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Rule of Air Management

Rule of Air Management. Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety Training Division. 2007 T/C DiDonato. Needs Analysis. Firefighter fatalities have not declined nation wide even though we have fewer fires. In most cases firefighter fatalities involve heart attacks.

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Rule of Air Management

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  1. Rule of Air Management Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety Training Division 2007 T/C DiDonato

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

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

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

  5. Course Objectives • Upon completion of this course the student will be able to: • Describe the components of an air management plan • Describe situations when it is prudent to develop an air management plan • Develop an air management plan • Utilize an air management plan during a planned drill scenario.

  6. Components of an Air Management Plan • Time • Air • Distance • Communication

  7. Components of an Air Management Plan • Time • The amount of time it will take you to consume the air in your air cylinder (factoring in your work rate)

  8. Components of an Air Management Plan • Air • The lowest bottle pressure of your team (team air)

  9. Components of an Air Management Plan • Distance • The distance you travel in and will have to travel out of a building during your assignment.

  10. Components of an Air Management Plan • Communication • Communication with your immediate supervisor regarding team air, task, enter and exit. Also refers to communication between crewmembers.

  11. When do we develop an air management plan? Every time you enter an IDLH atmosphere!!!

  12. When do we develop an air management plan? • Air Management is most critical when in larger commercial structures where floor plans are unique and can be confusing. • Developing a plan for all IDLH situations creates the habit before it’s truly needed.

  13. Air Management Plan • 3 Parts to practicing an Air Management Plan: • Calculating a “Point of No Return” bottle pressure • Reporting team air before entering an IDLH. • Reporting team air as part of status (CANA) reports.

  14. Air Management Plan • Definition: Point at which a crew must turn back to ensure exiting the IDLH before a low air alarm sounds. Point of No Return

  15. Point of No Return Team air @ entry: Low Air Alarm: 1000 psi - ________ = 3200 psi 4200 psi 3200 psi / 2 ________ = 1600 psi + ________ = 2600 psi Point of No Return

  16. Point of No Return • Now let’s say Engine 81 responds to a structure fire at the old Tahoma Admin. Building. • E-81 is assigned fire attack, and check for extension on the third story. • E-81 will be relatively stationary within the building. • Given the previous example, E-81 would have to exit the building at 2600psi.

  17. Point of No Return Team air upon arrival of the work area on the 3rd floor: Team air @ entry: 3700 psi 4200 psi - ________ = 500 psi Point of No Return Calculation @ entry: 2600 psi

  18. Point of No Return 500 psi Time from entry to work area + 1000 psi Low Air Alarm 1500 psi Time to leave the building Point of No Return Out of the building before your alarm bell sounds!!!

  19. Status (CANA) Reports • Monitoring the bottle pressure of each team member should be done regularly, and team air should be reported as part of all status reports given. • The acronym, CANA should be used as an outline. • Conditions: • Actions: • Needs: • Air: “E81 has low heat and low visibility “We have a knockdown of the fire” “We need ventilation” “Team low air is 2600”

  20. What would (Insert your Firefighting HERO’s name) do in this situation? Air Management Plan • Use common sense. • Put safety above tasks on your priority list. • Do not become emotionally attached to victims or down Firefighters. • Think objectively!

  21. Remember • The objective of air management is for every member of your team to exit the building safely without their low air alarm sounding. • The choice to stay in an IDLH after a low air alarm sounds is still an option based on our current SOG’s… • ...it should be a conscious choice though… • …and made with significant consideration to your crew’s safety!

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