Peach
Fire Department

Company-level discussion and pre-fire walk on fireground operations at attic fires in older residential structures. Topics covered: how to identify hidden attic stairwell access on the second floor using door-swing techniques and grade-change indicators; hazards of narrow steep attic stairwells including the 180-degree pinch point at the top; dangers of renovated buildings with converted attic sleeping areas and no secondary egress; smoke and fire indicators of attic involvement visible from the exterior; proper line placement for both fire attack and exposure protection; and the importance of pre-fire street intelligence through regular building walk-throughs.

1. Demonstrate the door-swing technique for identifying hidden attic stairwell access in older 2½-story residential buildings.
2. Identify at least four exterior indicators that suggest fire has entered the attic space of a residential structure.
3. Explain why renovated buildings in older housing stock present elevated entrapment hazards at attic fires.
4. Describe the egress limitations of attic stairwells and explain how they affect retreat timing during rapidly deteriorating conditions.
5. State the correct line placement for a fire venting from soffits on arrival, including exposure protection and interior attic access.
6. Identify at least two buildings in the first-due with attic stairwell access and describe the access point location for each.

For firefighters from other departments.