TN 106.8- Attic Fires Part 2

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Questions and Answers

When doing a 360 and gathering information to make a FIRE PROFILE, what is the goal if fire has spread from the outside?

Attack the fire from the roof top

Eliminate the source of the fire outside before proceeding (correct)

Use a master stream to flow water down

Proceed to suppress the attic fire first

What is the purpose of clearing the soffits along the eave line?

To create a barrier to contain the fire

To vent the attic

To allow water to be directed into the attic along the eave line (correct)

To create an access point for firefighters

What type of stream is used in attacking attic fires from the soffits/eaves?

Broken stream

Fog stream

Solid or straight stream (correct)

Wide fan stream

According to UL tests, what is the duration of flowing water to knock down the fire?

20 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal when attacking attic fires from the soffits/eaves?

To knock down the fire using as little water as possible Signup and view all the answers

When using a master stream, what is the alternative to flowing water down?

Flowing water up Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with fighting attic fires in modern structures?

The rapid regrowth of fires due to modern materials Signup and view all the answers

What should firefighters prioritize before selecting a strategy for fighting an attic fire?

Confirming the fire load and profile Signup and view all the answers

Why is it crucial to deal with the exterior seat or source of the fire?

To ensure a quick hit or cooling of the fire load Signup and view all the answers

What should interior attack crews be mindful of when fighting an attic fire?

The potential for collapse due to water weight Signup and view all the answers

What is the key consideration for venting operations in attic fires?

The safety of personnel and the structure's characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of initial exterior operations in attic fires?

To cool the fire load through an eave line attack Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern when directing master streams into a hole from above?

Damaging the structure and its contents Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of making a 1x1 meter hole in the ceiling during an attic fire?

To facilitate effective water distribution over the entire attic area Signup and view all the answers

When an eave attack is unsuccessful, what is an alternative method of attacking the attic?

Making a small hole in the ceiling to cool the attic Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of ventilating an attic fire?

To cool the fire and create a safer working environment Signup and view all the answers

What is a consideration when fighting fires in raised attics with knee wall construction?

The potential for collapse Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial step in fighting a fire in a raised attic with knee wall construction?

Conducting an exterior eave line water application Signup and view all the answers

Why is the 'Open from above and attack from below' tactic potentially risky?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason why sounding, heat, or visible sagging are not reliable indicators of collapse?

Lightweight building materials can compromise the structure without visible signs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of making small holes in the ceiling during an attic fire?

To allow the nozzle to be pushed into the attic space Signup and view all the answers

Why is the gable end attack considered ineffective?

It cannot effectively hit the underside of the sheathing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deployment of 1st Attack Line

When fire has spread from the outside, the initial attack should start outside to eliminate the source before suppressing the attic fire.
The Quick Hit strategy is used to attack from the soffits/eaves, clearing the soffits along the eave line on one side of the structure using a pike pole.
A solid or straight stream is directed into the attic along the entire eave line to utilize the structural characteristics of the roof and deliver water over the entire attic area.
Attacking with a master stream involves flowing up instead of down, with an aerial stream directed upwards into the eaves.
Hand lines and pike poles off an aerial platform can also be considered as a method of attack.

Deployment of 2nd Attack Line

After an eave attack, a 1x1 meter hole is opened in the ceiling to complete the suppression of the attic and contents fire.
When an eave attack is unsuccessful, an interior attack can be started with small holes to allow the nozzle to be pushed into the attic space and cool off the area.
A trench cut along the ceiling of an outside wall can be used when an eave attack is not possible.

Ventilation Operations

Ventilation operations must be properly timed and deliberate to ensure maximum efficiency and provide firefighters with a safer working environment.
Attic fires are typically ventilation limited, and this status should be maintained until the fire load can be cooled and crews have the upper hand on the fire.
Venting operations may be commenced once the fire load is cooled, using methods such as horizontal ventilation with or without PPV or vertical ventilation.

Knee Walls in Attics

Fighting fires in raised attacks with knee wall construction presents unique hazards and challenges to a firefighting operation.
Incorrect tactical execution can place firefighters in the flow path of fire and superheated gases.
Initial cooling is accomplished with an exterior eave line water application, followed by an aggressive interior attack with small holes made along the knee wall.

Gable End Attack

Gable end attack has been shown to be ineffective at hitting the underside of the sheathing.
The structural members of the roof block the water and don’t allow full wetting of the roof.

Summary

The nature of fighting fires has changed significantly in recent decades due to the increased use of modern lightweight construction materials.
A Quick Hit or cooling of the fire load through an eave line attack strategy is imperative prior to initializing further interior attack operations.
Interior attack crews must be mindful of the potential for collapse due to increased water weight in the attic.

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Description

Learn about the initial attack strategy when dealing with fires that have spread from the outside into the attic, and how to eliminate the source before suppressing the attic fire.