Unit 5B

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Unit 5B
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Unit 5B Objectives

• 1. Describe four considerations in engine access
  and positioning in structure defense.
• 2. List the three tactics employed in confronting
  a fire at a structure.
• List three types of foam and describe ways they
  can be used on interface fires.
• 4. Describe two reasons for maintaining mobility
  in structure defense.

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Engine crews and apparatus are the primary
resource used in structure protection
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Engine Access and Positioning

• Negotiating the access
• On way in pay attention to landmarks and hazards.
• Identify (flag) escape routes and safety zones
  (use appropriate color).
• Scout access before committing large engines.

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Access and Positioning

• Back engine into position from last known
  turnaround!

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Access and Positioning

• Position for safety
• Do not block access for other equipment or
  evacuating vehicles
• Do not park over flammable vegetation
• Park on side of structure that minimizes heat and
  blowing firebrands
• Park to minimize hose length, but stay out of
  structure collapse zone
• Avoid parking next to hazards
• Leave doors, windows, and compartments closed
• Lookout, usually pump operator, should remain
  with engine

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Working Hose Lines
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Hose Lines

• Working lines
• 1 ½ inch hose lines are recommended.
• NO HARD-LINES
• Deploy 2 lines
• One around each side of structure
• Long enough to meet behind structure

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Hose Lines

• 100 foot by 1 ½ inch single jacket hose line may
  be pre-connected and secured to rear of engine by
  means of strap to rapidly deploy and reload
  structure protection lines.
• Access and safety are enhanced if personnel are
  not required to climb on top of engine.

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• Hang bundled hose from roller guides or
  other stable projection on apparatus.

After the hose has been secured, the
engineer re-couples it to the gated wye at the
pump panel.
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Hose Lines

• Shut-off valve at engine
• Lines behind engine, not in front
• Supplementary lines can be used for interior
  attack or spot fires
• Engine protection line
• Keep it charged!
• Secure near engine control panel
• Make sure it is long enough to go around
  the engine
• Make sure it will not fall off if engine is moving

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Pre-Position Working Lines

• Leave working lines in place until
  structure is safe.

• Leave in obvious
  
  locations,
  keep couplings out of road.
• Working lines can be
  pre-positioned, use hand crews!

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Nozzles

• Nozzles which allow you to adjust flow rates and
  spray pattern are best (Combination Nozzles)

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Nozzles

• Air aspirating foam nozzles or combination foam
  nozzles when used with properly mixed foam
  provide good pretreatment for structure
  protection.

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Confronting the Fire at a Structure

• Fine fuels fire spread can be stopped with water
  or firelines
• Running crown fires water is ineffective in
  relation to fire intensity and exposes
  firefighters to undue risk
• Water is most effectively used as a pre-treatment
  with foam or putting out spot fires after fire
  front has passed

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Spotting Zone

• Airborne firebrands are the greatest threat and
  can ignite fires miles ahead of main fire.
• Stay mobile!
• Constantly check for new ignitions.
• Patrol as necessary.
• If a spot fire occurs, attack it quickly and
  put it out.

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Structure Protection Tactics
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Full Containment

• Stop fire before it reaches structure
• Direct attack small fires
• Cut the fire off before it reaches structures
• Light fuels offer best opportunity
• At the edge of the property or yard
• Burn out from a control line

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Full Containment
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Partial Containment

• There is not enough time or the fire is too
  intense to establish complete containment.
• Reduce fire intensity as it moves toward
  structure.
• If limited water, save it for structure.
• After fire passes, check for possible ignitions
  on structure and extinguish.

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Partial Containment
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No Containment Possible

• The fire will burn over structure unchecked.
• All working lines and efforts are focused on
  savable structures only.
• Ensure Safety Zones and Escape Routes are
  communicated.
• Use Foam and Go or Hit and Run techniques.
• Conserve water for the structure only.
• Let the fire front pass, then go in after and
  save what you can.

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No Containment Possible
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Fighting Roof Fires

• Greatest threat is from airborne firebrands.
• Stay alert and attack ignitions quickly.
• Completely extinguish small roof fires and remove
  involved shingles.
• Abandon the structure if more than ¼ of the roof
  is involved, or the fire is underneath the roof.

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Water and Foam Use

• Water is usually in short supply, use it wisely.
• Rural water systems are commonly low capacity or
  non-existent.
• Conserve water by using only enough to accomplish
  the task at hand.
• Right amount, right form, right place

• Save a 100 gallon reserve for
  engine and crew protection.

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Wise Use of Water

• Take advantage of any opportunity to add water
  to your tank!
• Know the characteristics of your water supply.
• System capacity
• Flow rate
• Pressure
• Reliability

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Water Application

• Effective application is the key to water
  conservation.
• Can you simply extinguish the fire? Do it.
• Timing is critical.
• Wetting down fuels is usually a waste of time
  and water resources.
• Water is most effective putting out ignitions on
  the structure.

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Reducing Heat Build-up

• Knock down the fire in surface fuels.
• Prevent fire from getting into heavy fuels,
  woodpiles or brush patches.
• Dont waste water on crown fires, heavy fuels
  or fully involved structures.

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Heat Wave Duration

• Light Fuels Rapid spread, will generally pass in
  several minutes.
• Brush High intensity, extreme radiant heat, can
  take up to 20 minutes to pass structure.
• Timber Crown fires, flame lengths of hundreds of
  feet, can take hours to pass.

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Crown Fires in Timber

• Generate intense heat that may last considerable
  time
• Maintain escape route and safety zone!

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Peak Heat Wave Tactics

• Do not try to extinguish walls of flame or fully
  involved structures. It wastes water and puts you
  at risk.
• Escape intense heat on a sheltered side of the
  structure or take shelter inside the structure.
• Wait until intensity decreases and then step out
  and extinguish spots.

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Use of Class A Foam

• Air aspirating nozzle systems produce wet and
  fluid foams
• Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS) produce wet,
  fluid, and dry foams.

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Properties of Foam

• Increases working volume of water.
• Reduces surface tension of water (wetter water)
• Can be used to insulate fuels or smother flames.

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Types of Foam

• Wet Foam
• Flows readily, penetrates rapidly, but drains
  (dissipates) quickly.
• Works well for mopup, wetting down fine fuels to
  create wet lines to burn out from.
• Apply foam line three times as wide as flame
  length and immediately ahead of ignitors.

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Types of Foam

• Fluid Foam
• Flows readily and drains slower than wet foam.
• Also works well for wet lines in fine fuel.
• Provides an insulating barrier with can last up
  to 30 minutes.
• Aerial fuels can be coated to keep fire on
  surface
• Excellent for pretreating structrues

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Types of Foam

• Dry Foam
• Coats and adheres well
• Wets and drains at slow rate and can last up to
  one hour
• Can be used to smother flames in burning material
• Excellent for insulating and capping in moisture
  on structures

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Structure Treatment
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Structure Treatment

• Apply foam by lofting from a distance.
• Start on roof allowing layers to build up and
  completely cover all combustible surfaces.
• Apply wet foam first for moisture penetration and
  fluid foam second to cover and help insulate.
  Capping structure with dry foam will help
  insulate it even longer.

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Class A Foam

• Can be used to coat, cool, and protect fuel tanks
  and LPG containers from direct flame content.
• It is not intended to be used on flammable liquid
  fires.

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Stay Mobile

• Mobility is critical
• Hit and Run tactics are effective

• Dont get tied down
• To lengthy supply and attack lines

• Hydrants
• Resist attaching supply line to hydrants
• May block emergency units and your escape

• If you must leave in a hurry
• Abandon hose and only take fittings

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Retreating and Returning

• Intensity of fire may require retreat to safety
  zones. Flag escape routes and safety zones.
• Account for all personnel, maintain
  communications.
• Remain calm, watch for hazards along escape
  route.
• Shelter in the structure if escape route is cut
  off.
• Structure will not immediately burn down,
  providing protection against heat and smoke.

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Be Aware! Your Escape Route May Be Cut Off!
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Retreating and Returning

• Watch for hazards when returning
• Downed power lines
• Burning snags
• Debris on road (rocks, logs, burning vehicles)
• Hot spots or spot fires or smoky conditions
• Weakened bridges or cattle guards

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Watch Out for Mid-Slope Roads!
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Extinguishment and Follow-up

• Check everything! Then check it again!

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Unit 5B Objectives

• 1. Describe four considerations in engine access
  and positioning in structure defense.
• 2. List the three tactics employed in confronting
  a fire at a structure.
• List three types of foam and describe ways they
  can be used on interface fires.
• 4. Describe two reasons for maintaining mobility
  in structure defense.