Control measure

Cordon controls: Unstable or collapsed structures

Bookmark Control measure
Download Control measure
Print Control measure
Guidance
Training Specification
NOS
Version History
Feedback
Share Control measure

TRAINING SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and understanding

Control measure element	Learning outcome
Cordon controls: Unstable or collapsed structure	Understand: The factors that will influence cordon distance for unstable structures, including: Construction materials The height and type of structure Weather conditions – current and predicted The potential damage to surrounding structures and infrastructure Scaffolding and tower cranes Glass, particularly in windy conditions The behaviour of portal or rigid frame structures when they collapse Who can provide specialist advice and assistance when establishing cordons at incidents involving unstable structures

Control measure element

Learning outcome

Cordon controls: Unstable or collapsed structure

Understand:

The factors that will influence cordon distance for unstable structures, including:
- Construction materials
- The height and type of structure
- Weather conditions – current and predicted
- The potential damage to surrounding structures and infrastructure
- Scaffolding and tower cranes
- Glass, particularly in windy conditions
The behaviour of portal or rigid frame structures when they collapse

Who can provide specialist advice and assistance when establishing cordons at incidents involving unstable structures

NOS knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand:
You need to know and understand: 2920
K Hazards and risks of the workplace affecting people and the environment in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K How to make and apply decisions based on the assessment of risk in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K How to apply practices that maximise the health, safety and welfare of yourself and others during fire and rescue operational incidents K Sources and availability of information K Roles, responsibilities and limits of authority of self, others and other agencies in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K Building features and facilities that can cause risk to firefighters when responding to incidents K How different building construction and design can affect fire development
Health & Safety
K 1 Hazards and risks of the workplace affecting people and the environment in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K 2 How to make and apply decisions based on the assessment of risk in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents K 3 How to apply practices that maximise the health, safety and welfare of yourself and others during fire and rescue operational incidents
Organisational
K 6 Sources and availability of information
Personal and Interpersonal
K 11 Roles, responsibilities and limits of authority of self, others and other agencies in relation to fire and rescue operational incidents
Technical
K 20 Building features and facilities that can cause risk to firefighters when responding to incidents K 21 How different building construction and design can affect fire development
You need to know and understand: 2201
K The risks associated with working at heights K The organisation's policies and procedures for preparing for, and working at height
Working at height in fire and rescue
K 2 The risks associated with working at heights K 6 The organisation's policies and procedures for preparing for, and working at height

Practical application

Control measure element	Learning outcome
Evaluate and monitor the potential footprint of collapse and debris	Demonstrate the ability to: Gather information to support the evaluation and monitoring of the potential footprint of collapse and debris Identify the appropriate cordon distance for unstable or collapsed structures Establish cordons, considering potential collapse of structures or equipment
Consider seeking specialist advice when defining the hazard area for an unstable or collapsed structure	Demonstrate the ability to: Seek specialist advice when defining the hazard area for an unstable or collapsed structure Consider the specialist advice when establishing cordons for unstable structures
Consider the impact of current or predicted weather conditions on the unstable or collapsed structure when establishing cordons	Demonstrate the ability to: Obtain predicted weather information Consider the impact of weather on the unstable or collapsed structure and be prepared to revise cordons during the incident

Control measure element

Learning outcome

Evaluate and monitor the potential footprint of collapse and debris

Demonstrate the ability to:

Gather information to support the evaluation and monitoring of the potential footprint of collapse and debris
Identify the appropriate cordon distance for unstable or collapsed structures
Establish cordons, considering potential collapse of structures or equipment

Consider seeking specialist advice when defining the hazard area for an unstable or collapsed structure

Demonstrate the ability to:

Seek specialist advice when defining the hazard area for an unstable or collapsed structure
Consider the specialist advice when establishing cordons for unstable structures

Consider the impact of current or predicted weather conditions on the unstable or collapsed structure when establishing cordons

Demonstrate the ability to:

Obtain predicted weather information
Consider the impact of weather on the unstable or collapsed structure and be prepared to revise cordons during the incident

NOS performance criteria

You must be able to:
Respond to fire and rescue incidents
P 2 Establish key factors about fire and rescue incidents and inform others in line with your organisation’s procedures, including: 2.1 Extent 2.2 Nature 2.3 Location P 3 Establish risks affecting fire and rescue incidents in line with your organisation’s risk assessment procedures P 5 Operate within appropriate risk control measures in line with your organisation's procedures P 6 Use resources, equipment and personal protective equipment at fire and rescue incidents in line with their limitations, safety and operating instructions
Respond to fire and rescue incidents 2889
P Operate within appropriate risk control measures in line with your organisation's procedures P Use resources, equipment and personal protective equipment at fire and rescue incidents in line with their limitations, safety and operating instructions P Operate in a safe manner within your agreed level of responsibility and expertise P Work with others in ways that: 11.1 Encourages cooperation 11.2 Supports common understanding 11.3 Promotes a positive image of your organisation
For the whole standard
P 10 Operate in a safe manner within your agreed level of responsibility and expertise P 11 Work with others in ways that: 11.1 Encourages cooperation 11.2 Supports common understanding 11.3 Promotes a positive image of your organisation
You must be able to: 2192
P Assess the risks associated when working at height, taking into account the potential dangers of falling, the stability of working platform and the nature of the incident P Take precautions to address risks identified according to operating procedures
Working at height in fire and rescue
P 2 Assess the risks associated when working at height, taking into account the potential dangers of falling, the stability of working platform and the nature of the incident P 3 Take precautions to address risks identified according to operating procedures

Control measure knowledge

The hazard area for an unstable structure that may undergo partial or structural collapse needs to take into account:

Construction materials
The height and type of the structure
Severe weather conditions, such as flooding, heavy snow or high winds
The potential for damage to surrounding structures and infrastructure
Internal loading of structure
Movement of:
- People
- Machinery
- Vehicles

In the UK, a portal or rigid frame construction is designed for inward collapse – in a fully developed fire a basic single storey structure may be expected to collapse within 30 minutes. Portal frame structures are generally designed so that they collapse within their own footprint.

Cordons may need to consider the potential collapse of scaffolding and tower cranes. On a construction site they could collapse outside the existing hoarding or site boundary. For further information refer to the hazard: Scaffolding.

Glass (glazing) or other flat panels falling from height may travel (or plane) significant distances from a structure, particularly in windy conditions.

Specialist advice may be required from local authority building control teams, structural engineers or urban search and rescue (USAR) tactical advisers.

Cordons may also need to take into account the impact of current or predicted weather conditions on unstable and collapsed structures. Incident commanders should consider accessing Met Office systems such as Hazard Manager when establishing appropriate cordons.

Strategic actions

Fire and rescue services should:

Make arrangements with appropriate agencies to establish specialist advice for cordons at unstable or collapsed structures

Tactical actions

Incident commanders should:

Evaluate and monitor the potential footprint of collapse and debris
Consider seeking specialist advice when defining the hazard area for an unstable or collapsed structure
Consider the impact of current or predicted weather conditions on the unstable or collapsed structure when establishing cordons

Control measure
Assess and monitor structural stability

Height, structures and confined spaces

Control measure

Cordon controls: Unstable or collapsed structures

Control measure

Cordon controls: Unstable or collapsed structures

TRAINING SPECIFICATION

Knowledge and understanding

NOS knowledge and understanding

Practical application

NOS performance criteria

Control measure knowledge

Strategic actions

Tactical actions