • A signal $10-76$ is transmitted when fire is confirmed; requires "All Hands."
  • Second Alarm is warranted for visible smoke/fire through the building skin or verified serious fire.
• Strategic Deployment (10-76 Placement):
  • Engines $1 \, \text{and} \, 2$: Teamed for first line.
  • Engines $3 \, \text{and} \, 4$: Teamed for second line.
  • $CFR$ Engine: Assigned to Fire Sector Supervisor/Branch Director.
  • Ladder $1 \, \text{and} \, 2$: Search/evacuate fire floor.
  • Ladder $3$: Search/evacuate floor above fire.
  • Ladder $4$: Upper floor search; initiate search of attack stairway.
  • $FAST$ Unit: Assigned to Fire Sector Supervisor/Branch Director.
  • Second Battalion Chief: Assigned as Fire Sector Supervisor/Branch Director (Fire Sector = fire floor + floor above).
• Tactical Considerations:
  • Attack Stairway: Do not operate a hoseline until the stairway is clear of occupants.
  • Evacuation Stairway: Preferably a fire tower.
  • Ventilation: Removing windows is NOT an initial consideration. It requires $IC$ authorization and safety precautions against falling glass shards.

5. Incident Command System (ICS) Roles and Procedures

• Operations Section Chief: Strategy/tactics and resource management.
• Fire Sector Supervisor / Branch Director: Proximity on the floor below the fire. Responsible for units on the fire floor and floor above.
• Search and Evacuation ($SAE$) Group: Responsible for areas above the Fire Sector. Supervisor should be on a floor NOT served by the fire floor's elevator bank, at least $5 \, \text{floors}$ above.
• Logistics Section Chief: Supervises Lobby Control, Communications, High-Rise Support, Systems Control, and Rehabilitation Units.
• Lobby Control Unit: Controls elevators (recall/search), access points, and directing occupants to exits.
• Systems Control Unit: Monitors Class "$E$" system and $HVAC$.
• High-Rise Support Unit: Transports equipment via elevator or stairs to the Forward Staging Area.
• Forward Staging Area: Established $2 \, \text{floors}$ below the fire floor (non-$IDLH$). Maintains a reserve of at least $3$ engines, $2$ ladders, and $20$ spare $SCBA$ cylinders.
• Forward Triage Area: Environmentally safe location below Forward Staging for injured civilians/members.
• Communications Network:
  • Command Channel: Used between $ICP$, Fire Sector/Branch, $SAE$ Group, and Forward Staging. Utilizes Post Radio and Cross Band Repeater.
  • Primary Tactical Channel: Used by Fire Sector Supervisor for units under command.
  • Secondary Tactical Channel: Used by $SAE$ Group for units under command.

6. Class "E" Communication Systems (Local Law No. 5)

• Components:
  • Fire command station (lobby near elevators).
  • Loudspeakers on all floors, elevators, and stairways.
  • Floor warden stations (two-way comms + $\text{PA}$ announcements local to the floor).
  • Manual fire alarm sending stations ($200 \, \text{foot}$ maximum distance from any point).
• Fire Command Station Displays (Priority order):
  1. Manual fire alarm; 2. Smoke detectors; 3. Sprinkler water flow; 4. Elevator lobby detectors; 5. Fire alarm activation; 6. Central office notification; 7. Fan status; 8. Locked door system.
• Automated Responses:
  • Elevator landing detectors recall elevators, sound alarm on fire floor/floor above (and floor below in $2008$ code), stop affected $HVAC$, and unlock fail-safe doors.

7. Ladder Company Operations Detail

• First Arriving Ladder:
  • Assess elevator bank safety ($Fire Service$).
  • Obtain keys and floor plans.
  • Preliminary exterior inspection ($Chauffeur$).
  • Reach floor $2 \, \text{floors}$ below reported fire.
  • Verify fire floor location, smoke/heat/life hazards.
  • Relay best attack stairway to engine officer.
• Second Arriving Ladder:
  • Report to $ICP$, verify floor, and assist in searching/evacuating the large fire floor area.
• Third Arriving Ladder:
  • Proceed to floor above the fire via a non-attack stairway.
  • Identify the best evacuation stairway for occupants.
  • Search for extension and presence of access stairs (convenience stairs).
  • Ensure occupants are removed from the attack stairway for at least $5 \, \text{floors}$ above the fire.
• Fourth Arriving Ladder:
  • Carry extra $SCBA$ cylinders.
  • Proceed to roof; report conditions (smoke/heat in stairs, roof ventilation means).
  • Search top $5 \, \text{floors}$.
  • Monitor conditions until establishment of $SAE$ Group.

8. Engine Company Operations Detail

• General Responsibility: Stretch sufficient hose, provide relief for nozzle teams, and supply standpipe/sprinkler systems.
• Hoseline standards: Due to large, uncompartmented areas, all hoselines MUST be $2 \, \frac{1}{2} \, \text{inch}$ hose.
• Arrival Procedures:
  • First Engine: Consult with ladder officer to select attack stairway (not a fire tower). Stretch from standpipe outlet on the floor below via the attack stairway.
  • Second Engine: Provide communication link with Post Radio. Assist first engine with the stretch. The officer monitors $HT$ comms and ensures water pressure/relief resources.
  • Third and Fourth Engines: Stretch and operate the second hoseline. Usually used to reinforce or protect the first line's position or the fire floor search.
  • Greater Alarm Engines: Report to $ICP$ or Staging. Bring $SCBAs$, rolled-up lengths, and spare cylinders to the lobby. If not needed, equipment is added to the Forward Staging Area supply.