Solar Panels: A New Addition to Today’s Fire Service Enemy

In a 24 hour period the sun produces enough energy to supply our planet for over four years. That’s 1,460 days of solar energy the planet received in just 24 hours. Solar energy is everywhere and the advancements in it are growing and for many reasons. It's renewable, pollution free and cuts costs of other energy sources. What's this mean for firefighters? Well it means a lot. Solar panels are popping up all over buildings and on plots of land like never before. We're noticing this by a simple placard found on the commercial structures that are now using solar energy with the letters "PV" on it. 

 “PV" which stands for photovoltaic is the method of converting solar energy into direct current electricity (DC) using semiconducting materials that exhibit the "photovoltaic effect". The "P" which stands for photo (light) and the "V" which stands for voltaic (electricity), this of which it bears its name. The PV effect is the creation of voltage or electric current in a material when exposed to light. 

In today's society, solar panels are everywhere just like truss construction is everywhere. Thus creating a need for firefighters to be aware of the dangers and understand how to attack fires with PV systems. 

For firefighters to be safe and operate efficiently on the fireground, there are a few critical steps we must take to ensure the solar panels are accounted for and in check. Do not begin fire suppression until these first 2 steps have been completed.

• 360 Size-up: This is a no-brainer. By performing a 360 size-up upon arrival, firefighters are able to possibly locate the panels or the energy storage system (ESS) if the panels are on the roof or an area without access to at the time. Most of the time depending on jurisdictional building codes, the ESS panels are located on the exterior of the structure normally near the utilities, the garage or the basement, should the structure have one.

• Treat this as an electrical fire and turn off the systems starting with the utility grid. The main breaker box will activate the backup battery and run the risk of electrical shock to interior firefighters in the structure. If the battery is located in a confined space in the structure and exposed to heat above 150 degrees Fahrenheit, it is imperative that ventilation of that space begins.

Once the size-up has taken place with the panels and/or ESS located along with fire suppression taking place, ventilations needs to begin. However, firefighters and command need to understand that if the panels are located on the roof and are burning, there is a potential for collapse based on the volume of fire around the panels and on the roof. 

 When performing ventilation, especially vertical ventilation, firefighters must recognize that electricity is being produced by the panels 24 hours a day. 

• Once these steps have taken place, fire suppression can now continue. As a safety precaution, firefighters should try and extinguish the fire at a minimum of 20 feet away when using a straight stream or a minimum of 5 feet when using a fog pattern.

• After the fire has been knocked, overhaul can begin - carefully.

Panel safety

Firefighters should be careful not to touch any of the panels in case of any damage done to them during the fire. Instead, firefighters should cover the panels with canvas tarps, especially at night due to no sunlight exposure to them. The reason panels should be covered during night operations is due to the wires running through the conduit to the charge controller or inverter which continues providing the panels power. 

Battery safety

If the battery was the source of the fire, continual water flow to the extinguished battery is important to keep the battery cool and from the possibility of obtaining a chemical reaction causing a thermal runaway. Should a thermal runaway occur, the temperature inside the battery will reach the point that causes a chemical reaction inside the battery. This reaction produces more heat and drives the temperature of the battery higher, causing further chemical reactions and more heat. In thermal runaway, the battery cell temperature will rise in milliseconds and release suddenly. The chain reaction will reach temperatures of around 752 degrees Fahrenheit and produce gassing of the battery along with fire. 

Burns tests have shown that lithium-ion batteries can produce these chemical reactions 72 hours after extinguishment. 

 As technology changes, firefighters need to be educated and trained on all of the new advancements in the market today. By doing so, firefighters can continue to develop a proactive approach to new technology when responding to incidents. Solar panels may not be completely new to us but the growth of them in residential and commercial structures has rapidly increased over the years. Today, it is nearly impossible to not catch a glimpse of solar panels on almost every street across the country. Stay diligent to the advancements in the world and continue to keep training and getting after it.

 Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Exposure Protection: The In’s & Out’s

A well trained group of firefighters with a solid foundation of a good coordinated fire attack is critical to the success of fireground operations. Plan and simple. Understanding fire attack as well as fire behavior in particular structures also provides a good understanding of exposure protection. Many firefighters if not all firefighters heard of or know the acronym RECEO VS (Rescue, Exposure, Confine, Extinguish, Overhaul, Ventilate, Salvage) which is a critical thinking tool to assist with our tactical decision making based on the situation at hand. This article will talk about the "E" in RECEO VS - exposure. Something that is oftentimes overlooked. 

One third of our fireground responsibilities is property conservation. If we remember, L.I.P. (life safety, incident stabilization and property conservation). This stands true for interior or exterior exposures. Thorough size ups and a well performed search and location of fire will assist our needs of potential exposures and a way for firefighters to get ahead of the fire. One thing we always want to do, is get ahead of the fire before it gets ahead of us. 

A way to get ahead and hopefully stay ahead of the fire is to establish exposure lines in order to protect fire spread through the means of a secondary line(s). By doing so, we are allowing ourselves to stay ahead of any rapid fire progress and putting ourselves in a position to contain the fires forward progress. Fire can and will advance itself in any and all directions based through various ways.

1. Direct flame contact

2. Radiant heat

3. Convection

4. Embers

5. Heat contained in smoke. 

If we can understand where the fire is going, taking into consideration it's speed, type of structure and location to name a few, we can better position ourselves in front of the fire's flow path and cut off any potential exposure problem. 

Interior exposure considerations 

1. The BOX we are working on (4 walls, 1 ceiling, 1 floor). Heat travels up which makes the floor above the fire one of the most critical areas to protect. Don’t forget to check the floors below. Fire can drop floors just as easily as it can travel up floors.

2. Mushroom Effect. Top floors of a structure have a tendency to collect heat, smoke and products of combustion with nowhere to go. A calculated vent will help with reducing this effect.

3. Common cockloft. A hose line, a few pike poles and a TIC can help alleviate fire spread.

4. Interior design. Based on how the structure is designed can determine how fire will spread. Open floor plans present a great opportunity for fire spread since there is nothing to impede heat to travel and fire to spread. Open floor plans are common in both residential and commercial dwellings. Keep a look out for renovations as well. 

Exterior exposure considerations

1.   Structures on the sides of the fire building.

2.   Structures in front of the fire building

3.   Structures to the rear of the building

Note: exposure problems around the exterior of the fire building could be at risk of absorbing radiant heat, therefore hoselines on the exterior should direct their streams to the structures themselves to help reduce the amount of heat they are absorbing and not spray water in the opening between the structures. By spraying water between structures will still allow radiant heat to be absorbed by the exposed structures. 

A group of well trained firefighters in well trained hose deployment techniques allows us to get ahead of the fire before it gets ahead of us.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

Tis the Season for CO Alarms

It’s that time of the year again, furnaces in full force, fire places in use and gas appliances being used more so now than outdoor grills. With this season change the higher expectation of carbon monoxide alarms begin to rise. Why is this a concern? Carbon Monoxide or CO, is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and flammable gas with it being the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. 

CO, a byproduct of incomplete combustion of fuel sources such as natural gas, wood, propane and coal to name a few, can be found in many areas of indoor and outdoor living areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms, garages and wood burning stoves and fireplaces. Because of this CO can be generated in 3 ways; through a solid, liquid and a gas.

Examples of forms:

Solid: wood

Liquid: Oil, propane, gasoline 

Gas: Natural gas

Further, CO could also be “man made” through motor vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke and cooking appliances yet all use some type of fuel source and generated through a solid, liquid or gas.

Physiological Effects 

Annually, several hundred thousand people are exposed to CO poisoning with 20-40% of survivors suffering immediate or delayed neuropsychological deficits and other health damage. One of these is Hypoxic Stress, which is the reduction of oxygen-carrying capacity of blood leading to inadequate oxygenation of cells, tissues and organs. Our brains are susceptible to hypoxia although subtle effects of CO could prevent us from being aware.

Earlier, we mentioned cigarette smoke being a man made cause of CO. Well, in a non-smoker the COHb levels in the blood is between 0.4% and 1.4%. In smokers who smoke one pack per day have up to 5% COHb in their blood. Due to this, cognitive ability in longer term smokers has been known to decrease.

Symptoms of CO

1. Headache

2. Fatigue 

3. Nausea 

4. Dizziness 

5. Confusion

6. Cardiac palpitations

7. Loss of consciousnesses 

8. Coma 

9. Death

Let’s now discuss CO Emergencies

Upon arrival, the first arriving officer should ask the following to the occupants prior to investigating the dwelling:

1. Is anyone experiencing any symptoms? 

2. What appliances were being used prior to the alarm?

If no appliances that would trigger a CO alarm were used or the occupants can’t retrace their steps, here are a few options:

Try and recreate the situation from what the occupants have done over the last 6-10 hours because it could be a slow leak. 

1. Observe the occupants for signs of CO poisoning and ensure they are in fresh air while the scene is being investigated. 

2. Check the fireplace, the furnace intake, draft hood, water heater and gas-fed furnace.

3. Ensure gas flames are blue and not yellow or orange, this is a sign of CO.

4. Laptops or tablets charging. This is rare but could happen. 

5. Check the batteries 

If the source is still unfound, request the local gas and utility company to the scene. Also, if operating in a multi-resident occupancy, check adoring apartments and buildings. Depending on your area, think outside of the box. Does this occupancy have a shared chimney? Is it a duplex? Shotgun house or an odd renovation style? This all could be indicators for unfound CO due to its building construction. 

Lastly, ensure alarms are in their proper locations in the occupancy and always don your SCBA with readings at or exceeding 9 ppm. 

Until next time; work hard, stay safe & live inspired.

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 17 years in the fire service in Piscataway, NJ, a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor and a State of New Jersey Advocate for the National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation. A martial arts practitioner and former collegiate athlete in baseball, Nick is also a National Exercise & Sports Trainer Association Battle Ropes Instructor, Functional Fitness Instructor and Nutrition Coach.  He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website. Nick has spoken at the 2017 & 2018 Firehouse Expo in Nashville, TN as well as at numerous fire departments within NJ.

Understanding Wind Driven Fires

From the beginning of time Mother Nature has presented mankind with all kinds of meteorological phenomenon’s and the one we are going to discuss in this article is wind its effect on us as firefighters. As we know we cannot fight with Mother Nature but instead work with her when the weather-related challenges are presented to us on fire scenes.

It has been estimated that been 2002 and 2010 approximately 24 firefighters were killed in structure fires due to wind as a factor most notably was the April 12, 2009 house fire in Houston, Texas that claimed the lives of two firefighters operating in a ranch style home. More recently was the March 26, 2014 fire in the Back Bay of Boston, MA that claimed the lives of two firefighters operating in a brownstone style home. May these firefighters and all those who lost their lives, rest in peace.

The first thing we should understand is that no matter what type of firefighter we are – structural, wildland, hazmat – what is wind in respect to fire? According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, wind speeds as little as 10 miles per hour can cause rapid fire progression in a structure regardless of the structure. Prevailing winds that enter a fire-vented location of the structure could create a flow path of blowtorch-effect flames and untenable temperatures when a secondary opening is created. 

The next thing we should understand is how to identify and attack wind driven fires because we cannot predict or stop when wind will affect fires.

1.       Understand wind and its effect on fires.

2.       Understand the blowtorch effect

3.       Size up the structure with a complete 360-degree size up. Pressurized wind

4.       If there is a wind-driven condition found, notify all units on the fire ground.

5.       Coordinate and control all vent points.

6.       If possible, avoid advancing through a downwind opening. Determine the wind pattern and adjust your tactics. Advancing through a downwind opening from the unburned side will create a wind trap for firefighters and possible victims involved in a potentially dangerous flow path.

7.       Understand flow path.

8.       Implement LCES

9.       Lastly, consider a transitional attack on the fire. Attack from the involved side to the uninvolved side and if possible conduct search, rescue and additional and final fire control operations from the involved side as well.

Flow Path with no Wind & Flow Path with Wind

First, what is a flow path? A flow path is the area between where the fire is and where the fire wants to go.

To establish a flow path in a structure with no wind, we need to remember two key concepts.

1.       Windows create a bidirectional flow with fresh air coming in through the bottom and exhaust coming out from the top.

2.       Once the ceiling is vented, it will pull the superheated gas, smoke and fire to the vent point creating a flow path.

To establish a flow path in a structure with wind, we need to remember these two key concepts.

1.       The wind in the structure will override the pressure of the outlet in the window creating a unidirectional flow path into the structure instead of out of the structure.

2.       The ceiling vent will provide the only exit for the exhaust. The wind will force all the superheated gases, smoke and fire rapidly through the structure to that single outlet thus causing what is known as the Blowtorch Effect.

Blowtorch Effect

The blowtorch effect is the area of wind driven fires that is sadly and untimely claiming the lives of firefighters entering wind driven affected structures. Like the fire triangle & tetrahedron, the blowtorch effect has a similar shape: The Blowtorch Triangle. This triangle consists of an inlet, out and heat. Just like the fire triangle and tetrahedron if we remove one side we reduce the possibility of the triangle.

Removing the Outlet

To remove the outlet we need to remember door control throughout the exterior and interior openings as fire personnel pass through or encounter during their operations. This reduces the potential flow path and reduces the potential for the blowtorch effect. Also, stay in coordination with the vent team. Any uncoordinated ventilation will create an additional flow path to the vent opening.

Removing Heat

To remove heat, consider using a transitional attack. Begin with an exterior attack prior to entry to extinguish the gases and bring the fire to a contents fire to allow for more ideal conditions for interior crews about to go in.  This is done by a straight stream directed solely at the ceiling through a window opening or door. This will not push the fire, only cool it.

Removing the Inlet

Considering using Wind Control Devices and salvage covers on open windows and doors especially in high rise buildings. The WCD’s will minimize the winds impact on fire spread throughout the structure.

LCES

Lookouts: Command must be aware of changing conditions. Door control firefighter should monitor smoke conditions and location of firefighters inside. RIC should perform a 360 size up and constantly watch for changing conditions. Everyone on scene is considered a lookout.

Communication: Report wind conditions upon arrival, status of doors and windows that are opened/closed and report any changes in conditions.

Escape Routes: Operating from the upwind size can make for easier escape routes and safety zones. It may not be possible to ensure escape routes and safety zones on the downwind side due to the potential of unpredictable fire behavior.

Safety Zones: Closing doors behind you as your advance through the structure can provide as a temporary area of refuge and increase survival time until you can escape or rescue crews get to you.

Understanding wind and wind driven fires can be tricky and cause for a long day at the office but our goal is to go home to our families after it’s all said and done.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired. 

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 15 years in the service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

Fire Fact

According to studies, wood burns at 1,880 degrees Fahrenheit which is one degree hotter than gasoline which burns at 1,879 degrees Fahrenheit yet is much less than methanol also known as “wood alcohol” which burns at 2,190 degrees Fahrenheit; 310 degrees hotter than wood but in a normal atmosphere most materials will burn near the same temperature. (Source: NFPA 921, 2014 ed. Table 5.6.5.1.)

In a controlled setting this will stand true since burn times for each of these are vastly different as well as the heat release rate that is being produce by these as well. Temperatures are good to know but also knowing that the more the products of combustion in the room (their respective temperatures will still be produced) the greater the HRR and the greater fire flow needed.

That’s your fire tip of the week! For more on HRR and fire flow check out our article "Importance of Fire Flow in Today's Fire Service" on why an increased fire flow plays a tremendous part in cooling the products of combustion in today’s rapidly changing society.

The Ever-Changing Fire Service and its debate over Fire Suppression Strategy and Technology

For many departments and fire service leaders, the fire service has a saying “100+ years of tradition unimpeded by progress”. For others, this same saying is “100+ years of progress unimpeded by tradition”. This issue may certainly take root in the debate over a drinking glass, and which way you look at it.  Is the glass half empty, or is it half full?  The perspective issue at hand is our own fire service’s strategy and integration of technology in fire suppression. We have come to learn terms such as RECEOVS or SLICERS.  RECEOVS stands for Rescue, Exposures, Contain, Extinguish, Overhaul, Ventilation, Salvage. SLICERS stands for Size-up, Locate the fire, Identify flow path, Cool the space, Extinguish, Rescue, Salvage. Isn’t the first priority of all incidents life safety? Why would we start changing our tactics? Some of this change can be focused on the fact that the materials which are burning in today’s structure fires greatly differs from those of the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and into the 90’s. Those days of firefighting saw most of the combustibles being made up of wood, cotton, paper and a few plastics or oil based products. Today’s fires are burning much hotter due to the majority of combustibles being of plastic and oil based products. Today’s lightweight construction has not helped; this construction makes surface areas easier to burn and causes a failure of the structure much more rapidly.

These changes have led to some possibly make drastic changes in the strategy and tactics.   One major decision factor which needs to be utilized is what we use to put fires out. Since the start of the early fire service, we have relied on water to put out fires. For many departments, we continue to put out fires with water and only water.  Water takes out only one area of the fire tetrahedron, it cools the surface. The new combustibles which are in everyday residences, commercial buildings and industrial facilities are multi-faceted and require eliminating multiple sides of the fire tetrahedron for successful rapid extinguishment.

We are faced with the exponentially growing use of oil and plastic based products in those burning materials. Some of members have changed their strategy and tactics rather than consider changing what is used to put out the fire. Albert Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” This certainly applies to our current fire service. We continue to put out fires with water and only water when our environment, the composition of the burning material, is rapidly changing around us each and every day. This is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

One such area for our fire service should look at is using alternative agents for extinguishing fires. These alternative extinguishing agents include foam concentrate, dry chemical powder, clean agents and water misting. These systems and their fire suppression products are becoming more widely used across the private sector for industrial and commercial fire suppression applications. The possibility may be there for a transition of use in some aspects of suppression in municipal firefighting. For most of us in the fire service, we think of using foam on liquid fuels or stubborn industrial fires. Most don’t see us using it in private dwelling fires or main street America type occupancies. When we think about it, how many of us still have a majority of items in our homes or businesses from the 1940’s through the 1990’s? Not many. Yet we still use the same tactic of only using water.                   

In 2014, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) provided an analysis of changing residential fire dynamics. Areas of the report cited that larger homes, open home geometries, increased fuel loads and new construction materials have led to faster fire propagation, shorter times to flashover, rapid changes in fire dynamics and shorter times to collapse. Experiments that were done by UL showed that flashovers are occurring at 5 minute time frame when it used to be 30 minutes or more to reach flashover conditions. Another area of the report showed that temperatures of fires in modern or legacy construction are much hotter than that of the tradition construction.  The National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) has also conducted studies as well in analyzing the changes we are facing in the fire service. Their study revealed that little has been done in the way of researching the effectiveness of manual hose lines. As more research is done we can begin to see how the big picture relating to fire suppression strategy and tactics is going to unfold and how best we can improvise, adapt and overcome challenges in this ever changing landscape.

The truth in the matter is that, the fire we see today is made up of these highly combustible products. Rather than just adopting new tactics in how we fight fire and suppress fire, maybe we need to consider options of learning from the private sector fire protection companies and teaming up with manufacturers to come up with new technological solutions to growing problems.  Our fire service is ever changing, fires burning hotter, lightweight construction collapsing quicker, response times increasing, staffing decreasing but we continue to stay the course while our environment continues to change.  Are we, as a fire service still willing to be “100+ years of tradition unimpeded by progress” or “100 years of progress unimpeded by tradition” the glass is yours, is it half full or half empty?  

About the Author

NICHOLAS WITCZAK is the lieutenant of Brookside Engine Co. 1 and volunteer EMT for the Mendham Township First Aid Squad. Additionally he serves as the Mendham Borough OEM Coordinator. Nick has served in a multitude of departments and positions over the last 8 years including Past Captain of Morristown Ambulance Squad, volunteer firefighter/EMT in combination fire departments including the Wallingford and Allingtown Connecticut fire departments. He has wealth of experience working and volunteering in emergency medical services including municipal, commercial, fire based EMS and 911 fire dispatching. He currently holds a B.S. in Fire Administration from the University of New Haven. Nick works full time in the fire protection industry specializing in safety, sales and project management. He works part time as the NJ Client Development Coordinator for Emergency Resource Management. 

Know Your Primary Response Structures

How often do you take tours of the buildings in your Primary? Is it only when a new building is built that you go through them? Do you even take the time to walk through the new buildings? As Francis Brannigan used to say, “The building is your enemy, Know your enemy.”

While on an Activated Fire Alarm at one of the structures in our primary, we had one of our newer members asking a few questions about the building. Being we had the time, we arranged with the building owner’s representative to be able to wander through and show the new guy around. Junior guys are great for reasons to walk through buildings, and senior guys can’t possibly remember everything about every building in our primary.

While walking through this building, we started discussing how there were some unique features. This particular structure houses a theater which in and of itself creates a slew of hazards with movable walls, increased electrical needs, hidden voids for wiring etc. In addition to that area, the basement of the building contains an old inground pool. Yeah, a pool. It was decommissioned due to new safety regulations and walkway widths but the actual concrete structure remains. Now imagine searching this building and going over the edge of this pool, falling ten feet into the deep end and not being able to get out? What about during a structure fire, giving all of the water that we’re pouring into the structure a place to go which creates a drowning hazard. Rarely do we enter a building and expect there to be a pool in the basement, but this is the benefit of the walk through process.

My challenge to you for the month of October, get into at least one building in your primary that you haven’t been in recently. Yes, you can cheat and do a building that you know well, but then what are we really learning? Get into a building that you aren’t sure about, note the location of exits, the type of construction, FDC/Sprinkler connections if any and actually walk through it. You might be amazed at what you’ll find.

Until then remember, Amateurs train until they get it right, Professionals train until they can’t get it wrong. Stay safe out there.

 About the Author

View fullsize

DAVID WIKLANSKI is a Firefighter/EMT for the New Brunswick (NJ) Fire Department. He is a NJ certified Fire Instructor level II and EMT Instructor. He has a Master’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from Kean University where he is on faculty with the Psychology Department. He authored the book Suicide Bombers: Understanding Suicide Terrorism from a Cultural and Memetic Perspective. He is the owner of Alpha Omega Training Solutions. 

Understand a Backdraft

In today’s society firefighters are responding to fires during the later stage of the fully developed stage or at beginning of the decaying stage of fire. This is to no fault of our own, in which multiple factors go into this such as time of day, traffic, faulty fire alarms systems or lack thereof, etc., but understanding the risk of responding to fires as this stage and the vital role we play by knowing fire behavior and knowing the effects of what happens at each stage of fire growth. In this stage, we as firefighters are at an inherent risk of responding to confined fires deprived of oxygen and without proper ventilation and coordination, we are adding to the problem rather than making it better. One of the biggest risk we run into is called a backdraft. A backdraft, also known as a smoke explosion NFPA 921: Guide for Fire & Explosion Investigations, 2011 Edition as, “A deflagration resulting from the sudden introduction of air into a confined space containing oxygen-deficient products of incomplete combustion.” 

So let’s talk now about the science of a backdraft. In decaying stage burning is incomplete because of the lack of oxygen feeding the fire, causing the fire to smolder or burn out. Nonetheless, the heat released from the fully developed state still remains and all flammable products of combustion are waiting for an introduction to oxygen so they can instantaneously combust in the room. We as trained firefighters can prevent this act from happening through proper ventilation. By doing so properly and in a timely manner, the upper areas in the room will be cleared from smoke and unburned gases which is done at the highest point possible. Coincidentally, if this is improperly done, the same unburned gases and other products of combustion are now at a higher risk to instantaneously combust once oxygen is introduced to the room causing a devastating effect on the structure and those in and around it. It is to be known that it only takes 25% of the space in a room or fire area to cause a backdraft to occur. 
With this being said there are certain warning signs that can be seen to indicate if a backdraft appears emanate:

• Black smoke becoming dense, greyish yellow

• Confinement and excessive heat

• Little or no visible flame

• Smoke leaving the building in puffs and being drawn back in

• Smoke stained and/or rattling windows

• Muffled sounds

• Sudden, rapid movement of air and smoke inward when an opening is made
Now that we have discussed the science of a backdraft, let us now discuss how we can safely manage this type of situation.

Ventilation

Vertical ventilation is possibly the best and most effective method of venting a structure showing signs of a backdraft. This will allow for the superheated gases to escape without introducing an excessive amount of oxygen into the structure. Should an explosion still occur during vertical vent, the force will be directed up and away from the vent crew that created the opening (roof cuts, skylight pops, etc.). Should vertical ventilation not be possible for us, horizontal ventilation is a consideration. This could be done using pike poles 6 feet or greater and positioning yourself near the corner of the building and moving all companies out of the “hot zone” or collapse zone. 

Quenching

Another method would be to quench the gases. This is done before we enter the room where the superheated gases were present. A few short blasts of water to the ceiling (also known as penciling) will provide enough cooling to stop an explosion from occurring. By doing this, we are controlling the heat release rate (HHR) and if we can control the heat release rate we can control the fire. 

Flanking

If vertical vent and quenching not be an option, we could consider flanking the fire. To flank the fire, we should position engine company crews at the sides of the doorway and cool the room (compartment) with their hose streams. When doing this, make sure to not cross hose streams and take note of the windows in the room, if possible. A psi pressure of a mere 0.5 will blow windows out.  

Let’s all take this and answer these questions next time we are working on the fire ground.

What do you see upon arrival as the initial Incident Commander or first due Engine Company? 

What significance do these observations tell us about the fire conditions?

What's is the smoke telling us? 

What would be your actions?

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired.  

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

The Halligan & its Mechanical Advantages for Forcible Entry

The most used and go to tool in the fire service as we all know is the Halligan. The Halligan as we know is used for “everything” from forcing a door to searching a room, making purchase points in vehicle extrication to wall breaches and clearing windows for ventilation or a possible egress. You name it and a Halligan bar will probably be a tool of choice for any job on the fire ground, if not the tool of choice. Every apparatus has one or more on them for a reason, so it’s best we know not only what it’s used for but also know the bar.

Being able to use a Halligan for multiple purposes on the fire ground is wonderful but knowing the dimensions of the Halligan can offer firefighters more of an advantage when using the tool especially during forcible entry.  

But first let’s start with the bar’s history.

The Halligan was invented by Deputy Chief Hugh A. Halligan of the FDNY in the 1940s. Hugh Halligan was first appointed chief of the FDNY on June 16, 1916. Prior to the Halligan, the tools of choice or its predecessors as we could call it were the Claw tool and the Kelly tool. The Claw tool was considered one of the FDNY’s first forcible entry tools. The downside to this tool was its weight and the off-centered striking surface that made it dangerous for the firefighter holding the tool as it was being driven into a door.

The next tool was choice was the Kelly tool which was developed by the then captain of Ladder Company 163, John Kelly. Unlike the Claw tool, the Kelly tools striking surface was inline with the bar and had a 90 degree flat surface (adze end). Similarly to Claw tool, the Kelly tool was also welded and still heavy and due to both tools specific advantages, both were to be used during fire ground operations.

This is where Chief Halligan came in and wanted to develop a tool that could be held in one hand, wouldn’t break or crack and would not fatigue a firefighter while using it. This was the birth of the Halligan bar. The bar was made of cross-drop forged from one piece of No. 4140 high carbon content steel. As soon as the tool was available on the market it was a huge success that the Boston Fire Department was one of the first departments to place a Halligan bar on every ladder company in the department.

Today most of us use the modern take on the Halligan or the Pro Bar as it is called, which is the one tool that has stayed most true to original specs of the Halligan bar. It is fabricated from one piece of drop forged steel and measures 30 inches in length. The forks have a tapered V shape of space between them along with a gradual curve for leverage when prying. The adze end and pick also have a gradual curve for more of an advantage as well.

The dimensions of the Halligan bar

A standard Halligan is 30 inches in overall length. It consists of an adze end, a pick and a fork (or claw). The fork is 6 inches in length and the crotch of the fork is 5 inches – this is key for conventional forcible entry. The adze end is also 6 inches in length and 2 inches wide. The pick is 6 inches in length and the adze/pick triangle is 5 inches tall.  

Now that we know the dimensions of the Halligan bar, how will this help us in forcible entry?

Using the Adze end

More often than not when dealing with outward swinging doors, we will look to gap, crush or tunnel the door between the door (above the lock) and the jamb using the adze end of the Halligan in doing so and moving the tool up or down offering a 15:1 mechanical advantage with a maximum spread of 2 inches (width of the adze). The 15:1 MA is from the 30 inch Halligan bar and the 2 inch adze end of the bar. When forcing an outward swinging door it is advantageous to pry down on left side opening doors and pry up on right side opening doors. The key is to roll up in the direction opposite the pick to gain maximum leverage.

Forcing inward swinging doors is done in the same fashion as outward swinging doors except the Halligan is used in a different position yet the mechanical advantages will remain the same.

Using the adze end is similar to a class I lever. This is where the fulcrum placed between the effort and load. The movement of the load is in the opposite direction of the movement of the effort and the most typical lever configuration. Fulcrum or pivot point is the point on which an object balances or turns.

Using the Fork

When driving the fork between the door and the frame, the fork should be driven 3 inches past the edge of the door frame creating fulcrum. This will put our load on the Halligan at the 5 inch mark (the length of the crotch of the Halligan) at the door jamb, resulting in a load to fulcrum length of 2 inches. The more we drive our Halligan into the jamb the less we of a mechanical advantage we have when using the tool.

Using the fork is similar to a class II lever. This is where the load is between the effort and the fulcrum. In this, the movement of the load is in the same direction as the effort.

Work hard, stay safe and live inspired. 

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 14 years of service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.

Preplan & Size Up Quick Tip

One thing we can do as firefighters is know our enemy. In most aspects, the enemy is the building or buildings we may be working in. Understanding building construction, including fire behavior within different construction types, will greatly help you, your crew and other firefighters on the fire ground. Adding this component into your preplanning and size up considerations is a great way to practice your building construction knowledge along with strategies and tactics. Next time you are in the firehouse, gather your crew, open Google Maps to an address in your primary response area, preplan and even go as far as putting scenarios together to practice ICS, strategies, and tactics. It’ll get you and your crew thinking together and also build conversation and camaraderie.

Until next time; work hard, stay safe and live inspired.  

About the Author

NICHOLAS J. HIGGINS is a firefighter with 15 years in the fire service all within departments in Piscataway, NJ. Nick has held the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain as well as being a township elected District Fire Commissioner for 1 term (3 years) in Piscataway, NJ. He is also a NJ State certified level 2 fire instructor. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from Kean University working in Corporate Taxation and is the founder/contributor of the Firehouse Tribune website.