 |
January-February
2008 |
 |
| |
|
Exterior Building Hazards For The
Truck Company Firefighter
By
Jamie C. Morelock
"The building is your enemy." Francis
Brannigan reiterated this statement to us in the fire service up until
his passing. Every fire has one goal, which is to consume and destroy
the building that it occupies. In its quest, numerous hazards, such as
holes in floors and falling debris, are created. These hazards injure
and kill firefighters every year.
Aggressive interior searches for life and fire attack
are extremely dangerous operations. While the engine companies are
making their push towards the seat of the fire, "truckies"
are also inside, on their hands and knees, groping through the
darkness for victims and checking for fire extension. Many might view
the interior operations of the truck company as their most dangerous
work. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truck firefighters
assigned to perform the critical exterior operations of
vent-enter-search (V.E.S.) and roof work, face their own equally
dangerous hazards. The difference is that many times exterior hazards
are man-made and have been there long before the fire took possession
of the building.
The following is a series of photos showing just a
handful of these hazards the truck company firefighters face. These
hazards can be found across the nation in towns both big and small.
The key is to "discover" and pass along these hazards before
they are found the hard way.
|
|
Photo 1. This building is part of a
large hospital complex and houses heating, cooling, and
mechanical equipment. Note the arrow pointing to the
scupper (roof drain).
|
|
|
Photo 2. A close-up of the scupper
in Photo 1.
|
|
|
Photo 3. That would be a 20' fall
from the tip of an aerial in heavy smoke. The scupper is
an indicator of the actual level of the roof surface.
|
|
|
Photo 4. The balcony of this second
floor apartment could be laddered and function as a work
platform for VES operations. |
|
|
Photo 5. The balcony appears to be
vacant. |
|
|
Photo 6. Note the
"chicken" wire. Moments before these photos were
taken the author witnessed no less than three Pit Bull dogs
being let into the apartment unit. |
|
|
Photo 7. The arrow points out the
target building. A three-story Type III (Ordinary
construction) building, 20' by 50'. The one-story building
to the rear of the target building is actually part of exposure
"B" (which is on the right side of this
picture.) A truck company firefighter would normally
ascend the stairs and cross the roof of the one-story section to
gain access to the upper floors of the target building. |
|
|
Photo 8. A view from the top of the
stairs. In the dark or with heavy smoke a truck company
firefighter may not notice the gap between the two buildings. |
|
|
Photo 9. Looking down from the roof
of the exposure. It is easily 8' between the buildings and
a 16' drop to the ground.
|
|
|
Photo 10. Crossing over from one of the
exposures to access the fire building is a common technique used
by "truckies." Using the roof of this two-story
building, a truck company firefighter could access the third
floor, rear of the fire building. |
|
|
Photo 11. A closer look reveals a section
of wire mesh attached to a flimsy and rotted wooden frame.
The mesh helps keep birds out of the air shaft. In the
dark or during heavy smoke conditions a truck firefighter may
inadvertently step onto the mesh. It would probably
support him long enough to realize what a terrible mistake he
just made. Additionally, trapped firefighters inside the
building making a hasty exit through that door would have an
unexpected surprise. |
|
|
Photo 12. That is a three-story drop to
the bottom. Once at the bottom it could be a long time
before anyone found you. |
Don't become a victim of any of these hazards. I
challenge each and every one of you to get out of the firehouse and
into your community and find your own outside hazards. Most of
these hazards are not visible from the street. During
inspections and training, take the time to look over the building with
more than a glance. You may be surprised at what you find.
The roof is one of the best places to start. It offers a vantage
point that can not be found from the ground.
Make notes, take pictures, and share the information
with your fellow firefighters. Stay alert, stay smart, and most
of all stay safe.
© Copyright
Firenuggets.com 2008 • Click here for Terms and
Conditions of Use
  <•••SIGN OUT
RETURN TO CURRENT ISSUE INDEX
|