1. 1 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Special Concerns in Fire Fighting Chapter 6 Page 133

2. 2 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Objectives Explain pre-fire and post-fire planning processes and describe how these activities will ensure safe, efficient, and effective fire fighting activities Describe fire behavior in confined enclosures with and without ventilation activities Explain the various methods of ventilation and how each method impacts fire behavior 2

3. 3 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Objectives Explain the activities of salvage and overhaul and their role in fire extinguishment, and methods used to reduce further property loss Explain the procedures used to ensure that utilities do not threaten the safety of the building or its occupants 3

4. 4 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Introduction Learn about areas of special concern in fire fighting activities: –Pre-fire and post-fire planning –Ventilation –Salvage –Overhaul activities 4

5. 5 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Advance Preparation for Fire Fighting Firefighters have responsibility to preplan the community areas in his or her jurisdiction Identify jurisdiction’s target areas with elevated: –Life threat –Property threat –Threat to responding firefighters 5

6. 6 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning The Pre-incident Plan Inspection and Review Pre-plan how to deal with areas of threat in case of emergency situation Brings together first-alarm companies –Allows all personnel to become familiar with the property by: Seeing the property Discussing the problems they may encounter 6

7. 7 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Availability of Water Determine: –Location of the fire hydrants –Flow capability –Water main size –Supplementary water supply locations May be divided into zones: –Fire management zone (FMZ): zone within a jurisdictional engine company’s area where similar hazards are grouped by approximately equal needed fire flow and hazard 7

8. 8 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Built-in Fire Protection Determine: –Operation and procedures needed to start and shut off the system –Locations of system’s key components –Location of Siamese connections and control valves 8

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10. 10 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Mutual Aid Resources Determine: –Types of resources available –Additional staffing Availability Capability –Procedures used by assisting fire agencies 10

11. 11 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Pre-incident Planning and Fire Behavior Determine: –Principals of fire behavior, their structures and their characteristics –Layout of a building and the location of its structural additions and components –Working knowledge of fire behavior 11

12. 12 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Post-fire Activities Should be conducted in positive manner Should promote a learning environment Members should build on the positive aspects of their actions Member should address areas needing improvement 12

13. 13 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Post-fire Conference Conducted to improve future fire operations by using the lessons learned from the incident Responding parties generally invited Each member describes actions during the incident Information presented summarized and presented to members 13

14. 14 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Post-incident Form Checklist used during conference may contain some or all of the following sub-topics: –Origin, detection, alarm, equipment and staffing response, extent of fire, size-up, preplanning, ICS, RIT, forcible entry, rescue, ventilation, hose streams, salvage, overhaul, traffic control, utilities, and incident communications 14

15. 15 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Ventilation Needs to be high priority and actions should be immediately implemented May require more time than placement and deployment of hose lines Should be discussed in preplanning sessions 15

16. 16 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Roof Ventilation Look for natural openings first: –Scuttle holes –Skylights –Stairwells Sound roof with pike pole Cut hole directly above fire 16

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19. 19 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Louvering Helps reduce exposure of personnel to smoke and heat as roof is vented Figure 6-6 A finished louver opening for ventilation. 19

20. 20 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Horizontal or Cross Ventilation Use windows, doors, and other horizontal openings for ventilation Evaluate wind direction Determine where the heated gases and fire will go once they leave openings Windows may have to be broken Smoke fans can be useful 20

21. 21 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Horizontal or Cross Ventilation (cont’d.) Figure 6-7 While using smoke ejector fans for ventilation, firefighters must cover the entire opening to avoid churning of air which reduces smoke removal effectiveness. 21

22. 22 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Negative Pressure Ventilation Using mechanical fans to pull heated smoke and gases from the interior to outside building Ineffective/inefficient method of smoke removal Churning of the air may be a problem if fans are not a good fit 22

23. 23 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Positive Pressure Ventilation Uses mechanical fans to blow air into a structure to remove smoke and gases through additional openings Outlet opening must be controlled If too many doors and windows are opened, positive pressure ventilation is ineffective 23

24. Positive Pressure Fans 24

25. 25 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Figure 6-8 Positive pressure ventilation.

26. 26 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Salvage and Overhaul Little consideration was given to salvaging in the past Fire departments now accept responsibility to: –Extinguish fires –Reduce water and smoke loss as much as possible 26

27. 27 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Overhaul Operations First step is examining behavior of smoke, heat, and water Survey the damaged area before beginning overhaul operations Attempt to contact the owner of the premises Assign teams to complete work Save all records, partially destroyed or not 27

28. 28 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Debris Handling Caution should always be taken All burned material should be wetted down and sifted through for hot spots Debris pile locations should be chosen before debris is being moved Adequate barriers should be provided 28

29. 29 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Water Removal Water overload could cause building collapse Can use variety of methods –Stairways –Cast iron sewer piping –Holes cut in floor –Wall breach 29

30. 30 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Checking for Lingering Fire Thermal imaging device can show differences in temperatures throughout structures Attic should be checked for hot spots Suspicious floors should be checked from below through the ceiling Baseboards and window facings may need to be removed 30

31. Thermal Imaging Cameras 31

32. 32 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Securing a Building Should be turned over to owner or secured Windows and doors broken in fire should be boarded up Should be made safe for weather events May be necessary to post a firefighter as a fire watch or check building periodically 32

33. 33 © 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning Summary Explore basic principals of fire behavior through: –Pre-fire and post-fire inspections and conferences –Procedures of ventilation, salvage, and overhaul Understanding the interrelationships of the above are vital steps to successful fire fighting and safe fire ground operations 33