1. The ART of Reading Smoke

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

3. Why “Read” Smoke?
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
“HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”

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

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

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

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

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

12. Yesteryear vs. Today

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

14. “ HOSTILE ” Fire Events Flashover Backdraft Smoke Explosion
Rapid Fire Spread

15. 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

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

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”

19. “ Reading Smoke” 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 story
Compare vent openings

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

22. Step 1: Evaluate Key Attributes
Volume
Velocity (Pressure)
Density
Color

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)
Weather

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

30. Predict the EVENT TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS… Consider that:
One hostile event can - and usually will - lead to another event.
Communicate your observations.
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 level
SMOKE doesn’t lift: Fire below
SMOKE is stagnant or disappears: Fire Above

32. 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

33. Be Safe – Make it Safe THANK YOU!
For more info, contact Dave Dodson
THANK YOU!