the art of reading smoke - shenandoah countyscfr.net/suppressiononlinetrainingfiles/... · rapid...

TheARTARTARTART of Reading SmokeTheARTARTARTART of Reading Smoke

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Developed by:

Dave Dodson

Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?

To determine To determine ““HOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCH” fire” fireTo determine To determine ““HOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCHHOW MUCH” fire” fire

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To help find the To help find the LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION of the of the

firefire

To help find the To help find the LOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATIONLOCATION of the of the

firefire

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Why “Read” Why “Read” Why “Read” Why “Read” Smoke?Smoke?Smoke?Smoke?Why “Read” Why “Read” Why “Read” Why “Read” Smoke?Smoke?Smoke?Smoke?

To help predict To help predict COLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSE potentialpotentialTo help predict To help predict COLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSECOLLAPSE potentialpotential

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To help To help PRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZE Strategies & Strategies &

TacticsTactics

To help To help PRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZEPRIORITIZE Strategies & Strategies &

TacticsTactics

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To To PROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECT Firefighters from aFirefighters from a

““HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”

To To PROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECTPROTECT Firefighters from aFirefighters from a

““HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”

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““HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”““HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”

The “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsConcept #1: Smoke is Concept #1: Smoke is

FuelFuel

Concept #1: Smoke is Concept #1: Smoke is

FuelFuelGases Gases

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Particulates Particulates

Aerosols Aerosols

The “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” BasicsThe “ADVANCED” Basics

Concept #2: Fuels have changed: Concept #2: Fuels have changed:

Mass and MakeMass and Make--up!up!

Concept #2: Fuels have changed: Concept #2: Fuels have changed:

Mass and MakeMass and Make--up!up!

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Concept #3: Smoke has trigger Concept #3: Smoke has trigger

points:points:

Concept #3: Smoke has trigger Concept #3: Smoke has trigger

points:points:

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••Flash Point Flash Point

••Fire PointFire Point

••Ignition TemperatureIgnition Temperature

••Flash Point Flash Point

••Fire PointFire Point

••Ignition TemperatureIgnition Temperature


How does How does “flammable range”“flammable range” factor in?factor in?How does How does “flammable range”“flammable range” factor in?factor in?

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Flammable Range & the Three FiresFlammable Range & the Three Fires

Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .

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Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .

Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .

Just Right . . .Just Right . . .Just Right . . .Just Right . . .Just Right . . .Just Right . . .Just Right . . .Just Right . . .


Need to be able to determine...Need to be able to determine...

•• What stage is the fire in…What stage is the fire in…

Need to be able to determine...Need to be able to determine...


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•• Is the “box” absorbing heat? Is the “box” absorbing heat? Laminar vs. Laminar vs.

Turbulent smoke flowTurbulent smoke flow


•• Is the “box” absorbing heat? Is the “box” absorbing heat? Laminar vs. Laminar vs.

Turbulent smoke flowTurbulent smoke flow

“ HOSTILE ” “ HOSTILE ” “ HOSTILE ” “ HOSTILE ” Fire EventsFire EventsFire EventsFire Events“ HOSTILE ” “ HOSTILE ” “ HOSTILE ” “ HOSTILE ” Fire EventsFire EventsFire EventsFire Events••FlashoverFlashover

••BackdraftBackdraft

•• FlashoverFlashover

••BackdraftBackdraft

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••Smoke ExplosionSmoke Explosion

••Rapid Fire SpreadRapid Fire Spread

••Smoke ExplosionSmoke Explosion

••Rapid Fire SpreadRapid Fire Spread

FLASHOVERFLASHOVER

WARNING SIGNS:WARNING SIGNS:

��Turbulent SmokeTurbulent Smoke

��“Rollover”“Rollover”

WARNING SIGNS:WARNING SIGNS:

��Turbulent SmokeTurbulent Smoke


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��Auto Ignition outsideAuto Ignition outside

Smoke Smoke ––Cloud Ignition is likely after flashoverCloud Ignition is likely after flashover


��Auto Ignition outsideAuto Ignition outside

Smoke Smoke ––Cloud Ignition is likely after flashoverCloud Ignition is likely after flashover

BACKDRAFTBACKDRAFT

Remember Remember –– Backdraft is triggered by O2 being Backdraft is triggered by O2 being

introduced to a pressurized “box”introduced to a pressurized “box”

�� YellowishYellowish--grey smokegrey smoke

Remember Remember –– Backdraft is triggered by O2 being Backdraft is triggered by O2 being

introduced to a pressurized “box”introduced to a pressurized “box”

�� YellowishYellowish--grey smokegrey smoke

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��WhistlingWhistling

��Bowing windowsBowing windows

�� “Sealed” containers“Sealed” containers

��WhistlingWhistling

��Bowing windowsBowing windows

�� “Sealed” containers“Sealed” containers

SMOKE EXPLOSIONSMOKE EXPLOSION

Remember Remember –– A Smoke Explosion is a spark or A Smoke Explosion is a spark or

flame applied to a mixture below its ignition flame applied to a mixture below its ignition

temperaturetemperature

�� Trapped gases in upper areasTrapped gases in upper areas

Remember Remember –– A Smoke Explosion is a spark or A Smoke Explosion is a spark or

flame applied to a mixture below its ignition flame applied to a mixture below its ignition

temperaturetemperature


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��Growing fireGrowing fire

�� Increasing smoke densityIncreasing smoke density

��Air intake overtaking smoke exitingAir intake overtaking smoke exiting


��Growing fireGrowing fire

�� Increasing smoke densityIncreasing smoke density

��Air intake overtaking smoke exitingAir intake overtaking smoke exiting

RAPID FIRE SPREADRAPID FIRE SPREAD

Usually “Container” InfluencedUsually “Container” Influenced

Fuel for fire spread is smoke driven vs. Fuel for fire spread is smoke driven vs.

contents surface flamingcontents surface flaming

Usually “Container” InfluencedUsually “Container” Influenced

Fuel for fire spread is smoke driven vs. Fuel for fire spread is smoke driven vs.


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Look for fastLook for fast--moving smoke in high moving smoke in high

pressure zones (stairs and hallways)pressure zones (stairs and hallways)


Look for fastLook for fast--moving smoke in high moving smoke in high

pressure zones (stairs and hallways)pressure zones (stairs and hallways)

“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”

•• Observations are Observations are

typically made from typically made from

outside outside -- inside inside

•• Observations are Observations are

typically made from typically made from


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observations hide the observations hide the

“real” picture.“real” picture.


observations hide the observations hide the

“real” picture.“real” picture.

“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”

•• Nothing is absolute Nothing is absolute

•• Visible FIRE is easy to read Visible FIRE is easy to read -- look past it for look past it for

the real storythe real story

•• Nothing is absolute Nothing is absolute

•• Visible FIRE is easy to read Visible FIRE is easy to read -- look past it for look past it for


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•• Compare vent openingsCompare vent openings


•• Compare vent openingsCompare vent openings

The ART of Reading SmokeThe ART of Reading SmokeThe ART of Reading SmokeThe ART of Reading SmokeThe ART of Reading SmokeThe ART of Reading SmokeThe ART of Reading SmokeThe ART of Reading Smoke

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A A 44444444--------STEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESS to help predict to help predict

fire behavior and hostile eventsfire behavior and hostile events

A A 44444444--------STEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESSSTEP PROCESS to help predict to help predict

fire behavior and hostile eventsfire behavior and hostile events

Step 1: Evaluate

Key Factors

Step 1: Evaluate

Key Factors

•• VolumeVolume

•• Velocity (Pressure)Velocity (Pressure)

•• VolumeVolume


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•• DensityDensity

•• ColorColor


•• DensityDensity

•• ColorColor

VOLUMEVOLUMEVOLUMEVOLUMEVOLUMEVOLUMEVOLUMEVOLUME

��Always relative to Always relative to the “Box”the “Box”

��Tells “how much” Tells “how much”

��Always relative to Always relative to the “Box”the “Box”

��Tells “how much” Tells “how much”

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��Tells “how much” Tells “how much” fuel has offfuel has off--gassedgassed

��Sets the StageSets the Stage

��Tells “how much” Tells “how much” fuel has offfuel has off--gassedgassed

��Sets the StageSets the Stage

VELOCITY (Pressure)VELOCITY (Pressure)VELOCITY (Pressure)VELOCITY (Pressure)VELOCITY (Pressure)VELOCITY (Pressure)VELOCITY (Pressure)VELOCITY (Pressure)

��How fast is the How fast is the

smoke leaving?smoke leaving?

��Can indicate Can indicate

��How fast is the How fast is the

smoke leaving?smoke leaving?


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volume or heatvolume or heat

��Helps find the Helps find the

location of the location of the

actual fireactual fire


volume or heatvolume or heat

��Helps find the Helps find the

location of the location of the

actual fireactual fire

DENSITYDENSITYDENSITYDENSITYDENSITYDENSITYDENSITYDENSITY

��Most Important Most Important

FactorFactor

��Quality of BurningQuality of Burning

��Continuity of FuelContinuity of Fuel

��Most Important Most Important

FactorFactor

��Quality of BurningQuality of Burning


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��Likelihood of an Likelihood of an

eventevent

��“Degree” of the “Degree” of the

EventEvent


��Likelihood of an Likelihood of an

eventevent

��“Degree” of the “Degree” of the

EventEvent

COLORCOLOR

��Rarely tells Rarely tells

“material burning”“material burning”

��Stage of HeatingStage of Heating

��Rarely tells Rarely tells

“material burning”“material burning”

��Stage of HeatingStage of Heating

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�� Location of FireLocation of Fire

��Amount of FlamingAmount of Flaming

�� “Brown” Smoke“Brown” Smoke

�� “Black Fire”“Black Fire”

�� Location of FireLocation of Fire

��Amount of FlamingAmount of Flaming

�� “Brown” Smoke“Brown” Smoke

�� “Black Fire”“Black Fire”

“BLACK FIRE”“BLACK FIRE”

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

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

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Velocity, Extremely Dense, Black Smoke.

It is the sure sign of impending flashover

– VENT & COOLare your only choices.

Velocity, Extremely Dense, Black Smoke.

It is the sure sign of impending flashover

– VENT & COOLare your only choices.

Step 2:Weigh

Factors

Step 2:Weigh

Factors

•• Container (most Container (most

important factor)important factor)

•• Thermal BalanceThermal Balance

•• Container (most Container (most

important factor)important factor)


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•• WeatherWeather

•• Firefighting effortsFirefighting efforts


•• WeatherWeather

•• Firefighting effortsFirefighting efforts

Step 3: Judge the Rate of ChangeStep 3: Judge the Rate of Change

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How fast are SMOKE conditions getting How fast are SMOKE conditions getting better or worse?better or worse?

How fast are SMOKE conditions getting How fast are SMOKE conditions getting better or worse?better or worse?

Step 4: Predict the Predict the Predict the Predict the EVENTEVENTEVENTEVENTStep 4: Predict the Predict the Predict the Predict the EVENTEVENTEVENTEVENTConsider that:Consider that:

•• One hostile event can One hostile event can -- and and

usually willusually will -- lead to another lead to another

event.event.

•• Communicate your observations.Communicate your observations.

Consider that:Consider that:

•• One hostile event can One hostile event can -- and and

usually willusually will -- lead to another lead to another

event.event.


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•• Warning Signs are not always Warning Signs are not always

visual visual –– use your KNOWLEDGE use your KNOWLEDGE

and EXPERIENCE.and EXPERIENCE.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…


•• Warning Signs are not always Warning Signs are not always

visual visual –– use your KNOWLEDGE use your KNOWLEDGE

and EXPERIENCE.and EXPERIENCE.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…

Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”

When you open a door or window When you open a door or window -- watch watch

what the smoke does what the smoke does –– and what the and what the

fresh air does!fresh air does!

When you open a door or window When you open a door or window -- watch watch

what the smoke does what the smoke does –– and what the and what the

fresh air does!fresh air does!

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fresh air does!fresh air does!fresh air does!fresh air does!

Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”

A 5A 5--second change in any key factor second change in any key factor

means an event has taken place means an event has taken place –– the the

key is to define what event has taken key is to define what event has taken

A 5A 5--second change in any key factor second change in any key factor

means an event has taken place means an event has taken place –– the the


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place and to forecast what will likely place and to forecast what will likely

happen next. happen next.


place and to forecast what will likely place and to forecast what will likely

happen next. happen next.

THE ART OF READING SMOKETHE ART OF READING SMOKETHE ART OF READING SMOKETHE ART OF READING SMOKETHE ART OF READING SMOKETHE ART OF READING SMOKETHE ART OF READING SMOKETHE ART OF READING SMOKE

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Some ExamplesSome ExamplesSome ExamplesSome Examples

Special THANKS to:Special THANKS to:

Mike Scott, Battalion Chief, Kent (WA) Fire

David Ross, Chief of Safety, Toronto Fire Services

Peter McBride, Shift Safety Chief, Ottawa Fire

Mike Scott, Battalion Chief, Kent (WA) Fire

David Ross, Chief of Safety, Toronto Fire Services

Peter McBride, Shift Safety Chief, Ottawa Fire

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Peter McBride, Shift Safety Chief, Ottawa FirePeter McBride, Shift Safety Chief, Ottawa Fire

Be Safe – Make it SafeBe Safe – Make it Safe

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