United States Fire Administration Chief Officer Training Curriculum Operations Module 13: Enclosed Mall Simulation Exercise

United States Fire Administration Ops 13-2 Objectives  Identify structural characteristics of enclosed malls  Identify safety considerations associated with enclosed mall incidents  Establish incident objectives  Determine strategies

United States Fire Administration Ops 13-3 Objectives (continued)  Select tactics  Identify and request resources  Select alternate solutions  Establish an appropriate ICS organization to manage the incident

United States Fire Administration Ops 13-4 Overview  Complex structural characteristics of enclosed malls  Internal fire protection systems  Pre-incident preparation  Incident considerations  Fire extinguishment

United States Fire Administration Ops 13-5 Roofs  Metal decking  Concrete  Wood  Glass/Plexiglass™/Lexan™

United States Fire Administration Ops 13-6 Large Area Under One Roof  Anchor stores –Large, possible multilevel –Large storage areas  Linking stores –Face open mall or concourse area –Remotely located storage areas  Kiosks –Located throughout mall –Difficult to navigate in blackout conditions

United States Fire Administration Ops 13-7 Types of Occupancies  Amusement mall  Clothing store  Department store  Electronics  Grocery  Meeting rooms  Movie theater

United States Fire Administration Ops 13-8 Types of Occupancies (continued)  Pet store (live animals)  Pharmacy  Restaurants  Skating rink  Specialty shops  Sporting goods

United States Fire Administration Ops 13-9 Other Concerns  Frequent remodeling  Heavy fire load  Limited access  Multiple entrances

United States Fire Administration Ops Location  Within large cities  Frequently on fringes of city or between cities –Building codes may be less stringent –Requires significant first alarm response –Water supply may be inadequate –Response time may be increased –Frequent traffic congestion

United States Fire Administration Ops Internal Fire Protection Systems  Zoned sprinkler and standpipe systems  Hydrants on property  Smoke removal systems  Requires specific knowledge by local fire departments

United States Fire Administration Ops Types of Fire Alarms  Water flow  Smoke detector  Pull-box alarm  Heat detectors

United States Fire Administration Ops Calls  Calls for assistance –At an address –At a store name –At mall entrances –At parking area  Account for possibilities in pre-incident planning

United States Fire Administration Ops Pre-Incident Planning  Preconstruction input  Thorough knowledge of structure and fire protection systems  Frequent drills and incident preplanning sessions  Good working relationship with mall management, security, and maintenance personnel

United States Fire Administration Ops Incident Considerations  Divide into geographical areas (ICS divisions)  Life safety –Assist with evacuation –Protect lanes of egress –Provide search and rescue –Provide for medical assistance

United States Fire Administration Ops Fire Extinguishment  Employ internal fire protection systems  Large water supply needs  Importance of ventilation  Confine fire  High personnel requirements  Personnel sources

United States Fire Administration Ops Activity 13.1: Enclosed Mall Simulation Exercise

United States Fire Administration Ops Columbia Mall  70-acre complex  1.5 million square foot structure  Built in two sections during the 1960’s and 1970’s  Concrete Block Structure (CBS)

United States Fire Administration Ops Columbia Mall (continued)  6 anchor stores  60+ linking stores  750 feet of concourse between east and west anchor stores  7,500 parking spaces (3,500 in 4 parking garages)

United States Fire Administration Ops Module Summary  Complex structure –Large area –Many different types of occupancies –Heavy fire load  Pre-incident planning  Incident considerations –Fie protection systems –Large water supply –Ventilation –High personnel requirements