WUCOMS (Small Gear and Extinguishers)

Question 1

Define WUCOMS

Answer 1

W - What is it?
U - Use?
C - Construction?
O - Operation?
M - Maintenance?
S - Safety?

Question 2

Ceiling Hook

Answer 2

• *What is it:** Ceiling Hook
• *Use:** To pierce and/or remove plaster ceilings. Can remove overhead debris, turn over materials to allow water penetration and break windows to provide entry, hose stream access or venting
• *Construction:** Wooden or fibreglass handle fitted with a metal spur at one end. Beveled edge for cutting and a wide flat edge for pulling and dragging light material.
• *Operation:** Pierce the plaster with the point or cut the plaster with using the beveled edge until plaster can easily be removed with the spur.
• *Maintenance:** Clean with a damp cloth after use, check the handle for splinters and the spur for cracks. If damaged complete P798 form and notify the OIC
• *Safety:** Wear PPC, including helmet with the visor down and gloves. Beware of dislodged roof tiles or wires in ceiling. Never leave glass in window frame

Question 3

Fuse Puller

Answer 3

• *What is it:** Fuse Puller
• *Use:** To disconnect power supply to a structure. To remove fuses and isolate point-of entry.
• *Construction:** Fibre glass telescopic pole fitted with metal universal end to fix the pigtail or hook fitting. 1.55m retracted and 5.05m in length when fully extended with a 123kV rating.
• *Operation:** (Pigtail) Attach to fuse puller and extend to required length, insert into fuse box and turn clockwise, look away while pulling down on the fuse.
• *Maintenance:** Clean with supplied silicone fabric cloth, check handle for any splits and cracks, check for any other damage
• *Safety:** Wear rubber electrical gloves, do not stand in or near water, ensure the integrity of the fuse mounting fixture before commencing. Unscrew the fuse and place in the meter box. Never reinstall fuses.

Question 4

Combination Axe

Answer 4

• *What is it:** Combination Axe
• *Use:** Used for pounding, chopping and forced entry. A sledge hammer one side and an axe on the other
• *Operation:** When using the combination axe, strike the object or surface squarely. The sledge hammer can be used in combination with the Hooligan/Halligan tool for forced entry by wedging the Halligan tool into a door and then using the sledge hammer on the squared off surface of the Halligan. Also used to break windows.
• *Construction:** Fibre glass handle with a moulded rubber grip and 8kg heat-treated steel head.
• *Maintenance:** Clean with a damp cloth, check head is secured to the handle, the blade is sharp and inspect for cracks and splits.
• *Safety:** Wear eye protection and gloves. When striking a hard surface, splinters can become airborne. Ensure adequate room to work within. Check behind you when swinging back.

Question 5

Hooligan/Halligan Tool

Answer 5

• *What is it:** Hooligan (claw) and Halligan (prong) Tool
• *Use:** To gain forced entry into a structure or vehicle. Can be used to pry, twist and cut many types of material. ie. a drain where a body part has been stuck.
• *Construction:** Bar with a tongue and tapered spike at one end and a claw or prong at the other. The end fittings are made of steel, which is heat treated and spark resistant. The tool is chrome plated for ease of cleaning.
• *Operation:** Tongue can be used to force entry through windows and doors, tapered spike can be used to force open locks and latches, metal claw works like a can opener and to make openings in sheets of metal such as car boots. Often used in conjunction with the combination axe
• *Maintenance:** Clean with a damp cloth, Check end fittings are securely fixed to the handle and check for any cracks or burrs
• *Safety:** Wear correct PPC including gloves and eye protections. Ensure you maintain a firm grip and always carry tool by you side or if placing on the ground ensure that the tongue and spike are facing down

Question 6

Battery Powered Tools

Answer 6

• *What is it:** Battery powered tools are kept in the Battery Powered Tool kit bag. It includes: Cordless drill, Cordless impact driver, 18v angle grinder, Forcible entry tool and battery chargers.
• *Use:** (Cordless drill) is used to drill holes and insert/remove Tek screws
• *Construction:** The body is plastic and metal with a removable battery pack and a side attachment for extra stability.
• *Operation:**
• *Maintenance:** Visually check for damage. Remove the battery pack before cleaning and insert into charging unit. Clean any dust and debris from charger and tool vents. Keep tool clean, dry and free of oil or grease. Use only mild soapy water and a damp cloth to clean
• *Safety:** Always wear appropriate PPC including safety goggles. Never use flammable or combustible solvents around tools.

Question 7

Rabbit tool

Answer 7

• *What is it** - Rabbit tool
• *Use** - Used for forcible entry
• *Construction** - rabbit tool kit includes: Hydraulic hand pump, 4 tonne capacity ram fitted with stainless steel jaws, 1.8m rubber coated high pressure hose. Rubber mallet and pry tool accessories
• *Operation** - Connect the high pressure hose between the hydraulic hand pump and the ram, insert the rabbit tool jaws between the door, and the door jam with the aid of the pry bar, turn the pump relief valve on the main body of the pump in a clockwise direction and pump the handle in continuous application
• *Maintenance** - If the tool has been exposed to water or grit, it must be cleaned thoroughly. Check for oil leaks or damage
• *Safety** - Must be used by two (2) people, do not allow kinks in the hose or to come in contact with toxic materials, fire or extreme impact, do not use hose to drag or lift the tool, always wear the correct PPC/PPE.

Question 8

Water Extinguisher

Answer 8

• *What is it:** - Painted red cylinder water extinguisher
• *Use:** - Class A fires (wood, paper, material)

Construction: - Welded stainless steel cylinder

• Contains 9 litres of water pressurised with air
• Pressurised with air to approximately 700kPa
• Valve assembly at top of cylinder with squeeze type handle and pressure gauge
• Handle has locking pin and tamper proof seal.
• Length of delivery hose fitted with a 4mm nozzle

Operation: (PASS)

1. Remove locking pin and tamper proof seal (Pull)
2. Direct nozzle at base of fire (Aim)
3. Squeeze handle and sweep (Squeeze, Sweep)

Discharge time:

• Approx. 1 min

Range:

• Approx. 6 meters

Note: If a fine water spray is required place a finger over the nozzle

Maintenance:

• Visual check at the start of each shift
• Check for seal, locking pin, pressure, state of cylinder and hose
• After use, send to designated zone station for exchange.
• If extinguisher does not conform to checks, notify the OIC for action.

Safety:

• Wear appropriate firefighting uniform - gloves, visor on helmet down

Question 9

Foam Extinguisher

Answer 9

What is it: Foam Extinguisher, painted red cylinder with blue band

Use: Class A, B and F (limited) fires. Smothers and Cools the fire

Construction:

• Welded Stainless Steel Cylinder
• Contains 8.4 litres of water and 600mm of AFFF (foam) concentrate
• Pressured with air to approx. 700mm kPa
• Valve assembly at the top of cylinder with squeeze type handle and pressure gauge.
• Handle has a locking pin and tamper proof seal.
• Length of delivery hose fitted with aspirating branch and nozzle

Operation: (PASS)

1. Remove the locking pin and tamper proof seal - Operate in upright position
2. Aim the nozzle - bounce the foam off vertical object or the found to create a blanket over fire
3. Hold hose behind aspirating branch and squeeze handle

Discharge time:

• Approx. 45 seconds

Range:

• Approx. 5 meters - affected by wind

Maintenance:

• Visual check at the start of each shift
• Check for seal, locking pin, aspirating branch, pressure, state of cylinder and hose
• After use, send to designated zone station for exchange.
• If extinguisher does not conform to checks, notify the OIC for action.

Safety:

• Wear appropriate firefighting uniform - gloves, visor on helmet down
• Be aware of wind conditions
• Never turn back on fire - risk of reignition

Question 10

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Extinguisher

Answer 10

What is it: CO₂ Extinguisher, painted red cylinder with black band

Use: Class A (limited), B (limited) and E fires. Especially suitable for small electrical or flammable liquid fires.

Extinguishes by smothering.

Construction:

• Drawn Stainless Steel Cylinder
• Contains CO₂ gas in a liquid form
• No pressure gauge
• Valve assembly at the top of cylinder with squeeze type handle.
• Handle has a locking pin and tamper proof seal.
• Delivery hose fitted with a nonconductive director horn
• Safety valve is incorporated in the valve head assembly and operates at 17.2 MPa

Operation: (PASS)

1. Remove the locking pin and tamper proof seal - Operate in upright position
2. Aim at the base of the fire
3. Hold hose behind director horn and squeeze handle

Discharge time:

• Approx. 15 seconds

Range:

• Approx. 1-2 meters - affected by wind

Vapour density 1.5

Expansion ration 450:1

Maintenance:

• Visual check at the start of each shift
• Check for seal, locking pin, state of cylinder and hose/director horn
• After use, send to designated zone station for exchange.
• If extinguisher does not conform to checks, notify the OIC for action.

Safety:

• Wear appropriate firefighting uniform - gloves, visor on helmet down
• Be aware of wind conditions
• Never discharge closer than 250mm due to risk of electrocution.
• May also cause oxygen deficiency when used in confined spaces (BA may be required)
• Never turn back on fire - risk of reignition
• Keep out of direct sunlight

Question 11

Dry Chemical/Powder Extinguisher

Answer 11

What is it: Dry Chemical/Powder Extinguisher (ABE), painted red cylinder with white band

Use: Class A, B, C and E fires.

Mono Ammonium Phosphate (ABE)

Sodium bicarbonate (BE) are being phased out

Extinguishes by breaking the chain reaction (scavenging fire radicals)

Construction:

• Welded Stainless Steel Cylinder
• Contains 9kg of dry chemical powder
• Pressured with inert gas, usually dry nitrogen.
• Pressure gauge
• Valve assembly at the top of cylinder with squeeze type handle connected to an internal pick-up tube.
• Handle has a locking pin and tamper proof seal.
• Length of delivery hose fitted with black polypropylene or metal applicator.

Operation: (PASS)

1. Remove the locking pin and tamper proof seal - Operate in upright position
2. Grasp hose, squeeze handle and direct at base of fire using sweeping motion

Discharge time:

• Approx. 45-60 seconds

Range:

• Approx. 4 meters

Maintenance:

• Visual check at the start of each shift
• Check for seal, locking pin pressure, state of cylinder and hose
• After use, send to designated zone station for exchange.
• If extinguisher does not conform to checks, notify the OIC for action.

Safety:

• Only offers limited protection to the operator.
• Chance of re-ignition or flashback - to prevent this maintain a powder cloud for a time after the fire has been extinguished.
• If used in confined spaces may reduce visibility and can cause breathing difficulties.
• Wear appropriate firefighting uniform - gloves, visor on helmet down
• Never turn back on fire - risk of re-ignition
• Wind may affect throw