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

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

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

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

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

6. 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.
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7. 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

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

9. Heat sources
Electrical
Exhaust
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10. Oxygen sources
Air
Very rare but magnesium can extract oxygen from water
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11. 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!
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12. 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
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13. 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)

14. 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.
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15. 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!
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16. 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.

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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
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21. KEEP SAFE WE WANT SAFE HEROS SO REMEMBER YOUR SAFETY FIRST
YOUR FELLOW MARSHALS SAFETY
THEN THE DRIVERS SAFETY

22. With the support of the Motor Sport Training Trust
Acknowledgements
With the support of the Motor Sport Training Trust
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