U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Success Story at

Retirement Home Fire

Sterling, Virginia

USFA-TR-040/December 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 and assistance received from Fire Chief Scott W. Milligan of the 

Sterling Virginia, Fire Department and Assistant Director and Chief Fire Marshal R.J. (Ray) Nieves and 

Lieutenant Jeff Flippo of the Loudoun County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

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/

Success Story at Retirement Home Fire

Sterling, Virginia

Investigated by: Hollis Stambaugh

This is Report 040 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.

Revised: March 2011

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 AND LAYOUT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

CODES AND FIRE PROTECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

THE FIRE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

THE INVESTIGATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

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

LESSONS LEARNED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Supplemental Report: A Second Sprinkler Success, Crozet, Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Appendices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Appendix A: Diagrams of Area of Fire Origin, Fire Spread, and Floor Plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Appendix B: Sterling Fire Department Fire Incident Report, Log of Events/Actions, 

and List of Vehicles Used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Appendix C: Amurcon Sommerset Retirement Community “Fire Emergency Policy and 

Procedures,” April 1989. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Appendix D: Photographs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

1

Success Story at Retirement Home Fire

Sterling, Virginia

December 16, 1989

Local Contacts: R.J. (Ray) Nieves

Assistant Director and Chief Fire Marshal

Jeff Flippo

Lt. In Charge of Special Operations

Loudoun County Department of Fire & Rescue Services

16600 Courage Court

Leesburg, Virginia 22075

(703) 777-0333

Scott W. Milligan

Fire Chief

Sterling Volunteer Department

104 Commerce Street

Sterling, Virginia 22170

(703) 430-7010

OVERVIEW

On December 16, 1989, at 1629 a security guard at the Sommerset Retirement Home, 22355 

Providence Village Drive in Sterling, Virginia, called 9-1-1 to report that alarm bells were sounding 

and that smoke was in the building. The facility was a new (one-year-old) three-story retirement 

home housing elderly people in apartment units.

Firefighters on the first arriving truck, which was at the scene two minutes after receiving the alarm, 

found smoke coming from the roof and a first-floor lobby filled with relatively calm elderly residents 

waiting to be evacuated from the building.

An Incident Command System (ICS) was established immediately to address three tasks simultaneously: establish an emergency shelter and quickly and safely move the residents to that staging area; 

conduct a thorough search of every apartment; and locate the seat of the fire and extinguish it.
2

Summary of Key Issues

Issues Comments

Cause Two gas-burning tubes in the furnace assembly were rotated 180 degrees, thus projecting heat 

downward which over time cracked the cement pad and started a fire in the sub-flooring.

Detection & Reporting The fire activated automatic sprinklers in the concealed space. In turn, the fire alarm system and 

audio visual signal devices alerted occupants to the fire and sent an automatic alarm to a supervised 

alarm. Simultaneously, a security guard called the fire department.

Fire Protection Systems All the fire protection systems worked well, except for the smoke removal system which was damaged by the fire before the fire alarm system activated. Building also is equipped with a fire pump on 

the ground floor.

Code Compliance The building not only met but exceeded all fire protection code requirements. Owners installed 

additional sprinklers in residential wings and provided extra rated protection in the boiler room and 

atrium. The system contained the fire.

Evacuation Frequent fire drills that had trained residents on procedures and an ambulatory resident population 

contributed to an almost problem-free evacuation. There was no panic, no injuries, and no fatalities.

Incident Command Excellent use of the ICS made possible simultaneous and efficient evacuation, location of fire, and 

extinguishment.

Ultimately, the 73 residents who were evacuated found refuge with family members living in the 

area, at another local senior citizen apartment complex, or at the nearby Holiday Inn after having 

been temporarily sheltered at an elementary school building a block away. No residents died or 

suffered injuries. Completion of the primary and secondary room searches took 45 minutes while 

firefighters and officers worked for almost 40 minutes to locate the seat of this hidden, contained fire 

in the concealed space between the second and third floors of the mechanical and boiler room.

The fire developed in the sub-flooring of the third floor mechanical room in the concealed space 

which was sprinklered. The fire alarm systems and audio visual signal devices were activated when 

the sprinkler system was activated; these in turn sent an automatic 9-1-1 call to Loudoun Fire 

Communications. The sprinkler system contained the horizontal spread of the fire to the room of 

origin, though, due to an unparapeted fire wall, flames eventually spread horizontally and vertically 

in concealed spaces and then through the roof of the atrium to the attic.

All fire protection systems, except for the smoke removal system worked as designed. The smoke 

removal system wiring was damaged by the fire before the fire alarm system activated.

Thirty-four fire, rescue, and service vehicles responded to the fire, bringing a total of 150 firefighter and rescue personnel from seven volunteer companies, neighboring counties, and Dulles 

International Airport.

The fire was declared under control at 1937, approximately three hours after the unit first arrived 

on the scene.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 3

BUILDING STRUCTURE AND LAYOUT

The Sommerset Retirement Home was constructed in 1988 to house elderly, ambulatory, and selfsufficient citizens. It is a three-story slab on grade construction with four wings radiating from a 

central atrium. (See floor diagrams in Appendix A.)

The residential wings are classified by Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) as an R-2 

use group with Type 5A construction classification. Type 5A construction consists of combustible 

construction with exterior walls, bearing walls, floors, and roofs with a one-hour fire rating. Fire 

walls are required to have a two-hour fire rating. The residential wings are separated from the atrium 

by two-hour fire walls, with self-closing fire doors.

The three-story atrium, or central core area, is classified by BOCA as an A-3 use group with Type 

3B construction. The atrium has two elevators enclosed wholly by non-combustible, two-hour fire 

walls. Off the atrium is the lobby and to the rear of the atrium, the dining room and kitchen (see 

Appendix A).

The wings on each floor are divided lengthwise by a hall, on either side of which are resident apartments. The north, south, and west wings have ten apartments on each level while the shorter east 

wing contains six. Room for a few apartments is “lost” to the dining room and model apartment on 

the first floor so the total number of units is 104. The boilers and other mechanical equipment are 

located on the second and third floors off the atrium.

CODES AND FIRE PROTECTION

This building not only complied with all current codes, including all requirements for fire protection and sprinklers at the time of construction, but went beyond the codes. It was required to be 

fully sprinklered in the atrium/central core area. The residential wings were not required to be 

sprinklered; however, the owners, Amurcon Corporation of Virginia opted to install a sprinkler system in the occupied areas of the residential wings at an added cost of 200,000 dollars. Amurcon also 

elected to provide one-hour rated protection in the boiler room and corridor of the atrium, though 

not required by code. The bathrooms, closets, and attic were not sprinklered in the residential wings, 

but the corridors were sprinklered throughout.

The sprinkler system pressure is augmented by the use of a fire pump located on the ground floor. 

The building also is equipped with a fire alarm system to monitor and supervise the sprinkler, fire 

pump, smoke control systems, and smoke detectors (both multistation and duct detectors). The 

fire alarm system monitors the manual pull stations and fire alarm signal devices (audio-visual) for 

alarms or operational problems.

The building is equipped with a smoke removal system as required by BOCA, for the atrium area. 

Additional exhaust vents were installed in the residential wings to exhaust smoke from the corridors. 

The exhaust was supported by forced make-up air supplied by air handlers in the third floor boiler 

room and the second floor air handler room.

THE FIRE

Residents and several staff members at the Sommerset Retirement Home were looking forward to 

the hour of 1830 on December 16, 1989. At that time, a member of the staff was scheduled to be 

married in the common area of the home where residents often gathered to socialize. Right before 
4

1630 that afternoon, however, a sprinkler head went off, automatically activating alarm bells and 

signaling trouble to the company supervising the system. An on-duty security guard at the home 

immediately notified the fire department which received the alarm at 1629 hours.

Some of the residents at the retirement home were away from the premises when the alarm went off, 

but 73 residents were in their apartments preparing for the wedding or otherwise getting ready for 

dinner and the evening. Quickly and without panic, they left their rooms, descended the stairwells, 

and congregated in the lobby. Many of the occupants believed it was another fire drill practice and 

voiced surprise as they exited their apartments that the home would have a fire drill so close to the 

time of the wedding. By the time they arrived in the lobby, light smoke was visible and residents 

realized that there was a fire somewhere in the building.

At 1631, the first Sterling Volunteer Fire Department truck arrived. Elderly residents already had 

reached the lobby or were en route via the stairwells. The security guard met the on-duty fire marshal at the door and told him that one of the elderly residents had shouted “Sorry about the fire, the 

food got away from me!” The guard did not know where the fire was and was not sure whether the 

resident who thought she started a fire was completely aware of her surroundings. However, that 

statement complicated the search for the fire since they could not rule out a kitchen fire in one of 

the apartment units.

Several tasks had to be accomplished immediately and simultaneously, so an ICS was established to:

1) Establish an evacuation center and evacuate the residents;

2) Search for others who might still be in their rooms; and,

3) Locate the fire and extinguish it.

The Incident Commander sectored off several areas:

Interior Sector – A deputy chief managed the interior and assigned an assistant chief and a captain 

to maintain control over different floors.

Rear Sector – A captain took over the rear area and handled ventilation and equipment.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Sector – This sector was in charge of evacuating, sheltering, and 

treating the residents.

Safety Officer – The safety officer covered all matters pertaining to firefighter health and safety.

Media Sector – This contingent worked with the print and electronic media that arrived to cover 

the story.

The EMS sector immediately went to work. They made contact with the principal of an elementary school located a block away and he opened the school for the evacuees. Under more favorable weather conditions, the residents might have simply been able to be escorted to the shelter. 

However, frigid weather prevailed the night of the fire. The wind chill was minus 25 degrees, there 

were thick patches of ice covering street surfaces, and it was dark. Vehicles had to be called out to 

transport the residents. A few ambulances arrived on the scene in minutes and the Sommerset activity bus was put into service. Meanwhile, fire personnel removed the residents’ medical records for 

safekeeping and use at the shelter. A local drug store owner opened his doors to fill prescriptions or 

provide other medication that residents had had to leave behind in their apartments.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 5

One resident was treated for smoke irritation and another person was taken to an area hospital for 

an undisclosed ailment, possibly not connected to the fire. Otherwise there were NO INJURIES AND 

NO DEATHS.

While evacuation was proceeding, firefighters and officers were conducting room-to-room searches 

and trying to locate the origin of the fire. The large, first-floor kitchen was checked for fire, but 

found to be clear. Fire officers examined the annunciator panel which showed “duct detector,” 

“sprinkler flow,” “fire pump run,” and smoke evacuation; the location of the activated sprinkler 

heads was not given.

By this time there was light to moderate smoke on all floors and a haze that built to 50-70 percent 

smoke obscuration in the third floor atrium. All fire doors leading to the residential wings closed 

upon activation of the fire alarm system so smoke was kept out of the residential areas. Four sprinkler heads were discharging and firefighters followed the trail of dripping water to try to find the 

seat of the fire.

While the sprinklers in the residential room corridors never needed to activate in this fire, the sprinklers in the area of the mechanical rooms successfully contained the flames and prevented the fire 

from spreading to occupied areas.

At 1659, the primary search of all four wings on each of the three floors was completed and the 

areas were ruled “all clear.” Fifteen minutes later firefighters finished the second search. At 1709, a 

working fire finally was found in the second floor mechanical room. No extension was found in the 

resident rooms immediately adjacent to the mechanical room, nor in the attic. Firefighters, hooking 

ceilings and pulling down ceiling tile, encountered cement, but no fire.

Four 1-3/4-inch lines were connected to the standpipe at 1715, and two minutes later all fire personnel were ordered off the roof due to deteriorating conditions. Finally, at 1724, fire was reported 

in the attic above Room 300. It took only three minutes to knock down the flames with a few shots 

of water from the 1-3/4-inch lines. Over the next hour most of the power was shut down and the 

utility companies arrived to help secure the systems. Ventilation and checking for hot spots continued for a while and by 1937 the fire was officially under control.

THE INVESTIGATION

At 0700 hours on Monday, December 18, the chief fire marshal of Loudoun County’s Department 

of Fire and Rescue Services held a debriefing meeting and kicked off the formal investigation. The 

investigator on-call had started to conduct an investigation the night of the fire, but was hampered 

at the time by unsafe conditions in the fire building. The floor of the room of origin had burned 

through in spots, and there was a 14-inch sag in the concrete under the three tons of boiler equipment. Heavy duty equipment and cranes had to be called in to shore up the building and make it 

sound enough for investigators to re-enter and decipher the puzzle of the fire. Meanwhile, the scene 

had been completely secured.

It was several days before the cause could be determined and the fire reconstructed. Investigators found 

heavy fire damage extending from under the 78-inch long concrete pad of Boiler 1. The pad was five 

inches deep and was poured over plywood. The damage traveled to the wall in the area of the electrical 

control panels which were examined and found to show no sign of failure or problems. The plywood 

under the pad showed severe burning and complete destruction from the top side – particularly in the 

area around a crack in the concrete measuring 39 inches from the end of the pad.
6

According to investigators, the fire spread from underneath the pad to the wall in the area of the 

electrical panels, then traveled upwards in the unchecked space between the wall and the fire stop 

towards the hallway through the trusses until it hit a sprinkler between the ceilings. As the sprinkler 

activated, the fire spread to the left, away from the sprinkler, then continued through the trusses until 

it reached a second sprinkler head. That sprinkler head stopped the fire’s progress in that direction 

but the flames were able to continue spreading toward the rear of the room between the second floor 

ceiling and the third floor. Two sprinklers at that location held the fire in check until firefighters 

opened a few small holes searching for the source of fire. The fire then extended into the attic area 

through the atrium, and then jumped to the roof. Soon afterwards, firefighters extinguished the 

blaze. The diagrams found in Appendix A show the point of origin and fire spread.

The main question facing the investigators was – how did plywood under five inches of concrete 

ignite and burn? After the construction company shored up the building they removed both boilers. 

Investigators opened the bottom of the boiler that had sat on the damaged concrete pad and uncovered the assembly of gas-burning tubes. They discovered that two of the tubes, located side-by-side, 

were turned 180 degrees upside down so that the fire which was projected from the opening hit the 

concrete pad downward, and not upward through the boiler assembly that carried heat throughout 

the building. Measurements taken by the investigators showed that the gas tubes were 39 inches to 

40 inches from the gas valve at the end of the boiler. The crack in the concrete pad likewise measured 39 inches from the end of the boiler. All other possible sources of ignition were checked again 

and ruled negative.

Thus, it is believed that over time, perhaps days or even weeks, the heat from the inverted tubes 

cracked the concrete and slowly established a situation where pyrolysis could take place in the 

plywood under the pad. Days of unseasonably cold weather preceding the fire had kept the boilers 

running almost continuously, such that finally enough heat accumulated to cause the smoldering fire 

to break into flames. It is surmised that before the fire, the vertical draft diverters carried the traces 

of smoke from pyrolysis up and out of the building which helped keep the problem undiscovered 

for a long time. Indeed, the interior of the one stack that was later examined was discolored from 

smoke.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

While actual structural damage caused by the fire was estimated at 100,00 dollars, the overall loss 

has been estimated to be one million dollars or more. That figure includes the physical damage, 

business loss, cost of relocating some of the residents to other facilities, and the engineering fees and 

labor charges incurred to shore up the building, lift two huge boilers out the roof, and eventually to 

replace them.

A room-by-room inspection documented some water damage in 15 rooms, and a total loss in Rooms 

300 and 301. Additional damage was prevented by the sprinkler system which controlled the fire 

and allowed firefighters time to safely evacuate residents and to locate the seat of the fire.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 7

LESSONS LEARNED

1. Built-in fire protection systems make a critical difference.

The outcome of this retirement center fire was vastly different from the outcome of several other 

nursing home/retirement center fires occurring within weeks of this incident. In the case of 

the Sommerset fire there were no injuries and no deaths in a structure equipped with automatic 

alarms, smoke detectors, and a sprinkler system. Dozens of lives were lost in the other related 

fires which occurred in non-sprinklered nursing homes or retirement homes. The Loudoun 

County Director of the Department of Fire and Rescue credits the sprinkler system at Sommerset 

with saving property and, possibly, lives. The detection and alarm systems worked to give early 

warning, and the indicator panel gave valuable information to the firefighters.

2. Fire drills familiarize occupants with correct evacuation procedures and reduce panic.

Response by the elderly residents was exceptionally orderly and calm. No one panicked and 

they used the stairwells, avoiding the elevators. In large part this appears to be due to the fact 

that fire drills were practiced frequently and the residents knew what to do automatically. The 

calm evacuation also was helped along by the hour of the fire. Had residents awakened to alarm 

bells in the middle of the night, reactions might have been somewhat different. Nevertheless, 

staff and residents alike knew the right actions to take and they responded accordingly.

3. Emergency training for staff and written emergency action plans contribute greatly to 

proper response in the event of fire.

The staff on-duty at the Sommerset Retirement Center responded properly when the fire alarm 

sounded. The security guard called 9-1-1 immediately and reported their location and the 

conditions. Staff remained to help residents and to wait for the fire department. All had been 

trained on proper emergency procedures and were familiar with the written plan, “Sommerset 

Retirement Community Fire Emergency Policy and Procedures,” dated April 1989 (see Appendix 

C). This was a textbook example of how to do things right.

4. Incident Command is a valuable fire command management system.

By immediately establishing an ICS, the Sterling, Virginia, Volunteer Fire Department took control over several critical tasks that needed to be solved simultaneously. This was accomplished 

efficiently and effectively with a control line of communication and command. “Nobody was 

freelancing,” commented Sterling Fire Chief Scott Milligan, who oversaw the operation. A 

detailed record of key incidents and the time they were reported was maintained and helped fire 

officers to reconstruct events in each of the incident sectors for the purpose of the investigation 

and critique of operations.

5. A painstakingly thorough investigation was required to determine cause.

The Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office and the Sterling Volunteer Fire Department did a 

commendable job investigating this fire, the cause of which was an enigma. Investigators left no 

stone unturned and completely documented each step of the investigation until they discovered 

the inverted burner tubes and could confirm their location at the exact point above the crack in 

the concrete pad. It is notable that investigators did not settle for an unspecified “accidental” 

or an “undetermined” as the cause, but, rather, pursued the case until they could derive a clear, 

defensible ruling of cause.
8

Supplemental Report

A Second Sprinkler Success, Crozet, Virginia

A December 6, 1989, fire originating in a fifth floor bed at the Windham Home for the Elderly in 

Crozet, Virginia, was extinguished by a single sprinkler. The six-story facility housed 143 patients. 

The fire caused no injuries to patients. In fact, the resident of the room of origin walked out to her 

balcony when the smoke became heavy. She was found standing on the balcony when firefighters 

entered the room.

The six-story facility was fully sprinklered with the fire alarm connected to a central station. The fire 

department received both the fire alarm and a confirming telephone call.

Smoke and water spread throughout the fifth floor, which required evacuation of about 20 patients 

on the floor. The facility remained in operation. Three engines, one truck company, and a high 

volume smoke removal unit were called to the incident.

Two staff members of the facility were treated for smoke inhalation after attempting fire control 

and rescue actions. Fire damage was confined to the mattress. Water from the sprinkler leaked into 

several rooms below the fire room, which required relocation of several patients. Total time on the 

scene was about two and one-half hours.
9

Appendices

A. Diagrams of Area of Fire Origin, Fire Spread, and Floor Plans.

B. Sterling Fire Department Fire Incident Report, Log of Events/Actions, 

and List of Vehicles Used.

C. Amurcon Sommerset Retirement Community “Fire Emergency Policy 

and Procedures,” April 1989.

D. Photographs
10

Appendix A

Diagrams of Area of Fire Origin, Fire Spread, 

and Floor Plans
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 11

Appendix A (Continued)
12 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix A (Continued)
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 13

Appendix A (Continued)
14 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix A (Continued)
15

Appendix B

Sterling Fire Department Fire Incident Report, Log of 

Events/Actions, and List of Vehicles Used
16 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix B (Continued)
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 17

Appendix B (Continued)

Vehicles Responding
18 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

Appendix C

Amurcon Sommerset Retirement Community 

“Fire Emergency Policy and Procedures,” 

April 1989

Table of Contents:

 Fire Emergency Policy

 Fire Emergency Procedure – Residents

 Fire Drills – Residents

 (for employees, see policy)

 Fire Emergency Procedure – Business Hours

 Fire Emergency Procedure – Evening

 Security/Housekeeping

 Fire Emergency Procedure – Night Security
19

FIRE EMERGENCY POLICY

Sommerset Retirement Community 4/89

(also see Fire Emergency Procedures for Residents & Employees)

It is the policy of Sommerset Retirement Community to have written fire emergency procedures in 

order to provide for the safety and well being of the residents and staff should such an emergency 

situation arise. So that these plans are effective, they will be put into practice according to the guidelines below.

ORIENTATION – RESIDENTS

New residents will receive a written Fire Emergency Procedures for Residents at the time of movein. Also, they will be verbally instructed and shown how the plan works and their evacuation route 

from their apartment.

Current residents will receive a written Fire Emergency Procedures for Residents and verbal instruction at resident meetings set aside for this purpose. This will serve to implement the Fire Emergency 

Policy and Fire Emergency Procedures for Residents.

ORIENTATION – EMPLOYEES

New employees will receive a copy of the Fire Emergency Policy and Fire Emergency Procedures for 

both residents and employees. They will be instructed in the policy and procedures and the role they 

are expected to take.

Current employees will receive a copy of and instruction in the Fire Emergency Policy and Procedures 

for both residents and employees at an employee meeting(s) held for this purpose.

Once a year, a meeting will be held to instruct every employee in the use of fire extinguishers. If 

a fire can be contained by the use of an extinguisher, employees will need to know how to handle 

themselves and the protection equipment provided at Sommerset.

FIRE DRILLS

Staff, and most of the time residents too, will participate in fire drills each month. One drill will 

be held each month involving one (1) of the three (3) shifts. The three (3) shifts will rotate their 

involvement so that each shift will be drilled four (4) times per year.

Management and maintenance will conduct the monthly drills by actually pulling an alarm station. 

The Fire Emergency Procedures will be put into practice just as if it was a real emergency. During 

this drill, residents are to go from their apartments to their designated primary exit or alternate exit, 

or the closest exit if not in their apartment. Depending on the weather, the actual evacuation portion 

of the procedure may be skipped at the discretion of management. On the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, 

an actual alarm may not be pulled and residents will then not be expected to participate. This will 

be decided upon by management.

At the convenience of the fire department and rescue squad, a mock evacuation will be held at least 

once a year. (See Fire Drills addressed in Fire Emergency Procedures for Residents.)
20 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

After each monthly fire drill, management may hold a fire emergency procedure meeting for all 

residents and staff. The purpose of this meeting is to review the procedure and identify and discuss 

any resident hardships, concerns or suggestions.

A record will be kept of each drill. The record will reflect the date, time, number of residents and 

staff participating, and the amount of time it took to conduct the drill.

ACCOUNTING FOR RESIDENTS

A roster of all residents will be kept in the security book at the front desk (maroon) and in the key 

cabinet in the community manager’s office. This roster will be used to account for each resident at 

the three (3) designated meeting places for residents. They are:

A and B Wing

Exit and meet on the grass at the fenced area by the steps to the private sidewalk.

C Wing

Exit and meet on the grass at the corner of the service road and Holly Avenue (across from 

the stop sign). Use caution when taking the C wing fire stairwell exit. The angle of descent 

from this exit is steep.

D Wing

Exit and meet at the sidewalk that leads to Holly Avenue through the wooded area. 

At each of the three (3) designated meeting places, residents are to stay clear of the paths 

used by the emergency vehicles. They may even be driving on the lawn.

The roster will be kept up-to-date at all times. It will include the residents’ names, apartment numbers, and a code for those who may have a specific need during an evacuation.

V – visually handicapped

H – hearing impaired

M – mobility impaired (cane, walker, or wheelchair)

Those residents needing assistance during a drill or an actual emergency can be helped by other 

residents if they themselves are capable and not in immediate danger.

(NOTE: It is not the residents’ responsibility to provide assistance during a drill or evacuation. They 

may do so at their own choosing and risk).

The fire department will provide assistance or rescue to those residents who are not accounted for 

during an evacuation.

KEY ACCESS

The four (4) management personnel (community manager, assistant community manager, maintenance 

director, and food service director) will each have a grand master key. One (1) additional grand master 

key will be passed on to and signed for by the security shifts as they relieve each other. The grand master 

key gains access to the community manager’s office where the key box is kept. The key box is to be kept 

locked at all times. Apartment locks are not on the grand master key. Each apartment has a duplicate key 

in the key box. These keys are to be signed out and in as they are taken from the box.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 21

TESTING

ANSUL SYSTEM – The Ansul Extinguishing System in the main kitchen is under contract to be serviced every six months. A record of this servicing will be kept on file in the management office.

EMERGENCY LIGHTING – Once every six (6) months the generator will put under load where it 

will provide the current expected in a power outage. The emergency lighting will be tested by 

virtue of this generator test. Maintenance will check the building for the proper functioning of 

emergency lighting.

Weekly the generator itself will be run in order to test the functioning of the generator.

FIRE ALARM TESTING – Each month in which there is a “sounded” fire drill, a different pull station 

will be used. The monthly fire drill record will show the functioning of the station pulled. Once 

each year, the fire alarm system will be checked by an independent company.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS – Monthly, evening security/housekeeping will visually check the extinguishers for proper pressure. This check will be recorded on the extinguisher tag provided for this purpose. Annually, an independent company will check each fire extinguisher.

SPRINKLER SYSTEM – The pressure of the sprinkler system will be checked and recorded monthly by 

maintenance. The system will be checked for proper operation at least once per year. Every five (5) 

years, the system will be put through a hydrostatic test.

FIRE DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL RESCUE SQUAD

The Fire Emergency Policy and the Fire Emergency Procedures for Residents and Employees will be 

reviewed and approved by the State fire marshal’s office and/or by the local fire department, whichever is available and appropriate.

The local fire department will be invited to conduct the training seminar on the use of fire extinguishers for employees, as well as, other fire safety programs for residents and staff alike. They, along 

with the rescue squad, will be asked to take part in the annual Fire Emergency Procedures review 

meetings for residents and staff and an actual mock evacuation.

The local fire department and rescue squad will be extended an open invitation for members to visit 

Sommerset in order to familiarize themselves with the facility, staff, and residents. At least once a 

year, a formal date will be set up for this purpose.

These various invitations will be initiated by management.

REVIEW AND REVISION

This Fire Emergency Policy and the Fire Emergency Procedures for Residents and Employees will be 

reviewed and revised, accordingly, at least annually. Any revisions are to be approved by the State fire 

marshal’s office and/or the local fire department, whichever is appropriate.

Additional review and revision will also take place during the post fire drill meetings and during the 

planned training seminars.

Revisions are to be communicated in writing to residents and staff.
22

RESIDENTS

FIRE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

Sommerset Retirement Community 4/89

When the fire alarm sounds:

DO NOT second guess the alarm. Assume that it is an actual emergency and exit your apartment 

in the following manner:

1. Do Not PANIC! Remain Calm!

2. LEAVE YOUR APARTMENT IN AN ORDERLY MANNER!

Shut your apartment door behind you but do not lock it. If the fire department makes a search 

of the building, it will be important for the door to be unlocked. Do make sure the door is shut. 

A closed door slows the air supply and can help to control a fire.

3. Go the fire exit stairwell nearest to your apartment. This is your PRIMARY exit route. Proceed 

to the lowest level possible. Stay at this level and wait for further instructions. (We will practice 

relocation instead of evacuation. You do not have to go out the exit door to the outside unless 

told to do so or if danger is imminent.)

4. If there is a need to evacuate the building, you will be instructed to do so either by the fire 

department or management. Do not question the evacuation order. Proceed out the exit door 

to the outside. Go to your designated meeting place listed below so you will be counted as 

present and safe. Move as far away from the building as possible and stay out of the way of the 

fire department and rescue vehicles.

A and B Wing

Exit and meet on the grass at the fenced area by the steps to the private sidewalk.

C Wing

Exit and meet on the grass at the corner of the service road and Holly Avenue (across from 

the stop sign). Use caution when taking the C wing fire stairwell exit. There is a slight 

grade to the service road at this exit.

D Wing

Exit and meet at the sidewalk that leads through the wooded area to Holly Avenue.

At each of the three (3) designated meeting places, residents are to stay clear of the paths used 

by the emergency vehicles. These vehicles may even be driving on the lawn.

WHAT IF: You should see smoke, fire, or smell gas or a strong odor?

Do not wait for the evacuation order. Instead, proceed down the stairwell farthest away 

from the fire and exit the building.

Each apartment has a PRIMARY exit path which is to the fire exit stairwell nearest 

the apartment. There is also an ALTERNATE path to follow should the PRIMARY 
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 23

exit path be blocked by fire. This ALTERNATE path is the fire exit stairwell which 

is the next closest stairwell to the apartment.

A map on the wall at each fire pull station will show the designated paths for 

that area. A copy of your paths should be included in your move-in information 

packet. Current residents will be given a copy of their paths. Please study your 

designated paths.

WHAT IF: You are not in your apartment at the time the alarm sounds?

DO NOT RETURN TO YOUR APARTMENT! Follow the exit path for the area you are in 

and proceed with the fire emergency plan through step three (3) just as you would 

as if in your apartment. It is important that you become familiar with the various 

fire exits and stairwells, evacuation paths, and the three (3) designated meeting 

places. If you should be asked to evacuate the building, go to the designated meeting place nearest to the exit you took. Do not attempt to return to the designated 

meeting place assigned to your wing. You may be hit by an emergency vehicle. 

Your presence at any of the three (3) designated meeting places will be noted.

WHAT IF: You discover a fire either in your apartment or elsewhere in the building?

Go to the nearest alarm pull station (located on either end of the halls) and pull down on the red 

handle. Do not attempt to put the fire out yourself. If you can, shut the door to the 

area of the fire. Quickly proceed to the nearest fire exit stairwell and evacuate the 

building. Proceed to the designated meeting place nearest to the exit you took.

5. The fire department and/or management will tell you when it is safe for you to return to the 

building or where you are to go for shelter if there is an actual emergency which prohibits a 

return to the building.
24

HELPFUL HINTS FOR A SAFER YOU!

DO NOT USE THE ELEVATOR DURING A FIRE DRILL OR AN ALARM!

USE THE FIRE EXIT STAIRWELLS ONLY, NEVER AN ELEVATOR!

DO NOT IGNORE THE SOUND OF A FIRE ALARM! One never knows the actual reason for the 

sound at the time it is heard. FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE WITHOUT DELAY no matter what you are 

doing (or wearing) at the time.

Should the smoke be thick in your area, the safest way to exit is by crawling on your hands and knees 

to the fire exit nearest to your location.

If you find yourself trapped in your apartment because the fire is outside your door, DO NOT PANIC! 

Stuff wet towels under your door to prevent smoke from entering your apartment. Then, stand on your 

balcony until help arrives. Leave your balcony door closed so you do not feed oxygen to the fire.

Do not try to gather up your belongings. You are the safest possession you own. Get yourself out first.

Do not attempt to go back to your apartment or enter any other part of the building until you are 

told by the fire department and/or management that it is safe to do so. Leave the daring rescue 

attempts to the fire department and rescue squad.

If residents have an impairment which is visual, hearing or mobility related, this will be so noted 

on a master resident census list which will be used by the fire department and rescue squad, and 

management. Special assistance and attention will be given to these residents.
25

RESIDENTS

FIRE DRILLS

Sommerset Retirement Community 4/89

Each month, the management and maintenance of Sommerset will conduct a fire drill. The purpose 

of the drill is to continually educate and train residents and staff on the Fire Emergency Procedure. 

Residents may not be required to participate in every monthly drill. When resident participation is 

required, the day of the fire drill will be announced at least one day in advance. This will be done so 

as not to create unnecessary stress and hardship. The time of the fire drill will not be announced.

DO NOT IGNORE THE ALARM. Even though we announce the day of the drill, a fire could still 

break out on that day. All residents must participate in the drill. It is for your protection.

During a fire drill, follow the Fire Emergency Procedure just as stated, step by step. We normally 

will not evacuate the building during a fire drill. We will follow the procedure through step three 

(3) where residents are to proceed to the lowest possible level of their fire exit stairwell. Periodically 

during the year, we will actually evacuate the building. At the convenience of the fire department and 

rescue squad, a mock evaluation will be held once each year.

Fire drills, in which there is resident participation, will be followed by a meeting of the residents in 

the dining room. At this time, we will discuss the drill and any hardships, concerns, or suggestions 

for improvements in the Fire Emergency Procedure.

USFA-TR-040/December 1989 27

If no employee is available to post at the front door, then call one (1) employee on the list.

- inform them of the alarm

- instruct them to call others not present.

Employees living at Sommerset are to respond to the alarm when heard and report to the reception desk to assist the person on-duty.

5. Go to the alarm location.

A. If no fire or danger is evident, do not give the evacuation order. Wait for the fire department and 

rescue squad to arrive.

With the fire department and rescue squad, determine the reason for the alarm and the 

necessity of giving the evacuation order.

B. If the alarm is false or no evacuation order is given and there is no danger, DO NOT SILENCE the 

alarm unless the fire department tells you to do so. Silence it according to the following 

procedures:

1. Obtain keys to fire alarm annunciator panel from key box in community manager’s office.

2. Reset panel by inserting and turning key. Do not leave keys in annunciator panel.

Tell the residents that the alarm situation is over and that they may return to their apartments. There is no danger.

C. If there is a fire, instruct the residents in the immediate area to evacuate the building. Try to 

contain the fire with an extinguisher. If this fails, close off the area if possible by closing a 

door.

Do not spend a great deal of time fighting the fire. Only try if it is small and can be put out 

or at least subdued quickly. The first priority is to:

Evacuate the building:

1. The immediate area and floor of danger zone.

2. The rest of wing in danger zone – the floors above and/or below.

3. The rest of the building by wings or floors depending on which is easiest in relation to 

location of danger zone.

When the building is evacuated, the most senior manager on site at the time is to go to the 

three (3) designated meeting places and account for the residents as provided for in the Fire 

Emergency Police (see ACCOUNTING FOR RESIDENTS). The names and apartment numbers of those residents who are not accounted for are to be given to the fire department.

If the evacuation is to be permanent, shelter will be arranged with Sully Elementary School 

and the Sterling Community Center. The minibus can be used for transportation.

Should the office area be in danger of fire, the resident files and the key box should be 

removed to safety.
28

REMEMBER

STAY CALM!

DO NOT PANIC!

DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS DURING A FIRE DRILL OR ALARM!

USE FIRE EXIT STAIRWELLS ONLY, NEVER AN ELEVATOR!

The fire department and rescue squad will be on sight within minutes. They will look at the fire 

annunciator panel, determine the location of the alarm, and join you at the alarm location.

If you are alone, there is always someone on their way as long as you dialed 9-1-1 and called one (1) 

employee from the list of contacts.

30 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

 
31

REMEMBER

STAY CALM!

DO NOT PANIC!

DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS DURING A FIRE DRILL OR ALARM!

USE FIRE EXIT STAIRWELLS ONLY, NEVER AN ELEVATOR!

The fire department and rescue squad will be on site within minutes. They will look at the fire 

annunciator panel, determine the location of the alarm, and join you at the alarm location.

If you are alone, there is always someone on their way as long as you dialed 9-1-1 and called 

the M.O.D.

USFA-TR-040/December 1989 33

 
34

REMEMBER

STAY CALM!

DO NOT PANIC!

DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS DURING A FIRE DRILL OR ALARM!

USE FIRE EXIT STAIRWELLS ONLY, NEVER AN ELEVATOR!

The fire department and rescue squad will be on site within minutes. They will look at the fire 

annunciator panel, determine the location of the alarm, and join you at the alarm location.

If you are alone, there is always someone on their way as long as you dialed 9-1-1 and called 

the M.O.D.
35

Appendix D

Photographs

1. Entrance to Sommerset Retirement Community.

2. Overturned cement “pad” on which furnace sat. Note smoke discoloration on underside.

3. Charred remains of boiler room sub flooring destroyed by the fire.

4. Flames and smoke traveled in the space between the exterior wall and the fire wall.

5. Another view of boiler room sub flooring.

6. Note crack in cement caused by rotated burner tubes.

7. Note burner tubes in center rotated 180 degrees.

8. Close-up of crack in cement caused by rotated burner tubes.

9. Vertical draft diverter on left shows smoke damage. Note clean diverter on right.

10. Section of roof where fire broke through (now covered).
36 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

1. Entrance to Sommerset Retirement Community.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 372. Overturned cement “pad” on which furnace sat. Note smoke discoloration on underside.
38 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

3. Charred remains of boiler room sub flooring destroyed by the fire.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 394. Flames and smoke traveled in the space between the exterior wall and the fire wall.
40 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

5. Another view of boiler room sub flooring.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 41

6. Note crack in cement caused by rotated burner tubes.
42 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

7. Note burner tubes in center rotated 180 degrees.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 43

8. Close-up of crack in cement caused by rotated burner tubes.
44 U.S. Fire Administration/Technical Report Series

9. Vertical draft diverter on left shows smoke damage. Note clean diverter on right.
USFA-TR-040/December 1989 4510. Section of roof where fire broke through (now covered).