Considerations for Engine Operations

RECEOPriority sequence of operationsHelps IC determine what needs to be

accomplished or assigned firstBased on incident prioritiesBased on operating guidelinesIC needs to communicate plan based on

observationsIC may have plan that differs from the

automatic actions that would be taken.

RECEOR-escueE-xposuresC-onfinementE-xtinguishmentO-verhaul

• V-entilation• S-alvage

Locate the fireConfineExtinguishSecure and

deliver water

Engine responsibilities

Basic ConsiderationsBest route and

accessPosition of apparatusWater supply

Apparatus positioning

Apparatus positioning

Apparatus positioning

More Considerations

• Pre-assigned duties• Crew Accountability• Communications• Coordination• Fire protection systems• Location of fire• What’s on fire

More ConsiderationsDesired fire flowHose selectionHose stretch and

deploymentLine placement

Line placementProtection of occupantsProtection of firefightersProtection of stairs and vertical

extensionProtection of exposuresPlacement for fire confinement

Fire Flow basicsLength x width / 3

GPM needed to extinguish fire185 gpm good for how many

square feet?555 sq feet

225 gpm (2”)?675 sq feet

Fire Flow basicsLength x width / 3

330 gpm (2 ½”)?990 sq feet

500 gpm (Blitzfire)?1500 sq feet

600 gpm (deckgun)?1800 sq feet

Fire Flow basicsWater weighs roughly 8 lbs per

gallonRequires 150 btu to raise 1 lb of

room temp water to 212o

Requires 970 btu to convert 1 lb of 212o water to steam

We are applying 1480 lbs of water per minute at 185 gpm

This allows us to absorb 1.6 million btu per minute.

Average BTU Production• Wood• Polyurethane• Polyvinyl Chloride• Polystyrene• Polypropylene• Polyethylene

• 7,000 Btu / lb.• 14,000• 17,900• 18,750• 20,000• 20,100

15

Fire Flow basicsAn average sofa weighs

approximately 350 lbsIt gives off between 10,000 and

20,000 btu per poundThat’s between 3.5 and 7 million btu

for just the sofa.

Hoseline selection

A - Advanced fire condition

D - Defensive operations

U - Unable to determine size of fire area

L - Large un-compartmentalized areas

T - Tons of water

S - Standpipe operations

A.D.U.L.T.S.

2 ½” handline use

Hose stretch considerationsLength of stretchS-load (flat load)Apartment lineShouldering hoseResponsibilities of crew

DriverOfficerNozzle Operator

Positions and Responsibilities

Positions and ResponsibilitiesOfficerDriverNozzle Operator*Back Up*Door*Control

* May not have personnel but tasks need to be accomplished.

Positions and Responsibilities

Must coordinate who is responsible for what tasks through OGs and training

May be decided en routeMust have a plan.

Engine Company OfficerNeed to make the right decisions to effect

outcome of incident.Line sizeOffensive or Defensive attack?

Need to understand tactics and operationNeed to know and protect your crew.

Nozzle OperatorResponsible for 1st length and nozzleBring length and nozzle to a “safe” location

for stretching and flakingStairwell, hallway, front door.

Nozzle OperatorWhen water is called for, must bleed air from

nozzleNever enter fire area without waterNever pass fireDoor control for protection

Nozzle OperatorSolid or straight stream All members on same side of lineForce or open door and let fire “breathe”

Fire may be “ventilation-limited”Look in room (LOW) for layout, fire or

victims.

Nozzle OperatorDeflected water (off ceiling) will:

Cover a greater areaBreak up and cool superheated combustible

gases at ceilingGreater heat absorption by breaking up on

impact and providing larger surface area for heat absorption

Prevent rolloverPrevent flashover by cooling overhead

Nozzle FirefighterRapid side to side or circular rotation pushes

heat, fire and steam ahead of the team (walls, ceiling, floors)

As progress is made, direct stream toward base of fire.

Back-up Firefighter2nd on hose lineChock doorsFlake out hose line and facilitate

advancementNozzle is only as good as the back-up

Back-up FirefighterFlaking hose

Up a stairwell In the hallwayAdjacent/opposite roomWherever it is needed and space is available.

Back-up FirefighterAbsorb as much nozzle reaction as possiblePosition as close to the nozzle operator as

possibleMaintain a firm grasp on hose.

Additional tasks to be performed

Eliminate kinks and folds outside the fire building

Feed hose to the nozzle teamDon’t pushMaintain slack – bend or circle of hose

Operates valve for standpipe operationsKeep an eye on the fire conditions in the area

the crew is operatingWhen withdrawing, don’t turn back on fire

Fire attackDirect AttackIndirect AttackModified Direct AttackTransitional

Direct Method of AttackSolid or straight stream directly on the burning fuel

Used when the fire is relatively small

Preserves the thermal balance of the fire compartment

Thermal Balance

Indirect Method of Attack

Fog stream is remotely injected into an unoccupied, unvented compartment

Indirect Attack CautionsThese Conditions Must be Met

There must be no life hazard in the compartment, including firefighters

Ceiling temp. must be at least 1000°F

Water fog must be remotely injected from outside the room with no

ventilation

If these conditions are not met, a direct attack is needed

Modified Direct Method of Attack

Application of a solid or straight stream overhead and out in front, rotated in circular manner or side

to side

Application of a solid or straight stream overhead and out in front, rotated in circular manner or side

to side

The stream is then directed onto the solid burning fuels

The stream is then directed onto the solid burning fuels

Benefits of a Modified Direct Attack

Transitional AttackMay apply water through

window to darken fire before entering structure

Crews then enter structure after fire has been knocked down.

Choosing a Method of Attack

Only the direct and modified direct attack should be used if anyone is near the fire compartment

Some general rules

Some general rulesStretch the line,

don’t pull and dump!!

Some general rules

Front door is generally best option for hose advancement

Dry line advancement is quicker than charged line

Dry line puts out NO fire – have charged line when entering fire area

No more than 2 lines should go through same door way.

Some general rulesUsually consider one length per floor and two

for fire floorStretched up well-hole in stairway, one

length per three floorsStretched up the outside of the building, one

length per three floorsOpen the nozzle to hit the fire, do not spray

the smoke.

Some general rulesWhen the fire is darkened down, close the

nozzleUse the nozzle to clear the room of smokeListen for cues – engine rpm for exampleSupport the placement of the primary line

before worrying about a back-up line.Difficult to overcome problems associated

with a hoseline stretched to the wrong location.