Firefighter Safety
Structural Fire Safety
Structural Fire Safety
I. Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
A. Firefighters must wear full personal protective clothing and equipment
in a firefighting operation
1. Non use of personal protective clothing and equipment is responsible for a
great many firefighter injuries
2. Any time a firefighter might be exposed to any toxic or hazardous
environment, full personal protective clothing and equipment must be worn
3. A firefighter that is working unprotected is not an asset to the firefighting
team
Structural Fire Safety
II. Size-Up
– The mental evaluation of the situation at an incident scene, so that a
fire officer can determine the correct course of action to pursue. It is
also a continual survey of the incident and the victims.
– The first actions of responding fire departments must be to rescue and
search for people within the building. This obligation accounts for a
large percentage of injuries and fatalities among firefighting personnel.
A. What you see happening to the building
1. Any unusual signs
a. Color of smoke
b. Possible explosions
2. Life hazard
3. What is burning and how fast?
4. What is the path of fire travel and do exposures need to be protected?
5. Type of construction
6. Does exterior appearance indicate possible collapse?
Structural Fire Safety
III. Building Collapse
– Structural collapse is always possible when a building or its contents
are subject to intense fire
A. Sights and sounds that would imply danger
1. A large amount of fire, which has been out of control for more than 20
minutes on 2 or more floors
2. Interior explosions, rumbling, or heavy puffs of smoke
3. Evidence of large amounts of flammable liquids or other hazardous
materials becoming involved by fire
4. Sounds of structural movement or weakening
5. Cracks in exterior walls
6. Quantity of smoke or water leaking through walls
7. Obvious bulging or distortion of walls or supporting columns
8. Flexible movement of any floor or roof where firefighters walk
Structural Fire Safety
IV. Backdraft
– This violent fire development occurs in a building, which is heavily
charged by smoke and heat from a fire, which has depleted most of
the oxygen content
– The smoke appears to be fluttering or puffing and may change
direction several times, moving in and out before the blast
– If heavy smoke is pushing out under pressure, extreme care must be
taken in venting the building without admitting oxygen near the base of
the fire
– The rapid burning of the backdraft results from the introduction of a
fresh supply of oxygen into the superheated atmosphere, where the
oxygen level has been depleted
Structural Fire Safety
IV. Backdraft Continued
A. Indications
1. Smoke under pressure
2. Black smoke becoming dense grey/yellow
3. Confinement and excessive heat
4. Little or no visible flame
5. Smoke leaves the building in puffs or at intervals
6. Smoke-stained windows
7. Muffled sounds
8. Sudden rapid movement of air inward when opening is made
Structural Fire Safety
IV. Backdraft Continued
B. A practical way to prevent a backdraft from occurring is to ventilate
extensively, but carefully from the highest point possible
C. Firefighter who are inside the building when a backdraft occurs should
drop quickly to the floor with the hope that the fire blast will pass
above them
D. Backdraft conditions do not require an entire building for development.
They can occur in any enclosed building area, where intense heat
develops without ventilation
Structural Fire Safety
V. Flashover
– The sudden ignition of exposed combustible surfaces and or
combustible gases in an involved area that results in a sudden and
intense rise in temperature
– If this process continues, exposed combustible materials within the
building can be heated to their ignition temperature, resulting in
spontaneous ignition, or “flashover” of combustible materials
A. Indicators
1. A free-burning fire within a building that is resulting in the build-up or
accumulation of heat and smoke within the building
2. Smoke that is increasing in heat and density and may or may not be
banking down
3. Firefighters being forced to stay low due to increased heat
Structural Fire Safety
VI. Ventilation
– Procedures necessary to effect the planned and systematic direction
and removal of smoke, heat and fire gases from a structure
A. Preplan your operations
B. Size-up
1. Type and age of building
2. Type and style of roof
3. Location and extension of fire
4. Ladders
5. Hazards
6. Occupants
C. Minimum of 2 ladders
D. Ladder and approach the involved area from the uninvolved area
E. Minimum of 2 firefighters to the roof for ventilation
Structural Fire Safety
VI. Ventilation Continued
F. Basic equipment
1. SCBA
2. Power Saw (Chain or rotary)
3. Pickhead axe
4. Pike pole, rubbish hook, or other suitable tool
5. Communication (handheld radio)
G. Read the roof
1. Is fire showing through the roof?
2. Is a portion of the roof sagging?
H. Sound your path of travel
I. Only cut as deep as necessary
J. Work from the weak area to the strong area and or towards the ladder
or means of egress
Structural Fire Safety
VI. Ventilation Continued
K. Keep the wind at your back
L. Do not use a power saw in line with the body
M. Size of the ventilation hole
1. A starting point is at least 10% of the area to be ventilated
Public Education
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
I. VENTILATION SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
A. Evaluate the situation
1. Personal protection
2. Available personnel and equipment
3. Rescue requirements
4. Occupancy
5. Weather
a. Wind direction
6. Material burning
7. Smoke and gas travel
8. Fire travel
9. Escape routes
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
I. VENTILATION SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS CONTINUED
B. Structure
1. Observe/evaluate situation
2. Is there a need?
3. Have a plan?
4. Which method of ventilation?
5. Extent of fire
6. Visible smoke conditions
7. Smoke color unreliable indicator of fire involvement
8. Location of the fire
9. Building construction
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
I. VENTILATION SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS CONTINUED
C. Safety equipment
1. SCBA
2. Charged line
3. Full personal protective equipment
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
I. VENTILATION SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS CONTINUED
D. Techniques for all types of ventilation practices
1. Provide firm footing on roof
2. Work in pairs
3. Provide two means of escape
4. Hoseline protection
5. Evacuate roof when ventilation is complete
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
II. CAUSE AND AFFECT
A. Life hazards to fire fighters
1. Roof collapse
2. Explosions below
3. Extreme smoke conditions
4. Escape difficult in emergency
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
II. CAUSE AND AFFECT CONTINUED
B. Ventilation delayed
1. Backdraft
2. Roof unsafe
3. Entire building involved
4. Excessive property loss
5. Increased life hazard
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
II. CAUSE AND AFFECT CONTINUED
C. Opening too soon
1. Lines not laid
2. Fire gets away
3. Increased property loss
4. Additional work time
5. Additional life hazard
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
II. CAUSE AND AFFECT CONTINUED
D. Opening wrong place
1. No ventilation
2. Backdraft
a. Sudden rapid movement of air inward when opening is made
b. Occurs during smoldering phase
c. May be indicated by smoke conditions
• Black smoke turning gray-yellow
• Little or no flame
• Smoke leaves building in puffs
3. Spread of fire
4. Increased property loss
5. Additional life hazard
6. Additional work time
7. Public criticism
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
II. CAUSE AND AFFECT CONTINUED
E. Insufficient opening
1. Ineffective ventilation
2. Backdraft
3. Loss of time
4. Additional property loss
5. Additional life hazard
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
II. CAUSE AND AFFECT CONTINUED
F. Opening below the fire
1. Backdraft
2. Increase fire intensity
3. No ventilation
4. No value
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
III. VENTILATION HAZARDS
A. Considerations
1. Time of day
2. Occupancy
3. Probable location of fire
4. Contents (probable fuel involved)
5. Composition of fire gases
6. Type of building
7. Anticipated action of fire burning freely
8. Anticipated action of smoldering fires
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
III. VENTILATION HAZARDS CONTINUED
B. Hazards in closed buildings
1. Obscurity caused by dense smoke
2. Presence of poisonous gases
3. Lack of oxygen
4. Presence of flammable gas
5. Serious damage to the structure
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
III. VENTILATION HAZARDS CONTINUED
C. Rooftop ventilation
1. Spongy roof
2. Secondary means of escape
3. Lifeline
4. Sliding and falling
5. Electrical wires
6. Protective equipment
7. Stand to windward side
8. Weakening structure
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
III. VENTILATION HAZARDS CONTINUED
D. Hoseline placement
1. At no time should a hoseline or elevated stream be directed into a
ventilation hole
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
III. VENTILATION HAZARDS CONTINUED
E. Safety techniques for all types of ventilation practices
1. Provide firm footing on roof
2. Work in pairs
3. Provide two means of escape
4. Hoseline protection
5. Evacuate roof when ventilation is complete
Safety Considerations During
Ventilation Operations
SUMMARY
When a fire fighter determines the need for ventilation, the precautions
that may be necessary for the control of the fire and the safety of the fire
fighters must also be considered. Safety considerations must always be
practiced during ventilation operations.
Public Education
Consequences of Improper
Horizontal Ventilation
Consequences of Improper Horizontal
Ventilation
I. CONSEQUENCES
A. Involvement of exposures
B. Life hazards to fire fighter
1. Backdraft
2. Flashover
C. Ventilation delayed
1. Hampers fire fighting efforts
2. Hampers life saving and rescue
D. Public criticism
E. Exposure of victims to heat, smoke, and toxins
Consequences of Improper Horizontal
Ventilation
II. IMPROPER VENTILATION PROCEDURES
A. Opening too fast
1. Hoseline not in place
2. Horizontal ventilation should be coordinated and in conjunction with fire
attack
B. Opening too slow
1. Smoke, heat, and steam pushed back onto suppression crew
C. Opening wrong place
1. Delay in fire fighting efforts
2. Increased fire spread
D. Insufficient openings
E. Too many openings
1. Lose ventilation efforts
Consequences of Improper Horizontal
Ventilation
II. IMPROPER VENTILATION PROCEDURES CONTINUED
F. Ventilating on windward side of building
1. Air movement can drive fire spread
2. Drive smoke, heat, and fire onto suppression crew
G. Application of water to ventilation hole
1. Should never be done
2. Spreads fire, heat, and smoke
3. Can hinder rescue efforts
a. Push heat and smoke onto victims
4. Hinders suppression efforts
H. Failure to clear ventilation openings
1. Windows
a. Screen
b. Curtains
c. Broken glass
Consequences of Improper Horizontal
Ventilation
II. IMPROPER VENTILATION PROCEDURES CONTINUED
I. Doors
1. Ensure doors are kept fully open and secure from accidental closure
J. Personnel
1. Ensure personnel are clear of ventilation openings
Consequences of Improper Horizontal
Ventilation
SUMMARY
To successfully and effectively make use of horizontal ventilation
techniques, one must have an understanding of proper ventilation
procedures. Understanding the implications of improper ventilation will
enable the fire fighter to anticipate the outcome, and make corrections
needed.
Public Education
Consequences of Improper
Vertical Ventilation
Consequences of Improper Vertical
Ventilation
I. IMPROPER VENTILATION PROCEDURES
A. Opening below fire
B. Opening too slow
C. Opening wrong place
D. Opening into blind attic
E. Insufficient opening size
Consequences of Improper Vertical
Ventilation
II. CONSEQUENCES
A. Involvement of exposures
B. Life hazards to fire fighters
C. Ventilation delayed
D. Public criticism
E. Hampers life saving and rescue (first priority)
F. Allows smoke and toxins to form, trapping victims
G. Hampers location of seat of fire
H. Increases chances of flashover or backdraft
I. Increases chances of injury to fire fighters and victims
Consequences of Improper Vertical
Ventilation
III. VENTILATION ON WINDWARD SIDE OF BUILDING
A. Can spread fire through building
B. Drives smoke, heat, and fire back on fire fighters and victims
Consequences of Improper Vertical
Ventilation
IV. WATER APPLICATION DOWN VENTILATION HOLE
A. Should never be allowed
B. Could spread fire
Consequences of Improper Vertical
Ventilation
IV. WATER APPLICATION DOWN VENTILATION HOLE
CONTINUED
C. Drives smoke, heat, and gases down on fire fighters and victims
1. Making conditions untenable
D. Charged hoselines on roof should only be used for fire fighter
protection
Consequences of Improper Vertical
Ventilation
V. FAILURE TO PUSH OUT CEILINGS OR HIDDEN SPACES
A. Renders ventilation useless if not completed
B. Relieves atmosphere trapped in the attic or cockloft only
1. Not the fire room(s) below
Consequences of Improper Vertical
Ventilation
SUMMARY
We are sometimes reluctant to adopt and use ventilation procedures
because of the uncertainty that accompanies them. To successfully and
safely perform ventilation, one must have a good understanding of what
has happened, and the consequences of poor vertical ventilation.