Single-Family Dwellings 3rd Edition Revised: June 2013 May 2014

Purpose Describe single-family dwellings Point out construction features Describe associated hazards Establish standard tactics Reduce loss of life and property by standardization the method for companies combatting fires in single-family dwellings May 2014

Definition: a single-family dwelling simply means a detached structure constructed to house one or more families in a single place of residence. May 2014

Construction Styles Colonial Rambler or Ranch Cape Cod Split Foyer Split Level Balloon Frame Hybrid McMansions/Estate Homes Cluster Homes May 2014

Colonial Style Typically two stories above ground May or may not have a basement Front door leads into main entryway and stairwell Living and dining rooms are usually on first level Bedrooms are usually on the second floor May 2014

Ranch or Rambler Usually one story May or may not have a basement Floor plan is very open with large windows Often have large extended eaves May 2014

Cape Cod Typically one-and-a-half stories above ground Front door provides access to main stairwell Top floor will have knee walls and dormers May 2014

Split Foyer Usually two stories with stairs at the foyer level Stairs allow access to both levels Potentially bedrooms on both levels May 2014

Split Level Two to three levels Front entry is on one level between an upper and lower floor Short set of stairs upon entry that lead upstairs and downstairs Bedrooms are typically located on the second floor level May 2014

Balloon Frame Similar to Colonial Style with exception of wall construction These walls are built with long, continuous studs from the basement to the attic Presence of fire stops between floors are non-existent May 2014

Hybrid A new genre becoming more popular Variation of different styles Typically wood frame and are two separate occupancies separated by a firewall May 2014

McMansion/Estate Homes Slang for large-sized homes Square footage typically ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet Typically wood frame with large open space in the attic HVAC components may be in the attic First floor typically living and dining areas Bedrooms typically on the upper floors May 2014

Cluster Homes Community of single-family detached homes Constructed of lightweight building materials in close proximity to each other, usually ten feet or less Typically have vinyl or wood siding, zero clearance chimneys, and narrow travel lanes May 2014

Construction Wood frame is the predominant construction type in NOVA Type V, wood frame construction is described as, “which the exterior walls, bearing walls, columns, beams, girders, trusses, arches, floors, and roofs are entirely or partially of wood or other approved combustible material smaller than the material required for Type IV construction.” May 2014

Roofs Two broad types of roof framing; conventional and lightweight Most common style of roof is the peaked or gable roof, or a variation thereof. The pitch may vary. May 2014

Attics Generally two styles When a roof is constructed of trusses the attic is usually non-finished without a full floor When a roof is constructed of rafters the attic is usually finished and floored Access by one of three ways; a scuttle in the hallway outside a bedroom or master bedroom closet, a pull-down stairway, or a constructed stairway (mostly older homes) May 2014

Walls Most commonly built from dimensional lumber and occasionally metal studs may be encountered Exterior coverings may include wood, brick, vinyl, aluminum, or asbestos May 2014

Floors Floor beams are generally two types; wood timbers or steel I-beam, with engineered I-beams being the norm since the 2000s Engineered I-beams fail when exposed to fire within five minutes Joists are generally three types; dimensional lumber, truss, and plywood I-beams. Floor decking is generally two types; hardwood boards or plywood sheets May 2014

Basements Will be set on a concrete slab or have a crawl space Basement floors are typically concrete slabs Crawl spaces will usually be dirt or gravel Unfinished basements allow direct fire impingement onto structural components May 2014

Windows Common window is a double-hung, sliding-sash type Casement windows may still be present in homes built from the late 1940s to the late 1960s May 2014

Doors Exterior doors are generally two types; solid wood or insulated metal Exterior doors are inward opening Interior doors are commonly hollow-core wood doors Inward opening doors are typically bedrooms and bathrooms Outward opening doors can be closets or the stairs leading to the basement May 2014

Fire Operations Life safety is the highest priority and most prominent in residential occupancies Objective should be achieved through interior fire containment and primary search Once occupants have been accounted for the strategic goal should focus on firefighter safety and extinguishment 1 ¾” attack line should be effective for most content fires Ventilation should be coordinated May 2014

Resources 4 Engine Companies 2 Truck Companies 1 Rescue Squad 1 EMS Unit 2 Battalion Chiefs 1 EMS Supervisor 1 Command Aide May 2014

Tanker Task Force 3 Tankers 1 Engine Company 1 Battalion Chief May 2014

Apparatus Positioning & Initial Actions First Engine – after viewing as many sides as possible, the first engine should park to allow for rapid advancement of hoselines, leaving room for the truck. The following should be communicated via radio; on-scene report, layout, size-up, 360-degree lap, and situation report. Primary actions will be deployment of initial attack line, search as the line is advanced. Second Engine – should ensure a water supply, ensure first line is operational, and deploy the second line. May 2014

Apparatus Positioning & Initial Actions (cont) Third Engine – shall position to allow the crew rapid access to the structure while maintaining access and egress to the incident for additional resources. The engine should take a position to prepare for providing a secondary water supply and visual inspection of side Charlie and report findings to command, check for fire extension, and possible exposure line. Fourth Engine – position out of the way and assume RIT. If needed, the driver may be assigned to supply water to the third engine. First Truck – preferred position for the first truck will be the most strategic location – normally in front of the structure. This will allow for rapid deployment of ground ladders (front and rear) as a primary concern. Other duties to force entry, conduct a primary search, and coordinated ventilation. May 2014

Apparatus Positioning & Initial Actions (cont) Second Truck – position as close as possible to the scene and assist the first truck with forcing entry, search, and coordinated ventilation, and ladders. Perform a visual inspection of side Charlie. Ground ladders and truck operations in the rear will remain a priority. Rescue Squad – should position in a way that affords the crew rapid access to the structure but does not block other companies. Primary responsibility is search and rescue, however if that task is being accomplished by another unit they may be needed for forcing entry, coordinated ventilation, or ground laddering. EMS Unit – assemble equipment on stretcher and proceed to an area that provides rapid access to potential civilian or uniformed members needing treatment. Second Chief – position out of the way and report to the command post with full PPE. May 2014

Size-Up Information Information gained during a size-up should include; Building Occupancy Type Residential vs. commercial Location of points of access and egress Ventilation access points Fire protection features Construction Type Fire resistive allowing for limited fire spread Ordinary construction, concerns for collapse potential Lightweight construction, issue of rapid fire growth and increased collapse potential Occupant Interview Fire Location (basement, upstairs, main floor) Occupant report (rescue potential, location of fire) Location of utilities 360-Degree Lap Elevation of structure (front vs. rear) Location and extent of fire Ventilation Status Access and egress points Victim Location May 2014

Initial Line Typically an 1 ¾” attack line Deployed through an appropriate entrance Charged prior to entering Attack from the unburned section to the seat of the fire May 2014

Second Line Typically 1 ¾” hoseline Must be sufficient length to reach the initial line Generally stretched from the first due engine Must be capable of delivering at least the same amount of water as the initial line May 2014

Line Above the Fire Additional hoseline should be considered for operations above the fire Two purposes; protect the company completing the primary search and extinguish any vertical extension No more than two hoselines should be stretched through any one entrance into a building May 2014

Deck Fire/Exterior Fires The priority should be to get a hoseline on the deck side of the structure to extinguish the deck, the soffit, and eaves First hoseline should be deployed to the fire location on the exterior of the structure to perform a quick knockdown Second line should be deployed to the interior Once the fire is knocked down, the initial line may be redeployed to the interior May 2014

Basement Fires Limited access points and the potential for immediate, unimpeded fire impingement on the structural support for the floor above make basement fires particularly challenging Must determine if there is exterior access quickly Will require two lines to be coordinated If exterior access, a line should be deployed there and one must be deployed to the first floor ensuring the basement door is closed May 2014

Garage Fires Known for extending quickly into the living area and attics If the initial line is advanced through the overhead door, the status of the door leading to the living area must be closed If the initial line is advanced through the living area the engine company must be ready to operate the line when the door is opened May 2014

Attic Fires To assist in containing the fire and slow the lateral spread, early roof ventilation should be considered Several methods of fighting attic fires have proven successful Gaining access and placing a hoseline at the level of the fire is usually most effective Hooking the ceiling and directing the stream from below into the attic area, however is not as efficient Placing a wide fog stream into an access hole is an effective method when the fire has not self-vented Access to the attic area by cutting an access through the gable end Distributor/cellar nozzle deployed through a hole cut in the roof while member independently supported on a ladder or tower May 2014

Wind-Driven Fires Five conditions must exist for a wind-driven fire to occur Fire in the structure Failed or open window to the outside in the fire area Presence of wind on the exterior of the structure Failed or open door to living area An unobstructed path to an outlet for the fire to vent Coordinated ventilation is critical to the suppression of a wind-driven fire May 2014

McMansion/Estate Home Considerations Greater amount of square footage and contents Building components are more ornate and elaborate Open foyers facilitating rapid spread of smoke and fire Potential for ceiling collapse due to HVAC units, hot water heaters in the attic, and large chandeliers Unknown number of residents Presence of indoor pools and/or spas Limited access Home theaters Multiple car garages Height of structure Large buried propane tanks May 2014

Cluster Home Considerations Exposure considerations have to be a priority Large diameter attack lines or fixed master streams should be deployed Aerial positioning may be challenging due to narrow street frontage May 2014

Disclaimer: This is a brief overview of the NOVA Manual and the reader must review the manual for specific details May 2014

Typically an 1 ¾” attack line Deployed through an appropriate entrance Initial Line Typically an 1 ¾” attack line Deployed through an appropriate entrance Charged prior to entering Attack from the unburned section to the seat of the fire May 2014