As high-rise buildings and their systems become taller and more complex, the fire service is researching how to transport and deploy all the essential gear required for residential, commercial, and mixed-use high-rise buildings.
Canada’s largest vertical city has recognized this challenge and, as a result, has two fire trucks equipped with high-rise-specific equipment to support firefighting operations in these structures.
The City of Toronto, Canada, has two specialized high-rise response trucks. Additionally, it has a 70-meter (230-foot) tower truck named Tower One. This truck is used in high-rise firefighting operations and enhances the capabilities of the two high-rise units. Tower One is used for its smoothbore water stream reach, improvised standpipe, observation platform, and rescue capabilities.
On April 1, 1988, Toronto’s first high- rise unit (HRU) was put into service at what is now known as Station 332, previously Station 1. This dedicated HRU consolidated all the equipment typically found on pumpers and aerials into one firefighting apparatus. (photo 1).
1 Toronto’s first high-rise unit on April 1, 1988. (Photo 1 courtesy of Toronto Fire Services.)
The equipment was placed in portable enclosed dollies called modules. The modules allowed firefighters to carry more equipment and deploy equipment faster. These modules were brought into the building and transported vertically via the building’s elevators.
The initial design had some flaws— much of the equipment and modules could only be accessed from outside truck compartments, requiring ramps and a lot of space around the vehicle to remove them. This created problems because the truck had to be carefully positioned to allow for deployment. If parked too close or too far from the curb, it would be difficult to remove the modules. Furthermore, the truck’s positioning would block the public transit streetcars because of the space required to deploy the modules. The challenging winter conditions and presence of snowbanks would significantly hinder the deployment process.
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In 2006, the second-generation HRU was put into service. This truck was specifically designed to offload equipment from a rear ramp, making it easier to position the truck and keep traffic flowing. The modules were made lighter, and new equipment was added. However, as the city grew, it became clear that this second-generation HRU was insufficient. The truck’s call volume exceeded 5,000 runs yearly. It could not be in two places at once, and it required even more equipment. It was evident that a second HRU was necessary to support the growing vertical city.
Following extensive discussions and research, the third generation of high- rise response vehicles (photo 2) was put into service on September 7, 2018. This new generation of high-rise trucks is primarily equipped with battery-operated systems and incorporates new ventilation tactics. Each new truck has 10 fans and can be used for negative and positive smoke control and removal. Additional features include smoke blockade curtains for stairwell protection and spiral ducting, providing more ventilation options. Smoke control is now quicker and more effective compared with the previous two generations of high-rise units. Stair climbers for equipment and evacuating injured firefighters via the stairs have been incorporated, along with firefighting packages for tunnels, subways, and large commercial buildings.
2 Toronto’s two current HRUs. (Photos 2-3 by author.)
Furthermore, new extinguishing methods, such as vapor extinguishers and a portable compressed air foam system, have been included, which can be used for hydro vaults. The same equipment can be used when water supply is unavailable during catastrophic building failures. The new portable battery-powered packs can power additional tools such as water pumps, fans, and lights without producing carbon monoxide.
However, possessing the equipment is only one piece of the puzzle; understanding how to deploy equipment and resources to control the fire and smoke spread is crucial.
High-rise emergency vehicles must be designed to handle a variety of challenges. They require comprehensive plans and flexible equipment deployment models, including backups, to ensure readiness for multiple scenarios. When designing a high-rise response vehicle, consider the following:
- Reaction time and vertical response.
- Objects falling from height.
- Communications.
- Premises security.
- Complexity of internal layout.
- Water supplies.
- Physiological demands and physical workload of firefighters.
- Failure of electrical systems.
- Evacuation and shelter in place, including people with disabilities.
- Fire and smoke spread.
- Effects of wind.
- Catastrophic building system failures.
HRU OPERATION
When the HRU is called to a fire, it will park closest to the operations entrance, which may be a loading dock. The HRU’s captain may request a logistics crew to assist the HRU’s crew. The high-rise and logistics crews will stage equipment at three drop points. On arrival at the emergency, automatically deploying resources to drop zones will reduce reaction time. Proactive deployment will also prepare the firefighting crews for catastrophic failures such as power loss to elevators. Staging equipment before elevators fail will eliminate the vertical response time. Equipment is already in key locations before it is needed and ready for a change in tactics when called for. Automatically staging equipment and resources simplifies the response to a high-rise building, aiming to achieve a response time like that of a three-story building.
The modules and carts have kits and equipment designed for each drop point (photo 3). The first drop point may land outside the building for exterior operations and ventilation. It will receive two PPV fans capable of producing 27,000 cfm each. Additional equipment is positioned to mark the hazard zone where falling debris could land.
3 An HRU deploying equipment and resources.
The second drop point is in the lobby. This drop point will receive a forcible entry module, patient evacuation carts, communication module, lighting cart, and lobby kit.
The third drop point, normally two floors below the fire floor, will receive most of the equipment cache. This equipment includes hose packs, communication modules, ventilation carts, smoke control measures, forcible entry tools, air bottles, and specialty nozzles.
Once the truck’s equipment has been staged, the HRU and logistics crews can prepare for wind-impacted fires or halt the rapid spread of fire and smoke. Specialized tactics and nozzles are positioned for attacks from the floors below and above the fire, flanking attacks, external cladding fires, hidden voids, and large floor plate scenarios.
It is important to have the equipment staged and ready from the beginning to help the incident commander respond quickly. Dollies can be used to bring in extra equipment from other vehicles if needed. The drop points may need to be adjusted based on the building type or the emergency’s complexity.
The high-rise response trucks are equipped with specialized nozzles for combating fires in balloon-frame construction, attics, and basements. The lightweight subway and train carts have adjustable wheels, allowing them to be used on different rail tracks. To enhance response time in the subway, the trucks are outfitted with one-hour air cylinders, allowing for longer working times in these scenarios.
Battery-operated tools found on the trucks can be used in a smoke- filled environment where conventional gas-powered tools would stall out. Tools that do not produce carbon monoxide are essential when working indoors and in confined spaces.
Communication within high-rise buildings has always posed challenges. However, once the communication modules are set up and activated, the firefighter in charge of elevator control is no longer in the dark. We have successfully used communication modules in buildings exceeding 70 stories and even in those 10.5 stories below ground level.
Worldwide, high-rise buildings with standpipe systems are being constructed more rapidly. Toronto Fire has already introduced its third generation of high- rise response trucks. The fourth generation will incorporate additional tactics to address fires in diverse types of buildings. The incident management system (IMS) deployment model will also encompass these tactics. The fire service is working to keep pace with the evolving nature of modern buildings. We are becoming better prepared to respond to emergencies in these structures.
High-rise response trucks are not a magical solution for fighting tall building fires, but they can help reduce response times when dealing with stubborn fires. These units can employ multiple tactics quickly and effectively in high-rise firefighting operations. The key to any high-rise operation response is to deploy resources with the right equipment to key building areas faster than smoke and fire can spread.
When researching high-rise firefighting tactics, it is important to understand how buildings defend themselves against fire and smoke spread. The movements of both firefighters and building occupants directly impact compartmentation and the overall dispersion of smoke. ?
BRENT BROOKS is an acting district chief for the Toronto Fire Services with 30 years of service. He frequently lectures and trains the international firefighting community on the most effective strategies for ensuring occupant survival and promoting firefighter safety in high-rise firefighting operations.
