Fires and how to fight them Rally and Cross-country environment

Fire Fighting - The Theory Welcome to this morning’s session. Acknowledgements:

Who am I? Session trainer today Who am I and why am I here?

Today Course Outline - Questions – As we go Duration - 30 mins Fire theory Equipment available Questions – As we go Duration - 30 mins Followed by Practical Fire fighting

Aims Save lives Reduce injury and disability Save vehicles and the locale from damage

Outcomes After completing the course you will: Understand what causes fire Understand how fires can be put out Know what equipment you might have to use Know how to check that equipment Know how to use the equipment Know how to keep yourself safe. INSERT FILE NAME

OXYGEN HEAT FUEL The Triangle of Fire You must have three things in order to have a fire Fuel Oxygen Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature. Open discussion - get the attendees to name different fuels/volatility/persistence – Petrol Methanol Diesel Batteries Magnesium Bodywork Trim Etc. etc. Remove any one and the fire will go out. You can: Remove heat with a cool liquid - water, foam Remove fuel - turn off the fuel supply, remove flammable materials or remove the vehicle from the flammable material – for example, push it off dry grass and onto hard standing. Remove Oxygen - seal with foam Dry powder is a special case and kills flame partly by cooling it and partly by chemical reaction

Fuels Petrol Diesel LPG Oil Plastics; trim and fibre/carbon reinforced plastic Tyres Grass etc.

Heat sources Electrical Exhaust INSERT FILE NAME

Oxygen sources Air Very rare but magnesium can extract oxygen from water INSERT FILE NAME

Types of Extinguisher You are only likely to find two sorts of extinguisher intended for your use: Dry Powder Foam It is important that you understand why these need to be used together Clear emphasis on use together but cover later as to why. Repetition! INSERT FILE NAME

Types and markings Usually “stored pressure”, which will have a pressure gauge Sometimes “cartridge” – no gauge Blue/Cream colour will only be 5% Dry powder – BLUE Foam – Cream or light green INSERT FILE NAME

Dry Powder extinguishers Extinguishes flames only No cooling or sealing properties Use the Dry Powder extinguisher first to knock the flames down. Emphasise that it only works on flames – no cooling properties (on any thing else)

Foam extinguishers Two benefits: Not effective at putting out flames Isolate liquid fuel from air by forming a film Cool hot metal, trim, tyres etc. Not effective at putting out flames Nothing like as good as powder for extinguishing fire but essential for keeping it out. INSERT FILE NAME

Checks Gauge – in green or OK sector Hose not damaged and end not blocked Powder extinguishers – invert and listen for powder falling (slowly) to the bottom. Cartridge extinguishers have no gauge – check nothing rattling about inside. Lift extinguishers by the handle only. The cartridge check is to make sure the cartridge has not come loose! INSERT FILE NAME

On-board Systems Mechanical or electrical operation External button or handle for use by marshal. (Driver has own button/handle.) Should also have a separate extinguisher which can be removed from its clamp and used independently.

What to wear? Gloves Ideally covered from ankles to wrists in a natural fibre (e.g. cotton or wool) or fire retardant overalls (Proban)

Two marshals and two sorts of extinguisher Teamwork Two marshals and two sorts of extinguisher Working together Dry powder puts the flames out Foam keeps the fire out

Attack Wind behind you Dry powder first – knocks down flames The fumes are unpleasant and, potentially, dangerous Dry powder first – knocks down flames Foam follow up to cool/isolate Check that electrical master switch is off

Aims Aim to get the fire out – all out - before trying to drag drivers out If really necessary, concentrate on drivers but remember that an extinguisher will only last 20 seconds Much better to aim for complete extinguishment INSERT FILE NAME

KEEP SAFE WE WANT SAFE HEROS SO REMEMBER YOUR SAFETY FIRST YOUR FELLOW MARSHALS SAFETY THEN THE DRIVERS SAFETY

With the support of the Motor Sport Training Trust Acknowledgements With the support of the Motor Sport Training Trust INSERT FILE NAME