Strip Mall Tactics and Strategies

1. Strip Mall Fires
Lt. Christopher Mariotti
08/21/2016
NEWPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT

2. Identify type of construction for strip malls
Explain Fire behavior in these structures
Describe construction benefits
Identify tactical needs
Recognize firefighting problems in strip malls
Explain basic offensive, defensive tactics at
strip mall fires.
OBJECTIVES

3.  Larger Structures
 Large Undivided Areas
 Heavier Fire Load
 Weak Roof Construction
 Low Life Hazard
OVERVIEW

4. Large Structures divided by partition walls

5. LARGE FIRE LOADSLARGE UNDIVIDED AREAS

6. Large Fire Loads

7. Weak Roof Construction

8. A Fire Here
May not be immediately noticed
here & here
Verify Evacuation

9.  Type II – Non-combustible
 Type V – Lightweight
 Combination of Construction
 Parapet
 Mansards & Façades
 Store Fronts
 Back doors
CONSTRUCTION

10. Type II Non-combustible
Masonry or concrete exterior
walls with non-combustible
roof assembly

11. Type V Lightweight
All structural components are
combustible

12. Combination Construction
Concrete exterior walls
with steel trusses and
wooden roof

13. Parapet

15. Mansards & Facades
This building has tilt-up exterior walls, with a
wood frame stucco covered mansard over
the store front.

16. CLICK LINK FOR TILT-UP WALL VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/embed/HL
BVaz_ETdU

17. Mansard and Facades

18. Glass Store Front
Quick glass removal can provide good access, but
remember the rush of O2 will draw the fire to the outside.

19. Limited rear access

20. LIMITED REAR ACCESS

21. LIMITED REAR ACCESS

22. Fire Walls
Partition Wall
Attic Space
Mansard/Façade
Sprinklers
Hydrants
CODES

23. Fire Barriers
This is a stucco over wood strip center,
connected with a masonry wall of a major tenant
(anchor store). From the rear you can see a
actual gap between the buildings. It will be
covered with a metal strip on the front. This is a
formidable wall.

24. The space between the strip mall
and the major tenant is covered
for aesthetic reasons. This is a
sign of a good fire barrier.

25. This partition wall is constructed of sheet rock over
metal studs. It will continue to the underside of the
roof decking.

26. One side of this wall is sheet
rock over metal studs. The
other side is a cinderblock wall.
This would be important
information in the development
of your IAP.

27. Drop Ceiling or Open Ceiling

28. POTENTIAL HIDDEN FIRE
 Remove tiles as you advance 181 Bellevue Ave

29. Mansard Fire Stopping
Required every 100 linear feet.
Fire barrier

30. Mansards & Facades
You can see how the decorative
mansard on this strip mall
provides multiple access for fire
spread.

31. Mansards & Facades
This wooden mansard is
bolted onto a cinder block
building.

32. StripmallAnchor Store
Mansard
Fire can potentially extend from a stripmall
occupancy into an anchor store through the
mansard.

33.  Undivided Areas & Fire Load
 Unsupported Lightweight Roof Assemblies/Early Collapse
 Concentrated Loads
 Common Attic
 Rear Access
FIRE SPREAD & CONSTRUCTION
PROBLEMS

34. UNDIVIDED AREAS
STOP & SHOP
CVS Bellevue Ave (basement)

35. FIRE LOAD 1 9 9 C O N N E L L H W Y
Dollar Tree Dollar Tree

36. These roof assemblies are
vulnerable to early collapse.
You need to get water on the
fire and on the trusses early.

37. Compromised truss
section
181 BELLEVUE AVE

38. 181 BELLEVUE AVE
 Compromised Truss

39. Concentrated Roof Loads

40. Concentrated Loads

41. Rear Access
A block wall with a steel door can slow access to the
occupancy. This door will need the skilled attention of
a firefighter with a K-12 saw.

42. REAR DOORS/LOCKED FROM INSIDE
Keyed lock from inside Pad locked from inside
Stop & shop
Stop & Shop

43. Rear Access
Rear access through lightweight
construction may be easier
through the wall.

44. Rear Access
This narrow space behind the building
will force apparatus placement too
close to the building.

45. Rear Access narrowing Places apparatus in potential collapse zones

46.  Large Undivided Areas
 Glass Store Fronts
 Common Attic Space
 Early Self Vent
 Masonry Walls at Anchor Tenants
 Lightweight Partition Walls
 Sprinklers
CONSTRUCTION BENEFITS OF
STRIP MALLS

47. Large Open Areas
From a safe position
outside the occupancy you
can apply water to the back
wall and the roof assembly.

48. You can hit nearly everything
from the front door in smaller
occupancies.
Open Areas

49. Open areas and straight isles for easy advance

50. WALMART

51. Glass Store Front
Removal of glass provides a large opening for ventilation,
hose streams and access. Remember fire will be drawn to
you.

52. Masonry wall at anchor tenants
We know we have a substantial wall at this anchor
tenant. We can use it to try to protect the “long” side.

53. Lightweight partition walls. Show how they can be
forced easily.
Lightweight partition walls can
be easily breached

54.  Fast Moving Large Fire
 Water Requirements
 Early Collapse
 Lightweight Roof vs. Vertical Ventilation
 Flammable Mansard
 Manpower Intensive
FIREFIGHTING PROBLEMS
WITH STRIP MALLS

55.  Unique Attack
 Aggressive Frontal Attack
 Aggressive Exposure Protection
 Ventilation Horizontal vs. Vertical
 Open Rear Doors
 Secure Utilities
BASIC FIREFIGHTING TACTICS
AT STRIP MALLS

56. Example
Exposure B2
Exposure B1
Exposure D1
Exposure D2
C Division
A Division

57.  Additional Resources
 Apparatus Positioning
 Water Supply
 Hoseline
 Ventilation
 Utilities
 Entry
 Search
 Extinguish
 Back-up
 Exposure Divisions
 Overhaul/Salvage
BASIC OFFENSIVE TACTICS

58.  Fire Attack
 RIT
 Back-up Group
 Evacuation Group
 Roof Division/Ventilation Group
 Bravo Exposure & Delta Exposure
 Charlie Division
 FDC
 Safety
 Medical
 Rehab
BASIC OFFENSIVE ASSIGNMENTS

59. Exposure B2
Exposure B1
Exposure D1
Exposure D2
C Division
A Division
FDC
Example
Offensive

60.  Additional Resources
 Apparatus Positioning
 Water Supply
 Fire Attack
 Assign Exposure Divisions & Establish Defensive Boundaries
 Ventilation & Roof Report
 Utilities
BASIC DEFENSIVE TACTICS

61. Exposure D1 Exposure D2 Exposure D3Exposure B1
VentVent
FDC
C DivisionExample 1
Fire Attack

62. C Division
A Division
FDC
Example 2
Exposure B1
Exposure D1
Exposure D2
Exposure D3Vent
here or ?
Fire Attack

63.  Fire Attack Group
 Bravo/Delta Exposure Divisions
 Charlie Division
 Evacuation Group
 Roof Division/Ventilation Group
 RIT
 Safety
 Medical
 Rehab
 Staging
 Possible Water Supply
 Possible PIO
BASIC DEFENSIVE ASSIGNMENTS

64.  Offensive to Defensive
 Withdraw
 Abandon the Building
 Defensive to Offensive
 Evacuation
CHANGING STRATEGY

65. Identify where you would position your engine
Locate the hydrant you would utilize
Spot your ideal truck location
What hydrant would support the aerial if
needed?
Choose a location for the rescue
Where should later arriving units stage?
Explain where you would utilize other units
If the incident grew into a defensive fire,
discuss how you would assign units.
SETS & REPS
STRIP MALL TARGET MAP

66.  Receive Dispatch
 Verbalize Pre-incident Information
 Complete En route Research
 Verbalize En route concerns
 Complete Brief Initial Report
 Identify Critical Factors & apply RMP
 Give Follow-up Report
 Identify Command Mode
 Identify Strategy
 Assign & Track Units
 Complete IC Worksheet
SETS & REPS

67.  Building
 Fire
 Occupancy
 Life Hazard
 Arrangement
 Resources
 Action
 Special Circumstances
STRIP MALL SITUATION EVALUATION

68.  Reported Structure Fire in a business
 199 Connell Highway
 Fire in Burger Shop
CALL #1

70.  Reported structure fire in a business
 250 Broadway
 Fire in PDQ
CALL #2

71. PDQ

72. PDQ

73.  You tube
 Essentials of Firefighting 5th and 6th edition
 IFSTA Building Construction 3rd edition
 Fire Engineering
REFERENCES