building layout

[Deanmc141]

We had a drill the other night in a two story house, we attacked the fire by entering back door in the rear of the building. From training I was told that the building side facing the street would usually be side #1 inless the IC decides the building should be different. What would your department label the rear of the building which all attack line entered through? I had it as 3. But other members said that the side the hose line enters would be side 1.

What are your thoughts?

Thank You,
Dean

[fftrainer]

In my dept, you entered through side C.

Side A = street side and clockwise around from there.

[craigsheets]

In my dept you entered on side 3 or C. As I understand it the side that the units first arrive on is side 1 or A. Then clockwise from there.

[LaFireEducator]

Side C ..... Here, side A is always going to be the "address side" of the building.

[Firetacoma1]

Side "c"
numbers are reserved for floors.

[Station2Capt]

The side you entered should be Side "C" or Side 3. We use Division "C" and #'s refer to levels above grade. You should address this at your next training class. Everyone in the department needs to be on the same page. What would happen if you got lost and said you were on side "3" and people were on the opposite side of the structure looking for you thinking they were on side "3".

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

The rear of the house is the "charlie" side. The letters B, C and D sound too much alike.

The sides in order from the front are Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and Delta.

Floors are called divisions. 1st floor, Division 1, 2nd floor, Division 2.

The basement and attic are called basement and attic divisions.

[Rossco]

Same here, although sometimes we get working with others who have different ideas. The sad part is that I have seen it different ways in different training literature. Is there an NFPA standard for this question?

[sbfdco1]

For us, where ever the chief sets up command, is refered to as "exposure 1" I always try and preface which ever side I'm refering to w/ "exposure".

[fftrainer]

Cap... as usual you are correct again. We use the same as what you stated and I guess I should have typed it that way to clarify. We always try to use Alpha, Bravo, Charlie...and so on when referring to letters for the simple fact that like you said to many things sound the same.

We have a set of condo/apartments with buildings being id's being letters and units being numbers so we frequently get "Activated Fire Alarm Building M Apt 4 or whatever" Same deal there. M and N sound so similar that we will refer to it is 'Building Michael, Apt 4"