21FiFire

Suppression

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• Purpose– Ongoing mental evaluation performed at an– Ongoing mental evaluation performed at an

incident to evaluate all influencing factors and to develop objectives, strategy, and tactics for p j , gy,fire suppression before committing personnel and equipment to a course of action

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• To be included– Time of day – Nature of Occupancy– Time of day– Burn time of fire

Location

Nature of Occupancy– Property Involved– Nature and Extent of Fire– Location

– Life HazardsExposures

– Nature and Extent of Fire– Weather

Resources available– Exposures – Resources available

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Offensive vs. Defensive OperationsOperations

• Interior operations are offensive.• Exterior operations are defensive.p

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Offensive Operations • Exposes fire fighters to heat and smoke• Apply extinguishing agent directly to• Apply extinguishing agent directly to

overpower the fire.Wh f l l t t f• When successful, causes least amount of property damage

• Used when fires are small• Usually uses small handlinesy

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Defensive Operations• Usually uses large handlines or master

streamsstreams• Used when fire is too large for offensive

attack or risk too great to fire fightersattack or risk too great to fire fighters• Objective is to prevent fire from spreading• Water is directed from exterior while fire

fighters maintain a position of safety.

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Strategic Decisions• Must be made by the incident commander • Made prior to operations beginning• Made prior to operations beginning• Clearly communicated to personnel• Confusion cannot exist• The strategy may change during the gy y g g

operation.

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Command Considerations• What are the risks vs. potential benefits?• Is it safe?• Is it safe? • Are there any structural concerns?• Are there any lives at risk?• Does the size of the fire prohibit entry?p y• Is there enough manpower?• Is there an adequate water supply?• Is there an adequate water supply?

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Operating Hose Lines (1 of 2)

• Small handlines – One fire fighter– A second is helpful for

advancement and maneuverability

• Large handlines – Require two or more fireRequire two or more fire

fighters– One can operate if well

anchored.anchored.

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Operating Hose Lines (2 of 2)

• Master streams – Operated from a fixed position– Operated from a fixed position– On the ground

On top of a fire apparatus– On top of a fire apparatus– On an elevating device

Used for defensive operations– Used for defensive operations

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Fire Streams• Nozzle defines the pattern and the form of

the water dischargedthe water discharged.• Produced by either

Smooth bore nozzle– Smooth-bore nozzle– Adjustable nozzle

O k h h• Operator must know how to set the discharge pattern.

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Fog Stream• Divides water into droplets with large

surface areasurface area• Absorbs heat very efficiently

C l h t l l i kl• Can lower heat levels very quickly• Usually adjustable from straight stream to

narrow fog to a very wide fog

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Straight Stream• Provides more reach• Keeps waterKeeps water

concentrated • Created by the y

narrowest setting on a fog nozzle

• Consists of highly concentrated droplets

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Solid Stream• Produced by smooth-

bore nozzles• More reach and

penetration than straight stream

• Consists of a continuous column of water

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Points to Remember• Air is moved along with the water.• Fog streams move large amounts of air• Fog streams move large amounts of air.

– Thermal balance may be disrupted, pushing hot fire gases onto fire fightershot fire gases onto fire fighters.

• Straight streams move very little air, causing less thermal inversioncausing less thermal inversion.

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Interior Fire Attack• Offensive operation where fire fighters

enter a structureenter a structure• Fires inside a structure are much more

challenging and involve greater riskchallenging and involve greater risk.• Three methods of attack:

– Direct– Indirect– Combination

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Direct Attack• Most effective method• Uses straight or solidUses straight or solid

stream• Delivers water directly y

to seat of fire• Short, controlled

bursts of water

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Indirect Attack• Used when area is

ready to flash overy• Short burst of water

applied to ceiling• Uses straight, solid,

or narrow fog stream• Can cause serious

injuries if too much t i dwater is used

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Combination Attack• Employs both indirect and direct method• Uses indirect to cool atmosphere then• Uses indirect to cool atmosphere, then

direct to extinguishO l h t t t l th fi• Only use enough water to control the fire.

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Large Handlines• Both offensive and

defensive attacks• Can extinguish larger

interior fires and have greater reach.

• More difficult to maneuver

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Master Stream Devices• Produces high-volume water streams for

large fireslarge fires• Includes portable monitors, deck guns,

ladder pipes and other devicesladder pipes, and other devices• May be manually operated or by remote • Should never be directed into a building

where fire fighters are inside.

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Deck Gun• Permanently mounted

with a piping system p p g yfor the water

• The driver/operator can usually open a valve to start the flow.

• Sometimes may require a hose to be hooked up to operatehooked up to operate

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Portable Monitor• Positioned wherever

needed • Connected to supply

water• May be equipped with

a strap or chain • Safety lock is

provided to limit use b d 35 dbeyond 35 degrees.

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Elevated Master Streams• Mounted on aerial

ladders, aerial platforms, or hydraulic booms

• Ladder pipe is mounted on an aerial l ddladder.

• Many have fixed piping for waterpiping for water

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P t ti E Fi Fi htProtecting Exposures–Fire Fighter II Standard

• Prevent fire spread• Most important atMost important at

large fires• Often, the best ,

method is to apply water directly to exposed building exterior.

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Ventilation• Before interior attack, structure must be

ventilatedventilated.• Requires coordination

All h t k d t d• Allows hot smoke and gases out and improves visibility

• Improperly done, may make it more difficult for fire fighters

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Concealed Space Fires• Fires may burn in void

spaces.p• Must be found and

extinguished to prevent from spreading

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Basement Fires• Present many

challenges to fire gfighters

• Fire fighters should identify safe entry/exit points.

• Consider possibility of a basement fire when entering a structureentering a structure.

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Above Ground-Level Fires• Protect vertical paths• Always look for y

secondary exit route.• Risk of structural

i t bilit dinstability and collapse

• StandpipesStandpipes• Stage equipment 1–2

floors below the fire.

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Fires in Large Buildings• Fire fighters may become lost or

disorienteddisoriented.• Tag lines can be used to help prevent fire

fighters from becoming lost or fromfighters from becoming lost or from running out of air.A i id t l b ti l• A preincident plan can be essential.

• Prior knowledge of occupancy and hazards is helpful.

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Fi i B ildi D i C iFires in Buildings During Construction, Renovation, or Demolition

• These buildings are at greater risk.• Often have large quantities of exposed• Often have large quantities of exposed

combustiblesOft h li it d l• Often have unlimited oxygen supply

• Fire systems may not be operational• Subject to accidental and intentional fires• If no life hazard, use defensive operations.If no life hazard, use defensive operations.

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Fires in Lumberyards• Prime candidate for defensive operations• Contains large quantities of combustibles• Contains large quantities of combustibles• Plenty of air is available.• Exposure protection is primary objective.• Collapse zones should be established.p

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Fi i St k d Pil dP

Fires in Stacked or Piled Materialsa e a s

• Materials may collapse without warning.• Approach very cautiously• Approach very cautiously.• Use equipment to move material.• Class A foam often used to extinguish

smoldering fires• Overhaul requires the materials to be

separated.p

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T h C t i d R bbi hP

Trash Container and Rubbish Fireses

• Usually occur outside of a structure

• Class A foam can be useful.

• Can use deck gun to extinguish fire then fill the container with water

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Confined Spaces• Fires in underground vaults and

transformer vaults too dangerous to entertransformer vaults too dangerous to enter• Contact the utility company.

OSHA i i l t i i d• OSHA requires special training and permits.

• Space may be oxygen deficient or high in combustible gases

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Vehicle Fires• Common in most communities• Important to wear SCBA• Important to wear SCBA• Use 1½" or 1¾" hose line• Gas-filled components may burst• Consider other hazards. • Do not risk fire fighter lives to save a

vehicle.vehicle.

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Safe Area Around the Vehicle• Only fire fighters within 50’• Approach from uphill and upwind side• Approach from uphill and upwind side.• Sweep the bottom part of the vehicle.• Extinguish all visible fire while advancing

toward the vehicle.• Foam can extinguish and prevent

reignition.g

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Fires in the Passenger Area• Use straight stream from 50' and approach

with slow sweeping motionwith slow, sweeping motion.• Change to a fog when closer.

F b d f b i• Foam can be used for any burning flammable liquids.

• Begin overhaul after steam clears.• Do not place yourself in path of airbags.p y p g

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Fi i th E iP

Fires in the Engine Compartment (1 of 3)Co pa e ( )

• Engine compartment filled with devices using petroleum products

• Batteries contain sulfuric acid.

• Direct water into wheel wells and through the front grillthrough the front grill.

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Fi i th E iP

Fires in the Engine Compartment (2 of 3)Co pa e ( )

• Pull hood-release latch.– If successful trip secondary latch– If successful, trip secondary latch.– If not, use a pry bar to pry up a corner on the

hoodhood.– Twist the hood-release cable with a gloved

hand or a Halligan bar.hand or a Halligan bar.• Open the hood and extinguish fire.

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Fi i th E iP

Fires in the Engine Compartment (3 of 3)Co pa e ( )

• Overhaul same as a structure fire• Use water liberally if significant damage• Use water liberally if significant damage

has already occurred.Di t th b tti th• Disconnect the power by cutting the battery cables.

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Fire in the Trunk• Initial access by knocking out a tail light• Use a Halligan tool to force the lock for• Use a Halligan tool to force the lock for

entry.Ch d li t b d• Charged line must be ready.

• Approach with caution.

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Alternative Fuel Vehicles (1 of 3)

• Be alert for these vehicles.• Use unmanned master streams• Use unmanned master streams. • Compressed natural gas (CNG).

– Cylinders similar to SCBA cylinders– Usually in the trunk– Nontoxic and lighter than air

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Alternative Fuel Vehicles (2 of 3)

• Liquefied propane gas (LPG)– Cylinders similar to those in heating/cooking– Cylinders similar to those in heating/cooking– Heavier than air, vapors will pool or collect in

low areaslow areas.

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Alternative Fuel Vehicles (3 of 3)

• Hybrid vehicles– Small gasoline motors and large battery– Small gasoline motors and large battery

banks– Batteries are very hazardous and mayBatteries are very hazardous and may

explode when burning.– Runoff is hazardous.Runoff is hazardous.– High-voltage lines can cause serious injury or

death if cut.

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Fl bl Li id Fi FiFlammable Liquids Fires–Fire Fighter II Standard g

• Found in almost any type of occupancy• Most vehicles involve flammable or• Most vehicles involve flammable or

combustible liquids.S i l t ti i d• Special tactics are required.

• Special extinguishing agents are needed.

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T Di i l Fi FiTwo-Dimensional Fires–Fire Fighter II Standard g

• Refers to a spill, pool, or container of liquid where only the top surface is burningwhere only the top surface is burning

• Controlled with appropriate Class B foamW t h f h t f fl• Watch for hot surfaces or open flames which may reignite.

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Th Di i l Fi FiThree-Dimensional Fires–Fire Fighter II Standard g

• Refers to a situation where burning liquid is dripping spraying or flowing over theis dripping, spraying, or flowing over the edge of a container

• More difficult to extinguish with foam• More difficult to extinguish with foam• Dry chemical or gaseous extinguishing

t i ll ff tiagent is usually more effective.• Do not stand in pools or contaminated

runoff.

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P G Fi Fi ht IIPropane Gas–Fire Fighter II Standard

• Used for heating, cooking, and vehicle fuel• At temperatures above 44 °F exists as a• At temperatures above -44 F exists as a

gasWh t d d h t• When stored under pressure, changes to a liquid

• Expansion ratio of 270:1

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P C t i Fi Fi ht IIPropane Containers–Fire Fighter II Standard (1 of 2)

• Space with propane gas above the liquid levellevel

• Piping draws from the vapor space.C t i i i• Containers vary in size.

• Made of aluminum or steel• Discharge valve controls the flow of gas.

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P C t i Fi Fi ht IIPropane Containers–Fire Fighter II Standard (2 of 2)

• A connection hose, tube, or pipe allows gas to flow to its destinationgas to flow to its destination.

• Cylinders equipped with relief valveC t i t b i i ht iti• Containers must be in upright position or the relief valve may release liquid propane.

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P H d Fi Fi ht IIPropane Hazards–Fire Fighter II Standard

• Highly flammable• Nontoxic but can cause asphyxiation• Nontoxic but can cause asphyxiation• Odorless• Heavier than air• Approach uphill and upwindpp p p• Full personal protective equipment

requiredrequired

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BLEVE–Fire Fighter II Standard • Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion

(BLEVE)(BLEVE)• Pressure increases from heat.

R l l t t• Release valve may open to vent pressure.• Container may fail violently.• Best method of prevention is heavy

streams of water from a distance

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Flammable Gas FireP

Flammable-Gas Fire Suppression–Fire Fighter II pp g

Standard (1 of 3)

Sh t ff i di h l• Shut off main discharge valve.– Do not extinguish flames unless fuel source is shut

offoff.– Approach with two 1¾" lines set on a fog pattern.– Team leader is between the lines.– Once at the tank, reaches in and closes the valve

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Flammable Gas FireP

Flammable-Gas Fire Suppression–Fire Fighter II pp g

Standard (2 of 3)

• Back away with lines still flowing.

• For severe fires, use unmanned master streams and evacuatestreams and evacuate area.

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Flammable Gas FireFlammable-Gas Fire Suppression–Fire Fighter II pp g

Standard (3 of 3)

If li f l i t i i d• If relief valve is open, container is under stress.

• Will sound like a tea kettle• If rising in frequency, an explosion may be g q y, p y

imminent.

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Shutting Off Gas Service• Most residential gas is supplied through a

meter connected to the distribution systemmeter connected to the distribution system and flow can be stopped by closing quarter-turn valvequarter turn valve.

• If an LPG tank is outside, closing the valve will stop the flowwill stop the flow.

• When shut off, use a lockout tag.

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Fires Involving Electricity• Greatest danger is electrocution.• Only Class C extinguishers should be• Only Class C extinguishers should be

used on energized equipment.O l t i it i di t d t• Once electricity is disconnected, most are controlled as a Class A fire.

• Turn off electricity on structure fires.• May use breaker box or power company y p p y

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Electrical Fire Suppression• Best approach is to

wait until power is pdisconnected.

• If immediate action is required, use Class C agents only.

• For electronic equipment use halon or COor CO2.

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Power Lines and Transformers• Do not attack until power is disconnected.• Transformers may contain polychlorinated• Transformers may contain polychlorinated

biphenyls (PCBs).W t th h t il t b il• Water may cause the hot oil to boil over.

• Large transformers may require foam.• CO2 and dry chemical may be used from

above in underground vaults.g

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Q & AQ & A