FIRE ATTACK LEVEL I AND II. MODULE 8, FIRE CONTROL.

EVERY ONES JOB.DRINK ALL DAY COTTON ONLY UNDER

TURNOUT GEAR, NO NYLON!

EVERY ONE HAS A DIFFERENT TEMP GAUGE.

IF IT LOOKS UNSAFE, IT NORMALLY IS SPEAK UP!

SAFETY !

SAFETY

USE OF P.A.S.S. ALARMS.MAYDAY CALL ON RADIO.USE OF AIR HORNS ON TRUCKS.

WHAT ARE YOUR FIRE SCENE PRIORITIES?

#1 RESCUE#2 FIRE CONTROL#3 PROPERTY CONSERVATION

I.D MODE OF ATTACK.DEFENSIVE - OUTSIDEOFFENSIVE-INSIDEMARGINAL-end of offensive/start of defensive.

KNOW WHAT OTHER TEAMS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED.

KNOW THEIR FUNCTIONS AND LOCATIONS.

EXPOSURES?WHERE IS ALTERNATE EGRESS ROUTE?WHAT ARE OTHER ASSOCIATED SCENE

HAZZARDS?

KNOW TYPE OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.USE PRE PLANS.KNOW AGE OF STRUCTURE.TYPE / SIZE OF FIRE LOADING.TYPE/LOCATION OF EXPOSURES.

KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL STRUCTURES

VS

KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL STRUCTURES.

EQUIPMENT

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES FOR THE JOB?

DOES EACH TEAM HAVE A FORCE TOOL / IS IT RIGHT FOR THE JOB?

IS YOUR P.P.E DONNED CORRECTLY/ IS YOUR TEAMS?

CHECK COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT BEFORE ENTERING?

IMMINENT BUILDING COLLAPSE

DO YOU KNOW LENGTH OF TIME STRUCTURAL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO HEAT/ FIRE.

LOOK FOR SAGGING/SPONGY FLOORS OR CEILINGS.

LEANING WALLS.

DISTORTED STRUCTURAL MEMBERS.

CREAKING/ GROANING/ SNAPPING SOUNDS.

REMEMBER !!

3-5 MIN OF DIRECT FIRE EXPOSURE TO LIGHTWEIGHT METAL TRUSSES AND WOOD TRUSSES WITH GUSSET PLATES WILL LEAD TO ALMOST INSTANT STRUCTURAL FAILURE!

ROLLOVER?

Smoke and gas accumulate at ceiling level.Upon reaching ignition temp,these gases ignite and “Roll” across the ceiling and usually over the attack teams heads.

FLASHOVER?When fire involves all exposed combustible

surfaces within the compartment.All fuel packages with in a room give off

combustible gas, which in turn reach their ignition temp which causes these gases to ignite causing full compartment involvement or flashover.

COUCH FIRE – Survivability Profile

Good Fair

Poor – no rescue No – Go!

CAUTION:Today’s gear is exceptional compared to what we wore in the past.

It Keeps getting better

Thermal qualities will provide superior protection, however this can also get us into big trouble.

CAUTION: University of Maryland studies show:

There is a significant time delay in the perception of the fire environment.

Exposure could be significant by the time it is first perceived.

It’s effects will be felt up to several minutes after the exposure with increasing magnitude.

CAUTION: U of M Studies go on to say…

Firefighter tendency is to respond to the “NOW” conditions.

Up to three minute delay from environmental conditions and perception of those conditions – this delay is DANGEROUS

The gear will keep heating up for several minutes afterwards

This may cause severe exposure five-ten minutes after the insult ended.

BACKDRAFT!

A build up of smoke and fire gases in a closed compartment with insufficient oxygen to ignite.

Natural action of breaking glass or cracking on its own will introduce oxygen rapidly into the compartment causing a outward explosion.

APPLICATION OF PROPER VERTICAL VENTILATION (OPENING AT HIGHEST POINT)

HOW DO WE PREVENT A BACKDRAFT ?

MAKE SURE!!!

Apparatus is clear of power lines.Know if the power is on/off to the structure.Are attack teams entrance/exit routes clear of

overhead lines.Know how to I.D potential grow ops and meth

labs in your area of protection due to large amounts of power these use!!

WHAT IS A CLASS “ B”FIRE ?

FIRES INVOLVING FLAMMABLE AND OR COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS AND GASES.

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS:

Flash point less than 100 degrees F or 38 C.

Gasoline, acetone.

COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS:

Flash point greater than 100 degrees F/38 degrees C.

Kerosene,vegetable oil.

HYDROCARBONS:

Those that do not mix with water.Crude Oil.Gasoline.Jet Fuel.

POLAR SOLVANTS:

Those that mix with water.Alcohol.Acetone.Lacquer Thinner.

ACTION TO TAKE WHEN FACED WITH A CLASS “B” FIRE/SPILL

Stage/Approach Upwind/Uphill.

Exposure / Evacuation Considerations.

I.D spill/ fire source using E.R.G book.

Contact appropriate agencies (company involved, canutec, environment Canada.)

ACTIONS TO TAKE - CLASS “B” FIRE/SPILL.

Use of class “B” foam(AFFF) and how to obtain large amounts if needed.

Use water with fog pattern (vapor suppression).

Use water with straight stream (diverting)

CLASS “B” FUEL FIRE/SPILL HAZARDS

Fire OPS run off spreads or mixes with fuel.Pooling liquidsHeavier than air gases(propane)Lighter than air gases(natural gas.)Burning fuel containers/valves.P.P.E acting like a “wick” leading to chemical

burns.

COMMON GASES

PropaneNatural Gas

LIQUID PROPANE GAS:LPG for shortFuel gas stored in liquid state under

pressure.1.5x heavier than air.No natural odour. Added by utility.Non toxic but considered an

asphyxiate (displaces O2).Explosive range between 1.5-10%.Pressurized containers subject to

BLEVE.

COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS

CNG for short.Non toxic but

considered an asphyxiate (displaces O2).

Odorless, Can be added by utility.

Lighter than airExplosive range 5-15%Pressurized containers

subject to BLEVE.

FIRE ACTION FOR PRESSUREIZED GAS VESSELContact appropriate

agenciesEstablish isolation/action

distances (ERG book)Evacuation possibilitiesStage upwind/uphillAvoid staging at end of

tanks/vesselsCool containers involved

or in contact with heat/fire using reach of stream

Consider unmanned master streams (deck gun/monitor)

Do not extinguish burning valves, cool/protect

IF ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE VALVE, APPROCH VESSEL

UNDER WIDE FOG STREAM FROM SIDES NOT ENDS!!

BLEVE

VEHICLE FIRES

FOUR AREAS FIRE WILL BE FOUND ON VEHICLES

ENGINE COMPARTMENT.PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.TRUNK.UNDERCARRIAGE.

HAZARDS

Catalytic converters(1300 -2500 degrees F.)Plastics, textiles, foams, produce toxic gas. Composites (carbon fiber).Fuel systems (gas, propane, nitros oxide (NOS)Combustible metals (Magnesium most common)Air bagsDrive shafts, shock absorbers, hatchback struts,

seatbelt pretension systems.

Oakland CA Hatchback strut

Firefighter returned to work after 6 months recovery.

HAZARDS

HAZARDS

Expect the Unexpected

TACTICSFull P.P.E and S.C.B.A I.D fuel source of vehicle involvedMin of 1x1.5 hose line (foam line

class”B”) with additional 1.5 line for backup protection.

NO BOOSTER LINES PROVIDE INSUFFICENT PROTECTION/COOLING!!!!

Attack upwind/uphill45 degree angles to the vehicle.

ENGINE FIRES:Use reach of stream.Approach under wide fog

stream.Backup line cool bumpers,

drive shafts, wheels.Open hood if possible.Use appropriate tool to

create an opening into engine compartment/trunk and fender.

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES:Use reach of stream.Back up line to cool undercarriage,

bumpers wheels.Advance from corners at a 45

degree angle.Use wide fog for protection when

advancingTry before you pry!!!Gain access through doors if open.Break side window.Extinguish fire.

TRUNK FIRES

Advance from corners(45 degree angle)

Use appropriate tool to open/ create opening between fender and trunk.

After fire is extinguished use a Halligan tool and a screwdriver to remove and open lock.

Penetrating nozzle.

UNDERCARRIAGE FIRES:

Use reach of stream.Cool shafts, struts

bumpers.Use indirect attack

deflecting stream up off roadways, ground or exposures,

DUMPSTER FIRES:

HAZARDS:

Possible Hazardous materials.

Toxic smoke/gases.Possible explosive

material.Direct / radiating heat

endangering exposures.

TACTICS

Use full P.P.E including S.C.B.A.

Take tool for opening dumpster lid (pike pole).

Use two 1.5 inch hose line (protection/attack.)

Use reach of stream.Approach from front using

wide fog stream.

Open lid with pike poleKeep helmet below lid of

dumpster.If cannot be done use a

longer pike pole.Extinguish with a 30

degree fog pattern in a “O” pattern.

Overhaul whole dumpster.

HAZARDS:Hazardous materials in

fire loading.Heated toxic smoke/fire

gasesThermal layering.ExposuresStructural collapse.Possible rollover,

flashover and back draft.Stairwells.Equipment failure.Fires

above/below/behind.

REMEMBER !

Keep communication lines open.

Keep command informed.

Plan for a means of egress.

Attack from unburnt side to burnt side.

TACTICS FOR ENTRY

Full P.P.E/ S.C.B.A.Turn on PASS

ALARM.Purge hose line.Check

pattern/volume setting.

Do you have a tool?Look for signs of possible

flashover and backdraft.Check EXTERIOR thermal

line with back of ungloved hand.

For exterior metal doors, use med fog spray on door and look for evaporation/bubbling.

Do you need to ventilate?

Listen & Look what might be behind the

door?Use door for protection

while opening.Stay low (important)Keep in contact with

team members.

Inform command of plan/direction.

Sound floors/count stairs before and during interior ops.

Use arms, legs and tool to search for victims and look/ listen for signs of collapse.

Hold breathing and listen for victims and sign of collapse/fire.

Let command know type of fire found.

Cool thermal line or extinguish fire using appropriate attack type and fire stream.

Inform command when out of the building and with how many persons.

Exit building with team BEFORE low pressure alarm sounds by retracing entry route or follow hose line out.

INTERIOR ATTACK METHODS:

DIRECT.INDIRECT.COMBINATION.

DIRECT:

Fire is free burning.Vent is between you

and the fire.Direct water at base of

fire.Stream narrow fog or

straight.

INDIRECT:

Used when thermal layer and fire do not allow advancement to seat of the fire. outside window/doorway.)

Not desirable where victims may yet be trapped/ or where the spread of fire to uninvolved areas cannot be contained.

Stream narrow fog or straight.

Direct at ceiling, play back and forth in the superheated gases.

COMBINATION :

Used to attack the fire both directly /indirectly.Fire stream is directed to both the thermal line

first and then to the seat of the fire.Most common means of attack.Stream is of the straight type or 30 degree

fog (narrow fog).Applied in a “T”,”Z” or “O” pattern.

REMEMBER COMPLETE !

PRIMARY SEARCH.VENTILATION.SECONDARY SEARCH.EXTENSION CHECKS.SALVAGE / OVERHAUL.