Hazard Knowledge

This section contains generic control measures that should be applied when gaining situational awareness at any building fire, whatever its size or complexity.

A lack of understanding of building design, occupancy types and engineered solutions may result in an inappropriate response to the incident.

It may not be possible to identify all hazards from an external scene survey, leading to a lack of situational awareness. Factors that may not be identified until an internal inspection is carried out include:

• Areas of the building that cannot be observed such as basements or loft conversions
• Communication dead zones
• Unauthorised occupants
• Illegal activities, including:
  • Damage to firefighting facilities or fire engineering solutions
  • The cultivation and production of illegal drugs
  • Tampering with utilities and meters
  • Booby traps
  • Fire setting, which may involve multiple seats of fire
  • Unregulated storage of hazardous materials including fireworks, fuel or ordnance
• If it is suspected that a building is being used for illegal activities, personnel should consider the measures that may have been taken to protect the property.
• Booby traps may be set to protect a property and its contents, and can include:
• The removal of floorboards
• The use of sharp or hazardous objects to protect entry points
• Wiring of handles and other metal objects to electricity supplies, see hazard Illegal activity involving electricity for more information
• Security measures may mean people within the property are unable to escape and make it more difficult for personnel to enter or leave the property safely