Glendale Fire Quarterly Training Summer/2009

Glendale FireGlendale FireQuarterly TrainingQuarterly Training

Summer/2009Summer/2009

Objectives:

• Increase Performance on the Fire Ground

• Establish Solid Foundation

• Provide Career Development– Engineers Exam– Captains Exam

EXPECTATIONSEXPECTATIONS

Basic knowledge of the following:Basic knowledge of the following:

•• Ventilation TheoryVentilation Theory

•• Building & Roof ConstructionBuilding & Roof Construction

•• Ventilation OpeningsVentilation Openings

•• Positive Pressure VentilationPositive Pressure Ventilation

•• LadderingLaddering

5111 W. Adams – LAFDPost Incident Review

• July 24, 2007, 2020 hrs• Structure-single story commercial 125’X150’• Wood frame / stucco siding• Conventional Flat Roof• Welding Shop• 1 Firefighter Injury / Burn

LAFD Truck 26 Aerial“B”

24’ Ladder

A/O’s Path

Capt’s Path

F/F’s Path“A”

Rated Fire Separation

“C”

“D”

5111 W. Adams Bl.Contributing Factors…

• A/O’s first day in promoted position.• Probationary F/F first day on the truck• A/O did not determine roof integrity through sounding

procedures. DID NOT SOUND!• “Cross Country”• Independent action by the A/O compromised the

ventilation teams unity and prevented a coordinated ventilation plan.

• The A/O did not accurately evaluate the extent of fire involvement and roof integrity.

• Performance Anxiety

Every fire is different and the tactical operations discussed in this presentation are incident driven and are at the discretion of the Incident Commander and/or your Company Commander!

“The only consistent thing about truck work, -it is never consistent.”

Review…

Why Do We Ventilate ?

Why Do We Ventilate ?

• Rescue

By improving the conditions inside a burning structure we will eliminate the need for rescue and/or provide additional time for rescue operations.

Why Do We Ventilate ?• Confinement

– Reduce extension of fire, heat and smoke by providing a vertical path of travel.

Why Do We Ventilate ?• Extinguishment

– An improved atmosphere will allow the Engine Company to locate & extinguish the fire in the least amount of time.

Why Do We Ventilate ?• FLASHOVER

– Ventilation Conducted properly can reduce or eliminate a flashover / backdraft condition

9 Ventilation Orders to give us the best chance at a safe and

effective operation….

9 Ventilation Orders

1. 1. S.O.G.S.O.G.’’ss --Have clear ventilation objectives Have clear ventilation objectives 2. Ventilation Size Up 2. Ventilation Size Up (all members)(all members)

3. Minimum of 2 Firefighters to the Roof3. Minimum of 2 Firefighters to the Roof4. Minimum of 2 Ladders 4. Minimum of 2 Ladders 5. Ladder Uninvolved to the Involved5. Ladder Uninvolved to the Involved6. Know the Location and Extent of the Fire6. Know the Location and Extent of the Fire7. Ventilate Towards your Ladder7. Ventilate Towards your Ladder8. Communication8. Communication9. Establish L.C.E.S. for every roof operation9. Establish L.C.E.S. for every roof operation

L.C.E.S. for Truck Ops…???

• Look out Captain – Has to step back to see the entire operation.

• Communication Truck Company members have to know what is going on in the building and with the incident. Communication with fire attack and the IC is imperative.

• Escape Routes Your second ladder should be placed in an escape route location.

• Safety Zone Engineer establishes that safety zone when he gets off his ladder and checks the roof. Your first ladder should be placed in your safety zone

Situational Awareness

• Truck = Good night sleep…• Members not assigned to a truck need to have

significantly heightened “Situational Awareness”.» Fire - Saws/ladders/construction/SOG’s» Physical Rescue – Holmatro/airbags/cribbing/stokes& ropes, SOG’s» Elevator Rescue – pics/rabbit tool/multiple elevator types, SOG’s» Flooding – WAP/Prosser

• S/A = knowledge of building construction, equipment, and the S.O.G.’s of the truck company.

Statistically, roof-top ventilation ranks as one of the most dangerous fire ground activities. The widespread use of lightweight roof construction and ever-changing building standards combined with a reduction in fires and experience of our members increase the potential danger to firefighters.

How do we reduce that risk…?

A complete ventilation size up…

Pre-designated member assignments…

A solid understanding of your Companies S.O.G.’s / ventilation plan…

There are 3 key's to reduce that Risk:

Size up for Ventilation

Each truck company member performs his/her own ventilation size-up !

What makes up a ventilation size up?– Floor & Location of the fire – Extent of fire - contents, structure, and/or attic involvement – Smoke Conditions – weather / inversion layer– Life Hazard– Risk vs. Gain– Roof Construction / Building Construction– Where is the fire going / What is the incident potential?

It is the Company Commanders responsibility to ensure all members have the information needed to conduct an aggressive and safe

ventilation operation…!

• Complete the Hot Lap / 360 / Recon• Take a few steps inside or check the

windows to size up conditions.• LISTEN TO THE RADIO !!! (part

of your 360)• Obtain Rubbish hook and head to

the roof!!!

2nd Key for Successful Truck Co. Ops:• Member Assignments…

• Every member assigned to a Rescue, Engine or Truck Company should have pre-determined assignments.

Member Assignments…

Based on the following:

•Position/Seat on the Truck

•Member Experience/Skill set

•Decided by the Captain at morning lineup

Ventilation Standard Operating Guidelines

Member AssignmentsCaptain

• Determine Fire Location• Determine Type of

Ventilation Roof Top vs. Horizontal

• Equipment – Thermal Imager, Rubbish Hook and/or Plaster Blaster.


Member AssignmentsEngineer• Ladder Placement• Rubbish Hook/Sounding• Establish Safe Zone / Roof

Construction-rafter direction• Ventilation

Engineer can lead the crew to the roof while Capt. is completing 360


Member AssignmentsInside Member

• Forcible Entry (listen up for radio traffic that would indicate the need for forcible entry)

• P.P.V. / Blower• Second Chain Saw (roof-top)• Works with Captain (inside

team)


Member Assignments– Tillerman

• Assist Engineer w/ Aerial

• Ground Ladder• First Chain Saw (roof-

top)• Works directly with the

Engineer. (outside team)

Pre-determined tasks should happen with little or no direction.

Remember we are all paid to think!

Tactical decision making applies to all members.

3rd Key for Successful Truck Co. Ops:Standard Operating Guidelines

• Established through drill, study and experience….• Any question of a truck companies S.O.G’s should

be cleared up at morning line up. Discuss and review with your over-timer…

• Deciding what member is going to complete what task at the scene of a fire is dangerous…

Truck Company Tactics

Split the creworAll members to the roof?

Lets clear this one up!!!

Truck Company Tactics• Split Crew

Captain & Inside Member (Investigation, PPV, S&R) Engineer & Tillerman (Roof Top)

• Determining Factors

Resource AvailabilityFire / Smoke involvementTop Floor vs. Lower floor fireImmediate RescueCrew ExperienceOccupancy Size

2nd Truck Operations

• With a second truck on scene or close the need to split your crew is greatly reduced.

• Second truck should handle “Inside Truck Work”.– S & R– Evacuation– P.P.V.– Pull Ceiling / assist engine in checking for extension.– Utilities– Salvage

Split Crew S.O.G.’s

• Fire Conditions dictate tactics.– Well involved small house requires:

• 2 members to ventilate the roof (Engineer and Tillerman) • Company Commander as a safety member. • Inside member to perform forcible entry, P.P.V. and/or take care of

utilities.– The best location for a Truck Co.Captain may be on the ground

to assist with hole location and safety for the overall roof operation. (small roof)

– Do not LOCK YOURSELF into thinking splitting the crew is based on occupancy size. Fire conditions and incident potential drive the tactic of splitting your crew.

Split Crew Engineer & Tillerman

Captain &Inside Member

Nothing Showing ?Split your crew…

Captain and the inside member head inside for the investigation.

Engineer and Tillermen go to the roof for a top side size-up.

If ventilation is needed, don’t be behind the “8 ball” because you thought is was nothing. Throw the aerial and be ready!

Positive Pressure Ventilation• Tactical P.P.V.

– Must be coordinated between fire attack and truck co./ventilation group.

– When vertical ventilation is not an option.– When the fire attack team cannot advance due to heat.– Must have smoke/heat exit point– Blower must be monitored for rapidly deteriorating conditions!– Not used when attic involvement is suspected!– Adding Fuel to the Fire

• Smoke Removal– Food on the stove –systematic removal of smoke

Structures to be Discussed

• Single Family Dwelling.• Closed Corridor Apt. (Center Hall)

– Pre-33– Modern

• Exterior Corridor Apt• Commercial

– Light Weight– Conventional

• Strip Mall

Lightweight vs. Conventional???

• Simple question – that will determine all roof-top actions. From the ground, the roof construction should be an educated guess based on age of the building and construction style. Your guess is confirmed or corrected by your inspection cut.

• Your life may depend on this one piece of information when dealing with a structure fire!

Single Family Dwelling

Size up• Fire Location• Single or Multi-Floor• Bedroom Locations• Light Weight Truss vs.

Conventional• Ladder Considerations

Single Family Dwelling

• Objectives– Place heat hole as close

to the seat of the fire as possible

– Punch ceiling when hose lines are in place

– Coordinate P.P.V. with the fire attack crew if needed.

– Ensure fire does not extend into the attic

Modern Style Single Family Dwelling

• Lightweight/Conventional?• First floor fire…

• Do we cut a hole?

1st Floor fire on a 2 Story Home

• Majority of homes are open to the second Floor

• Bedroom locations are generally on the 2nd floor (Smoke kills-Life Safety)

• Care must be taken as to not draw the fire to the second floor (hose line in place.)

Truss Roof / Modern Home

• Dangers– Attic Involvement can mean

accelerated roof collapse.

ConsiderationsWhat are the attic vents showing us.Frequent indicator holesWork off ladderWork only at perimeter

Attic Vent

Truss Roof / Modern Home

Contra Cost County LODD 2-FF’s

Communicate to I.C. and Fire Attack Team

Converted Attic/Living Space Fire• Fire Attack crews watch for chainsaw bar

dipping through the roof!!!

Enclosed Corridor Apartment / Pre-33

Center Hall Pre -33

Center Hall Pre-33

• Open Stairwell– No more that 2

floors

Center Hall Pre -33

• Ponet Doors– 3 or more floors– 99% of the time they

are blocked open


Rescue vs. Ventilation ?


• For every victim in a widow, four more victims may be trapped in the hallway.

• Removing the smoke and placing a hand line between the fire and the potential victim may be the best tactic to rescue the greatest number of victims.

• Knock Down of the fire removes the need for rescue !

Center Hall Pre -33 (Before heat & smoke)

High heat build up without ventilation

History Lesson of the Pre-33 Apartment house fire…

Ponet Square Fire

• September 13, 1970• 0532 Hours• Los Angeles, Calif.• 19 Deaths

– 18 Asphyxia– 1 Jumper

It took 18 people to die in the hallway to come up with a door to block the smoke…

• Ponet Doors– 3 or more floors– 99% of the time they

are blocked open

Dorothy Mae Fire

• September 4, 1982• 0426 Hrs• Los Angeles, California• 25 Deaths

• All found in hallways• Ponet doors blocked open

Dorothy Mae Fire

• Resulted in fire sprinklers retroactively required in apartments with 4 or more stories.

Palomar Fire• August 16, 2001• 0340 Hours• Hollywood , Calif.• 2 Deaths

– 1 victim (jumper)– 1 arsonist

Three significant fires in pre-33 center hall apartments.

• First two fires, the Ponet and the Dorothy Mae resulted in over 40 deaths….

• The Palomar fire only resulted in 1 death….

• What was the major difference….

• First On-Scene Truck went to the ROOF!– The first truck opened up the hallway making it tenable

for occupants.


• Objectives– Heat Hole (top floor fire)– Remove Smoke from egress path (ie. Stairwells

and Hallways– Search & Rescue / Evacuation

Enclosed Corridor Apartment / Pre-331st Priority

• Top Floor Fire• Heat Hole

Engineer / tillermen(S.O.G.)

Enclosed Corridor Apartment / Pre-332nd Priority

Top Floor Fire • Open Penthouse

» Victims» Smoke Conditions

(advise the I.C.)

Captain / Inside member(S.O.G.)

Enclosed Corridor Apartment Pre-33

• Top Floor Fire– Truck Company

works together to Strip the Hallway

Heat Hole

Hallway Strip

Defensive Strip


2nd Truck Ops…

• Top Floor Fire– Ponet Doors - Close– P.P.V.– Evacuation– Salvage

After roof top ventilationhas been completed…(coordinate PPV with fire attack and

1st truck/Vent. Group)

Enclosed Corridor Apartment Pre-33

• Lower Level Fire


• Lower level fire will begin to trap upper floor residents very quickly…


• Lower Level Fire– Open Penthouse and

report conditions to the Incident Commander.


– Skylights• Quick Method to open

hallway.and/or stairwell • Does not Vent. the attic.

Captain / Inside member

Skylights should be opened starting with those closest to involved unit to avoid pulling the fire into the hallway.


• Lower Level FireStrip Hallway

Enclosed Corridor Apartment / Pre-332nd Truck Ops…

– I.D. Fire Location– Close Ponet Doors (hose line will block)– Horizontal Vent./Windows– Search/Rescue– Evacuation/Shelter in place– Salvage

Enclosed Corridor Apartment / Modern

• Similar building Layout• Very long hallways w/no

exterior access. P.P.V.?• Automatic Fire Doors• Self-Closing Doors• Same tactics as the pre-33

apartment.• Ladders for Engine Co.

access.

Exterior Corridor Apartment

• Exterior walkway• Top Floor Fire

• HEAT HOLE

• Lower Floor Fire•Horizontal Ventilation

Commercial Fire / Light Weight

Lightweight

• Panelized or……

I-Beam (wood)Open-web TrussGlued TrussGang-nail Truss???? Evolving…

Inspection Cut

Read / Verify Roof construction

Lam Beam / Purlin

Inspection cut at this intersection will paint a better picture…

Commercial Fire / Light Weight

Objectives• Heat Hole

– Isolate the fire– Remove the Heat &

smoke.– NOT DIRECTLY

OVER THE FIRE ! – Smoke Hatch’s / sky

lights

• Strip Ventilation

Indicator Hole

•Large enough to place your axe handle or preferably the “D” handle of your rubbish hook.•How many? As many as you need!•Fire side of beams…

Indicator Hole

Ladder

Inspection Cut

Indicator

Pull Back Heat Hole

SOUND!!!

Firefighter Scott Chapman

Commercial Fire / Conventional

– Objectives• Heat Hole

– Isolate the fire– Remove the Heat &

smoke.– DIRECTLY OVER

THE FIRE !• Strip Ventilation

– Offensive vs. Defensive

• Ventilators

Fire in the truss system = defensive operations.

Tied truss/bowstring – need help from fire attack…

Commercial Fire

– Strip Ventilation• With Construction• Against Construction• Offensive vs Defensive• Rated Fire Walls

Rated Fire Separation

Strip/Trench

Strip/Trench

Indicators

Trade Space for Time…

Arch Truss Strip

Hose Line to the Roof !!!

On large fires with heavy smoke -request a hose line to the roof early. If the resources allow ask for an Engine Co. Your going to need the manpower to conduct a large ventilation operation.

Safety lineDesigned to keep the smoke off members.ALMOST NEVER direct a hose stream into a vent. Hole!

Strip Mall / Light Weight

• Objectives– Heat Hole (when possible)– Strip Ventilation

• First Strip to save the greatest square footage/tax base

• Second Strip on opposite side of fire

– Coordinate Strip with Engine Companies below.

1st Strip Cut

2nd Strip CutStrip Mall

Heat Hole

Strip Mall Light Weight

You’re not standing on much!

Parapet

Open Web TrussOr Wooden I Beam

Cantilever Mansard – difficult to open from above

Open up the “cricket”

Continue the strip - cut into the Mansard…!

Mansard

Strip Mall / Mansard

Mansard is an extension of the roof truss system on this Mansard is an extension of the roof truss system on this strip mallstrip mall……..THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT !!!..THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT !!!

Do not ladder the mansard….


• Mansard– Strip must continue

into the Mansard !!!– Mansard must be

completely opened up to ensure there is no fire involvement.

– Relief Cuts– Members should not be

under the Mansard for ANY REASON !!!


• Mansard– Domino Collapse– Collapse without fire

involvement

Domino Failure of the Mansard

Mansard !!!

• Do not pass underneath a Mansard with Fire involvement !

• Watch for domino collapse of the entire mansard.

Questions ?

Comments?

Concerns?

Stay Safe, Train Hard!

Internet Sites

• www.vententersearch.com• www.firehouse.com• www.firetactics.com• www.sbcindustry.com• www.youtube.com

• [email protected]

VENTILATION S.O.G.’s20092009

Captain Doug DoodyCaptain John FitzgeraldEngineer Jeremy FrazierEngineer Martine Detro

Sacramento Fire

http://www.kcra.com/video/16533129/index.html

TYPES OF VENTILATION

• Positive Pressure• Horizontal/Natural Ventilation• Vertical/Roof-Top Ventilation

Glendale Fire Quarterly Training Summer/2009

Documents

Transcript of Glendale Fire Quarterly Training Summer/2009