OG 4051 Residential Attic 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 during decision making and delegating task assignments on a confirmed fire in the attic space.

OBJECTIVE:

The Incident Commander will make appropriate decisions and delegate assignment tasks for confirmed attic fires.

SCOPE:

This operating guideline applies specifically to the Incident Commander at emergency scenes but as this position may change between members it is recommended that all career and members review and understand the procedure to be followed.

DEFINITION: 

•    Attic space will be considered the unfinished space that exists between the ceiling of the upper most floor of a structure and the underside of the roof sheathing.

PROCEDURE: 

Attic Fires

Significant extent of the fire: when large volume of pressurized smoke or flame is visible from the exterior of the roof structure.

Minimal extent of fire: when little or no smoke and no visible flame are observed from the exterior of the roof structure. 

If the extent of the fire is significant and the roof system could potentially be Lightweight construction:

•    Indirect attack lines should be directed through eaves and gable end vents.
•    An attempt to ventilate the roof should be made only when ventilation crews are working from an aerial device or from the gable ends. 
•    The potential for roof failure is considered high in this situation. No crew should be placed inside the structure.

If the extent of the fire is minimal and the roof system could potentially be lightweight
Construction:

•    Attack lines should be advanced to the upper most floor of the structure.
•    Ceilings can be pulled to expose and extinguish the fire.
•    Ventilation should be achieved by positioning ventilation crews on aerial devices, due to the potential for roof failure under the added weight of firefighters.
•    The potential for roof failure in this situation is considered moderate to high.
•    Understanding the true extent of the fire within the light weight truss attic space is critical before committing crews to interior operations.
•    If there is any question as to the extent of the fire, consider the extent to be significant.

If the extent of the fire is significant and the roof system is non trussed dimensional
construction:

•    Attack lines should be directed into the eaves or gable end vents.
•    Attempts to ventilate should be made by crews working from an aerial device when possible or from the gable ends.
•    Because the integrity of the roof is difficult to determine this situation is considered high risk for roof collapse.

If the extent of the fire is minimal and the roof system is non trussed dimensional
construction:

•    Attack lines should be advanced to the upper most floor of the structure.
•    Ceilings should be pulled to expose and extinguish the fire.
•    When ventilating the roof for this type of fire a roof ladder may be used to support ventilation crews in accordance with Policy P-613 Fall Protection for Structural Firefighting.

RELATED POLICIES/ OPERATING GUIDELINES:

•    P-613 Fall Protection for Structural Firefighting

OPERATING GUIDELINE REVIEW:

This operating guideline shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the procedure followed during residential attic fires.