Developed by FFDSD Shipboard Committee

ENABLING OBJECTIVES DISCUSS methods used to protect compartments exposed to fire IAW SURFACE SHIP FIREFIGHTING NSTM 555 Vol 1 IFSTA MFF Ch. 8 DISCUSS firefighting tactics and methods of attack IAW SURFACE SHIP FIREFIGHTING 555, IFSTA MFF Ch. 8, FFDSD SOG #176 DETERMINE requirements for personnel protective clothing IAW PERSONNEL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FFDSD SOP, NFPA 1500 SURFACE SHIP FIREFIGHTING NSTM 555 Vol 1. IFSTA MFF DISCUSS fire spread control procedures IAW IFSTA MFF, SURFACE SHIP FIREFIGHTING 555V1

FIRE BOUNDARIES PRIMARY ANY physical boundary can be a primary fire boundary (FB) Minimum degree of tightness – fume tight Bulkheads, overhead and deck closest to the fire. ALL SIX SIDES OF AFFECTED SPACE MUST BE SET Primary emphasis MUST BE ON VERTICAL BOUNDARY to prevent vertical fire spread Charged hoses are not needed if boundaries show no indication of heat or extension of the fire across the boundary.

FIRE BOUNDARIES Secondary Vertical and Horizontal Next bulkhead, overhead and deck outside the primary boundary Manned when fire spreads past primary boundaries Vertical and Horizontal Fires normally spread faster vertically to the space above than to adjacent spaces. Boundary cooling does not require a sustained effort, a single person may man and operate a fire boundary hose. Using small amounts of water to cool boundary bulkheads and decks will prevent rapid build-up of steam and allow firefighters n to stay in the space longer. WARNING: Greater depths of water do not improve cooling and increase the risk of burns from hot water to personnel in the space.

FIRE SPREAD THROUGH METAL BOUNDARIES FIRE BOUNDARIES FIRE SPREAD THROUGH METAL BOUNDARIES

SMOKE BOUNDARIES Smoke boundaries are set to contain smoke and to establish a controlled path for exhausting smoke to the weather decks. The smoke boundary nearest the fire is designated as the Inner Smoke Boundary and normally coincides with the primary fire boundary. A second smoke boundary, called the Outer Smoke Boundary and located farther away from the fire, also should be set.

SMOKE BOUNDARIES The area between the inner and outer smoke boundaries is called the Smoke Control zone. When the access to the fire space is opened by the attack team, smoke will be trapped in the smoke control zone. Hoses used by the attack team should be within the smoke control zone to minimize penetrations of the outer smoke boundary. WARNING: Only personnel wearing breathing apparatus should enter the smoke control zone.

SMOKE CONTROL ZONE SMOKE CURTAIN INSTALLED HERE FIRE AFFECTED SPACE Smoke Control Zone The area between the inner and outer smoke boundaries is called the smoke control zone. Also known as “Warm Zone”.

SMOKE CONTROL ZONE

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES

FIRE ATTACK Firefighters that are highly skilled at advancing hose lines; using nozzle pattern tactics and performing advanced firefighting techniques will certainly test that in the shipboard environment. Utilize ships fire control plan or DC plates to establish a route If possible access fire zone from same level or from below Trace the route and identify hazards prior to entry and identify evacuation zones Consider the ships portable radios for attack teams due to the likelihood that fire service radios tend not to transmit or receive inside the skin of the ship. Establish a signal and procedure for evacuation Deploy a minimum of two attack hoses. One primary and one back up. IC should have a RIT assignment for each hose team deployed

FIRE ATTACK Estimate hose lengths carefully Relieve the hose teams with the hose in place. Uncharged hose can usually be deployed to the warm zone Only back out with the hose when the space is being abandoned Once line is charged the hose may become kinked and snagged on an infinite number of choke points and bites. Keep all firefighters on the same side of the hose Practice the zipper method when multiple teams are working and going through water tight doors For example advancing a 200 ft. section of 1 ¾ hose down two levels could take up 10 -12 firefighters. Utilize thermal imagers

FIRE ATTACK Approach Method Entering and attacking a fire from the same level or from below is preferred but not always possible The hazards of fighting fire below are similar to standing in a hot frying pan Rotate personnel frequently as little as 10 minutes Stand upright in a space above the fire, this may help with heat stress If above the fire tend the hose as not to let it lay on the deck. Make vertical access quickly through the thermal layering

METHODS OF ATTACK Direct Attack Narrow Fog Attack Indirect Attack Venting Options

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Direct Attack - Preferred method Advance into the immediate fire area and apply water directly onto the fire. Direct attack can also include a Straight/Narrow fog attack into the overhead gases or direct attack from the doorway. Access to the fire may be straight forward in the early stage of the fire, but hot, gases, and smoke from an advanced fire make access increasingly difficult. Short bursts of water will allow the Captain and nozzle man to see if the fire has moved.

DIRECT ATTACK

IF HIGH TEMPERATURE DENIES ACCESS ATTACK FROM AN ACCESS WHEN FIRE CAN BE REACHED WITH HOSE STREAM

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Shock Hazard Nearly all spaces contain electrical cables and fixtures. However, the shock hazard to the firefighter is low. This is due to watertight or spray tight enclosures, cable insulation, electrical circuit protection devices and low voltage (120 volt) electrical service. Historically, the primary shock hazard is caused by direct contact between the firefighter or hose nozzle and an electrically energized object and not by electrical conduction via the hose stream.

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Space Entry Position firefighters on the non-hinged side of door, Attack team ready. Stay low! Forcible entry gear may be required to open hot or jammed fittings. Do not cool the door. When door is opened, if fire shows or rolls out, direct water narrow fog at the doorway overhead for cooling and control of escaping gases. When conditions permit, attack team enter the space and go to work. Remain low!

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Controlling the Hose Two firefighters can operate an 13/4 inch hose in initial attack Sustained operation requires a minimum of 2 firefighters in addition to the nozzle man (requirements increase based on hose length and number of turns) Advancing the Hose Advance to nearest location possible to affected space prior to charging. When maneuvering below decks place all firefighters on the same side of the hose for ease of movement in narrow areas. When using 2 hoses side by side , place firefighters on outside of hoses and staggered to minimize interference.

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Backup Hose The decision to layout, charge, man or bring the back-up hose to the immediate scene of the fire shall be made by the Company officer considering the following: The need for a coordinated second attack line working the fire. The need to control burning combustion gases in the overhead. The need to protect combustible materials exposed to heat from the fire. The need to provide protection for, or aid in the rescue of, the initial attack team in the event of a rapid spread of fire or explosion. The need for back-up in the event of a ruptured hose, loss of water pressure to the initial attack hose, or some other unexpected event. If the back-up hose is laid out, position it so that it does not add to the congestion in the fire space.

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Multiple Hose Coordination Each hose should be operated as an attack hose, or alternatively as a back up hose. The attack team CO needs to coordinate a multiple hose attack in a safe and effective manner and report status and progress to, the operations officer. When assigned, the attack team CO should be in a position where they can best see the fire, observe the operation of the nozzle and direct the team forward at the proper time.

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Attack Team Relief Relieve as a team or individually?? Manage reliefs from a single control point, Personnel standing by should minimize heat stress while waiting. Personnel relieved should proceed to fresh air, cool off and replenish body

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Indirect Attack When heat or other conditions deny access to space May improve condition to permit reentry for direct attack. To cool space, apply water fog into space from a cracked open access or hole cut in the deck. Follow immediately with direct attack.

IF HIGH TEMPERATURE DENIES ACCESS CONDUCT INDIRECT ATTACK

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Venting Options Additional option to consider when topside or in large area that opens to weather Cut hole in access above fire. Minimum of 12in x 12in Maximum of 18in x 18in

IF HIGH TEMPERATURE DENIES ACCESS VENT HEAT TO WEATHER AND CONDUCT DIRECT ATTACK

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Fire Streams The correct way for a nozzle man to handle a nozzle is the method which permits him to accomplish his mission in the most physically comfortable manner. Nozzle control is critical. Nozzle pattern subject to continuous change as conditions dictate. Straight stream. Good to penetrate and break up burned Class (A) material for overhaul and used to interrupt the thermal layer in the roll over stage of a fire Narrow angle fog / (30 Degrees) General firefighting pattern Good for providing a “push” to flame fronts Wide angle fog / (90 Degrees) Good heat absorption, used for personnel protection (5-10 feet at 100 PSI)

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES WATER CONSERVATION Use minimum amount of water to control extinguish the fire in order to minimize steam formation and affect on stability.

FIREFIGHTING TECHNIQUES Salvage & Overhaul Begin at perimeter and work to point of origin It includes finding and extinguishing hidden fires, determining whether the fire has extended to other parts of the ship, post-fire desmoking, post-fire atmospheric testing, and dewatering. Check for all possible areas of fire spread as well as clues for concealed fires Smoke creeping out of openings Bulkheads hot to touch Thermal Imager inspection results

SUMMARY & REVIEW DISCUSS methods used to protect compartments exposed to fire IAW SURFACE SHIP FIREFIGHTING NSTM 555 Vol 1 IFSTA MFF Ch. 8 DISCUSS firefighting tactics and methods of attack IAW SURFACE SHIP FIREFIGHTING 555, IFSTA MFF Ch. 8, FFDSD SOG #176 DETERMINE requirements for personnel protective clothing IAW PERSONNEL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FFDSD SOP, NFPA 1500 SURFACE SHIP FIREFIGHTING NSTM 555 Vol 1. IFSTA MFF DISCUSS fire spread control procedures IAW IFSTA MFF, SURFACE SHIP FIREFIGHTING 555V1