Basic Fire AttackBasic Fire Attack

Dallas Fire Rescue ExplorersDallas Fire Rescue Explorers

Basic Fire AttackBasic Fire Attack

Overview of Fire AttackOverview of Fire Attack Rescue ActivitiesRescue Activities Exposure Protection Exposure Protection Fire ConfinementFire Confinement Fire ExtinguishmentFire Extinguishment Overhaul Overhaul VentilationVentilation Property ConservationProperty Conservation Coordinated Fire AttackCoordinated Fire Attack

RescueRescue

Immediate rescue attempted only in Immediate rescue attempted only in extreme casesextreme cases

Aid rescue by placing protective Aid rescue by placing protective streams between victims and firestreams between victims and fire

Water is essential to search & rescue Water is essential to search & rescue operationsoperations

Primary function during rescue is to Primary function during rescue is to contain fire and keep it from spreadingcontain fire and keep it from spreading

Water Essential to RescueWater Essential to Rescue

Separate fire from people closest to Separate fire from people closest to itit

Control interior stairways and Control interior stairways and corridors for evacuating occupants corridors for evacuating occupants and advancing firefightersand advancing firefighters

Protect firefighters searching above Protect firefighters searching above and around the fireand around the fire

Exposure ProtectionExposure Protection

ConvectionConvection RadiationRadiation ConductionConduction

ConvectionConvection

Travel of heat through motion of Travel of heat through motion of heated matter heated matter

ConvectionConvection

SmokeSmoke Hot airHot air Heated gasesHeated gases Flying embersFlying embers

ConvectionConvection

Presents greatest fire fighting Presents greatest fire fighting problemproblem

Smoke moves vertically and Smoke moves vertically and horizontally-mushroominghorizontally-mushrooming

A separate fire may ignite from hot A separate fire may ignite from hot air and combustion products risingair and combustion products rising

RadiationRadiation

Travel of heat through space Travel of heat through space (electromagnetic waves)(electromagnetic waves)

RadiationRadiation

Unaffected by windUnaffected by wind Radiated evenly in all directionsRadiated evenly in all directions Will pass through water; stream must Will pass through water; stream must

be directed on surfacebe directed on surface Travel blocked by solid surfacesTravel blocked by solid surfaces Can pass through glassCan pass through glass

ConductionConduction

Travel of heat through a solid bodyTravel of heat through a solid body

ConductionConduction

Through walls and floors by way of Through walls and floors by way of pipes, metal girders and joists.pipes, metal girders and joists.

May cause steel building and roof May cause steel building and roof supports to collapse.supports to collapse.

Exposure ProtectionExposure Protection

Second only to rescue on list of basic Second only to rescue on list of basic objectivesobjectives

Structures near fire building (exterior Structures near fire building (exterior exposures) and parts of fire building exposures) and parts of fire building not involved (interior exposures)not involved (interior exposures)

Exposure ProtectionExposure Protection

Exposure CoverageExposure Coverage Interior ExposuresInterior Exposures Exterior ExposuresExterior Exposures

Exposure CoverageExposure Coverage

Structure or materials closest to fire Structure or materials closest to fire covered firstcovered first

When exposures are fairly close, When exposures are fairly close, most vulnerable areas just above firemost vulnerable areas just above fire

Interior ExposuresInterior Exposures

Fire in concealed spaces, especially Fire in concealed spaces, especially in walls, ceilings and floorsin walls, ceilings and floors

Vertical fire spreadVertical fire spread Horizontal fire spreadHorizontal fire spread Open interior spreadOpen interior spread

Exterior ExposuresExterior Exposures

Spacing between fire and exposureSpacing between fire and exposure Building construction and materialsBuilding construction and materials Intensity and size of fireIntensity and size of fire Location of fireLocation of fire

Fire Confinement ActivitiesFire Confinement Activities

Determine Fuel LoadDetermine Fuel Load Establish Water SupplyEstablish Water Supply Select Adequate Hose LinesSelect Adequate Hose Lines Basement FiresBasement Fires

Determine Fuel LoadDetermine Fuel Load

Consists of interior surfaces, furnishings Consists of interior surfaces, furnishings and contents for interior firesand contents for interior fires

Exterior surfaces when fire has extendedExterior surfaces when fire has extended Factors affecting fuel loadFactors affecting fuel load Type of fuel involvedType of fuel involved Quantity of fuelQuantity of fuel Arrangement of fuelArrangement of fuel

Establish Water SupplyEstablish Water Supply

Hose lays can be accomplished with Hose lays can be accomplished with either single or multiple lines, either single or multiple lines, dependent upondependent upon

A. flow requirementsA. flow requirements

B. length of layB. length of lay

C. size of hoseC. size of hose

Select Adequate Hose LineSelect Adequate Hose Line

Consider limitations of various size Consider limitations of various size hoseshoses

Basement FiresBasement Fires

Use all openings for attackUse all openings for attack Requires full ventilation of basement Requires full ventilation of basement

and first floorand first floor Stairways and other openings major Stairways and other openings major

channels for vertical spreadchannels for vertical spread Know escape routesKnow escape routes CommunicationsCommunications

Fire Extinguishment Fire Extinguishment ActivitiesActivities

Effective Stream OperationEffective Stream Operation Back-Up LinesBack-Up Lines Advancing LinesAdvancing Lines Choosing Right LineChoosing Right Line More than One LineMore than One Line

Effective Stream OperationEffective Stream Operation

Stay LowStay Low Position on same side of doorPosition on same side of door Bleed line prior to enteringBleed line prior to entering Hit ceiling first if fire is rollingHit ceiling first if fire is rolling Sweep floor to cool contentsSweep floor to cool contents Only open when fire is seenOnly open when fire is seen Direct at base if localizedDirect at base if localized

Effective Stream OperationsEffective Stream Operations

Lower stream as advance is made to Lower stream as advance is made to hit main body of firehit main body of fire

Shut down when main fire is knocked Shut down when main fire is knocked downdown

If is area is very hot and no fire If is area is very hot and no fire found, consider fire below youfound, consider fire below you

Attacking basements should be done Attacking basements should be done with straight streamwith straight stream

Effective Stream OperationsEffective Stream Operations

Fog should be restricted to unoccupied confined Fog should be restricted to unoccupied confined spacesspaces

If building is ventilated, fog stream may be used; If building is ventilated, fog stream may be used; no more than 30 degree angleno more than 30 degree angle

Large intense fire can be knocked down with Large intense fire can be knocked down with larger lines then make interior attacklarger lines then make interior attack

Back-Up LinesBack-Up Lines

Used when initial lines cannot quickly Used when initial lines cannot quickly control a firecontrol a fire

Held in readiness for use in place of Held in readiness for use in place of attack linesattack lines

Stretched when not obvious initial Stretched when not obvious initial attack put out fireattack put out fire

Taken into building immediately after Taken into building immediately after initial attack linesinitial attack lines

Back-Up LinesBack-Up Lines

Position close to initial Position close to initial attack lineattack line

Have charged and Have charged and ready to useready to use

May be used by RIT May be used by RIT operations if needed.operations if needed.

Back-up with same Back-up with same size line of initial size line of initial attack or largerattack or larger

Ideally from different Ideally from different pumppump

Overhaul ActivitiesOverhaul Activities

Examine Fire SceneExamine Fire Scene What to Look ForWhat to Look For Where to LookWhere to Look

Examine SceneExamine Scene

Make certain no trace of fire remains; Make certain no trace of fire remains; hot spotshot spots

Leave structure in as safe a condition Leave structure in as safe a condition as possibleas possible

Pre-inspection to make sure overhaul Pre-inspection to make sure overhaul is safe to dois safe to do

Personnel protective gear as needed Personnel protective gear as needed and determined by commandand determined by command

Safe airSafe air

What To Look ForWhat To Look For

FlamesFlames SmokeSmoke Heat (Thermal Imaging Camera)Heat (Thermal Imaging Camera) Strong odorsStrong odors CharringCharring Holes in floorsHoles in floors Unstable building systemsUnstable building systems

Where To LookWhere To Look

Walls and ceilingsWalls and ceilings Areas above fireAreas above fire ShaftsShafts Cabinets and compartmentsCabinets and compartments Window and door facingsWindow and door facings SoffitsSoffits Balloon Frame ConstructionBalloon Frame Construction

Ventilation DefinedVentilation Defined

The process of The process of making openings in making openings in building or building or exposure to allow exposure to allow heat and products heat and products of combustion to of combustion to leave the buildingleave the building

Purpose of VentilationPurpose of Ventilation

Reduces danger to trapped victims and Reduces danger to trapped victims and extends time for rescueextends time for rescue

Increases visibilityIncreases visibility Permits quicker entry and advancementPermits quicker entry and advancement Minimizes time it takes to find seat of fireMinimizes time it takes to find seat of fire Minimizes time it takes to find fire spreadMinimizes time it takes to find fire spread Decreases or stops fire spreadDecreases or stops fire spread Reduces chance of flashover or backdraftReduces chance of flashover or backdraft

Results of VentilationResults of Ventilation

Depend on size and type of Depend on size and type of occupancy involvedoccupancy involved

Depends on extent and location of Depends on extent and location of firefire

Weather conditionsWeather conditions

Result of VentilationResult of Ventilation

Increases effectiveness of all operationsIncreases effectiveness of all operations Aids in saving livesAids in saving lives Openings allow heat and combustion Openings allow heat and combustion

products to exit by natural convectionproducts to exit by natural convection Windows can be opened; not Windows can be opened; not

automatically brokenautomatically broken PPV fans and smoke ejectorsPPV fans and smoke ejectors Hydraulic ventilationHydraulic ventilation

Coordinated Fire AttackCoordinated Fire Attack

Staffing single Staffing single most important most important part of engine part of engine companycompany

Failure to consider Failure to consider safety could be safety could be negligent on part negligent on part of leadership of of leadership of departmentdepartment

Coordinated Fire AttackCoordinated Fire Attack

At least two (2) firefighters enter IDLH At least two (2) firefighters enter IDLH atmosphere and remain in visual or atmosphere and remain in visual or voice contact at all timesvoice contact at all times

At least two (2) firefighters are located At least two (2) firefighters are located outside the IDLH atmosphere for rescueoutside the IDLH atmosphere for rescue

Lack of additional personnel is not Lack of additional personnel is not meant to preclude firefighters from meant to preclude firefighters from performing emergency rescue activities performing emergency rescue activities before an entire team has assemblesbefore an entire team has assembles

Coordinated Fire AttackCoordinated Fire Attack

Size-UpSize-Up

The sequence of thoughts and The sequence of thoughts and mental activity carried out by the mental activity carried out by the individual in chargeindividual in charge

Size-UpSize-Up Begins upon receipt of Begins upon receipt of

alarmalarm May be carried out May be carried out

many times and by many times and by different individuals different individuals during the alarmduring the alarm

Responsibility initially Responsibility initially lies with officer in lies with officer in charge of first arriving charge of first arriving unitunit

As higher ranking As higher ranking officers arrive, officers arrive, command can be command can be passedpassed

Size-UpSize-Up

Properly done will result in safe, Properly done will result in safe, timely, and efficient control of an timely, and efficient control of an emergency situationemergency situation

Care to be exercised to insure the Care to be exercised to insure the total problem is evaluatedtotal problem is evaluated

Must be dynamic, continuing Must be dynamic, continuing throughout all phases of the throughout all phases of the operationoperation

Size-Up for RescueSize-Up for Rescue

Officer of first arriving unit must first Officer of first arriving unit must first consider the rescue problem and consider the rescue problem and determine if such conditions existdetermine if such conditions exist

Risk/BenefitRisk/Benefit

Size-Up for RescueSize-Up for Rescue

Problems found for rescue, all activities Problems found for rescue, all activities undertaken should be directed towards undertaken should be directed towards relieving the rescue problemsrelieving the rescue problems

All resources and activities should be All resources and activities should be directed towards fixing rescue problemdirected towards fixing rescue problem

Nothing done by way of an attack effort Nothing done by way of an attack effort should interfere with or restrict rescue should interfere with or restrict rescue effortsefforts

Allocation for tools & equipment should Allocation for tools & equipment should favor those involved in the rescue effortfavor those involved in the rescue effort

Size-Up for RescueSize-Up for Rescue Ventilation, point of Ventilation, point of

entry and the entry and the placement of hose placement of hose lines should be aimed lines should be aimed toward protecting toward protecting those in immediate those in immediate danger and the crews danger and the crews involved in rescue involved in rescue effortsefforts

Possible that hose lines Possible that hose lines will be used to support will be used to support rescue with no attempt rescue with no attempt to extinguish or even to extinguish or even confine the fireconfine the fire

Size-Up for RescueSize-Up for Rescue

Time is critical, each Time is critical, each minute of continued minute of continued exposure of victim exposure of victim reduces chances for reduces chances for safe rescuesafe rescue

Life safety is first Life safety is first and primary and primary consideration in all consideration in all fireground activitiesfireground activities

Size-Up for ConfinementSize-Up for Confinement

First concern must be for adjacent First concern must be for adjacent exposures to which fire can spreadexposures to which fire can spread

Attack must be toward cutting off Attack must be toward cutting off route of fire to uninvolved structures route of fire to uninvolved structures or exposuresor exposures

Attacking only main body of fire with Attacking only main body of fire with no thought to exposures could result no thought to exposures could result in larger firein larger fire

Size-Up for ConfinementSize-Up for Confinement

First extension is normally verticalFirst extension is normally vertical Unable to spread vertically with Unable to spread vertically with

result in horizontally or crawlingresult in horizontally or crawling If both vertical and horizontal spread If both vertical and horizontal spread

are prohibited, fire will spread downare prohibited, fire will spread down Working knowledge of building Working knowledge of building

construction features will assist in construction features will assist in preventing spread of firepreventing spread of fire

Size-Up for ConfinementSize-Up for Confinement

Fire will continue to burn unchecked Fire will continue to burn unchecked unless:unless:

1. All fuel is consumed (we lost it)1. All fuel is consumed (we lost it)

2. Oxygen supply is depleted2. Oxygen supply is depleted

3. Rate of heat release is reduced to 3. Rate of heat release is reduced to a a

point where the process is no point where the process is no longer longer

sustainedsustained

Size-Up for ExtinguishmentSize-Up for Extinguishment

Nature of fuel involvedNature of fuel involved Quantity of fuel involvedQuantity of fuel involved Physical arrangement of fuel Physical arrangement of fuel

involvedinvolved AccessibilityAccessibility Rural or City WaterRural or City Water PersonnelPersonnel CapabilitiesCapabilities

Fuels InvolvedFuels Involved

Flammable liquidsFlammable liquids Combustible liquidsCombustible liquids Polycarbonate solidsPolycarbonate solids Ordinary combustiblesOrdinary combustibles Special hazardsSpecial hazards

AccessibilityAccessibility

Apparatus Apparatus Size of buildingSize of building Type of constructionType of construction Security FeatureSecurity Feature Time of DayTime of Day