LUBA RET. EX 076/077 RE-E - Laserfiche WebLink

• 0 • Crl ' f 1 i V st, f (Fig. 4.2) Hose connection on intermediate landing as viewed from the main landing where the stair entry door is located. 34 FIRE HOSE CONNECTIONS Hose connections in Class I systems are typically 242 inch threaded outlets. As discussed in the Fire Hydrant section, it is essential that hose connec- tion type and size match that used by the fire department in the jurisdiction where the building is located. The primary location for hose connections is within enclosed, fire-resistance rated stairs. Fire- fighters set up and begin their attack from within the protected stair enclosure. Then the attack may proceed towards the fire location. If a quick evacua- tion becomes necessary, the hose then functions as a lifeline, leading the firefighters back to the protec- tion of the stairs. The current preferred location for stairway hose connections is at the intermediate stair landings between floors (Figure 4.2). This is because fire- fighters usually stretch hose from below the fire floor for their protection. If the connections are at intermediate landings, the hose line reaches farther than it would if the connection were at the main landing, a full story below the fire floor. However, both NFPA 14 and the IBC permit connections to be located at main floor landings, if so desired by a given jurisdiction. If hose valves are located on main landings, consider the position of hose connections in rela- tion to the door. The connections should not be behind the door when it is open. Designers should position the outlet to permit the hose line to run out the door without kinking and without obstructing travel on the stair. Fire attack using hose lines from stairway hose connections requires stair doors to be propped open (Figure 4.3). This prevents the hose from becoming kinked and restricting water flow; howev- er, it can also allow smoke and heat to enter the stairway. At this point, occupants should either have exited the building, be below the level of the fire, use another stairway, or be sheltered in place until after the incident. But, there is now some con- cern within the fire protection community that occupants may be exposed to fire or smoke condi- tions during these firefighting operations. Some reasons for this include: conflicting evacuation instructions, occupants not following evacuation instructions, the need for the fire department to operate from all stairways, or the need for total building evacuation (especially in response to ter- rorist incidents). G% Occupational Safety and Health /administration 150 (Fig. 4.3) Training session showing a firefighter chocking open a stair door to initiate a fire attack from a stairway hose connection.