Firefighters entering the window of a fire building are likely doing so for the purposes of ventilation, entry and search. They are putting themselves in a dangerous position, as they don’t have a hoseline in place to protect them and, further, they might be working opposite the advancing hoseline. With this in mind, a window entry should only be attempted if doing so keeps you within your limits of personal safety and comfort. Following are tips for knowing when and how to enter windows as well as what to do once you’re inside.
Window Entry Basics
If you need to make a window entry, immediately communicate this to the incident commander (IC) and the members operating within the fire building. It’s especially important to let the hose team know that you’re in front of them, and you must maintain communications during your search inside the structure.
It’s also important to know the status of the rapid intervention team (RIT). Are they on scene or not? Conduct a risk-vs.-benefits analysis to determine if it’s wise to enter the building without the RIT on site.
Step by Step
Wear full personal protective equipment (PPE) and be ready to enter the window if you’re going to vent it.
Place a portable ladder at the window sill for a quick entry. Note: Some departments are teaching their members to place the ladder on the windward (upwind) side and take the glass, then descend the ladder, reposition it at the sill, finish clearing the window and then make entry. This operation takes too much time, especially if there’s a victim trapped inside. How would you want it done if your family was trapped inside?
Here’s a better way: After placing the ladder at the sill, vent the entire window. Clearing the entire window of glass and removing all obstructions will allow a safer and quicker entry and, more importantly, egress, if necessary. If you’re only using the window for ventilation, then leave the center sash in place as a reminder that this is not an exit window. This will allow members on the interior to determine which window they entered through and, therefore, where their ladder is located.
A member on the interior should place an arm in the window and sweep toward the top frame. If they encounter a sash, then this is not the window with the ladder. If they don’t feel a center sash or cross piece, then this is the window through which they made their entry. Of course, they should still verify the ladder’s presence before bailing out a window.
The next step is one of the most important, especially in fire buildings with lightweight construction or buildings that have been renovated or rehabbed with new construction materials and methods. Even if the fire is two or three rooms away from the window, the truss lofts or truss spaces above your head may have already been compromised by fire–you just don’t know it. So before entering any window, use a pike pole or hook to open the ceiling above your head.
Make the opening from the safety of the ladder. If there’s no indication of heavy smoke or fire, then go ahead and make entry. If the hole reveals heavy smoke or fire and the building is constructed of lightweight material, then you have fire in the truss space. In this case, you should make an urgent call to the IC and members operating inside the fire building that everyone should switch to a defensive mode. That little hole could save your life or the life of a brother or sister firefighter.
Making Entry
After clearing the window and checking the ceiling, sound the floor’s surface to confirm its integrity and then search the floor for possible victims–something we should do every time we enter a window. Sweep the floor and then drop your tool in the area where you’re making entry so you can get your tool as soon as you enter the window.
Once you’re in the room, locate the door. Based on what you determined during your size-up, you can likely make an educated guess about its approximate location. For example, if it’s a corner room, then the door is usually in the corner opposite that corner of the building. If the room has a single window, then the door is usually directly opposite the window.
Reach the door as soon as possible for two reasons: If it’s open, you’ll want to close it to buy yourself additional search time. If it’s closed, you’ll want to open it. This sounds like a contradiction, but it’s a safe practice.
Before you close a door, check the hallway for the fire conditions and possible victims. This check could help determine how much time you can safely stay in that room. The fire condition might indicate a quick search and exit, or you might be able to spend a little more time on the search.
Additionally, in the event of fire, most adults will try to use the same exit they use every day. So a brief look into the hallway may help you spot a victim in the hall or another room near the door. If the door to the room is closed and you don’t open it, then you’ve missed the opportunity to evaluate the fire conditions and check for victims. Note: After checking the hall, don’t forget to close the door behind you.
Get In & Out
Making entry into a fire building off a ladder or from a remote location can be a dangerous undertaking if the proper precautions are not initiated. Conduct a personal size-up and evaluation. Is the risk-vs.-reward analysis in your favor? Is it possible that people inside are still alive? Will you be able to exit if you encounter trouble? If you answer no to any of these questions, then don’t make entry. Make your decisions based on your level of training and experience. Don’t let anyone force you beyond your comfort zone because that’s when we get in trouble. Stay safe so everyone goes home.
