Fire in CHS 52-164
Environmental Health & Safety
Fire Marshals Office
1
On October 24th a fire occurred
in CHS 52-164

First indication was an automatic alarm
from the building for the above location

Concurrent multiple calls to UCPD
Dispatch from occupants reporting a fire
2
UCLA Fire-1 arrived on scene

Upon arrival, from the exterior, reported
no sign of fire or smoke showing,
investigating

Upon entering the building, met by
occupants of room 52-164 stating a fire
was in their room and still burning
3
UCLA Fire-1 made access to
the 5th floor

Discovered dark active smoke in the
hallway

Discovered multiple area occupants within
the hallway

Requested assistance from Alarm
Technicians and CHS security to further
notify and evacuate occupants from this
floor
4
5
UCLA Fire-1 made access to
room 52-164

Discovered active fire inside
– Black heavy smoke
– Roll over in progress
– Bright flashes and sounds of electrical arcing
Fire-1 closed the door and backed into the
corridor to report conditions
 Proceeded to identify resources for access
and water supply

6
Incident Command established

Liaison with LAFD resources, combine
UCLA and LAFD units

Identified best route of entry and interior
water supply stairwell locations

Coordinated information, resources,
equipment and fire suppression for the fire
floor
7
Issues requiring delay

Hazard placarding on door
– Indicating radioactive materials inside
– Indicating NFPA 704 chemicals inside
– Indicating Bio-Hazards inside
Obtaining accurate information of what
was inside this lab
 LAFD response protocols for incidents
involving chemicals, radioactive materials,
unknown laboratory substances

8
9
Standard LAFD response for
this type of incident

41 Engine Companies

13 Truck Companies

2 Rescue Ambulances

2 HazMat Squads
10
11
Standard LAFD response for
this type of incident

1 US & R Squad

5 Command Staff

2 LAFD Arson Investigators

149 Firefighting personnel
12
13
What we discovered
14
Time of the fire?
15
Ventilation working
16
Banking of heat/products of
combustion in the room
17
Why do we insist that ceiling
tiles be in place?
18
Extension of heat/flame
19
How much can you afford to
lose in your lab?
20
Determining point of origin
21
Recognize the material?
22
Discovered beneath
23
Reconstruct the scene
24
What do you notice here?
25
Do you see it here?
26
What can we learn?






Help your self with proper housekeeping/fire
prevention practices
Do not wedge/block open doors
Learn to use fire extinguishers
Close doors between you and the fire
Call 9-1-1, even if you hear the alarms in the
area
Do not re-enter the venue until “Officially”
directed to do so. Even if the alarm stops ringing
27
Questions?
28