OTTAWA FIRE SERVICES – LESSON PLAN



OTTAWA FIRE SERVICES

LESSON PLAN

|Subject: |Strategies and Tactics – Type II |

|Prerequisite: |Fire behavior, IMS / Accountability, Ventilation, Water supply, Fire Tactics Intro, |

| |Fire Tactics 1 |

|Learning Outcomes: |The firefighter will; |

| |Understand type 2 construction |

| |Know the tactical principles for type 2 buildings |

| |Understand the importance of size-up |

| |Understand duties of responding personnel |

| |Understand the common automatic protection |

| |Understand the common types of occupancies |

|Time: |2 hours |

|References: |OFS Strategy and Tactics Manual (issue: June 15, 2010, revision November 8th 2010) |

|Teaching Aids: |OFS Strategy and Tactics Manual, White board, Projector and Screen |

|Safety Considerations |N/A – Classroom Setting |

| | |

|Slide #1 |Introduction |

| | |

| |Type II structures vary in size, configuration, occupancy, and fire load. Type II construction issued for |

| |• strip malls and warehouses, |

| |• grocery stores and big box stores, |

| |• school gymnasiums and hockey arenas, and |

| |• business and industrial parks. |

| | |

| |While commonly referred to as non-combustible, Type II buildings do not resist collapse and fire spread to the same degree as |

| |Type I buildings. A good rule of thumb for identifying these structures is that they tend to be no more than four storeys in |

| |height and usually have exposed steel roof joists. |

| | |

| |Ottawa has many urban, suburban, and rural areas where Type II construction is prevalent. Many of Ottawa’s business parks are |

| |comprised of one and two storey buildings that are mainly Type II. This training identifies Type II features and physical |

| |characteristics, and outlines the procedures and operational requirements for dealing with fires in this type of construction.|

Presentation

| | |

|Slide # 2 |Objectives |

| | |

| |Understanding type 2 construction |

| |Responding to type 2 buildings |

| |Tactical principles for type 2 buildings |

| |Size-up |

| |Duties of responding personnel |

| |Automatic protection |

| |Common types of occupancies |

| | |

| | |

|Slide # 3 |Definition |

| | |

|3.1.3 |In Type II construction, also known as non-combustible construction, the structural components can be protected or |

| |unprotected. |

| | |

| |In unprotected construction, the structural elements are non-combustible, but have no fire resistance rating. The use of |

| |unprotected steel is the most common characteristic in unprotected, non-combustible construction. An example of this is the |

| |use of unprotected steel columns or steel beams for roof support. |

| | |

| |Type II construction differs from Type I fire-resistive construction in that Type II building tend to be lower and are not |

| |designed for residential use. The most common height of Type II buildings is from one to three storeys. |

| | |

| | |

| |Unprotected Structures |

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|Slide # 4 |Example of unprotected structures is the use of exposed steel columns or steel beams for roof support |

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| | |

| |Typical construction used for mercantile commercial type buildings. |

| | |

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|Slide # 5 & 6 |Protected Structures |

| | |

| |Structural steel elements frequently have a degree of fire resistance that is less than what is required for Type I |

|Slide # 7 |construction. When this is the case, these structural elements can be covered with fire resistive material or encased in fire |

| |resistive insulation. |

|3.1.4. | |

| |Fire resistance refers to the ability of a structural assembly to maintain its load bearing ability under fire conditions. |

| |Non-combustible, a misleading term, refers to the fuel contributed by the structural components, not its resistance to fire |

| |spread. Type II construction has structural components that may or may not have a fire resistance rating. |

| | |

| |Use of fireproofing material to give the steel a fire resistance. The type of fireproofing and thickness applied dictates the|

| |degree of fire resistance provided. |

| | |

| |When protected in this fashion, Type II structures are referred to as protected non-combustible construction. |

| | |

| | |

|Slide # 8 |If the building is equipped with sprinklers in areas where there are exposed steel |

| |elements, that area can also be considered protected. |

|3.1.4. | |

| | |

| | |

| |Figure in this slide depicts a typical Type II building under construction. |

| | |

|Slide # 9 |It has load-bearing steel columns supporting a lightweight steel joist assembly. |

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|3.1.4. |Long steel I-beams run perpendicular to the roof joists and are supported by the columns. |

| | |

| |The joists are often left exposed and unprotected from the underside. |

|Slide # 10 | |

| |The I-beam is also exposed and supported by steel columns that transfer the weight of the roof down to the footings. |

| | |

| |Open-webbed joists are available in various depths and spans of up to 44 metres. |

| | |

| |Depending on the occupancy, interior finishing, and fire load, during a fire these steel load-bearing elements must be cooled |

| |to prevent collapse. |

| | |

| |As with Type I construction, the structural members in Type II construction contribute little or no fuel load. |

| | |

| |However, buildings classified as Type II often do not meet the strict definition. |

| | |

| |Combustible construction materials are sometimes used in Type II buildings, example can be the roofing material. |

| | |

| | |

| |Loads and Connections |

| | |

| |In Type II buildings, loads are transferred from the roof to load-bearing, non-combustible columns or walls to the foundation.|

| |As it is with all structures, the way the different building elements are connected dictate the building’s overall stability. |

| | |

| |There are two common types of connections in Type II construction: |

| |• With pinned connections, elements are joined with simple connections such as bolts, rivets, or welded joints. These are |

| |usually not strong enough to re-route forces if one member is removed or fails. |

| |• Rigid-framed connections, as illustrated in next slide, are strong enough to re-route forces if a single member is removed. |

| | |

| |Rigid Framing |

|Slide #11 | |

| |Rigid framing is designed to resist the bending forces resulting from the supported loads and lateral forces. |

| | |

| |In a building constructed with rigid-frame connections, sufficient rigidity exists between the beam and the column so that no |

| |change occurs in the angle between the beam and the column as loads are applied. |

| | |

| |Protected, non-combustible construction provides a degree of structural stability, depending on the degree of fire resistance |

| |provided. |

| | |

| |An unprotected, non-combustible building will not provide prolonged structural stability under fire conditions. |

| | |

| |To prevent firefighter safety from being compromised, the Incident Commander should anticipate failure of unprotected steel |

| |because of excessive heat. |

|Slide #12 | |

| | |

|3.1.5. |Failure of Type II Construction |

| | |

| |The point at which unprotected members fail will depend on the following factors: |

| |• Ceiling height of the building; |

| |• Dimensions of the unprotected members; |

| |• Intensity and duration of the fire and heat exposure; and |

| |• The load stress on the unprotected steel. |

| | |

| |Figure on this slide shows a Type II structure under construction where the roof load is supported by concrete block |

| |load-bearing walls. |

| | |

| |The steel column supports an open web beam supporting roof joists, which are pinned to the top chord of the beam. |

| | |

| |This is not a rigid-frame design in that the bottom chords of the roof joists are shorter than the top chords and are |

| |unattached. |

| | |

| |This design allows the bottom chord to expand and twist without exerting horizontal pressure on the load-bearing elements. |

|Slide # 13 | |

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|3.1.5. | |

| |Characteristics |

| | |

| |The structural components of Type II buildings |

| |• are usually steel or concrete; |

| |• do not add to the fire load; and |

| |• have some or no degree of fire resistance, depending on use and occupancy. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Type II buildings are constructed either with a steel frame or concrete load-bearing walls. |

| | |

| |If constructed with a steel frame, they can have either metal or non-load-bearing concrete block exterior wall. |

| | |

| |There is a serious risk of early collapse of typical Type II buildings. These buildings are not structurally stable under fire|

| |conditions and failure of unprotected steel should be anticipated. |

| | |

| |Steel members can fail at as little as 426.66° C (800°F). When heated, steel beams and joists will expand, pushing out walls |

| |and creating a potential for load-bearing wall collapse. |

| | |

|Slide # 14 | |

| |Characteristics |

|3.1.5. | |

| |Combustible materials permitted. |

| |Fire loading based on occupancy. |

| |With or without sprinkler protection. |

| |HVAC typically mounted on roof. |

| |Large open space. |

| | |

| |Combustible materials can be used in Type II construction for interior finishes, roof coverings and structures, exterior |

| |veneers and trim and nailing strips. |

| | |

| |Depending on the occupancy type, fire loading will vary and the building may have sprinklers. |

| | |

| |Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment is usually located on the roof. |

| | |

| |Basements, although not common, can exist. Type II buildings can have a large building footprint and large open spaces within |

| |them. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Combustible Roofing Material |

| | |

| |Type II buildings are usually constructed with a flat, metal deck roof supported on open-webbed steel joists. |

|Slide # 15 | |

| |Roof composition is commonly combustible metal deck roofing, which is referred to as built-up roofing. |

|3.1.6. | |

| |It is comprised of a waterproof cover, rigid insulation, and corrugated metal decking. |

| | |

| |Many roofing systems, on Type II non-combustible buildings include fibre-board and polyisocyanurate (polyiso) combustible foam|

| |board insulation, which adds to the building’s combustible load. |

| | |

| | |

| |Responding to Fires |

| | |

| |Combustible Roofing Material = Early Failure |

| | |

| |The roofs of warehouses built before 1970 can be comprised of layers of tongue and groove boards over steel roof joists. |

| | |

| |The boards are layered to be several centimetres thick and provide the basis for the roof deck. |

| | |

| |Many of the warehouses on Holly Lane in Ottawa’s south end have roof assemblies like this. |

| | |

| |Fire companies might have time to properly ventilate these roofs vertically if the fire has not taken hold of the roof itself.|

| | |

| | |

|Slide # 16 |The weight of HVAC systems must be kept in mind. |

| | |

|3.2.1 |Many older Type II and III buildings have had modifications for HVAC and venting systems for kitchen exhausts. |

| | |

| |In some instances, the roof structure might not be engineered for the added load. |

| | |

| | |

| |Responding to Fires |

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| |Roof Bowed by Heat Exposure |

| | |

| |These open-webbed, unprotected bar joists can fail in as little as 5 to 10 minutes of intense fire exposure. |

| | |

| |Figure on this slide shows open-webbed steel roof joists that are bowed because of exposure to heat. |

| | |

|Slide # 17 | |

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|3.2.1. |Responding to Fires |

| | |

| |The combustible roofs create a serious problem for fire spread. |

| | |

| |It is not advisable to place firefighters on these roof structures if a significant fire is burning. |

| | |

| |As a steel roof deck heats, the tar and foam insulation on top of the deck liquefy, they migrate into the channels of the |

| |steel decking and flow under unburned material. |

| | |

| |Once exposed to air, the material ignites, spreading fire from the area of origin to remote areas. |

| | |

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| | |

| |Tactical Principles |

| | |

| |Forcible Entry |

| |Locating the Fire |

| |Using Master Streams |

| |Managing Air Supply |

| |Advancing Hose Lines |

| |Ventilation |

| |Hazards and Safety |

|Slide # 18 | |

| |We will now outline the strategies and tactics required for fighting fires in Type II structures. |

|3.2.1. |  |

| |The information is based on the latest North American research pertaining to fires in these types of buildings. |

| |  |

| |As with other types of building design, there are unique aspects to Type II construction that require specific treatment. From|

| |big box stores to small garages, Type II buildings present unique challenges to fire personnel. |

| |  |

| |Type II structures are present in just about every area of Ottawa and have a wide variety of occupancy with various fire |

| |loads. While primarily used for commercial and manufacturing use, |

| |  |

| |Type II structures are also used for office space, medical offices, and even restaurants. |

|Slide # 19 | |

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|3.2.1. |Forcible Entry |

| | |

| | |

| |Rule 1: Try before you pry. It is inexcusable to have a crew go through the entire |

| |forcible entry process only to find out that the door was unlocked. |

| | |

| |Rule 2: Don’t ignore the obvious. Look for the easiest way to get in. There is |

| |often more than one entry point into a structure. Depending on the urgency of the situation and the purpose for forcing entry,|

| |all options should be considered |

| |before you undertake to gain entry forcibly. |

| | |

| |Rule 3: If possible, use the door that the occupants normally use to enter or exit |

| |the premises. Not only does this place you in the occupants’ most likely path of |

|Slide # 20 |egress for rescue purposes, it also makes your task much easier. |

| | |

|3.3 |Rule 4: Maintain the integrity of the door. In other words, keep the door intact. |

| |One of the least desirable methods of forcible entry is to smash open a plate glass |

| |door or window, even if it is obvious that a serious fire is burning. This approach |

| |can create the circumstance for a backdraft, as the sudden in-flow of fresh air can cause the triggering mechanism for a |

| |significant fire event. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Forcible Entry Methods |

| | |

| |Figure shows where bolts for the panic bar are located and how these bolts can be cut using a circular saw. |

| | |

| |This method allows for the removal of the panic bar from the exterior. |

| | |

| |However, it is time consuming and may also require the removal of the deadbolt lock. |

| | |

| | |

| |Forcible Entry Methods |

| | |

| |One of the most effective methods of defeating a deadbolt lock in a steel frame is to tap door wedges in the space between the|

| |door and the frame approximately 15-20 centimetres above and below the location of the lock. |

| | |

| |The wedges will expose the deadbolt sufficiently so that it can be cut using a circular saw blade. |

| | |

| |See the diagram on this slide. |

| | |

|Slide # 21 | |

| |Forcible Entry Methods |

|3.3.2. | |

| |Figure on this slide shows a rotary saw being used to cut a deadbolt lock on a double hinged door assembly. |

| | |

| |This method is the least destructive way to gain entry and leaves the door intact so that it can be used to control air flows |

| |and pressure. |

| | |

| |It also allows the building owner to effectively secure the building after the incident by simply replacing the lock. |

| | |

| | |

| |Forcible Entry Methods |

| | |

| |Figure on this slide shows how a triangular cut can be made to defeat a bar jam. |

| | |

| |This type of cut allows a firefighter to reach in and release the panic bar and remove the steel jam. |

| | |

| |This should only be done if interior conditions permit, as it would be inadvisable for any firefighter to reach into a super |

| |heated environment to release a door lock. |

| | |

| |In such an instance, a short pike pole or halligan could be used to push the bar out of the way and exert pressure on the |

| |panic bar. |

| | |

|Slide # 22 | |

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|3.3.2.1. | |

| | |

| |Forcible Entry Methods |

| | |

| |Figure on this slide shows how a halligan can be used with a sledge hammer to break bolts on the exterior of a steel door to |

| |defeat a locking mechanism. |

| | |

| |The adze end of the tool is struck with the sledge hammer. |

|Slide # 23 | |

| |A flat headed axe can also be used to perform a striking function, but it tends to have less weight and may not be as |

|3.3.2.1. |efficient for this purpose. |

| | |

| | |

| |Forcible Entry Methods |

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| |Figure 3–17 shows how a halligan can be used to defeat the hinges on a steel door frame. |

| | |

| |Figure 3–18 shows how a halligan can be used to force a door in a steel frame. |

| | |

| | |

|Slide # 24 | |

| |Forcible Entry Methods |

|3.3.2.1. | |

| |When using tools like halligans and pike poles, firefighters must be sure to pry down on the tool using body weight to reduce |

| |any back strain. |

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| | |

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| |Locating the Fire |

| | |

| |Officer/IC; 360 degree size-up. |

| |Use thermal imaging camera. |

|Slide # 25 |Assess condition of smoke. |

| |High ceilings can hide things. |

|3.3.2.1. |Watch for signs of flashover. |

| | |

| |The first arriving officer should ensure that a 360⁰ exterior reconnaissance is performed as part of the initial size-up. This|

| |reconnaissance provides important information that can be used in the decision-making process and formulation of incident |

| |action plans. |

| | |

| |Thermal imaging cameras and heat guns should be included as part of the on-scene size-up tools to allow companies the |

| |opportunity to locate any high heat areas prior to making entry. These tools will not provide accurate readings through |

| |glass. |

| | |

| |Visible smoke may not provide an accurate indication of the size and advanced state of the fire. |

| | |

| |High ceilings with few or no openings to the exterior can mask the level of involvement and the high heat conditions that may |

| |be present at the upper levels of the building. |

| | |

|Slide # 26 |Smoke without any appreciable heat or cold smoke is of grave concern. Although this smoke is cold it still contains volatile |

| |fuel elements that can ignite when exposed to a flame source. |

| | |

|3.3.2.1. |Firefighters must constantly look up and analyse the smoke layer to guard against a potential flashover. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Using Master Streams |

| | |

| |Use large master streams to cool structure. |

| |Direct hose streams through open windows & doors. |

|Slide # 27 |Smooth bore nozzles preferred to deliver large volume of water. |

| | |

|3.3.2.1. |If high heat conditions exist at the roof level of a fire in a Type II building, large diameter hose streams must be directed |

| |onto the exposed structural steel to control the heat of the fire and to cool the steel elements before they fail. |

| | |

| |Hose streams should be directed from protected windows or doorways to allow rapid egress for fire crews should the building |

| |begin to fail. |

| | |

| |Smooth bore nozzles or straight streams are preferred because of their penetration characteristics and ability to rain the |

|Slide # 28 |water down onto the source after cooling the exposed steel. |

| | |

|3.3.2.1. | |

| |Using Master Streams |

| | |

| |Ladder stream at ground level. |

| |Push fire back to burnt area. |

|Slide # 29 |Effective fire attack method for large floor spaces. |

| | |

|3.3.3. |In heavily involved structures, the use of elevating devices with their master streams operating at ground level should be |

| |considered. |

| | |

| |As a rule, hose streams should be positioned in such a way as to head off the advancing fire and push it back towards the main|

| |body; see Figure 3–26. |

| | |

| |It is too easy for Incident Commanders to focus on the most involved unit and neglect the adjoining exposures. |

| | |

| |This method of fire attack can be extremely effective and fire conditions can improve within minutes if the stream is |

| |effective and the device is in the right position. |

| | |

| |Fire companies should practice vehicle placement to master this technique. |

| | |

| |Fire personnel will not be able to properly position the apparatus in a timely fashion without practice. |

| | |

| | |

| |Advancing Hose Lines |

| | |

| |Because of the large areas involved with many Type II structures, exterior signs may not indicate a serious fire. |

| | |

| |Smoke can stratify in large buildings and accumulate along the entire roof area before banking down. |

| | |

| |Smoke is fuel. |

| | |

| |Big box stores should not be horizontally ventilated until a reconnaissance of the building has been conducted. |

| | |

| |Improperly ventilating a big box store can result in a rapid acceleration of the fire that can overwhelm fire companies in |

| |seconds. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

|Slide # 30 |Advancing Hose Lines |

| | |

|3.3.4. |Determine origin & extent of fire before advancing. |

| |Use easily identified large openings. |

| | |

| |Hose lines should not be advanced into a building until the origin and extent of fire involvement has been determined. |

| | |

| |Hose lines should be advanced through the largest openings available to facilitate rapid egress if required. |

| | |

| | |

| |Managing Air Supply |

| | |

| |NO MORE THAN 60 METERS INTO STRUCTURE |

| | |

| |Air supply is 16 to 19 minutes. |

| |¼ of the air supply to advance |

| |¼ to accomplish a task |

| |¼ to retreat |

|Slide # 31 |¼ as a safety margin |

| | |

|3.3.4. |Tests conducted by the Phoenix Fire Department demonstrated that firefighters should not advance more than 60 metres into a |

| |structure when relying on their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for survival. |

| | |

| |Firefighters, company officers, and Incident Commanders must maintain awareness of how long a particular company has been “on |

| |air” and how much air time remains in their air bottle. |

| | |

| |DO NOT wait for your low air alarm to sound! It’s too late! |

| | |

| | |

| |Ventilation |

| | |

| |Indiscriminate breaking of windows can allow the fire to develop so rapidly that interior crews can quickly become victims of |

| |extreme heat and smoke. |

| | |

| |The incident action plan will identify the amount and extent of ventilation to be undertaken. |

| | |

| |If stores are equipped with large windows on one or more sides, they should remain intact until the heat impinging on the |

| |exposed steel elements has been effectively addressed. |

| | |

| |Windows should not be removed until the initial attack crew can confirm that they are cooling and extinguishing the fire. |

| | |

| |Most Type II buildings are equipped with a rear door that should be opened as soon as possible to allow an additional means of|

|Slide # 32 |egress as well as to establish an avenue for cross ventilation or positive pressure ventilation (PPV). |

| | |

|3.3.6 |PPV can help fire suppression, improve fresh airflow for firefighters, and aid visibility. |

| | |

| |Big box stores should not be horizontally ventilated until a reconnaissance of the building has been conducted. |

| | |

| |Improperly ventilating a big box store can result in a rapid acceleration of the fire that can overwhelm fire companies in |

| |seconds. |

| | |

| | |

| |Ventilation |

| | |

| |In strip malls, PPV can also be used to pressurize exposed units on either side of the unit on fire to help keep the fire and |

| |smoke from migrating out of the fire compartment. |

| | |

| | |

| |Ventilation |

| | |

|Slide # 33 |Avoid roof ventilation if possible. |

| |Unprotected steel joists fail 5-10 minutes. |

|3.3.6 |Assume defensive attack if unsure. |

| | |

| |Roof ventilation should not be undertaken on thin roof decks regardless of the structural elements that have been used. |

| | |

| |Unprotected steel bar joists can cause roof systems to fail rapidly (5 to 10 minutes) and without warning when exposed to |

| |direct flames or high heat. |

| | |

| |Firefighters could cut off one of the tack welded areas causing the area they are standing on to become unstable. |

| | |

| |A quick check for skylights, roof vents, or ventilation scuttles should be conducted after the roof’s stability has been |

|Slide # 34 |verified. Opening these natural breaches in the roof will provide some degree of vertical ventilation. |

| | |

|3.3.5 |If the fire is extensive and the backdraft potential is apparent, it would be advisable to break the glass on all sides of the|

| |structure and assume a defensive posture. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Hazards & Safety |

| | |

| |Early roof collapse. |

| |Exterior wall collapse. |

| |High fuel load, big box store. |

| |Large floor area = Firefighter disorientation |

| |High ceilings deceiving to firefighters below. |

| |Drop ceilings possible entanglement. |

| |Backdraft & Flashover |

| |Possible service pits in repair garage. |

| | |

| | |

| |Officers are responsible for the actions of their personnel at all times and must give them direction on the fireground. |

| | |

|Slide # 35 |They must ensure that their personnel are properly dressed for the tasks they are expected to perform. |

| | |

|3.3.7. |Officers generally oversee the execution of tasks, but do not execute them. |

| | |

| |Unless it is absolutely required, officers should not be using tools. An officer using a tool will not be focused on the |

| |safety of his or her personnel. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Size-Up |

| |Pre-Call |

| | |

| |Size-up should begin with pre-fire planning. |

| | |

| |Pre-fire planning identifies the protective elements in a structure and the critical considerations before any call is |

| |received. |

| | |

| |Understanding the strengths and limitations of on-duty personnel is an important consideration for officers. |

| | |

| |For fire personnel size-up includes reviewing memorandums pertaining to street closures and ensuring that members leaving duty|

| |provide a complete update as to what transpired on their tour of duty. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Size-Up |

| |Responding |

| | |

| |All fire services personnel should be engaged in the process of size-up upon receipt of a call. |

| | |

|Slide # 36 |Time of day, Weather conditions, Radio reports, etc |

| | |

|3.3.7. |The time of day is relevant depending on the building type and occupancy and has a bearing on rescue. |

| | |

| |If a fire service is responding to a Type II building during rush hour, it must expect heavier traffic patterns and possibly |

| |more people at the subject building. |

| | |

|Slide # 37 |Big box parking lots can be full depending on the time of day and even the day of the week. |

| | |

|3.3.7. |Valuable information can be obtained from the computer-aided dispatch (CAD) printout and should be used in the formulation of |

| |decisions. |

| | |

| |Company officers should take a moment and read the information on the printout while they are responding. All personnel should|

| |listen to the radio reports as the dispatchers will provide important information pertaining to the type of call, what the |

| |caller said, and whether a large number of calls are being received confirming an actual fire. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Size-Up |

| |Upon Arrival |

| | |

| |Announce & assume command. |

| |Description of building. |

| |Declaration of strategy. |

| |Declaration of operational mode. |

| |Request for additional information. |

| | |

| |For fire responses, the first arriving officer must provide a clear and concise report based on visual indications upon |

| |arrival. The initial radio report should include the above information. |

| | |

| |This information must be communicated clearly so that all incoming companies will be prepared to begin operations to fulfill |

|Slide # 38 |the requirements of the initial action plan. |

| |Tactical objectives should be assigned to the next due apparatus according to the requirements of each incident. |

|3.3.8. | |

| |As with all incidents, the basic concepts and requirements of incident management must be satisfied. Refer to the Ottawa Fire |

| |Services (OFS) Incident Management System (IMS) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for more information. |

| | |

| | |

| |Size-Up |

| |Post-Incident Analysis |

| | |

| |Update pre-fire plan as required. |

| |COAL WAS WEALTH |

| | |

| |Size-up must be a continuous process throughout the incident that re-evaluates each critical factor and provides the necessary|

| |information to adjust or redevelop the current action plan. |

| | |

| |C Construction (Type I to V, or hybrid?) |

| |O Occupancy (number of people and what is inside the building?) |

| |A Apparatus and personnel (what do I have available for immediate use?) |

| |L Life Hazard (is rescue going to be the overriding concern?) |

| | |

| |W Water supply (hydrant or non-hydrant area, locations, and available supply?) |

| |A Auxiliary appliances (are there sprinklers, standpipes, and so on?) |

| |S Street conditions (where can apparatus be placed to best advantage? are there obstructions?) |

| | |

|Slide # 39 |W Weather (extreme cold, extreme heat, wind speed and direction, high humidity, etc.) |

| |E Exposures (are adjacent structures or occupancies threatened or involved?) |

|3.4.1. |A Area and height of the involved building |

| |L Location and extent of the fire |

| |T Time (how long has this fire been burning?) |

| |H Hazards (hazardous materials, overhead wires, construction work, etc.) |

| | |

| | |

| |Duties for Fires in Type II Buildings |

| | |

| |The Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) response model is flexible and vehicles regardless of their type may have to perform duties |

| |according to their arrival sequence. |

| | |

| |This section outlines operational procedures for Type II buildings based on the arrival sequence of the apparatus. |

| | |

| |A basic template for establishing operational procedures should be developed during pre-fire planning. |

| | |

|Slide # 40 |This section outlines the duties for fire companies when responding to fires in Type II structures based on fire company type |

| |and order of arrival. |

|3.4.2 | |

| |The tactics described in this section are based on the following response model: |

| |• Pump companies have one officer and three firefighters upon arrival; |

| |• Ladder companies have one officer and two firefighters upon arrival; and |

| |• Rescue companies have one officer and two or three firefighters upon arrival. |

| | |

| |In rural response areas, the Incident Commander will have to determine a course of action in accordance with the human |

| |resources available on scene. |

| | |

| |Rules of Operations |

| | |

| |Do not hesitate to use 65mm hose lines, |

| |Avoid directing hose streams into a vent, |

| |Never enter beyond 60 M when heavily involved, |

| |Limit vertical ventilation, |

| |Do not cut steel roof deck, and |

| |Roof operations include hose lines. |

| |NEVER FREELANCE! |

| | |

| |Never freelance. |

| | |

| |Fire personnel who lack the discipline to remain with their assigned company are a danger to themselves and to others. |

| | |

| |This rule includes officers who freelance with their company. |

| | |

| | |

|Slide # 41 |Command & Sectors |

| | |

|3.4.3 |Additional sectors might have to be assigned according to the size of the building and number of personnel on scene. |

| |Multiple entry control points might have to be established. |

| |Sectors need to work and plan at the tactical level. |

| | |

| |Command procedures for Type II buildings are generally the same as for any other types of structures. However, the following |

| |specific points should be kept in mind: |

| |• Additional sectors might have to be assigned according to the size of the building; |

| |• Multiple entry control points might have to be established; and |

| |• Multiple sectors might have to be established for large structures. |

| |  |

| |Assigning sectors allows the Incident Commander to break a large fire problem down into smaller, more manageable units of |

| |operation. |

| |  |

| |Each company officer in charge of a sector should mentally formulate a plan for the tactical objective he or she is attempting|

| |to achieve and ensure that the plan is consistent with the overall incident action plan. |

| | |

| | |

| |Duties for Fires in Type II Buildings |

| | |

| |Duties for officers and trucks specific to Type II buildings: |

| |1st Arriving Pump |

|Slide # 42 |2nd Arriving Pump |

| |1st Arriving Ladder |

|3.4.5 | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Duties – 1st Arriving Pump |

| | |

| |Assume Command & First Radio Report |

| |Establish Water Supply |

| |Supplement Sprinkler System |

| |Allow space for ladder. |

| | |

| | |

| |The first arriving pump company officer assumes command, transmits the first radio report, performs a complete size-up and |

| |ensures that a continuous and reliable water supply is established, depending on the following factors: |

| |The size of the fire; |

| |Exposures; |

| |The arrival time of the second due pump company; |

| |Accessibility of the water supply; and |

| |Pump vehicle water tank capacity. |

| | |

| |First pump should immediately supply the subject building’s fire protection system if there is no immediate requirement for |

| |rescue; the fire is not directly impinging on or threatening to spread to an exposure; and the available water supply is |

| |sufficient to support the building’s protection system. |

| |  |

| |Whenever possible, allowance for ladder placement must be made when apparatus are arriving on the scene. |

| | |

|Slide # 43 | |

| |Duties – 2nd Arriving Pump |

|3.5 | |

| |Ensure adequate water supply |

| |Non-hydrant area; establish rural water supply |

| |Supplement sprinkler system |

| |65mm hose line for safety & cool the roof |

| | |

| |The second arriving pump company performs the following duties: |

| |Ensure that the first arriving pump has an adequate water supply; |

| |Supply the building’s sprinkler Siamese connection, if the first pump has not done so; |

| |Stretch a 65 millimetre hose line to protect the fire attack company and cool the steel roof members; and |

| | |

| |If required by Command, the second arriving pump company can assist with fire attack or search and rescue operations. |

| | |

| | |

| |Duties – 1st Arriving Ladder |

| | |

| |Ladder the building. |

| |Forcible entry if needed. |

| |Ventilation, PPV |

| |Overhaul |

|Slide # 44 | |

| | |

|3.5.1 |The first arriving ladder company performs the following duties: |

| |Ladder the building according to the needs of the incident; |

| |Perform forcible entry, as required; |

| |Open any doors opposite the fire attack to allow for ventilation; |

| |Set up positive pressure ventilation (PPV), as required; and |

| |Perform overhaul. |

| |  |

| |Doors to be opened for ventilation can include garage bay doors, roll-down shutters, and exit doors. |

| |  |

| |Opening these doors is dependent on the needs of the incident and must be consistent with the incident action plan. |

| |  |

| |Regardless of the construction type, wind and air temperature must be |

| |assessed before ventilating any building. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

|Slide # 45 |Protective Features |

| | |

|3.5.2 |Fire Alarm System |

|3.5.3 |Sprinkler & Standpipe System |

| |Fire Separations |

| | |

| |Depending on several factors, including the age of the building, number of storeys, height, occupancy and use, Type II |

| |buildings may have protective features such as fire alarm systems, sprinkler and standpipe systems, and fire separations. |

| | |

| |Sprinkler and Standpipe Systems |

| |A standpipe or sprinkler system can be expected in Type II buildings that are greater than three storeys or 14 metres in |

| |height; are large in both height and area; or have an occupancy classification that would warrant such a system. |

| | |

| |Fire Separations |

| |Fire personnel can expect to find various separations within Type II occupancies. For example, a fire separation might exist |

| |between an office area and the manufacturing area, or between floors within a unit. Fire separations can consist of the |

| |following materials: |

| |Concrete block walls; |

| |Reinforced concrete walls; |

| |Dry wall on steel studs; and |

| |Steel roll-down fire doors activated by a fusible link |

|Slide # 46 | |

| | |

|3.5.4 | |

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| | |

| |Occupancies |

| | |

|Slide # 47 |Variety of Occupancies: |

| |Mercantile |

|3.5.5 |Industrial |

| |Storage |

| |Assembly |

| |Office |

| |Service |

| | |

| |Type II buildings can include the following occupancies: |

| |Mercantile buildings like big box stores, strip malls, and convenience stores; |

| |Industrial buildings like manufacturing facilities or repair garages; |

| |Storage and warehouse facilities; |

| |Assembly occupancies like churches, theatres, schools, community facilities, arenas, restaurants, exhibition halls, television|

| |studios, and so on; |

| |Office buildings; and |

| |Windowless service buildings such as municipal pumping stations and hydro-electric substations. |

| | |

| |Type II buildings vary greatly in their size, occupancy, fire loads, hazardous materials content, and the degree of fire |

| |protection. Physical similarities among Type II buildings do not necessarily mean that fires in them can be fought in the same|

| |manner. |

| | |

| |The type of occupancy and building construction type will be the primary factors in determining the overall tactical approach |

| |taken by the Incident Commander. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

|Slide # 48 |Mercantile Occupancies |

| | |

|3.5.6 |Commercial business; under 3 storeys in height |

| |Challenges: |

| |Non standard fire load |

| |Multiple tenants/uses |

| |Look for different company signs. |

| | |

| |Mercantile occupancies are Type II buildings at which business in the trade of goods is conducted. |

| | |

| |They are primarily commercial businesses. Typically less than 3 storeys in building height. |

| | |

| |The challenge concerning these occupancies is the variable fire load from one unit to the next. A printing shop might |

| |neighbour a paint store that is next to a flooring company. Containing the fire to the unit of origin by establishing |

| |containment tactics is key when fighting fires in these structures. |

| | |

| |For the building shown, the load bearing walls separating the units are detectable as brick outcroppings along the front |

| |façade. Roof joists generally run across the span between load-bearing walls. |

|Slide # 49 | |

| |As part of a comprehensive size‐up, firefighters should look at the signage at the front of a building. Signage will indicate |

|3.5.7 |the type of business occupancy, which can aid in assessing the potential fire load. |

| | |

| | |

| |Big Box Stores |

| | |

| |Large footprint & high ceilings, high rack storage. |

| |Extremely high fuel load. |

| |Flammable & combustible liquid. |

| |Fast-moving fire. |

| | |

| |Big box mercantile occupancies occupy a large footprint and have high square footage. |

| | |

| |These buildings tend to encompass large open areas and have high ceilings. |

| | |

| |In the case of large home renovation and hardware stores, such as Home Depot, there is an extremely high fire load with a wide|

| |variety of combustibles and flammable liquids. |

| | |

| |A typical big box store has a significant amount of material stored on high steel shelving units. |

| | |

| |While many of these stores follow similar shelving configurations; based on a series of rows, some have areas within the rows |

| |that act as nodes for the sale of flooring, window treatments, paint and tools, and so on. |

| | |

| |A concentrated fire involving such a diverse fire load could quickly overcome any built-in fire protection system and create |

| |the circumstance for an extremely large, fast-moving fire. |

|Slide # 50 | |

| | |

|3.6 |Big Box Stores |

| | |

| |Firefighters should only fight these fires from the end of the rows while hose streams cool the upper environment and roof |

| |joists. |

| | |

| |Firefighters should only fight these fires from the end of the rows while hose streams cool the upper environment and roof |

| |joists. |

| | |

| |When directing hose streams, the firefighter on the nozzle should ensure that the hose pattern does not disrupt heavily |

| |stocked shelves. |

| | |

| |A straight stream or a solid stream can knock material off shelving and even destabilize shelves. |

| | |

| |Fallen material and stock can also block means of egress. For an example of flammable materials stored in rows of shelving. |

| | |

| |Typically, the roof and structural components of this kind of store are exposed with no fire resistance rating. |

| | |

| |These buildings might have sprinkler or standpipe systems or both. |

| | |

| |Depending on the occupancy, there might be few window openings, which can make ventilation challenging. |

| | |

| |These buildings usually have a high fire loading because of stock that includes Class A, B, C, and D combustibles. |

| | |

| | |

| |Strip Malls |

| | |

| |Long, narrow buildings. |

| |Several small businesses. |

| |Individual entrances. |

| |Fire separations between units. |

| | |

|Slide # 51 |Strip malls are commonly long, narrow buildings that house several small businesses. Many of these malls have anchor tenants |

| |that are larger brand-name grocery or clothing stores. |

|3.7. | |

| |Each unit will have a separate individual entrance from the exterior, as there are no interior public corridors. Sometimes |

| |these buildings have a rear service corridor for deliveries and to access services and storage rooms. |

| | |

| |As in other Type II buildings, the roof and structural components of strip mall buildings are typically exposed with no fire |

| |rating. Depending on the occupancy type, the interior ceiling may be suspended. It is always sound practice to pull any |

| |suspended ceiling panels down as fire attack companies advance into a fire compartment. |

| | |

| | |

| |Strip Malls |

| | |

| |Many strip malls have overhanging canopies that cover walkways from one end of the mall to the other. |

| | |

| |Canopies can be a conduit for fire and smoke spread and can contribute to the fire load. In older strip malls, the overhanging|

| |canopies might be made of various kinds of insulation and wood supporting elements. |

| | |

| |In the case of a single unit fire, it is imperative that the underside of the canopy be overhauled in conjunction with the |

| |fire attack. If fire starts running along the inside of a canopy, extreme caution must be used in working under it because it |

| |can collapse without warning. |

| | |

| |The use of master streams can be a useful means to control fire spread in void spaces such as those found in canopies. |

| |However, fire personnel must be careful to ensure that their hose streams do not entrain oxygen into the fire compartment or |

| |push fire into unburned areas. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Industrial Occupancies |

| | |

| |Industrial buildings vary in size from small manufacturing shops and auto repair garages to large facilities like OC Transpo |

| |vehicle maintenance buildings located throughout the city. |

|Slide # 52 | |

| |Few fire separated compartments. |

|3.7.1 | |

| |Special hazards: |

| |fuel, oil, compressed gases, flammable liquids, cleaning solvents, |

| |battery recharging |

| |storage areas. |

| | |

| |Firefighters can expect to find non-conforming mezzanines in some Type II storage, manufacturing and industrial occupancies. |

| |These mezzanines are, in effect, makeshift second storeys within the structure. |

| | |

| |Stretching protective hose lines for fire attack personnel is a priority. |

| | |

| |When available resources permit and depending on the size of the structure, the assignment of more than one Rapid Intervention|

| |Team (RIT) should be considered. |

| | |

| | |

| | |

| |Storage & Self-Storage |

| | |

| |Low occupant load, high fuel load. |

| |Single or multiple storey |

| |Security controlled access. |

| |Pre-fire plan. |

| |Ladder building for 2nd exit. |

| |Assume the worst fuel load. |

| |Consider indirect attack. |

| | |

|Slide # 53 |Multiple storey self-storage temperature regulated buildings. |

| | |

|3.7.2 |The problems associated with fighting fires in these structures are similar to those associated with fighting fires in Type I |

| |structure, except that the fire load can be much more highly concentrated. |

| | |

| |Access may be difficult because of electronic security measures, as tenants usually access these buildings using a pass card |

| |system. |

| | |

| | |

| |Ladders are important in fighting fires in multi-storey facilities. Fire companies inside must have multiple means of egress |

| |and the Incident Commander should ensure that, wherever possible, ladders are strategically placed to ensure that a secondary |

| |means of egress to the exterior is established. |

| | |

| |Indirect fire attack methods can be employed in situations where the fire will be difficult to suppress using a direct frontal|

| |attack. |

| | |

| |The indirect method can include partially opening the door and injecting a series of one-to-two-second bursts of fog stream |

| |set at an approximately 30° angle into the gaseous layer of the fire compartment and closing the door for several seconds. |

| | |

| | |

| |Warehouse Storage Facilities |

| | |

| |Large footprint. |

| |Same hazards as big box stores. |

| |Height of storage is a hazard to firefighters. |

| |Rule of Thumb |

| | |

| |Large Building + Large Fire = Large Hose |

|Slide # 54 | |

| | |

|3.7.2 |Warehouse-type storage buildings can occupy a large footprint and present many of the same challenges as big box stores. |

| | |

| |The height of the stored materials is a concern. For example, shipping containers can be stacked one on top of another. |

| | |

| |Fire personnel must make a point of identifying the warehouses in their response area in an effort to determine the type of |

| |storage: |

| |• Movers’ warehouse and storage; |

| |• Paper distribution; |

| |• Dead file storage; |

| |• Textile storage; |

| |• Furniture; |

| |• Sporting goods; |

| |• Food; |

| |• Mechanical equipment; |

| |• Flammable liquid storage; and |

| |• Compressed gas storage. |

| | |

| | |

| |Assembly Occupancies |

| | |

| |Schools, Movie Theatres, Arenas |

| |1 or 2 storeys. |

| |High occupant load, low fuel load. |

| |Fire alarm systems. |

| |Several egress and access points. |

| |Type II buildings are used for assembly purposes such as |

| |• school gymnasiums; |

|Slide # 55 |• movie theatres; |

| |• sports arenas; |

|3.7.3. |• community centres; and |

| |• art centres. |

| | |

| |Most assembly occupancies are no more than one or two storeys in height. |

| |However, major sports arenas with seating for 20,000 people or more can exceed eight storeys in height. |

| | |

| |Alarm and sprinkler systems are common in assembly occupancies. |

| | |

| |Contents such as furnishings are the main fire load. Movie theatres can be a challenge if the fire occurs in a large seating |

| |area. |

| |Tend to have a great deal of ceiling height and are equipped with well-marked means of egress. |

| | |

| | |

| |Office Occupancies |

| | |

| |1 or 2 storeys. |

| |Occupant load high during normal working hours. |

| |Fire alarm and sprinkler systems |

| |Downtown or business parks. |

| | |

|Slide # 56 |One and two storey office buildings can be of Type II construction and are often located in suburban business parks. |

| | |

|3.7.3 |Access and egress points are usually sufficient for the purposes of fire fighting and rescue. |

| | |

| |Alarm and sprinkler systems are common, but not guaranteed. |

| | |

| |Occupant loads tend to be highest during normal daytime business hours. |

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|Slide # 57 | |

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|3.7.4 | |

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|Slide # 58 | |

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|3.7.5.1 | |

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|Slide # 59 | |

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|3.7.5.2 | |

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|Slide # 60 | |

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|3.7.6 | |

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|Slide # 61 | |

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|3.7.7 | |

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|Slide # 62 |Summary |

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|3.8 |Type II buildings are extremely dangerous and diverse. |

| | |

| |High probability of building collapse. |

| | |

| |Pre-fire Planning is Very Important |

| | |

| |Diverse fire loads and unpredictable floor configurations pose a grave life safety hazard. As businesses stay open longer and |

| |longer hours, the risk to life is present throughout their entire extended workday. A proper and thorough size-up and |

| |effective and accurate pre-fire plans are the key to safe and efficient fireground operations in Type II buildings. |

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