Condo Lay #4 Position

Condo lay is a rig to door operation and is used when the apparatus can’t get close enough to the point of entry to pull crosslays or when you need multiple lines pulled from one 2 ½” line. A condo lay is essentially like constructing a horizontal standpipe. Here the #4 firefighter demonstrates their role during condo lay. When the air brake sets, perform the exit procedures before exiting the rig. The equipment needed is an SCBA with a full bottle, hose pack A, irons and a box light. As they approach a locked door, they’ll perform a door size-up. Refer to the forcible entry section of the Truck SOG for more on how to size-up a door. First they’ll try before they pry, then shock this outward swinging door to find the locking mechanisms, then attempt to gap the door with their axe. They’ll then set the gap with the adz of the Halligan bar. Finally, they’ll force the door by working the tool to open the door. Remarry the irons, collect the rest of your equipment and continue towards the point of entry. Perform a size-up of the structure next. Is it deeper than wide, wider than deep or a square? How many floors is it? What type of structure is? Where’s the fire coming from? Are there any victims visible? are a few questions to think about on approach? Once at the POE, if the door is open, conduct a quick 4 L’s check. Check for Life, Location of the fire, layout of the structure and Lift or how low the smoke is. Following the 4 L’s, control the flow path. If the door is shut on approach, set down your equipment next to the POE and begin to open the hosepack. The hosepack shall be opened approximately 6-10’ from the POE. This allows plenty of room to deploy the hose, but also keeps the firefighters out of the area in front of the door. If the fire is getting ready to flash or is a backdraft scenario, staying away from the door until ready to make entry is important. Finally, this allows trapped occupants to exit without being impeded. Remove the straps and open the pack up for your partner. Help clear any kinks in the 2 ½” your partner laid out prior to opening the gated wye. When #3 is ready for water, #4 will open the gated wye slowly until water reaches the pack and then open the gate fully. This allows safe filling of the hose initially and then the added pressure from opening the gate fully will help remove any kinks in the pack. Once there is water to the pack, #4 will tie off the gated wye so that it doesn't accidentally get shut while the FFs are inside. There are many ways to safely tie off the gated wye. The method used must allow for the safe operation of interior firefighting activities by not allowing the gate to shut inadvertently. After tying off, prepare to make entry with your partner by conducting entry procedures. When both FFs have done their safety check of each other, making sure there’s no skin exposed and no missing PPE, they’re ready to make entry. Refer to the Engine SOG for entry procedures.