22 Preincident Planning

2 Objectives Conduct a preincident survey. Prepare an accurate sketch or diagram. Obtain the required occupancy information. Note any items of concern regarding occupancy. 22

3 Introduction Preincident planning: –Promotes more effective fire fighting –Provides fingertip access to critical information –Includes electronic and/or paper formats –Improves command decision effectiveness –Gathers and evaluates information before needed –Alerts you to potential hazards, hidden dangers 22

4 Preincident Plan Developed under direction of fire officer Available to all responding units Helps IC make informed decisions Specific to property size, complexity, risks Technology affords portability and accessibility. 22

5 Plan Components (1 of 2) Detail diagrams for location, arrangement Access and exit routes Building points of entry Exposures Hydrants, water supply Special hazards Building size 22

6 Plan Components (2 of 2) Type of construction Nature of occupancy Contents Interior floor plan Stairway/elevator locations Utility shut-offs Fire protection systems 22

7 Target Hazards (1 of 2) Large occupancies and/or unusual risks Increased life safety hazard properties –for occupants –for responding fire fighters High possibility for conflagration 22

8 Target Hazards (2 of 2) 22

9 Developing a Preincident Plan Preincident survey: –Performed by response crew –Compiled using standard format –Filed by property address Stored in electronic and/or paper format Copies sent to crews and communications center 22

10 Electronic Format Advantages Direct access through computers Automatic transmission to dispatch terminals Easy updates Accessible to everyone 22

11 Conducting a Preincident Survey (1 of 2) Conduct with property owner knowledge. Appointment confirms and clarifies expectations. Team members should dress and act professionally. Property representative should accompany survey crew. 22

12 Conducting a Preincident Survey (2 of 2) Systematic approach –Begin with building exterior. –Survey each interior area. –Take notes, make sketches. Return visit may be necessary for large properties. 22

13 Preincident Planning for Response and Access Establish the most efficient routes. Confirm street address visibility. Note water sources. Identify multiple entry access points. Indicate access-blocking barriers. 22

14 Critical Questions: Exterior (1 of 2) What roads lead to the building? Where are the hydrants and fire department connections? Are there security barriers? Are there fire lanes? Are there obstructions limiting access? 22

15 Critical Questions: Exterior (2 of 2) Is there enough support for the weight of the apparatus? Are keys or codes required for entry? Are there any natural or topographical barriers limiting access? Does landscaping or snow prevent access? 22

16 Critical Questions: Interior Is the lock box operational and accessible? Are key codes required? Does the building have security guards? Is the key holder available? Where is the fire alarm panel, and is it properly programmed? 22

17 Preincident Planning for Scene Size-Up (1 of 2) Essential information for size-up: –Building construction, height, area, use, and occupancy –Hazardous materials and other risk factors –Location of other structures jeopardized by a fire 22

18 Preincident Planning for Scene Size-Up (2 of 2) Fire protection system information –Automatic sprinklers, standpipes, and firewalls –Protected and unprotected areas Other building features –Overhead passages and conveyor systems –Common attics and unprotected openings between floors 22

19 Types of Building Construction (1 of 2) Type I: Fire ResistiveType II: NoncombustibleType III: Ordinary 22

20 Type IV: Heavy TimberType V: Wood Frame Types of Building Construction (2 of 2) 22

21 Size-Up: Lightweight Construction Uses assemblies of small components Found in newer buildings and old remodeled buildings Not readily visible Failure, collapse hazard 22

Size-Up: Remodeled Buildings Can remove original fire protection May create new hazards Try to conduct survey during construction or remodeling. Unfinished construction vulnerable to fire 22

23 Size-Up: Building Use (1 of 2) Usage determines hazards. Major use groups include: –Public Assembly –Institutional –Commercial –Industrial Building may contain multiple occupancies. Occupancy may change over time. 22

24 Size-Up: Building Use (2 of 2) 22

25 Size-Up: Exposures Other building(s) Vehicles Outside storage Survey to identify potential exposures –Size –Construction –Fire load –Distance to exposure –Ease of ignition 22

26 Size-Up: Built-In Fire Protection Systems Automatic sprinkler systems Standpipe systems Fire alarm and detection systems Special extinguishing systems 22

27 Automatic Sprinkler Systems Effective if properly designed and maintained Determine system presence and area(s) covered. Note interior or exterior water control valves. Record location of nearby water supply. Note area(s) served by fire department connection. 22

28 Standpipe Systems Installed in high-rise buildings and some low-rise buildings Water supplied to fire outlets on each floor Attack lines connected near fire Water delivered by pumper to fire department connection outside building 22

29 Fire Alarm and Fire Detection Systems Some connected directly to fire department Others monitored by alarm service Automatically or manually activated Annunciator panel indicates actual fire source 22

30 Special Fire Extinguishing Systems (1 of 2) Protects where automatic sprinklers not suitable Required for most commercial kitchens and computer rooms Common in industrial buildings Identify system type and areas protected 22

31 Special Fire Extinguishing Systems (2 of 2) Note locations of suppression systems for flammable liquid storage. 22

32 Tactical Information Considerations for water supply Utilities Preincident planning for: –Search and rescue –Forcible entry –Ladder placement –Ventilation 22

33 Considerations for Water Supply (1 of 3) Determine amount and identify source. Locate closest hydrants. Note static water supply sources. Outline desired water delivery options. 22

34 Considerations for Water Supply (2 of 3) 22

35 Considerations for Water Supply (3 of 3) Include details for tanker shuttle water supply. Private water supply systems 22

36 Utilities Determine all utility emergency shut- offs. Include contact for each utility company. List utility hazards. 22

37 Preincident Planning for Search and Rescue Identify location of occupants needing rescue or assistance. List all building entrances and exits. Obtain interior floor plan. 22

38 Preincident Planning for Forcible Entry Identify areas where forcible entry likely Note tools needed to gain entry. Note lock box location. –Instructions for obtaining keys 22

39 Preincident Planning for Ladder Placement Identify best locations for ground ladders or aerial apparatus. Note ladder length needed to reach roof or entry points. List overhead obstructions. 22

40 Preincident Planning for Ventilation (1 of 2) Determine best means of ventilation. Confirm operability of existing openings. Note construction elements and multiple ceilings. Include instructions for controlling HVAC system. Evaluate roof construction and collapse potential. 22

41 Preincident Planning for Ventilation (2 of 2) Ventilation considerations –Are there suitable windows and doors? –Where can fans be placed? –Can the roof be opened for vertical ventilation? –Can skylights and bulkhead doors be easily removed? 22

42 Occupancy Considerations High-rise buildings Assembly occupancies Health care facilities Detention and correctional facilities Residential occupancies 22

43 High-Rise Buildings (1 of 2) Structures more than 75 ft. high (6 or 7 stories) Life safety and property conservation affected by: –Access to occupied areas –Large number of occupants 22

44 High-Rise Buildings (2 of 2) Identify building construction and special features. Presence and function of all systems Determine existence of building emergency plan. 22

45 Assembly Occupancies Emergency incidents can involve large numbers of people. May have complex emergency management systems Gaining access complicated by occupant evacuation 22

46 Health Care Facilities (1 of 2) Special preincident planning needed for large, multi-area facilities Greatest challenge is protecting nonambulatory patients 22

47 Health Care Facilities (2 of 2) Defend-in-place philosophy –Assumes need for patient escape assistance –Assumes insufficient staff Horizontal evacuation –Move patients to safer areas on same floor –More efficient than stairway evacuation 22

48 Detention and Correctional Facilities Need to move inmates from danger while protecting fire fighters Security practices may affect access to building and occupancy areas. 22

49 Residential Occupancies Most plans cover multifamily residences. General neighborhood surveys are informative. Homeowners may request individual fire safety surveys. 22

50 Locations Requiring Special Considerations Airports Ground transit Gas or liquid fuel transmission lines Electrical transmission lines Ships and waterways Subways Railroad lines 22

51 Special Hazards Identify hazardous materials or chemical storage. Evaluate potential for building collapse. Review industrial processes. Conduct research or contact specialists if needed. 22

52 Hazardous Materials (1 of 2) Inventory types, quantities, location, use, and storage List emergency steps for spills, leaks, fire, or other incidents. Determine if special permits are needed. Locate current MSDS for inventories. 22

53 Hazardous Materials (2 of 2) Common locations include: –Chemical companies –Garden centers –Swimming pool suppliers –Hardware stores –Laboratories NFPA 704 signage may be required 22

54 Summary (1 of 3) Preincident planning involves: –Conducting surveys to gather information –Developing plan documents with diagrams A preincident plan is a gathering and recording of information available to the fire department. 22

55 Summary (2 of 3) Building characteristics Apparatus access Entry and exit points Fire protection and alarm systems Water supply Life hazards Exposures Hazardous materials Utility shut-offs Ventilation The preincident survey gathers information on: 22

56 Summary (3 of 3) Preincident planning considers the type of occupancy and concerns associated with each. Some locations, such as airports and tunnels, have special occupancy considerations. The preincident plan should always note complete descriptions of hazardous materials. 22