Chapter 17: Fire Control

What are some properties of biodiesel?

- Blend of liquids made from natural plants and diesel - Yellow liquid with the odour of cooking oil - Nontoxic, biodegradeable, and sulfur free. - Slightly lighter than water - Flash point of 266 degrees F (130 degrees C)

What are some properties of natural gas?

- Clean burning - High ignition temperature - Narrow explosive range - Nontoxic - Noncorrosive - Colourless and odourless in its natural state (mercaptan is added as a safety measure) - Lighter than air - Stored under pressure - Visible flame

What are some properties of liquefied petroleum gas?

- Clean burning - Safer than gasoline - Colourless and odourless in its natural state (mercaptan is added as a safety measure) - Stored under pressure - Expands rapidly when heated (1.5 times per 10 degrees)

What are some properties of hydrogen?

- Colourless and odourless - Nontoxic - Energy efficient - Autoignition temperature of 550 degrees F (287.7 degrees C) - Flammability range between 4 and 75 %

What safety measures can be taken when dealing with electrical hazards?

- Establish an exclusion zone equal to the distance between power poles (one span) in a all directions from downed power lines. - Be aware that a short circuit may have weakened other wires, and they could fall at any time. - Wear full PPC and use only tested and approved tools with insulated handles. - Guard against electrical shocks, burns, and eye injuries from electrical arcs. - Wait for utility company workers to cut any power lines. - Use lockout/tagout devices when working on electrical equipment. - Stay at least 10' (3 m) away from power lines when raising or lowering ground ladders or aerial devices. - Do not touch any vehicle or apparatus that is in contact with electrical wires. - Do not use solid and straight streams on fires in energized electrical equipment. - Use fog streams with at least 100 psi (700 kPa) nozzle pressure on energized electrical equipment. - Be aware that live wires outside your field of view may be in contact with wire mesh or steel rail fences, energizing them and posing an electrocution hazard. - Where wires are down, heed any tingling sensation felt in feet and back away. - Maintain a large safety zone around downed electrical wires to avoid ground gradient hazards. - Remain inside a vehicle or apparatus that is in contact with power lines. If you must leave the vehicle or apparatus, jump clear of the apparatus, landing with both feet together.

What are the responsibilities of the first-arriving engine company?

- Establish command - Make initial size-up - Deploy available resources - Communicate the situation to the communication centre and other responding units - Deploy initial attack hoseline - Intervene between trapped occupants and the fire - Protect rescuers - Protect primary means of egress - Protect interior exposures (other rooms) - Protect exterior exposures (other buildings) - Initiate extinguishment - Operate master streams

What factors dictate the nozzle and stream selection?

- Fire conditions - Available water supply - Number of firefighters available to safely operate the hoseline - Capabilities of the nozzle being used

What factors should be considered when selecting a hoseline?

- Fire conditions - Fire load and materials involved - Flow rate needed for extinguishment - Stream reach needed - Number of firefighters available to advance hoselines - Need for speed and mobility - Tactical requirements - Ease of hoseline deployment - Potential fire spread - Size of building - Size of fire area - Location of fire

What are the responsibilities of the Fireground Support Company?

- Forcible entry - Search and rescue - Property conservation (salvage) - Ground or aerial ladder placement - Ventilation - Scene lighting - Utility control (electric, gas, water) - Checking for fire extension - Operating elevated fire streams - Overhaul

What are some properties of ethanol/methanol?

- Gasoline blends - Water-soluble - Electrically-conductive - Clear liquids with slight gasoline odour - Burn bright blue, may be difficult to see during the day

What are the responsibilities of the second-arriving engine company?

- Help first engine company complete tasks - Deploy an additional hoseline - Establish water supply - Assist advancement of the initial attack hoseline - back up the initial attack line - protect the secondary means of egress - prevent fire extension (confinement) - protect the most threatened exposure - assist in extinguishment - assist with fireground support company operations - form the rapid intervention creat/team (RIC/RIT)

What information needs to be passed on when transferring command?

- Name of incident - Incident status (fire conditions, number of victims, etc) - Safety considerations - Goals and objectives listed in the Incident Action Plan (IAP) - Progress toward completion of tactical objectives - Deployment of assigned resources - Assessment of the need for additional resources

What are the basic procedures for attacking a fire in a vehicle?

- Position a hoseline between the burning vehicle and any exposures. Hoseline should be at least 1.5" (38 mm) and provide 95 gpm (360 L/min) flow. - Attack the fire from a 45 degree angle to avoid the potential for injuries from exploding hydraulic or pneumatic struts. - Extinguish any fire near the vehicle occupants first. - Issue an "all clear" when all occupants are out of the vehicle. - Extinguish any ground fire around or under the vehicle. - Extingusih any fire remaining in or around the vehicle.

What are some non fire hazards that may be encountered in ground cover fire operations?

- Unstable trees (collapse) - Animals - Insects - Electrified fences - Power lines - Explosives (may be found near military training areas or construction sites) - Hazardous Materials - Rolling or falling debris - Pits or shafts - Animal traps

What are the search priorities?

1. Areas most threatened 2. Areas where the largest number of occupants are threatened 3. Remainder of the fire area 4. Exposures

What is the procedure for beginning an interior attack?

1. Attack team should wait in a safe area near the building entrance. 2. Extinguish visible fires in any fascia or soffit, boxed cornices, exterior overhangs, or openings. 3. Stay low and out of the doorway while approaching the building entrance. 4. Check the door for heat. 5. The door should be kept closed until the hoseline is charged and the crew is ready to enter. 6. Maintain control of the door as it is opened. 7. Observe the smoke movement and air flow when the door is opened. 8. Apply water to the hot gas layers, wait 5-10 seconds to observe any reactions before entering the structure. 9. Once the door is open and entry is made, chock the door to prevent it from closing on the hoseline.

What are the ten standard wildland fire fighting orders?

1. Keep informed on fire weather conditions and forecasts. 2. Know what the fire is doing at all times. 3. Base all actions on current and expected behaviour of the fire. 4. Identify escape routes and safety zones, and make them known. 5. Post lookouts when there is possible danger. 6. Be alert, keep calm, think clearly, and act decisively. 7. Maintain prompt communications with your forces, your supervisor, and adjoining forces. 8. Give clear instructions and ensure that they are understood. 9. Maintain control of your forces at all times. 10. Fight fire aggressively, providing for safety first.

What critical functions does a backup hoseline perform?

1. Protects the attack hoseline team from extreme fire behaviour. 2. Protects the means of egress for the attack hoseline team. 3. Provides additional fire suppression capability in the event that the fire increases in volume. Note: The backup hoseline should be at least the same size and provide the same flow rate as the attack hoseline. A fog nozzle is preferred because it will provide the greatest protection for both teams.

How far away should firefighters and the public stay from underground electrical vaults?

300 feet (91 m)

Shielded Fire

A fire that is located in a remote part of the structure or hidden from view by objects in the compartment.

What is generally the most useful nozzle for interior fire attack?

A fog nozzle is generally the most useful for interior fire attack. A wide fog pattern can be used to protect firefighters from radiant heat as well as cool the hot fire gases. When it becomes necessary to penetrate the hot gas layer and cool the compartment linings (ceiling or wall) or reach the burning fuel, the nozzle can be adjusted to a straight stream.

Fusee

A friction match with a large head capable of burning in the wind.

Indirect Attack (Ground Cover)

A method of controlling a ground cover fire in which a control line is constructed or located some distance from the edge of the main fire, and the fuel between the two points is burned.

What is generally the most useful nozzle for exterior fire attack?

A solid stream nozzle is generally the most useful for exterior fire attack. The solid stream will deliver the greatest amount of water over the farthest distance. It can also be directed through an opening at the compartment lining to cause the stream to disperse into small drops and absorb more heat.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

Any of several petroleum products, such as propane or butane, stored under pressure as a liquid.

High-Voltage

Any voltage exceeding 600 volts.

Low-Voltage

Any voltage less than 600 volts and safe enough for domestic use, typically 120 volts or less.

What are some topographical features that influence ground fire behaviour?

Aspect - The compass direction a slope faces. In North American the southern side gets more sun, tends to be drier, and will burn faster. Local Terrain Features - Canyons, ridges, ravines, etc. that can alter air flow and cause turbulence or eddies; resulting in erratic fire behaviour. Drainages - These steep ravines are terrain features that create turbulent updrafts causing a chimney effect. Fires in these areas can spread at an extremely fast rate.

Direct Attack (Structural)

Attack method that involves the discharge of water or a foam stream directly onto the burning fuel.

BLEVE

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion BLEVE is an explosion caused by the rupture of a vessel containing a pressurized liquid above its boiling point.

What are Class B fires?

Class B fires are liquid fuel fires like gasoline, petroleum oil, paint, etc.

What are Class C fires?

Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment.

What are Class D fires?

Class D fires are fires involving burning metal.

How hot do Class D fires burn?

Class D fires burn greater than 2000 degrees F (1093 degrees C) even after they appear to be extinguished.

Exposure Protection

Covering any object in the immediate vicinity of the fire with water or foam.

Crown Fire

Crown or canopy fires are wind-driven, high-intensity fires that move through the tree tops of heavily forested areas. The typical causes of crown fires are lightning strikes or extensions from ground or surface fires. These extensions are called ladder fires because the fire spreads upward through small trees, fallen timber, and vines to reach the forest canopy.

Should the building's power be shut off during a fire?

Electrical power to the entire building should not be shut off until ordered because electrical power is necessary to operate elevators, lighting, ventilation equipment, etc. The decision to shut off power to the entire building is based on knowledge gained through preincident surveys.

When is a defensive strategy used?

Excessive volume of fire - Amount of fire exceeds the ability of available resources to confine or extinguish it. Structural deterioration - Structure is unsafe for interior entry. Risk outweighs benefit - The amount of risk to emergency responders is greater than the benefit. Unfavourable wind conditions - The conditions prohibit safe entry due to the potential development of high temperature flow paths within the structure.

Combination Attack

Extinguishing a fire by using both direct and indirect attacks. This method combines the steam-generating technique of ceiling level attack with an attack on the burning materials near floor level.

Finger (Ground Cover Fire)

Fingers are long narrow strips of fire extending from the main fire. They usually occur when the fire burns into an area that has both light fuel and patches of heavy fuel. Light fuel burns faster than the heavy fuel, which gives the finger effect. When not controlled, these fingers can form new heads.

Are fire department personnel responsible for turning utilities back on?

Fire department personnel are not responsible for turning utilities back on and should not attempt to do so. The utility provider will have to determine if the building and utility distribution system is safe before the service can be reestablished.

Total Flooding System

Fire suppression system designed to protect hazards within enclosed structures; foam is released into a compartment or area and fills it completely, extinguishing the fire.

Which direction do fires usually spread fastest on slopes?

Fires will usually spread faster uphill than downhill, and the steeper the slope, the faster the fire spreads.

What is the minimum diameter a hoseline should be for fighting an interior fire?

For an interior fire, a hoseline no smaller than 1.5" (38 mm) should be used to provide sufficient volume of water to cool the fire and protect the firefighters.

Indirect Attack (Structural)

Form of attack that involves directing fire streams toward the ceiling of a compartment in order to generate a large amount of steam to cool the compartment. Converting the water to steam displaces oxygen, absorbs the heat of the fire, and cools the hot gas layer sufficiently for firefighters to safely enter and make a direct attack on the fire.

Ground Fire

Ground fires burn in the layer of dead organic matter that generally covers the soil in forested areas. These are slow-moving, smoldering fires that can go undetected for months before they enter a flaming stage. Due to the composition of the fuel, these fires are generally limited to forests and are very difficult to extinguish.

What is a ground gradient?

Ground gradient is an electrical behaviour that produces electrical pulses in the ground starting at the point where the power lines contact the earth and expanding out in concentric circles. Imagine ripples like you would see when a stone is thrown in water. Each ripple is a pulse of electrical current alternating from high to low voltage.

Small-Diameter Hose (SDH)

Hose of 3/4" - 2" (20 mm - 50 mm) in diameter; used for fire fighting purposes. AKA Small Line

Where should attack hoselines be connected to standpipes?

If the standpipe location is unprotected (corridor / open stairwell), the attack hoseline should be connected on the floor below the fire and advanced up the nearest stairwell. If the standpipe location is protected (protected stairway), hoselines may be connected on the fire floor.

Where are standpipes generally found?

In older buildings standpipes may be found in corridors or near open stairwells. Most modern structures have the standpipes located in protected stairways.

What is the minimum size of master stream lines?

It is not practical to supply master stream appliances with anything less than two 2.5" (65 mm) hoselines.

What is LCES?

LCES is a situational awareness technique used in ground cover fires that stands for: - Lookout - Communications - Escape Routes - Safety Zones

At what concentrations is liquefied petroleum gas explosive?

LPG is explosive in concentrations between 1.5 and 10 %

What should you do if you see gas is burning from a broken pipe?

Let it burn and protect exposures until the gas line is shut off, then extinguish the fire.

What is the minimum flow rate of master streams?

Master stream devices flow a minimum of 350 gpm ( 1 400 L/min).

When are master streams used?

Master streams are usually deployed in situations where the fire is beyond the effictiveness of handlines or there is a need for fire streams in areas that are unsafe for firefighters. The four main uses for a master stream are: - Direct fire attack - Indirect fire attack - Supplement handlines that are already attacking the fire from the exterior - Provide exposure protection

What standard specifies the minimum PPE for firefighters to participate in ground cover fire fighting? List them.

NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. - Helmet with eye protection and neck cover - Flame retardant shirt and pants (or one-piece jumpsuit) - Protective footwear (sturdy boots without steel toes) - Gloves - Fire shelter (in crush-resistive case)

What standard specifies the requirements PPE must meet for ground cover fires?

NFPA 1977: Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting.

What is the vapour density of natural gas relative to air?

Natural gas has a vapour density less than 1, meaning it is lighter than air.

What is the flammability range of natural gas?

Natural gas in its pure form is methane, which has a flammability range of 5 - 15 %

Can structural bunker gear be worn to fight ground cover fires?

No, standard structural turnout clothing is inappropriate and can even be dangerous if used during ground cover fire operations.

What are the three initial Command options that should be relayed when Command is taken?

Nothing Showing - When the problem generating the response is not obvious to the first-arriving unit. Fast-Attack - When the officer or firefighter's direct involvement is necessary for the unit to take immediate action to save a life or stabilize a situation. Name the Incident and Establish the ICP - When immediate and strong overall Command is needed.

How many firefighters are required to operate a deployed master stream?

Once a portable master stream device is in place, one firefighter can operate it.

Direct Attack (Ground Cover)

Operation where action is taken directly on burning fuels by applying an extinguishing agent to the edge of the fire or close to it.

What colour of wires/cables should you avoid cutting in electric/hybrid vehicles?

Orange (high-voltage), Blue, or Yellow

Islands (Ground Cover Fire)

Patches of unburned fuel inside the fire perimeter are called islands.

Topography

Physical configuration of the land or terrain.

What is RECEO-VS?

RECEO-VS is an acronym applied by fire officers and firefighters to accomplish the incident priorities of life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation. - Rescue - Exposures - Confinement - Extinguishment - Overhaul - Ventilation - Salvage

Spot Fire (Ground Cover Fire)

Spot fires are caused by flying sparks or embers landing outside the main fire. Spot fires present a hazard to personnel (and equipment) working on the main fire because they could become trapped between the two fires.

Exposures

Structure or separate part of the fireground to which a fire could spread.

Green (Ground Cover Fire)

The area of unburned fuels next to the involved area is called the green. Opposite of the black.

Black (Ground Cover Fire)

The black is the area in which the fire has consumed or "blackened" the fuels. Opposite of the green.

What are the responsibilities of the chief officer when arriving on-scene?

The chief officer may choose to assume Command from original IC and take responsibility for all on-scene operations. Alternatively, if the original IC has the incident well organized and reasonable progress toward incident stabilization is being made, the chief officer may choose to assume another role in the Incident Command structure.

What should the firefighter assigned to the nozzle do before entering the building or the fire area?

The firefighter assigned to the nozzle should open the nozzle fully to ensure adequate flow, check the pattern setting, and bleed the air from the hoseline.

Why might a transition from defensive to offensive strategy occur.

The first-arriving unit may not have enough resources to conduct an offensive attack. They would begin a defensive strategy until additional personnel, apparatus, and adequate fire flow are available.

Flanks (Ground Cover Fire)

The flanks are the sides of a ground cover fire, roughly parallel to the main direction of fire spread.

Head (Ground Cover Fire)

The head is the part of a ground cover fire that spreads most rapidly. Usually found opposite the origin in the direction the wind is blowing. The head burns intensely and does the most damage. Usually, the key to controlling the fire is to control the head and prevent the formation of a new head.

Heel (Ground Cover Fire)

The heel, or rear, of a ground cover fire is the side opposite the head. It tends to burn downhill or against the wind; it burns slowly and is easier to control than the head.

What is the most common cause of BLEVE?

The most common cause of a BLEVE is when flames contact the tank shell above the liquid level and when insufficient water is applied to keep a tank shell cool.

Origin (Ground Cover Fire)

The origin is the area where the fire started and the point from which it spreads.

Perimeter (Ground Cover Fire)

The perimiter is the outer boundary of the burning or burned area. AKA fire edge.

What are the responsibilities of the Rapid Intervention Crew/Team (RIC/RIT)?

The primary responsibility of RIC/RIT is to locate and assist firefighters in trouble. They may be assigned minor duties as follows but they must be prepared to stop whatever they are doing and deploy immediately if needed. - Staging equipment - Sizing up the building for possible paths of egress - Completing a 360-degree survey if possible - Removing barriers to egress - Monitoring radio traffic for distress calls - Clearing windows - Placing ladders - Opening exits - Illuminating the building

Why might a transition from offensive to defensive strategy occur.

The situation may change: fire conditions, structural deterioration, wind conditions, removal of occupants, etc. These changes may require a transition from offensive to defensive attack.

Surface Fire

The surface or crawling fire is the most common type of ground cover fire, burning on the soil surface consuming low-lying grass, shrubs, and other vegetation. Surface fires can occur anywhere and can be natural or human caused.

Blitz Attack

To aggressively attack a fire from the exterior with a large-diameter (2.5" [65 mm]) fire stream.

How should you exit a ground gradient area?

To exit a ground gradient area, keep both feet in contact with each other and hop or shuffle out of the affected area. Do NOT attempt to walk, crawl, or drag hoses/tools through a ground gradient.

Polychlorinated Biphenyl

Toxic compound found in some older oil-filled electric transformers.

How many firefighters are required to deploy a master stream?

Two firefighters are generally required to deploy a master stream device and the necessary water supply hoselines.

What are the factor categories for offensive attacks?

Value - Life and safety hazards at the scene, savable lives, and/or salvageable property. Time - Time to accomplish selected tactics, potential for collapse and deterioration of structural stability, and potential changes in fire conditions. Size - Tactical flow rates needed to control the fire, available resources, and fire conditions.

What is the most common extinguishing agent?

Water

What are some weather factors that influence ground fires?

Wind - Fans the flames into greater intensity and supplies fresh air that speeds combustion; very large-sized fires create their own winds. Temperature - Effects on wind and is closely related to relative humidity; primarily affects the fuels as a result of long-term drying. Relative Humidity - Significantly affects dead fuels that only gain moisture from surrounding air rather than their root system. Precipitation - Largely determines the moisture content of live fuels. Dead fuels (those easily ignited) may dry quickly; large, dead, fuels retain this moisture longer and burn slower.

Which direction should the fire be attacked from?

You should attack with the wind at your back, because wind can cause unpredictable changes to the fire.