Standpipe Systems and Operational Insights

The Fire Deparment Connection

There are some discussions emanating and emerging regarding the Medical Center Fire in Asheville, NC that claimed the life of a highly regarded Captain and injured numerous firefighters. Emerging reports are discussing water supply, standpipe operability and integrity and deployment delays affecting fire behavior, growth, intensive and operational risks during the time in which water was attempting to be delivered to hand lines extended on the fire floor of the Medical Center.

See coverage HERE on CommandSafety.com and HERE at the Asheville Citizens-Times.com today. Direct link HERE

The following links have been compiled that provide a variety of insights and perspectives on operations conducted with standpipe systems.

• FDNY F2007-37 Two career fire fighters die following a seven-alarm fire in a high-rise building undergoing simultaneous deconstruction and asbestos abatement – New York (2007)
• Remembrance: Deutsche Bank Fire FDNY LODD- August 18, 2007
• FDNY Deutsche Bank Building LODD Fire Report issued by NIOSH
• Supervisor cleared on all charges in Deutsche Bank Building Fire that killed 2 FDNY Firefighters
• The Complete NIOSH Report is available HERE
• FDNY 99-F01 Three fire fighters die in a 10-story high-rise apartment building – New York (1998)
• FDNY Brooklyn Box 4080: 17 Vandalia Avenue 12.18.98 (1998)
• Houston: North Loop East Fire Report; FF Mayday and thee civiliand Killed, HERE (2007)
• Texas: F2001-33 High-rise apartment fire claims the life of one career fire fighter (captain) and injures another career fire fighter (captain) – Texas (2001)
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: One Meridian Plaza Fire, USFA Report, HERE (1999)
• CommandSafety.com; One Meridian Plaza Fire, HERE
• TheCompanyOfficer.com;One Meridian Plaza Fire, HERE
• Illinois: Cook County Adminsistration Building Fire: HERE, HERE and HERE
• Standpipe and Hose Fire Protection Systems: NIOSH Self-Inspection Checklist (Schools) HERE
• EVALUATING STANDPIPE KITS. Executive Analysis of Fire Service Operations in Emergency, EFO; HERE
• STANDPIPE SYSTEM OPERATIONS: ENGINE COMPANY BASICS: BY ANDREW A. FREDERICKS, FDNY 1996 HERE
• USFA National Fire Academy Coffee Break Training Standpipe Systems
• ENGINE COMPANY STANDPIPE OPERATIONS:PRESSURE-REGULATING DEVICES
• TR-082 Special Report: Operational Considerations for Highrise …
• FDNY Brookly; St. George Hotel Complex 16 Alarm Fire USFA Report: HERE
• High-Rise Firefighting: Are We Losing Touch with “The Basics”? HERE

Two 1.5-inch attack lines off a gated wye (poor standpipe valve positioning - the second line probably would kink when charged). Technically, a 2.5-inch to 2.5-inch gated wye with reducers is better if a high-volume (2.5-inch) line is suddenly needed. Copyright © 2011 Massey Enterprises, Inc.