INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM - FIRESCOPE

1 INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM Hillside Structure Fires ICS 501 FIrefighti ng RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergenci es July 12, 2017 This document is intended be an operational guideline and job aid within the FIRESCOPE ICS 500 Structure Fire Operations series, and contains information relative to the INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS) component of the National INCIDENT Management SYSTEM (NIMS). This is the same INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM developed by FIRESCOPE . Additional information and documentation can be obtained from the following sources: OES FIRESCOPE OCC 2524 Mulberry Street Riverside, CA 92501-2200 (951) 320-6199 July 12, 2017 ICS 501 1 CONTENTS Construction Consi Fire Behavior and Tactical Watch COMMAND and Concl usi Appendix A: Hillsi de Home Decision Process Quick Reference Appendix B.

2 COMMAND Consi derations Quick Reference July 12, 2017 ICS 501 2 FOREWORD This FIRESCOPE document has been developed as a resu lt of multiple Line of Duty Deaths (LODD) and near miss incidents in the fire service involving structure fires in multi- level residential occupancies built on a hill. Data from multiple sources has been colle cted to formulate strategy, tact ics and tactical watch-outs for fires in hillside homes. W hile this document has been designed to address specifically hillside homes, these same principles may be applied to any occupancy construct ed on st eep terrain. Hillside structures are engineered to resi de on steep slopes and provide scenic hillside views.

3 Firefighting operations for these hillside occupancies, both resi dential and co mmercial, can be challe nging even in favorable circumstances. Structure fires in hillside homes have proven to be some of the most challenging incidents involving firefighting activity. Successful firefighting operations in hillside homes require consistent st andard operating guidelines, strong co mmand, continuous and accurate size-ups, a well co mmunicated strategy, and effecti ve firefighting tactics. Additionally, firefighters often encounter challenges related to extended response times, narrow streets with limited access, water su pply, laddering, unusual constructi on, extreme fire behavior, restrict ed ventilation, and ultimately, fire suppression.

4 While these tacti cal hazards and challenges incr ease the complexity of the INCIDENT , having a thorough knowledge of the response area, pre-fire planning, and properly identifying these types of occ upancies in advance , can better prepare fire personnel to sa fely and success fully mitigate fires in hillside homes. July 12, 2017 ICS 501 3 TYPES There are se veral different types of residential structures that may be built into hills ide areas. Many of these homes are designed with a focus on capturing as much of the available view as possible. Commonly, they are multi- story homes with an open st airwell, and often consist of split-levels floors throughout the occupancy depending on the degree of slope.

5 Consequently, each home is unique, when fact oring in voluntary earthquake retrofits, remodel ordinances, and building code variances changing from property to property. There are three general ca tegories of hillside homes 1.) Descending Hillside, 2.) Cantilever, and 3.) Ascending Hillside. Although fires in Descending Hillside homes have hist orically been the most dangerous to firefighters, each type of hillside home poses unique challenges and co nstructi on features that are important to identify before determining the safest and most effecti ve strategy and tactics. 1. Descending Hillside Homes are built to provide an opportunity for multiple floors and are most often built on the down sl ope (descending) side of a roadway.

6 Usually a minimum of two stories, the home is construct ed to make the most of the sl oping topography. These types of multi- level structures offer one full story at st reet level and usually one story or more below grade. Multi- level descending hillside home plans typically use interior, as well as exterior access, to the lower levels of the home. Desi gn features of these homes commonly offer options su ch as large pict ure windows, as well as overhanging balconies off the lowest level and walkout basements. Access to lower floors is often available via exterior stairca se s that descend with the hillside and offer portals of entry on multiple sides.

7 Occupancies that are built on a descending slope are the most dangerous because of the possibility that entry from the grade level into the structure could possibly place firefighters above the fire when the fire originates on a lower floor. 2. Cant ilever Hillside Homes were originally built in the early 1900 s. Also known as stilt homes, they were built on steep vaca nt hillside lots perched precariously on land that was formerly considered unbuildable. These homes were one story and typically utilized wood constructi on and heavy timber wood supports tied to the original foundation. Later generation stilt homes were built on a concrete or wood foundation and utilized steel poles to support the entire home which co uld cantilever out as much as 75 feet over the hillside.

8 Portals of entry for these types of occupancies are usually from the street si de through the front door or garage area. July 12, 2017 ICS 501 4 Modern arch itect ure of cantile ver homes utilizes concrete, st eel, corrugated metal, and fiberglass, and may have multiple floors hanging over the hillside. The su pport of these homes is typically concrete pila st ers buried into the hillside. Regardless, the portals of entry generally remain the same, through the front of the structure. When a fire is loca ted on sub level floors, it can cr eate one of the most dangerous environments in structural firefighting. 3. Ascending Hillside Homes are built on the upslope side of the roadway.

9 Unlike the descending hillside home, access to the first floor does not present the same hazards unless entry is made from an upper floor. Often, they are cu t into the hillside depending on the percentage of sl ope. On larger properties with shallow slopes, you may find long driveways leading up to a flat pad. Steeper slopes may contain block retaining walls outlin ing the first floor. The asc ending hillside home is usually multi- story with the garage loca ted at grade level representing the first floor. There may be alternative portals of entry available on each si de of the home identified by exterior stairca se s. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS Build ing construction methods and styles ca n vary from home to home depending on the era when the home was built, the topography of the concerned property, and the st yle or design the architect employed.

10 Several features of hillside homes should be take n into consideration when fighting fires in these types of occ upancies. Speci fically , the layout, floor plans and floor systems can affect fire sp read and collapse potential. Modern construction of hillside homes utili zes every opportunity for incr eased sq uare footage. These contemporary hillside homes ca n have two or more stories and resemble small co mmercial buildings based on the size of the property. These mansion type homes have concrete pila st ers or st ep foundations to support the structure regardless of the st eepness of slope. Their constructi on methods are varied, including metal, co ncr ete, maso nry, wood frame and st ucco and curtain style constructi on.