Fires Involving Chimneys and Ducting (PN 834)

Question 1

This is the definition of what; ‘a passage for conveying the products of combustion to the outside atmosphere’?

Answer 1

A Flue

Question 2

What services may be included within increasingly complex ducting systems in modern buildings? (4)

Answer 2

Air conditioning
Heating
Fume extraction
Dust extraction

Question 3

There are 10 hazards commonly encountered when attending fires involving chimneys or ducting, can you name 6?

Answer 3

1) Working at height
2) Falling debris
3) Explosion
4) Heavy fire loading
5) Unexpected fire/smoke spread
6) Hearth fires
7) Insulating materials
8) Electrical extraction systems or filters
9) Damage Control
10) Unauthorised building works

Question 4

Siting of appliances should ensure what 2 things?

Answer 4

1) Away from any possible collapse

2) Allow for Access and Egress of Aerial Appliances

Question 5

What should the IC attempt to obtain from the responsible person?

Answer 5

Plans of the ducting

Question 6

The ‘tactical plan’ should include what action when ducting is involved?

Answer 6

Inspection of the full length

Question 7

What piece of equipment might be particularly useful to BA crews checking for fire spread?

Answer 7

Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC)

Question 8

Can crews open inspection hatches?

Answer 8

Only under instruction from the IC and once appropriate extinguishing media is in place. The same applies when cutting the ducting to gain access.

Question 9

Dampers within Ducting systems normally comprise what?

Answer 9

A shutter system with a thermal element which closes during a fire

Question 10

Who might be able to provide an IC with valuable information where damper systems are fitted?

Answer 10

Fire Safety Officers (SFO’s)

Question 11

Electrically powered electrostatic filters or extractors should be isolated prior to the application of conductive Fire Fighting media. The use of what piece of equipment should be considered?

Answer 11

Electrical Gloves