The period when the four elements of
the fire tetrahedron come together and
combustion begins; the fire is small and
confined to the material first ignited
A fire plume begins to form above the
fire which draws or entrains air from the
surrounding space into the column; heat
level rises and oxygen level begins to
decline
Transition between the growth and fully developed
stage and is not a specific event such as ignition;
conditions in the area change very rapidly as the fire
changes from one that is dominated by the burning
of the materials first ignited to one that involves all
the exposed combustible surfaces within the area
Occurs when all combustible materials in the
area are involved in fire; maximum heat release
based on available oxygen
Occurs as available fuel is being
consumed and the rate of heat release
begins to decline; heat level lower and
oxygen level very low
Initially, the temperature of the fire gases decreases as
they move away from the centerline of the plume.
As the fire grows, the overall temperature in the
compartment increases as does the temperature of the gas
layer at the ceiling level.
The radiant heat (red arrows) from the hot gas layer
at the ceiling heats combustible materials which produces
vapors (green arrows)
A fully developed fire
Under normal fire conditions in a closed structure,
the highest levels of heat will be found at ceiling level and
the lowest level of heat will be found at the floor level.
Applying water to the upper level of the thermal layer
creates a thermal imbalance.
Improper ventilation during fire fighting operations
may result in a backdraft.
Fire is extinguished by limiting or
interrupting one or more of the essential
elements in the combustion process (fire
tetrahedron). OXYGEN
TEMPERATURE
FUEL
UNINHIBITED CHAIN
REACTION OF
COMBUSTION PROCESS
A fire may be extinguished by reducing its
temperature, eliminating available fuel or oxygen, or
stopping the self-sustained chemical chain reaction.
TEMPERATURE REDUCTION
One of the most common methods of
extinguishment is cooling with water. This
process depends on reducing the temperature of
a fuel to a point where it does not produce
sufficient vapor to burn.
TEMPERATURE REDUCTION
The use of water for cooling is also the most
effective method available for the extinguishment of
smoldering fires.
To extinguish a fire by reducing its temperature,
enough water must be applied to the burning fuel to
absorb the heat being generated by combustion.
FUEL REMOVAL
Removing the fuel source effectively
extinguishes some fires.
The fuel source may be removed by stopping the
flow of liquid or gaseous fuel or by removing solid fuel
in the path of a fire.
FUEL REMOVAL
Another method of fuel removal is to allow a fire
to burn until all fuel is consumed.
OXYGEN EXCLUSION
Reducing the oxygen available to the combustion
process reduces a fire's growth and may totally
extinguish it over time.
In its simplest form, this method is used to
extinguish cooking stove fires when a cover is placed
over a pan of burning food.
OXYGEN EXCLUSION
The oxygen content can be reduced by flooding
an area with an inert gas such as carbon dioxide, which
displaces the oxygen and disrupts the combustion
process.
OXYGEN EXCLUSION
Oxygen can also be separated from fuel by
blanketing the fuel with foam.
CHEMICAL FLAME INHIBITION
Extinguishing agents such as some dry chemicals
and halogenated agents (halons) interrupt the
combustion reaction and stop flaming.
This method of extinguishment is effective on
gas and liquid fuels because they must flame to burn.
BASIC DIVISION OF FIREFIGHTING
Pre Fire Planning
The objective of the pre fire planning is to fight
the fire before it occurs. It involves collecting
information and using information to plan ahead of
time how fire will be fought if they occurs in various
parts of the building. (Proactive Planning)
SIZE UP
Estimate of existing conditions (Personnel,
equipment, water supply, life hazard, time of day,
weather, type of occupancy, what is burning and the
size of the fire.) (Knowing yourself: Strengths and Weaknesses)
The size-up commences long before the alarm
sounds and continues throughout the duration of the
emergency.
DIVISION FUNCTIONS
Division functions are the basic
firefighting units of a fire department or
company. A company may be defined as
a number of people under the command of
a company officer assigned to a station
apparatus.
4 BASIC TYPES OF COMPANY
I. Engine company is given the responsibility for:
extinguishment of fire
protecting exposure
2. Truck (Ladder) Company is given the
responsibility for:
ladder operations
overhaul
ventilation
forcible entry
physical rescue
controlling the utilities
.
3. Salvage company is given the responsibility
for salvage operations.
4. Rescue given the responsibility for emergency
medical care
Overhaul
Laddering Utilities
Truck Company
Operations
Rescue Ventilation
Salvage
RESCUE
No greater service can be given by
any fire department than the saving of a
human life. When fire or other emergency
occurs, it is the duty of the fire department
to be equipped to render quick and
efficient service.
In order to meet this responsibility,
firefighters must keep rescue equipment in
first-class condition and be thoroughly
trained in the proper use and limitations of
that equipment.
EXPOSURES AND CONFINEMENT
Every fire the fire fighter encounters present
as an exposure hazard. Exposures means any
building or material that is likely to become
involved either directly or in directly with existing
fire.
There are two types of exposure hazard,
INTERIOR and EXTERIOR.
EXPOSURES
Ways by which heat may be transmitted
Direct contact with flames is not the only
means by which heat may spread. There are other
ways by which heat may be carried to expose
material, thus causing the fire to spread.
These are CONDUCTION, RADIATION,
and CONVECTION.
CONFINEMENT
Confinement is the action which is
necessary to contain the fire in the smallest
possible area.
Modern air-conditioning systems have
introduced a new problem in confining fires. Non-
standard systems may have ducts lined with
combustible material and are not provided with
interior automatic fire shutters.
Such non-standard systems may spread
smoke and flames through the entire building.
FIRE ATTACK
1. Before any fire attack begins, civilians in danger
must be rescued and removed to safety
2. Fire attack includes getting water from the source to
the scene and being able to apply it in a timely and
efficient manner
3. There must be an ability to move sufficient
quantities of water to meet fire flow needs
4. Where units are operating outside the area of a
pressurized water system, additional units may be
needed to relay or shuttle water
OVERHAUL
Overhaul is the final task performed
by firefighter at the seen of a fire.
Although the primary objective of
overhaul is to ensure that the fire is out, it
generally includes doing whatever is
necessary to leave the premises in as safe
and secure a state as possible.
OBJECTIVES
The primary purpose is to ensure that the fire is out. If the fire is not completely
extinguished it might result in a rekindle.
Eliminate any additional water damage that could be caused by extinguishing
operation or the weather.
Make sure that all portions of the building are accessible to anyone entering from
the outside.
Make sure that all portions of the building are left in a safe condition as possible.
SALVAGE
The activity of protecting the properties
from damage.
2 Benefits
There would be a considerable reduction in the
fire loss.
The public relations of the department would be
enhance.
