Fire Suppression Techniques Part 2

1. Fire Suppression TechniquesPart 2

2. Common Firefighting Extinguishing Agents • Water • Foams • Halon 1211 • CO2 • Dry chemicals • Dry powders Extinguishing agents are selected based on the materials that are burning.

3. Key Terms: Flammable liquid Combustible liquid Compressed gas Flash point Bleve Vapour pressure Vapour density Specific gravity Soluble / insoluble Miscible / immiscible Boiling point Hydrocarbon Polar solvent Suppressing Class B Fires( flammable / combustible liquids and gases)

4. BLEVE Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion

5. BLEVE Warning Signs

7. Suppressing Large Class B Fires • Extreme caution. • Stop leak. • Avoid standing in fuel. (wicking) • Foam to extinguish large fire. • Large volumes of water to cool tank & reduce vapour pressure. (BLEVE) • Fog dissipates vapours.

8. Using Water to Control Class B Fires Water as a Cooling Agent • Protect exposures. • Cool burning tanks. • Cool vapours in tanks. • Cool support beams and other materials that may weaken.

9. Using Water to Control Class B Fires Water as a Mechanical Tool

10. Using Water to Control Class B Fires Water as a Mechanical Tool

11. Using Water to Control Class B Fires Water as a Substitute Medium

12. Using Water to Control Class B Fires Water as Protective Cover

13. Bulk Transport Vehicle Fires • Same techniques for controlling fires in storage vessels. • Traffic risks. • Water supply limitations. • Additional risks posed by location. • Instability of vehicle. • Container damage.

14. Approach from sides. Attack upwind. Protect occupants. ALWAYS WEAR SCBA Passenger Vehicle Fires

15. Dangers: Gas tank Alternative fuel vehicles Shocks Bumpers Tires Battery Pistons on liftgates Strut suspension Passenger Vehicle Fires

16. Passenger Vehicle Fires

17. Passenger Vehicle Fires

18. Natural Gas 40% Lighter than air. Non toxic but will displace oxygen. Distinctive odour. Explosive range 5-15% Fire / leak. Notify Enbridge Gas. Liquefied Petroleum Gas Stored as a liquid when under pressure in container. Expansion ratio 270-1. Vapour density 1.5. (heavier) Explosive range 1.5-10% NO ODOUR Fire / leak. BLEVE Evacuate area. Control of Gas Utilities

19. Control of Gas Utilities

20. Suppressing Class C Fires • Hydro vaults, transformers, substations, commercial high voltage installations, etc. • Recognize the electrical danger. • Notify hydro. • Shut off power. • Use proper extinguishing agents and methods. • Ground gradient / step or touch potential. • Maintain safe working distances.

21. Suppressing Class D Fires • Combustible metals & alloys: magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium. • No universal class D extinguishing agent. • Class D agents – dry powders. • Facilities that use or store these metals are required to maintain adequate amounts of extinguishing agent. • Water may cause a reaction / explosion.

22. Practical Learning Outcomes • Interior direct attack. • Interior indirect attack. • Combination attack. • Exterior fire attack. • Class B fire attack using water fog (2 teams).