Fire Fighter I Fire 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 II Building 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 II Building Construction Lesson Three

ENABLING 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 II Building 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 II Building Construction Lesson Three

ENABLING OBJECTIVE#2

The 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 II Building 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 II Fire Behavior Lesson 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. Heat b. Restricting the volume of smoke within a container

Fire Fighter II Fire Behavior Lesson 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

Why “Read” Smoke?

To determine “

HOW MUCH

” fire

Why “Read” Smoke?

To help find the

LOCATION

of the fire

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” Basics

What is “Smoke”?

Aerosols Gases Particles

Carbon Dust Other fibers

Solid Particles

Hydrocarbons • Oil • Tar

Aerosols

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 Ignition Temperatures • Carbon Monoxide • Hydrogen Cyanide • Acrolein • Hydrogen Sulfide • Benzene -15 F 0 F 1292 F 428 F 12 F 928 F 538 F 500 F

Hydrogen Cyanide

Hydrogen 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.

LAYERS

Fuel

– UEL and LEL

Reaction

- Oxygen-Fuel effect Ceiling 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 Factors

Construction Contents Size Ventilation Fire protection systems

Type Insulation Condition Heat Flux

Construction

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

Type of fuel load

Contents

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

Area Height Configuration

Size

Ventilation

Volume Distance Type Influences fire spread

HVAC

Fire Protection Systems

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 Rich . . .

Too Lean . . .

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

FLASHOVER

Fuel 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

BACKDRAFT

Introduction 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 EXPLOSION

A 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 IGNITION

Typically 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.

Outside

• IC • Safety • RIT • Backup

Size Up 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 Smoke

A

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

Darker White Grey/yellow Brown-

Smoke Color

Hydrocarbon fuels Incipient fire or great distance from the seat Ordinary combustibles Wood at or near ignition temperature possibly involving structural components

Smoke Color Light 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 Density

Refers 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 Density

Refers 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

Not typically visible

Heat

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.

Size of opening Temperature • Laminar • Turbulent

Air Track

Air Track

Neutral 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 Track

Neutral 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 Unstable/Unpredictable Rapidly changing -predictable

Step 4: Predict the EVENT

Consider 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 to David Dodson With less fires - this

ART

lost… take the lesson… pass it on.

could be David Dodson