
Commercial or residential building fire
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
Establish the availability of pre-arranged evacuation strategies and policies
Consider using thermal imaging equipment for scanning when carrying out a scene survey
Identify utilities, including renewable energy supplies and locate isolation points
Identify security features that may compromise safe access to and egress from the scene of operations
Identify the presence and effectiveness of fixed installations and where appropriate, take control of their operation
Gather information from available sources to gain accurate situational awareness and understanding
Question the responsible person, other responders and witnesses to understand incident factors and history
Ensure that a scene survey is carried out at the earliest opportunity
Access any operational or site specific risk information (SSRI) and confirm accuracy
Debrief personnel that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence and safety-related information
Maintain situational awareness and identify changes during the incident through active monitoring and regular briefings
Access any operational or site specific risk information (SSRI) and confirm accuracy
Use any available plans of the building to inform tactical decision making
Question the responsible person, other responders and witnesses to understand incident factors and history
Consider the presence of unofficial occupants (e.g. squatters, rough sleepers, drug users, youths)
Consider potential causes of fire e.g. deliberate or accidental ignition and illegal activities
Assess the status of compartmentation, fire doors, means of escape and protected shafts
Consider the original use of the building and any subsequent structural or cosmetic alterations
Identify the location of basements, chimneys, voids, ducting, cavities and concealed areas
Continually monitor and assess the fire development for signs and symptoms of escalation
Ensure regular scene surveys of the building are carried out based on a risk assessment of the incident
Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
Use local knowledge to aid navigation to an incident
Ensure that tracks and pathways are suitable for fire service vehicles
Consider the least damaging routes to incidents and where possible, stay on marked paths and tracks
Consider Step 1-2-3 Plus: Safety Triggers for Emergency Personnel
Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
Establish the availability of pre-arranged evacuation strategies and policies
Consider pollution prevention information contained within site specific risk plans
Seek advice from landowners and other bodies on susceptible areas of the environment
Review situational awareness following an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal
Consider requesting aerial or special appliances to reduce risk and demand on resources
Consider requesting specialist resources from own or neighbouring fire and rescue services, or partner agencies
Request sufficient and appropriate additional resources
Consider requesting appropriate specialist advice
Consider requesting specialist resources from own or neighbouring fire and rescue services, or partner agencies
Inform and/or seek advice from environment agencies and/or sewage undertakers where necessary
Consider whether operational resources can be released from the incident
Regularly update the fire control room on the availability status of operational resources
Request sufficient and appropriate additional resources
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Request support for people affected by the incident, from the local authority, partner agencies or police family liaison officers
Consider requesting advice on structural integrity from local authority building control teams or USAR Tac Ad
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Consider requesting appropriate facilities for the welfare of personnel
Consider the availability of pollution control equipment and/or pollution containment facilities on site
Make use of specialist fire and rescue service or on-site environmental protection equipment
Consider the appointment of a HMA (or equivalent) to oversee environmental protection activities
Determine whether people should be advised to evacuate, shelter in place or 'stay put'
Identify the most appropriate evacuation plan and record rationale for decision
Consider adopting defensive tactics if people are displaying unpredictable, aggressive, violent or illegal behaviour
Request police support at incidents involving violence and aggression towards crews
Consider deploying the minimum amount of equipment during public disorder
Ensure operational activities allow for rapid withdrawal of personnel, vehicles and equipment during public disorder
Ensure personnel avoid confrontation if there is a risk of violence or aggression
Ensure access and egress routes are protected and not compromised by firefighting activity
Be aware of security systems and devices which could potentially isolate personnel in hazard areas
Consider designating separate routes for access, egress and emergency evacuation
Consider using tactical ventilation to improve conditions and maintain access and egress routes
Use the appropriate extinguishing method, media, techniques and equipment
Put in place covering and/or safety jets according to identified risks
Ensure that Firefighting PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment, procedures and training
Consider the effects of wind and ventilation on smoke and fire gases when positioning firefighting personnel
Consider using tactical ventilation to improve conditions and maintain access and egress routes
Ensure that all personnel wear the type of RPE identified by service risk assessments, procedures and training
Consider the impact of smoke plume on downwind life risk, road users and other transport networks
Where backdraught conditions are suspected, apply media and ventilate before interior deployment
Where flashover conditions are suspected, consider direct firefighting techniques
Consider the isolation or containment of the fire compartment
Brief crews to carry out self-protection, door entry and compartment firefighting techniques
Consider leaving unopened doors closed to prevent the unnecessary spread of smoke and fire gas
Consider indications of hidden firespread, including smoke or activation of fire detection
Consider whether a breach of the compartment would spread fire to another room, floor, area or building
Assess the status of compartmentation, fire doors, means of escape and protected shafts
Provide early protection of external boundaries to prevent firespread, flame extension and thermal radiation
Consider the effects of the fire’s duration and intensity and firefighting activity on structural elements or structural frames
Consider the effects of the fire’s duration and intensity and firefighting activity on structural materials
Assess and continuously monitor the buildings for signs of failing structural integrity, external and internal
Evaluate and monitor the potential footprint of collapse and debris
Consider requesting advice on structural integrity from local authority building control teams or USAR Tac Ad
Consider the effects of fire or firefighting on mezzanine and raised storage systems
Consider the structural stability of the building before deploying personnel for internal firefighting
Identify any sources of renewable energy generation such as photovoltaic panels or wind power
Ensure that PPE is worn in accordance with service risk assessment for live utilities
Identify and communicate the presence of lightweight conduit, trunking and cable fixings
Identify loose cables and consider using alternative access and egress routes or defensive tactics
Ensure that cable cutting equipment is available at incidents where cables may cause entanglement
Consider securing or carrying out a a controlled release of cables
When approaching the incident use visual and other incident indicators to inform situational awareness
Consider potential causes of fire e.g. deliberate or accidental ignition and illegal activities
Gather incident information from a suitable safe distance based on hazard assessment
Identify the presence of asbestos-containing materials and assess the level of risk (High or Lower Hazard)
Use signs, labels, markings and container types to identify the presence of biological agents
Use the minimum extinguishing media required considering the appropriate weight of attack
Close doors to prevent smoke and fire gas travel whilst maintaining access, egress and ventilation
Move valuable items to an appropriate place of safety in liaison with the responsible person
Consider protecting fragile objects from falling debris
Consider completing an inventory of all items removed to a safe location
Consider available salvage plans for heritage properties
Identify bodies of water, unstable ground and risks of falling from height in working environment
Consider the effect of weather conditions and time of day on the working environment
Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
Implement measures to maintain access and egress during the incident
Establish, identify and communicate safe traffic routes, establish clear zones and equipment points
Provide lighting to illuminate hazards to personnel in poorly lit environments
Ensure that personnel have access to the appropriate PPE
Consider task rotation when personnel are carrying out manual handling tasks
Manage their working environment and workload to mitigate the effects of stress and fatigue, and to optimise their personal resilience
Consider using machinery or other equipment to assist with manual handling
Request additional or specialist resources to assist with manual handling tasks
Consider the task, individual capabilities, load and environment (TILE) when carrying out risk assessments for manual handling
Ensure personnel adopt the provided safe system of manual handling
Comply with service protocols when handling substances that are hazardous to health
Ensure personnel cover open wounds, cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing prior to operational activity
Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
Request a water undertaker to provide a supply and pressure of water greater than otherwise available
Enter into an agreement to secure the use of water under the control of a person
Consider applying operational discretion where the benefit of taking unusual, unorthodox or innovative action justifies the risk
Return to operational procedures when the objective has been achieved
Why? | Expectations? | Benefit vs Risk? |
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Extinguish the fire and eliminate all ignition sources
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Consider the JESIP principles at all incidents involving multi-agency operations
Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
Carry out any rescues or lifesaving actions
Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
Develop and communicate a firefighting plan and ventilation strategy to all personnel
Implement a co-ordinated search plan, define parameters and sub-divide the area where necessary
Consider the need for damage control and salvage operations
Carry out a dynamic risk assessment, identify hazards, evaluate risk and implement safe systems of work
Declare the tactical mode and communicate to personnel at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Carry out and formally record analytical risk assessments at suitable intervals
Establish emergency arrangements appropriate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Consider appointing a search coordinator to ensure all areas have been systematically searched
Develop and communicate an incident plan to relevant personnel, including the fire control room
Identify all possible ignition sources and eliminate them as far as is possible
Establish appropriate emergency arrangements for releasing personnel from cable entanglement
Ensure that good scene preservation and practices are adopted at all stages of an incident
Consider moving physical evidence to a safe place, away from the effects of the fire or firefighting
Apply the firefighter safety maxim and safe person principles at incidents
Identify and communicate the hazard area and establish a safe working area as soon as is practicable
Use situational awareness to anticipate the likely development of the incident and evaluate the potential consequences of a range of actions
Develop and communicate an incident plan to relevant personnel, including the fire control room
Regularly review and update incident plan in response to active monitoring of the situation against expected outcomes
Review the tactical mode following active monitoring and briefings with sector commanders
Periodically review the analytical risk assessment using situational awareness from active monitoring
Apply the joint decision model process to ensure effective joint decision-making at multi-agency incident
Identify the need to evacuate and develop a strategy in liaison with partner agencies
Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Carry out an environmental risk assessment and monitor the impact of tactics on the identified risk
Consider the appropriate speed of intervention to limit fire development
Select appropriate firefighting media (e.g. water, foam, dry powder, CO2)
Select appropriate firefighting equipment (e.g. extinguisher, hose reel, main jet, cutting extinguisher)
Consider adjoining areas when mitigating damage due to fire, smoke and extinguishing media
Gain access to premises causing minimal damage considering the urgency of the situation
Establish and resource a casualty care point
Determine whether people should be advised to evacuate, shelter in place or 'stay put'
When evacuation is necessary, identify the number of people affected and develop a plan
Consider compartment boundary cooling using appropriate and effective fire-fighting media
Consider creating a firebreak to prevent firespread, considering the time required to implement
Consider means of access to concealed areas, including use of hatches and cutting away
Instigate and communicate hygiene arrangements, facilities and consider decontamination
Implement an appropriate protection plan when an identified nature conservation site is at risk
Conduct regular communication checks to ensure equipment continues to function
Inform all personnel and other responders which utilities have been isolated and if any remain operative
Carry out timely liaison with partner agencies on the establishment of reception centres
Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
Communicate the incident situation to other responders via fire control using the M\ETHANE message protocol
Provide a structured brief when handing over and taking over command
Communicate findings of analytical risk assessment to all personnel and other agencies
Implement fallback procedures should there be a failure in the communications equipment
Ensure all personnel are informed of any intended tactics regarding the fixed installation systems
Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident
Inform all personnel of known or likely areas of interest for fire or criminal investigation, so that these can be avoided
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Communicate any change in the tactical mode of a sector of the incident to personnel at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Communicate objectives, priorities and tactics to be adopted in resolving the incident
Deliver clear, concise and timely briefings to crews, command support functions and other agencies
Regularly pass information to fire control regarding incident progress
Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
Ensure that all appropriate environmental agencies are informed of the incident when required
Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident
Consider taking control of fixed communications systems
Evaluate and monitor the potential footprint of collapse and debris
Form their command structure in accordance with the priorities and demands of an incident
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Control access to the inner cordon using methods proportionate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Appoint competent safety officers to monitor specific hazards or activities
Instigate a tactical withdrawal of personnel when the mode changes from offensive to defensive
Record and time stamp the decision to isolate utilities in the analytical risk assessment and decision log
Be prepared to adopt a leadership role at multi-agency incidents
Establish a scene access control point to log all people operating within the inner cordon when appropriate
Consider the use of command support systems and equipment where required
Monitor the performance of personnel and where necessary modify plans to available competences
Record the details of the transfer of command; this should be done at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Instigate a safety sector at large or complex incidents under the control of a safety sector commander
Implement exclusion zones if intolerable risks to safety are identified
Request police assistance to establish a traffic cordon or air exclusion zone if necessary
Request an air exclusion zone through the appropriate authority if required
Maintain effective command and control in an emergency situation
Carry out a roll call of personnel at the scene following an emergency evacuation of responders
Hand over responsibility for removed items and security of premises to the responsible person or the police
Hand over responsibility for removed items and security of premises to the responsible person or the police
Carry out fire investigations at a level appropriate to the scale of the incident
Monitor and review the potential impact on public health with the assistance of the public health agency
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Record statements from relevant people as soon as practicable
Delegate collection of physical evidence to a police crime scene investigator or fire service investigator
Notify investigators if personnel have recently attended similar incidents, which could result in cross-contamination of an investigation scene
Access and secure CCTV footage for subsequent investigations and debriefs
Firefighter Safety Maxim
"At every incident, the greater the potential benefit of fire and rescue actions, the greater the risk that is accepted by commanders and firefighters. Activities that present a high risk to safety are limited to those that have the potential to save life or to prevent rapid and significant escalation of the incident."