Fire Fighter I

Fire Control-Lesson One

There is to be a designated safety officer at all
fire control practical's.

1. Discuss the need for size-up procedures on

vehicle emergencies.
a) Proper types of barrier devices
i) Fire line tape
ii)Traffic cones
iii)Utility rope
 Fire Fighter II
Building Construction
Lesson Three
TERMINAL OBJECTIVE
 
The Firefighter II candidate shall correctly define in writing the different material used
in lightweight construction as well as identify lightweight construction
components, describe their reaction to fire and truss locations found in structures.
 
ENABLING OBJECTIVES
 
1. The Firefighter II candidate shall identify in writing, what is considered lightweight
construction and the materials used in the components of lightweight
construction.

2. The Firefighter II candidate shall describe in writing, the reaction of lightweight

structural components to fire.

3. The Firefighter II candidate shall identify in writing, the locations where trusses can
be found in structures.
 Fire Fighter II
Building Construction
Lesson Three
ENABLING OBJECTIVE#1
 
The Firefighter II candidate shall identify in writing, what is considered lightweight
construction and the materials used in the components of lightweight
construction.
 
1. Define the term “Truss construction.”

2. Discuss “surface to mass ratio.”

 
3. Discuss “Open web steel joists.”

4. Discuss “Wood trusses.”

5. Point out the different types of trusses.

6. Label the different parts of a truss.

 Fire Fighter II
Building Construction
Lesson Three
7. Point out the difference between a steel truss and a wood truss.

8. Discuss the function of gusset plates to wooden trusses.

9. Define the term “Engineered wood structural member.”

10. Define the term “Plywood.”

11. Define the term “Oriented Strand Board.”

12. Discuss compression and tension forces as it relates to truss construction.

 Fire Fighter II
Building Construction
Lesson Three
ENABLING OBJECTIVE#2
The Firefighter II candidate shall describe in writing, the reaction of lightweight
structural components to fire.
 
1. Discuss the statement – “Our trusses are engineered.”

2. Discuss hazards associated with a “truss void.”

 
3. Discuss the fire characteristics of steel trusses.
 
4. Discuss the fire characteristics of wood trusses.
 
5. Discuss the fire characteristics of wooden I beams.
 Fire Fighter II
Building Construction
Lesson Three
ENABLING OBJECTIVE# 3
 
1. The Firefighter II candidate shall identify in writing, the locations where
trusses can be found in structures.

2. Discuss floor trusses and the problems associated with them.

 
3. Discuss roof trusses and the problems associated with them.
 Fire Fighter II
Fire Behavior
Lesson Two
ENABLING OBJECTIVE #3
 
The Fire Fighter II candidate shall correctly describe in writing why recognizing
observations in reading smoke and the warning signs of hostile fire events is
important.
 
1. Explain why reading smoke is important to evaluating the fires position within a
building.
 
2. Explain how evaluating the volume of smoke assists in the understanding of the
amount of fuel that is off-gassing in a given space.
 
3. Explain that the velocity of smoke is an indicator of pressure.
 
4. Describe the two things that can create smoke pressure.
a. Heat
b. Restricting the volume of smoke within a container
 
 Fire Fighter II
Fire Behavior
Lesson Two
5. Explain how smoke thickens.
 
6. Discuss the fact that the greater the smoke density, the more likely a
hostile fire event can occur.
 
7. Explain that the color of smoke will only indicate the type of burning
material in a single-fuel fire.
 
8. Point out that smoke can tell the Fire Fighter which stage of burning is
taking place.

APPLICATION
 
Divide the class up into suitable size work groups 3-5 candidates. Show them
pictures of different fire scenarios and have them evaluate the smoke
conditions. Assist them in recognizing the volume, velocity, density, and
color of smoke for each picture.
Reading Smoke
 Why “Read” Smoke?
To determine “HOW MUCH” fire
Why “Read” Smoke?
To help find the LOCATION of the fire
 Why “Read”
Smoke?
To help predict
COLLAPSE potential
 Why “Read” Smoke?
To help PRIORITIZE Strategies & Tactics
 Why “Read” Smoke?
To PROTECT Firefighters from a
“HOSTILE FIRE EVENT”
Flashover
Back Draft
Smoke Explosion
Auto Ignition
Rapid Fire Spread
 The “ADVANCED” Basics
What is “Smoke”?

Aerosols

Gases

Particles
 Solid Particles
Carbon

Dust

Other fibers
 Aerosols
Hydrocarbons
• Oil

• Tar
 Fire Gases
• Carbon Monoxide
• Hydrogen Cyanide
• Acrolein
• Hydrogen Sulfide
• Benzene
 Smoke is FUEL!!!
Additional Products of Combustion:

•Water Vapor
•Unburned Particles
•Carbon Dioxide
 Flashpoint and Auto Ignition
Temperatures
• Carbon Monoxide - 1292 F
• Hydrogen Cyanide 0F 538 F
• Acrolein -15 F 428 F
• Hydrogen Sulfide - 500 F
• Benzene 12 F 928 F
 Hydrogen Cyanide
Hydrogen Cyanide is more prevalent now
than ever before due to the increased use
of synthetics.
It attacks our bodies through Oral inhalation
as well as Occular and Dermal absorption.
It is more lethal than CO and is more
difficult to test for toxicity levels.
It is suspected of contibuting to the many of
the FF Fatalities in the past originally
thought to CO induced.
 LAYERS
Fuel – UEL and LEL

Reaction- Oxygen-Fuel effect

Ceiling layer-
 High fuel/Low Oxygen

Floor Layer-
 High Oxygen/Low Fuel
They meet at the reaction layer

Oxygen – Deficient or Enriched

 The “ADVANCED” Basics
What relationship does
mass & density have
on fuels?
Fuels are Synthetic now
Fuels have LESS MASS –
they off-gas quicker!
 Building Construction Factors
Construction

Contents

Size

Ventilation

Fire protection systems

 Construction
Type

Insulation

Condition

Heat Flux
 Lightweight Construction

• I-Joist
 Lightweight Construction
• Glu-Lam
• Finger-Joint
 Lightweight Construction
• Panels
 Lightweight Construction

• Wood Truss
Gusset Plates
 How Wood Burns
• As the surface temperature of wood increases due to fire
exposure, flammable vapors are produced and a char layer
(burnt wood) is formed on the external surfaces.

• In the presence of fire, these flammable vapors ignite and

contribute to the fire.

• As the char layer gets thicker, it insulates the remaining

unburned wood and slows the rate of vapor production,
thereby slowing the charring process
http://www.sbcindustry.com/configurations.php
 Links

• American Forest & Paper Association-

http://www.woodaware.info/index.html
• Southern Building Components Association
• http://www.sbcindustry.com/configurations.php
 Contents
Type of fuel load

Size / Amount
 Construction and Contents
Homeowners “padding” their homes:

Plusher carpet
Elaborate curtain & drapes
More / heavier furniture
Comfort accessories

“Bed, Bath & Beyond”

Increasing use of synthetic materials

Tighter construction

Better insulation
Modern construction materials
Double/triple pane EE windows
 Size
Area

Height

Configuration
 Ventilation
Volume

Distance

Type

Influences fire spread

 Fire Protection Systems
HVAC

Sprinklers

Standpipes
 “Modern” Structure Fire
Ceiling temps have increased from 1300 to
1600 degrees

BTU production > 18,000

(more than doubled)
What Does this Mean For Us?

• Doesn’t necessarily
change our
tactics… • Does accelerate our
tactical time frame at
an incident...
 The “ADVANCED” Basics
• How does “flammable range” factor in?
Flammable Range & the Three Fires

Too Rich . . .

Too Lean . . .
Just Right . . .
 The “ADVANCED” Basics
To Read Smoke – you must be able to:
1. Determine the stage of burning (early,
growing, late)

2. Tell if the Fire is in Thermal Balance (smoke

up and out, fresh air in).

3. Find out if the “box” is absorbing heat or not

(Linear vs. Turbulent Smoke Flow)
 “ HOSTILE ”Fire Events

• Flashover

• Back draft

• Smoke Explosion

• Rapid Fire Spread

• Auto Ignition
 FLASHOVER
Fuel mass/box is heat saturated

Reflective radiant heat

intensifies

Simultaneous ignition of fuels

Warning Signs: Turbulent

smoke, Rollover, Auto-
Ignition

Flashover of one box means

what?
 Flashover
Transition or event that occurs between the
incipient and fully developed phases of fire
All surfaces that are exposed ignite at once
 BACKDRAFT
Introduction of oxygen to an environment
that is:
Heated past fuel ignition temps

Usually confined or restricted

Pressurized with gases

Capable of sustained burning

Warning Signs: Ugly Yellow/grey smoke, Smoke

leaving cracks under pressure, black-stained
windows

Note: Puffing is NOT a good warning sign( a

pressurized container must vent before it can
suck!)
 SMOKE EXPLOSION
A pocket of gas that has reached an ignitable mixture -
but not enough energy to sustain ignition

Ignition of this pocket is a spark or flame – which then

causes an “explosive” surge of pressure

Usually no resulting fire - but increased chance of fire

spread (container breach?)

Ceiling spaces and vaulted ceilings are candidates for

smoke explosions
 RAPID Fire Spread
Usually “Container” Influenced – especially stairs and
hallways

Fuel is continuous and available to burn

Especially “volatile” fuel causes the spread – usually

smoke-cloud ignition

Thermal Balance exists

Usually results from another “event”

 AUTO IGNITION
Typically used to describe the
ignition of fuels AFTER they
leave the box
Primarily a WARNING SIGN
Exposure Threat:
Other parts of building
Other Buildings
Firefighters
 “ Reading Smoke”

Observations are
typically made from
outside - inside
observations hide
the “real” picture.
 Size Up

Outside Inside
• IC • Fire attack
crews
• Safety
• SAR crews
• RIT
• Salvage crews
• Backup
 Before you “ Read Smoke”
RULES:
Nothing is absolute
Visible FIRE is easy to read - look past
it for the real story
Compare all Openings/Cracks
 The ART of Reading Smoke
A 4-STEP
PROCESS to help
predict fire behavior
and hostile events
 Step 1: Evaluate
Key Factors
Volume = Fullness of Box
Velocity (Pressure) = Heat,
Volume, and Distance to fire
Density = Quality of burning
– likelihood of “event”
Color = Stage of Heating,
Distance, amount of
“flaming”
 Characteristics of Smoke
Velocity
Color
Volume
Density

Air Track
 Smoke Velocity
May be an indicator of pressure inside the
container

Pressure may be caused by heat or volume

 Smoke Velocity
If the velocity or pressure is a result of heat,
the smoke will rise and loose velocity.

If the velocity or pressure is a result of

volume, the smoke will loose velocity but
also maintain a neutral buoyancy.
 Smoke Velocity
• Turbulent smoke is a potential
indicator of the container not
being able to absorb more heat.

• Laminar smoke is a potential

indicator of the container still
being able to absorb heat.
 Smoke Velocity
• Smoke will become slower as distance from the
seat of the fire increases.

• To locate the seat of the fire, compare smoke

coming from several opening and determine
which has the most turbulent smoke coming
from the smallest opening
 Smoke Color
Heavy/light is an insufficient description
The department should have predetermined
descriptions of smoke conditions in place
in SOP’s
 Smoke Color
Darker- Hydrocarbon fuels
White- Incipient fire or great distance from the seat
Grey/yellow- Ordinary combustibles
Brown- Wood at or near ignition temperature possibly
involving structural components
 Smoke Color
Light colored smoke may have large amounts of unburned fuel and may have
travel some distance picking up moisture and depositing carbon.

Dark smoke often indicates an under ventilated fire or hydrocarbon fuels.

 Smoke Volume
May relate to amount of fuel

May relate to pressure

Best as an indicator when coupled with

other indicators

Ventilation controlled fires that near

the smoldering stage may produce
larger quantities of smoke.

Indicator of degree or location of

fire.
 Smoke Density
May result from amount of fuel in the smoke

Heavy/light description is inadequate

 Optical Density
Refers to how well you can see through the smoke.
Optically dense smoke may contain high concentrations of particulate matter.
Often described as having
the appearance of velvet.
Relates to the fuel and degree
of ventilation.
 Physical Density
Refers to the buoyancy of the smoke.
 The higher the higher the density, the lower the temperature and pressure, the
smoke sinks.

 The lower the density, the higher the temperature and pressure, the smoke will
rise.
 Pay Attention to Changes
Any significant change over a 5 second
period may indicate a hostile fire event or
loss of structural integrity.
 Pay Attention to Changes
Sudden rise in hot gas layer

• Ventilation from outside crews

• Self ventilation
 Pay Attention to Changes
Sudden lowering of the hot gas layer

Worsening condition
• Impending flashover
• Rapid fire progression

Water application
• Excessive
• Inappropriate
 Heat
Not typically visible

Must observe its effects

 Air Track
Direction of smoke

Direction of fresh air

 Direction of Smoke
Heated gases will move up and out from the
fire

Often predicts the path of fire spread

Pay attention to the height of the hot gas

layer (Thickness)
 Tricks
When making entry-look at the direction of the
smoke and the fresh air.

Always carry a light and observe the direction of

the smoke and the fresh air.
 Air Track
Size of opening
Temperature
• Laminar

• Turbulent
 Air Track
Neutral plane
• Charles’ law: as the temperature of a gas increases it will expand
becoming less dense and more buoyant

• Gay-Lussac’s law: when the volume of gas remains constant and the
temperature increases, pressure increases

Movement of the hot gas layer

• Up or down
 Air Track
Neutral Plane
• The plane that is formed between the hot air layer (top) and the cool air
or oxygen layer (Bottom).

• The hot air layer typically moves outward away from the seat of the fire
and towards the ventilation point.

• The cool air typically moves inward towards the seat of the fire.
Neutral Plane
 Visible Flames
Most obvious indicator
Often the latest indicator to develop
High V.V.D.C. = “BLACK FIRE”
“Black Fire” is the term
we give to High Volume,
High Velocity, Extremely
Dense, Black Smoke.
It is the sure sign of
impending flashover –
VENT & COOL are your
only choices.
 Black Fire
Is there a chance of survival in a
compartment that is producing black
turbulent smoke?

Are rescue efforts feasible?

 160 Degrees

The maximum survivable (wet) temperature

 Step 2: Weigh
Factors
Container (most
important factor)
Thermal Balance
Weather
Firefighting efforts
Other factors?
Step 3: Judge the Fire Status

Are conditions getting better or worse?

 Classify the Fire: Stable -predictable

Rapidly changing
-predictable
Unstable/Unpredictable
 Step 4: Predict the EVENT
Consider that:
One hostile event can - and usually will -
lead to another event.

Communicate your observations.

Warning Signs are not always visual – use

your KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…

 Some other “Tricks”

When you open a door

or window - watch
what the smoke
does…and what THE
FRESH AIR DOES!
Some other
“Tricks”
In poor visibility - watch the
smoke in front of your light - it
will give you some clues
 Some other “Tricks”
A 5-second change in any
key factor means an event
has taken place – the key
is to define what event
has taken place and to
forecast what will likely
happen next.
“The garbage man doesn’t get excited when he turns the corner
and sees trash, and you shouldn’t get excited when you turn
the corner and see fire.”
“You should expect fire on every run.”

-Lt A. Fredericks
 Special Thanks to
David Dodson

With less fires - this ART could be

lost…
take the lesson…
pass it on.
David Dodson