strip mall fire tactics & strategies

Strip Mall FiresLt. Christopher Mariotti 08/21/2016

NEWPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT

Identify type of construction for strip malls

Explain Fire behavior in these structures

Describe construction benefits Identify tactical needs Recognize firefighting problems in strip malls

Explain basic offensive, defensive tactics at strip mall fires.

OBJECTIVES

Larger Structures

Large Undivided Areas

Heavier Fire Load

Weak Roof Construction

Low Life Hazard

OVERVIEW

Large Structures divided by partition walls

LARGE FIRE LOADSLARGE UNDIVIDED AREAS

Large Fire Loads

Weak Roof Construction

A Fire Here

May not be immediately noticed here & here

Verify Evacuation

Type II – Non-combustible

Type V – Lightweight

Combination of Construction

Parapet

Mansards & Façades

Store Fronts

Back doors

CONSTRUCTION

Type II Non-combustible

Masonry or concrete exterior walls with non-combustible roof assembly

Type V LightweightAll structural components are combustible

Combination ConstructionConcrete exterior walls with steel trusses and wooden roof

Parapet

Mansards & Facades

This building has tilt-up exterior walls, with a wood frame stucco covered mansard over the store front.

CLICK LINK FOR TILT-UP WALL VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HLBVaz_ETdU

Mansard and Facades

Glass Store Front

Quick glass removal can provide good access, but remember the rush of O2 will draw the fire to the outside.

Limited rear access

LIMITED REAR ACCESS

LIMITED REAR ACCESS

Fire WallsPartition WallAttic SpaceMansard/FaçadeSprinklersHydrants

CODES

Fire Barriers

This is a stucco over wood strip center, connected with a masonry wall of a major tenant (anchor store). From the rear you can see a actual gap between the buildings. It will be covered with a metal strip on the front. This is a formidable wall.

The space between the strip mall and the major tenant is covered for aesthetic reasons. This is a sign of a good fire barrier.

This partition wall is constructed of sheet rock over metal studs. It will continue to the underside of the roof decking.

One side of this wall is sheet rock over metal studs. The other side is a cinderblock wall. This would be important information in the development of your IAP.

Drop Ceiling or Open Ceiling

POTENTIAL HIDDEN FIRE

Remove tiles as you advance 181 Be l levue Ave

Mansard Fire StoppingRequired every 100 linear feet.

Fire barrier

Mansards & FacadesYou can see how the decorative mansard on this strip mall provides multiple access for fire spread.

Mansards & Facades

This wooden mansard is bolted onto a cinder block building.

StripmallAnchor Store

Mansard

Fire can potentially extend from a stripmall occupancy into an anchor store through the mansard.

Undivided Areas & Fire LoadUnsupported Lightweight Roof Assemblies/Early

CollapseConcentrated LoadsCommon AtticRear Access

FIRE SPREAD & CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS

UNDIVIDED AREAS

STOP & SHOPCVS Bellevue Ave (basement)

FIRE LOAD 1 9 9 C O N N E L L H W Y

Dollar Tree Dollar Tree

These roof assemblies are vulnerable to early collapse. You need to get water on the fire and on the trusses early.

Compromised truss section

181 BELLEVUE AVE

181 BELLEVUE AVE

Compromised Truss

Concentrated Roof Loads

Concentrated Loads

Rear Access

A block wall with a steel door can slow access to the occupancy. This door will need the skilled attention of a firefighter with a K-12 saw.

REAR DOORS/LOCKED FROM INSIDE

Keyed lock from inside Pad locked from inside

Stop & shop Stop & Shop

Rear Access

Rear access through lightweight construction may be easier through the wall.

Rear Access

This narrow space behind the building will force apparatus placement too close to the building.

Rear Access narrowing Places apparatus in potential collapse zones

Large Undivided AreasGlass Store FrontsCommon Attic SpaceEarly Self VentMasonry Walls at Anchor TenantsLightweight Partition WallsSprinklers

CONSTRUCTION BENEFITS OF STRIP MALLS

Large Open Areas

From a safe position outside the occupancy you can apply water to the back wall and the roof assembly.

You can hit nearly everything from the front door in smaller occupancies.

Open Areas

Open areas and straight isles for easy advance

WALMART

Glass Store Front

Removal of glass provides a large opening for ventilation, hose streams and access. Remember fire will be drawn to you.

Masonry wall at anchor tenants

We know we have a substantial wall at this anchor tenant. We can use it to try to protect the “long” side.

Lightweight partition walls. Show how they can be forced easily.

Lightweight partition walls can be easily breached

Fast Moving Large FireWater RequirementsEarly CollapseLightweight Roof vs. Vertical VentilationFlammable MansardManpower Intensive

FIREFIGHTING PROBLEMS WITH STRIP MALLS

Unique AttackAggressive Frontal AttackAggressive Exposure ProtectionVentilation Horizontal vs. VerticalOpen Rear DoorsSecure Utilities

BASIC FIREFIGHTING TACTICSAT STRIP MALLS

Example

Exposure B2

Exposure B1Exposure D1

Exposure D2

C Division

A Division

FDC

Additional ResourcesApparatus PositioningWater SupplyHoselineVentilationUtilitiesEntrySearch ExtinguishBack-upExposure DivisionsOverhaul/Salvage

BASIC OFFENSIVE TACTICS

Fire AttackRITBack-up GroupEvacuation GroupRoof Division/Ventilation GroupBravo Exposure & Delta ExposureCharlie DivisionFDCSafetyMedicalRehab

BASIC OFFENSIVE ASSIGNMENTS

Exposure B2

Exposure B1Exposure D1

Exposure D2

C Division

A Division

FDC

ExampleOffensive

Additional ResourcesApparatus PositioningWater SupplyFire AttackAssign Exposure Divisions & Establish Defensive

BoundariesVentilation & Roof ReportUtilities

BASIC DEFENSIVE TACTICS

Exposure D1 Exposure D2 Exposure D3Exposure B1

VentVent

FDC

C DivisionExample 1

Fire Attack

C Division

A Division

FDC

Example 2

Exposure B1Exposure D1

Exposure D2

Exposure D3Vent here or ?

Fire Attack

Fire Attack GroupBravo/Delta Exposure DivisionsCharlie DivisionEvacuation GroupRoof Division/Ventilation GroupRITSafetyMedicalRehabStagingPossible Water SupplyPossible PIO

BASIC DEFENSIVE ASSIGNMENTS

Offensive to Defensive Withdraw Abandon the Building

Defensive to OffensiveEvacuation

CHANGING STRATEGY

Identify where you would position your engine

Locate the hydrant you would utilizeSpot your ideal truck locationWhat hydrant would support the aerial

if needed?Choose a location for the rescueWhere should later arriving units stage?Explain where you would utilize other

unitsIf the incident grew into a defensive

fire, discuss how you would assign units.

SETS & REPSSTRIP MALL TARGET MAP

Receive DispatchVerbalize Pre-incident Information Complete En route ResearchVerbalize En route concernsComplete Brief Initial Report Identify Critical Factors & apply RMPGive Follow-up ReportIdentify Command ModeIdentify StrategyAssign & Track UnitsComplete IC Worksheet

SETS & REPS

BuildingFireOccupancyLife HazardArrangementResourcesActionSpecial Circumstances

STRIP MALL SITUATION EVALUATION

Reported Structure Fire in a business199 Connell HighwayFire in Burger Shop

CALL #1

Reported structure fire in a business250 BroadwayFire in PDQ

CALL #2

PDQ

PDQ

You tube

Essentials of Firefighting 5 th and 6 th edition

IFSTA Building Construction 3 rd edition

Fire Engineering

REFERENCES