UL/NIST StudiesTactical Findings

Implementation into Zone 1Tactical Considerations

and Best Practices

Four Key Concepts

• Initial Size up• Fire Attack Considerations• Controlling the Flow Path• Ventilation

Key Concepts

Initial Size Up of the Structure

Initial Size Up of the Structure

The first arriving unit must perform a size up that will address the following:• Determine the location of the fire– Conduct a 360– Identify basement, exterior fire– Stress the use of the TIC during size up.– Announce location of fire to in coming units.

Initial Size Up of the Structure

• Identify the flow pathVentilationLimited

Single OpeningBi-Directional

Initial Size Up of the Structure

• Rescue– Determination of immediate rescue.

– Fire extinguishment may be warranted before rescue is started.

Initial Size Up of the Structure

• Cooling the space/Extinguishment

From Best Practices:Water should be applied to the fire as soon as possible from the safest location to reduce the heat release rates from burning materials. Any limited-duration water stream applied from the exterior should be immediately followed by an aggressive interior attack of any remaining fire.

Key Concepts

Fire Attack Considerations

From Best Practices:While front door tactics provide quick access to most areas of the structure, water applied from the safest area – interior or exterior – will result in the fastest way to improve interior conditions for both occupants and fire control

• Front Door• Exterior/Front Door• Front Door/Exterior

Fire Attack Considerations

• Why hit it from outside?– Cool the space.– Reduces flashover.– Interior application delayed.– Solid or straight stream directed at the ceiling to

create large water droplets.

An exterior attack is Offensive Mode if you remain forward moving

Fire Attack Considerations

• Water application to cool hot smoke– Reduce flashover

LA County FD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lkM2AsZqlM

Key Concepts

Controlling the Flow Path

Controlling the Flow Path

• Opening doors and or windows is venting– Smoke and heat will travel to low pressure- an

opening to the outside– Ventilation to flashover timeline.

LA County FD Controlling the Flow Path

• Techniques for door controlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uans40KdVI

Key Concepts

Ventilation

Ventilation

• Coordination of fire attack and ventilation– Ventilation too early will promote rapid buildup of

fire• Venting is not cooling.• Ventilating and water application is cooling.• Requires Communication between fire attack

and ventilation crews

Implementation

1. Pre Assignment: Lesson from UL Learnshare- http://content.learnshare.com/courses/73/456883/story.html

2. PowerPoint and discussion/lecture by Operations Battalion Chiefs.

3. Tabletop Applications: Tactical Training Program.4. Hands on training: EMTG Live Fire Training November

and December 20145. Review the use of the concepts at each PIA.

Other On-Line Resources

• http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2014/01/ventilation-limited-fire-keeping-it-rich-and-other-tactics-based-off-science.html

Good article about ventilation and tactics

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82OJqcftNVgGreat three-part series on flow path, in 1-hour segments