Toronto Fire Services Cellulose Insulation Standard Operating Guideline PDF

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE CELLULOSE INSULATION Date Issued: June 12, 2024 Rescinds: January 15, 2018 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-CELL PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services (TFS) personnel with a guideline for incidents in which personnel discover cellulose insu...

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE CELLULOSE INSULATION Date Issued: June 12, 2024 Rescinds: January 15, 2018 Section: Incident and Emergency Operations File Code: G-CELL PURPOSE To provide all Toronto Fire Services (TFS) personnel with a guideline for incidents in which personnel discover cellulose insulation in the location of the fire. RESPONSIBILITY All TFS personnel are responsible for maintaining and understanding the precautions that shall be exercised at incidents involving cellulose insulation. Company Officers are responsible for treating fires involving cellulose insulation with caution. Incident Commanders are responsible for ensuring complete extinguishment of fires and determining the extent of overhaul required. District Chiefs shall ensure this guideline is adhered to. GUIDELINES 1. General Cellulose insulation is a material with significant rekindle capability. Cellulose insulation undergoes a fire-retardant treatment, however over time, the retardant capability diminishes as part of the natural decay process. Cellulose insulation can be identified by characteristics such as the following: (a) Fibre texture (recycled, shredded paper, etc.) (b) Manila/tan/brown coloured (c) Light in weight (d) Usually found resting on top of other attic insulations (blown in) The rekindle risk at a fire involving cellulose insulation is high. Personnel shall never assume fires involving cellulose insulation are extinguished. Upon discovery of cellulose insulation involved in any building fire, the Incident Commander shall: (a) Establish fire origin and extent of spread. (b) Complete and confirm extinguishment using any/all methods available File Code: G-CELL Page 1 of 3  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE including the use of thermal imaging cameras, heat guns, touch with the back of the hand, visual observance for smoke, etc. (c) Incident Commanders shall not rely entirely on measurements of thermal imaging cameras, heat guns, and other mechanical devices to confirm extinguishment. (d) Ensure overhaul procedures are carried out, which include complete removal of the cellulose insulation from a reasonable sized area beyond the fire area, minimum 3m radius. (e) Place all removed cellulose insulation in garbage bags or tarps and remove to the outside of the structure. (f) Thoroughly wet all removed cellulose insulation and protect from wind/air movement which may have a fanning effect. SCBA shall be always worn during removal and handling of cellulose insulation. The Incident Commander shall establish, at minimum, gross decontamination of all personnel and equipment involved in the removal of cellulose insulation. A firewatch implemented by the Platoon Chief shall not be terminated earlier than 24 hours from its implementation for cellulose insulation in accordance with G-FIWA – Firewatch. At the conclusion of the firewatch, the Incident Commander shall advise the property owner or responsible person in charge, of the potential rekindle risk associated with cellulose fibre insulation, regardless of prior extinguishment. The Incident Commander shall direct the property owner or responsible person in charge to ensure that required and installed detection devices are functioning. The Incident Commander shall include in their memo books all relevant information of the measures taken at the incident to ensure extinguishment and overhaul and firewatch procedures used. This information will also be added into the Company Officer’s Fire RMS Narrative in the Emergency Incident Report. At the conclusion of firewatch, an announcement, via radio, shall be made by the Company Officer so it can be time-stamped by TFS Communications. NOTE: The Incident Commander will detail in their Fire RMS Narrative that cellulose insulation was present and removed. File Code: G-CELL Page 2 of 3  STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE ATTACHMENT(S) N/A RELATED SOGS G-EMIR – Emergency Incident Reports G-OVER – Overhaul and Salvage Operations S-EXPO – Exposures G-FIWA - Firewatch File Code: G-CELL Page 3 of 3