Fire Fighter I Fire Control-Lesson One

Fire Fighter IFire Control-Lesson One

There is to be a designated safety officer at all fire control practical's.

1. Discuss the need for size-up procedures on vehicle emergencies.a) Proper types of barrier devices

i) Fire line tape

ii)Traffic cones

iii)Utility rope

Fire Fighter IIBuilding Construction

Lesson Three

TERMINAL OBJECTIVE The Firefighter II candidate shall correctly define in writing the different material used

in lightweight construction as well as identify lightweight construction components, describe their reaction to fire and truss locations found in structures.

ENABLING OBJECTIVES 1. The Firefighter II candidate shall identify in writing, what is considered lightweight

construction and the materials used in the components of lightweight construction.

2. The Firefighter II candidate shall describe in writing, the reaction of lightweight structural components to fire.

3. The Firefighter II candidate shall identify in writing, the locations where trusses can be found in structures.

Fire Fighter IIBuilding Construction

Lesson ThreeENABLING OBJECTIVE#1 The Firefighter II candidate shall identify in writing, what is considered lightweight

construction and the materials used in the components of lightweight construction.

1. Define the term “Truss construction.”

2. Discuss “surface to mass ratio.” 3. Discuss “Open web steel joists.”

4. Discuss “Wood trusses.”

5. Point out the different types of trusses.

6. Label the different parts of a truss.

Fire Fighter IIBuilding Construction

Lesson Three

7. Point out the difference between a steel truss and a wood truss.

8. Discuss the function of gusset plates to wooden trusses.

9. Define the term “Engineered wood structural member.”

10. Define the term “Plywood.”

11. Define the term “Oriented Strand Board.”

12. Discuss compression and tension forces as it relates to truss construction.

Fire Fighter IIBuilding Construction

Lesson Three

ENABLING OBJECTIVE#2The Firefighter II candidate shall describe in writing, the reaction of lightweight

structural components to fire. 1. Discuss the statement – “Our trusses are engineered.”

2. Discuss hazards associated with a “truss void.” 3. Discuss the fire characteristics of steel trusses. 4. Discuss the fire characteristics of wood trusses. 5. Discuss the fire characteristics of wooden I beams.

Fire Fighter IIBuilding Construction

Lesson Three

ENABLING OBJECTIVE# 3 1. The Firefighter II candidate shall identify in writing, the locations where

trusses can be found in structures.

2. Discuss floor trusses and the problems associated with them. 3. Discuss roof trusses and the problems associated with them.

Fire Fighter IIFire BehaviorLesson Two

ENABLING OBJECTIVE #3 The Fire Fighter II candidate shall correctly describe in writing why recognizing

observations in reading smoke and the warning signs of hostile fire events is important.

1. Explain why reading smoke is important to evaluating the fires position within a

building. 2. Explain how evaluating the volume of smoke assists in the understanding of the

amount of fuel that is off-gassing in a given space. 3. Explain that the velocity of smoke is an indicator of pressure. 4. Describe the two things that can create smoke pressure.

a. Heatb. Restricting the volume of smoke within a container

Fire Fighter IIFire BehaviorLesson Two

5. Explain how smoke thickens. 6. Discuss the fact that the greater the smoke density, the more likely a

hostile fire event can occur. 7. Explain that the color of smoke will only indicate the type of burning

material in a single-fuel fire. 8. Point out that smoke can tell the Fire Fighter which stage of burning is

taking place.

APPLICATION Divide the class up into suitable size work groups 3-5 candidates. Show them

pictures of different fire scenarios and have them evaluate the smoke conditions. Assist them in recognizing the volume, velocity, density, and color of smoke for each picture.

Reading Smoke

To determine “HOW MUCH” fire

Why “Read” Smoke?

To help find the LOCATION of the fire

Why “Read” Smoke?

Why “Read”Smoke?

To help predict

COLLAPSE potential

Why “Read” Smoke?

To help PRIORITIZE Strategies & Tactics

Why “Read” Smoke?

To PROTECT Firefighters from a“HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”

Flashover

Back Draft

Smoke Explosion

Auto Ignition

Rapid Fire Spread

The “ADVANCED” BasicsWhat is “Smoke”?

ParticlesParticles

AerosolsAerosols

GasesGases

Solid Particles

Carbon

Dust

Other fibers

Aerosols

Hydrocarbons• Oil

• Tar

Fire Gases

• Carbon Monoxide

• Hydrogen Cyanide

• Acrolein

• Hydrogen Sulfide

• Benzene

Smoke is FUEL!!!Additional Products of Combustion:

•Water Vapor •Unburned Particles•Carbon Dioxide

Flashpoint and Auto IgnitionTemperatures

• Carbon Monoxide - 1292 F

• Hydrogen Cyanide 0 F 538 F

• Acrolein -15 F 428 F

• Hydrogen Sulfide - 500 F

• Benzene 12 F 928 F

Hydrogen CyanideHydrogen Cyanide is more prevalent now

than ever before due to the increased use of synthetics.

It attacks our bodies through Oral inhalation as well as Occular and Dermal absorption. It is more lethal than CO and is more difficult to test for toxicity levels.

It is suspected of contibuting to the many of the FF Fatalities in the past originally thought to CO induced.

LAYERSFuel – UEL and LEL

Reaction- Oxygen-Fuel effectCeiling layer-

High fuel/Low Oxygen

Floor Layer-High Oxygen/Low Fuel

They meet at the reaction layer

Oxygen – Deficient or Enriched

The “ADVANCED” Basics

What relationship does mass & density have on fuels?

Fuels are Synthetic now

Fuels have LESS MASS – they off-gas quicker!

Building Construction FactorsConstruction

Contents

Size

Ventilation

Fire protection systems

Construction

Type

Insulation

Condition

Heat Flux

Lightweight Construction

• I-Joist

Lightweight Construction

• Glu-Lam• Finger-Joint

Lightweight Construction

• Panels

Lightweight Construction

• Wood Truss

Gusset Plates

How Wood Burns• As the surface temperature of wood increases due to fire

exposure, flammable vapors are produced and a char layer (burnt wood) is formed on the external surfaces.

• In the presence of fire, these flammable vapors ignite and contribute to the fire.

• As the char layer gets thicker, it insulates the remaining unburned wood and slows the rate of vapor production, thereby slowing the charring process

http://www.sbcindustry.com/configurations.php

Links

• American Forest & Paper Association- http://www.woodaware.info/index.html

• Southern Building Components Association

• http://www.sbcindustry.com/configurations.php

Contents

Type of fuel load

Size / Amount

Construction and Contents

Homeowners “padding” their homes:

Plusher carpet

Elaborate curtain & drapes

More / heavier furniture

Comfort accessories

“Bed, Bath & Beyond”

Increasing use of synthetic materials

Tighter construction

Better insulation

Modern construction materials

Double/triple pane EE windows

Size

Area

Height

Configuration

Ventilation

Volume

Distance

Type

Influences fire spread

Fire Protection Systems

HVAC

Sprinklers

Standpipes

“Modern” Structure Fire

Ceiling temps have increased from 1300 to 1600 degrees

BTU production > 18,000 (more than doubled)

What Does this Mean For Us?

• Doesn’t necessarily change our tactics… • Does accelerate our

tactical time frame at an incident...

The “ADVANCED” Basics

• How does “flammable range” factor in?

Flammable Range & the Three Fires

Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .

Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .

Just Right . . .Just Right . . .

The “ADVANCED” Basics

To Read Smoke – you must be able to:

1. Determine the stage of burning (early, growing, late)

2. Tell if the Fire is in Thermal Balance (smoke up and out, fresh air in).

3. Find out if the “box” is absorbing heat or not (Linear vs. Turbulent Smoke Flow)

“ HOSTILE ”Fire Events

• Flashover

• Back draft

• Smoke Explosion

• Rapid Fire Spread

• Auto Ignition

FLASHOVERFuel mass/box is heat saturated

Reflective radiant heat intensifies

Simultaneous ignition of fuels

Warning Signs: Turbulent smoke, Rollover, Auto-Ignition

Flashover of one box means what?

Flashover

Transition or event that occurs between the incipient and fully developed phases of fire

All surfaces that are exposed ignite at once

BACKDRAFTIntroduction of oxygen to an environment

that is:Heated past fuel ignition temps

Usually confined or restricted

Pressurized with gases

Capable of sustained burning

Warning Signs: Ugly Yellow/grey smoke, Smoke leaving cracks under pressure, black-stained windows

Note: Puffing is NOT a good warning sign( a pressurized container must vent before it can suck!)

SMOKE EXPLOSIONA pocket of gas that has reached an ignitable mixture -

but not enough energy to sustain ignition

Ignition of this pocket is a spark or flame – which then causes an “explosive” surge of pressure

Usually no resulting fire - but increased chance of fire spread (container breach?)

Ceiling spaces and vaulted ceilings are candidates for smoke explosions

RAPID Fire Spread

Usually “Container” Influenced – especially stairs and

hallways

Fuel is continuous and available to burn

Especially “volatile” fuel causes the spread – usually

smoke-cloud ignition

Thermal Balance exists

Usually results from another “event”

AUTO IGNITIONTypically used to describe the

ignition of fuels AFTER they leave the box

Primarily a WARNING SIGN

Exposure Threat:Other parts of building

Other Buildings

Firefighters

“ Reading Smoke”

Observations are

typically made from

outside - inside

observations hide

the “real” picture.

Size Up

Outside • IC

• Safety

• RIT

• Backup

Inside • Fire attack

crews

• SAR crews

• Salvage crews

Before you “ Read Smoke”

RULES:

Nothing is absolute

Visible FIRE is easy to read - look past

it for the real story

Compare all Openings/Cracks

The ART of Reading SmokeA 4-STEP PROCESS to help predict fire behavior and hostile events

Step 1: Evaluate Key Factors

Volume = Fullness of Box

Velocity (Pressure) = Heat,

Volume, and Distance to fire

Density = Quality of burning

– likelihood of “event”

Color = Stage of Heating,

Distance, amount of

“flaming”

Characteristics of Smoke

Velocity

Color

Volume

Density

Air Track

Smoke Velocity

May be an indicator of pressure inside the container

Pressure may be caused by heat or volume

Smoke Velocity

If the velocity or pressure is a result of heat, the smoke will rise and loose velocity.

If the velocity or pressure is a result of volume, the smoke will loose velocity but also maintain a neutral buoyancy.

Smoke Velocity

• Turbulent smoke is a potential

indicator of the container not

being able to absorb more heat.

• Laminar smoke is a potential

indicator of the container still

being able to absorb heat.

Smoke Velocity

• Smoke will become slower as distance from the seat of the fire increases.

• To locate the seat of the fire, compare smoke coming from several opening and determine which has the most turbulent smoke coming from the smallest opening

Smoke Color Heavy/light is an insufficient description

The department should have predetermined descriptions of smoke conditions in place in SOP’s

Smoke ColorDarker- Hydrocarbon fuels

White- Incipient fire or great distance from the seat

Grey/yellow- Ordinary combustibles

Brown- Wood at or near ignition temperature possibly involving structural components

Smoke ColorLight colored smoke may have large amounts of unburned fuel and may have

travel some distance picking up moisture and depositing carbon.

Dark smoke often indicates an under ventilated fire or hydrocarbon fuels.

Smoke Volume

May relate to amount of fuel

May relate to pressure

Best as an indicator when coupled with other indicators

Ventilation controlled fires that near

the smoldering stage may produce

larger quantities of smoke.

Indicator of degree or location of

fire.

Smoke Density

May result from amount of fuel in the smoke

Heavy/light description is inadequate

Optical DensityRefers to how well you can see through the smoke.

Optically dense smoke may contain high concentrations of particulate matter.Often described as having

the appearance of velvet.Relates to the fuel and degree

of ventilation.

Physical DensityRefers to the buoyancy of the smoke.

The higher the higher the density, the lower the temperature and pressure, the smoke sinks.

The lower the density, the higher the temperature and pressure, the smoke will rise.

Pay Attention to Changes

Any significant change over a 5 second period may indicate a hostile fire event or loss of structural integrity.

Pay Attention to Changes

Sudden rise in hot gas layer

• Ventilation from outside crews

• Self ventilation

Pay Attention to Changes

Sudden lowering of the hot gas layer

Worsening condition

• Impending flashover• Rapid fire progression

Water application

• Excessive• Inappropriate

Heat

Not typically visible

Must observe its effects

Air Track

Direction of smoke

Direction of fresh air

Direction of Smoke

Heated gases will move up and out from the fire

Often predicts the path of fire spread

Pay attention to the height of the hot gas layer (Thickness)

Tricks

When making entry-look at the direction of the smoke and the fresh air.

Always carry a light and observe the direction of the smoke and the fresh air.

Air Track

Size of opening

Temperature• Laminar

• Turbulent

Air TrackNeutral plane

• Charles’ law: as the temperature of a gas increases it will expand becoming less dense and more buoyant

• Gay-Lussac’s law: when the volume of gas remains constant and the temperature increases, pressure increases

Movement of the hot gas layer• Up or down

Air TrackNeutral Plane

• The plane that is formed between the hot air layer (top) and the cool air or oxygen layer (Bottom).

• The hot air layer typically moves outward away from the seat of the fire and towards the ventilation point.

• The cool air typically moves inward towards the seat of the fire.

Neutral Plane

Visible Flames

Most obvious indicator

Often the latest indicator to develop

High V.V.D.C. = “BLACK FIRE”

“Black Fire” is the term we give to High Volume, High Velocity, Extremely Dense, Black Smoke.

It is the sure sign of impending flashover – VENT & COOL are your only choices.

Black Fire

Is there a chance of survival in a compartment that is producing black turbulent smoke?

Are rescue efforts feasible?

160 Degrees

The maximum survivable (wet) temperature

Step 2: Weigh Factors

Container (most important factor)

Thermal Balance

Weather

Firefighting efforts

Other factors?

Step 3: Judge the Fire Status

Are conditions getting better or worse?

Classify the Fire: Stable -predictable

Rapidly changingRapidly changing -predictable-predictable

Unstable/UnpredictableUnstable/Unpredictable

Step 4: Predict the EVENTConsider that:

One hostile event can - and usually will -

lead to another event.

Communicate your observations.

Warning Signs are not always visual – use

your KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…

Some other “Tricks”

When you open a door or window - watch what the smoke does…and what THE FRESH AIR DOES!

Some other “Tricks”In poor visibility - watch the smoke in front of your light - it will give you some clues

Some other “Tricks”

A 5-second change in any key factor means an event has taken place – the key is to define what event has taken place and to forecast what will likely happen next.

“The garbage man doesn’t get excited when he turns the corner and sees trash, and you shouldn’t get excited when you turn

the corner and see fire.”

“You should expect fire on every run.”

-Lt A. Fredericks

Special Thanks toDavid Dodson

With less fires - this ART could be lost…take the lesson…pass it on.

David DodsonDavid Dodson