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“Making the Attic” in the 2½-Story: Methods for a Difficult Stretch
The 2½-story frame is one of the most familiar and abundant structures in urban America and has become the “bread and butter” fire in Milwaukee as well as other major cities. Attic fires in these structures have traditionally been one the most arduous stretches for the engine company and, with the immense heat produced, place the engine company in an unavoidably perilous position. The frequency of these attic fires and the punishing conditions encountered warrant a review of the construction features and layouts of these structures, fire behavior/hazards in the attic, and proper handline placement and advancement strategies. Considering the crucial aspects of the 2½-story and the methods available to overcome this difficult stretch will permit the engine company to perform one of its fundamental tasks of “making the attic.”
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There are two models of the 2½-story found throughout the country: the single family and duplex. The dimensions of the common 2½-story range from 20-25 feet wide and up to 40 feet deep. The attic is constructed of a rafter system comprised of a steep roof pitch that forms into a tall peak; this becomes the attic’s ceiling height. The area of the attic consists of the entire length and width of the structure creating large square footage. The existing floor area plus the height of the ceiling necessitate the need to treat these attics as one would to a third story as opposed to a “half-story.” Characteristics of both models are similar except for access considerations regarding the duplex that will be explained later. These structures are extremely large in comparison to other residential structures and as a result often lead to heavy fire conditions. Fire-spread in the 2½-story can be deceptively quick, and the reason befalls the method in which most of these structures were built. If a 2½-story was built before 1940, it most likely contains balloon-frame construction. The nuisance with balloon framing is the creation of a continuous run of the wall studs with the absence of fire-stopping. This encourages fire-spread by means of an unimpeded path from the basement to the attic. A reported basement fire may be rapidly extending into the attic by the arrival of first-due units. This occurs countless times in the City of Milwaukee even though most units arrive within two minutes of the alarm. The race is on if fire reaches the studs, and thus the engine company must always consider involvement of the attic in the 2½-story regardless of the fire’s location. |
Hazards associated with attic fires in the 2½-story depend on how the attic is used, fire-loading compared with other floors, and the presence of energy-efficient windows. The attic in any 2½-story must always be considered occupied. Due to the size of these structures, they make exceptional and profitable rental properties; therefore most attics have been compartmentalized into two or more rooms to accommodate the maximum number of occupants. Other attics may have an open floor plan for use as storage only. Knee walls may also be present for use as storage, closets, etc., and have a tendency to hide fire gases convected up via the studs. With or without occupation of the attic, landlords and owners store an abundant quantity of modern combustibles in these attics. The size and area of these attics, along with the existence of combustible storage and occupancy, require that the attic level be comparatively inclusive with the first and second floors in terms of probable fire loading. Horizontal ventilation is limited by the design of these attics, and is minimally accomplished by the presence of only one window at the front of the attic. Occasionally a smaller window, sometimes in the form of a stairwell window, is found in the rear of the attic and does not significantly aid ventilation. With the advent of energy efficient windows, horizontal ventilation may be non-existent upon arrival, even during an advanced fire condition in the attic. |
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The only ventilation technique experientially determined effective is to vertically vent the attic. The truck must aggressively make roof top ventilation a priority, as it may be the only way the engine company can make a push into the attic. Secondary horizontal ventilation can be accomplished by hydraulically venting out the front window after knock down of the fire. A word of caution: do not open the line on an unventilated attic regardless of conditions. This may push fire and steam back down onto companies and make the entry stairwell untenable. Coordination between the engine officer and the roof team is essential before the push is made into the attic to ensure that the front window is vented or roof top ventilation is underway.
Encountering energy-efficient windows in the attic of the 2½-story add to the enormous heat because, due to the method in which they are constructed, these windows rarely self-vent (even with immense heat conditions). Fire may not be visible in the attic from the outside of the structure because of this and a large body of fire may only communicate itself as a smoke condition from the street. It is imperative that these windows be taken out as soon as possible in conjunction with topside ventilation to allow the engine company to enter the attic. The use of energy-efficient windows is evidenced on most occasions by the brutal heat radiating down the stairwell towards the approaching engine company.
With the 2½-story’s “balloon” construction methods, attic features, and accompanying dangers acknowledged, the engine company may begin the laborious task of “making the attic.” The methodology required is to stretch the proper number of lengths to the route that provides the easiest access and advancement to the attic. In the case of the 2½-story, stretching five to six lengths and placing the line to the rear or side door will accomplish this.
The golden rule of stretching adamantly states that the line is to be stretched to the front door because of the general location of the main stairwell. This is true for most residential structures but not the standard 2½-story. The rear stairwell in most 2½-story structures provides access to every level of the structure from this vantage point, including the attic. By stretching to the back door, the engine company has a secured and protected path to every level of the structure from one stairwell. This stairwell is accessed by a door in the very back of the structure or at either side towards the rear, and must be protected by (means of) a hoseline to allow for an unhindered advance throughout the structure.
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One differentiating characteristic of the duplex compared to the single-family is the presence of a front stairwell in conjunction with the rear one. Although this stairwell provides access to the upper apartment, it should not be considered the primary stairwell for line placement. The front stairwell terminates at the second floor; therefore, in order to access the attic the engine company must traverse the floor to a small attic stairwell in the rear of the apartment. This access may or may not be present due to remodeling and/or sealing off entry to the attic by a landlord. The only sure means of reaching the attic is to always stretch to the back door. If the front door is to be used for access to the upper apartment, it is necessary to locate the proper door to this stairwell. The duplex usually has two front doors, and only one allows access to the upper apartment. There are two methods of identifying the location of this door, and it is relatively easy to determine upon arrival. First, look at the addresses above or next to the door. If the address ends in the letter “B,” for example: 424B North 30th, this is usually indicative of the door to the upper apartment. The other method is to look at the arrangement of the front doors. The front stairwell is always located along an exterior sidewall. Locate the door closest to either such wall and you’ve found the proper door. This can also be confirmed by looking at the side of the structure for the stairwell window arranged slightly lower than the second floor windows. |
Determination of the proper location to stretch the line is but the first step in “making the attic.” The appropriate number of lengths to be stretched must cover the distance from the apparatus to the back door of the 2½-story, up the rear stairwell, and through the attic to the front window. This can be achieved with five to six lengths. The required number of lengths has been validated by Milwaukee engine companies based on the lots encountered in the city. The number of lengths needed to reach the back door depends on the structure’s frontage found on these lots.
Most lots in the City of Milwaukee are either short, steep and wide or long and narrow. This typically requires one to two lengths to reach the back door from the apparatus. Three lengths will be available to cover the entire structure; therefore, at least five sections should be stretched every time. With balloon framing, the line must be able to cover every level. A sixth length can be added to the estimation for unusual or odd shaped lots and the engine company must take into account friction loss associated with this many lengths.
Milwaukee engine companies use preconnected or “side lay” beds for these structures. Each bed consists of five sections of 1¾-inch hose to affect these stretches, and if an extra length is estimated into the stretch, the line can be stretched off a rear bulk or static bed containing ten sections of 1¾-inch hose. If in doubt as to whether or not five sections will be enough, always stretch off the rear bed. Stretching short will not make the attic and it is embarrassing when another company stretches off your engine to steal your fire. Also, when stretching to the back door, watch for fences, dogs, potholes, and clotheslines. These rear yards are also dimly lit at night and add to the potential hazards.
Once the adequate number of lengths is stretched to the back door (at least three lengths), the line must be flaked out in the back yard to facilitate a smooth advance up the rear stairwell. To do this, flake the hose into “W” formations directly behind the back or rear side door. This prevents the line from snagging at the rear corner of the house and keeps the gangway clear of excessive hose. To rapidly and efficiently advance the line, and concurrently “make the attic,” follow the advice from Milwaukee Fire Department veteran enginemen in regards to the 2½-story:
Use at least three members (excluding the officer who should be monitoring fire conditions and progress of the stretch, and the driver, who will be clearing the hosebed and charging the line) to achieve the stretch up the stairwell. These stairwells are not straight run stairs, they ascend up like a corkscrew and three members can position themselves at every level (back door, second, and attic floor landings) to feed line up to the attic. This may involve teaming engine companies together in insufficiently staffed departments. An important reason the Milwaukee Fire Department staffs most of its engines with five personnel is due to the difficult stretches found in these structures.
If there is a confirmed attic fire, stretch the line dry up the stairwell to the second floor landing below the attic. Charging the line outside or prematurely will cause the engine company to expend too much energy and time; also the truck company attempting to “make the floor” will be impeded behind the engine company (don’t become speed bumps for the truck!).
Do not place large bows in the line into the stairwell to facilitate advancement of the line. This will cause kinks and reduce available flow for the nozzle team. Excessive hose should be flaked into the first and second floors with a maximum of one section per floor to prevent kinking and ease in hose movement. If the back-up or door firefighters need to place a bow in the line or feed line into the attic, place bows in the doorway of the second floor and feed them in from this vantage point. Excessive hose in the stairwell also hinders movement up and down the stairwell and impedes the advance of the second line.
Ensure that the truck is venting the roof before entry if the attic is heavily involved with fire. Nothing sounds better to an engine company “cooking” in the stairwell than the saw sinking through the roof boards.
As for attic fires in vacant 2½-stories, beware of the hazards left by indigents, drug addicts, and squatters in the stairwell. Many of these individuals are aware of fire department tactics with the rear stairwell and may have booby-trapped them or removed stairs.
With the stretch and advancement accomplished, and the attic properly vented, the engine company can make quick work of the fire with proper nozzle techniques. Keep in mind the above considerations with the 2½-story, the problematic attic fires found in these structures, and the appropriate methods for the stretch. Doing so will not only demonstrate the abilities of an efficient and experienced company, it will ensure that the engine company will always “make the attic.”
(All photos by Captain Joseph Kluck, Milwaukee Fire Department.)
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