KO CURTAIN

Question 1

Testing conducted by the FDNY and National Institute of Technology (NIST) showed an immediate 50% decrease in temperatures and significant flame reduction when the KO Curtain is deployed, but there will be an increase in the smoke condition produced by the fire

Answer 1

Upon completion of operations where a KO Curtain has been deployed, the IC will secure the KO Curtain until the arrival of the Safety Battalion or their designee. Safety Battalion/designee will secure the KO Curtain and conduct any required investigation and then turn the KO over to Research and Development (R&D). If Safety Battalion is not available, the IC will secure the device and notify R&D. R&D will conduct an inspection to determine the serviceability of the KO Curtain.

Question 2

Each Division has been issued two replacement KO Curtains for use only when a company’s original KO Curtain has been damaged during fire operations.

Answer 2

Hot-Stop 1500 L. The curtain and ropes have been tested to 2000 degrees F. The KO Curtain survived 50 mph winds and 60 minutes of fire exposure.

*KO curtain like window blanker can be lowered from 2 floors above

• no mention of ko curtain able cover two windows
  like window blanker can

Question 3

Evol 34
The KO Curtain shall be deployed for the following conditions:
1.2.1 A window in the fire apartment has failed and size-up indicates wind is blowing the fire into the apartment continuously or intermittently.
1.2.2 Size-up indicates that deployment of the KO Curtain prior to window failure will prevent a wind driven fire from developing.
Note: The KO Curtain will ONLY be deployed on orders of the Officer of the first arriving ladder company and/or the Incident Commander.

Answer 3

Once the KO Curtain is deployed, the spotter will be able to provide the deploying and receiving firefighters with direction to ensure the KO Curtain is properly positioned covering the target window. The spotter can observe the effects the KO Curtain has on the ventilation profile and report the results including any changes in fire conditions to the IC.

Question 4

When the receiving and deploying firefighters are in position and ready, notify the ladder company officer that the KO Curtain is position and ready to be deployed. The 1st arriving ladder company officer on the fire floor will coordinate the deployment.
**NOT IC ???

Answer 4

5. 11 The IC and the ladder company officer on the fire floor will be notified when the KO Curtain is in position fully covering the target window.
6. 12 If the KO Curtain will be subject to direct flame exposure for an extended period of time, the IC should consider deploying a second KO Curtain or Fire Window Blanket to cover the first one.

-5.13 Both the Deploying firefighter and the Receiving firefighter will remain in position until otherwise ordered by the Incident Commander.

Question 5

Once the fire has been extinguished, it may be necessary to remove the KO Curtain to assist in ventilation of the fire apartment. The removal of the K.O. Curtain must be approved by the Incident Commander.

Answer 5

The request for removal of the KO Curtain will be made by the Ladder Company Officer inside the fire apartment, after first consulting with the Engine Company Officer in charge of the hoseline inside the apartment. The Ladder Company Officer shall use the Thermal Imaging Camera to confirm all fire has been extinguished. The Engine Officer shall insure that the nozzle team is aware of KO Curtain removal, and is prepared to extinguish any increase in fire conditions resulting from removing the KO Curtain.