ATTIC FIRES Part 2 LIGHT SMOKE SHOWING
OBJECTIVES When developing this plan for fighting an attic fire, the first thing we considered is the potential hazard to firefighters on the fireground. Recognize where a fire is located in the attic of a structure. Determine the best method of attack of an attic fire based on smoke and structural integrity. Explain how ventilation and cooling effects fire behavior in attics. Minimize damage to property due to over aggressive fire attack Prevent extensive overhaul Prevent rekindle
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS LIGHT SMOKE SHOWING Size-Up Investigation Life Priority Changing Tactics Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
You are First In Give a Size-up to LA 123 Main St.
"L.A. Engine 1, is at 123 Main Street we have light smoke showing from a 1 story single family dwelling engine 1 is investigating." 123 Main St. Would you add anything else to this size up? How about where the smoke is coming from?
Building your Situational Awareness as you investigate Life is always our priority. Search and rescue in this scenario is the first priority. Gain entry and remove occupants. What is the smoke telling you? What tools will you need to bring with you? Time of day 123 Main St. What size line will I need? Do I have exposures?
Building your Situational Awareness as you investigate What size line will I need? Big or small? 1 reel line or 1 ¾ line? What tools will you need to bring with you? Forcible entry tools Attic Ladder Pike Pole Lights Salvage Covers Do I have exposures? Exposures include the rooms below the fire Is there a need to ventilate? This will be discussed later in the lesson
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS LIGHT SMOKE SHOWING Size-Up Investigation Life Priority Changing Tactics Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
During the investigation you find a clear interior Life is always our priority. Search and rescue in this scenario will be to notify the residents and escort them out of the house. After a quick search of the house you find no occupants and a clear interior. You recognize the classic attic fire scenario.
During the investigation you find a clear interior Recognize the signs of attic fires Clear Interior Light to Heavy Smoke from vents or roof Now What? -The Clock Is Ticking
Attic Fire Tactical Priorities Typical Structure Fire Tactical Priorities. RECEO + VS -ventilation and salvage R-Rescue E-Exposures C-Confinement E-Extinguishment O-Overhaul
Attic Fire Tactical Priorities During an attic fire the tactical priorities should include locating the fire and shutting down utilities. Salvage is necessary early in the incident. Tactical Priority Considerations For Smoke in Attic R-Rescue L-Locate S-Salvage U-Utilities E-Exposures C-Confinement E-Extinguishment O-Overhaul
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS LIGHT SMOKE SHOWING Size-up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
Locating a Fire in the ATTIC Smoke conditions can indicate where the fire is located, what is burning, where the fire may go, and how long it has been burning. Do you remember the 4 characteristics of smoke? Volume Indicates how much fuel burning. The more smoke, the more fuel is being consumed. Velocity - The velocity of smoke can help determine the location of the fire. A good rule of thumb is the higher velocity of smoke, the closer the fire. Look for the fastest smoke coming from the most restrictive opening. Density Refers to smoke thickness. The denser the smoke the more unburned fuel it contains and the more DANGEROUS the conditions. Color Can indicate what is burning and how long it has been burning. Least reliable characteristic of smoke.
Locate The Fire Light Smoke Heavy Smoke Smoke Showing- Each condition requires a specific approach.
Options for accessing the fire in the attic are dependent on size of fire and structural stability of building.
Is it safe to enter the attic from below?
Making the decision to enter from below is dependent on?
1. Size of fire 2. Roof construction 3. Burn time 4. Your gut! Sometimes it just doesn t feel right.
If you have determined it s safe to enter from below here are some options.
Locate The Fire Light Smoke SAFETY FIRST Equipment: Full PPE s Attic Ladder Flashlight Charged Hose Line
Locate The Fire Light Smoke Use the scuttle hole In older homes, these may be difficult to locate; often in small closets. Some attic scuttles may be too small for a firefighter in full PPE s to enter.
Locate The Fire Light Smoke Attic ladder present? Good chance it s being used for storage. Report on radio so others know of the overhead hazard.
FIRE ATTACK PULL CEILING Make small access hole to keep fire ventilation limited. Making a large hole only gives a small smoldering fire more air to grow. Remember FIRE NEEDS AIR TO GROW AND WATER TO SLOW. We want it to slow.
Locate The Fire Light Smoke You gained access into the attic and have located the fire. Now What?
Locate The Fire Light Smoke Coordinate with crews below to ensure salvage is taking place. Use just enough water to knock down fire. (Nozzle Technique- Take the heat out of the fire limit water usage to prevent water damage)
Locate The Fire Light Smoke Consider using TIC is scuttle or ladder cannot be located. NOTE: TIC s are not reliable due to insulative properties of ceiling materials. Thermal Imaging Camera
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS LIGHT SMOKE SHOWING Size-up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
If crews encounter a small, ventilation limited fire in an attic, an aggressive salvage operation should be attempted while access is made to extinguish the fire. The key is to keep the fire small by keeping it ventilation limited. SALVAGE
SALVAGE Cover everything that cannot be moved out Salvage covers or plastic Roll-up rugs Put down hall runners Use debris bags
Salvage covers or Plastic Roll rugs if possible Hall runners
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS LIGHT SMOKE SHOWING Size-up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
FIRE ATTACK COORDINATE SHUT OFF- UTILITIES SALVAGE The ability to achieve our goal of limiting fire growth and reducing homeowner costs from fire, smoke and water damage is determined by our ability to coordinate salvage, securing utilities, flowing water and the pulling of the ceiling. LOCATE-FLOW WATER PULL THE CEILING
FIRE ATTACK PULLING A CEILING Proper Technique Wear full PPE s On Air- Protect your airway Stand between the area being pulled and the doorway Always have an exit Pull down and away from you- Do not pull debris down into your face, neck or airway
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS LIGHT SMOKE SHOWING Size-up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
OVERHAUL Attic spaces often have small pockets where fire can be concealed in construction voids or hidden under debris. Overhaul activities must thoroughly search the fire scene to detect and extinguish these hidden fires or "hot spots" before they rekindle.
OVERHAUL Fire & Cellulose Insulation BLOWN IN CELLULOSE INSULATION Cellulose is a very tricky material when it comes to firefighting. Its low combustibility is extremely beneficial to homeowners, but creates multiple challenges for firefighters.
OVERHAUL BLOWN IN CELLULOSE INSULATION Cellulose insulation is comprised of 85 percent recycled material (newspaper) and uses ammonium sulfate and borate as a fire retardant. Fire & Cellulose Insulation Smoldering fires in cellulose create light smoke conditions. The cellulose makes it easy for fires to start, but the fire retardant treatment makes it difficult for the fire to grow.
OVERHAUL BLOWN IN CELLULOSE INSULATION Creates Hidden Fire Conditions Cellulose insulation - burns in an attic space or within a wall. Typically burns from the bottom up at low temperatures. TIC s can t recognize the heat signature. Smell of burning paper is a good sign cellulose is burning. Dig to the bottom of the insulation to locate the smoldering fire.
Burning blown-in insulation often results in deep char of structural members.
REMOVE smoldering blown-in insulation from attic and check for extension to structural members. BE THOROUGH! A small piece of smoldering insulation can result in reignition if given enough air.
Get the insulation out of the structure and thoroughly extinguish it.
OVERHAUL BLOWN IN CELLULOSE INSULATION Ceiling Strain & Confined Spaces Depending on the amount of water that the insulation absorbs during fire operations, the insulation can turn from a very light and fluffy material to a material that resembles concrete. When cellulose gets wet, it has the consistency of wet concrete.
OVERHAUL BLOWN IN CELLULOSE INSULATION Wet blown-in insulation is heavy - makes the ceiling highly susceptible to collapse. Be aware of ceiling collapse!
Fighting fires in attics and other confined spaces with cellulose insulation is physically demanding. Keep your SCBA donned to protect against dust and other hazardous materials exposures. We don t know what is stored in peoples attics.
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS LIGHT SMOKE SHOWING Size-up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
VENTILATION Possible Exceptions Vaulted Ceiling Removing Blown-In Insulation Add-on construction ie., Pitched roof built over flat roof (pictured)
Review Tactical Priorities For: Light Smoke - Attic Fire R-Rescue L-Locate S-Salvage U-Utilities E-Exposures C-Confinement E-Extinguishment O-Overhaul V- Ventilation May not be necessary for light smoke attic fire
The images used in this presentation were of the 102 nd Street Training Fires Check out all the photos @ www.lacofdturnout.com