Fire 1 Study Guide PDF

Chapter 1 Intro to the Fire Service and FF Safety - The mission of the fire service is to save lives and to protect property and the environment from fires and other hazardous situations - The most common fire department organizational structure is scalar Uninte...

Chapter 1 Intro to the Fire Service and FF Safety - The mission of the fire service is to save lives and to protect property and the environment from fires and other hazardous situations - The most common fire department organizational structure is scalar Uninterrupted series of steps - Decisions and info are directed from the top (chief) down through the firefighter level at the base of the structure. - NFPA 1500 Requires all personnel operating in an IDLH atmosphere or hazardous area to be fully equipped with PPE Requires fire depts to establish wellness programs and initiatives - Wellness programs are meant to help reduce firefighter illness, injuries, and fatalities by ensuring firefighters are healthy. Member Assistance Program (MAP) = behavior health and wellness programs Chapter 2 Communications - Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) An entity responsible for receiving 911 call and processing those calls Routes calls to fire, ems, LE Dispatch Central location - A separate telecommunications or dispatch center that is operated specifically by a fire dept, emergency med service, or law enforcement agency is known as an Emergency Service Specific Telecommunications Center - If portable radios are used in hazardous atmospheres they must be intrinsically safe for the environment  Chapter 3 Building Construction I. Building construction (Classified by NFPA and IBC) A. Type I 1. Fire-resistive construction 2. Provides the the highest level of protection from fire spread as well as structural collapse 3. Reinforce concrete, precast concrete & protected steel frame construction 4. Often incorrectly referred to as fireproof 5. Buildings that are type I a) Prisons b) Gov’t buildings c) High rise buildings B. Type II 1. Non-combustable construction 2. Constructed of steel frame 3. Composed of materials that will not contribute to fire development or spread 4. Most common form of type 2 construction is metal framing members, metal cladding, or concrete-block wall construction 5. Unprotected open web joists supporting metal roof decks  6. These building are more prone to collapse than type I because of lighter-weight materials with lower fire- resistance ratings C. Type III 1. Ordinary construction 2. Commonly found in mercantile, business, residential structures, strip malls and older schools 3. Requires exterior wall and structural members be constructed of noncombustible or limited combustible materials. 4. Interior walls, columns, beams, floor and roof are completely or partially constructed of wood 5. Blocks on the outside/wood on the inside D. Type IV 1. Heavy Timber construction 2. Log cabins 3. Common is resort areas 4. Use of large-dimensioned lumber or laminated wood 5. Extremely stable and resistant to collapse 6. Exterior walls are constructed of noncombustible materials 7. Interior building elements such as floors, walls, and roofs are constructed of solid or laminated wood with no concealed spaces. 8. The lack of voids or concealed spaces helps prevent unseen fire travel 9. Uses glue-laminated beams (glulam beams). May fail when exposed to fire  E. Type V 1. Wood frame construction 2. Load-bearing walls are composed entirely of wood 3. Veneer of stucco, brick or stone may be constructed over the wood framing 4. Single family residences and some multi-story apartment buildings are examples of type V 5. Framing materials consists of 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 inch studs 6. Often have vinyl siding (another petroleum-based fuel) F. Factory built homes 1. Manufactured, prefab, modular homes 2. Partially or completely built in a factor and shipped to the install location. G. Manufactured (mobile) homes 1. Most common typed of factory-built home 2. Manufactured homes are not required to conform to the model building codes. 3. Fire may spread more quickly through manufactured homes because of fewer internal walls to create compartments 4. Interior finishes add to fuel load. II. Basements and stairs A. Stairs 1. Stairs can provide a flow path for movement of air, fire gases, and smoke throughout a structure 2. Stairs in commercial and multifamily residential buildings are part of the required means of egress.  These stairs must provide protection for the occupants as they travel to safety. 3. Convenience or access stairs are not required to be a part of means of egress and typically connect no more than 2 levels 4. Firefighter should control the door on protected stairs to maintain the integrity of the stairwell. B. Basements 1. Fires in basements may be more hazardous than in other compartments because of limited means of egress and limited ventilation. 2. Unfinished basements reduces fire resistance of the studs and joists making the structural members part of the fuel load in the space. If these members fail, the floor above will collapse into the basement. III. Roofs A. Flat roofs 1. Most commonly found on commercial, industrial and multifamily residential structures. 2. Obstructions on flat roofs may include HVAC, solar panels, antennas, water tanks. B. Pitched roofs 1. The most common type of roof 2. Pitched roof construction  3. Roof construction a) Made up of three main components (1) Roof supporting structure (2) Roof deck or sheathing (3) Roof covering b) Two general types of roof supports (1) Beams (2) Truss assemblies IV. Doors A. Doors are a tool for fire and flow path control B. Common doors used in modern construction 1. Swinging a) Could be single swinging or double swinging 2. Sliding a) Used for elevators, store front power operated doors b) Not allowed as part of a means of egress because they slow the travel of people through the door opening. 3. Folding a) Can be found in places of assembly to divide large conference rooms into smaller rooms. 4. Vertical a) Garage doors 5. Revolving  a) Can prevent the movement of hose or equipment in a fire situation b) Wings of the revolving door are designed to collapse under pressure and provide an unobstructed opening. V. Windows A. Fixed windows 1. Can be used alone or in combination with moveable windows 2. Large windows in mercantile occupancies and high- rise office buildings are common examples of fixed windows 3. Referred to as: a) Display windows b) Picture windows c) And deadlights B. Moveable windows 1. Double hung 2. Single hung 3. Casement 4. Horizontal sliding 5. Awning 6. Jalousie 7. Projecting 8. Pivoting  Chapter 4 Fire Dynamics I. Fire Tetrahedron and Fire Triangle A. Fuel = anything that can burn B. 02 = 20.9% oxygen 1. Normal air contains 20.9% oxygen, 78.1% nitrogen and 1% other gases. C. How to put a fire out = interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire tetrahedron D. Sublimation = state of change E. Pyrolysis = chemical change II. Fire Behavior A. Characteristics 1. Roll over a) Smoke on ceiling starts to ignite b) Good precursor of flashover 2. Backdraft a) Room in contents on fire that needs oxygen b) > 1200 degrees Fahrenheit  c) Watch for smoke indicators (pulsating) d) Ignited smoke 3. Flashover a) Rapid transition from growth stage to fully developed stage b) Similar to backdraft c) Rapid transition from growth to fully developed stage d) 1100 - 1200 degrees Fahrenheit e) Survival rates for firefighters in flashover is minimal f) Ignited smoke 4. Smoke explosion a) Explosion of smoke out of a building b) Forcing smoke out of a structure, not and actual explosion c) Smoke = fuel 5. Neutral plane a) Keep an eye on neutral plane. As it lowers it means flashover is near III. Smoke behavior A. How fast is it moving? 1. Is it turbulent? B. Black vs. grey smoke 1. Black = less O2 / very rich in fuel IV. Stages of fire development  A. Incipient stage 1. Starts with ignition of fire 2. Small fire and confined to a small portion of the fuel first ignited B. Growth stage 1. More of the initial fuel package becomes involved 2. Production of heat and smoke increases 3. Fuels close to the initial fuel package begin to pyrolyze due to radiant heat 4. Fire could spread to nearby fuel packages C. Fully developed stage 1. Occurs when all combustable materials in the compartment are burning at their peak heat release rate based on available O2. 2. Fire is consuming the maximum amount of O2 that it can 3. Entire fuel package is on fire D. Decay stage 1. Heat release rate starts to decline 2. Fuel limited fires could self-extinguish in this stage 3. Ventilation limited fires may also self-extinguish unless new O2 is introduced. - Liquids Solubility - the extent to which a substance will mix with water Miscible - materials that are miscible in water will mix in any proportion  Polar solvents - flammable liquids such as alcohols (methanol, ethanol) will mix readily with water. Chapter 5 Firefighter PPE - O2 deficient atmosphere contains less than 19.5% O2 - Two firefighters can use EEBSS to share air from one cylinder if necessary during emergency ops. Emergency Escape Breathing Support System (EEBSS) - When wearing SCBA is an IDLH atmosphere, exit the IDLH immediately when low air alarm activates Vibe-alert Chapter 6 Portable Fire Extinguishers I. Fire Classes A. Class A Fires - ordinary combustibles 1. Textiles 2. Plastics 3. Wood 4. Paper 5. Rubber B. Class B Fires - Flammable or combustable liquids and gases 1. Alcohol 2. Lubricating oils 3. Gasoline  4. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) C. Class C Fires - energized electrical equipment D. Class D Fires - Combustable metals and alloys 1. Titanium 2. Magnesium a) Common use of magnesium: (1) Cameras (2) Laptops (3) Luggage (4) Metal box springs for beds (5) Wheels and transmission components for automobiles 3. Sodium 4. Lithium 5. potassium E. Class K Fires - combustable cooking oils 1. Vegetable oil 2. Canola oil 3. Peanut oil 4. Other oils with little or no fatty acid II. Extinguishing Agents A. Class A Fires - ordinary combustibles 1. Water 2. Water based agent (class A foam) 3. Dry chemical B. Class B Fires - Flammable or combustable liquids and gases 1. Carbon dioxide extinguishers 2. Dry chemical extinguisher  3. Class B foam C. Class C Fires - energized electrical equipment 1. Water and water-based agents cannot be used until electricity has been shut off 2. Use Class C extinguishing agents unless power has been turned off then can use Class A or B agents. 3. Dry chemical D. Class D Fires - Combustable metals and alloys 1. Dry powder extinguishers a) Do not confuse dry powder with dry chemical used in class a, b, and c fires E. Class K Fires - combustable cooking oils 1. Wet chemical systems a) Contain an alkaline mixture (1) Potassium acetate (2) Potassium carbonate III. Extinguishing agents use 1 of the following methods to extinguish fires: A. Smothering - excluding oxygen from the burning process B. Cooling - reducing the burning material below its ignition point C. Chemical flame inhibition - interrupting the chemical chain reaction in the burning process D. Saponification - forming and oxygen-excluding soapy foam surface.  Chapter 7 Ropes and Knots I. Life Safety Rope A. Is designed to be used only for rescue and other emergency operations. 1. It’s used to raise and lower firefighters and victims 2. Life safety rope should not be used for other utility purposes. B. NFPA 1983 says only block creel construction rope is to be used for life safety applications. II. Utility Rope A. Used to hoist equipment and secure unstable objects. B. NFPA does not have standards addressing utility rope. III. Rope Materials A. Synthetic rope 1. Polypropylene 2. Nylon 3. Kevlar 4. Polyester 5. Polysteel 6. Spectra B. Advantages of synthetic rope 1. Synthetic ropes have resistance to water, mildew, mold, rotting, and shrinkage 2. Longer lifespan than natural fiber rope 3. Lightweight but strong 4. Easy to maintain C. Natural fiber rope  1. Manila 2. Sisal 3. Hemp 4. Cotton IV. Rope construction A. Kermantle Rope 1. Jacketed synthetic rope compose of a braided covering or sheath (mantle) over a core (kern) of the main load bearing strands 2. Both dynamic and static types of rope B. Laid (twisted) rope 1. Constructed by twisting (typically 3) fibers together to make the final rope a) Most natural fiber ropes or laid rope C. Braided rope 1. Constructed by uniformly intertwining strands of rope together. 2. Mostly synthetic ropes D. Braid-on-braid rope 1. Double braided rope V. Knots A. Three parts of a rope 1. Working end = used to tie the knot or hitch 2. Running part = the free end that is used for hoisting or pulling 3. Standing part = the section between the working end and the running part. B. Types of knots and hitches 1. Overhand safety knot 2. Clove hitch 3. Family of 8’s a) Figure 8  b) Figure 8 on a bight c) Figure 8 follow through d) Figure 8 bend (tying 2 ropes together, exactly like a figure 8 follow through but with 2 ropes) 4. Water knot (webbing only)  Chapter 8 Ground Ladders - Single ladders vary from 6 ft to 32 ft in length - NFPA 1932 - ladders should be cleaned and inspected after each use or on a monthly basis - Ladders are set at angles of approximately 75 degrees for climbing - Ladder placement Rescue = tips just below window seal Working = tips at the top of the window seal on the upwind side - When conducting rescue operations, 4 firefighters are required to bring victims down a ladder. - 5 types of ground ladders Single Combination Roof Extension Step - 2 methods for securing a ladder Heeling Tying in  Chapter 9 Forcible Entry I. Forcible entry = techniques used to gain access into a compartment, structure, facility, or site when the normals means of entry is locked or blocked. II. 4 basic types of Locks A. Mortise lock 1. Used on exterior wood and metal doors in private residences, commercial and industrial buildings B. Cylindrical lock 1. Most common residential locks C. Rim lock 1. Deadbolt D. High security locks 1. Multiple bolt locks, electronic keyless locks, and electromagnetic locks III. Through the lock forcible entry A. K-tool 1. A v-blade tool that is used to pull lock cylinders B. A-tool 1. Prying tool with a sharp notch with cutting edges machined into it. 2. The notch resembles the letter A C. J-tool  1. Made of heavy gauge wire designed to fit through the space in double swinging doors and depress the panic hardware. Chapter 10 Structural Search and Rescue I. Air monitoring A. Before air monitoring is performed at an incident, a bump test can be performed to calibrate the monitor. B. Atmospheric hazards 1. Oxygen enrichment or deficiency a) Oxygen enriched atmosphere increases the flammability or explosive potential of any fuel within the space. b) Responders must ventilate the space until oxygen levels have decreased below 23.5%  c) Normal air contains 20.9% oxygen, 78.1% nitrogen and 1% other gases. d) Oxygen deficient and IDLH = < 19.5% oxygen e) Oxygen enriched = > 23.5% oxygen f) Air is breathable between 20.9 and 19.5% g) Lower than normal oxygen % indicates some kind of contaminant is displacing the air in the atmosphere. 2. Flammability a) An atmosphere containing a flammable gas, vapor or mist in excess of 10 % of its lower explosive limit (LEL) is considered hazardous. b) LEL of airborne combustable grain dust can be approximated when the dust obscures vision at a distance of 5 ft or less. c) Combustible gas indicators (CGIs) measure the amount of flammable vapors and gases in the atmosphere in 1 of 3 ways: (1) Percentage of the lower explosive limit (LEL) (2) Parts per million (PPM)  (3) Percentage of gas per volume of air. II. MAYDAY A. ESCAPE 1. Emergency Reverse 2. Secondary Egress 3. Contact Command 4. Activate PASS 5. Perform Breach 6. Easy Breath III. Search A. Primary search = before or during fire suppression B. Secondary search = after fire is under control Chapter 11 Tactical Ventilation - 3 C’s of ventilation Control - control the flow path Communicated - communicate to command when ready to punch through Coordinated - coordinate vent with fire attack - Tactical ventilation is the planned, systematic, and coordinated removal of heated air, smoke, gases or other airborne contaminants from a structure. - Control fire behavior by using ventilation and water application - Rapid fire development is caused by oxygen from ventilation being introduced into the room, causing heated gases to quickly reignite - Two main considerations for positive pressure attack (PPA) Location Exhaust to intake size ratio - Winds as slow as 10mph can affect a structure fire, making it wind driven - Trench cuts = create a defensible line ahead of an advancing fire - Ventilation benefits extinguishment operations by Removing smoke and hot gases Introduction of fresh air Increase visibility - 4 indicators of possible roof collapse Melting asphalt Smoke coming from roof Fire coming from roof Spongy roof - Stack effect - fire, smoke, and hot gases move upward through a high rise, creating an upward draft. - Vertical Vent = vent at a high point on the structure - Horizontal vent = on the side of the structure (windows, doors) Mechanical horizontal vent - Negative pressure vent - Positive pressure vent - Mechanical vent can be used for vertical vent but is most commonly used for horizontal vent - Natural vent = wind events Wind assisted ventilation - Open windows and doors on the down wind side (low pressure) then open doors and windows on the upwind side (high pressure). The wind then forces smoke toward exhaust openings. Chapter 12 Fire Hose - On a standard engine there must be a minimum of 800 ft of 2 1/2 inch hose or larger fire supply hose - A reverse bend made in a hose during the loading process is called a Dutchman (short fold) and keeps couplings from being too close to the front pr rear of the hose bed. - The minuteman load can easily be deployed by one firefighter; it deploys from the shoulder as the firefighter advances toward the fire. - Hose loads for supply line Flat load  - Easiest to load Accordion load Horseshoe load Combination load - Used in split hose beds - Hose Rolls Straight roll Donut roll Twin donut roll Chapter 13 Hose Ops and Hose Streams - Fire Hydrants Dry-Barrel Hydrants - Designed for climates with freezing temps Wet-Barrel Hydrant - Have water in the hydrant at all times - Horizontal compression valves at each outlet If a hydrant does not have a large steamer then connect 2 - 2 1/2 inch hoselines to the hydrant - It is more efficient to connect a 4 1/2 inch supply connection to a 2 1/2 inch reducer coupling Connecting to a hydrant with hard intake hose is harder than with soft and may require more than one person. - Mobile water supply ops Static water sources - Lakes - Ponds - Rivers - Swimming pools - Large above ground animal water tanks - Portable water tanks Dry-hydrant connection  - Non-pressurized pipe assembly permanently installed at a static water source (lake or pond); the assembly connection allows vacuum pumpers to withdraw water from the static source. Intake strainer - Attached to the drafting end of a hard-suction hose when pumping from a static water source - Designed to keep debris from entering apparatus or portable pump - Strainer must not rest on the bottom of a static water source unless the bottom is clean and hard (ex. Swimming pool) Water shuttle ops - 3 key components 1. Dump site at the fire 2. Fill site at the water source 3. Tenders - Deploying Hose Valves - Ball valve Used in pumper discharges and gated wyes - Butterfly valves Flat baffle that turns 90 degrees - Clapper valves Used in Siamese applications and FDC’s Flat disk hinged at the top or one side which swings open or closed like a door Gate valves - Control the flow from a hydrant - Have a baffle that is lowered into the path of the water by turning a screw-type handle Valve Devices - Wye application = 1 hose-line into 2 - Siamese = 2 hotlines into 1 Fittings Connect hoses and outlets of different diameters and thread types - Adapter  Fitting that connects hose couplings with similar threads and the same inside diameter. - Reducer Connect a smaller-diameter hose-line to the end of a larger one - Fog master streams generally operated at 80 - 100 psi nozzle pressure - Solid stream = designed to be as compact as possible with little shower or spray - A straight stream is discharged from a fog nozzle. - Hose Lay Forward lay  Reverse lay Reverse Hose Lay supplying 2 attack lines  Chapter 14 Fire Suppression - 4 Main ways to suppress a fire Temperature reduction - The use of water Fuel removal - Fire line at ground cover fire - Removing fuel at a structure fire is very rarely an option Oxygen exclusion - Closing the door to the fire room Chemical flame inhibition - Extinguishing agents; dry chemicals, halons, clean agents - Stop flame production - Main control valve Outside screw and yoke (OS&Y) valve - Has a yoke on the outside with.a threaded screw that opens and closes the gate inside the valve housing Post indicator valve (PIV) - Has a hallow metal post that houses a valve stem - Has a movable plate with the words OPEN or SHUT Wall Post Indicator Valve (WPIV) - Similar to PIV except it extends horizontally through the wall Post indicator Valve Assembly (PIVA) - Uses a circular disk inside a flat plate on top of the valve housing - Operates with a built in crank - Electricity  The only safe way to cut all power to a structure is at the main breaker or meter shutoff. Safe distance from solar panels - Use the reach of the stream and apply water from a minimum of 15 ft away when using an automatic nozzle - 20 ft when using smooth bore. - Gas utilities Liquified propane gas (LPG) or natural gas is used in most homes, businesses and industrial properties form cooking, heating, and industrial process. Natural gas - In its pure form is methane Flammable range of 5% to 15% but is nontoxic Classified as an asphyxiant because it may displace air in confined space - Vehicle fire attack Attack the fire at 45° angle from the side of the vehicle to avoid potential injury from exploding hydraulic and pneumatic struts Do NOT use piercing nozzle on hybrid or electric cars - Is okay on conventional vehicles Drive piercing nozzle through the hood, fenders or wheel wells. - CNG/LNG vehicles May have a diamond logo affixed to the front and rear of vehicle Fuel tanks are usually located in trunk area CNG/LNG tanks can tuple if exposed to fire resulting in an explosion. A pressure-relief device and vent and fuel shutoff valve may be located in the wheel well with a placard nearby. - Biodiesel Use dry chemical, CO2, water fog spray or foam to extinguish - Hydrogen Flame is invisible during the day, use a TIC to see the flame Ignition tem of 932 °F with a flammability range between 4% and 75%  Do not extinguish fire, instead protect exposures and allow fuel to burn off - Ground Cover Fires 3 main influences on ground cover fire behavior - Fuel - Weather (the most significant factor) - topography - Critical safety considerations: LCES Lookouts - Know where the fire is and where it is going Communications - Know who is operating above, below, and adjacent to you Escape routes - Know more than one way out of the area you are working in Safety Zones - Know how to quickly get to an area of refuge  Chapter 15 Overhaul, property conservation, and scene preservation - Carryall vs catchall Carryall - waterproof carrier used to carry and catch debris or used as a water sump basin for immersing small burning objects  Catchall - retaining basin, usually made from salvage covers, to impound water dripping from above. - The most practical method for removing water coming through the ceiling from upper floors = water chute - Using 100 ft section of hose as the first section on attack lines greatly reduces the chances that any couplings other than those at the nozzle will be inside a building - Take large smoldering items such as mattresses, stuffed furniture, outside the structure to be extinguished (in coordination with fire investigator)