BY JEFF CASE
Sitting around the firehouse dinner table recently, the discussion turned to attic fire horror stories. The scary part of this discussion was that virtually everyone had a story to share. I reflected back to when I was a fairly new firefighter and arrived on the scene of a medium-sized home with a working attic fire. My recollection was that interior conditions presented with a very light smoke hovering at the ceiling level. Within a matter of minutes, we had pulled huge amounts of ceiling and operated nozzles as we worked to put out the fire. Well, the fire went out, but it was discouraging to see the amount of damage that we had done to the homeowner’s contents and home interior. I struggled with trying to determine what caused the most damage, the fire or us. Fortunately, I would learn from other company officers and experienced firefighters that we can do it differently and that we can have a positive impact on an already tragic situation.
That same dinner table discussion produced pretty strong opinions regarding how to best fight an attic fire. So, who is right, and what approach is best? The simple answer is probably all of them. The better question is, based on an accurate size-up and consideration of the critical fireground factors, which tactical approach is best suited for this fire? The keys to the successful outcome of a structure fire are the organizational values effective communications and service excellence. They will play a particularly important role when attacking an attic fire. You’ll find as you read through this article that there will be some consistent themes. They may sound basic, but are you employing them consistently: (1) Have a plan. (2) Communicate that plan. (3) Think. (4) Be professional and customer focused?
Note: The term “professional firefighter,” used in this article refers to firefighters acting in a professional manner, regardless of whether they are paid or volunteer firefighters. I fully recognize the value and contribution of our volunteer firefighters across the world.
TACTICAL PRIORITIES
The first priority when attacking a structure fire is always the safety of our firefighters and the rescue of savable lives. Once an All-Clear has been obtained and it is determined that the fire is an isolated attic fire, our focus should be to minimize damage to the structure and the customer’s contents. As professional firefighters, we work to minimize the damage caused by the fire and the products of combustion (primary damage) and our efforts to extinguish the fire (secondary damage). Attic fires typically provide a unique opportunity to address salvage operations early. A successful and professional attic fire attack requires thinking and communicating, and a lot of hard –SMART work.
The incident commander (IC) must initiate and maintain control of communications, and company officers and firefighters must be focused and professional in responding to orders and assignments. The IC should avoid assignments like, “Come in and assist,” which creates the risk that crews will come in and not be on the same page as the IC. Assignments should be specific and part of an incident action plan. Crews should approach attic fires with the understanding that the IC has several tactical options available. Careful consideration of the critical fireground factors should lead to the development of an appropriate plan. The actions taken and the information relayed by the first-in company officer will have a dramatic impact on the outcome of a residential attic fire.
CRITICAL FIREGROUND FACTORS
The IC must consider several factors in determining the appropriate incident action plan. The most obvious and critical factors include life hazards (rescue profile), the extent and location of the fire, the structure (size, construction type, arrangement, etc.), and resources. The tactical and task options will vary significantly based on these critical fireground factors. The key to a positive outcome is to quickly obtain an All-Clear and then depending on factors, either attack the fire; conserve property; or, when possible, do both simultaneously. The fire is the most obvious and significant threat to our customer’s property; however, our approach to extinguishment can significantly impact the success of our salvage operations.
As professional firefighters, we must remember that the resident’s property priorities are most likely the things in the structure rather than the structure itself. Often, we think we are saving the structure at the expense of the occupant’s valuables, only to see the house rebuilt while the property and valuables are forever lost. Our ability to extinguish the fire while limiting secondary damage is part of being a professional firefighter. The method of attack and extinguishment should be a conscious decision, not just an automatic reaction.
COMMUNICATIONS
Regardless of the tactical option implemented, the key to the operation being effective will be the quality and strength of communications. The initial IC must establish and maintain control of communications and must clearly communicate the attack plan to arriving and responding crews. Once confirmed, the IC should communicate over the radio that this is an isolated attic fire and our plan is to attempt conversion from underneath, to attack from underneath with vertical ventilation, or to use any number of other options that are discussed in this article.
PULLING CEILING
Regardless of the tactical approach used, a few general attack considerations should apply to all residential attic fires. Pulling ceiling is a component of basically any attic fire operation. The key is to consider where, when, and how much ceiling to pull. Attic fires in an intact attic space can often be successfully converted if the crews open small holes and operate nozzles on a semi-fog pattern throughout the attic. Crews should move furniture and valuables away prior to pulling ceiling when possible. Simply stated, think, plan, and act in a professional manner. Have a purpose to whatever you are doing, including the task of pulling ceiling or any other destructive task.
As a battalion chief, I once entered a medium-size home where our crews had quickly extinguished a contents fire. The fire had long been declared under control, and the home was free of smoke. The crews were outside rehabbing and filling their self-contained breathing apparatus bottles when I went in just to take a look. About 25 feet away from the room of origin in a hallway with no sign of even smoke damage was a lone, young firefighter taking an ax to the wall and ceiling. I was careful not to get bludgeoned by the swinging ax. I got the firefighter’s attention and asked, “What are you doing?” The young firefighter, bent over and out of breath, said, “I don’t know” and just stared at me with a blank stare. What happened here? A young aggressive, inexperienced firefighter with a tool in his hands wanted to work. This emphasizes how important it is that someone run the show and make sure there is a plan and that everyone is on the same page.
OLDER HOME CONSTRUCTION
Many older homes have conventional roofs built with larger-dimension lumber (2 × 6) and a common continuous attic space. In addition, older homes have standard eight-foot ceilings with accessible scuttle holes. Many of the challenges associated with gaining access to the attic space and compartmentalized fire spread seen in newer homes are not an issue with older homes. The key to successfully attacking these fires depends heavily on the initial IC forming a good plan, communicating that plan, and then controlling the activities on the interior and roof to ensure the plan is carried out. Once the initial IC determines that the fire is an isolated attic fire, this should be communicated over the radio along with the plan for attack to responding and arriving crews.
Tactical options for older or more conventional constructed homes include the following:
1. Attack from underneath without vertical ventilation.
2. Attack from underneath with vertical ventilation.
3. Use a penetrating nozzle.
4. Use a gable end attack.
5. Use a coordinated roof attack.
6. Initiate a carport or garage attack.
The length of this article does not allow for a detailed review of each of these options, but a few critical points for each is important. The choice to forgo vertical ventilation is a tough decision. It is important to note that when needed, vertical ventilation is critical and remains a high priority. But remember why we vertically ventilate: to improve tenability for victims and firefighters; to prevent mushrooming or rapid fire spread; and to remove smoke and heat from the victims, firefighters, and contents. If these benefits are not needed, then don’t vertically ventilate. Keeping the lid intact improves the ability to convert an attic fire, which is the quickest and most effective way to extinguish an attic fire that is not in an advanced stage of progression. Another important consideration for attempting to convert an attic fire is minimizing (controlling) the amount and location of ceiling pulled. Remember that our ladder crews are used to going to the roof and ventilating. So if this option is used, have an assignment for the ladder crew. The most likely support work assignment would be to secure utilities and assist with salvage efforts on the interior.
When the fire stage is more advanced and the smoke is presenting with intensity, dark color, and under pressure and is no longer confined to the attic space, vertical ventilation is critical. This will enable crews to work on the interior and will help channel the heat and smoke off crews and contents. Remember, the goal is to safely save people and their possessions. The initial IC must determine if vertical ventilation will help accomplish this goal. Crews working on the interior must continue to focus on simultaneous fire control and salvage efforts.
Once the initial interior crew has extended a handline to the interior and confirmed an isolated attic fire, command should consider have the next-in crew use a penetrating nozzle. Under the right conditions and circumstances, a penetrating nozzle can be a quick and effective method of converting an attic fire. Obviously, it would not make sense to take a spear into a crowded, limited visibility environment, so interior smoke conditions should be light and hovering on the roof line. Most penetrating nozzles deliver approximately 95 gallons per minute (gpm), and the tip must extend six to 12 inches into the attic space to effectively disperse the water pattern. The penetrating nozzle can be placed, operated, and repositioned throughout the house, causing little if any damage to the interior contents, which is what we are really trying to save. The penetrating nozzle is particularly effective in homes with lathe and plaster ceilings, which historically wear our firefighters out trying to gain access. Again, the ability to successfully deploy a penetrating nozzle attack requires second-in engine companies to wait until they receive an assignment from interior or a later-arriving IC.
GABLE END ATTACK OR ATTACK FROM ABOVE
As discussed earlier, a gable end attack can provide quick access to a significant portion of the attic space. This is especially true in a more conventionally framed home in which the attic space is continuous from end to end. This is a great option if practiced and performed safely. Safety considerations include ensuring an appropriate climbing angle and decreasing the pounds per square inch (psi) at the pump panel. The key here is decreased interior secondary damage, which equals improved salvage efforts. Remember what we are trying to save their possessions, not their trusses. The use of a penetrating nozzle from above is an effective way to cover the roof square footage quickly to convert the fire. Caution must be taken to ensure the roof is safe/tenable as crew members work their way from end to end. A lead probing person must sound the roof to ensure integrity.
Garage or carport access in older homes may provide you with access to the entire home’s attic space. Newer homes are constructed with fire stops (two- hour fire rated wall from floor to ceiling). In these older homes, the scuttle hole can provide access without increasing interior secondary damage. Extra caution is required when attempting to work in and especially under garage attic space, as this is commonly used for storage of large and potentially heavy items. (Surprise!)
NEWER CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES AND OPTIONS
The type of residence (old construction, new construction, one- or two-story, vaulted ceiling, tile roof, and so on) will have a huge impact on selecting an appropriate attack plan. In many cities and states across this country, new home construction means vaulted ceilings reaching 20 to 30 feet at their peak, compartmentalized attics that can conceal fires and make extinguishment extremely challenging, and heavy clay or masonry tiles that make it more difficult for ladder crews to work safely on the roof.
The standard interior firefighting tactics and tasks are often extremely ineffective in this style of home construction. Ask any firefighter who has tried to use a long pike pole to pull a vaulted ceiling how effective it was. It is usually described as trying to poke a hole with a water wiggle. How about using ladders inside a vaulted ceiling home? Again, once you’ve worked through the challenges of placing and securing the ladder (often on tile floor) and work to gain access to the attic, you’ve really only gained access to a small portion of a compartmentalized attic. So logically, smart firefighting would lead us to a different approach.
Consideration of different/more creative tactical options should not alter first-arriving engine company actions. It is critical that the first-arriving crew make a fast aggressive interior attack to ensure an All-Clear and to confirm that the attic fire is not the result of a contents fire that has extended to the attic.
Gable end attack. A gable end attack coordinated with effective salvage efforts on the interior will minimize interior secondary damage and give you access to a significant portion of the attic space. An attack from both gable ends may be necessary to reach the entire attic, and crews must ensure that they use an appropriate climbing angle for the ladders, or this operation can be extremely dangerous. An additional safety concern with gable end attacks is the nozzle back-pressure, which could launch, and has launched, a firefighter off the ladder. Anchoring the nozzle pistol on a ladder rung and decreasing the psi at the pump panel can minimize this risk.
Attack from above with a penetrating nozzle. This is an effective way to move quickly across the roof while interior crews address life safety and salvage-control efforts. Crews must be cautious and ensure roof tenability by sounding the roof with a pike pole as they work their way across the house. The extent of attic involvement and the intensity of the fire may make this operation unsafe. Effective size-up and communication are critical to a safe operation.
Work off an aerial ladder platform. This approach requires smart apparatus placement to ensure a critical spot for the ladder and practice by the ladder crew to make sure the evolution can be done quickly and safely. The most effective and timely way to deploy this attack is for the ladder crew to obtain a hoseline from an engine pumper. This is not a common attack, but with practice, smart apparatus placement, and effective communication, it can be an effective approach.
OVERHAUL OPERATIONS
There are two primary goals to be accomplished during overhaul operations: to seek out and extinguish all remaining fire (hot spots, hidden fire) and to control loss. The last tactical objective on the fireground is Loss Stopped. Attic fires present unique challenges for crews when working to complete this benchmark. The confined nature of attic fires and the presence of insulation necessitate extensive overhaul efforts to ensure there are no missed hot spots, embers, smoldering debris, and so on, which could rekindle.
On completion of an All-Clear and Fire Control, command must control loss-stop tasks to ensure that these efforts do not lead to unnecessary secondary damage. Command controls these activities by slowing things down and communicating the loss control plan. Crews must be professional and remember the priority is to save people’s possessions. At some point, a firefighter should enter the attic and physically confirm there are no hot spots. The IC should arrange to have a crew return to the fire scene within a few hours of the incident’s ending to again check for any signs of smoldering insulation. The last company officer to leave the scene is responsible for ensuring total fire extinguishment.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
As with all structure fires, our most important customer service goals center first on saving lives and then extinguishing the fire. As professional firefighters, we must be willing to risk our lives in a calculated manner to save lives and property. Fast, aggressive interior operations provide the greatest opportunity for us to meet our customer service goals. As discussed, the nature of attic fires (fire above us with clear interior conditions) provides firefighters with a unique opportunity to truly address property conservation (salvage efforts). Our customers will remember that we got there fast and that we were nice ( best illustrated by saving people’s valuables and helping them return to some state of normal). I am reminded of one of our customers who could barely express her appreciation. She was crying and could not believe the care and attention we took to box up her personal items and cover her furniture. Her possessions were simple things: clothes, shoes, paperwork, pictures. To her, they were valuable.
Added Value. Customer service efforts start with the initial arriving companies and continue throughout the operation as crews communicate with each other and the IC and fireground tasks are carried out in a calculated, thoughtful, and professional manner. Key points to remember include the following:
• Coordinate simultaneous fire control and salvage efforts.
• Minimize secondary damage when possible.
• Communicate with the customer to identify the salvage priorities.
• Assign an Occupant Services Sector.
Look for “Added Value” opportunities. Customers will not remember that you saved their trusses or their beautiful attic and roof. They will remember that you got there fast, you were nice, and you saved their possessions.
BIO
JEFF CASE is a 28-year veteran of the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department, where he is assigned as a deputy chief/shift commander. He is an instructor at Mesa Community College’s Virtual Incident Command Center and in Texas A&M University’s Weapons of Mass Destruction program. He has a B.A. degree in fire service management and a master’s degree in educational leadership.
