ATTIC FIRES Part 3 HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING Size-Up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Assign Resources 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, 123 Main Street, we have heavy smoke showing from a 1 story single family dwelling. Engine 1 is investigating." This is a basic report. What can you add to the report to provide a better picture of what is actually burning? 123 Main St.
How about.. "L.A. Engine 1, 123 Main Street, we have heavy smoke showing from THE EAVES AND ROOF of a 1 story single family dwelling. Engine 1 is investigating." 123 Main St.
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING Size-Up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Assign Resources Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
Building your Situational Awareness as you investigate Life is always our priority (search and rescue ). In this scenario, gain entry and remove occupants. What is the smoke telling you? Time of day What tools will you need to bring with you? Is there a need to ventilate? Do I have exposures? 123 Main St. Is it likely to find anyone home now?? What size line will I need?
Building your Situational Awareness as you investigate What size line will I need? Adequate lines to effect rescue and initiate fire attack What tools will you need to bring with you? Forcible entry tools Pike Pole Attic Ladder Salvage Cover Light Do I have exposures? The exposures are the rooms below the fire Is there a need to ventilate? This will be discussed later
During the investigation you find a light to medium amount of smoke in the interior
After a quick search of the house you find no occupants and a clear interior.
Now What? The Clock Is Ticking Recognize the signs of attic fires Relatively clear interior Light to heavy smoke from vents or roof
Attic Fire - Tactical Priorities Change Typical Structure Fire Tactical Progression. RECEO + VS -ventilation and salvage R-Rescue E-Exposures C-Confinement E-Extinguishment O-Overhaul
Attic Fire Tactical Priorities Change During an attic fire, the tactical priorities have to include locating the fire and shutting down the utilities. Salvage is necessary early in the incident. Tactical Priorities For Attic Fire R-Rescue L-Locate S-Salvage U-Utilities E-Exposures C-Confinement E-Extinguishment O-Overhaul
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING Size-Up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Assign Resources Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
Locate The Fire Reading Smoke What are the smoke conditions telling you?
Locate The Fire Reading Smoke This is a classic ventilation limited attic fire. Time is not on your side. After your rapid search and rescue you have to start cooling this fire. Volume - smoke coming from all openings in the roof large amount of fuel/wood burning. Density thickness means large quantity of unburned fuel. Velocity the speed of the smoke suggests high heat difficult to determine in photos. Color the tannish brown color is telling you structural members are being consumed.
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING Size-Up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Assign Resources Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation Truck is on-scene. What assignment do we typically give them?
Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation Should they be assigned topside ventilation? Is it safe in this situation?
Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation
Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation More Ventilation Information Giving a ventilation limited attic fire access to air can result in DANGEROUS rapid fire development. Keep the fire ventilation limited to keep it from growing.
Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation Structural members are likely compromised - making roof access unsafe. So how do we save the contents of the house once we ve determined there is not a rescue problem?
Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation SALVAGE if safe to enter Coordinated Fire Attack- Having a plan and working quickly will reduce damage potential and make this a safer fireground. Do not fight this fire with fire above you. Steam-cool then move inside. Start outside Steam conversion Shut down electrical Pull Ceiling Flow Water WHEN SAFE Do not stand inside until the attic is cooled Desired effect Remove potential cause- makes the scene safer Start Small keep the ventilation limited Cool attic Think possible overhead collapse due to structural compromise of roof and ceiling joists. Use existing exterior vents or make small holes to access attic. Use fog stream to allow steam expansion to cool environment and displace air to extinguish fire.
Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation Coordinated Fire Attack Do not fight this fire with fire above you. Steam-cool then move inside. Continue to Pull Ceiling Continue to Flow Water Salvage WHEN SAFE TO ENTER Remove or cover As you cool the attic space, begin salvage DO NOT WORK UNDER ACTIVE FLAMES
Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation Coordinated Fire Attack If you are unable to access the ceiling there are options to cool the attic. Gable End Vent Roof When using vents to access the attic, be aware that you are in the potential flow path of pressurized products of combustion. Apply water from a distance if possible.
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING Size-Up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Assign Resources Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
OVERHAUL Overhaul should be accomplished as outlined in Part 2, Light Smoke Showing. The difference will be that a larger area will be required to be overhauled. There may be a time when you want to open the roof if you are unable to get to an area of attic that cannot be reached from below. Overhaul must be thorough to find any hidden fire and/or hot spots preventing rekindle.
ATTIC FIRE TACTICS HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING Size-Up Investigation Life Priority Follow-Up Changing Tactics Assign Resources Locate The Fire Salvage Fire Attack Overhaul Ventilation
VENTILATION Heavy Smoke Vertical ventilation on a ventilation limited fire should be discouraged until you have cooled the attic. Fire intensity will increase with the introduction of more air/oxygen. This is not a desirable affect Remember, with HEAVY smoke showing, there is a good chance that the structural members have been compromised. Just another reason to re-think if vertical ventilation will help or hurt the situation.
VENTILATION Opening the roof before fire attack will make conditions worse Coordinate with fire attack This is not a desirable affect This is a desirable affect A coordinated fire attack involves cooling the attic PRIOR to vertical ventilation. Keep the fire ventilation limited and let the steam work for you. Steam should be the observed leaving the hole not pressurized dark smoke and flames.
VENTILATION This is not a desirable affect After the hole is cut, get off the roof as soon as possible. Do not stand around and admire your work.
VENTILATION This firefighter fell through the roof and hung up on the ceiling joists keeping him from falling all the way into to the attic below. Un-necessary, time consuming tasks should be minimized or eliminated (ie., expansion cuts).
VENTILATION Heavy Smoke Vaulted ceilings may require fire attack from the roof. If you are on the roof, be in FULL PPE S, including SCBA, and on-air.
Review Tactical Priorities For Heavy Smoke -Attic Fire RLSUECEO + V R-Rescue L-Locate S-Salvage U-Utilities E-Exposures C-Confinement E-Extinguishment O-Overhaul V- Ventilation Consider the dramatic effects ventilation may have on fire behavior.
The images used in this presentation were of the 102 nd Street Training Fires Check out all the photos @ www.lacofdturnout.com