BY JAY LOWRY
A fire involving a beachfront dwelling presents special challenges to the responding fire department. These structure types may also be found near any large body of water. Construction and site factors may make stretching handlines, forcing entry, conducting searches, performing ventilation, and extinguishing the fire more difficult. Below are some common beach house problems.
Construction.
Beach houses have several structural factors that impact strategy and tactics.
- Elevation. Houses may be elevated to raise them above base flood elevation, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirement. This complicates access, since all living spaces are above-grade. There are now six sides that can burn-the four walls, the exposed underside, and the roof. Also, the area under the elevated portion may contain flammables, combustibles, and unknown hazards. Additionally, the structure’s elevation may not be obvious because it may be disguised by trim.
- Lightweight construction. Often found in these structures, it also means collapse is a real possibility.
- Size. These houses are often very large, so normal preconnected handline stretches may be difficult.
Wind and weather.
The wind from the ocean or other body of water will wreak havoc.
- Fire spread. This can happen much more quickly through the fire structure, taking into account lightweight construction and building elevation. Nearby exposures are also at increased risk. Brands are also a possibility.
- Fire streams. The wind will interfere with fire streams, blowing them in the wrong direction-a big concern when protecting exposures.
- Power lines, trees, and access. Power lines and trees may come down, complicating access.
- Flooding. Coastal flooding may seriously delay response.
Structure access.
Accessing the six sides (walls, underside, and roof ) of the structure is almost impossible. Ladder trucks and most pumpers have no business off a paved road, so setting up on the beach is not an option. Laddering the building may be difficult since sand dunes, undergrowth, trees, and other natural features can hamper access and stability. Coastal flooding is another access problem.
Water supply.
Given the above factors, establishing a water supply immediately is essential to success. At beach sites, the wind may cause sand dunes to shift and hide hydrants in the area. Marking hydrants before you need them helps avoid critical water supply delays at an actual incident. (See “Low-Cost Hydrant Marking System,” by Martin C. Grube, Innovations: Homegrown, Fire Engineering, March 2002, p. 187.)
Site considerations.
Many of the larger beach houses have palm trees and winding driveways, making ingress more difficult. Brush and undergrowth present further difficulties.
At a beach house fire, the first-due company officer must start the fire attack and determine the appropriate strategy for the conditions observed. This officer must evaluate the fire conditions, note the structure’s construction and apparatus placement problems, and begin an attack or rescue based on safe operating procedures. This must be done quickly and efficiently, since the fire will gain headway rapidly. It’s not the time for strategy sessions-it’s time for action. Just as with other fires, arriving officers must build on the attack plan that the first-arriving officer has already implemented.
(2) Brush, trees, and other natural features can inhibit access to the fire structure.
If the first-arriving engine company finds a working fire, it should stretch a line to the building as quickly as possible. After the officer has completed his initial size-up and ordered the first line to be stretched, he should enter the building to direct firefighters to the appropriate location for the line.
In today’s fire service, since four-person companies are no longer the norm, the first-due officer should stay with firefighters as they put the first line in operation. In a three-person engine company, it is vital that the officer stay with this line. A single firefighter should not advance the hoseline alone. The two-in/two-out rule may limit the options. However, action is required. The solution comes before an incident to avoid confusion.
If the department has adequate staffing, the officer should still enter the building with the engine crew. This allows the officer to gauge the fire and determine how the attack team will advance and to relay this information back to the second officer or the incident commander.
Lay the first attack line to the front door of the beach house. Logic and experience have taught many to attack the fire from the unburned side, knocking the fire down before it can spread farther. However, in large beach houses, if the fire is in the front quadrant of the house facing the street, how much line and how much time does it take to stretch those lines all the way around a house? While that operation is in progress, fire is consuming combustibles and, in a multistory home, it may now be gaining control of the vital stairwell, threatening occupants. Stairwells are located at the front of most houses, so advancing a line in the front will allow you to secure the stairwell to perform a search. Advancing a handline by the stairs is quick and makes use of existing openings.
Another consideration, and an important one, is the use of preconnected handlines. Most departments use preconnects, so stretching short is a possibility if you decide to attack from the unburned side. Life safety is paramount; a search must be made. There may be 20 or more people staying in one beach house. This adds an additional component for departments with reduced staffing. Perform these searches as quickly as possible. The more quickly you knock down the fire, the more quickly conditions improve. That first handline can be the difference for occupants.
(3) In this view from the beach, note the proximity of the structures and the importance of exposure protection. Trees, undergrowth, and other natural features can inhibit access.
The first handline must have sufficient water to knock down the body of fire. A 40-gpm booster line is not adequate. Make the first line count. Bring enough water to overcome the volume of fire, which will help to control the fire and protect personnel conducting searches above the fire floor.
Establishing a water supply is vital. At beachfront incidents, shifting sand dunes may bury hydrants over time. Anticipating this possibility and marking hydrant locations before you need them are key to success at an actual incident.
If the first-due engine can establish a water supply, then subsequent arriving companies can fill other much-needed roles. The second-due engine officer should make sure that the first-due engine has a water supply-a water supply is vital to success.
If the first companies are operating off the booster tank, they have a limited amount of time, and the loss of water can be catastrophic. If the first-due engine has gotten a water supply, the second-due engine officer should ensure that the first line is stretched and operating. It is vital to have the initial handline operating before committing additional lines. If the first line is stretched and operating, the second-due engine can proceed to the upper floors with a hoseline to cut off extension and to protect those searching. The second-due engine may have to initiate search and rescue, based on the availability of ladder trucks.
What actions protect the exposures? The beach house may be located directly adjacent to other houses. If the fire is threatening to jump to another building, stretch a line to protect these exposures. Using master streams and aerial devices will protect exposures. The aerial can wet down a roof or inhibit heat transfer from house to house. Firefighters should enter the exposures to remove combustible window coverings to reduce the risk of ignition.
What do you do if you do not have enough firefighters? It sounds simple. Call early and call often to get whatever resources possible to ensure that the initial hoseline can be effective. Extra alarms, mutual aid, and automatic aid allow resources to help you fight the good fight. When the fire is out of control, it is too late. Call for assistance early; these personnel can return to their stations if not needed.
The beach house dwelling has the odds stacked against it in a fire. There are no specific tactics for every community. The fire department must take into account the structure’s location, size, and access and the weather conditions (e.g., high winds, coastal flooding). Prompt water application and firefighter deployment are needed for success, and the incident commander must be able to get additional help quickly.
Preplanning is valuable in this type of fire. Learn where to commit resources, decide how much is adequate, and then plan for more! It will save lives and property.
JAY LOWRY is a former firefighter and senior fire marshal for Charleston, South Carolina. He has served on various NFPA committees and has been published in fire service journals. He is a certified firefighter, fire inspector, and fire marshal.
