1 The ART of Reading Smoke

2 Why “Read” Smoke? To determine “HOW MUCH” fire To determine “HOW MUCH” fire

3 Why “Read” Smoke? To help find the LOCATION of the fire To help find the LOCATION of the fire

4 Why “Read” Smoke? To help predict COLLAPSE potential

5 Why “Read” Smoke? To help PRIORITIZE Strategies & Tactics

6 Why “Read” Smoke? To PROTECT Firefighters from a To PROTECT Firefighters from a “HOSTILE FIRE EVENT” To PROTECT Firefighters from a To PROTECT Firefighters from a “HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”

7 The “ADVANCED” Basics Concept #1: “Smoke” IS Fuel “Smoke” IS Fuel Concept #1: “Smoke” IS Fuel “Smoke” IS Fuel Particulates Aerosols Gases

8 The “ADVANCED” Basics Concept #2: Fuels have changed… Mass and Make-up!

9 The “ADVANCED” Basics Concept #3: The Fuel has Triggers: Flash PointFlash Point Fire PointFire Point Ignition TemperatureIgnition Temperature Concept #3: The Fuel has Triggers: Flash PointFlash Point Fire PointFire Point Ignition TemperatureIgnition Temperature

10 The Triggers : Temp & Mixture “Flammable Range / Air Mix” “Flammable Range / Air Mix”

11 Flammable Range & the Three Fires Too Lean... Too Rich... Just Right...

Yesteryear vs. Today 12

13 Other Prerequisites to Reading Smoke You must be able to determine... Stage of Fire: Early, Growth, or LateStage of Fire: Early, Growth, or Late Is the “box” absorbing heat? Laminar vs. TURBULENT flowIs the “box” absorbing heat? Laminar vs. TURBULENT flow You must be able to determine... Stage of Fire: Early, Growth, or LateStage of Fire: Early, Growth, or Late Is the “box” absorbing heat? Laminar vs. TURBULENT flowIs the “box” absorbing heat? Laminar vs. TURBULENT flow

14 “ HOSTILE ” Fire Events FlashoverFlashover BackdraftBackdraft Smoke ExplosionSmoke Explosion Rapid Fire SpreadRapid Fire Spread FlashoverFlashover BackdraftBackdraft Smoke ExplosionSmoke Explosion Rapid Fire SpreadRapid Fire Spread

15 FLASHOVER WARNING SIGNS:  Turbulent Smoke  “Rollover”  Auto Ignition outside Smoke–Cloud ignition is likely after flashover WARNING SIGNS:  Turbulent Smoke  “Rollover”  Auto Ignition outside Smoke–Cloud ignition is likely after flashover

16 BACKDRAFT Remember – Backdraft is triggered by O2 being introduced to pressurized smoke that is ABOVE it’s ignition temperature  Yellowish-grey smoke  Whistling  Bowing windows  “Sealed” containers Remember – Backdraft is triggered by O2 being introduced to pressurized smoke that is ABOVE it’s ignition temperature  Yellowish-grey smoke  Whistling  Bowing windows  “Sealed” containers

17 SMOKE EXPLOSION Remember – A Smoke Explosion is a spark or flame applied to a mixture below its ignition temperature  Trapped gases in upper areas  Growing fire  Increasing smoke density  Air intake overtaking smoke exiting Remember – A Smoke Explosion is a spark or flame applied to a mixture below its ignition temperature  Trapped gases in upper areas  Growing fire  Increasing smoke density  Air intake overtaking smoke exiting

18 RAPID FIRE SPREAD Usually “Container” Influenced SMOKE is the Fuel that is spreading the fire Look for fast moving smoke in high pressure zones May result from another “event” Usually “Container” Influenced SMOKE is the Fuel that is spreading the fire Look for fast moving smoke in high pressure zones May result from another “event”

19 “ Reading Smoke” Application “RULES”: Observations are typically made from outside - inside observations hide the “real” picture. Application “RULES”: Observations are typically made from outside - inside observations hide the “real” picture.

20 “ Reading Smoke” Visible FIRE is easy to read - look past it for the real storyVisible FIRE is easy to read - look past it for the real story Compare vent openingsCompare vent openings Visible FIRE is easy to read - look past it for the real storyVisible FIRE is easy to read - look past it for the real story Compare vent openingsCompare vent openings

21 The ART of Reading Smoke A PROCESS to help predict fire behavior and hostile events

22 Step 1: Evaluate Key Attributes VolumeVolume Velocity (Pressure)Velocity (Pressure) DensityDensity ColorColor VolumeVolume Velocity (Pressure)Velocity (Pressure) DensityDensity ColorColor

23 VOLUME  Always relative to the “Box”  Tells “how much” fuel has off- gassed  Sets the Stage

24 VELOCITY (Pressure)  How fast is the smoke leaving?  Can indicate volume or heat  Helps find the location of the actual fire

25 DENSITY  Most Important Factor  Quality of Burning  Continuity of Fuel  Likelihood of an Event  “Degree” of the Event

26 COLOR  Rarely tells “material” burning  Stage of Heating  Location of Fire  “Brown” Smoke

27 “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.

28 Step 2: Weigh Factors Container (most important factor)Container (most important factor) WeatherWeather Container (most important factor)Container (most important factor) WeatherWeather

29 Step 3: Judge the CHANGE RATE Are SMOKE conditions getting better or worse?

30 Predict the EVENT Consider that: One hostile event can - and usually will - lead to another event.One hostile event can - and usually will - lead to another event. Communicate your observations.Communicate your observations. Warning Signs are not always visual – use your KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE.Warning Signs are not always visual – use your KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS… Consider that: One hostile event can - and usually will - lead to another event.One hostile event can - and usually will - lead to another event. Communicate your observations.Communicate your observations. Warning Signs are not always visual – use your KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE.Warning Signs are not always visual – use your KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…

31 Some other “Tricks” WATCH OPEN DOORS! Smoke/Air is 50/50: Fire on same levelSmoke/Air is 50/50: Fire on same level SMOKE doesn’t lift: Fire belowSMOKE doesn’t lift: Fire below SMOKE is stagnant or disappears: Fire AboveSMOKE is stagnant or disappears: Fire Above WATCH OPEN DOORS! Smoke/Air is 50/50: Fire on same levelSmoke/Air is 50/50: Fire on same level SMOKE doesn’t lift: Fire belowSMOKE doesn’t lift: Fire below SMOKE is stagnant or disappears: Fire AboveSMOKE is stagnant or disappears: Fire Above

Short Cuts (not absolute) Thick/Black/Fast = heat and explosive Thin/Black/Fast = fire pushed nearby White w/Speed = hot – but distant Uniform speed/color from many places = deep seated Brown = unfinished wood being heated – a collapse warning in lightweight Turbulent = Flashover Thick/Black/Fast = heat and explosive Thin/Black/Fast = fire pushed nearby White w/Speed = hot – but distant Uniform speed/color from many places = deep seated Brown = unfinished wood being heated – a collapse warning in lightweight Turbulent = Flashover

33 Be Safe – Make it Safe