Chris Wilson from Bloomingdale (IL) Fire District sent in these pictures of an interesting two story residential. Originally they thought this set-up was created during a re-model, however, similar homes were found throughout the neighborhood. The primary access points to this structure are wooden staircases on sides A and C. This particular set-up would certainly be a pain for the engine guys, but it changes things up for the truck company too. The odds are that the bedrooms are on the “first†floor, so VESing the bedrooms would be a breeze. The inside team is going to be in tight spot when trying to force the door up on the landing. Upon closer look, Chris and the crew noticed that the wooden porch and staircase on side A of the building were actually pulling away from the structure.
15 thoughts on “Second Floor Access”
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Also fire venting from the first floor could also quickly impare or destroy that access.
We have quite a few homes that are similar in nature. Built using prefab construction, the are split levels. The difference between these and normal splits is the elevated main entry off of the porch as shown above. The “first floor” contains the garage and “basement/ storage”. Then stairs to the kitchen, living room, and master bedroom. The top floor has additional bedrooms.
Confusing size up as it can be a 3 story structure.
The attached link is from HER realtors of one of these homes
http://her.realliving.com/Property/Details.aspx?PropID=12787551
correction…… it is a two story. Just an odd front entrance. Kitchen is on the second floor.
Didnt I learn something about stairs from Brannigan? What was it that he said all the time… Im serious, did he say something about stairs or am I mixing his class and or book up with someone else?
Good find Chris.
Stay safe.
~Egan
Well, the good news is that they have high basements and by virtue of that fact the basement window sills are lower.
So, if you find yourself down there and in a bit of trouble getting out is going to be a bit easier.
common name for this type of construction is a raised ranch… basicaly a ranch house raised to put a garage underneath with a bonus room/basement leftover
FitSsikS-
The window sills would lower then the typical basement window but it looks like it’s going to be higher then a standard window sill of 3.5′.
VES-
VESing would be easier but I think victim rescue would be more difficult then normal.
Egan-
Brannigan talked a lot about stairs but the most important thing is protecting the vertical shaft from fire extension and cutting of egress. Place and hold a line there to protect the search and rescue operations. Truckies should constantly monitor the conditions when thier easiest escape route is a stair case.
My family is from Surfside Beach, South Carolina, and the majority of houses in that area are all up on “stilts” or whatever you want to call them. There are some homes that have remodled into two story houses. The guys of Myrtle Beach, Surfside, and Garden City/Murrels Inlet really do have a tough time with these types of homes.
Come to NY, in the 70’s this is all they built. Walk in have a half landing, stairs go up to kitchen in front of you, living room to left with attached dinning area and access to kitchen as well, sometimes has sliding glass door to rear. Right at top of stairs takes you to a bathroom on left then usually 3 bedrooms, master usually in the rear with possibly its own bath depending on depth of building. Basement is usually family room and garage with another bathroom, usually a half bath.
A.L.F.
Is that that band that sang that techno song “3a.m. Eternal?” Wait, that might have been KLF.
These are definitely a raised ranch set up but it is different than most. As Jon described this is what’s in our area a raised ranch usually consists of 5-8 stairs going to the front door. Once you enter it will have a small landing with stairs going up to the first floor and a set going down to the raised basement. The pics of these two set ups can throw a wrench into “known” layouts. In pic 1, Where are the stairs? Are they in the rear going from the B side to D side or are they right off the main entrance. Look a the window on the B side, stairs probably aren’t running along them. The window to the right of the doorway is for what? Is that a family room there? Pic 2 gives us a little better idea of a layout. The bedrooms should be to the left of the Entry door and a living area to the right. Kitchen in the rear but the steps are where. More than likely they are off the Kitchen and in an L shape. The biggest concern again is the wooden stairs that have a good chance of auto exposure which would hamper the engine and truck initially.
them are sum rickettie ol stairs.
What is that black stuff on top of the engine? Could it be the mysterious hard suction that you speak of?
Quit being a P@#&Y and stretch that line over the railing.