Rule of Air ManagementRule of Air Management

Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety Training Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety Training DivisionDivision 2007 T/C DiDonato2007 T/C DiDonato

Needs AnalysisNeeds Analysis

Firefighter fatalities have not declined Firefighter fatalities have not declined nation wide even though we have fewer nation wide even though we have fewer fires. fires. In most cases firefighter fatalities involve In most cases firefighter fatalities involve heart attacks. heart attacks. In past years, several deaths can be In past years, several deaths can be attributed to firefighters running out of air. attributed to firefighters running out of air. Having an air management plan is simple Having an air management plan is simple and can save your life.and can save your life.

DefinitionDefinition

Air management refers to a plan that Air management refers to a plan that allows firefighters to safely enter, conduct allows firefighters to safely enter, conduct emergency operations, and exit an IDLH emergency operations, and exit an IDLH atmosphere without their low alarm bell atmosphere without their low alarm bell sounding. sounding.

PurposePurpose

Train personnel to properly develop and Train personnel to properly develop and conduct an air management plan.conduct an air management plan.

Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives

Upon completion of this course the student Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:will be able to:

– Describe the components of an air Describe the components of an air management planmanagement plan

– Describe situations when it is prudent to Describe situations when it is prudent to develop an air management plandevelop an air management plan

– Develop an air management planDevelop an air management plan– Utilize an air management plan during a Utilize an air management plan during a

planned drill scenario.planned drill scenario.

Components of an Components of an Air Management Plan Air Management Plan

TimeTime

Air Air

DistanceDistance

CommunicationCommunication

Components of an Components of an Air Management PlanAir Management Plan

Time Time – The amount of time it will take you to The amount of time it will take you to

consume the air in your air cylinder (factoring consume the air in your air cylinder (factoring in your work rate)in your work rate)

Components of an Components of an Air Management PlanAir Management Plan

AirAir– The lowest bottle The lowest bottle

pressure of your pressure of your team (team air)team (team air)

Components of an Components of an Air Management PlanAir Management Plan

Distance Distance – The distance you travel in and will have to The distance you travel in and will have to

travel out of a building during your travel out of a building during your assignment.assignment.

Components of an Components of an Air Management PlanAir Management Plan

CommunicationCommunication– Communication with your immediate Communication with your immediate

supervisor regarding team air, task, enter and supervisor regarding team air, task, enter and exit. Also refers to communication between exit. Also refers to communication between crewmembers.crewmembers.

When do we develop an air When do we develop an air management plan?management plan?

When do we develop an air When do we develop an air management plan?management plan?

Air Management is most critical when in Air Management is most critical when in larger commercial structures where floor larger commercial structures where floor plans are unique and can be confusing.plans are unique and can be confusing.

Developing a plan for all IDLH situations Developing a plan for all IDLH situations creates the habit before it’s truly needed.creates the habit before it’s truly needed.

Air Management PlanAir Management Plan

3 Parts to practicing an Air Management 3 Parts to practicing an Air Management Plan:Plan:

Calculating a “Point of No Return” bottle pressureCalculating a “Point of No Return” bottle pressure

Reporting team air before entering an IDLH.Reporting team air before entering an IDLH.

Reporting team air as part of status (CANA) Reporting team air as part of status (CANA) reports.reports.

Air Management PlanAir Management Plan

Definition: Definition: Point at which a crew must turn back Point at which a crew must turn back

to to ensure exiting the IDLH before a low ensure exiting the IDLH before a low air air alarm sounds.alarm sounds.

Point of No ReturnPoint of No Return

Team air@ entry:

4200 psi

Low Air Alarm:

1000 psi- ________ = 3200 psi3200 psi

________ = 1600 psi

/ 2

+ ________ = 2600 psi

Point of No Return Point of No Return

Now let’s say Engine 81 responds to a Now let’s say Engine 81 responds to a structure fire at the old Tahoma Admin. structure fire at the old Tahoma Admin. Building.Building.

E-81 is assigned fire attack, and check E-81 is assigned fire attack, and check for extension on the third story.for extension on the third story.

E-81 will be relatively stationary within E-81 will be relatively stationary within the building.the building.

Given the previous example, E-81 would Given the previous example, E-81 would have to exit the building at 2600psi.have to exit the building at 2600psi.

Point of No ReturnPoint of No Return

Team air@ entry:

4200 psi

Team air upon arrival of the work area on the 3rd floor:

3700 psi

- ________ = 500 psiPoint of No Return

Calculation @ entry:

2600 psi

Point of No ReturnPoint of No Return 500 psi

1500 psi

+ 1000 psi Low Air Alarm

Out of the building before your alarm bell sounds!!!

Time from entry to work area

Time to leave the building

Status (CANA) ReportsStatus (CANA) Reports

Monitoring the bottle pressure of each team Monitoring the bottle pressure of each team member should be done regularly, and team air member should be done regularly, and team air should be reported as part of all status reports should be reported as part of all status reports given.given.The acronym, CANA should be used as an The acronym, CANA should be used as an outline.outline.

• Conditions:Conditions:

• Actions:Actions:

• Needs:Needs: • Air:Air:

“ “E81 has low heat E81 has low heat and low visibilityand low visibility

“ “We have a knockdownWe have a knockdown of the fire”of the fire”

““We need ventilation”We need ventilation” ““Team low air is 2600”Team low air is 2600”

Air Management PlanAir Management Plan

Use common sense. Use common sense.

Put safety above tasks on your priority list. Put safety above tasks on your priority list.

Do not become emotionally attached to Do not become emotionally attached to victims or down Firefighters. victims or down Firefighters.

Think objectively!Think objectively!What wouldWhat would

(Insert your Firefighting(Insert your Firefighting

HERO’s name)HERO’s name)

do in this do in this

situation?situation?

The objective of air management is for every The objective of air management is for every member of your team to exit the building member of your team to exit the building safely without their low air alarm sounding. safely without their low air alarm sounding.

The choice to stay in an IDLH after a low air The choice to stay in an IDLH after a low air alarm sounds is still an option based on our alarm sounds is still an option based on our current SOG’s…current SOG’s…

...it should be a conscious choice though… ...it should be a conscious choice though…

……and made with significant consideration to and made with significant consideration to your crew’s safety!your crew’s safety!