1. Fire and Rescue Departments Mid-Rise Building Fires
of Northern Virginia
Mid-Rise Building Fires

2. History of Mid-Rise Buildings
Mid-rise construction predominately began during WWII
Construction of these buildings has placed multiple families, commercial occupancies or both under one roof

3. Definition A mid-rise building is three to six stories in height
Less than 75 feet from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access
May be residential or commercial occupancies with the presence of elevators
Mid-rise building may have a large footprint or unusual design

4. General Characteristics
Center core atrium
Donut-Style
Residential over commercial

5. General Characteristics
Mid-rise buildings share similar characteristics as high rise and garden apartments such as
May or may not have Sprinkler protection
May or may not have standpipe system
Different types of construction
Large attic spaces
May or may not have Firefighter service elevators
Center core floor plans
Parking garages
Commercial occupancies on lower levels

6. Construction Types
Mid-rises vary by construction type and units contained with-in the structure
Roofs vary greatly in design from cross gables and dormer to large flat roofs
Lowest floor of a mid-rise may contain elevator control rooms, storage or laundry rooms.

7. Construction Types Ordinary construction- pre 1960’s
Masonry load loadbearing walls, wood floors and roofing components
Flat roof assembly
Cockloft with common area may spread throughout entire roof
Presence of firewalls
Casement or double hung windows
Absence of balconies

8. Construction Types Non-combustible construction
Found mostly in commercial occupancies
Insulated flat roof with metal decking
Exterior walls may be metal, concrete or framed with a veneer
Presence of firewalls
Basements with storage, laundry or electric rooms
Double hung or sliding glass windows
Metal or concrete stairways with possible “accommodation” stairways

9. Construction Types Lightweight wood frame construction
Began replacing ordinary construction in the 1980’s
Roof construction may be lightweight flat or peaked truss with dormers
Knee-walls may be found in units with lofts and dormers
Exterior walls are typically OSB covered with insulating material
Firewalls may be non-existent
Parallel chord trusses or plywood I-beams floors
Cantilevered, recessed or hinged balconies
Enclosed stairways

10. Exterior Features (Lightweight)
Windows may be double hung or horizontal sliding type
Balconies are of three general types
Cantilevered
Recessed
Hinged

11. Interior Features (Lightweight)
HVAC units may be in each individual unit
Zero clearance chimneys are common in newer buildings
Stairs are usually enclosed with masonry or thick fire rated drywall
The presence of fireplaces and chimneys create a potential for fire extension. Improper
installation or age may compromise the integrity of the components contributing to fire spread to
surrounding combustible members.

12. Roof Access Bulkhead Stairway Roof Hatch to a Flat Roof
Certain stairways allow companies to access the roof and should be identified on building
preplans. Roof top bulkhead doors, located over the stairway, provides direct stairway access to
the roof, Figure 48. Other stairways do not provide direct stairway access to the roof; rather,
companies must climb a ladder located at the top of the stairway, accessing the roof through a
roof hatch, Figure 49. This hatch may be at the top of the stairway, top floor hallway, or hidden
in a top floor closet.

13. Fire Protection
Buildings may be completely sprinklered, partially sprinklered or not at all
Standpipes may or may not be present
Firefighting personnel should give preference to standpipes located in stairways
Example of a large diameter FDC

14. Elevators Elevators may be hydraulic or electric traction
Newer buildings utilize elevators that do no require a conventional elevator room

15. Utilities May be serviced by all standard utilities
High voltage electrical vaults or gas meter rooms may be present
Gas lines may be bright yellow and flexible

16. Special Hazards Limited access to side “Charlie”
Increased occupant load
Increased use of lightweight material for residential occupancies
Presence of swimming pools and parking garages

17. Life Hazards Potential for a high loss of life
Victims are found in normal egress pathways
Personnel should consider the best way to control occupants
Evacuate
Protect in place

18. Fire Hazards
May not have all or any safety equipment found in high rise buildings
Large open cockloft areas
Utility shafts with void spaces
Combustible exterior walls
Lightweight construction

19. Fire Hazards
Vertical voids such as pipe chases are the primary means which fire extends
Fire in void spaces will frequently spread to the roof
Common long hallways lead to a large amount of smoke spread
Combustible exterior siding can greatly effect vertical extension

20. Fire Load
Fire load in commercial occupancies requires 20gpm per 100 square ft
Residential mid rises has a flow rate of 10gpm per 100 square ft

21. Collapse
Personnel must be aware that HVAC units, water heaters and other equipment may be stored in attic spaces
Personnel must remain cognizant of a collapse hazard if..
Presence of lightweight construction
Fire entering void spaces degrading wooden structural members

22. Trash Chutes Can be attached to buildings
Trash shuts lead to compactors
Fire in compactors can cause vertical smoke and fire spread
Pulling the dumpster away from the building may be necessary for extinguishment
These containers can be a particular hazard when attached to or inside the building. Often, trash
chutes allow rubbish to be deposited from any floor level and the shaft leads directly into the
dumpster or compactor

23. Fire Operations Initial Size Up
Determine the best tactics for firefighting operations
If a standpipe is present, the use of high rise firefighting tactics is recommended
Remember to add an additional engine for the use of high rise assignments

24. Exposures
Due to compartmentation in mid-rise buildings, the fire is less likely to involve the entire floor
Companies must be assigned to check areas above and below the origin of fire
Fire and smoke can extend through hidden voids such as trash chutes and pipe chases

25. Forcible Entry
Hydraulic forcible entry tools are effective on inward opening metal doors in metal frames
Conventional forcible entry tools are preferred for any door set in a wood frame
Keep in mind that commercial occupancies may have additional security features that make forcible entry more difficult

26. Initial Attack Line
Fire location will determine whether the initial attack line is stretched from the engine directly to the fire area or from a standpipe
Companies may consider using other means of attack such as a balcony, window or patio
It is imperative that the standpipe be supplied even if the initial attack line is made with a pre-connected hand line from the first engine.

27. Second Line
The second line should be sufficient enough to reach the fire or area above
Personnel must make sure the initial line is in place before deploying the second line
Capable of equal or greater flow than the initial attack line

28. Line Above the Fire Third due engine is responsible for this task
unless otherwise assigned
There are two main purposes
Protect the company performing a search
Extinguish any vertical extension

29. Basement Fires Multiple access points
Opposing hand lines
Before initiating fire attack from the exterior, personnel must ensure that the door from the fire unit to the public hallways is closed

30. Garage Fires
Access to some parking garages may be hindered due to metal security gates
Remember to secure the garage door in the open position
Quickly assess if fire has spread to living areas

31. Attic Fires
Attic fires often result from vertical extension through void spaces and/or exterior fire spread.
Crews must be cognizant of collapse hazards
In those instances where elevated master streams are required, streams should be directed through or at the top-floor level, into the involved space, not directly on the roof
Avoid flowing streams down onto the
roof, as roofs are meant to shed water. This method will not only fail to extinguish the fire, but
may collapse the roof. Also, personnel in the affected area must be relocated to a safe area within
the structure prior to initiating a master stream operation.

32. Large Volume Fires
It may be appropriate for the first engine officer to address exposures immediately
The most effective means of directing the flow from elevated streams is from the tower bucket or ladder tip

33. Ventilation
A primary goal is the removal of smoke and heat from the public hallways early in the operation
The three basic ventilation tactics used in mid-rise buildings include
Horizontal
Vertical
Mechanical
Roof top considerations
Vertical ventilation may be accomplished by opening roof scuttles,
stairway, and bulkhead doors; existing openings in roofs, of any kind, may provide a quick
means of vertical ventilation. Where this is not possible or ineffective, holes should be cut at the
highest point as close to or directly over the fire area.

34. Search and Rescue
The fire unit and the unit above are the highest priority areas for search
Options for removing victims include
Protect in place
Removal from involved unit or balcony
Removal via interior stairs
Removal over portable ladder or aerial
Drywall breach to uninvolved area

35. Mid Rise Fire Response 4 Engine Companies 2 Ladder Trucks
1 Rescue Squad
1 Medic Unit
2 EMS Supervisors
2 Battalion Chiefs
Note: Additional alarms and RIT levels can be requested based on the incident command recommendations

36. Fist Due Engine Determine attack method
Standpipe vs Pre-connected lines from apparatus (Basement, 1st,2nd floor)
Position in proximity to the building so as to not block access by other apparatus.
Determine method of water supply.
View as much of the structure as possible. Take note of fire/ smoke location, number of floors and persons in distress.
Bring rapid entry keys (i.e., Knox) and retrieve building keys in fire control room or other designated location
Check the status of elevators and HVAC systems, if present.
Check the annunciator panel (if present) before proceeding to the reported fire floor/area to verify location and extent of the fire.
Proceed to the fire floor and commence firefighting operations.

37. Second Due Engine Establish water supply
Assist the first engine in placing the first hoseline in service.
Deploy a back-up hoseline, only after ensuring that the initial line is in place and making progress.

38. Third Due Engine
Position on the opposite side of the building from the first due engine. If the rear is not accessible, position apparatus at the end of the structure closest to the involved unit to allow for hoseline deployment to Side Charlie. Do not block access of incoming units.
The officer shall report conditions from the side opposite the first engine.
Obtain a secondary water supply. Advise Command if an additional engine will be required to complete the water supply.
Supply the rear FDC, if present.
Advance a hoseline to the floor above the fire, or as directed.

39. Fourth Due Engine Complete a secondary water supply, if necessary.
If the vehicle is not needed for water supply, position out of the way.
Assume the role of RIT. The equipment and procedures to follow shall be obtained from the NOVA Rapid Intervention Team Command and Operational Procedures Manual.

40. First Due Truck or Rescue Squad
The truck company’s and rescue squad’s functional duties closely parallel one another
These responsibilities include
Searching for victims
Locating the fire
Forcible entry
Ventilation
Control of utilities

41. First Due Truck
Position on the alpha side or the side where fire is showing
Raise the aerial ladder to access the unit/area involved.
The ladder should not be placed to a window or balcony showing fire unless there is someone at such a location in need of rescue or the elevated mater stream tactic is being used for fire attack.
If the apartment or unit is totally involved, then the aerial should be raised to an adjoining unit.
If there is no need for the aerial or if the fire floor is out of reach, the entire crew should enter the building together.

42. Second Due Truck
View as much of the structure as possible. Take note of fire/smoke location, number of floors, conditions evident, and persons in distress.
Position opposite the first truck. If not possible, position on side alpha in front of the uncovered portion of the structure.
Assess the need for elevated master streams.
Take note of wind direction and strength.
Bring rapid entry keys (i.e., Knox).
If not yet identified, the officer should ensure that a stairway has been identified as the evacuation stairway and that it is clear of smoke.
Communicate any previously unreported conditions.
Proceed to the floor above the fire

43. (After first truck reaches fire floor)
Rescue Squad
(After first truck reaches fire floor)
Deployment of a tagline from the attack stairway.
Forcible entry on the adjacent units for primary
search and possible alternative fire attack
options.
Coordinating the evacuation of occupants.
Assessment of fire extension into the adjacent units.
Horizontal ventilation.

44. EMS Units
The EMS unit should park away from the building in an area that allows for rapid egress if a patient needs to be transported
The crew should assemble their EMS equipment on a stretcher and report to Command

45. Command Officers
Gather all information from the companies and assume command of the incident
Determine location of command post
The second due chief shall don protective clothing and SCBA and proceed to the Command Post for briefing and assignment.