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Suppression Tactics

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Suppression Tactics

Based on your Pre-Fire Plan1. Cover2. Excavate and Foam3. Overhaul

4. Inject inert gas (i.e., CO2) or water5. Flood (AKA Surround and Drown)6. Let-it-burn7. Accelerate (Yes It has been done!)

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Apply SOIL

That’s it?

Most of the time

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One Question for Suppression

Do you have a dedicated soil stockpile?

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SF Landfill - Excavate

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Next Approach

Works well on subsurface fires from 1 to 30 feet Use hand held infrared to delineate fire material Use on localized problems Use foam with water Excavate material to a suppression deck Add additional cover 3x the surface area Can excavate down to 70 feet, limited

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Excavator Specs

Standard Depth 20 to 30 feet 345DL Cat™ = 29 ft

Extended Reach 35 to 70 feet

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Overhaul

Costly and Timely Must account for suppression water Need sq ft for a suppression deck High probability of success for a large

scale incident

9Source: Tony Sperling www.landfillfire.com

Overhaul - Delta Shake & Shingle

10Source: Todd Thalhamer

Overhaul – Fresno Debris

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Overhaul Issues

Know what your fire is doing Expect the UNEXPECTED Account for Water – Where is it going Read the SMOKE

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Art of Reading Smoke

Developed by Dave Dodson, Retired B.C. and Duty Safety Officer

Technique to read the smoke during a structure fire to determine the appropriate course of actions and predict the next event

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Art of Smoke Concepts

Determine the stage of the box Absorbing heat Not absorbing heat

Smoke is fuel – High levels of CO Fuels have changed – More synthetics Fuels have Triggers (Flash and Fire Points)

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Four Step to Read Smoke

Volume – Turbulent, Laminar, Hazy Velocity – Compare the velocities, it will help you

determine where the fire is located fastest smoke in the smallest opening

Density – Thicker the smoke the more dangerous

Color – Degree of carbon. CAN BE FILTERED over distances. Carbon “sticks” to soil, debris Backdrafts – 02 deficient environments, yellowish

smoke from seams, sulfur compounds that have been carbon filtered

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Art of Smoke to Waste Fires

Turbulent Black Smoke - Surface fire Laminar White Smoke – Underground

Whitish smoke with its own energy (speed/volume) = deep seated fire that has traveled over a distance losing the carbon

Whitish grey smoke with no energy = shallow subsurface fire

Evaluate over time, watch for changes

16Source: Tony Sperling - Landfillfire.com

What is the smoke doing?

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Deep Seated Subsurface Fire

Whitish Smoke/Same Speed/Same Volume = A Deep Seated Fire

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Art of Smoke

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Art of Smoke

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9:50 AM

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9:55 AM

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10:05 AM

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Pop safety quiz …

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Inert Gas Injection CO2 vs. N2 – Recommend CO2

Limited Results for Suppression Use on small zones

Pre-excavation Recommend for Containment

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Inert Gas Injection

Note of caution Causes frost upheaval Extreme Temps Use Qualified Contractors

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Water Injection

Limited Results – Use on small zones Best for facilities with liners and LCS

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Flooding In general, not

recommended

Possible stability & Leachate issues

If used, the area should be flat and have a liner and LCS or have other mitigating circumstances

[Note: 7,000 gallons a load]

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Let it Burn Typically selected when

there is a lack of funding for suppression

Long term air quality issues Stability and security issues Least favorable by the

community

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Accelerated Burn

Guam – Tire Fire NOT RECOMMENDED

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Accelerated Burn Brother’s DLC Facility, Canada Shallow GW and Limited Funding Community Accepted and it Worked!

Source: Tony Sperling www.landfillfire.com

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Top 4 Issues Waste Fires

1. No Pre Plan

2. Water Supply and Equipment

3. Command and Communications

4. Health and Safety

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Use of Water at a LF Fire

Pre-cool and particulate mgmt Knock down and equipment safety Surround and Drown – Not preferred

Last resort Will increase bio decomposition May overwhelm the LCS