​ Number Management Procedures Rev.

1. Navy Standard Operating Procedures Manual

WTC - High-Rise Model SOP High-Rise Model SOP By Thomas M. Cunningham US Naval Academy Fire Department The first thing we must have to successfully fight a high-rise fire is a set of “standard operating procedures.” Why? Does an army go to war without a battle strategy?

Of course not, having no strategy is only an invitation for failure. The following is a model guide for your use, you may need to modify the SOP to fit into your departments structure, staffing, or operational procedures. Policy: High-rise SOP’s and guidelines shall be followed on any building greater than 75 feet in height or taller than four stories in height.

Purpose: This (model) is meant to provide firefighting personnel with direction in combating fires in high-rise structures. To ensure safety for firefighters and building occupants. And to provide guidance so that fire crews may make an attempt to gain control of a fire in a high-rise structure in the early stages. Procedure: The first in company will report to the lobby area annunciation panel or fire control station. At this time they will report their findings to the Incident commander (IC), and whatever other information they have received since arriving on location. This will include possible location of the fire if known, population within the structure, and if elevators are useable.

The buildings active fire protection features will now be activated (if equipped) by use of the fire control board or station (if needed), this is used to minimize fire and smoke spread, thus allowing occupants time to escape or reducing risk if being protected in place. Determine by review of the buildings layout if rescue problems currently exist. The Incident Commander will make a request for additional resources after confirmation by the first in company or upon arrival, and after making initial size-up. Command structure: The Incident Commander upon arrival will establish the command post away from the structure. This will be determined by the height of the structure. A distance within one block should be sufficient to run the incident during the operations phase.

If at all possible the Incident Commander should view at least two sides of the structure, as this will provide for an overall external view of the structure. The Incident Commander will be able to see rapid fire spread or deteriorating conditions in order to sound evacuation tones to ensure the safety of the companies inside.

The Incident Commander shall designate a lobby (pre staging) operations officer to assume the duties of the buildings fire control panel and collection of personnel accountability tags or devices. The operations officer will be designated by division, this will be determined by which floor the fire officer is assigned or takes in there charge.

Operations will then notify the Incident commander and lobby (pre staging) officer to which floor the staging of the attack crews will be formed on. The Incident commander will also designate a stairwell / staging operations officer and safety officer.

Safety: Establishment of a lobby (pre staging) operations officer will occur as early into the operation as possible. This will establish control of elevators, utilities, and an accountability list of all personnel in or out of the structure. The area surrounding the building should be kept clear for approximately 100 feet. This is due to the risk posed by falling debris or glass (or bodies). This will be enforced on all sides of the structure.

The actual distance will also depend on building height and wind. The Incident Commander or safety officer as needed may expand the area outward. The command post should be no closer than 200 feet from the building. If the elevators are deemed worthy to use, the fire crews will take them up to either two or three floors below the fire. This will determined by the stairwell / staging officer.

The fire crews will need to report to the stairwell / staging officer upon arrival. The first arriving crew to the fire floor will need to be relieved after 20 minutes. This is to include any time ascending the stairwell onto the fire floor. An average of 100+ individuals live or work on a single floor of a high-rise, this is noted due to the possibility of rescue or protecting in place that may have to be made.

Communications: Due to the steel structural supports within high-rise structures, it may be required of you to move to a window, stairwell or the roof area to get clear communications via portable radios. If the building is equipped with fire phones, these should be used whenever possible. If the building has an intercom this may be used to communicate with crews on the upper floors. The buildings telephone system or cell phone should be used if possible to communicate messages to the lobby (pre staging) officer at the lobby level, this will minimize the traffic encountered on radios during such operations. Maintaining clear air will enhance the operational capability of the crews on the fireground. Operations: The first in company will then attempt to locate the fire only after permission from the Incident Commander has been given.

Engine companies should be connected and standing by in order to supplement the standpipe risers with adequate pressure in order to make an attack on the fire floor. If evacuation is required residents may be moved to either a safe area, or three floors above or below the fire floor if smoke conditions permit.

Navy Standard Operating Procedures Manual

This can be used instead of evacuating everyone out through the lobby area. This is referred to as “Protecting in place.” The command post, lobby, and staging areas shall be established, and other positions within the high-rise as needed to ensure efficient operations. If possible horizontal ventilation can be most effective means of smoke removal if the windows can be removed. If vertical ventilation is necessary using the stairwells, ensure that escape routes are not cut off. Only the smoke tower stairwell shall be used for this type of operation. About the author: Thomas Cunningham currently serves as a career firefighter at The US Naval Academy Fire Department in Annapolis, Maryland since 1988. He has also served as a line officer with the Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Company in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

He is the state coordinator for the National Fire Academy Alumni Association, and is also finishing his B.S. Degree in Fire Safety Engineering at Western Illinois University. He also holds IFSAC Certification as a Fire officer IV, Instructor III, Investigator, Inspector II, Safety officer, and HAZMAT incident commander.