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First Due Operations and Tactics
The question I have is a basic but complicated one as to firefighting tactics. Your engine is first onscene of a involved commercial establishment with a sprinkler system. Does your engine hook up to the sprinkler system as first priority (remember-- sprinkler systems can be the best fire fighter out there) or do you deploy fire attack lines and start the attack ? If you dont hook up to the sprinkler system - what engine does ?? 2nd due,,3rd due?? Do you have a dedicated engine for the sprinkler system? What do you pump the sprinkler system at?? Just curious as to your department SOP's
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tom on
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Here in Hillsborough County(Tampa,Fl)
When the 1st arriving Company Officer reports in the initial size-up "nothing showing - investigating", the 2nd arriving Engine Company shall
i.Report to the FDC.
ii.Advise EDC that they are "standing by the FDC" and the location of the FDC on the structure/property.
The 2nd arriving Engine Company shall automatically lay-out the supply line between the FDC and water supply if
i.The initial size-up report indicates "smoke or fire showing"
ii.If order to by the I.C.
We do not begin to physically supply water to the FDC until ordered to do so by the IC
We pump them at 150 psi. 2 150' sections of 3".
Based on that starting pressure we will adjust if operating high rise building etc..
Thomas
Firefighter by Choice, Irish by the grace of GOD.
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Permalink Reply by Will Dailey on
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From Selma Alabama
If the first in officer advises smoke or fire showing the second in engine lays two 2 1/2 lines and pumps at 150 psi and in volume. If there is nothing showing the second in engine stands by the fdc. The first in engine advances attack lines. The truck company performs rescue and ventalation.
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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First due should typically be checking things out and it depends what is showing. Just because there is a sprinkler system, doesn't mean the priority is there. If nothing is showing go and investigate. If a sprinkler or water flow alarm is going off, this also doesn't mean there is a fire, could be a malfunction so pumping into the system may not be too good either.....so check it out. Even if you have smoke showing, can you say for certain the cause? No, so pumping into the sprinkler system may not be the best option. Can you tell that the sprinkler was activated by a fire and thus keeping it in check or if the fire is even by a sprinkler?
Basically, the first due should be checking things out, there are too many variables with a sprinkler system that it perhaps doesn't need to be an incident priority.
For us, the first in rig checks things out. Second due MAY standby a FDC and ready to pump into a system....but really if the second due is standing by any FDC, it is for a standpipe, not a sprinkler. Otherwise if a sprinkler system needs to be used, another pump can be ordered to do so.
Another important aspect falls on knowing the building and preplanning. Just because there is a sprinkler system in place, doesn't mean the system is covering the area where the fire is. Several years ago we had a large apartment complex on fire and there was a sprinkler connection for the system. Well, the sprinkler system did not cover the apartments that were on fire, but instead covered the garage. The garage was basically flooded for no reason because the sprinkler connection was used........So it is important to know what the FDC is going to go to.
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Permalink Reply by Michael McCarthy on
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Thanx for all the replies. Although my department doesnt have a set SOP and its more of a damned if you do, damned if you dont situation. Depending on the fireload of the building the sprinkler system could get overtaken anyway, but I was just wondering how other departments prioritize the supply of the sprinkler system vs. the actual fire attack.
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Permalink Reply by Bob Callahan on
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My current department has no policy regarding sprinkler operations, in great part due to the fact that we only have 2 structures with a sprinkler system in the district.
In all liklihood, here, the first due engine would go to the closest entrance to the fire, and stretch lines. 2nd due would supply. Sprinkler system would be taken if needed.
My previous VFD did have operating policies as we had at least 40 structures with systems. Those structures ranged from 3-5 story hotels, college dorms and office buildings to wide-rises including factories, warehouses, Sam's Clubs and industrial buildings.
The policy was simple.
If the fire was known to be on the first floor, the first due engine went to the entrance closest to the fire and pulled attack lines. 2nd due engine laid from the attack engine to a remote hydrant for water supply. Third due engine pumped the sprinkler system from the closest hydrant.
If the fire location was unknown or known to be on the 2nd floor or higher, first due engine laid from the closest hydrant and connected to the FDC to supply both the sprinkler and standpipe systems. Personnel made entry with standpipe packs and attached/worked off the standpipe. If the hydrant was greater than 400-500' from the structure, 2nd due engine pumped the supply line at the hydrant. 3rd due engine staged for assignment.
If it was an alarm trip with no followup report of fire, 1st due engine went to the main entrance. All other companies - engines and trucks - staged in an area where they could move to other sides of the structure for assignment.
Just for reference, the last 7 years I was there, we had an AMA agreement which put, on average, 5 engines and 2 trucks on-scene at most structural calls, including alarms. As a rule all apparatus arrived within 3-5 minutes of each other.
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