Tactical Fire Problem - Enclosed Shopping Mall

This week we take a look at the challenges of an enclosed shopping mall.


1.) Conflicting information immediately comes to mind. This should be a fully sprinklered building, how did I get this much smoke showing?

2.) Is your highrise or extended lay hose pack equipped with 2 1/2 inch line? Less friction loss for long lays, hooks directly to standpipe, plenty of firepower if you need it.

3.) What are the ventilation challenges, do you understand the systems used to handle smoke? Pay attention to members working in an area far beyond their air supply.

4.) How do you handle the people, how to you "search"?

5.) Fires in these structures are rare, but consider contents, large storage, vehicles and displays in main concourses, large open areas, and always remember the possibility of a fire in a void space. A small fire in a void space can generate a lot of smoke.


Pete Lamb
Copyright 2014