Fire Fire SuppressiSuppression on TechniquTechniquesesPart 2Part 2

Common Firefighting Common Firefighting Extinguishing AgentsExtinguishing Agents

Water Water FoamsFoams Halon 1211Halon 1211 COCO22

Dry chemicalsDry chemicals Dry powdersDry powdersExtinguishing agents are selected Extinguishing agents are selected

based on based on the materials that are burning.the materials that are burning.

Suppressing Class B Suppressing Class B FiresFires

( flammable / combustible liquids and ( flammable / combustible liquids and gases)gases)

Key Terms:Key Terms:

Flammable liquidFlammable liquid Combustible Combustible

liquidliquid Compressed gasCompressed gas Flash pointFlash point BleveBleve Vapour pressureVapour pressure

Vapour densityVapour density Specific gravitySpecific gravity Soluble / insolubleSoluble / insoluble Miscible / Miscible /

immiscibleimmiscible Boiling pointBoiling point HydrocarbonHydrocarbon Polar solventPolar solvent

BLEVEBLEVE

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion

BLEVE Warning SignsBLEVE Warning Signs

Suppressing Large Suppressing Large Class B FiresClass B Fires

Extreme caution.Extreme caution. Stop leak.Stop leak. Avoid standing in fuel. Avoid standing in fuel.

(wicking)(wicking) Foam to extinguish Foam to extinguish

large fire.large fire. Large volumes of Large volumes of

water to cool tank & water to cool tank & reduce vapour reduce vapour pressure. (BLEVE)pressure. (BLEVE)

Fog dissipates Fog dissipates vapours.vapours.

Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B Fires

Water as a Cooling Water as a Cooling AgentAgent

Protect exposures.Protect exposures. Cool burning tanks.Cool burning tanks. Cool vapours in tanks.Cool vapours in tanks. Cool support beams Cool support beams

and and

other materials that other materials that may weaken.may weaken.

Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B Fires

Water as a Mechanical ToolWater as a Mechanical Tool

Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B FiresWater as a Mechanical ToolWater as a Mechanical Tool

Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B FiresWater as a Substitute MediumWater as a Substitute Medium

Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B Fires

Water as Protective CoverWater as Protective Cover

Bulk Transport Vehicle Bulk Transport Vehicle FiresFires

Same techniques Same techniques for controlling fires for controlling fires in storage vessels.in storage vessels.

Traffic risks.Traffic risks. Water supply Water supply

limitations. limitations. Additional risks Additional risks

posed by location.posed by location. Instability of Instability of

vehicle.vehicle. Container damage.Container damage.

Passenger Vehicle FiresPassenger Vehicle Fires

Approach from sides.Approach from sides. Attack upwind.Attack upwind. Protect occupants.Protect occupants. ALWAYS WEAR SCBAALWAYS WEAR SCBA

Passenger Vehicle FiresPassenger Vehicle Fires

Dangers:Dangers: Gas tankGas tank Alternative Alternative

fuel vehiclesfuel vehicles ShocksShocks BumpersBumpers Tires Tires BatteryBattery Pistons on Pistons on

liftgatesliftgates Strut Strut

suspensionsuspension

Passenger Vehicle FiresPassenger Vehicle Fires

Passenger Vehicle FiresPassenger Vehicle Fires

Control of Gas UtilitiesControl of Gas UtilitiesNatural GasNatural Gas 40% Lighter than 40% Lighter than

air.air. Non toxic but will Non toxic but will

displace oxygen.displace oxygen. Distinctive odour.Distinctive odour. Explosive range 5-Explosive range 5-

15%15% Fire / leak. Fire / leak. Notify Enbridge Notify Enbridge

Gas.Gas.

Liquefied Petroleum Liquefied Petroleum GasGas

Stored as a liquid when Stored as a liquid when under pressure in under pressure in container.container.

Expansion ratio 270-1.Expansion ratio 270-1. Vapour density 1.5. Vapour density 1.5.

(heavier)(heavier) Explosive range 1.5-10%Explosive range 1.5-10% NO ODOURNO ODOUR Fire / leak.Fire / leak. BLEVEBLEVE Evacuate area.Evacuate area.

Control of Gas UtilitiesControl of Gas Utilities

Suppressing Class C Suppressing Class C FiresFires

Hydro vaults, transformers, substations, Hydro vaults, transformers, substations, commercial high voltage installations, etc.commercial high voltage installations, etc.

Recognize the electrical danger.Recognize the electrical danger. Notify hydro.Notify hydro. Shut off power.Shut off power. Use proper extinguishing agents and Use proper extinguishing agents and

methods.methods. Ground gradient / step or touch potential.Ground gradient / step or touch potential. Maintain safe working distances.Maintain safe working distances.

Suppressing Class D Suppressing Class D FiresFires

Combustible metals & alloys: magnesium, Combustible metals & alloys: magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium.sodium, lithium, potassium.

No universal class D extinguishing agent.No universal class D extinguishing agent. Class D agents – dry powders.Class D agents – dry powders. Facilities that use or store these metals Facilities that use or store these metals

are required to maintain adequate are required to maintain adequate amounts of extinguishing agent.amounts of extinguishing agent.

Water may cause a reaction / explosion.Water may cause a reaction / explosion.

Practical Learning Practical Learning OutcomesOutcomes

Interior direct attack.Interior direct attack. Interior indirect attack.Interior indirect attack. Combination attack.Combination attack. Exterior fire attack.Exterior fire attack. Class B fire attack using water fog Class B fire attack using water fog

(2 teams).(2 teams).