United States Fire Administration Chief Officer Training Curriculum Operations Module 17: Grain Elevator Simulation Exercise

United States Fire Administration Ops 17-2 Objectives  Identify the critical cues required to manage a grain elevator incident  Establish incident objectives  Determine strategies  Select tactics

United States Fire Administration Ops 17-3 Objectives (continued)  Identify and request resources  Select alternate solutions  Establish an appropriate ICS organization to manage the incident

United States Fire Administration Ops 17-4 Overview  Grain elevator construction  Incident considerations for grain elevators and grain dryers  Fire extinguishment in grain elevators  The normal causes or sources of ignition for fire or explosion

United States Fire Administration Ops 17-5 Grain Elevator Construction  Offices  Silos  Head house

United States Fire Administration Ops 17-6 Grain Elevator Preplan  Complexity  Egress  Machinery  Explosion potential

United States Fire Administration Ops 17-7  Small initial explosion  Second explosion—larger, more powerful  Operations should never disturb large amounts of dust Dust Explosions

United States Fire Administration Ops 17-8 Grain Dryer Incident Considerations  Dryers fueled by propane, fuel oil or natural gas  Safety features  Discharge chute clogging  “Hot” grain  Large fires difficult to control

United States Fire Administration Ops 17-9 Grain Elevator Fire Extinguishment  Apply water slowly and gently  CO 2 sometimes injected from bottom  Interior offensive attack should be done with caution  Protective equipment required to enter grain bin, tank, or silo

United States Fire Administration Ops Grain Elevator Sources of Ignition  Bearing friction  Rubber conveyor belt  Belt/friction slippage  Faulty electrical wiring

United States Fire Administration Ops Activity 17.1 Grain Elevator Simulation Exercise

Side A Side C

Side A

Side C

United States Fire Administration Ops Module Summary  Grain elevator construction  Incident considerations for grain elevators and dryers  Fire extinguishment in grain elevators  Causes and sources of ignition for fire or explosion