Fire & Smoke in Void Spaces - CFBT-US!
Fire & Smoke in Void Spaces - CFBT-US!
Fire & Smoke in Void Spaces - CFBT-US!
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Valdivia, Chile<br />
January 2010<br />
<strong>Fire</strong> & <strong>Smoke</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Void</strong> <strong>Spaces</strong><br />
Hidden Hazards<br />
<strong>CFBT</strong>-<strong>US</strong><br />
Not just what and how, but why!
…the door should be kept shut while the<br />
water is be<strong>in</strong>g brought, and the air<br />
excluded as much as possible, as the<br />
fire burns exactly <strong>in</strong> proportion to the<br />
quantity of air which it receives.<br />
James Braidwood<br />
Super<strong>in</strong>tendent, London <strong>Fire</strong> Brigade<br />
<strong>Fire</strong> Prevention & <strong>Fire</strong> Ext<strong>in</strong>ction 1866
Learn<strong>in</strong>g Outcomes<br />
Recognize where structural voids may be<br />
encountered.<br />
Understand how voids can serve as a path of<br />
fire and smoke travel.<br />
Recognize the hazards presented by fires <strong>in</strong><br />
void spaces.<br />
Select strategies and effective tactics based on<br />
<strong>in</strong>cident conditions.
The Problem<br />
<strong>Fire</strong>s <strong>in</strong> void or concealed spaces have<br />
resulted <strong>in</strong> numerous firefighter fatalities<br />
due be<strong>in</strong>g caught by rapid fire progress or<br />
structural collapse.<br />
Safe and effective operations require<br />
recognition of hazards presented by fire<br />
extension and development <strong>in</strong> void spaces<br />
and take appropriate action to mitigate<br />
those hazards.
Structural <strong>Void</strong> <strong>Spaces</strong><br />
Attics and Roof <strong>Void</strong>s<br />
Suspended Ceil<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Multiple Ceil<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Utility Conduits & Chases<br />
Some voids are <strong>in</strong>herent <strong>in</strong> specific<br />
types of build<strong>in</strong>g construction, others<br />
result from modification or renovation.
A Simple <strong>Fire</strong><br />
What <strong>in</strong>itially appeared to be<br />
a simple fire <strong>in</strong> a s<strong>in</strong>gle<br />
family house, presented a<br />
significant challenge to<br />
respond<strong>in</strong>g companies!
Challenges<br />
The fire spread not only <strong>in</strong> voids <strong>in</strong>herent <strong>in</strong> the<br />
normal build<strong>in</strong>g construction, but those created<br />
by renovation.<br />
Multiple ceil<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Different materials<br />
Heavy fuel load
Extreme <strong>Fire</strong> Behavior<br />
<strong>Fire</strong>s <strong>in</strong> void spaces are generally ventilation<br />
controlled<br />
Ventilation controlled can fires present a<br />
significant threat of extreme fire behavior<br />
Ventilation Induced Flashover<br />
Backdraft<br />
<strong>Smoke</strong> Explosion
Durango, CO<br />
Exposure B<br />
Seasons Restaurant<br />
(<strong>Fire</strong> Location)<br />
Exposure D
Durango, CO<br />
Roof<br />
Seasons Restaurant<br />
(<strong>Fire</strong> Location)<br />
Masonry Wall<br />
Orig<strong>in</strong>al<br />
Ceil<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Second<br />
Ceil<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Exposure D Exposure D2<br />
Open<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Masonry Wall
Durango, CO
Strategies & Tactics<br />
Recognize the problems presented<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>g Construction<br />
<strong>Fire</strong> Behavior<br />
<strong>Fire</strong> Control<br />
Access to <strong>Void</strong>s<br />
Consider Pierc<strong>in</strong>g Nozzles<br />
Tactical Ventilation/Anti-Ventilation<br />
Control <strong>Smoke</strong> Movement<br />
Remove <strong>Smoke</strong> (Fuel)
ed.hart<strong>in</strong>@cfbt-us.com<br />
1 (503) 793-1296<br />
http://www.cfbt-us.com
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