Chapter 12 Ceiling Collapse

Question 1

Why is the danger of ceiling collapse underestimated?

Answer 1

because firefighters below are often not killed by the falling ceiling, they are killed from the smoke or burns according to the medical examiner

Question 2

what are the two broad categories that ceilings can be divided into

Answer 2

1. those affixed directly to the floor joist
2. those that are suspended several inches or feet below the joist by the vertical strips of wood steel hangers or thin wires

Question 3

the degree of injury caused by the local collapse of plaster ceiling is determined by what

Answer 3

the thickness of the falling plaster,
the height of the ceiling,
the condition of the cushioning system inside the firefighter’s helmet

Question 4

what is the most dangerous ceiling, from collapse point of view

Answer 4

the suspended ceiling

Question 5

suspended ceilings are most often found in three types of occupancies

Answer 5

1. stores
2. top floors of multiple dwellings
3. renovated buildings

Question 6

two nicknames for suspended ceilings

Answer 6

hanging ceilings

dropped ceilings

Question 7

what are the common types of suspended ceilings

Answer 7

1. would gird
2. metal girded with a permanent affixed ceiling
3. lightweight metal grid with a permanent affix ceiling
4. metal gird system with a removable ceiling panel

Question 8

what can firefighters do to reduce the danger of a suspended ceiling collapse

Answer 8

prevent fire extension into the concealed space above by extinguishing the blaze as quickly as possible and checking the concealed space above the ceiling as soon as possible

Question 9

what is the most important first step for rescue of firefighters trapped beneath a collapsed ceiling during the store fire

Answer 9

to sweep the collapsed area above the ceiling with a hose line to knock down the flames