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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. Split Foyer Usually two stories with stairs at the foyer level
Stairs allow access to both levels
Potentially bedrooms on both levels
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9. 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
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10. 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
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11. Hybrid A new genre becoming more popular Variation of different styles
Typically wood frame and are two separate occupancies separated by a firewall
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. 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.”
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15. 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.
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16. 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

17. Walls
Most commonly built from dimensional lumber and occasionally metal studs may be encountered
Exterior coverings may include wood, brick, vinyl, aluminum, or asbestos
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18. 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
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19. 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
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20. 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
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21. 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
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22. 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
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23. Resources 4 Engine Companies 2 Truck Companies 1 Rescue Squad
1 EMS Unit
2 Battalion Chiefs
1 EMS Supervisor
1 Command Aide
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24. Tanker Task Force 3 Tankers 1 Engine Company 1 Battalion Chief
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25. 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.
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26. 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.
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27. 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.
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28. 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
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29. 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
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30. 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
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31. 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
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32. 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

33. 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

34. 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
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35. 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

36. 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

37. 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
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38. 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

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

40. 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