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Hazards to First Responders and Occupants |
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| Commercial building fires that begin in an office and escape into plenum spaces are very difficult to contain and put fire fighters and other first responders at great additional risk.
The following are hazards encountered by first responders when fires are fueled by combustible plenum cabling:
- Excessive smoke limits visibility
- Fire spread is difficult to detect
- Cabling networks are connected throughout buildings, providing pathways for large unseen fires to spread
- The structural integrity of building can be compromised as fires reach extreme temperatures
- Plenum fires are often inaccessible and difficult to suppress in concealed spaces
- Explosive “back drafts” can occur as fire fighters breach concealed spaces
- Undetected re-ignition of hidden combustible cabling can occur at high temperature
Hazards to building occupants:
- Excessive smoke may create panic and confusion
- Excessive smoke may hinder occupants' ability to breathe
- Rapid fire spread may trap occupants
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