ON FIRE ❘ by MICHAEL N. CIAMPO
Taxpayer, strip mall, and supermarket fires aren’t your run-of-the-mill fires and have more issues than a room-and-contents fire in a dwelling. Fires in these occupancies require multiple resources early in the operation for success. Not calling for additional help will surely put you behind the eight ball and can increase your chances of making a parking lot vs. knocking down the fire rapidly. Unfortunately, you’ll often arrive on scene to a well-advanced fire and not even be sure which store is your point of origin to begin fire attack.
Locating the Fire
Arriving at 0400 hours and locating the fire with smoke showing from all five stores in a single-story commercial structure can be a daunting task. Sizing up the types of occupancies may lead to where the fire started. Often the food establishment is the culprit when you’re searching for the seat of the fire. Using a thermal imaging camera (TIC) may be helpful to determine which store shows more of a significant heat buildup.
If there’s no security devices in the front of the structure, force open the front doors with conventional means or through-the-lock techniques. Then get a read with the TIC of the conditions inside instead of trying to read through the thick plate glass or Lexan™ windows. When scanning, you may be able to pick up temperature changes at the seams or structural components of the windows or doors. Since many of these fires start in the rear of the occupancy in an office, stock room, or break room, it may be difficult to determine the fire’s location from the ground. Performing a 360° size-up and using a TIC on the roof level may indicate the fire’s point of origin or extent.
If you encounter roll-up security devices, you may need to force them open to give you an indication of where the main body of fire is located. When forcing these gates, it’s better to go right down the line in the beginning than open one at a time. Of course, attack the easiest points first (padlocks) rather than cut the entire gate open. If you encounter electrically powered gates, remove the cover plate of the outside control box and work the two-way control levers to open them. Be aware that if you just cut the gate sections, the bottom frame portion may still sit on top of the sidewalk access hatchway to the basement. Removing this section will provide another access point to the below-grade area for fire attack, search, and utility control. Also be aware that if you open these hatches, there may be limited access due to stock chutes or rolling sliders and the stairs may be weakened from the elements.
Stretching and Operating Hoselines
It’s important to note that a significant fire in these structures is going to involve a lot of water flow from multiple sources—numerous handlines or outside master streams. Teaming up engine companies to handle the heavier and bulkier 2½-inch attack lines will make it easier to move and advance into the occupancy. It will also allow personnel to space out on the line inside the store, especially when your staffing needs are limited and you must maneuver around stock displays. If the fire is in the basement, having a firefighter at the top of the stairs feeding line will help the advance. That member can monitor conditions exiting the area and on the first floor.
During this operation and while a water source is established, size up the building for a sprinkler siamese connection. Supplying the system will also require a line to be stretched to assist in the fire’s suppression. If the fire is in the cockloft and has extended above numerous stores, you will need additional hoselines in these occupancies. The use of a cockloft nozzle inside the store may get water into the concealed space faster because of the time it takes to pull down a higher tin ceiling.
While these operations are going on inside the building, you can also stretch a dry line to an aerial device. If it’s not used, that’s OK, but it helps to rapidly change over from an interior to an exterior attack.
Pulling Ceilings
Inside these structures, truck companies may face a variety of ceiling types and heights. The first firefighter through the occupancy with a hook should check the conditions above as quickly as possible. You don’t want to operate too deep inside a building with a hidden and roaring fire overhead. He can also determine the type of construction and ceilings you’ll encounter. Don’t be surprised if your regular size six-foot hook doesn’t reach the ceiling; these older buildings will require the use of eight- or 10-foot hooks.
Tin is a nuisance and exhausting to pull and open. Starting at a seam or punching through the tin with the butt end of the hook might be an easier way to get your initial penetration. Using a specialized hook, like a gypsum board rake with teeth on it, may bite into the tin and help you pull it open easier. Keep in mind that tin is sharp and can quickly cut an unsuspecting firefighter.
Suspended ceilings are another issue you’ll face. The entire track system may fall in an instant when pulled. Pulling this ceiling as you proceed forward prevents you and others from being trapped beneath it. Wires, cables, and “slinky” flex-duct wire hidden above can entangle you. Carrying a cutting pliers can help you remove some of these obstacles after pulling these ceilings.
Be prepared. You’re in for a real firefight at these fires.
MICHAEL N. CIAMPO is a 38-year veteran of the fire service and a lieutenant in the Fire Department of New York. Previously, he served with the District of Columbia Fire Department. He has a bachelor’s degree in fire science from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. He is the lead instructor for the FDIC International Truck Essentials H.O.T. program. He wrote the Ladders and Ventilation chapters for Fire Engineering’s Handbook for Firefighter I and II (Fire Engineering, 2009) and the Bread and Butter Portable Ladders DVD and is featured in “Training Minutes” truck company videos.
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