Contaminants

Question 1

What level of PPE must be worn for damping down and cutting away operations where unburnt gases and particulates may be being produced at significant levels?

Answer 1

BA

Question 2

What is the minimum RPE for grass fires?

Answer 2

Half mask respirators with P3 filters used in conjunction with a Gas Detection Monitor (GDM) must be used at grass fires as a minimum (where BA can be impractical) and considered for use externally where products of combustion are present.

Question 3

When should the minimum RPE for a grass fire be upgraded?

Answer 3

It is important to note what is burning. For example, if a grass fire incorporates synthetic materials, dumped household refuse or other building materials, the default level of protection should be BA. BA protects against the products of combustion from these materials as half masks will only provide protection from particulates and not fire gases.

Question 4

Is RPE required for handling contaminated PPE?

Answer 4

When handling and or coming into contact with contaminated or suspected fire contaminated PPE or equipment following an incident, a half mask respirator with P3 filters must be worn. For example, when cleaning fire contaminated equipment or bagging up PPE for transportation.

Question 5

What are the two general levels of PPE contamination?

Answer 5

The first is contamination which requires immediate removal of structural firefighting PPE.
The second is a lighter level of contamination which will allow structural firefighting PPE to continue to be worn at the incident, but which must be removed and bagged in a clear polythene bag prior to entering the cab and leaving the incident.

Question 6

What area of PPE should particular focus be paid to when assessing contamination?

Answer 6

The areas of the PPE which are immediately in contact with the skin – these areas are referred to as ‘contact points’ and are the cuffs and collar of the tunic.

Question 7

If you no longer have sufficient crews for fireground duties because their PPE has become contaminated, what should you do?

Answer 7

Implement a relief crew as soon as practicable.

Question 8

Can contaminated PPE be worn again for a second BA wear?

Answer 8

Only in exceptional life threating circumstances.

Question 9

Where should contaminated PPE be carried and not carried?

Answer 9

Contaminated PPE that is bagged should preferably be stored in the rear lockers of the appliance for the return journey to the station in order to minimise contaminants to the cab area.
Contaminated PPE that is not bagged must not enter the cab.
Consider the ordering of the OSU to collect significant amounts of PPE or equipment that cannot be transported on the appliance.

Question 10

Zonal protection system: What areas are included in the red (hot) zone?

Answer 10

This is the area in and around the fire and where most contamination may occur, and includes:
* Any area inside a structure or building which is involved in a fire.
* Any area around the incident containing the products of combustion (smoke/soot).
* Any area which is beyond the Entry Control Point (ECP).

Question 11

What control measures should be in place re. the red (hot) zone?

Answer 11

Personnel inside this zone must wear RPE. This would be a minimum of half mask and P3 filter, subject to the incident commander (IC) risk assessment.

The boundary of this zone is where a GDM should be utilised to continually monitor conditions and the boundary adjusted where appropriate if the instrument alarms.

The size of this zone may decrease as the fire is extinguished or changes in weather occur. If there are any changes the crew should be informed.

Question 12

Re. contaminants, define the Amber (warm) zone.

Answer 12

This is the area where cross contamination could occur:
* Located between the Red and Green zones -The amber zone is an area that is involved in operations but is in safe air, free from products of combustion (including the Entry Control Point (ECP), decontamination areas, emergency crews, working appliances, etc).
* Area for disrobing, decontamination, cleaning and bagging of BA and PPE and equipment cleaning.
* In a high rise building this area should extend from the bridgehead to an area outside the building in a safe area where the disrobe procedure can take place.

Question 13

Where should the fire contaminants decontamination area be located?

Answer 13

A dedicated fire contaminants decontamination area should be identified within the Amber (warm) zone.
At larger incidents each sector with an ECP must have a decontamination area.

Question 14

Re. contaminants, define the Green (cold) zone.

Answer 14

An area outside red and amber zones.
* Location for Command and Control, Command Units (CUs), Portable Hygiene Units (PHU’s), members of public, food consumption areas, etc.
* RVP.
* Other emergency vehicles.
* Access and egress route for appliances to the incident and/or the pathway to enter the red and amber zones.

Question 15

What considerations should an IC make with regard to contaminants?

Answer 15

• Weather conditions and appliance positioning e.g., upwind, uphill, and upstream wherever possible.
• Appliance doors, windows and lockers kept closed when not in use to minimise contamination within the appliance.
• Appropriate RPE and PPE to be worn.
• Welfare breaks must be taken in a clean area (Green zone) away from the scene of operations. Hands should be washed with soap and water or using wipes and sanitising gel before eating and drinking.

Question 16

When should an IC allocate a decon officer, and of what rank should they be?

Answer 16

The IC must consider allocating a designated crew and officer (LFF or above) as appointed decon officer to manage the disrobe and cleaning area. This would include incidents such as:
* Four pumps and above.
* Any protracted incident.
* Where Stage 2 BA Entry Control is required.

Question 17

What equipment should be made available in the decon area?

Answer 17

Personnel nominated to carry out the fire decontamination role should ensure the following equipment is available in the disrobe area:
* Personal issue half masks with P3 filters for BA wearers.
*Nitrile gloves.
*Salvage sheet.
*Bucket.
*Water for cleaning equipment.
*Fire contaminants box

Question 18

What PPE should personnel assisting with disrobe procedure wear?

Answer 18

Personnel assisting with disrobe procedure must wear half mask and P3 filter and Nitrile gloves.

Question 19

For run-of from PPE decon, what is the pollution hierarchy?

Answer 19

The disposal of the runoff should follow this pollution hierarchy:
Foul sewer, when this is not in the immediate vicinity,
vegetated land can be used followed by surface drain as a last option.

Question 20

A crew is returning to station with their contaminated PPE bagged as required, and riding status 7 for contaminated PPE. They are called by stranger to a pressing incident. What can they do?

Answer 20

In exceptional circumstances when returning to station (for example call by stranger), bagged PPE can be reused following a risk assessment (RA) by the OIC. The appropriate priority message should be sent to control ordering a full attendance and at the earliest opportunity the contaminated firefighters should be relieved as soon as practicable.

Question 21

What are the protocols for contaminated PPE at real fire training events?

Answer 21

Real fire training events should be treated the same as an operational incident in respect of dealing with fire contaminated PPE. Delegates should follow training providers disrobe procedures.
Bag all contaminated PPE (tunic, leggings, fire hoods and gloves) and leave in the designated training venue location for collection by the PPE provider.
Fire helmet, radio, torch, and boots are to be wiped down and dried. This will limit the potential for cross contamination.
Personal kit bags internal linings are made with a Polyurethane material which should be cleaned with soap and water after use as required.

Question 22

Can crews stay status 7 to shower after an incident?

Answer 22

The ability to significantly reduce contamination quickly will reduce the contaminant exposure that could otherwise be absorbed into the body. Research has highlighted the need to shower as quickly as possible after an incident to fully remove any remaining contaminants and reduce further absorption.
Showering will remove potential cancer-causing particulates and further contamination. Once showered a change into fresh work wear/uniform should be also undertaken.
Remember ‘shower within an hour’ when returning to the station from an incident or following a real fire training exercise. Appliances should be status 7 until showering has completed and must be placed available – status 1 - as soon as possible.