Basic Fire Science (TEST 5) Flashcards
But on the fire ground of today, we cannot afford to standby waiting for things to happen and then adjust our tactics to fit the requirements of the moment. Rather, we must anticipate present and future changes and take __________________.
pre-emptive action
(Variables that influence air) Reminder:
A fire grows in _________________ to the volume of oxidizer available to it.
direct proportion
(Variables that influence air) Modern Container Design
Design elements such as:
- __________________
- __________________
- Open floor plans
- Tall, vaulted ceilings
(Variables that influence air) Modern Container Design
Can produce hazards such as:
- _________________ far from the fire’s point of origin
- Heat build-up _________________ due to convection currents
- Unimpeded ________________ throughout the structure
- Prolonged ________________
- Toxic environments
- in remote locations
- smoke spread
smoke fill times
(Variables that influence air) Modern Container Design
These structures are also:
-______________________
-______________________
-______________________
—Number, size, location of openings
- More energy efficient
- More encapsulating
- Less structurally restrictive
(Variables that influence air) Modern Contents
- _________________ and/or hydrocarbon-based materials
- Far more plentiful
- _______________________
- _______________________
- Primarily synthetic
- Increasingly energy dense
- Highly volatile (High HRR)
(Variables that influence air) Occupants
-Distracted
-Lacking:
•___________
•___________
•___________
- Knowledge
- Understanding
- Ability
Occupants variables: When combine, these…
- ________________________________
- __________________________ structures
- Distracted, underinformed people (being people)
…Often produce a hazard far beyond what we might expect
- Energy dense, high release rate fuels
- Encapsulating, energy efficient
(Variables that influence air) Flashover Comparison
Modern structures, furnished with modern fuels are capable of creating flashover conditions _____________ than their legacy counterparts
8X faster
Every kilogram of oxygen used in the combustion of common organic materials results in the release of ________ of energy
13.1 MJ
(Flow Paths) Definition:
“The movement of heat, smoke and air _______________________________________ both inside and outside of a fire building.”
from areas of higher pressure to all other lower air pressure areas
(Flow Paths) Frequency of Occurrence
Part of every fire environment as a result of natural and/or artificial means:
- Natural - __________________ flows
- Artificial - _________ flows
- Buoyancy-induced
- Forced
(Flow Paths) Incipient Stage
Difficult to detect due to:
- ______________________
- _________ of products of combustion (P.O.C.) into the surrounding atmosphere
- Minimal smoke production
- Diffusion
(Flow Paths) Incipient Stage
Developing in the form of:
- Heated gases _________ and _________ above the fire
- Cooler gases being __________ and __________ the fire below
- rising
- mixing
- displaced
- drawn into
(Flow Paths) Incipient Stage
As compartment temp. increases:
- ______________________
- ______________________
- Heat release rates increase
- Flame height increases
(Flow Paths) Incipient Stage
Leading to increases in:
- ________________________
- ________________________
- Visible smoke production
- Intra-compartmental pressure differentials
(Flow Paths) Growth Phase, Transitioning into Growth Stage
If O2 is adequate:
_____ from the fire ______________________
This fuel will combust resulting in __________
- Heat
- will evolve additional fuel
-more heat
(Flow Paths) Growth Phase
This can be visualized by observing the smoke:
- ___________________
- ___________________
- ___________________
- Increasing in volume
- Increasing in velocity
- Establishing the neutral plane
Visualization of the neutral plane provides information about:
- _____________________
- _____________________
- _____________________
- _____________________
- The fire’s location
- The fire’s state of development
- The efficiency of openings
- The type/direction of flow
Despite the wide variety of containers and fire types, there are only a few basic types of air/fire flow that we need to be concerned with:
- ______________
- ______________
- ___________________
- Bi-directional
- Unidirectional
- Multidirectional (i.e. overflows)
(Bi-Directional) Variables that can affect this type of flow:
- HRR, pressure differentials
- Opening - size, proximity, _________
- Interior layout, etc.
location
(Unidirectional)
Each opening involved will develop in natural inward (cold) or outward (hot) flow bases upon such variables as:
- Exterior wind and humidity
- _____________________ and __________ of openings
- Configuration of interior pathways (i.e. barriers)
- Initiating _________________
- Size, proximity, elevation
- location
-pressure differential
(Multidirectional/Overflows)
Due to fire growth rates and/or exhaust (hot side) opening insufficiency:
-___________________ within the container in an attempt to ________________________.
- Multiple flow paths occur
- equalize growing pressure differentials
(Door Control)
When properly controlled and maintained, tactical flow paths can:
- ______________
- ______________
- ______________
- ______________
- Remove smoke/toxic gases
- Control the fire’s growth
- Extend survivability time
- Release excess pressure
(Door Control)
If not properly controlled and maintained, flow paths can lead to:
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
- _________________________________
- __________________
- Heat release rate increases
- Decreases in interior visibility
- Diminishing survivability
- Increased probability of Backdraft and/or smoke explosion
- Increased threats to crews inside
Smoke is _________
FUEL
(Smoke)
Evolved to a ________________ as a result of incomplete combustion
gaseous state
(Smoke)
Often ______________ to or above its auto-ignition temperature
pre-heated
As described, smoke is comprised of several different components:
- ______________
- ______________
- ______________
- ______________
- ______________
- Solids
- Vapors
- Gases
- Suspended particulates
- Ignitable fuels
(Reading Smoke) By evaluating four of smoke’s main attributes, we can have a better understanding of what we may be facing inside.
Those attributes are:
- ______________
- ______________
- ______________
- ______________
- Volume
- Velocity
- Density
- Color
The size (volume) of the container must be considered when making this evaluation as the two ______________________.
volumes are relative
Velocity is a measure of how quickly the smoke is exiting the structure.
It is an indicator of:
- _________
- _________
- heat
- pressure
Velocity is a measure of how quickly the smoke is exiting the structure.
_______________ is an indicator of:
- Lower heat
- Lower pressure
Laminar smoke
Velocity is a measure of how quickly the smoke is exiting the structure.
________________ indicates:
- Higher heat
- Higher pressure
Turbulent smoke
Turbulence smoke contains a lot of energy.
-It is a result of _____________ from the container
radiant feedback
Turbulence smoke contains a lot of energy.
-This smoke has been ____________ by the restrictions of the container and will rise and expand quickly upon exiting.
pressurized
Turbulence smoke contains a lot of energy.
Turbulent smoke is a good indicator of ____________ and/or _____________________________.
- flashover
- fully developed burning that is ventilation limited
The denser the smoke, the ________________________
higher the concentration of fuel
The color of smoke can give indication as to:
- What __________ is burning
- What _________ the fire is in
- __________ smoke has traveled from its source
- material
- stage
- Distance
The benefits of understanding flow paths and reading smoke really reveals itself when put into application during daily/routine responses. One way of doing this is through the acronym…
_____________
SLICERS
S - \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ L - \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ I - \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ C - \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ E - \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ S - \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
(Sequential Actions) S - Size up L - Locate the fire I - Identify and control flow path(s) C - Cool the space from the safest location E - Extinguish the fire
(Actions of Opportunity)
R - Rescue
S - Salvage
S - Size up
This process is:
- __________
- __________
- __________
- __________
- Ongoing
- Universal
- Necessary
- Specific
(Size up)
Is one of the _________________ and _____________ skills on the fireground
- most undervalued
- under-utilized
(Size up) Ideally should consist of assessing the incident’s:
Fixed Factors:
•___________
•___________
•___________
Variable Factors: •\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ •\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ •\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ •\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ •\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Fixed Factors:
•Building
•Occupancy
•Arrangement
Variable Factors: •Fire •Life hazards**** •Action •Resources •Special circumstances
What type of basement is it?
- ___________
- ___________
- ___________
- ___________
- Walk-out
- Look-out
- Walk-up
- Restricted access
(Doing a 360º scene assessment)
Identify the need for __________________
specialized resources
(L - Locating the fire)
- Allows for adjustments to the IAP
- Provides incident critical information
- Sets predictable timelines
- Assists in making resource determinations
- Streamlines the deployment of resources
- ___________________
INCREASES INCIDENT SAFETY
(I - Identify and control existing and potential flow paths)
Effort must be made to:
- ___________________
- ___________________
- Control existing and potential openings
- Prevent non-tactical flow reversals
Once “I” has been accomplished:
•_____________
•_____________
can commence
- Cooling
* Extinguishment
(C - Cooling from a safe location)
Cooling from the safest location __________ mean applying water from an exterior position only.
does not
(C - Cooling from a safe location)
Simply put, it is applying a sufficient stream of water into the fire’s environment to ______________ or, in other words, to take enough energy out of it to allow for safe and complete extinguishment from a more proximal position.
reset the fire
When engaged in __________ operations, fire personnel must:
Coordinate their efforts with:
- ___________
- ___________
- ___________
Understanding what effect their actions may have on:
- ___________
- ___________
- ___________
-cooling
- Search/Rescue
- Ventilation
- Other fireground personnel
- Flow paths
- Victims
- Interior conditions
(E - Extinguishment)
Care must also be given when transitioning from cooling to final extinguishment:
- ______________________________
- Personnel should remember to tactically ventilate as necessary
- Continue to observe flow paths
-Timing and method selection are critical
(R - Rescue)
______________________________________
Rescue, like salvage, is considered an action of opportunity
_________ cannot/should not be used as a alibi or excuse to mask inappropriate or overly risky behavior
RESCUE
Certain situations simply _________ present a rescue problem
will not
“The door (to the fire area) should be kept shut while the water is being brought, and the air excluded as much as possible, _______________________________________________”
as the fire burns exactly in proportion to the quantity of air which it receives
