In recent weeks, there have been many videos uploaded to YouTube that show firefighters extinguishing fires in vacant structures. Fires in vacant buildings present the normal dangers found in occupied structures as well as additional dangers not often considered.
During operations at a vacant building fire, it is often possible to make an interior attack to increase the rate of extinguishment. However, we must always remember at such incidents that life hazard and the safety of the members involved is the ultimate priority.
FDNY Firefighting Procedures defines a vacant as, “a structure which is considered to be completely unoccupied and all efforts to maintain the building in a livable condition have been abandoned by the owner.”
Certain departments across the country have specific ways of distinguishing or identifying vacant buildings. If your department does not have specific operation procedures for vacant buildings, you should consider developing some guidelines. Part of the procedures should include creating specific markings on the building to identify the building as vacant and potential hazards.
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Always remember with vacant structures and inspections that the condition can change, and that the markings only really serve as a potential of possible dangers within.
There is no real way of knowing if anyone has vandalized or caused damage to a structure from the time you inspected the building and the time of the fire. We also can never truly assume a vacant is unoccupied. Often in vacant fires there are children, squatters, and trespassers present despite the building being deemed “vacant.” Your initial size-up can determine if there is a potential occupant risk. Be on the lookout for the following:
- Lights in windows
- Window shades, blinds, plants
- Extension cords
- Broken windows or forced doors
- New garbage or debris
Take a look at the following videos:
As always our size-up is crucial in determining a plan of attack. It will determine if you will be conducting an interior or exterior attack. We should be able to determine if there is any indication of occupants, location and extent of fire, construction type, size and shape of building, structural stability, presence of previous fires or hazards, access, and potential exposure issues.
Vacant buildings have all the issues non-vacant buildings have, but include many other potential hazards that are often a result of deterioration, misuse and vandalism.
Entrapment dangers and the potential for collapse are higher in a vacant fire. Another thing to consider with vacant fires is that the fires typically do not start on their own. They are often a result of pranks, criminal activities, or traps to place responders in danger.
Some potential traps may include:
- Diesel fuel spread throughout floors
- Delayed ignition points
- Gasoline containers strung overhead
- Refrigerators positioned to fall on members
- Heavy furniture placed in a manor to block or delay access
- Stairs removed or compromised
- Holes in roof or floor covered with cardboard, linoleum, and other lightweight materials
- Bolts loosened on fire escapes
Protection of life is the most important consideration in size-up. Assume you have a heavily involved vacant apartment building adjacent to an occupied apartment building. The first hose line must be placed in a position to protect the most severe life exposure.
Even though the vacant apartment building is under the heavy fire load, we must protect the most severe life exposure that is in the building not on fire. If you have the same scenario with two adjacent vacant buildings and no life hazard, you would utilize the first hose line to protect the exposure with the greatest amount of property.
When taking this position, allow yourself to not only protect the selected exposure, but position yourself in a way in which you can also reach the main body of fire. This will allow you to do both without repositioning.
Heavy emphasis should be placed on fireground safety. As mentioned before, size-up is critical in vacant fires. Proper size-up will allow for safe and efficient apparatus placement. It will also allow for a safe attack that keeps the risk to the firefighters low.
During operations, consider the amount of membership committed to a compromised structure. Assign a search team to search uninvolved floors and areas for additional fire hazards, incendiary devices, and potential hazards. The search team can also assess potential internal structural hazards not apparent form the exterior size-up.
Interior crews may locate the fire in a room or apartment that has no door. Consider taking a door off another room to get control of the hallway for removal of potential occupants, and access for firefighters. Do not assume in vacant fires that the floor below is a safe area.
Additional manpower should be outside the building. Exterior operations should operate in a clearly defined perimeter, free from structural collapse hazards. Truck companies should take extra caution during searches and venting operations.
Be extra careful when searching above the fire floor. Utilize tools to feel ahead of yourself, and move cautiously. Be aware of potential openings and compromised framing as a result of previous fires or intentional traps. It is safer to assume there are holes in the roof. Always communicate to others regarding any potential problems and problem areas.
Vacant fires are heavily weighted in safety and size-up. These types of fires make the firefighter the life hazard. A cautious, well-planned attack based on a careful extensive size-up will decrease the odds of injury and fatalities.