Potential exposure to carcinogenic agents by

UK fire service Breathing Apparatus & Fire Behaviour

InstructorsAuthor: Matt Butler, BA/FBT Instructor, Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service.

The Drivers To date there has not been a UK based instructor

specific study looking at enhanced exposure risk to work based cancers

There is a definite need for more UK based

research into occupational hazards due to an increase in exposure rate of instructors through the need for more realistic carbonaceous training

Studies conducted in Australia and Finland indicate there is a real risk to instructors. Laitinen,J 2007

The Drivers There is a definite appetite within the UK FRS

regarding this study, as every FRS has its own instructors and a duty of care to inform them of hazards they are potentially exposed to whilst at work.

A recent presentation to East Midlands CFOA Health, Safety and Wellbeing group agreed this is a national issue and should be carried out in collaboration with the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA).

“More Studies and Research would be helpful”

We know enough already to recommend and require changes.

I.A.R.CF.S.C.NPresumptive LegislationUSA, Canada, Australia, UK?Mortality RateLifestyle Cancer TypesRoutes of Entry

Compartment Fire Behaviour Training Event

Gas layer – variable in height dependent on fire development phase and/or ventilation profile.

Temperatures 600c+ contains both burnt and un-burnt products of

combustion during limited ventilation phase (approx 25 mins)

•This picture depicts a well ventilated compartment fire in the condition setting phase

Decomposition of 12 x 6ft by 4ft 12mm thick OSB 3 & Chipboard building materials- these are standard use across any fire service

Instructor exposure lasts approximately 36 minutes through all phases of fire Development. @ 120 p/yr each = 4,320 mins – 72 hours

Gas layer- containing un-burnt products of combustion create an ideal reduction in visibility, instructors limit ventilation to lower the height of neutral plane (over pressure) to reduce visibility. Instructors and students will move through this gas layer down to the seat of the fire, applying small droplets of fine spray to try cool and dilute the gases

This picture depicts a container with all ventilation points closed. There will be an instructor inside monitoring the height of the gas layer and trying to lower it close to floor level prior to entry of a firefighting team.

Research Proposal methodsTwo Phase approach-

Phase 1, involving sampling of particles of combustion internally and externally within various training scenarios, close proximity sampling including Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and skin swabs.

Phase 2, chemical analysis of potential hazards, national survey of Breathing Apparatus and Fire Behaviour instructors to provide an understanding of the perceptions and experiences of BA/FBT instructors in their exposure to hazardous chemicals