1. Fires in Residential and Commercial Townhouses and Rowhouses
NOVA MANUAL OVERVIEW
Fires in Residential and Commercial Townhouses and Rowhouses

2. Objectives: Describe townhouse / rowhouse layouts and types
List first alarm resources
Understand positioning and assignments of units
Know the role of first arriving unit officer
Be familiar with various tactics and strategies

3. Types
Back to back
Piggyback
Over / Under
Rowhouse
Duplex
Hybrid

4. Back to Back
A “back-to-back” is a townhouse consisting of two or more occupancies under one roof connected by the Side Charlie wall.

5. Piggyback
A piggyback townhouse consists of two stacked dwellings (one over the other), each with a separate address and entrance. These occupancies share a common floor separated by a fire wall on that floor.

6. Over / Under
An over-under is a townhouse consisting of two stacked dwellings (one over the other). These are usually two-level occupancies over one-level occupancies with entrances on opposite sides, but other floor plan variations may exist.

7. Rowhouse
A rowhouse is a multi-story dwelling attached to at least two other dwellings. These dwellings may or may not be separated by fire walls. Typically a rowhouse will have a common cockloft under a flat roof.

8. Duplex
A duplex is two dwellings under one roof sharing a common wall.

9. Hybrid
A hybrid is a building construction style that can be inclusive of various types of townhouse styles (piggyback, back-to-back, and over-under) under one roof.

10. Box Alarm Assignment 4 Engines 2 Trucks 1 Rescue 1 EMS Unit
2 Battalion Chiefs
1 EMS Supervisor
1 Command Aide
*add tanker task force for rural water ops*
This may vary slightly by jurisdiction. Tanker task force is comprised of 3 tankers, 1 engine and 1 B.C.

11. First Engine Park for hoseline advancement Leave room for the truck
Communicate:
* On scene report
* Lay out
* Size Up
* 360
* Situation report

12. Second Engine Establish water supply Ensure first line is operational
Deploy second line

13. Third Engine Position for 2nd water supply
Report visual of side Charlie if possible
Check for extension into exposures
Pull exposure line if needed
Pull lines to side Charlie if needed
Leave room for 2nd truck

14. Fourth Engine Position out of the way Assume R.I.T.
Water supply for 3rd engine if needed
Engine assignments may vary slightly by jurisdiction.

15. First Truck - Position for rapid placement of ladders
- Anticipate use of turntable
- Force entry
- Primary search
- Coordinated ventilation
Consider scrub area when spotting turntable to maximize coverage for victim rescue.

16. Second Truck
Position in the rear, or opposite of the 1st truck if possible
Carry out truck operations on side Charlie

17. Rescue Squad Position near structure Do not block other units
Perform search and rescue functions
Assist with ventilation, force entry, or ladders if needed

18. EMS Unit Position near the incident
Allow for rapid egress if needed to transport
First evaluate potential civilian patients
Support firefighting operations (i.e. rehab)
If an EMS unit is needed to transport a patient, its position must be backfilled.

19. First B.C. Position out of the way
Assess the need for additional resources
Obtain a situation report
Assume command

20. Second B.C. Position out of the way
Report to initial B.C. with full turnout gear and S.C.B.A.

21. Tactics and Strategies
Sweeping eaves
Soffit attack
Deck fires
Exterior fires
Basement fires
Garage fires
Attic fires
Wind driven fires

22. Sweeping Eaves Performed prior to entry
Used to prevent extension to the attic
Utilize a straight stream parallel to exterior wall
Allow water to cascade down to extinguish any siding fire

23. Soffit Attack Used to attain quick knockdown of attic fires
Match fire stream to angle of the roof and flow into soffit area
2 ½” Smooth bore nozzle is preferred

24. Deck Fires
Rapid line deployment to the deck side for extinguishment is priority
Exterior attack preferred for quick knock down
Sweep siding and eaves for extension
After knock down enter structure to check for extension

25. Exterior Fires Rapid extension potential
First line puts knock on exterior
Second line goes interior
After knock, first line may go interior
Coordination of tactics among first arriving units is paramount

26. Basement Fires Large potential for impingement on structural members
Tactics largely dependent on layout
Consider controlling spread by closing stairwell door
Protecting stairwell is paramount (fog stream?

27. Garage Fires Rapid knockdown is key
Knock down visible fire from garage first
-Then enter through interior for extension
(or) Attack from the unburned side solely
Beware of overhead garage door condition
Beware of hazards posed by vehicle fires

28. Attic Fires
Fire attack will be determined by construction features and extent of fire
Consider using scuttles and other access points
Fog nozzles work well in these situations
Distributor or cellar nozzles are also a viable option

29. 5 Conditions must be present:
Wind Driven Fires
5 Conditions must be present:
Fire in the structure
Failed or open window etc.
Wind on the exterior
Failed or open door to living area
An exit side vent

30. Wind Driven Fires Cont. Take special precautions
Consider using wind to your advantage
Consider master stream devices on the upwind side of the fire room

31. Summary
Townhouse and rowhouses may come in a variety of construction types
Situational awareness and quick decision making is paramount when fighting these fires
Special consideration should be given to certain types of fires, such as attic fires

32. Questions? Thank You

33. References
FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENTS OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA FIREFIGHTING AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS MANUAL 3rd EDITION
Brannigan, Francis L. (1993). Building Construction for the Fire Service. (3rd ed.). Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association.
Fire Department of the City of New York (n.d.). Row Frame and Brownstone Building Fires.
Gaines, Glenn A. (1978). Firefighting Operations in Garden Apartments and Townhouses. Bowie, MD: Robert J. Brady Company