High-rise buildings pose firefighting challenges due to their height. Elevators are critical but dangerous to use during fires. Strict protocols must be followed. Areas of refuge protect occupants until rescue. Rack storage efficiently uses space but requires special fire protection due to unique hazards it can create. Sprinklers may be installed at ceilings and within racks.

1. Building Construction Related to
the Fire Service
Fourth Edition
Chapter 12 — Special Structures and Design Features

2. ‣ Describe the characteristics of high-
rise buildings and their impact on
fire fighting tactics.
Learning Objective 1

3. Model building codes define a high-rise building
as being more than 75 feet (20 m) in height.

4. Increases in building height create
special protection problems.

5. High-rise buildings pose specific
challenges.

6. Today, high-rise buildings may be
constructed in almost any community.

7. Steel-frame construction and elevators made
high-rise buildings possible and practical at the
end of the 19th century.

8. The most significant feature of modern
high-rise buildings is their height.

9. Modern buildings may be used for
many individual purposes.

10. Newer high-rise buildings often have
multiple occupancies.

11. Buildings with modern HVAC systems are
designed to use the system for ventilation.

12. In early high-rise buildings, heating, ventilation
and air conditioning (HVAC) systems were not a
common utility.

13. Several disastrous fires demonstrated
the need to enclose stairwells and
elevators.

14. High-rise buildings use fire-resistive
construction.

15. The adopted model building code specifies the
degree of fire resistance required of structural
components.

16. Fire-resistive construction used in high-rise
buildings provides a high degree of structural
integrity.

17. NOTE
‣ The collapse of the World Trade
Center Towers in the attacks of
September, 2001 occurred as a result
of the structural damage from the
aircraft impact and fire fueled by jet
fuel.

18. Many older buildings remain without the
benefit of modern fire protection features.

19. Standpipes are a crucial aspect of fire
protection in high-rise buildings.

20. Standpipe risers and hose valves are
located within stairwells.

21. One unavoidable problem with standpipe systems
is the variation of pressure in tandem with building
height.

22. Sprinkler and standpipe systems are typically
supplied from the same vertical riser.

23. The sprinkler system in a high-rise building
includes individual floor control valves.

24. Model building and fire codes require
fire alarm systems in high-rise buildings.

25. Modern high-rise buildings may have
voice alarm systems.

26. Detection devices and waterflow switches in
high-rise buildings are monitored via the fire
alarm system.

27. Another unique alarm feature in high-rises is the
requirement for a two-way fire department
communication system.

28. Local or state building codes often require some
form of mechanical smoke removal from each
floor.

29. All model building codes require smokeproof exit
enclosures in all stairs serving floors 75 feet (20
m) or higher.

30. Each fire department should survey all high-rise
buildings in their jurisdiction for smoke-control
provisions.

31. The model building codes require a room or area
in a high-rise building to serve as a fire command
center.

32. The model building codes require a room or area
in a high-rise building to serve as a fire command
center.

33. The fire department must approve the
location of the fire command center.

34. All building components must be maintained to
be sure they are in working order during an
emergency.

35. The floor plan of a high-rise building will vary
with occupancy and other factors such as site
constraints.

36. High-rise buildings with fire-resistive construction
have inherent barriers to the vertical extension of
fire and smoke.

37. Exterior fire spread is one means of
vertical extension in a high-rise building.

38. Horizontal fire extension in a high-rise building
depends on the partitions that subdivide a floor.

39. ‣ Explain the emergency use of elevators
in high-rise buildings during a fire event.
Learning Objective 2

40. Modern elevators are a critical resource that
firefighters use to reach upper floors in tall
buildings.

41. Code requires a shunt trip where the elevator hoistway
or elevator room is protected by automatic sprinklers.

42. Elevator use during a fire event is
always dangerous.

43. SOPs/SOGs must be followed for
elevator use during an emergency.

44. SOPs/SOGs must be followed for
elevator use during an emergency.

45. SOPs/SOGs must be followed for
elevator use during an emergency.

46. SOPs/SOGs must be followed for
elevator use during an emergency.

47. CAUTION
‣ Electrical power in a building may fail
at any time during a fire.

48. Elevators are critically important in tall buildings
but officials have noted their susceptibility to
interference.

49. Codes contain mandatory provisions for the
recall of passenger elevators in the event of a
fire.

50. Phase I operation is designed to prevent the
deaths of civilians in elevators called to the fire
floor.

51. NOTE
‣ The requirement for recall does not
apply to freight elevators. Other
elevator safety and design features
also may not be applicable to freight
elevators.

52. At the lobby, the fire department must account
for each car to be certain there are no trapped
civilians.

53. Phase II is designed to override the recall
feature to permit firefighters to use the
elevators.

54. During Phase II, an elevator becomes
essentially a manually operated elevator.

55. During Phase II, an elevator becomes
essentially a manually operated elevator.

56. During Phase II, an elevator becomes
essentially a manually operated elevator.

57. During Phase II, an elevator becomes
essentially a manually operated elevator.

58. ‣ Identify characteristics of limited or
controlled access buildings.
Learning Objective 3

59. Buildings with limited access must be carefully
and routinely pre-planned to maintain accuracy
of the records.

60. Limited access buildings constrict firefighter
access and ability to quickly and efficiently
ventilate the building.

61. NOTE
‣ Openings that are operable from the
interior and exterior require the use of
fire department tools to help maintain
building security.

62. Underground buildings may have occupancy
areas 30 feet (10 m) or more lower than their
primary exit.

63. Underground buildings have existed
for many years.

64. Many more underground buildings are being built
or planned following the trend of “green”
building design.

65. Older underground buildings were usually
accessed vertically from grade level.

66. Underground facilities pose some
difficulties for firefighters.

67. The greatest single challenge in controlling fires
comes from difficulty in venting heat and smoke.

68. Access to an underground structure may take
several forms and have numerous access points.

69. Fire fighting can be extremely difficult
when a facility is located below grade.

70. Underground facilities are not built in the
same way as an aboveground building.

71. The building codes contain special
provisions for underground buildings.

72. Structures may include below grade
occupancies.

73. Below grade spaces often contain a
multitude of hazards.

74. Preincident planning is essential for
effective apparatus placement.

75. A membrane structure has an exterior
skin of thin, waterproof fabric.

76. Model building codes address a range
of membrane structures.

77. Air-supported and air-inflated structures
use air pressure to form the shape.

78. Air-supported and air-inflated structures
use air pressure to form the shape.

79. Some aspects of life safety are comparable
between air membrane and conventional
structures.

80. Air-inflated structures feature a covered
space with a fully open floor plan.

81. Air-supported structures are also
called domes.

82. Air-inflated or air-supported
structures have several limitations.

83. Air-supported structures have
additional limitations.

84. Fire fighting in air-inflated and support
structures is different from other structures.

85. Cable membrane structures are supported
by external cables fastened to masts.

86. Frame membrane structures feature a rigid
frame with a tensioned membrane covering.

87. Membrane-covered structures using cable
or frame supports are not pressurized.

88. Membrane-covered cable and frame structures
cannot be used where fire-rated construction is
required.

89. A covered mall may be a large shopping complex
with storefront tenants or a simple covered
pedestrian walkway.

90. Shopping malls are often developed into a
suburban community on the edge of a larger city.

91. A covered mall that had primarily included retail
tenants may be converted to large blocks of
offices.

92. The shopping mall is comparable to the business
district of a medium-sized city under one roof.

93. Fire response access to an individual store may
be slowed if apparatus cannot directly approach
an entrance.

94. Stores may be some distance from the
mall entrance, requiring a long hose lay.

95. Covered malls have periodic change
of occupancy in smaller storefronts.

96. Shopping malls are constructed in
various sizes and configurations.

97. Anchor store buildings heighten the
overall commercial appeal of the mall.

98. Shopping malls may be built of fire-resistive,
noncombustible (Type II) or wood (Type V)
construction.

99. Codes require individual stores in a shopping
mall to have one-hour fire-resistive separations
from each other.

100. Products of combustion from a fire occurring
within an individual store can readily travel into
the mall.

101. Detention and correctional facilities
differ significantly from most occupancy
uses.

102. A detention facility is generally a
smaller temporary holding facility.

103. Larger correctional facilities located in remote
areas may evacuate inmates to secure outdoor
exercise areas.

104. Code requirements for fire protection and life
safety vary depending on the level of restraint
required at the facility.

105. Newer correctional facilities will likely have a
central control center where systems are
monitored and controlled.

106. Fire codes have strict flammability requirements
for mattresses and other furnishings.

107. Many newer correctional facilities
have automatic sprinklers installed.

108. Compartmentation is a key element
in the shelter in place concept.

109. Older facilities may not have automatic
sprinklers and require keys to open locks.

110. ‣ Recognize characteristics of atriums.
Learning Objective 4

111. An atrium is a large vertical opening extending
through two or more floors and not used for
building services.

112. Atriums are popular architectural design features
used to provide light and ventilate the interior of
a building.

113. An atrium poses the same potential as other
vertical openings for heat and smoke to travel.

114. Typical model code requirements for atriums
include automatic sprinkler protection.

115. In an atrium, a smoke control system is required
to vent the products of combustion to the
outside.

116. ‣ Describe the characteristics of explosion
venting in buildings.
Learning Objective 5

117. An explosion inside a building creates an
outward pressure on the structural components
of the affected space.

118. An explosion is an event that
produces a rapid release of energy.

119. An explosion is an event that
produces a rapid release of energy.

120. Explosions in buildings occur in a
number of ways.

121. Explosions in buildings occur in a
number of ways.
Courtesy
of
FEMA/Roman
Bas

122. Structural damage from an explosion can be
mitigated through containment and/or venting
the forces.

123. Explosion venting is designed to quickly relieve
the pressure before it causes excessive damage.

124. Explosion venting is designed to quickly relieve
the pressure before it causes excessive damage.

125. Several different materials are used for
explosion vents in industrial buildings.

126. Explosion vent fasteners help ensure
the rapid operation of vent panels.

127. No simple rule exists in regard to the
required size of explosion vents.

128. No simple rule exists in regard to the
required size of explosion vents.

129. The venting of an explosion is a
means of limiting structural damage.

130. When explosion vents are activated, the force of
the pressure wave is carried beyond the opening.

131. ‣ Identify the need for areas of refuge
‣ within a structure.
Learning Objective 6

132. Areas of refuge serve to protect occupants
while waiting for rescue or evacuation.

133. A smoke- and heat-free environment is essential
to protect occupants while awaiting rescue.

134. Occupants with limited mobility in an area of
refuge could potentially be left unattended or go
unnoticed.

135. ‣ Identify fire protection hazards that rack
storage can create.
Learning Objective 7

136. Rack storage is a highly efficient use
of space.

137. Rack storage is a highly efficient use
of space.

138. Codes have requirements for the application and
design of fire protection features for industrial
rack storage.

139. There are many reasons why rack
storage is used in industrial settings.
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of
Gala
and
Associates

140. The use of rack storage has created
some unique fire protection problems.

141. Sprinklers are often installed at the ceiling
and within high-rack configurations.

142. Newer ceiling-mounted sprinkler technology
includes sprinklers that can operate in control- or
suppression-mode.

143. Normally, storage racks are structurally
independent of the building and are often bolted
to the floor.