2120 Ch 13 PowerPoint

1. Building Construction Related to
the Fire Service
Fourth Edition
Chapter 13 — Buildings Under Construction, Remodeling, Expansion,
and Demolition

2. ‣ Describe conditions at construction
sites that impact fire fighting tactics.
‣ Identify the methods of providing
fire protection at construction sites.
Learning Objective 1-2

3. Construction sites feature unique
hazards.

4. Emergency responders may be called
to a construction site for an incident.

5. Remodeling work also presents
unique challenges.

6. Frequent site visits and preincident planning
evaluations will help firefighters maintain project
familiarity.

7. First responders commonly have difficulty
gaining access to the construction site.

8. Large building projects are typically
complex and built in stages.

9. Codes allow the fire department to require the
installation of mains and hydrants before
construction begins.

10. Emergency vehicles may not be able to
directly access the building
construction.

11. Excavations may make access
difficult and hazardous.

12. Fires frequently occur in the upper
floors of high-rise construction.

13. A construction elevator is a temporary elevator
usually erected on the outside of a building.

14. During normal working hours, an elevator
operator may assist firefighters to gain access to
the appropriate level.

15. Construction projects make use of a material
hoist as well as a construction elevator.

16. Construction projects make use of a material
hoist as well as a construction elevator.

17. Building codes also cover stairways.

18. CAUTION
‣ The use of temporary stairs and
ladders can be difficult and dangerous,
especially when a fire occurs several
hundred feet up.

19. A building under construction will have
openings in floors for shafts and stairwells.

20. A building under construction may have
openings in floors for shafts and stairwells.

21. Fire hazards at construction sites are often
directly related to the unfinished state of the
building and its utilities.

22. Temporary electrical wiring is often
installed on construction projects.

23. Flammable and combustible liquids and gases
(fuels) are common hazards present on
construction sites.

24. The arrangement and storage of fuels will
change as resources are handled and used.

25. NOTE
‣ A full discussion of fuels and other
hazardous materials is beyond the
scope of this manual. For more
information, consult IFSTA’s
Hazardous Materials for First
Responders manual.

26. Construction processes may increase
the fire hazard at a construction site.

27. A large amount of combustible debris
is generated at construction sites.

28. Structural fireproofing is often not
complete at construction sites.

29. Wooden formwork used in the placing
of concrete contributes fuel to a fire.

30. During construction, firefighters may face an
unprotected structure with unfinished fire
protection systems.

31. Permanent fire protection systems
should be used as they are installed.

32. Standpipe risers must be extended
up as construction progresses.

33. When standpipes are installed, they cannot be
maintained wet (holding water) during freezing
weather.
Courtesy
of
McKinney
(TX)
Fire
Department

34. Frequent inspections should help
ensure that the standpipe system will be
available when needed.

35. Frequent inspections should help
ensure that the standpipe system will be
available when needed.

36. Fire extinguishers can be useful at construction
sites when workers are trained to use them.

37. ‣ Explain how structural changes and
expansions may affect fire and life
safety.
Learning Objective 3

38. Over its lifespan, a building may be evaluated
for function, style, and new technology.

39. Building renovation and remodeling
can be simple or complex.

40. Remodeling and renovating generate
hazards similar to new construction.

41. The primary hazard unique to renovating and
remodeling is the disturbance of hazardous
substances.

42. Unusual hazards can be introduced when work
takes place in a portion of a building that
remains occupied.

43. Automatic sprinklers may be
disconnected in areas being remodeled.

44. Projects with a significant expansion of a
building are located where adjacent open space
is available.

45. If a portion of the building is kept in operation,
then life safety for occupants must be
maintained.

46. Life safety measures should be in
place before construction begins.

47. Construction may affect one or more
exits for the existing building.

48. Most expansions involve buildings that
already have automatic sprinklers.

49. Temporary provisions may be used maintain
the functionality of fire protection systems.

50. ‣ Describe demolition hazards as they
relate to fire fighting tactics.
Learning Objective 4

51. The demolition of a building is even
more chaotic than construction.

52. Before demolition begins, materials that are
salvageable or that have scrap value may be
stripped from buildings.

53. Regardless of authorization, removal of scrap
steel often involves torches, a common cause of
fires.

54. Demolition activities are designed to
systematically undermine and destroy a
building’s structural integrity.

55. Major fires usually involve combustible
structures or structures with combustible
framing.

56. A building being demolished can
present a virtual maze for firefighters.

57. A structural mess is not worth a
firefighter’s life.