S1 GD Incidents at multi storey buildings guide Redacted.pdf

GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Building construction and design
Introduction
There are various construction methods and building features used in
multi-storey buildings that may have an impact on smoke and fire
spread, occupant evacuation and firefighting operations.
The general construction method (i.e. concrete or steel frame, internal
and external cladding), window types, and ventilation profile should be
taken into account to assist in determining factors such as:
 evacuation
 fire spread
 smoke travel
 floor loadings
 signs of collapse
 ventilation paths.
Sections
Stairs, lifts, building systems, and incomplete structures are each
covered in separate sections in this Guide.
under the Official Information Act 1982
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
General features of multi-storey buildings
Vertical shafts
Description
Multi-storey buildings have vertical shafts such as lift-wells, ducting,
and shafts for services.
Potential operational impacts
Unprotected vertical shafts provide paths for vertical fire and smoke
spread.
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Non-structural
Description
exterior
Non-structural exterior cladding consisting of panels of solid materials
cladding
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or glass is called curtain wal ing.
Glass curtain walls can be made of large areas of toughened or
laminated glass.
Double skin facades are designed to have air flow in the intermediate
cavity.
Potential operational impacts
Curtain walls (including glass):
  reduce the visibility of fire or smoke from outside the building
  make external access difficult
  provide the potential for significant amounts of glass/debris to
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fall on those working at ground level within 50m of the building
face.
Double skin facades:
  provide an additional path for smoke travel
  make external access more difficult.
Central core
Description
Official
A central core building has all or most of the bathrooms, stairs and lifts,
and shafts for air-conditioning and other services, located in a fire-
resistant core at the centre of each floor.
the
Potential operational impacts
Buildings with central cores have the potential for:
  fires coming back around behind firefighters
  deliveries deployed from two stairways to become opposed to
each other.
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Suspended
Description
ceilings
Suspended ceilings are false ceilings hung below the floor slab to
accommodate air-conditioning systems, wiring, and lighting fixtures.
Potential operational impacts
The ceiling space provides a route for concealed serious fire and
smoke travel.
Ceiling tiles or other fixtures may fall on and/or entangle firefighters.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Building use/
Description
compartment
Multi-storey buildings may contain large open-plan spaces (e.g.
size
offices, meeting rooms, training areas) with few or no floor-to-ceiling
dividers.
Residential floors in multi-storey buildings:
  tend to have smaller compartments
  have the potential for people to be isolated in individual 1982
compartments.
Potential operational impacts
Fires in large open spaces are more likely to develop rapidly and
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spread unimpeded, requiring additional deliveries.
Fires in smaller compartments are easier to contain. However on
residential floors there is the added life risk to consider, necessitating
the need for search of the fire floor and floor above as soon as
possible.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Stairs
Determining
When determining which stairwells to use for access to a fire, the
access
following need to be considered:
  fire location
  type of stairwells available, as this may affect:
-  evacuation of occupants
-  firefighter protection from smoke or fire
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-  fire progression
-  where stairwells come out on different floors
  the stairwells’ availability and proximity to riser outlets.
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Stair types

Safe path stairwells (also known as 'protected' stairwells)
If a building has a stairwell spanning more than 3 floors,
it is likely to have a safe path stairwell.
This stairwell can be distinguished from others by the
fact that it should have minimal storage or furniture, and
is linked to the building by fire doors, which provide
safe:
Information
  routes for occupant evacuation
  access for firefighting operations.
An external safe path stairwell.
Photo - NZFS
Official

Open stairs
the

Open stairs:
  are not a separate fire cel
  are potential paths for vertical spread of fire and
smoke
  can often:
under  -  span up to 3 floors within a building
-  provide access to mezzanine floors
-  supplement the main safe path.
Open stairs in a multi-storey building.

Photo - NZFS

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Scissor staircase

Scissor staircases:
  are two intertwined staircases within
one enclosure, usually with adjacent
flights connecting the same floors in
opposite directions
  occasionally serve alternate floors
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(particularly in basements) in which
case:
-  they may require additional
resources and specific tactics
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-  firefighters wil  need to identify the

An example of a scissor staircase
correct stairwell to access the
correct floor.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Lifts
Assigning a lift  The Sector Commander Lobby Control may assign a firefighter to
operator
operate the lift(s).
Criteria for lift
Lifts shal  only be used at the direction of the OIC Fire, following a risk
use
assessment.
Lifts should not be used if:
1982
  there is evidence of smoke or water in the lift shaft (a light
beam wil  show this)
  a Firefighter Recal  facility is not available
  the lift service room is within the indicated fire area.
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Other factors to consider before using lifts include whether:
  smoke or fire showing from the exterior of the building
  there is confusion/uncertainty about which is the fire floor
  a manual call point was used to activate the alarm (this may not
indicate the actual fire floor).
Using lifts for
The OIC may consider using lifts that cannot be used to transport
equipment
firefighters, to transport equipment to the fire floor.
Note: For this use the Firefighter Recal  switch must be in the 'Off'
position.
Information

Emergency fire recall switches

Description
Emergency Fire Recal  Switches:
  have been required for lifts servicing heights
of more than 15 metres since 1997
  are operated using the appropriate lift key
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  allow firefighters to control the movement of
the lift from within the lift car.

the
Use
Once the Firefighter Recall Switch has been activated, the lifts wil :
  return non-stop to the lobby
  remain parked with doors open
  not respond to calls from other floors.
The lift can now be operated by the but ons inside the lift. Unlike
under
normal operation, the doors wil  not automatical y open and close -
they must be manual y operated using the buttons within the lift.
On arrival at a floor, the lift doors wil  remain closed. If the:
  'Door Open' button is pushed, the doors wil  open to allow a
‘peek’ at the floor
  'Door Open' button is released, the lift doors wil  close
  doors are allowed to completely open, the Door Close button
must be used to close the doors.
Released The lift car wil remain held at the floor with the doors open, until
another command is received from inside the lift car.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Returning the
If firefighters in the lobby require the lift to return they can:
lift to the lobby
  ensure that all firefighters have left the lift and it is no longer in
use
  switch off the recal  mode using the key
  recal  the lift to the lobby using the normal call but on
  reactivate firefighter mode using the key
  proceed to use the lift as required.
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Information
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Building systems
Introduction
When attending fire incidents in multi-storey buildings, firefighters need
to be aware of building systems that can affect or support firefighting
operations, including:
  fixed fire protection
  building control systems.
Fire protection  Fire protection systems in multi-storey buildings may include:  1982
systems
  sprinklers
  internal riser valves or sprinkler isolation valves
  drencher systems (exposure protection)
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  smoke/heat, manual, beams, detectors
  gas flood systems in server rooms and high value areas
  automatic door controls, including fusible link fire doors
  protected path pressurisation (e.g. stairwells)
  smoke extraction systems
  smoke or fire curtains.
Building riser systems and smoke control systems are discussed in
more detail later in this section.
Using building  Building systems in multi-storey buildings that may be able to be
systems in
controlled to support firefighting operations include:
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firefighting
  staged evacuation alarm systems (EWIS)
operations
  heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
  smoke extraction/vent and pressurisation control systems
  smoke/fire curtain controls
  sprinkler pumps and wet risers.
Controlling
Building systems controls for use during firefighting operations may be
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building
accessed:
systems
  on fire alarm panels
  in fire control rooms.
the
Fire alarm
Some fire alarm panels provide facilities to control various building fire
panels
protection systems.
Ventilation and pressurisation systems commonly operate
automatically, and have a manual override at the panel that NZFS
personnel may use to isolate or manual y control these functions.
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Fire alarm panel
Photo - NZFS
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Fire control
Fire control rooms:
rooms
  provide controls, panels, telephones, and other equipment
associated with the required fire systems in the building
  may be used for:
-  managing the building systems
-  managing building evacuations
-  other measures concerning occupant safety or security.
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Fire control rooms are fire cells, and should have a protected path out
of the building.
Fire fan control panel (FFCP) -
if not incorporated into FIP
Schematic functional control
diagram
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Diagram and instructions should be
clearly readable from operator's
position in front of FFCP
Essential operating
instructions
Typical manual
control switch

Fire control room (Figure 15.1 AAS/NZS 1668.1:1998)

Information
Smoke control systems
Operational
Smoke control systems may provide:
functions
  improved visibility for firefighting and egress

  improved atmospheres to support evacuation routes
  reductions in smoke damage.
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Possible
Smoke control systems are designed to function automatically, but
firefighting
may be operated manual y from a Fire Fan Control and Indicating
functions
Panel (FFCP). Possible applications include:
the

  stopping a supply/exhaust fan that is introducing smoke-laden
air into a non-fire zone
  restarting a stair pressurization fan, which has shut down due
to false detection of smoke at air intake
  assisting in clearing smoke after a fire.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Riser systems
Purpose of
Building risers:
building risers
 provide an effective means for delivering water to higher floors
 are dry, charged, or wet.
Note: Riser requirements are described in NZS 4510:2008 Fire hydrant
systems in buildings (these requirements don’t apply in older buildings).
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Dry riser
A dry riser is a system
with no water in it.
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Information

Typical arrangement of a dry riser
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Charged riser
A charged riser is fil ed with water to prevent rusting, outlets being left
open, or foreign objects being placed into the system through the outlet
couplings.
Note: The water in a charged riser system is NOT sufficient to supply
the
firefighting deliveries, and requires a water supply.
Wet riser
Wet risers are supplied with sufficient pressurised water to supply
firefighting deliveries to the building.
Wet risers may be boosted by the Fire Service to achieve greater flow
rates.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Components of a riser system
Building riser
Building riser inlets are normally found near the main fire alarm panel or
inlets
main entrance. If they are located remote from 1st alarm appliance
arrival locations, consideration must be given to responding an additional
appliance to enable the system to be supplied with water.
There may be anything from a single inlet to 4 inlets (see photo)
supplying the building hydrant system.
The inlets are fitted with non-return valves and can be charged one at a
1982
time allowing a single supply to initiate the charging of the system.

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Information
Building riser inlets at
bottom of photo 
Photo - NZFS

Riser outlets
Building riser outlets are also known as landing valves. In multi-storey
buildings there wil be a riser outlet on each level.
Riser outlets are normally located
Official within a safe path stairwell or within a
lobby area adjacent to the stairwell. In large area buildings there may be
riser outlets in more than one stairwell.
NZS 4510:2008 requires twin outlets on each floor, however buildings
the
fitted with hydrant systems prior to this requirement may have only one
outlet per floor.
If there is only one outlet, multiple firefighting deliveries may require the
use of dividing breechings and/or additional hose from riser outlets on
lower floors.
Riser outlets within a safe path
under
stairwell

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Riser outlets
Dry riser outlet cupboard - door
(continued)
open
1982
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Dry riser outlet cupboard - door
closed
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Photos - NZFS

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Incomplete buildings
Requirements for  Multi-storey buildings under construction are required to have:
buildings under
  riser outlets that:
construction
-  reach a working riser outlet no more than 9 metres below
the highest slab
-  have the highest outlet indicated by a temporary tag
labelled 'Highest Functional Outlet' (unless it is obvious
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from observing the pipe-work)
  riser inlets that are:
-  accessed from the street frontage
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-  marked by a red panel in the perimeter fence with 'Fire
Service Inlet’ written in white.
Requirements for  Risers in buildings being demolished are required to be:
buildings being
  maintained in a working state for as long as possible below
demolished
the highest intact floor
  the last service removed (and not before combustible
contents of the building have been removed).
Managing
Additional hazards in buildings under construction or being
hazards in
demolished include:
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incomplete
  rapid and unexpected vertical and/or horizontal fire spread
buildings
from unfinished openings
  potential fire loads from construction materials or debris
  the effects of wind (see Wind-driven fires later in this guide.
The OIC of any crew operating in such conditions wil  ensure:
  close supervision to ensure safety standards are maintained
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  the means of escape is kept clear
  all known hazards are communicated to crews entering any
floor. the

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Evacuation of people
Evacuation
Terms related to evacuation of people include:
terms
  simultaneous evacuation
  staged evacuation (phased, progressive, or defend in place)
  places of safety inside a building
  places for disabled persons in event of fire
  Emergency Warning Intercommunications Systems (EWIS)
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  evacuation of firefighters.
Simultaneous
Simultaneous evacuations are evacuations where all the occupants
evacuation
of the building are evacuated at once, and may lead to congestion
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along safe paths.
Staged
Staged evacuations fall into three categories:
evacuations
  phased
  progressive
  defend in place.
All categories mean that some occupants remain in the building for
some period after the fire has been confirmed. Al  require a fully
compliant NZS 4512 sprinkler system and an evacuation scheme.
An understanding of staged evacuation relies on an understanding of
a fire cell. This is a room or area of a building with wal s and doors
that take a prescribed time to burn through. This allows occupants to
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remain safely in a non-fire-affected fire cell within the building, for a
period of time.
Phased
Phased evacuations are generally used in sprinkler protected tall
evacuations
buildings, and sprinkler protected buildings with a large footprint.
In a phased evacuation, on detection of a fire, the fire floor, the two
floors above and the two below evacuate immediately.
Official
Subsequently, the two floors above the fire floor are evacuated,
followed by the next two floors, and so on, until all floors above the
fire floor are clear. Then the floors below the fire floor are evacuated
in pairs until the whole building is clear.
the
Where there is a fire in a basement, the whole basement and ground
floor should be evacuated.
An alert signal is sounded in the rest of the building during the
evacuation while the evacuate signal is sounded on the evacuation
floors. Building wardens work to manage the evacuation.
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This process is typically automated and managed by an EWIS
system. The system can be overridden by Fire Service personnel at
the panel to:
  stop the evacuation when there is no fire, or the fire has been
extinguished
  pause the evacuation to allow firefighter access
  evacuate different floors in response to smoke spread.
Phased evacuation is designed to manage large numbers of people
evacuating. Full evacuation may take some time, and if the lifts are
Released not available this can significantly restrict or even stop firefighter
access by stairwells used for the evacuation.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Progressive
This type of evacuation is typical in hospitals, prisons and age care
evacuations
facilities. In progressive evacuation the building occupants move to
the relative safety of an adjacent fire cell and remain in place until
instructed to move. An alarm signal wil  typically only be sounded in
the fire cell of fire origin.
The potential operational impacts of this type of evacuation are
addressed in detail in S5 Hospitals and Rest Homes and S6 Prisons
and Places of Restraint.
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Defend in place
‘Defend in place’ is not common in New Zealand. It is used in
residential apartment buildings with high levels of passive fire
protection (i.e. walls that take over an hour to burn through).
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In this case only the apartment of fire origin is notified of the fire. Al
other occupants remain in place. If the fire extends beyond the fire
cell of origin the Fire Service wil  initiate an evacuation by activating a
manual alarm point.
If ‘defend in place’ is the evacuation strategy then this wil  be
identified in the evacuation scheme, and should be noted in the site
report.
Places of safety
‘Places of safety inside the building’ is a term used in the Fire Safety
inside a building
and Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 2006. Places of safety:
  are fire cells, capable of holding the intended number of
people during a fire emergency
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  are provided with sufficient means of escape for the intended
number of people to enable them to escape safely and in a
reasonable time to places of safety outside the building
  have been approved by the Fire Service as part of the
evacuation scheme approval process.
This definition is from the NZFS Guide to Evacuation Schemes.
Official
The OIC needs to determine from the warden or from occupants
already exited whether there are people in any places of safety
inside the building.
If there is any uncertainty, and it is safe to do so, the OIC wil  assign
the
firefighters to check whether the designated places of safety inside
the building are occupied. The locations wil  be given in the
evacuation scheme. If so, the OIC Fire needs to monitor the
progression of the fire and decide if and when it is safe to move
those people to another place of safety (which may be inside or
outside the building).
under
Places for
Evacuation schemes for buildings include designated places where
disabled
disabled people may wait for assistance, if they are unable to use the
persons in event  usual evacuation paths. These are not usually ‘places of safety
of fire
inside the building’, in other words, they do not usual y provide
protection from a fire, they are only a meeting place so the people
can be located and assisted out.
The OIC needs to determine from the warden, or from occupants
already exited, whether there are people in the building who need
assistance to evacuate, and where they are located. The designated
locations wil  be listed in the evacuation scheme.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
EWIS systems
An Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System (EWIS)
provides:
  an emergency public address facility that broadcasts sounds
and voice messages (visual alarms may be used in areas
with high noise levels or areas that are sensitive to loud
sounds, such as the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital)
  a dedicated emergency communication system for the
occupants responsible for the evacuation, via Warden 1982
Intercom Phones (WIP), which are strategically placed
throughout the building, predominantly at points of egress.
The OIC Fire needs to access the information about how the EWIS
Act
system operates, and how it may be manual y operated.
Evacuation of
An evacuation of firefighters is when all NZFS personnel are
firefighters
evacuated from the building.
If at any stage of the operations the OIC Fire considers that the risk
to firefighters outweighs any potential benefit likely from operations,
then the OIC Fire wil :
  order a full evacuation of all NZFS personnel by any/all of:
-  hand held radios
-  public address system
-  continuous sounding of appliance sirens.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Incident management
General
The general principles for managing an incident in a multi-storey
principles
building follow the NZFS Command and Control policy and
procedure.
Fires in multi-storey buildings require extensive resourcing, and
greater alarms need to be transmitted as soon as possible to ensure
resources are ready for deployment when required.
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Strategic
As for all fire incidents, fires in multi-storey buildings have the
priorities
strategic priorities:
  Risk to life
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  Exposure protection
  Containment
  Extinguishment
  Overhaul.
Applying
Risk to life
RECEO in multi-
International experience has shown on numerous occasions that the
storey buildings
rapid containment of fire within multi-storey buildings is the most
effective method of saving building occupants.
This means the OIC Fire may need to consider prioritising fire at ack,
rather than rescue, in order to save lives.
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Exposure protection
Exposures in multi-storey buildings include:
  the floors above
  vertical fire spread avenues, such as stairways.
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Summary of
This paragraph is a summary of the roles and functions described in
initial command
S1 SOP Multi-storey building procedure. Al  other roles are assigned
and control
by the OIC Fire after the arrival of the third appliance.
Ful  descriptions of these primary roles, and other roles specifically
the
related to multi-storey buildings are in the section Roles and
functions.
OIC Fire
Initially this is the first arriving officer, until relieved by a more senior
officer.
under
Operations Commander
Initially this role wil :
  be carried out by the OIC of the first arriving appliance (on the
fire floor)
  include the duties of Sector Commander Forward Control.
Logistics Commander
Initially this role wil :
  be carried out by the OIC of the second arriving appliance
Released    include the duties of Sector Commander Lobby Control.
Incident Controller
The senior of these two officers wil  become the Incident Controller.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Initial
The diagram below shows how initial responsibilities may be
responsibilities
allocated at a typical two-pump response to a multi-storey fire
incident.
Note:
Other agency
Until other crews arrive,
(e.g. Police,
Incident Controller
the OIC Fire will be either
Ambulance)
(OIC Fire)
the Operations Commander
or the Logistics Commander
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Operations Commander
Logistics Commander
(Sector Commander
(Sector Commander
Forward Control)
Lobby Control) Act
Firefighting
BA
Base staging
Evacuation
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(shared)

3rd/4th alarm
The diagram below shows how command and control may be
command and
structured at a 3rd/4th alarm multi-storey fire incident.
control
Command channels
Official
   Comms channel 1
Safety Officer
Other agency
Incident controller
(e.g. Police,
   Comms channel 2
(OIC Fire)
Ambulance)
Note: There may also be a
Information Officer
the
      BA/Fire Ops channel.
Operations
Logistics
Commander
Commander
P&I Commander
(possibly)
under
Sector
Commander
Forward Staging
Sector
Forward Control
Officer
Commander BA
Sector
Sector
Commander(s)
Commander
Firefighting
Strong
Lobby Control
communication
link
Base Staging
Officer
Salvage Officer
Note: There may be
fewer or more
operations and/or
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logistics sectors
Stairway Support
Sector
Officer
Commander
Liaison
Evacuation

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Incident ground structure
Incident ground
The diagram below shows an example of a fully developed incident
diagram
ground layout for a significant multi-storey fire:
1982
Act
Information

Lobby Control
A Lobby Control Point (LCP) is a supply and access control point for
Point (LCP)
firefighters and equipment that may be needed at a Forward Staging
Area. Al people and equipment entering or leaving the building must
pass through the LCP.
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Base Staging
If the Lobby Control Point (LCP) becomes too congested, a Base
Area
Staging Area may be established at a location convenient to the LCP
(this may be outside the building).
the
Forward Control
At multi-storey building incidents, the Forward Control Point (FCP) is
Point (FCP)
where operations are managed, and final checks and task briefings
occur prior to being deployed.
The FCP is typically established one to two floors below the fire floor.
Forward Staging A Forward Staging Area (FSA) is set up if the FCP cannot hold all
under
Area (FSA)
the relief personnel, equipment, and re-commissioning BA in the
same location. It is typically located one floor below the FCP.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Roles and functions
Sector Commander Lobby Control
Assignment
A Sector Commander Lobby Control is assigned by the OIC Fire as
soon as is practicable, if considered necessary for safe and effective
operations.
Note: In the initial stages of the response this Officer wil  also be the
Logistics Commander, and may also be the OIC Fire/Incident 1982
Controller.
Responsibilities
The Sector Commander Lobby Control is responsible for:
  establishing:
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-   the Lobby Control Point (LCP) at ground floor level,
adjacent to the firefighter lifts or stairs
-  communications with the OIC Fire and firefighting crews
  controlling:
-  entry into and exit from the building and stairwells
-  lift access and operation
  managing entry control, until transferred to the Forward
Control Point (FCP)
  designating a stairwell for firefighter and equipment
transportation (this may include assigning crew
Information as stairwell
support, and ensuring handheld communications are available
at strategic levels in the stairwell)
  operating any relevant systems on the fire alarm panel or in
the Fire Control Room
  ensuring riser mains are charged and continue to operate
  liaising with the building representative to gather relevant
Official
information
  obtaining a building floor plan (if available)
  assembling the following equipment/supplies at the LCP, if
practicable:
the
-  spare BA cylinders
-  additional hose and waterway equipment
-  forcible entry tools
-  salvage equipment
-  ventilation equipment
under - portable lighting equipment
-  first aid kits and resuscitators
-  short alloy ladders and preventers
-  bucket line(s)
-  drinking water
  recommending to the Operations Commander that a Sector
Commander Evacuation be assigned
  reporting on evacuation status to OIC Fire
  if required, assigning a:
Released  -  Stairwell Support Officer
-  Base Staging Officer.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Base Staging Officer
Assignment
The Base Staging Of icer is assigned by the Sector Commander
Lobby Control.
Responsibilities
The Base Staging Of icer is responsible for:
  setting up a Base Staging Area near the Lobby Control Point
(LCP) where there is sufficient space for equipment and
personnel
1982
  assembling equipment and personnel ready for forwarding to
the:
-  Lobby Control Point (LCP)
Act
-  Forward Control Point (FCP) (via the LCP).

Stairwell Support Officer
Assignment
The Stairwell Support Officer is assigned by the Sector Commander
Lobby Control.
Responsibilities
The Stairwell Support Officer is responsible for:
  managing personnel assigned to stairwell support
  ensuring equipment that goes from the lobby to the stairwell is
delivered to the required floor.
Information

Sector Commander Forward Control
Assignment
The Sector Commander Forward Control is assigned by the OIC Fire.
Note: In the initial stages of the response this Officer wil  also be the
Operations Commander, and may also be the OIC Fire/Incident
Official
Controller.
Responsibilities
The Sector Commander Forward Control is responsible for:
  setting up and managing the Forward Control Point
the
  monitoring and managing the movement of personnel and
equipment that goes into the fire and/or rescue zone
  keeping the Sector Commander Lobby Control informed
regarding anticipated resourcing requirements
  providing SitRep information to the OIC Fire
under
  assigning a Forward Staging Officer, if required.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Forward Staging Officer (FSO)
Assignment
The Forward Staging Officer (FSO) is assigned by the Sector
Commander Forward Control.
Responsibilities
The Forward Staging Officer is responsible for:
  setting up and managing a Forward Staging Area (usually a
floor below the Forward Control Point)
  liaising with the:
1982
-  Sector Commander Forward Control regarding resource
needs
-  Sector Commander Lobby Control, to manage resource
Act
movement inside the building.

Sector Commander Evacuation
Assignment
The Sector Commander Evacuation is assigned by the OIC Fire,
where required, on advice from the Sector Commander Lobby
Control.
Responsibilities
The Sector Commander Evacuation is responsible for:
  managing evacuation of the building
  reporting on evacuation status to the Operations Commander
Information
  liaising with the Sector Commander Lobby Control.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Fire and rescue operations
Building search and evacuation
Priority
Most occupants wil  follow the evacuation procedure to get to a safe
place, but some may remain in the building.
First arriving crews wil  gather information from the occupants
outside the building to determine if there are people known to be in
1982
the building.
Considerations
Firefighters assigned to searching floors during a confirmed fire
should consider using a BA Main Guide Line to ensure they can
Act
return to a safe exit path should the floor become smoke logged or
they become disoriented.
Searches inside
A search must be carried out as soon as possible. The table below is
the building
laid out in the usual order for a search inside a multi-storey building:
Area
Search details
Fire floor
A search of the fire floor is carried out as
soon as possible, especially any areas
designated for people who are unable to
leave the building by the evacuation route.
Information
Floor above fire
This floor is searched as soon as possible.
floor
Designated places  These areas are searched as soon as there
for people unable
are crew available (there is usually at least
to leave by
one on each floor). Its priority wil  depend on
evacuation route
whether there are people confirmed in those
locations (generally in or near a stairwell).
Official
Stairwells
The full extent of the stairwell is searched, as
occupants may get trapped by the smoke
many floors above the fire floor.
the  Ventilation or pressurisation of stairwells and
shafts may be used to keep the pathway
clear of smoke for occupants (generally this
is an automatic function activated by the fire
detection system).
Lifts
Lifts are inspected to ensure there are no
under
trapped occupants.
Remaining floors
These floors are searched.
above the fire

External rescues  External rescues may also need to be performed from ladders or
aerial appliances if occupants are trapped on upper floors.
Evacuation
Evacuation of large buildings may take a long time, and can impede
Fire Service operations due to stairwell congestion.
Released

If required, and if sufficient staff are available, consideration should
be given to assigning a Sector Commander Evacuation to manage
the evacuation of the building.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Equipment
First arriving
The first arriving crew should consider taking the following
crew
equipment/supplies to a multi-
storey building incident:
Hose must be capable of:
  1 x 70mm length of hose
- delivering a minimum 470litres/min
flow at 600kPa at the outlet, and
  1 x 45mm length of hose
- maintaining an effective jet at the
  1 x 500 kPa combination
highest point.
1982
controlled nozzle (attached
This is best achieved by using a
to 45mm length)
500kPa ("low pressure") nozzle.
Twin 45mm hose with internal ferrule
  breaking in tools (Halligan
couplings can also be used.
tool & sledgehammer)
Act
  door wedges
  small bolt cutters
  small pinch bar
  thermal imaging camera
  BA Main Guide Line (attached to the BA set of one crew
member in each BA Team)
  manual entry control board (ECB) and marker/pencil or Merlin
ECB and Repeater 1
  keys for the:
-  lift recall switch
Information
-  riser outlet valves
  bucket line
  drinking water.
Subsequent
Subsequent crews arriving at a multi-storey building incident should
crews
also consider taking:
  dividing breechings
Official
  additional hose, to run deliveries from two floors below the
fire floor.

the

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link to page 29 link to page 31

GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Water supplies
Sprinkler systems
If activated
If a sprinkler system is activated, assume there is a fire.
Location of
Modern fire alarm panels may show the zone/floor of the activated
activated
sprinklers. If this facility is not available a building search wil  be
sprinklers
required to locate the activated sprinklers.
1982
Priority to
It is a priority to boost sprinkler systems when required to support
support
containment of the fire.
sprinkler system
Act
Shutting down
Once investigation confirms that the fire is completely out, or there is
sprinklers
no fire, the OIC Fire wil  shut the sprinkler system down using:
  a floor isolation valve (if one installed), or
  the main stop valve.

Establishing firefighting deliveries
Most effective
Studies show that rapid and aggressive interior attack on a high rise
strategy
fire saves the most lives and prevents the greatest damage.
Deliveries need to be established rapidly with a sufficient flow rate to
Information
contain the fire.
Connection to
Internal deliveries are established from the floor below the fire floor,
the water supply
and run around the outside curve of the stairs to the fire floor (for a
diagram of this see Interior delivery via stairs later in this guide ).
Note: Before charging, check hose is not trapped beneath doors.
Official
Hose access
When the door from the stairwell has to remain open to allow the
provides route
delivery into the fire compartment, this may:
for high air flow
  enable smoke migration, which may affect any occupants stil
and smoke
evacuating
the
  provide an outlet for wind entering the fire compartment,
increasing the possibility of high flow air through narrow
spaces in the fire area (see Air_flow later in this guide).
Increased flow
If a fire in a multi-storey building requires an increased flow rate (for
under
rates
example if it is wind-driven, or in a large space such as an open-plan
office), use the first delivery in a defensive mode until more deliveries
can be established.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Water supplied by riser systems
Riser systems
Riser systems are the primary means of establishing firefighting
preferred supply
deliveries.
When to charge
Building risers must only be charged or made operative following a
direct order from the OIC Fire.
Where to
The first delivery established from a riser system should be run from
1982
connect to riser
the riser outlet on the floor below the fire.
outlets
Hose is flaked in a bight along a hal way, or up stairs if operating in the
stair landing, to avoid congestion at the fire compartment entrance.
Act

Diagram showing hose flaked
on stairs (above the fire floor
landing, and below the
Information
landing of the floor below the
fire) to keep the landings free
of clutter.
  Image - FDNY
Safety
Firefighters
considerations
Firefighters operating deliveries in multi-storey buildings must close
Official
nozzles slowly, as there wil  be a significant increase in pressure
through the system that can burst firefighting hose and cause serious
harm if not managed correctly.
Pump operators
the
When water is flowing through the riser system into deliveries, pump
pressure to the riser inlet must be maintained at 1050 kPa.
When firefighters close nozzles there wil  be a significant increase in
pressure, and pump operators must:
  constantly monitor and adjust the delivery pressure as required
under
  stay focused on this task only
  ensure pressure relief valves/total pressure master systems
are set and operating.
Operations
The Operations Commander wil  consider whether to use a dividing
Commander role
breeching, if the riser only has one outlet.
Dry risers
For dry risers, the Operations Commander wil  assign a firefighter to
check that the riser outlets on other floors are fully closed, to prevent
Released loss of pressure and flow to the fire floor, as well as unnecessary
flooding.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Firefighter role
Firefighters wil  flush both dry and charged riser outlets as follows,
before connecting hose, to ensure no objects remain that wil  clog the
nozzle:
Dry risers
  Flush thoroughly (at least 15 seconds).
Charged risers
  Flush briefly (2-3 seconds).
1982
Pump operator
Dry risers
role
To charge a dry riser, pump operators wil :
Act
  supply the pump with twin 90mm feeders from a hydrant
(consider using feeders from two hydrants if available)
  run twin 90mm feeders (from off-side pump outlets) into
building riser inlets
  gradual y charge the riser supply to a pressure of 1050 kPa.
Wet risers
To provide additional pressure to a wet riser system, pump operators
will:
  run twin 90mm feeders (from off-side pump outlets) into
building riser inlets
Information
  monitor the pressure gauge.
  if the pressure gauge indicates it is necessary, gradual y
charge the riser supply to a pressure of 1050 kPa.
Note: When charging a dry riser system, or providing pressure to a wet
riser system, pumps should be dedicated to this task only and pump
operators should remain vigilant at all times.

Official
Supplying water to buildings without risers or where risers have failed
Main methods
The main methods for providing a water supply in multi-storey
the
buildings without risers, or where risers have failed are:
  aerial appliance
  internal delivery via stairways
  delivery aloft by a line.
These methods are discussed in this section.
under
Aerial appliance delivery
Use of aerials
When not being used for rescues, aerial appliances are capable of
supplying large volumes of water and can be used at multi-storey
incidents:
  for an external fire attack or exposure protection
  as an external riser system (in which case consider
requesting an additional aerial)
  to lay hose up the outside of the building.
Released If conditions are favourable, these are effective and efficient methods
of supplying water to upper floors.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Limitations of
The possible limitations for using aerial appliance deliveries include:
aerial appliance
  building design and location may not suit aerial access
deliveries
  building construction may prevent external access
  setup can be impeded by incident ground congestion if
decision not made early
  if the aerial has no pump fit ed, a base pump is be required
  reach limitations
  wind conditions may prevent use.
1982
Interior delivery via stairs
Act
Safety
Hose laid to upper floors must be tied off securely.
Tasking
When hose is used to provide the water supply up to the fire floor:
  the crew of the first appliance proceed to the fire floor with the
high rise equipment to set up the firefighting hose
  additional crews are tasked to lay hose for the water supply up
to the floor below the fire floor.
Open stairs
Hose in open stairways (including atriums) may be laid directly from
the lobby to the floor below the fire floor, thus keeping the stairs clear.

Information
Official  Diagram showing hose run vertically
alongside the banisters
  Image - FDNY
the
Closed
Hose in closed stairwells:
stairwells
  needs to be run around the outside curve of the stairs to
prevent kinking
  provides a congestion and tripping hazard for personnel on the
stairs
  increases the amount of hose that is needed.
under

Released
Diagram showing hose
run along closed stairs
  Image - FDNY
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Delivery aloft by means of a line
Description
If there is no other way of obtaining a water supply, delivery can be
taken aloft using a line. However this method has many limitations,
and should not be used if a riser is available.
This method involves two firefighters taking a line to the floor below
the fire floor, and then passing it through an external opening.
Firefighters on the ground attach the hose to the line, and the
firefighters in the building pul  the hose up.
1982
The full description of this procedure can be found in the Core
Competency Manual.

Act
Water issues
Pressure
Achieving adequate water pressure to fight fires effectively becomes
more difficult as the height increases.
Outlet pressures from riser outlets may be as low as 600 kPa while
supplying the designed flow rate.
Minimising water  Firefighters
pressure issues   Firefighting crews in multi-storey buildings should use:
  low pressure nozzles capable of delivering a minimum of
Information
470 litres/min at 600 kPa
  70mm hose from riser outlet outlets to supply a maximum of
1 length of 45mm hose used as the nozzle operator's length
Note: Twin 45mm hose with internal ferrule couplings can also be
used.
Pump operators  Official
Pump operators wil  supply all riser inlets at maximum working
pressure (1050 kPa), unless lower pressure is requested.
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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Additional considerations
Firefighter fatigue
Description
Firefighter fatigue is likely to be a more significant issue at multi-
storey buildings because of the stairwell access.

The first arriving crews are particularly vulnerable to fatigue due to
having climbed stairs with a large amount of equipment and setting
up the initial deliveries.
1982
Mitigation
Recommended tactics for mitigating the effects of fatigue include:
tactics
  close monitoring all firefighters for fatigue
Act
  consider relieving interior firefighting crews at shorter
intervals
  rotating crews (allowing crews two rotations of rest for each
rotation of work where possible)
  transmit ing early greater alarms to ensure personnel
available
  ensuring Forward Staging Areas have provisions for re-
hydrating crews
  considering getting medical support to assist in monitoring
personnel.
Information
Wind-driven fires
Air flow
When air is forced from a large volume space (such as a room) into a
small volume space (such as a corridor), and can then pass through
an opening to a bigger space (such as outside the building), the air
flow increases in the small volume space.
Wind speed generally also increases the higher up a building you are,
Official
which means air is forced more strongly through any opening (such as
a broken window). This can have the effect of:
  significantly increasing fire intensity
  pushing the fire rapidly through the fire compartment.
the
Firefighters opening interior doors may increase air flow, and thus fire
intensity. This effect could be worsened if there was another opening
behind the fire attack team (such as a stairway door open to allow
hose into the hal way).
Note: Firefighters have been kil ed and seriously injured following
under
window failure on upper floors.
Firefighting
The OIC Fire should advise crews of any known wind hazard, and
strategy and
should consider the following options:
tactics
  carrying out a defensive internal attack, including identifying a
safe escape route
  isolating affected fire compartments
  carrying out an exterior attack (with internal crews informed
and withdrawn in advance) from:
-  aerial monitors
Released
-  deliveries positioned in adjacent buildings.

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GUIDE-Multi-storey buildings
Example
1982
Act

An apartment fire affected by wind.

Record of amendments
Date
Brief description of amendment
December Corrected description of ECB
2016
Changed page number links to hyperlinks
Information

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