1. Essentials of Fire Fighting
6th Edition
Firefighter I
Chapter 17 — Fire Control

2. Learning Objective 1
Describe initial factors to consider when suppressing structure fires.

3. Selecting strategies and coordinating resources is based on three priorities.
Courtesy of Bob Esposito

4. Offensive suppression strategies usually entail interior operations.
Factors that help determine tactics
Value
Time
Size
Objective
Rescue and/or extinguishment

5. Defensive suppression strategies are selected based on several factors.
No threat to occupant life exists
Occupants are not savable
Property is not salvageable
Sufficient resources are not available for offensive strategy
Danger of structural collapse
Offensive strategy would endanger lives of firefighters

6. Defensive suppression strategies work to isolate or stabilize the incident.
Courtesy of Chris Mickal

7. Defensive strategies are employed when certain conditions are present.
Excessive volume of fire
Structural deterioration
Risk outweighs benefit
Unfavorable wind conditions

8. Strategic transitions during suppression may occur at any time.
Defensive to offensive
Follow guidelines during
Offensive to defensive

9. Resource coordination is important during several points of fire attack.
Forcible entry
Search and rescue operations
Ventilation
Control of utilities
Loss control
Cause determination
Victim recovery efforts

10. Correct hoseline selection is important for fire suppression operations.
Fire conditions and other factors
Critical for efficiency, safety
For interior – Dictated by area involved, fire load
(Cont.)

11. CAUTION
A hoseline no smaller than 1½-inch (38 mm) should be used on an interior fire.

12. Nozzle selection is based on several considerations found on scene.
Courtesy of Ron Jeffers
Interior fire attack
Exterior attack
Water pressure, water quantity
Nozzle reaction

13. Learning Objective 2
Summarize considerations taken when making entry.

14. You should know the considerations for hoseline use and placement when making entry .
Decision made by IC
Supervisor
Place to protect
Firefighters
Occupants
Property
Factors used to place
Wind direction and velocity
Building conditions
Initial fire location
Location of occupants
Exposures

15. There are several tasks every member should perform before entry.
Conduct quick size up
Maintain high situational awareness
Be aware of pre-entry considerations

16. Check concealed spaces for fire extension
You should understand what you may need to fulfill your role during entry.
Interior fire crew needs tools, equipment to:
Open interior doors
Check concealed spaces for fire extension
Make an emergency exit

17. The firefighter assigned to the nozzle should do several tasks.
Open nozzle fully to ensure adequate flow
Check pattern setting
Bleed air from hoseline

18. CAUTION
DO NOT open the door until you have a charged hoseline and are ready to control the conditions encountered.

19. There are several facts about making entry tactics that you should know.
When making interior attack on structure fire
If fire is ventilation controlled, door is opened
When opening door
Traditional guideline – Attack from unburned side
Wind creates airflow patterns within structure

20. There are several general tactics for making entry that you should know.
Wind creates airflow patterns within structure
Directly increase fire expansion and cause firefighter casualties
Attack with wind to back
Determine best entry point based upon wind direction

21. Learning Objective 3
Describe direct attack, indirect attack, combination attack, and gas cooling techniques.

22. Direct attack uses water most efficiently on free-burning fires.

23. Indirect attack is used when entry is not possible due to intense heat.
Courtesy of Dick Giles

24. Combination attack uses strategies from both direct and indirect attack.

25. Gas cooling is a way of reducing heat release from the hot gas layer.

26. Learning Objective 5
Explain actions taken when attacking belowground structure fires.

27. Belowground structures fires may occur in residential basements.

28. There are several factors that may contribute to basement fires.
Totally unfinished, partially finished, completely finished
Spaces
Fuel loading
Age of exposed joists
(Cont.)

29. There are several factors may contribute to basement fires.
Hidden path for fire
Use of lightweight construction materials
Life safety hazards created
Initial size-up important

30. WARNING
Basement fires weaken the main floor of a structure creating a constant danger of structural collapse.

31. Floor assemblies over basements may collapse before firefighters arrive.
Courtesy of NIST

32. CAUTION
Thermal imagers (TI) will not always provide an accurate assessment of structural integrity of the floor system.

33. Residential basement fires can present other considerations.
Access
Enclosed stairwell may act as flow path
1½- to 1¾-inch (38 mm to 45 mm) hoseline
May not provide enough cooling to overcome venting gases
If ventilation limited
Added ventilation may result in flashover

34. Learning Objective 6
Discuss methods of fire control through exposure protection and controlling building utilities.

35. Exposure protection depends on location and resources available.
Interior
Closing doors, other openings
Proper use of ventilation
Passive forms
Exterior
Remove endangered persons, property, items
Apply protective spray between fire and exposure

36. Controlling building utilities helps control the fire and limits damage.
Sources
Must be disconnected when fire in structure
Commercial power supply
(Cont.)

37. Controlling building utilities helps control the fire and limits damage.
Courtesy of Ron Moore and McKinney (TX) FD
(Cont.)

38. WARNING
Solar panels generate current whenever there is a light source (sunlight, moonlight, artificial lighting) and are always energized.

39. Controlling building utilities helps control the fire and limits damage.
Wind turbines
Courtesy of Ron Moore and McKinney (TX) FD
Fuel-powered generators
(Cont.)

40. Controlling building utilities helps control the fire and limits damage.

41. CAUTION
Natural gas that leaks underground in wet soil can lose its odorant and become difficult to detect without instruments.

42. Controlling building utilities helps control the fire and limits damage.
Water
Liquefied petroleum gas

43. Learning Objective 8
Explain considerations taken when deploying, supplying, and staffing master stream devices.

44. Situations deployed in
Deploying master stream devices requires an understanding of several considerations.
Situations deployed in
Main uses
Proper placement
Effective for exposure protection to other structures

45. Supplying master streams can be accomplished in several ways.
Nothing less than two 2½-inch (65 mm) hoselines
Temporarily with one 2½-inch (65 mm) hoseline while adding others
Third line may be needed
Operation consumes great quantities of water

46. CAUTION
Added water weight from master stream operations increases the potential for structural collapse.

47. Staffing master stream devices usually requires two firefighters.

48. Learning Objective 9
Describe situations that may require suppression of Class C fires.

49. Suppression of Class C fires requires knowledge of energized equipment.

50. WARNING
Before initiating fire suppression activities, stop the flow of electricity to the device involved.

51. Transmission lines and equipment can be damaged and start fires.
Cordon off circle with radius equal to distance between power poles where line contacts earth
If ground cover fire starts – Wait for fire to burn away from point of contact before attempting extinguishment
For maximum safety – Only utility personnel should cut power lines
Reduce risk of shock by current in the ground

52. WARNING
Assume that all power lines are energized until the power company informs you otherwise.

53. Fires in electrical transformers are relatively common.

54. Underground transmission lines can create explosions which require firefighters remaining a safe distance away.

55. WARNING
Only personnel who are properly trained and equipped for confined space entry should enter a utility vault.

56. Learning Objective 11
Describe actions associated with suppressing Class D fires.

57. Suppressing Class D fires can present unique problems.
Courtesy of NIST
Burning at extremely high temperatures
Reactive to water

58. Suppressing Class D fires requires understanding certain characteristics.
Manually shoveled or scooped onto
Applied using Class D extinguisher
Extinguishing agents
Only diminishes when ash layer covers
Emit brilliant white light
Do not assume extinguished when flames not visible
May be extended time before area, substance cools to safe levels

59. Learning Objective 12
Explain actions taken when suppressing a vehicle fire.

60. Vehicle fires are among the most common types of fires.
May be result of collision, malfunction, intentional act
Require full PPE, including SCBA
Generate toxic, nontoxic smoke/vapors
Fuel sources

61. You should know vehicle incident size-up considerations.
Decide if traffic diversion required
Follow DOT guidelines to protect scene
Determine if victims are in vehicle, if require extrication
Determine if vehicle on fire or leaking fuel
(Cont.)

62. You should know vehicle incident size-up considerations.
Confirm type of fuel, select appropriate extinguishing agent
Avoid components under constant pressure
Follow department SOPs for establishing scene protection
Isolate vehicle from or eliminate ignition source
(Cont.)

63. You should know vehicle incident size-up considerations.
Stabilize vehicle
Control downed power lines
Address additional hazards
May need to use defensive techniques

64. Vehicle fire attack requires knowledge of several concepts.
Basic attack procedures
Be aware of extraordinary hazards
Conduct overhaul to check for hidden fires

65. Fires in different parts of the vehicle require specific procedures.
Passenger compartment
Undercarriage
Engine or trunk compartment

66. Distinctive vehicle profiles
Alternative fuel vehicles may be apparent by certain visual indicators.
Vehicle logos
Fuel-specific logos
Special fuel ports
Distinctive vehicle profiles

67. CAUTION
There may be no visual indicators that a vehicle uses an alternative fuel source.

68. There are several tactics to consider at alternative vehicle fuel fires.
Park apparatus minimum 100 feet (30 m) from incident
Approach from uphill and upwind, if possible
Approach from 45-degree angle to vehicle
Wear full PPE including SCBA
Use nonsparking extrication tools
Do not use flares
Deploy backup hoseline
Select extinguishing agent specific to type of fuel or battery pack

69. Natural gas is used in one of two forms and has specific properties.

70. Liquefied petroleum gas is the third most common vehicle fuel type.
Characteristics
Expansion rate
May be marked with logo
Tactics for incidents involving

71. Electric alternative fuel vehicles should have visible indicators.

72. WARNING
Do not cut or contact any orange, blue, or yellow color-coded electrical cables or components in electric or hybrid electric vehicles.

73. There are several other alternative fuel types that may be present.
Gasoline blends
Ethanol/methanol
Blend of liquids made from natural plants and diesel
Biodiesel
Used in some areas, mostly concept stage
Hydrogen

74. Learning Objective 13
Compare methods used to suppress fires in stacked and piled materials, small unattached structures, and trash containers.

75. Stacked and piled materials present unique suppression considerations.

76. Small unattached structures are found in all jurisdictions.

77. CAUTION
Chemicals used in the production of some illegal drugs are extremely toxic and volatile. Incidents involving them may require the assistance of trained hazardous materials personnel.

78. Trash container fires vary in size and create toxic combustion products.

79. Summary
Attacking fires early in development is an important aspect of a successful fire fighting operation. In addition, selecting and applying the most effective fire attack strategy and tactics are also important.
(Cont.)

80. Summary
Failing to do any of these things can result in a fire growing out of control, an increase in fire damage and loss, and possibly in firefighter injuries.
Firefighters need to know how to safely and effectively attack and extinguish fires involving structures, vehicles, stacked and piled materials, and ground cover.