U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Twelve-Fatality

Nursing Home Fire

Norfolk, Virginia

USFA-TR-034/October 1989

U.S. Fire Administration Fire Investigations Program

T

he U.S. Fire Administration develops reports on selected major fires throughout the country. 

The fires usually involve multiple deaths or a large loss of property. But the primary criterion 

for deciding to do a report is whether it will result in significant “lessons learned.” In some 

cases these lessons bring to light new knowledge about fire--the effect of building construction or 

contents, human behavior in fire, etc. In other cases, the lessons are not new but are serious enough 

to highlight once again, with yet another fire tragedy report. In some cases, special reports are developed to discuss events, drills, or new technologies which are of interest to the fire service.

The reports are sent to fire magazines and are distributed at National and Regional fire meetings. The 

International Association of Fire Chiefs assists the USFA in disseminating the findings throughout the 

fire service. On a continuing basis the reports are available on request from the USFA; announcements of their availability are published widely in fire journals and newsletters.

This body of work provides detailed information on the nature of the fire problem for policymakers 

who must decide on allocations of resources between fire and other pressing problems, and within 

the fire service to improve codes and code enforcement, training, public fire education, building 

technology, and other related areas.

The Fire Administration, which has no regulatory authority, sends an experienced fire investigator 

into a community after a major incident only after having conferred with the local fire authorities 

to insure that the assistance and presence of the USFA would be supportive and would in no way 

interfere with any review of the incident they are themselves conducting. The intent is not to arrive 

during the event or even immediately after, but rather after the dust settles, so that a complete and 

objective review of all the important aspects of the incident can be made. Local authorities review 

the USFA’s report while it is in draft. The USFA investigator or team is available to local authorities 

should they wish to request technical assistance for their own investigation.

This report and its recommendations were developed by USFA staff and by TriData Corporation, 

Arlington, Virginia, its staff and consultants, who are under contract to assist the USFA in carrying 

out the Fire Reports Program.

The USFA appreciates the cooperation received from the Norfolk Fire Department and the Hillhaven 

Rehabilitation and Convalescent Center. Particular thanks go to Chief Thomas Gardner and Investigator 

Forest Parham of Norfolk Fire Department and to Assistant Administrator Willie Alston of Hillhaven.

For additional copies of this report write to the U.S. Fire Administration, 16825 South Seton Avenue, 

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727. The report is available on the Administration’s Web site at http://

www.usfa.dhs.gov/

Twelve-Fatality Nursing Home Fire

Norfolk, Virginia

Investigated by: Randolph E. Kirby

 Hollis Stambaugh

This is Report 034 of the Major Fires Investigation Project conducted

by TriData Corporation under contract EMW-88-C-2649 to the United

States Fire Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Department of Homeland Security

United States Fire Administration

National Fire Data Center

U.S. Fire Administration

Mission Statement

As an entity of the Department of Homeland 

Security, the mission of the USFA is to reduce life and economic losses due to fire 

and related emergencies, through leadership, advocacy, coordination, and support. 

We serve the Nation independently, in coordination with other Federal agencies, 

and in partnership with fire protection and 

emergency service communities. With a 

commitment to excellence, we provide public education, training, technology, and data 

initiatives.

Table of Contents

OVERVIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

BUILDING STRUCTURE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

CODES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

FIRE PROTECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

ORIGIN AND SPREAD OF FIRE AND SMOKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

THE FIRE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

FATALITIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

INJURIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

LESSONS LEARNED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

APPENDICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

APPENDIX A: List of Slides, Selected Photographs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

APPENDIX B: Floor Plan of Second Floor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

APPENDIX C: Fire Scene Diagram Showing Fire Units’ Positions at Fire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

APPENDIX D: Unit Response Times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

APPENDIX E: “Egg Crate” Pad Label. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

APPENDIX F: Units Used at the Fire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

APPENDIX G: Fire Incident Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

APPENDIX H: Fire Department Pre-fire Plan Floor Diagram for Hillhaven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

APPENDIX I: Sample of Hillhaven’s Safety Committee Meeting Minutes, and 

Staff Attendance Record. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

1

Twelve-Fatality Nursing Home Fire

Norfolk, Virginia

Local Contacts: Thomas E. Gardner, Fire Chief

Forest L. Parham, Investigator

Norfolk Fire Department

540 East City Hall Avenue

Norfolk, Virginia 23510

(804) 441-2481

Willie E. Alston, Jr.

Assistant Administrator

Hillhaven Rehabilitation and Convalescent Center

1005 Hampton Boulevard

Norfolk, Virginia 23507

(804) 623-5602

OVERVIEW

On October 5, 1989, at 2218 hours, a fire in Norfolk, Virginia, was reported from the Hillhaven 

Rehabilitation and Convalescent Home, 1005 Hampton Boulevard. This was a 4-story masonry 

building, housing 161 elderly patients, most of whom were bedridden.

First arriving firefighting units discovered fire coming out of the window of a second floor patient 

room located on the front of the building. The fire was lapping up to the third floor window. 

The second floor was completely filled with heavy smoke, and some flame at the ceiling level was 

observed. No alarms were heard and there was no apparent commotion.

Second and third alarms were sounded immediately to assist in rescue efforts. Some patients were 

removed from their rooms by the use of ground ladders set up on the outside. Bedridden patients, 

trapped in their rooms, had to be carried by firefighters through heavy smoke and heat conditions. 

Rescue efforts on the second floor required approximately 35 minutes.
2

SUMMARY OF KEY ISSUES

Issues Comments

Cause Believed accidental discarding of lighted match on bed, igniting bed linen and foam rubber 

pad in second floor patient room.

Detection & Reporting Fire detected by floor nurse who assisted two occupants from room of origin, leaving door 

open to hallway, allowing flame and smoke to penetrate hall. Other patients on same floor 

were made aware of fire by the staff yelling and smoke penetrating their rooms.

Firefighting Heavy black smoke throughout second floor made search and rescue difficult. Three 

alarms were needed to provide sufficient staffing.

Building Structure Sound construction and quick extinguishment prevented structural failure and fire extension 

to other areas.

Fire Protection Equipment No smoke detectors in patient rooms. Interior fire alarm system (including detectors) failed 

to operate, resulting in delayed detection and fire department notification.

Building equipped with 6-inch standpipe system connected to city water only. No automatic 

fire pumps. No sprinkler system.

Smoke Barrier Doors Smoke barrier doors, installed in hallway and equipped with automatic smoke-activated 

door closures, failed to operate due to blown fuse in fire alarm panel. This allowed rapid 

spread of heat and smoke throughout second floor.

Code Compliance Building not subject to current code requirements for fire sprinklers and smoke systems, 

since it was constructed prior to requirement.

Patient Life Support & Restraint Many patients restrained to beds with cotton cravats and/or connected to life support 

systems, making removal by firefighters extremely difficult.

Evacuation Because of heavy, thick, black smoke and considerable heat, coupled with the fact most 

occupants were bedridden, rescue and evacuation were difficult and time consuming.

Local Hospital Disaster Plan Plan was effectively put into operation, thereby providing adequate medical support and 

transport for the large number of injured.

Approximately 55 patients were removed from the second floor, and eventually, the entire building 

was evacuated. Heavy smoke conditions claimed the lives of 12 residents and injured 98. In addition, four firefighters were injured.

One hundred thirty-eight fire and rescue services personnel were required to bring the scene under 

control, officially declared at 0100 hours.

BUILDING STRUCTURE

The building is located in a predominantly residential community in the downtown section of 

Norfolk, Virginia. It is constructed with brick and cinderblock walls; floors are concrete slabs, supported by steel bar joists. It is a 4-story L-shaped design, 250 feet by 60 feet (see Appendix A for 

photographs and Appendix B for floor plan).

The building is equipped with service and passenger elevators. The first floor contains the administrative offices, cafeteria, physical therapy treatment rooms, and the building heating and electrical 

services. The second, third, and fourth floors are devoted to patient rooms, housing 172 beds.
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 3

There are three stairwells located on the north, east, and west sides of the building. Each stairwell 

begins at ground level and terminates at the fourth floor.

Interior décor is largely vinyl-covered and painted wall surfaces, vinyl floor tiles, and a 1-hour rated 

suspension ceiling.

CODES

The building was constructed in 1969 under the Southern Standard Building Code, which at that 

time did not require sprinkler systems or smoke detection systems. The building is considered to be 

in compliance with existing building codes and is not subject to fire-protection upgrading though a 

fire alarm/smoke detection system was in place. The last inspection by the Norfolk Fire Department 

was November 1988 at which time reportedly only a few, minor violations were found. The building has enjoyed a very good fire record.

Should this structure be constructed today, complete fire detection and fire sprinkler systems would 

be required, including smoke detectors in each patient room.

FIRE PROTECTION

The building is equipped with a 6-inch standpipe system located in each exit stairwell. A 2-1/2-

inch hose valve is located on each floor level; a 1-1/2-inch valve is located on hallways outside each 

stairwell.

The building is equipped with an automatic fire alarm system, which is monitored by a private 

agency. The building has three sets of smoke barrier doors, one set each on floors two, three, and 

four. These doors are equipped with magnetic hold open devices activated by smoke detectors 

located in the corridors and interconnected to the fire alarm system.

Exit doors from each floor are equipped with an alarm for the purpose of alerting the nursing staff 

about wandering patients.

The building does not contain a sprinkler system or individual room smoke detectors. The city water 

main system in this area is considered to be satisfactory.

ORIGIN AND SPREAD OF FIRE AND SMOKE

The fire originated in Room 226, believed to be as a result of patient accidentally discarding a lighted 

match onto his bed (after missing the waste can) and igniting the bed linen and the polyurethane 

mattress pad, which is a highly combustible and smoke-generating material when subjected to open 

flame. The fire intensified very rapidly, generating tremendous heat and smoke buildup. It was 

known that the patient was a smoker. The night before the fire he had been caught with cigarettes 

in his room, which was against the facility’s rules.

The room was not equipped with smoke detectors or an automatic fire suppression system, and it 

appears that the fire burned unabated for a few minutes before it was discovered. A nurse’s assistant 

had checked the patients in Room 226, the room of origin, and then proceeded down the hall to 

look in on other patients. Originally she stated she was only two rooms away when she smelled 

smoke and began checking for the source of fire. Later, however, she recalled she was several rooms 

away from Room 226 and that she checked back into each of these rooms for the fire before finally 

discovering the blaze in 226.
4

Once the floor nurse detected the fire she assisted the two occupants from the room. The door 

remained open, allowing the fire and smoke to penetrate the second floor hall.

Smoke barrier doors, located in the hall and within 20 feet of the room of origin, failed to close, 

allowing smoke to completely penetrate the second floor. The interior fire alarm system was pulled. 

Due to a blown fuse in the main fire alarm control panel, that system also failed to operate and no 

alarm was sounded.

The nurse yelled to other second floor staff that there was a fire. The nurses began to open and close 

stairwell doors as they attempted to evacuate patients. This allowed smoke to penetrate the upper 

floors.

It is believed that the fire burned approximately 12-15 minutes before the fire department arrived.

THE FIRE

On October 5, at 2218, a fire call was received by the Norfolk Fire Alarm Dispatch Center from a 

staff member who worked at the Hillhaven Home. First responding units arrived at the scene in four 

minutes at 2222. Engine 6’s four firefighters went to the front entrance and observed heavy flames 

from a second story patient room. Engine 6 proceeded with an interior attack from the east side 

stairwell, advising Engine 7 to make an exterior attack to the room of fire origin.

An immediate call for additional alarms was requested. Engine 7, with four men, arriving moments 

behind Engine 6, began laying a 5-inch supply line to Engine 6 from a fire hydrant located on 

Hampton Boulevard at the north end of the building. The fire hydrant was broken and not usable. 

Engine 1 arrived moments after Engine 7 and proceeded with a 5-inch line to Engine 6. Engine 7 

positioned itself at the intersection of Hampton Boulevard and Westover Avenue.

Personnel from Engine 6 carried a highrise pack to the second floor by way of the east stairwell. 

Hose was connected to the standpipe system and firefighters, who began to make their way to the 

second floor through the exit stairwell, found the floor completely charged with heavy, black smoke. 

They observed fire at ceiling level in the area of the smoke barrier doors located midway down the 

hall. After opening their handline, water was lost for a few moments, probably due to an air pocket 

within the standpipe system.

By this time, the crew from Engine 7 had entered the building through a window on the second 

floor and had knocked down the majority of fire. It then became apparent to the members of Engine 

6 that the floor had not been evacuated, and that many patients were still in their rooms. Though fire 

was no longer a threat, dense toxic smoke pervaded the second floor corridor in the location of the 

room of origin, highly threatening to the frail, elderly residents.

At this time, a nurse was attempting to roll a patient in a bed to the exit stairwell. Firefighters quickly 

removed the patient from the bed and helped the nurse and patient to the outside. Firefighters began 

carrying patients, most of whom were bedridden, from smoke-filled rooms. This proved to be a 

tremendously difficult and time-consuming task, given the smoke conditions and the number of 

people who needed to be evacuated.

As additional fire department personnel arrived, a command post was established in front of the 

building on Westover Avenue. Three ground ladders were placed against the front wall of the building, where several patients were removed through second floor windows.
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 5

A relay system was utilized to remove people from the second floor. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus took patients from their rooms to the stairwell, where they were transferred to other 

personnel who carried them to the outside.

By this time, the medical director for the Paramedic Rescue Squad and a Norfolk General Hospital 

physician arrived and established a triage site on the lawn near the east end of the building.

Rescue was continuing. Firefighters were experiencing difficulty releasing restrained patients from 

beds, as the restraining devices had to be cut or untied, requiring additional time. Difficulty was 

also experienced when removing life support systems and body fluid tubes, which were connected 

to bed and patient. Because it took so long to remove the bed straps and to disconnect patients 

from medical equipment, and because rescuers had to move cautiously down the stairwell carrying 

elderly, infirm patients, a traffic jam developed in the hall outside the stairwell. This further complicated rescue operations.

As the fire suppression and evacuation effort on the second floor was proceeding, fire personnel 

were stationed on the third and fourth floors, where moderate smoke had permeated. They, along 

with nursing staff, began reassuring patients and closing doors to rooms. The fire department then 

hooked up their new high-volume smoke removal unit (Air-1) to the front entrance, and used the 

unit to blast smoke out of the building.

By approximately 2240, the fire on the second floor was extinguished and most patients there had 

been removed. The medical director ordered evacuation of the third and fourth floors as a precaution since some patients were showing signs of distress.

Thirty-four ambulances, from Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and local Navy bases were used to 

transport the injured to area hospitals. Two Navy ambulance buses and local transit minivans also 

were made available to transport wheelchair patients. The hospital emergency procedure that was 

put into operation apparently worked quite effectively, as medical treatment for so many was given 

without delay. Nevertheless, some patients were pronounced dead at the triage site; others at hospitals later.

The building was occupied by 161 patients and 28 staff members on the evening of the fire. This 

emergency required the services of approximately 138 fire and rescue service personnel. The scene 

was officially declared under control at 0100 hours.

FATALITIES

Twelve elderly patients, most of whom were bedridden, died as a result of smoke inhalation or other 

complications directly related to exposure from heat and smoke. The nine women, ranging in age 

from 71 to 97 years, and three men (including the patient who started the fire) ranging in age from 

65 to 92 years, died either at the scene or in the hospital sometime later. All the victims resided on 

the second floor in the immediate vicinity of the fire origin. Of the original seven fatalities at the 

scene, all were reported to have carboxyhemoglobin rates of 54-59 percent, according to doctors at 

the hospital.

INJURIES

Building Occupants -- Ninety-eight patients were injured and required hospital treatment. Three 

died later within days of the incident. Most injuries were due to smoke inhalation problems. Four 
6

were considered critical. The majority of those injured resided on the second floor. Others lived on 

the third and fourth floors, where there was some penetration of smoke.

Firefighter Injuries -- There were four firefighters injured, all as a result of rescue efforts. Three were 

treated for smoke inhalation, and one was treated for a strained back. All were treated at the hospital 

and have since returned to duty.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

Dollar loss is estimated at $100,000. Fire completely gutted the room of origin and caused moderate fire damage to ceiling and walls on portions of the second floor. There was heavy smoke damage 

throughout the second floor, with moderate smoke damage to the third and fourth floors. There was 

no apparent structural damage.

Additional damage was prevented by rapid extinguishment by the fire department, coupled with the 

practice of closing patient room doors by the nursing staff and sound construction of the building.

LESSONS LEARNED

1. Institutional buildings, regardless of when they were built, need full built-in protection.

Regardless of when they were constructed, multiple occupancy institutional buildings should be 

subjected to current fire codes regarding installation of fire protection equipment. This fire is 

further testimony to the urgent need for such action. The installation of a fire sprinkler system, 

coupled with a well-designed smoke detection system, would have reduced, if not eliminated, 

this tragic loss of life.

When dealing with large numbers of frail and bedridden people in an institutional setting, 

evacuation often is not a viable alternative. As such, there is an essential need for facilities such 

as Hillhaven to have complete automatic fire suppression and detection capabilities.

2. Frequent testing of fire protection and alarm systems is critical.

The fact that the smoke barrier doors and alarm system failed to operate illustrates the importance of frequent and thorough inspections and testing of fire protection systems.

Nursing home operators should be made aware of the importance of making sure the safety 

systems are operating, and of their self-interest in preventing damage and liability suits.

3. Flammable furnishings contribute to rapid fire growth and flashover.

While the polyurethane mattress pads apparently were treated for fire retardancy, they were a 

major factor in heat and smoke buildup. Equipment and decorations, such as drapes, wall coverings, bed linen, etc., should be of the type that affords the lowest flame spread possible.

4. Commonly used patient restraints seriously hamper evacuation efforts during 

emergencies.

Restraining patients to beds should be accomplished by using a type of restraint that can be 

released with relative ease and speed in the event of emergencies. The use of cotton cravats in 

this fire hampered firefighters in their rescue efforts, as straps had to be cut or untied before 

patients could be evacuated.
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 7

Consideration also must be given to the method used in attaching life support systems to patients 

and beds.

5. It is important to remember to rotate personnel at the scene.

Personnel from the first arriving engine company were also among the last to leave and were 

quite exhausted. This is a reminder of the need to rotate personnel as feasible, so as to avoid 

overexertion and potential injury.

6. Employee training and practice drills pay off when an emergency does happen.

The Hillhaven fire once again demonstrates the importance of developing and implementing a 

well-designed emergency procedures program. The program at this facility was excellent. It was 

well-designed, clearly documented, and was practiced on a monthly basis. This training was evident the night of the fire when staff immediately began closing doors to impede the spread of fire 

and smoke and attended to patients removed to the lawn. Their efforts went a long way toward 

effecting a prompt and efficient response to the fire and in limiting confusion at the scene.
8

APPENDICES

A. List of Slides, Selected Photographs

B. Floor Plan of Second Floor (Layout of third and fourth floors is similar.)

C. Fire Scene Diagram Showing Fire Units’ Positions at Fire

D. Unit Response Times

E. “Egg Crate” Pad Label

F. Units Used at the Fire

G. Fire Incident Report

H. Fire Department Pre-fire Plan Floor Diagram for Hillhaven

I. Sample of Hillhaven’s Safety Committee Meeting Minutes, Monthly Training Schedule, and 

Staff Attendance Record
9

APPENDIX A

List of Slides, Selected Photographs

Slides and photographs are included with the master report at the USFA. Below the slides with an 

asterisk have been made into photos and are presented following this list.

*1. Main entrance to Hillhaven Home.

2. South portion of building, facing Westover Avenue.

*3. South end of building, indicating second floor window where fire originated.

4. East end of building facing Hampton Avenue.

*5. Northeast end of building looking southwest (note defective fire hydrant).

6. West end of building and parking lot.

7. Typical standpipe riser for building.

*8. Typical 1-1/2-inch hose outlet, located at each stairwell entrance on each floor.

*9. Main control panel for fire alarm and smoke detector systems.

10. Emergency generator set.

11. Siamese connection to standpipe system on east side of building (note obstructions).

*12. Typical door alarm on each stairwell door.

13. Typical bed used throughout home.

*14. “Egg crate” polyurethane mattress used throughout home.

15. Hallway looking north from front of building on third floor.

16. Hallway looking north from front of building on third floor.

*17. Smoke detector and smoke barrier located on second, third, and fourth floors.

*18. Fire damage to smoke barrier doors and to ceiling from room of origin on right.

*19. Fire and heat damage to ceiling and walls on opposite side of smoke barrier doors.

20. Magnetic hold open device for second floor smoke barrier doors.

21. Fire damage to hallway from room of origin.

22. Point of origin in Room 226.

23. Fire damage to front wall of Room 226.

24. Fire damage to wall in Room 226.

25. Fire damage to ceiling system in Room 226 (note relatively good condition of steel bar joists).

26. Fire damage in Room 226 facing hallway.
10 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

1. Main entrance to Hillhaven Home.
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 113. South end of building, indicating second floor window where fire originated.
12 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

5. Northeast end of building looking southwest (note defective fire hydrant).
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 138. Typical 1-1/2-inch hose outlet, located at each stairwell entrance on each floor.
14 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

9. Main control panel for fire alarm and smoke detector systems.
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 15

12. Typical door alarm on each stairwell door.
16 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

14. “Egg crate” polyurethane mattress used throughout home.
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 17

17. Smoke detector and smoke barrier located on second, third, and fourth floors.
18 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

18. Fire damage to smoke barrier doors and to ceiling from room of origin on right.
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 1919. Fire and heat damage to ceiling and walls on opposite side of smoke barrier doors.
20

APPENDIX B

Floor Plan of Second Floor
21

APPENDIX C

Fire Scene Diagram Showing Fire Units’ Positions at Fire
22

APPENDIX D

Unit Response Times
23

APPENDIX E

“Egg Crate” Pad Label
24

APPENDIX F

Units Used at the Fire

11 Engines

 3 Ladder Trucks

2 Squad Rescue Units

39 Ambulances

2 Navy Ambulance Buses

1 Safety Officer

6 Minivans with Chair Lifts

1 High Volume Ventilation Unit

138 Personnel (approximate)
25

APPENDIX G

Fire Incident Report
26

APPENDIX H

Fire Department Pre-fire Plan Floor Diagram 

for Hillhaven
27

APPENDIX I

Sample of Hillhaven’s Safety Committee Meeting 

Minutes and Staff Attendance Record
28 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

APPENDIX I (cont’d)
USFA-TR-034/October 1989 29

APPENDIX I (cont’d)