Engine Company Priorities at Garden Apartments

April 9, 2014
Lt. Michael Daley shares how engine companies should evaluate garden apartment fires for fire attack, search and ventilation needs with other crews.

This month, we will be discussing some strategic considerations for companies when they arrive at a working fire in a garden apartment complex. Previously, we had discussed some of the more common issues (engine operations - truck operations) with multiple dwellings, no matter the size or configuration. We will take a look at how these issues affect the operations while at these types of residential units.

As previously stated, engine companies play a key part of the fireground operation. Each of these units has specific responsibilities on-scene, such as:

  • Water supply
  • Placement of attack and back up lines
  • Protection of exposures
  • Master stream operations
  • Protective system operations
  • Property conservation
  • Overhaul
  • Search (off the hoseline)

A primary concern of the engine company is not only location of the fire, but also the access route for companies to efficiently reach the seat of the fire (see Photo 1). It is important that the engine company members understand and recognize how fire spread may occur, particularly how fire may spread in these occupancies.

Issues For The Initial Company

One of the most critical issues with Garden Apartments is that the living quarters are joined to each other on multiple sides. This means that the fire load and the victim potential is in the direct path of natural spread, allowing the fire to spread quickly and affect victim egress immediately. Secondly, residences in these buildings are served by common halls and stairways. Taking this into consideration, it is vital that control of the stairways and vertical/horizontal arteries in the occupancy are controlled by the first-arriving units (see Photo 2). Getting handlines into the stairways is a vital task to protect the occupants during their escape, and control most vertical fire spread. Many times, occupants leave the fire doors at the stairs chocked open, and this allows for smoke and heated gases to spread to upper floors, and cuts off any escape paths that the victims may have.

Initial companies should also anticipate vertical fire spread via pipe chases and void spaces located throughout the structure. Construction techniques result in voids for utilities and pipes throughout the dwelling, and can serve as an artery for flame spread. One of the biggest voids in the building will be located behind the bathroom wall, in the vicinity of the toilet.

Construction practices will allow utilities for multiple occupancies to run in the same void space, increasing the size of the void and the amount of units exposed by the void. This area can be used for both the drain pipes and the vent pipes for each unit, each going in opposite directions. Open this void space and check it thoroughly whenever this area is potentially exposed to fire spread.

Choosing the right line during initial operations can make or break any operation. The initial-arriving engine company officer has some critical thinking to do: choosing the right size line (diameter and length), and making sure the line can make the required flow to extinguish the fire. But first, the officer needs to know where the fire is, and what stage the fire is in; therefore, location and extent of the fire is considered the most important size-up concern for most officers.

Furthermore, how will the company reach the entrance to the unit? Is the unit facing the street or is it tucked into the courtyard (see Photo 3)? Before the first company commits, locate the most efficient route to the fire, and then stretch in with an ample supply line (minimum 3 inches in size), preferably equipped with a water thief. I prefer the water thief for a few reasons: first, using this appliance will support flexibility when transitioning to a larger handline. Secondly, should the supply line need to be extended, the center discharge can make the stretch much easier with additional hoselines and an additional appliance.

Fire conditions can dictate the use of either 1 3/4-inch of 2 1/2-inch handlines for needed fire flow, and when in doubt, it is best to go bigger. Keep in mind that, although both may be connected to the water thief, it is virtually impossible to pump the right amount of water to two different sized handlines off the same appliance and discharge. Reaching the fire area is just as important, so bringing the right amount of hose is critical. There are two schools of thought on this:

  • One length to the door, and one per floor. Add one working length to cover the floor area.
  • Length plus width of the fire floor, plus one to the door. Don’t forget to add one working length into the equation.

Considering the size hose, the gallons per minute of flow, and the location the line needs to get to, be sure that the company is adequately staffed to get the hand line safely and efficiently into position (see Photo 4).

On Arrival: First-Arriving Engine Company

As the first engine is arriving, it is a good practice to stop prior to the fire building, and position at the corner of the structure for two reasons: it allows the company officer to step off the apparatus and see where the fire is in the building, so the best entrance into the complex can be utilized (see Photo 5). Secondly, the company officer must take into consideration the potential for flashover, backdraft, utility hazards, auxiliary appliances, and potential of collapse, prior to committing personnel to the operation. As we discussed earlier, one of the most important size-up considerations is the location and extent of the fire. Considering the common use of engineered structural components in many types of multiple dwellings, this will set the mode of operation (offensive, defensive, marginal, etc…) and units can then be assigned accordingly.

Assuming there will be an aggressive interior operation underway at a multiple dwelling fire, the engine company will have to establish a secure water supply upon arrival. If there is a sprinkler system or standpipe system in the building, it will need to be supplied. Next, the crew will have to stretch the appropriate size handline into place (this is the make-or-break point for many scenes) and get the line to one of two locations: at the seat of the fire to locate, confine and extinguish the fire, or between the fire and the victim. This crew must coordinate suppression with the arriving truck company ventilation team! If not, this can lead to huge problems on scene, and lack of coordination can lead to extreme fire behavior within the compartment (see Photo 6). The officer must also report conditions inside the dwelling to the incident commander so tactics can be adjusted as needed.

On Arrival: Second-Arriving Engine Company

The next arriving company should position itself in order to secure a back-up water supply, if the need arises for one. While this is getting done, the crew can enter the dwelling with a back-up line: I prefer to go one size up and one length longer, but same diameter line at a minimum. This line has to be positioned to back up the first line in the event they run into problems, and to protect the stairs and means of egress for the crew and the residents. This crew should also protect the search team as they are operating, and coordinate ventilation with the truck company assigned this task. It may be possible that this line might be sent one floor up, to protect the search team and check for extension, but backing up the first team is still the number one priority!

It would be better suited to send a third team in with a third hoseline, to protect the floor above and check for extension. This would be a perfect job for the third-arriving engine company. Be sure to send this handline into the structure from a different location, as trying to work with three lines going through the same opening will become problematic. If a rescue is to be made, the amount of hose and manpower clogging up the opening may cause delays in victim/firefighter removal. Keep the egress points as clear as possible; identify access halls and stairways that can be used for rescue and suppression operations to ease congestion within the building.

Conclusion

The scene of a fire in a garden apartment is a very taxing operation. There will be a significant life hazard in this occupancy, along with the hazards of engineered structural materials within the building. Both the engine and truck companies have critical tasks that must be done in a safe and efficient manner immediately upon arrival, and coordination of these activities is paramount for a successful outcome.

Until next time, stay focused and stay safe.

Voice Your Opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Firehouse, create an account today!