1. Chapter 19
Fire Suppression

2. Introduction This chapter covers:
Putting into action the techniques and methods discussed thus far
Common types of fires and some common techniques
Common elements of fire control
Tactical considerations

3. Elements of Fire Control
Know the basic principles involved in processes that create and sustain fire
Lower the losses and risks:
Arrive on the scene quickly
Bring all your knowledge

4. Structural Fire Components and Considerations
Many factors must be taken into consideration:
Length of time fire has been burning
Building construction materials
Occupancy type and contents
Resources available

5. Figure The old and new ways of visualizing the combustion process, the fire triangle and the fire tetrahedron.

6. Ground Cover Fire Components and Considerations
Wildland fire triangle:
Weather
Given similar fuels and topography, fires burn radically differently in different weather conditions
Fuel
Two main variables: rate of spread and fire intensity
Topography
Steepness of slope, drainages, ridges and saddles all critical to fire behavior

7. Figure 19-5 The wildland fire triangle differs from the structural fire triangle.

8. Figure 19-6 The components that make up the weather side of the wildland fire triangle.

9. Figure 19-7 The components that make up the fuels side of the wildland fire triangle.

10. Figure 19-10 The components that make up the topography side of the wildland fire triangle.

11. Vehicular Fire Components and Considerations
Number of variables:
Avoid standing in front of bumper after it is heated
Any fuel leak in engine compartment can ignite quickly
Recognize electric vehicles
Primary dangers in passenger compartment are materials used in construction
Use care around air bags: chance of discharge
Trunk used for storage of unknown materials
Underside fuel storage area may be leaking raw fuel

12. Flammable Liquids Fire Components and Considerations
Each flammable liquid has its own specifications
Solubility
Polar solvents
Specific gravity
Specifications affect burning characteristics and extinguishment
Knowing characteristics of a material provides margin of safety and ability to mitigate the hazard

13. Flammable Gas Fire Components and Considerations
Can be grouped with flammable liquids
Understand hazards associated with gases
Properties:
Flammable range
Vapor density
Toxicity

14. Process of Fire Extinguishment
Number of steps must be taken:
Plan of attack
Apply plan of action quickly, efficiently, safely
Indirect attack
Combination attack
Goal is to save property
Not enough water: fire will not be extinguished
Too much water: water damage may exceed fire damage

15. Figure The indirect attack has the firefighters applying a 30-degree fog into the upper heat layer of the fire in order to create a steam that will extinguish the fire.

16. Figure If the line selected does not match the size needed, the fire will burn longer and hotter and can jeopardize the operation.

17. Proper Stream Selection
Sufficient water must be applied
Factors:
Proper stream type
Stream size
Placement of fire stream
Nozzle type
Mobility of stream

18. Table 19-1 Hose Stream Characteristics

19. Figure 19-22 The first line pulled should be positioned between the potential victims and the fire.

20. Tactical Considerations
Priorities: RECEO
Incident Command System (ICS)
Tactical objectives:
Mental preparation
All factors considered upon arrival
Choose mode of attack and call for attack
Exposure
Confinement and ventilation
Extinguishment
Overhaul

21. Figure Radiant heat is the main cause of exposure fires within short distances. Radiant heat will travel in straight lines from the heat source to nearby objects.

22. Figure Fires most commonly should be attacked from their unburned side, pushing the products of combustion away from unburned materials and areas.

23. Table 19-2 Fireground Factors

24. Residential Occupancies
Generic considerations:
Scan the scene
Order of attack
Rescue occupants
Exposure control
Ventilation
Extinguishment and overhaul
Housing and clothing for occupants

25. Table Rescue Factors

26. Business and Mercantile Occupancies
Fought differently than residential fires
Depending on time of day, life hazard for victims not as great
Hazards to firefighter can be greater
First-in engine goes to front of building
Second-in engine has numerous options based on condition of fire
Injuries come from falls and building collapse
Hazards associated with products manufactured

27. Multistory Occupancies
First-in unit goes to control room
Communication is extremely important
Gather in stairwell prior to deploying on fire floor
First-in truck goes into ventilation mode
Other arriving units fill important operational positions

28. Figure Firefighters must only use elevators that are secured so that accidental fire exposure will never occur.

29. Figure The high-rise fire is usually attacked from the stairwells. Laying hose up from the floor below the fire floor will give the firefighting team a safer and more efficient operation.

30. Below-Ground Structures or Basements
Some of the hardest fires to fight
Highest temperature is at entry point
Difficult to ventilate
First-in engine company goal is to get water onto fire as quickly as possible
May need to punch through the floor above the room
Flood the room with water or high expansion foam

31. Figure Firefighters must travel down through superheated gases and toxic products of combustion in order to fight a basement fire.
Figure If access to the below-ground fire is too dangerous or not practical, then other means must be used to extinguish the fire through the ceiling of the burning room.

32. Structures Equipped with Sprinklers or Standpipes
Sprinklered buildings create a unique situation
Smoke and heat held down by cooling water
Enter building without shutting down sprinkler
Standpipe system is invaluable
Carries water
Saves a great amount of time

33. Exposure Fires
Any combustible item being threatened by something burning in another area
Factors involved:
Wind, distance, material, and intensity of fire
Conduction: cooling medium applied to material being heated
Convection: downwind patrol ensures embers do not ignite other materials
Radiation: apply water to exposed area

34. Figure Radiation will travel through water or any opaque material. In order for water to be effective, it must be applied to the exposed surface in order to cool it.

35. Non-structural Fires Ground cover or wildland fire
Confine spread
Guide fire
Operate from position of strength and safety
Vehicular firefighting
Be aware of backdraft and flashover
Attack from upwind and uphill side of vehicle

36. Figure 19-52 An indirect attack on a ground cover fire with two engines and a dozer.

37. Figure Protecting homes in the interface is a growing practice across the country for engine companies used to fighting fire in the cities.

38. Alternative-Fueled Vehicles
Fighting fire in these vehicles is tactically different
Flex-fuel vehicles
Use gasoline and alcohol fuel in any mixture
Bi-fuel vehicles
Two separate fuel systems
CNG and LPG vehicles
Compressed gas tanks; high pressure fuel lines
Electric-fueled vehicles
Procedures differ due to nature of power source

39. Establishing Safe Work Areas
Most vehicle fires found in places of travel
Block areas from outside penetration
Place traffic cones or road flares
Flammable liquids and gases do not follow basic laws of extinguishments
Trash fires can surprise the most seasoned firefighter
Large piles with large fires in outside storage areas require large amounts of water
Water delivery the key to success

40. Figure To protect firefighters on scene in the street, the engine is typically used to block traffic. Cones are used quite often to assist in this endeavor.

41. Flammable Liquids and Gas Fires
The mechanisms of extinguishment are well known to the fire service
Smother the fuel, cutting off the supply of oxygen
Starve the fuel by removing unburned material from the area
Interrupt the chain reaction process with chemical agents
Cool the fuel, reducing vapor pressure

42. Flammable Liquids and Gas Fires (cont’d.)
Can set up generic principles for fighting most flammable liquid and gas fires as follows:
Identify the material involved and its hazards
Utilize written assistance with the DOT Emergency Response Guidebook and other sources
Evaluate the threat to nearby similar commodities such as gas cylinders and tanks. For instance, get water on exposed tanks to reduce internal pressure buildup and prevent the possibility of a BLEVE

43. Figure Water is applied to the heated metal surface in order to keep it cool, slowing the pressure buildup inside the exposed tank car. This will reduce the possibility of a BLEVE.

44. Flammable Liquids and Gas Fires (cont’d.)
Determine which extinguishment agent and principle is best
For small fires, consider CO2 or dry chemicals
For larger fires, consider foam suited for that particular commodity
For some fires, consider letting the fire burn itself out
Be aware of the hazards associated with premature extinguishment

45. Figure A team of firefighters approaches a flammable liquid fire control valve behind a fog pattern. (Courtesy of Phill Queen)

46. Flammable Liquids and Gas Fires (cont’d.)
Look for shutoff valves or switches to shut down the flow of material to the fire
Use two teams of firefighters, one per hoseline
Each team is positioned approximately five feet apart so that when the fog pattern is open the two overlap and remain in constant contact with the ground, creating a protective wall
Both teams simultaneously approach the tank

47. Flammable Liquids and Gas Fires (cont’d.)
Look for shutoff valves or switches to shut down the flow of material to the fire (cont’d.)
Approach the shut off valve that has been identified slowly
The fog pattern should overlap the valve which will allow a member from one team to turn off the valve while remaining protected
Once the fuel is cut off the fire should extinguish and the firefighters should retreat in the same manner they approached

48. Fighting a Fire for Tanks and Other Containers Under Pressure
A tank or container can fail at any time
The dangers associated with a BLEVE are:
The fireball can engulf responders and exposures
Metal parts of the tank can fly considerable distances
Liquid propane can be released into the surrounding area and be ignited
The shock wave, air blast, or flying metal parts created by a BLEVE can collapse buildings or move responders and equipment

49. Figure 25-60 Diagram of a BLEVE.

50. Fighting a Fire for Tanks and Other Containers Under Pressure (cont’d
Firefighters should withdraw immediately in the case of rising sound from venting relief valves or discoloration of the tank
Fire must be fought from a distance with unstaffed or unmanned hose holders or monitor nozzles
The tank should be cooled with flooding quantities long after the fire is out

51. Job Performance Requirement 25-1
Fighting a Fire for Tanks and Other Containers Under Pressure
A A tank or container can fail at any time, and it is impossible to determine the exact moment that failure will occur. Firefighters should withdraw immediately when increasing sound from venting relief valves or a discoloration of the tank is noticed. In this photo, a high-pressure tube trailer carrying compressed hydrogen is on fire.(Courtesy of Maryland Department of the Environment Emergency Response Division)

52. Job Performance Requirement 25-1 (cont’d.)
Fighting a Fire for Tanks and Other Containers Under Pressure (cont’d.)
B Fire must be fought from a distance with unstaffed hose holders or monitor nozzles. In this photo, a liquid propane tank has overturned and the propane is being flared (burned) off before the truck can be righted. (Courtesy of Maryland Department of the Environment Emergency Response Division)
19.52

53. Cylinders All cylinders are pressurized
The pressures range from a low of 200 psi to a high of 5,000 psi
Cylinder identification is accomplished through:
Labeling
Color coding
MSDS sheets
Intended site use

54. Cylinders (cont’d.) Cylinder characteristics Relief Valves
Tangible Discs

55. Lessons Learned
Principles of firefighting based on sound scientific laws and years of firefighting experience
Tactics and strategies will differ
With newer automobile fuels, the job of the firefighter is constantly changing
Knowing basic elements of fire control will result in a better environment