1. Metal Window & Door Enclosures
NHRFR Lesson Plans
Metal
Window & Door Enclosures
Metal Enclosures

2. Overview “VPS” Enclosures Key to removal is to ID securing device
Doors
Windows
Key to removal is to ID securing device
Key to safety is to identify the concern before the fire
Know your area
Metal Enclosures

3. Metal Enclosures

4. Metal Enclosures

5. Metal Enclosures

6. Window Enclosures Heavy, galvanized sheet metal 15 gauge metal 3 Types
Metal Tab & Turnbuckle
Anchor-Head & Ratcheted Cable
Side-Pin
Identification – the only way to defeat them
Metal Enclosures

7. Anchor-Head / Ratcheted Cable
Metal Tab / Turnbuckle
Metal Enclosures

8. Metal Tab / Turnbuckle
Front View
Rear View
Metal Enclosures

9. Metal Tab / Turnbuckle
Metal Enclosures

10. Metal Tab / Turnbuckle
Metal Enclosures

11. Remove all 4 sides to create egress point and ladder access
Metal Tab / Turnbuckle
Remove all 4 sides to create egress point and ladder access
Metal Enclosures

12. Anchor Head / Ratcheted Cable
Metal Enclosures

13. Anchor Head / Ratcheted Cable
Metal Enclosures

14. Side-Pin
Metal Enclosures

15. Side-Pin
Metal Enclosures

16. Metal Enclosures

17. Metal Enclosures

18. Side-Pin
Metal Enclosures

19. Side-Pin
Metal Enclosures

20. The Doors
Metal Enclosures

21. Metal Enclosures

22. The Doors
Metal Enclosures

23. Strategic Considerations
Command
Consider how many companies will be “eaten up” forcing entry. Call for help early
Decentralize Command by placing Command Officers in areas of priority
Be especially cognizant of potential hazards posed by the structure. It is vacant!
Metal Enclosures

24. Strategic Considerations
Command
Consider forcing the windows before forcing the door
Be sure before personnel enter, that adequate secondary egress is provided
Failure to remove the windows with personnel inside will jeopardize safety due to:
Inadequate ventilation
Inadequate secondary means of egress
If the place lights up, the openings can be used for stream penetration.
Metal Enclosures

25. Strategic Considerations
Command
Be prepared for heavy fire or potential backdraft conditions caused by entry delays
Keep your exposures covered
Light up the area
Safety is the overriding concern
Metal Enclosures

26. Strategic Considerations
Rescue
If enclosures only cover the first floor, scan the building for victims showing at upper floors
If entry is to be made, use a TIC and a lifeline and ensure ground ladders are raised to all sides of the building as additional egress paths
Metal Enclosures

27. Strategic Considerations
Rescue
If there is heavy fire, consider how far personnel will be committed for a search. If it has been burning a long time due to notification and/or entry delays, can there be anyone left alive inside?
Always conduct a secondary search
Metal Enclosures

28. Strategic Considerations
Attack
Ensure two water supplies
Ensure lines are in place, charged, and ready to go before entry is made.
Consider the potential direction of spread and position lines to head it off
Metal Enclosures

29. Strategic Considerations
Attack
Consider the feasibility of an attack without adequate ventilation. Hold the horses at the barn door until we can get the building opened up.
Don’t be afraid to darken the fire down from the outside first.
Metal Enclosures

30. Strategic Considerations
Ventilation
Closed-up buildings require total ventilation. Consider if you want your personnel operating inside a building that is not cooperating with ventilation efforts
Be aware of the potential for heavy fire conditions even before enclosures are totally removed. Expect it as they are removed.
Metal Enclosures

31. Strategic Considerations
Ventilation
Metal chews up saw blades. Request additional crews, additional saws, blades, and fuel
If possible, remove all window materials once enclosure is removed. Sometimes only half the window has been used for the framing materials. It will be necessary to remove the remaining glass and sash.
Metal Enclosures

32. Strategic Considerations
Extension Prevention
Consider exposures when opening up the building
Stretch lines in anticipation of fire conditions erupting from removed enclosures
Consider building construction and paths of least resistance when anticipating fire spread.
Metal Enclosures

33. Safety Considerations
The metal, when cut, will not only produce sparks, but it may be extremely hot from the fire in the building.
The jagged edges produced by cutting it will be sharp.
Take all necessary precautions and properly wear PPE including proper hand and eye protection.
Metal Enclosures

34. Safety Considerations
Remember, this is a vacant building!
Once inside, all of the dangers inherent in vacant structures are likely to be present.
Risk a lot to save a lot. Risk nothing to save nothing.
A burned-down vacant is no longer a concern to us.
What our personnel are risking their necks for today will be trucked away tomorrow
Metal Enclosures

35. Stay Safe
Out There!
Metal Enclosures