Firing Equipment

FIRING EQUIPMENT

SL 5-1-1

Hand Firing Devices• Classified as a

flammable solid– Consult MSDS

4320.18 SL2

Fusees• Used to ignite fine fuels

– Grass– Forest litter

• Characteristics– Light weight– Portable– Produces a 2-4” flame– Suitable for small projects– Readily available– Available in 5 to 30 minute burn times– Wands can be assembled– Not the same as road flares; do not burn as hot or long– Classified as flammable solid

4320.18 SL3

Correct Method

4320.18 SL4

• Back straight• Eyes and head pivoting

Drip Torch• Characteristics

– Capable of handling most firing operations

– Used to ignite all fuel types• Forest litter• Grass• Brush• Ladder fuels• Heavy fuels

– Easily Carried on engines and utility vehicles

4320.18 SL5

Parts

• Know your torch

Drip Torch

• Liquid fuel device– Fill only ¾ full– 2 parts diesel fuel– 1 part gasoline

• Fuel classified as a combustible liquid

4320.18 SL7

Drip Torch at Work

SL 5-1-84320.18 SL8

4320.18 SL 9

Application Methods

• Trail torch slightly behind you or...• Swing torch back and forth beside body from

front to back– Do not swing torch side to side in front of body and

walk through lit fire– Only apply amount of fire necessary to achieve

desired results

• Extinguishment– Upon completion of assignment or if standing by for

extended periods, blow out wick

Drip Torch Safety

• Possible problems– Defective

vent/clogged– Improper mix– Poor gasket

seal

4320.18 SL10

Drip Torch Safety

•Fuel may “spurt” out of spout when hot.

•Do not get unburned fuel on PPE•Maintain spacing with other crew members to ensure lit fuel does not hit anyone as it is applied

4320.18 SL11

CAUTION

Terra Torch

4320.18 SL12SL 5-1-12

The Terra Torch requires separate and specific training prior to use.

Characteristics

• Used when other ignition devices are ineffective

• Range up to 100 feet

• Requires specialized training

• Requires crew of 2 or more

SL 5-1-13

Charactersitics

• Trailer mount • Skid mount

4320.18 SL14

Characteristics• Fuel is a mixture

of alumagel/surefire and gasoline

• Dispenses fuel under pressure through a hand held nozzle

• Classified as a flammable liquid

4320.18 SL15

Terra Torch Hazards

• Radiant heat– Rotate personnel– Additional PPE

For thermal protection

• Mixing Fuel

4320.18 SL16

PROJECTED AERIAL DEVICES

Very Pistols

4320.18 SL18

Very Pistol

• Best in light contiguous fuels

• Extended reach

4320.18 SL 19

Very Pistol• Characteristics

– Specialized flare launcher requiring operator to be qualified before use

– Burn time of approximately 8 seconds at 1,400°F

– 12 gauge and 25 mm– Classified as an explosive 1.4 and

flammable solid– Range up to 375 feet

4320.18 SL20

Very Pistol

25 mm w / Insert Adapter

12 Gauge

Insert

25 mm

4320.18 SL21

Very Pistol

• Hazards– Firing

• Communicate to personnel

• I.D. target• Use hearing

protection

4320.18 SL22

Very Pistol

• Hazards (continued)– Misfires

• Communicate to personnel• Repeat firing sequence• If round doesn’t fire

– Keep pointed down range for three seconds– Remove round– Store in an approved container– Ship to disposal facility

– Accidental Firing

4320.18 SL23

Very Pistol

• Beware of ricochet

Fire Quick Flare Launcher

4320.18 SL25

Fire Quick Flare Launcher

• Follow manufacturer’s recommendation

• Used by qualified personnel only

4320.18 SL26

Fire Quick Flare Launcher

• Characteristics– Specialized launcher requiring operator

training– Uses 22 caliber blanks– Launches 1 inch diameter flares– Range up to 300 feet– Burns approx. 6 to 8 seconds at 4000°F– Aerial burst covers 10 to 20 feet

• Monitor wind direction and speed– Classified as 1.4 explosive and flammable

solid

4320.18 SL27

Fire Quick Flare Launcher

• Hazards– Communicate to personnel before firing– Hearing protection required– Misfires

• Communicate to personnel when a misfire occurs

• Repeat firing sequence• Treat faulty 22 caliber rounds the same as Very

Pistol rounds

4320.18 SL28

Fire Quick Flare Launcher

• Dud Flares– Identify flare location to personnel– Do not approach flare until area is cooled off

and flare is safe to approach– Dispose of flare in accordance with disposal

guidelines

4320.18 SL29

Fire Quick Flare Launcher

• Firing the Launcher– Load 22 cal. cylinder

4320.18 SL30

Fire Quick Flare Launcher

• Firing the Launcher (cont.)– Insert flare

Directional arrow

4320.18 SL31

Firing the Fire Quick Flare Launcher

• Firing the Launcher– Communicate to

personnel before firing

– ID target– Aim at 45 degree

angle– Pull trigger

Fire Quick Flare Launcher

Photo of flare aerial burst

4320.18 SL33

Hand Thrown Flares• 1.5 and 2.5 inch

flares• Follow

manufacturer’s recommendations for use

• Used in all fuel types

4320.18 SL34

Hand Thrown Flares

• Characteristics– Fuse burn time 30 to 40 seconds– Flare burn time 6 to 8 seconds at 4,000°F – Ignited material covers 30 to 60 foot diameter– Classified as a flammable solid

4320.18 SL35

Hand Thrown Flares

• Preparing flare

For use

1. Expose fuse

4320.18 SL36

Hand Thrown Flares– Arrow on flare directs the direction of throw

4320.18 SL37

Hand Thrown Flares

2. Light fuse

4320.18 SL38

Hand Thrown Flares

3. Throw flare– Must be thrown a

minimum distance of 100 feet from personnel, equipment, and control lines

4320.18 SL39

Hand Thrown Flares

• Flare ignition

4320.18 SL40

IGNITION DEVICES USED WITH AIRCRAFT

Helitorch• Used in all fuel

types– Can ignite fuels

with high fuel moisture

– Capable of burning standing fuel and continuous surface fuel beds

Helitorch

• Produces large amounts of fire in a short period

Helitorch • Characteristics

– Used as an external sling load under rotary wing aircraft

– Uses aluma-gel/surefire and gasoline mix• Consult MSDS

– Can reach areas not accessible by ground

– Classified as a flammable liquid

4320.18 SL44

Plastic Sphere Dispenser /Aerial Ignition Device

internal load

4320.18 SL45

Plastic Sphere Dispenser / Aerial Ignition Device

• Requires less time to initiate than a helitorch

• To be effective, requires 1 hour fuel bed

• Requires special training to operate

4320.18 SL46

Plastic Sphere Dispenser /Aerial Ignition Device

• Ignition results from 1 cc of ethylene glycol being injected into the ball which is filled with potassium permanganate – This forms an exothermic (heat producing)

reaction

4320.18 SL47

Plastic Sphere Dispenser /Aerial Ignition Device

• Characteristics – Normally used with rotary wing aircraft– Mounted internally– Classified as an oxidizer

• Consult MSDS

4320.18 SL48

Plastic Sphere Dispenser / Aerial Ignition Device• Dispersal

rates can be varied by– Aircraft

speed– Altitude– Machine

dispersal rate

4320.18 SL49

Firing EquipmentAre you and your firing equipment ready?

4320.18 SL50