Fire Scene Safety

Question 1

Fire scenes are unstable environments, investigators often find themselves:

Answer 1

• searching through an unstable structure
• excavating the scene to identify the cause of a fire.

Question 2

Injuries at scenes are mostly from these hazards…

Answer 2

• Inhalation of toxic substances
• Ingestion of particles
• Items from above falling onto you, or hitting objects and causing a chain reaction.
• Falling down, over, onto or into any obstructions or cavities
• Airborne dust particles
• Cuts/Wounds from sharp objects
• Tripping on fire debris

Question 3

To identify the best method of protection, you must consider…

Answer 3

• An assessment of each of the above hazards.
• A strategy to prevent an occurrence or to mitigate its impact.

Question 4

Clothing protection to be worn by the investigator.

Answer 4

• Helmet
• Overalls
• Nose and mouth filter, full face respirator, or full BA (if qualified)
• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Heavy duty footwear, steel soles, and toe caps

Question 5

Spalling

Answer 5

Is created when heat causes expansion of trapped moisture, resulting in a steam explosion.
Concrete breaking away at the surface and exposing steel reinforcing.

Question 6

Fire scene risks - how structures react during and after a fire.

Answer 6

Four main building materials.
Timber
Char and burn, if thick enough, will maintain sufficient integrity. Take note of thickness, the load it carries, and any sound emanating from structural members.
Steel
Initial stages unprotected steel will expand and can cause walls to be pushed out. If fuel is available, the steel will lose strength and collapse, pulling walls inwards.
When heated and then cooled, steel tends to contract and may fall off supports or remain intact loosely but may collapse with little warning.
Concrete
Concrete, in particular tilt slab, is the most unpredictable as it can be effected by low fire temperatures and topple like a deck of cards in all directions.
Masonary and Brick
When Subject to fire, can weaken by deterioration of the mortar, expansion of the wall or damage to supporting connected structural members. Visible signs include cracking, leaning or bowing, or collapse of supporting floors or roof frames.
Best rule, if it looks dangerous, it probably is, so do not enter

Question 7

Carelessness that might result in a fire could include…

Answer 7

• Burning rubbish
• Burning off paint
• Leaving clothing near heating
• Leaving fat unattended while cooking.
• Welding
• Wrapping up live ashes in paper
• Fireworks
• Ironing.
• Misusing electricity
• Smoking
• Children playing with matches, lighters etc