Photo by author.
“BREAD AND BUTTER” OPERATIONS: THE QUEEN ANNE, PART 1
In the mid19th century, a new building technique was developed. It used twoby four-inch studs that ran continuously from the foundation to the roof; at intermediate floor levels, joists either were “hung” off of a “ribbon” or ledger board nailed to the studs, or the joists themselves were nailed to the studs. This new construction was easy to learn, was relatively fast to use, and eliminated the need for skilled laborers that mortise and tenon construction required. Unfortunately, it also introduced new problems to the fire service. We know it today as balloon-frame construction, and it provides a continuous channel for fire to spread from the basement to the attic.
This channel, whose four sides all are comprised of wooden members (two studs, lathe from the wall, and exterior sheathing), supports the rapid upward extension of the fire. As the fire passes each immediate floor, it also will spread out into the voids between the floor joists, as there is nothing to impede its travel. When a fire in this type of construction extends into one of the numerous hidden voids, the operating forces arcrequired to “chase” the fire in an attempt to stop its extension before the fire takes control of the entirestructure.
EXTERIOR SIZE-UP
This type of construction was used in homes throughout the United States, including those commonly referred to as “Victorians” or “Queen Annes.” These homes are easily recognized by their construction features. They vary from 2½ to 3½ stories high, with ceiling heights from nine to 12 feet. Overall dimensions of such homes can be from 30 to 50 feet wide and 40 to 50 feet deep.
Of all the Queen Anne’s features, the attic and roof area is the most recognizable. The roof has many peaks and dormers and possibly a turret (with a round or dome-shaped roof). The entire roof assembly has large, overhanging eaves. These eaves, normally constructed of wood strips, readily admit fire to the attic area via autoexposure when fire vents out second-floor windows.
Another important feature from a firefighting standpoint is the large, covered porch found on many Queen Annes. The porch may be at the front of the house, near the front entrance, or may run along two or three sides of the house. Regardless of porch location. our outside operations (such as ventilation and line placement) on the second-floor level may be more easily performed from ibis vantagepoint. A firefighter performing ventilation could rapidly cover all windows served by the porch by placing a ladder at just one position (to gain access to the porch), instead of having to reposition the ladder for every window.
INTERIOR FEATURES
Interior features commonly found in Queen Annes include large, open rooms with high ceilings, especially on the first floor. During renovations, these ceilings may have been lowered—either by a drop ceiling supported with wires or by a new ceiling being installed using wood framing and drywall. The latter type of lowered ceiling, although not as common, presents more of a hazard to firefighters because it creates a small cockloft (concealed space) over the room filled with wooden support members. Fire burning undetected in this void could lead to the sudden collapse of the assembly. Extension to the floor above also is more probable because the old plaster and lathe ceiling that is being covered —either for cosmetic reasons or as a heatconservation measure—undoubtedly is in a state of disrepair from age or from the hammering during the installation of the new ceiling.
You normally enter this style of home into a foyer or some type of entranceway or hallway that also contains a large, open staircase connecting the first and second floors. Floor plans of these large homes can vary considerably. Often, the rooms directly off the foyer are a living room to one side and a den or study to the other side. In some homes it is possible to enter directly into the kitchen by going straight ahead alongside the staircase and through a short hallway.
The living room may have a sun room or sitting room off of it, which may be all glass and stick out from the side of the house (access is only from the living room). For some first-floor fires, these windows provide an excellent point for horizontal ventilation. Toward the rear behind the living room is a large dining room, off of which is the kitchen, which usually is behind the stairs and the study. Hie kitchen also can be very large and might have a dumbwaiter that serves some or all floors of the house. If there is a second staircase, it, too, will be in the kitchen. ‘Iliis narrow, second set of stairs may connect the first, second, and third floors or just the first and third floors. Many of these homes have servants’ quarters located on the third floor.
The second-floor layout of a Queen Anne can have many variations. Along with the bedrooms and bathroom you might find a study, a sewing room, or a sitting room. The number of rooms and their layout depend on the size of the house. Also on the second floor is the staircase leading to the third floor; this is separate from the rear staircase, which may or may not have a secondfloor landing, both staircases are narrow and winding and generally do not have landings at the turns, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to stretch and operate a second handline until the crew operating the first line has cleared the staircase.
The third-floor layout also varies from house to house. Some residents use the third floor as servants’ quarters, others use the extra space for additional bedrooms or storage.
Above the third floor is the attic area Depending on the overall height of the structure, this area might have been formed when the walls and ceiling for the third floor were studded out. Although the area above the ceiling in this case is “dead” space, the area behind the walls is usable for storage. Such areas are referred to as “kneewalls.” When fire extends to the third floor of a Queen Anne, it usually is found burning behind the kneewalls.
photos middle and bottom by
author.)
(Photo by author.)
Remember that these spaces are used for storage, and gaining entry might require the removal of the stored goods. Be sure to search these areas for victims, as children can be found hiding in them (when using them as “forts” or play areas). In homes broken up into single-room occupancies, kneewalls may be used as sleeping quarters.
large homes may have an attic that is accessible by a drop ladder or a hatch in the third-floor ceiling. This attic usually is high enough so that a person can stand up in it. Again, its main use is for storage. The fire load in this wide open area, with its stored goods and limited access, makes a fire in a full-size Queen Anne attic especially tough to bring under control.
Basements in Queen Annes have the same characteristics as basements in most private houses. Some differences include dirt floors and unusually low ceiling heights. Limited ventilation opportunities and access, combined with the increased area of the larger basement, also make for a tough, hard-to-fight fire.
In addition to the balloon frame, Queen Annes have all the other avenues of fire extension found in private dwellings. Pipe chases that run from the basement to the third floor are common. Llectrical wiring and rewiring leave voids for fire to enter. Old ductwork left over from the original hot-air furnace also provides a readypath for heat and smoke to follow. These characteristics, coupled with unenclosed stairways, make for rapid spread of smoke, heat, and fire. A knowledge of Queen Annes, training, and an aggressive attack will help you fight fires successfully and save these structures.
