SERT FIRE ELEMENTS & HAZ MAT Fire Triangle Needed elements to sustain burning Firefighter / EMT Casey McIntosh Fire Tetrahedron Added 4 th element to Fire Triangle. The Combustion Process THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON -CHAIN REACTION Fire must have chemical reaction to sustain itself! Remove the Chain Reaction (Fire Extinguisher) Stop the fire! Fire Classes A ORDINARY COMBUSTABLES C ENERGIZED ELECTRICAL wood cloth paper rubber many plastics energized electrical equipment Fire Classes (cont.) CLASS K FIRES K Cooking Media New Addition to Fire Classes. B FLAMABLE LIQUIDS D gasoline oil grease tar oil-based paint lacquer flammable gases Combustible Metals magnesium sodium potassium titanium zirconium other flammable metals Fires involving combustible vegetable or animal non-saturated cooking fats in commercial cooking equipment. 1
Fire Suppression The role of SERT in fire suppression: Put out small fires Prevent additional fires Report fires too large for SERT to handle Assist with evacuations where necessary Fire Extinguisher Types MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL Class A, B, or C fires. 2.5-20 lb. dry chemical (ammonium phosphate) pressurized to 50-200 psi by nitrogen gas (8-25 seconds discharge time). Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity check. 5-20 ft. maximum effective range. Extinguishes by smothering burning materials. P A S S Pull the pin Fighting the Fire Aim low at the base of flames Squeeze the handle Sweep side to side Operating the Extinguisher 1. Break seal- pull pin 2. Approach upwind 3. Keep low 4. Direct at base of fire 5. Sweeping motion Be Careful In Confined Spaces Size-Up A continuous fact gathering process that will dictate the appropriate action. -Determine hazard / victims (ie; House on Fire, Building Collapse) -Determine Needs (ie; Fire Suppression Team, Rescue Team, etc) -Allocate / request Resources needed (ie; Do you have enough help to fix problem? Do you need more?) -Continual Process throughout incident (ie; Continue to sizeup situation throughout entire incident) Utilities A structure is not safe to enter and a scene is not safe to operate at unless all utilities have been turned off! 2
When Do You Shut Off The Gas? Gas Meter: If you smell gas and are unsure If building has collapsed and you can shut off gas safely Shutting Off A Gas Meter Water Why shut off the water? Safety of residents and responders If there is a significant leak that can pose a hazard to the immediate area where you are working 3
Electrical Outdoor Electric Meter Mains and Breakers Pre-determined map / exit plan to safety. Should be known by all members of family or those staying in house. Has a determined meeting area outside of building. Homework Assignment Videos: Locate Gas Main Locate Water Main Locate Electrical Panel/Shut Off Create A Get Out Alive Plan NFPA Test Burn Christmas Tree fire 4
Hazardous Materials Awareness Hazardous Materials A substance that poses an unreasonable risk to people, property, or the environment if not properly controlled during handling, storage, manufacture, use, disposal, or transportation. Hazardous Materials Hazardous materials may: Corrode other materials Explode or be easily ignited React strongly with water Be unstable if exposed to heat or shock Be toxic to human, animals or the environment Are everywhere in transit or storage Occupancy/Location Warehouses Paints, Lacquers, Thinners 5
Placards, Labels, Markings Department of Transportation (DOT) placards are mandatory on all vehicles transporting hazardous materials National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) placards are mandatory on all buildings where hazardous materials are used and or stored DOT Placards DOT Placards Colored Coded Orange = Explosive Red = Flammable Gas and Liquid White = Poison Black/White = Corrosive Yellow = Oxidizer Yellow/White = Radioactive Green = Non-Flammable Gas Class number at bottom of placard Class 1 = Explosive Class 2 = Gasses Class 3 = Flammable Liquid Class 4 = Flammable Solid Class 5 = Oxidizer Class 6 = Poisonous or Infectious Class 7 = Radioactive Class 8 = Corrosive Class 9 = Miscellaneous DOT Placards Examples Placards must be affixed to all sides of vehicle Shipments (e.g., gasoline tanker trucks) will have a four-digit numeric code in center of the placard or some type of I.D. clearly marked to identify the material that is being transported. 6
NFPA 704 Diamond NFPA 704 Diamond Signs Of Hazardous Materials Spills Overturned containers Pungent or noxious odors Bubbling liquids Vapor clouds Defensive Strategies Evacuate vs. Shelter in Place Defensive Strategies Uphill/upwind position Evacuate surrounding area Notify team leader 7
Haz-mats At Home: L.I.E.S. Limit the amount of storage Isolate materials in enclosed cabinets Eliminate materials no longer needed Separate incompatible materials DOT Guide Book What is it? How do I use it? How do I identify placards? What strategies do I take? ABOVE ALL CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!!!!! 8