Attic Fire Tactical Considerations Attic Construction See Vimeo video for a review of attic construction features. Roof Types Building your Situational Awareness as you investigate Life is always our priority (search and rescue ). In this scenario, gain entry and remove occupants.

What is the Time What tools smoke of day will you telling need to you? bring with you?

Is there a Do I have need to exposures ventilate? ?

123 Main St. Is it likely to What size find anyone line will I home now?? need? Locating a Fire in the ATTIC

Smoke conditions can indicate where the fire is located, what is burning, where the fire may go, and how long it has been burning.

Do you remember the 4 characteristics of smoke?

Volume – Indicates how much fuel burning. The more smoke, the more fuel is being consumed.

Velocity - The velocity of smoke can help determine the location of the fire. A good rule of thumb is the higher velocity of smoke, the closer the fire. Look for the fastest smoke coming from the most restrictive opening.

Density – Refers to smoke thickness. The denser the smoke the more unburned fuel it contains and the more DANGEROUS the conditions.

Color – Can indicate what is burning and how long it has been burning. Least reliable characteristic of smoke. Locate The Fire

SAFETY FIRST

Equipment: • Full PPE’s • Attic Ladder • Flashlight • Charged Hose Line Locate The Fire

If conditions permit, use the scuttle hole to assess the attic.

In older homes, these may be difficult to locate; often in small closets. Some attic scuttles may be too small for a firefighter in full PPE’s to enter. Locate The Fire

Attic ladder present? Good chance it’s being used for storage. Report on radio so others know of the overhead hazard. Locate The Fire

Consider using TIC if scuttle or ladder cannot be located.

NOTE: TIC’s may not be reliable due to insulative properties of ceiling materials.

Thermal Imaging Camera If crews encounter a small, ventilation limited fire in an attic, an aggressive salvage operation should be attempted while access is made to extinguish the fire. The key is to keep the fire small by keeping it ventilation limited. SALVAGE SALVAGE

Cover everything that cannot be moved out • Salvage covers or plastic • Roll-up rugs • Put down hall runners • Use debris bags Salvage covers or Plastic Roll rugs if possible

Hall runners Electrical utilities typically run throughout the attic. With personnel and/or tools accessing the attic, utilities should be secured ASAP. See Vimeo video for attack options during a ventilation limited residential attic fire. Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul- Ventilation

Coordinated Fire Attack

Gable End Vent Roof

When using vents to access the attic, be aware that you are in the potential flow path of pressurized products of combustion. Apply water from a distance if possible. FIRE ATTACK PULL CEILING

• Make small access hole to keep fire ventilation limited. • Making a large hole only gives a small smoldering fire more air to grow. • Remember – FIRE NEEDS AIR TO GROW AND WATER TO SLOW. We want it to slow. FIRE ATTACK PULL CEILING

• Wear full PPE’s • On Air- Protect your airway • Stand between the area being pulled and the doorway – Always have an exit • Pull down and away from you- Do not pull debris down into your face, neck or airway Coordinated Ventilation

Apply water to knock down the attic fire. Giving a ventilation limited attic fire access to air without cooling can result in DANGEROUS rapid fire development . Keep the fire ventilation limited to keep it from growing. VENTILATION

Situations that may require vertical ventilation • Vaulted Ceiling • Under ventilated attics • Removing blown-in insulation • Add-on construction • ie., Pitched roof built over flat roof (pictured) VENTILATION

Opening the roof before fire attack will Coordinate with fire attack make conditions worse

This is not a desirable affect This is a desirable affect

A coordinated fire attack involves cooling the attic PRIOR to vertical ventilation. Keep the fire ventilation limited and let the steam work for you . Steam should be observed leaving the hole NOT pressurized dark smoke and flames. VENTILATION

If you are on the roof, be in FULL PPE’S, including SCBA, and “on-air”. OVERHAUL

Attic spaces often have small pockets where fire can be concealed in construction voids or hidden under debris. Overhaul activities must thoroughly search the fire scene to detect and extinguish these hidden fires or "hot spots" before they rekindle. Fighting fires in attics and other confined spaces with cellulose insulation is physically demanding. Keep your SCBA donned to protect against dust and other hazardous materials exposures. We don’t know what is stored in peoples attics. OVERHAUL Fire & Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose is a very tricky material when it comes to firefighting. Its low combustibility is extremely beneficial to homeowners, but creates multiple challenges for firefighters. OVERHAUL Fire & Cellulose Insulation BLOWN – IN CELLULOSE INSULATION Cellulose insulation is comprised of 85 percent recycled material (newspaper) and uses ammonium sulfate and borate as a fire retardant.

Smoldering fires in cellulose create light smoke conditions. The cellulose makes it easy for fires to start, but the fire retardant treatment makes it difficult for the fire to grow. OVERHAUL BLOWN – IN CELLULOSE INSULATION Creates Hidden Fire Conditions • Cellulose insulation - burns in an attic space or within a wall. It typically burns from the bottom up at low temperatures. TIC’s may not recognize the heat signature. • Smell of burning paper is a good sign cellulose is burning. • Dig to the bottom of the insulation to locate the smoldering fire.

Burning blown-in insulation often results in deep char of structural members. REMOVE smoldering blown-in insulation from attic and check for extension to structural members.

BE THOROUGH! A small piece of smoldering insulation can result in re- ignition if given enough air.

Get the insulation out of the structure and thoroughly extinguish it.

OVERHAUL BLOWN – IN CELLULOSE INSULATION

Ceiling Strain & Confined Spaces Depending on the amount of water that the insulation absorbs during fire operations, the insulation can turn from a very light and fluffy material to a material that resembles concrete.

When cellulose gets wet, it has the consistency of wet concrete.

Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation Coordinated Fire Attack- Having a plan and working quickly will reduce damage potential and make this a safer fireground. Do not fight this fire with fire above you. Cool the space then move inside.

Start outside Steam conversion Shut down electrical Pull Ceiling Flow Water

WHEN SAFE SALVAGE ifsafe to enter SALVAGE

Do not stand inside Remove potential Cool attic Desired effect Start Small – keep until the attic is cause- makes the the ventilation cooled scene safer limited Think possible overhead collapse due to structural compromise of roof and ceiling joists. Use existing exterior vents or make small holes to access attic. Use hose stream to cool environment. Salvage-Fire Attack-Overhaul-Ventilation Coordinated Fire Attack

Do not fight this fire with fire above you. Cool the space then move inside.

Continue to Pull Ceiling Continue to Flow Water Salvage

WHEN SAFE TO ENTER

Remove or cover As you cool the attic space, begin salvage – DO NOT WORK UNDER ACTIVE FLAMES Director of Training LACoFD Training Services Section Battalion Chief Derek Alkonis (323) 881-2436