______FLASHOVER ______RECOGNITION ______

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______Goals ______• To provide the fire service with a safe and secure system of flashover recognition training. ______• To teach firefighters to recognize the signs of flashover. • To provide firefighters with techniques to possibly ______give them time to escape an impending flashover. • To save firefighters from injury and death from ______flashover.

4 ______

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______Dangers ______

5 ______

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______Dangers of Flashover ______• Catches firefighters off guard. ______• Develops rapidly with little warning. ______• Increases firefighting problems. ______• Occupants CANNOT survive.

6 ______

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______Dangers of Flashover ______From Aug.1985 to Mar.2010, 113 firefighters were killed in structure fires in the United ______States. ______16 of these firefighters died as a result of rapid fire development or ______“FLASHOVER”

7 ______

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______Dangers of Flashover ______• An additional 7 firefighters were killed by FLASHOVERS during training evolutions. ______

• Many of the firefighters that died were ______trained and experienced ! ______

8 ______

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______Dangers of Flashover ______• Flashover catches firefighters off guard if ______untrained to recognize the warning signs before full flashover occurs. ______• Firefighters have been in flashover situations and escaped with only injuries. ______

9 ______

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______Dangers of Flashover ______• FLASHOVER can develop rapidly and with little warning. ______• With the threat of flashover present, firefighting problems increase. ______

• Firefighting becomes more dangerous and the fire is very difficult to extinguish. ______

10 ______

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______Dangers of Flashover ______No one can accurately ______predict when a flashover will occur !! ______

11 ______

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______Dangers of Flashover ______Firefighter exposure to flashover potential has increased over the last several years due to: ______Better personal protective clothing. Faster notification of fires. Better insulation in buildings. ______Class A fires vs. Class B fires. Polyurethane-12,000 Btu/Lb. ______Polystyrene-18,000 Btu/Lb.

12 ______

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______What is Flashover ? ______

13 ______

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______What is Flashover? ______–National Fire Academy:

“The ignition of combustibles in an area heated by ______convection or radiation, or a combination of the two. ______The combustible substances in a room are heated to their ignition point and almost simultaneous combustion of the material occurs.” ______

14 ______

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______What is Flashover? ______–IFSTA: ______“The stage of a fire at which all surfaces and objects within a space have been heated to their ignition temperature, and flame breaks out almost ______at once over the surface of all the objects within the space”. ______

15 ______

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______What is Flashover? ______– Deputy Chief Vincent Dunn, FDNY (ret.): ______“The sudden full room involvement in flame. Flashover is caused by thermal radiation feedback. During a fire in a room, the heat is absorbed into the ______ceiling and walls and re-radiated downward, gradually heating the combustible gases and contents to their ignition temperatures and the room and its ______contents simultaneously ignite.”

16 ______

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______Flashover ______Development ______

17 ______

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______Plume Development ______

18 ______

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______Ceiling Layer Development ______

19 ______

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______Pre-Flashover Condition ______

20 ______

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______Flashover ______

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______Post-Flashover ______

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______Backdraft vs. Flashover ______

23 ______

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______Flashover Compared ______to Backdraft –Definition of Backdraft: ______

“The explosion or rapid burning of heated gases that ______occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen deficient atmosphere.” ______

24 ______

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______Flashover vs Backdraft ______

Oxygen Heat Heat ______Oxygen Backdraft Flashover ______

Fuel Fuel • Trigger event for backdraft is Oxygen … ______• Trigger event for Flashover is Heat... ______

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______Fire Science ______& ______Flashover ______

26 ______

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______Fire Science and Flashover ______• Combustion only occurs within the ______flammable range of a vapor (gas).

• Flammable Range is the % of vapor in ______air necessary for combustion to occur. ______

27 ______

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______Fire Science and Flashover ______• Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) - the minimum % of vapor in air that will burn ______(lean end). ______• Upper Explosive Limit(UEL) - the maximum % of vapor in air that will burn (rich end). ______

28 ______

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______Fire Science and Flashover ______• Gasoline – 1.4%-7.6% ______• Acetylene – 2.5%-100% ______• CO – 12.5%-74% ______

29 ______

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______Fire Science and Flashover ______Fire Gas Formation

• The formation and emission of fire gases ______from walls and ceilings begins as the temperature in the room rises. ______

• The higher the temperature the more fire ______gases are produced.

30 ______

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______Fire Science and Flashover ______Fire Gas Formation • Flames climb upward until they ignite the ______“fire gas pillow” that has formed.

• When flames die down, the temperature ______falls but is still great enough to continue the production of the gases. ______

31 ______

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______Fire Science and Flashover ______Fire Gas Formation • Ignition Temperature: the minimum ______temperature to which a material must be heated to cause the production of gases that will ignite. ______• CO ignites at 1128 deg. F. • Rapid oxidation (fire) occurs if oxygen or an ______oxidizer are present.

32 ______

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______Fire Science and Flashover Water as an Extinguishing Agent ______

• Extinguishing ability is optimum when ______water droplets are 1/10th of an inch in diameter. ______• Small droplets allow more surface area to absorb more heat. ______

33 ______

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______Fire Science and Flashover Water as an extinguishing agent ______• During firefighting, in order to provide the ______most efficient extinguishing effect from water, the nozzle should be moved in a circular motion vs. keeping nozzle in a stationary ______position. ______• This insures that more surface area of the water is exposed to the heated atmosphere.

34 ______

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______Fire Behavior in Structures ______

• The distribution and amount of fuel in ______a room affects the behavior of fire. ______

35 ______

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______Warning Signs ______

36 ______

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______Warning Signs of Flashover ______• HEAT BUILD UP ______• THICK DARK SMOKE ______• ROLLOVER

• FREE BURNING FIRE ______

37 ______

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______Warning Signs of Flashover ______HEAT BUILD UP ______• Hot smoke / gases that force firefighters to crouch down when entering a building. ______

• The lower you are forced to crouch, the greater the chance of flashover. ______

38 ______

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______Warning Signs of Flashover ______THICK, DARK SMOKE ______• Caused by large amounts of fire gases ______being produced and heated by thermal radiation feedback. ______

39 ______

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______Warning Signs of Flashover ______• Heavy, rolling clouds violently twisting skyward indicate extremely hot smoke from an intense fire deep in the building. ______

• This is frequently followed by fire igniting through openings the smoke is pouring through. ______

• Firefighters should use extreme caution when entering, to prevent being caught in a flashover. ______(John Norman, FDNY) ______

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______Warning Signs of Flashover ______Thick Dark Smoke ______

41 ______

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______Warning Signs of Flashover ______ROLLOVER ______• Sporadic small flashes of flames (“snakes and jellyfish”) mixed with smoke seen just ______prior to flashover occurring. • Before entering a room, FFs should check ______the smoke exiting for signs of rollover.

42 ______

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______“Snakes & Jellyfish” • “Snakes & Jellyfish” are generic terms to ______describe rollover formations.

Snake Jellyfish ______

43 ______

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______Rollover ______

44 ______

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______Warning Signs of Flashover ______FREE-BURNING FIRE ______• Flame production which heats materials and contents and allows the production of fire ______gases. ______

45 ______

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______Variables of ______Flashover ______

46 ______

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______Variables of Flashover ______• Room size

• Room openings ______• The rate and the amount of heat released ______• The insulating qualities of the structure ______• Ceiling height

47 ______

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______Variables of Flashover ______ROOM SIZE ______• A small room flashes more quickly than a larger room. ______

48 ______

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______Variables of Flashover ______ROOM OPENINGS ______

• Number and type of room openings such as ______doors and windows. ______

49 ______

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______Variables of Flashover ______RATE and AMOUNT OF HEAT RELEASED ______• Affected by the type and quantity of ______contents of a room. ______

50 ______

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______Variables of Flashover ______INSULATING QUALITIIES OF THE STRUCTURE ______

• Thermopane windows ______• Metal clad doors • Weather stripping ______

51 ______

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______Variables of Flashover ______CEILING HEIGHT ______• Ceilings of 15 to 20 feet in height can result in dangerously misleading flashover ______size up information. ______

52 ______

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______Ventilation ______

• Venting a fire can delay a flashover or ______cause it to occur, depending upon what stage the fire is in. ______

53 ______

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______Preparation ______

54 ______

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______Be Prepared ______• Recognize the warning signs. • Heat and rollover. ______• Avoid disorientation. • Follow a system. ______• Work in teams of at least 2 firefighters. • Take a rope or hoseline to follow out. ______• Have a tool and flashlight with you.

55 ______

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______Be Prepared ______• Note secondary means of egress before entering building. ______• Enter and exit through same door if possible. • Remain calm if disorientated. ______• Control breathing. •Do not remove your SCBA face piece. ______• Wear full protective clothing.

56 ______

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______Point of No Return ______

57 ______

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______“The Point of No Return” ______• KNOW the “Point of No Return” ! • A firefighter in full PPE can travel an average ______of 2.5 ft. per second when crawling. • A firefighter has approximately 2 seconds to ______exit when flashover occurs. • There is a possibility of escape if a firefighter ______is 5 ft. from the exit.

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______“The Point of No Return” ______REMEMBER: ______THE POINT OF NO RETURN IS 5 feet FROM THE EXIT ______Even within 5 ft. from door you may make it out, but probably not without ______getting burned !

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______Nozzle ______Technique ______

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______Nozzle Technique to Detect Rollover ______• To aid in recognizing rollover: ______– Test the atmosphere with nozzle on full fog. – Hold nozzle straight above your head. ______– Use a short, quick burst of water. – If water droplets fall on you the. atmosphere ______above you is less than 212° F.

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______Nozzle Technique to Detect Rollover ______• If no water falls back down, the water has been converted to steam and is hotter than 212°F. ______The possibility of flashover exists! ______

62 ______

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______Nozzle Techniques that may Delay Flashover ______“AGGRESSIVE COOLING”: ______• Several short bursts of water using 60° fog pattern into upper atmosphere. ______• DO NOT upset the thermal balance or steam burns may result. ______• Move nozzle in a circular pattern for maximum cooling.

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______Nozzle Techniques that May Delay Flashover ______• The Thermal Layer. ______

64 ______

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______Nozzle Techniques that may Delay Flashover ______“PENCILING” ______• Set nozzle to straight stream. ______• Several short, rapid bursts to walls and ceiling - to slow re-radiation of heat. ______• Move nozzle to cool different areas.

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______Nozzle Techniques that may Delay Flashover ______• These 2 techniques, Aggressive Cooling and ______Penciling, when used in conjunction with each other, may possibly delay a flashover long enough to allow for firefighters to ______immediately exit the area. • This is a 1 TIME ONLY Survival Technique ______- to buy a few extra seconds.

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______Evacuate ______

67 ______

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______If Flashover Occurs ______• Get as close to the floor as possible. ______• GET OUT!! EVACUATE the area as quickly as possible!!! ______• Remember… If within 5 feet of the door you may probably escape with ______little harm.

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______If Beyond the Point of No Return ______• Stay as low as possible. ______• Operate nozzle over your head to possibly provide some cooling. ______• GET OUT!! Evacuate the area immediately !! ______

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______The Flashover ______Recognition Simulator ______

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______Flashover Recognition Simulator ______

• The container and training program were ______developed by Swedish National Rescue Services Board in 1986. ______

• Training is designed to meet standards ______NFPA 1500 and NFPA 1403.

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______Flashover Recognition Simulator ______• Two Sea cargo containers bolted together Upper = Burn Room ______Section Crib barrel Masonite racks ______Lower = Observation Room ______Section Vent control

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______Flashover Recognition Simulator ______Particle Board Racks

Burn Room Vent ______Exits Crib Barrel ______Observation Room ______

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______Flashover Recognition Simulator ______The purpose of the container : ______To demonstrate various stages of fire in confined areas. ______To provide students with an opportunity to become familiar with various firefighting nozzle techniques that may possibly delay a ______flashover.

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______Flashover Recognition Simulator ______REMEMBER: ______• It is ONLY a Training Aid used to help recognize fire conditions that can ______lead to flashover. ______

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______Flashover Recognition Simulator ______• The purpose is to provide firefighters an opportunity to experience : ______– Personal response to heat and stress. ______– Limitations of protective clothing. ______

76 ______

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______PPE ______

77 ______

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______Proper Personal Protective Equipment ______

• 100% NFPA Compliant Gear. ______

• Use MFA Helmets with protective covering. ______

• Safety Officer will check ALL participants ______BEFORE they enter the container !!!

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______Inspection & Entry • All students must be inspected and pass ______inspection before entry. ______

MFA Helmets w/ Covers ______

79 ______

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______Operations ______

80 ______

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______What to Expect ______

81 ______

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______What to Expect ______

82 ______

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______What to Expect ______

83 ______

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______What to Expect ______

84 ______

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______Inside the Flashover Recognition Simulator ______

85 ______

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______Inside the Flashover Recognition Simulator ______

86 ______

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______Inside the Flashover Recognition Simulator ______

87 ______

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______Preparing Yourself ______• Limit drinks containing caffeine. • Drink plenty of water ahead of ______time. • Studies have shown that power ______drinks will settle and not be absorbed into your system unless properly diluted with water at a ratio ______of 50/50.

88 ______

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______THERMAL LAYERING ______

89 ______

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______Death in the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation ______and Prevention Program line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation August 27, 2007 ______Career Officer Injured During a Live Fire Evolution at a Training Academy Dies ______Two Days Later - Pennsylvania ______

90 ______

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______Death in the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation ______and Prevention Program line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation August 27, 2007

On October 23, 2005, a 47 year old male career ______firefighter (the victim) was severely burned during a training evolution in the burn ______building at the State Fire Academy.....

The victim died from his injuries on October 25, ______2005

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______Death in the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation ______and Prevention Program line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation August 27, 2007

The NIOSH investigators concluded, fire ______departments and training academies should: • ensure two training officers present with charged ______hose lines during ignition or refueling of a training fire in accordance to NFPA 1403. ______• use the minimum fuel load to conduct live fire training

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______Death in the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation ______and Prevention Program line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation August 27, 2007

• determine minimum amount of flame, heat and/or ______smoke required during live fire evolutions to perform the training while ensuring firfighter safety. • have a written respiratory protection program and ______ensure SCBA facepiecesare properly inspected, used, and maintained. ______• have burn rooms with two exits

93 ______

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______SCBA FACEPIECE ______

94 ______

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______SCBA FACEPIECE ______

95 ______

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______DURING OPERATIONS ______After evolution is terminated: ______• Keep SCBA ON and OPERATING ! ______• Stay LOW and exit the container. ______• Report to REHAB area and re-hydrate.

96 ______

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______DURING OPERATIONS ______• Crib Fire started. • Instructor cools ceiling as fire develops. ______• Notice the high-pressure zone and smoke pillow develop. ______• Perform temperature check. • Watch for snakes, “black fire”, rollover. ______• Instructor cools area with fog and penciling.

97 ______

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______DURING OPERATIONS ______• Pay attention to the atmosphere ! • Follow instructions! ______DO NOT STAND UP ! ______DO NOT TOUCH OTHER FFs ! • If problem occurs, tell the Instructor, crawl to ______exit in rear, report to Safety Officer.

98 ______

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______Summary ______

99 ______

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______SUMMARY ______• There are NO ROUTINE STRUCTURE FIRES ! ______

• Be aware of your surroundings and the ______environment at ALL TIMES !! ______• React accordingly and BE SAFE !!

100 ______

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______SUMMARY ______• Container is only a Training Aid ! • The techniques demonstrated are to provide ______time to escape in emergency situations • Remember!! ______• fog --> pencil --> get out! • MAY buy a few seconds ______

101 ______

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______SUMMARY ______Remember: In actual fires the firefighters are on the same level as the fire and not 3 feet below the fire floor as in the ______simulator ______Be observant of conditions upon arrival in order to avoid becoming part of the fuel ______load !

102 ______

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