1. NOVA MANUAL TRAINING TOWNHOUSE June 2009
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
NOVA MANUAL TRAINING
TOWNHOUSE
June 2009

2. OBJECTIVES Describe residential and commercial townhouses in NOVA
Point out construction features
Describe hazards associated with these structures
Establish standard tactics
Establish tactics for engine, truck, and rescue companies in these structures
Reduce loss of life and property in townhouse fires

3. CHANGES IN MANUAL Better Identification of Building Types
Proper Size-up
Tactics Clarification in Regards to Basement Fires

4. Definition of Townhouse
“Townhouse is a generic term. It is used to describe various styles of attached dwellings. These can range from old row houses, to modern townhouses, duplexes, quads and piggybacks. Each occupancy has a separate address and its own entrance.”

5. Characteristics Townhouse
Figure 1 - A townhouse is a multi-story dwelling normally attached to several other units. Typically, adjacent occupancies have rated floor and wall assembly separation. Townhouses most often will have an attic with a pitched roof.

6. Characteristics
Duplex

7. Characteristics
Figure 2 – A duplex is two dwellings under one roof sharing a common wall. The figure shows the duplex from Side Alpha.

8. Characteristics
Quad
Figure 3 – A quad is four dwellings connected together, under one roof, with separate addresses. A quad may have entrances on four different sides.

9. Characteristics
Piggyback

10. Characteristics
Figure 4 – 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.

11. Characteristics
Back to Back

12. Characteristics
Figure 5 – A “back to back” is a townhouse consisting of two or more occupancies under one roof connected by the “Side Charlie” wall.

13. Characteristics
Over Under

14. Characteristics
Figure 6 – 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.

15. Characteristics
Row

16. Characteristics
Figure 7 – A row house 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 row house will have a common cockloft under a flat roof.

17. Characteristics
Hybrids

18. Characteristics
Figure 8 – 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.

19. Construction Type of Construction Roof Framing and Style Attics Walls
Insulation
Firewalls
Floors

20. Construction Windows Doors Stairs Fire Protection Features Chimneys
Garages

21. Construction

22. ATTICS Usually Unfinished !!!STORAGE!!! Water Heaters and HVAC
Living Space????
May Have Flooring Which Will Make It Difficult For Hose Stream Application

23. ATTICS Aggressive Interior Attack To The Seat Of Fire
Pull Down Stairs Only Rated At 250 lbs.
Use Exterior Offensive Attack Strategies If Needed
Gable Vents, Breaching Siding, Or Piercing Nozzle

24. GARAGE FIRES All Walls And Doors Are Rated Except The GARAGE DOOR!
Rapid Fire Spread
Living Quarters Above?
Be Sure To Secure Garage/Overhead Doors
Choose Tactics Carefully To Prevent Fire Spread To Living Area
Coordinated Attack

25. EXTERIOR FIRES Highly Combustible Siding Materials
Vertical And Horizontal Spread!
Weather? Wind?
Exposure Problems
Will Aid In Fire Spread Throughout Fire Building Through Void Spaces.
Extensive Overhaul

26. EXTERIOR FIRES First Line To Fire Location On Exterior
Next Line On Interior Of Structure
Check The Attic!
Use The Tools We Have
Figure 15 – Use of a thermal imaging camera to check ceiling and siding area

27. Hazards
Life Hazards
Fire Hazards
Collapse
The “Unknown”!

28. Fire Operations Strategic Factors Adequate Size Up - Fire size
Life Safety
Incident Stabilization
Property Conservation
RECEO
Adequate Size Up
- Fire size
- Extent
- Location

29. Resources 5 Engine Companies 2 Truck Company 1 Rescue Company 1 EMS
2 Battalion Chiefs

30. FIRST ENGINE Position Side Alpha Supply Lines Initial Attack Line
Command Decision

31. SECOND ENGINE Water Supply For First Engine Backup Line or Second Line
Communicate With 1st Engine to Establish Needs

32. THIRD ENGINE
RIT
Conduct 360 of structure
Give Report to Command

33. FOURTH ENGINE Secondary Water Supply Position For Side Charlie Access
Check For Extension
Exposure Lines

34. FIFTH ENGINE
Water Supply For 4th Engine
Other Duties as Assigned

35. FIRST TRUCK Side Alpha Verbalize Maintain or Split Crew
Force Entry, Search, Vent
Ladders, Vent & Utilities if After Rescue

36. SECOND TRUCK
Side Charlie Coverage
Other Duties as Assigned

37. RESCUE COMPANY Position Out Of The Way Vent, Force Entry & Search
Ladders, Vent & Utilities If After Truck

38. EMS UNIT
Position For Rapid Egress
Aide Station/Rehab

39. CHIEF OFFICERS First Chief Second Chief Assume Command
Command Post Assistant or As Directed By The IC
Safety Officer

40. Engine Company Tactics
Water Supply
Forward Lay
Reverse Lay
Own Water
Water Supply Plan Must Be Announced

41. Engine Company Tactics
On-Scene Report
Water Supply Plan (if not previously reported)
Confirm Address
Type of Structure
Initial Conditions

42. Engine Company Tactics
Size-Up and Situation Report
View all sides if possible
Note location, Extent of Fire/Smoke
Command Statement
Tactics to Employ

43. Engine Company Tactics
Initial Line
Back-Up Line
Line Above the Fire
Basement Fires
Garage Fires
Attic Fires
Large Volume Fires
Exposures

44. Engine Company Tactics
Basement Fires
- 1st Engine Decision on Line Placement
- Communication of Line Placement
- Coordinated Effort

45. Engine Company Tactics
Basement Fires Cont.
-Limited Access Points
-Unprotected Structural Supports With Immediate Fire Impingement
- Finished Or Unfinished
Preferred Point Of Attack Is An Exterior Access Point That Lead Directly Into The Basement

46. Engine Company Tactics
Ordinary vs. Light Weight

47. Engine Company Tactics
Lightweight
-Take Position Of Safety Near The Front Door
Ordinary
-Usually Safe To Position At The Top Of The Stairs

48. Engine Company Tactics
No Exterior Entrance???
Is It Safe?
Type Of Construction?
Sound The Floor/Stairs

49. Engine Company Tactics
Do We Need To Be In There?
Exterior Attack

50. Truck and Rescue Company Tactics
Positioning
Initial Actions
Forcible Entry
Rescue and Primary Search

51. Truck and Rescue Company Tactics
Ventilation
Ladder Deployment
Basement Fires
Attic Fires
Large Volume Fires

52. QUESTIONS?