OG 4048 Basement Fires

Issued By: OPERATIONS (S. Thurber)
Approved By: Fire Chief William H. Mosher
Date of Issue: 2011/01/05

PURPOSE:

To provide direction to the Incident Commander (IC) during decision-making and delegating task assignments on a confirmed fire in the basement.

OBJECTIVE:

To ensure the safety and security of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) members.

SCOPE:

This operating guideline applies to career and volunteer members of HRFE.

PROCEDURE:
 

Basement Fires

• Personnel should always attempt to attack the fire from the same level.
• Many basements will have access via an exterior door, if possible and practical this should be the point of entry for attack crews.
• Crews will avoid working on the floors directly above the basement fire.
• If at all possible, crews should try to avoid making entry to a basement fire via an interior stairwell (unless the fire is deemed to be minor in nature, based on the IC’s judgement). This requires crews to descend down through the heated smoke.
• If no exterior door leading directly to the basement exists, then attacking the fire through an exterior window may be an option. A few quick pulses of water prior to making entry (to minimize steam production) can be effective at lowering the smoke temperature enough for crews to advance down an interior stairwell. The reduction of heat can delay flashover until crews can get into position. Steam generation and its effects on any possible victims must be considered when deciding whether this is an option.
• Keep the door separating the basement from the rest of the house closed.
• If crews must make entry via an internal stairwell, it should be noted that it will be like climbing down a chimney flue. All heat and products of combustion will be rising up the stairs making it difficult for fire fighters to progress. The attack team should stay low and descend the stairs feet first, positioning themselves for a quick egress.
• Straight streams should be used to reduce steam generation and provide maximum penetration.
• Ventilation can be critical in basement fires and should always be coordinated with fire attack.
• The threat of fire extension to attic spaces from basement fires is high, mainly due to the existence of pipe and wire chases, and balloon frame construction. The IC should always consider the attic space to be a high exposure risk when dealing with basement fires. Smoke exiting from ridge vents, gable vents and soffits are indications that the fire has a path to the attic space of the structure.

OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:

This operating guideline shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the procedure for basement fires.