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Who Takes the TIC?

In this age of the fire service, most jurisdictions have at least one thermal imaging camera, if not several. Ideally, we would like to have one on every apparatus. But, of course, budgets and priorities will dictate how many each department feels they can afford and need.

What was once a tool advertised mainly to find victims in building fires, we have found many more uses for this piece of equipment. It can be used for hazardous materials responses to identify product that may be producing heat. It can be used to help find a lost person in open space outdoors. We can use it to check for extension after a small stove fire or for chasing down fire in concealed spaces.

For as many uses as we can name, and I by no means named them all, there are multiple ways that they are deployed. My preference is for the officer to come off of the truck or engine with the TIC. Everyone has their own method of operation, but to me the officer makes the most sense.

The officer should be behind the nozzleman and should watching changing conditions at all times. While doing this, it is easy for him to scan the room or area with the TIC to watch for heat currents, changes in temperatures or victims unseen because of smoke. These again are not the only things that the officer needs to be doing.

So, the question that I am posing is “Who takes the TIC and how do you deploy it?” What are your guidelines and how do you operate with it?

In addition, how does it get carried? Do you prefer a strap? Do you carry it in your hand? Give everyone some input and ideas about what does and has worked for you.

What are some other uses not mentioned and offer some training ideas for the folks here? Just remember, this is a tool and should not take the place of masterful search techniques and hard work.

Stay safe and train like you work, hard.

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Posted by dc802 on February 28, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, rescues, RIT, search, situational awareness, size up, training-fire-rescue-topics, Uncategorized • Tagged: company officer, deployment, officer, thermal imaging camera, TIC

Legacy Pump Operator Training

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I came across these videos and found them to be very interesting. In some cases, not much has changed for us today. Of course, in other aspects things have changed. I love the old trucks and the narration. Oh, also watch how they deal with the car in front of the hydrant.

There are three videos and I have posted all three. Enjoy and stay safe.

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Posted by dc802 on February 23, 2011 • Filed under: fun stuff, hydrants, inspections, situational awareness, size up, training-fire-rescue-topics • Tagged: fire hydrants, hydrants, water supply, watter supply

Type V Construction-Wood Frame

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The next type of construction that we are going to talk about is Type V, or wood frame construction. This is the most commonly used type of construction in most jurisdictions. This type of construction is typically associated with residential occupancies, namely single-family dwellings, but many commercial buildings are now built using wood frame construction.

Years ago, wood frame meant real dimensional lumber. A 2×4 was really a two inch by four inch piece of wood. Roof systems were stick built with rafters of dimensional lumber that were connected with a ridge beam. We forget that this traditional type of construction is wood frame. Balloon frame is also a type of wood frame.

We have just gotten so ingrained that wood frame mean light weight, or now commonly known as “low mass” construction. This “low mass” construction uses engineered products that makes construction faster and cheaper to build. Although these components like engineered I-joists and roof truss systems are very strong for the engineered loads, they fail miserable during fire conditions.

We just need to remember the hazards and myths of this type of construction. One is that if one truss fails they all fail. I like to ask the classes that I teach if any of them has seen a house constructed with wood truss systems with a part of the roof burnt off and the rest of it still intact? The answer is always yes.

I am not saying that these truss systems are safe, quite the contrary. All I am saying is that we need to keep our firefighters educated about these systems. I know there are some chiefs and instructors upset with some of this, but we can operate on and under these roofs with some careful size-up and thoughtful tactics. One thing I have learned in the fire service; never use the words never or always. There is always a circumstance or situation that will challenge both.

[View with PicLens]

Now, characteristics about this type of construction. There are void spaces everywhere and these components use a lot of glue to help keep them together. These buildings are getting bigger on the residential side and this construction type is very popular for many commercial buildings like fast food joints, restaurants and strip malls.

Something we need to keep in mind also is that some of these wood frame buildings look like masonry or brick, or type 3 buildings. These are just veneers and we need to understand the challenges dangers associated with that. Masonry and brick veneers can easily collapse of the foundation and still kill or seriously injure firefighters.

Pay attention to your area and be familiar with the buildings you may have to operate in. Know the different characteristics of the construction types and the challenges each one poses for us operationally.

Train hard and stay safe.

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Posted by dc802 on February 17, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, engineered lumber, fire-rescue-topics, firefighter-safety-health, firefighting-operations, forcible entry, i joists, mayday, RIT, search, situational awareness, size up, trusses, Uncategorized • Tagged: building construction, engineered lumber, engineered materials, i joists, size up, trusses, type 5 construction, type v construction, wood frame, wood frame construction

Type IV Construction

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We are continuing to look at the different types of construction and the characteristics of each. This post will outline considerations of Type IV or Heavy Timber construction.

Heavy timber construction is a type of construction we don’t see popping up in new buildings very often. However, there are still a great many buildings that are or were Type IV construction in our jurisdictions. We need to identify these buildings in both circumstances.

[View with PicLens]

True heavy timber construction does not have void spaces. It is built with masonry or brick exterior walls with large diameter, six inches and more, interior structural components. There have been debates about how these large beams and structural elements hold up to fire and some have found the large diameter wood components to hold up longer than steel. The reason for this is that the steel will elongate and deform at around 1000 degrees and is prone to failure at that point. The large diameter components may burn, but they hold their integrity longer than the time it takes for steel to deform. Obviously, there are variables, but an interesting bit of information.

These fires burn hot and for a long time. These are typically large buildings and have an additionally large fire load, making extinguishment difficult. Many times we find these buildings in more urban areas and in highly dense locals. However, churches and resort lodges are common places for this type of construction. Exposure protection is of the utmost importance and establishing an effective collapse zone is important.

When these building get remodeled and are altered, they can then be considered Type III construction. The reason for the Heavy Timber classification is the benefit of the extended time of burning and the lack of void spaces. We lose some of that as false ceilings and new framed walls and floors are added to create lofts or office space. Just something to consider because you will need to plan accordingly for the interior changes that are being made to these types of buildings.

Train hard, master the basics and have plan before you go to battle. Stay safe.

Lodge picture from Vermont Timber Works, visit them at vermonttimberworks.com

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Posted by dc802 on February 10, 2011 • Filed under: buildling construction, fire codes, fire-rescue-topics, firefighting-operations, fires, heavy timber, situational awareness, Uncategorized • Tagged: beams, building construction, building inspections, columns, heavy timber, heavy timber construction, situational awareness, type III construction, type iv, type iv construction, void spaces

Fire Service Books

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This is a little off the beaten path for me and my blogs, but it is something that I have been paying more attention to lately. I have been laid up from a hernia repair and have been reading and doing a little research for other projects and it occurred to me that I utilize the same three books on a regular basis.

No matter what level you are at in the fire service, you should be building a decent sized library of fire/emergency related books. This is one more method to staying sharp and on top of your game. Having quality information to turn to for those forgotten tricks of the trade or to remember a characteristic of a certain type of construction is paramount and makes you a better firefighter.

Here are the three books that I use on a regular basis and why.

1. “Building Construction for the Fire Service,” 3rd Edition, by Francis L. Brannigan.

This book was one I got during the mid 90′s for a college course and I have it highlighted, marked and it is never too far from my grasp. The great thing about this book is that it has never gotten outdated. The information is still relevant and insightful. This is definitely one book that should be on your shelf.

Make sure you look at the “Tactical Considerations” in the chapters that give some ideas on how to apply the lessons to firefighting tactics.

2. ”Collapse of Burning Buildings: A Guide to Fireground Safety,” by Vincent Dunn

This book has a great deal of content that is covered in Brannigan’s book but more directly applied to the collapse of these buildings. Chief Dunn goes into great detail how these buildings collapse and the problems that different types of collapses cause.

The illustrations are great examples for those that need some visual help and you can apply this information immediately as a firefighter and fire officer. This book is a great tool to have company discussions with. Sit down with your crew and pick a chapter or topic and start playing out scenarios in your jurisdiction where these dangers exist.

3. “Safety and Survival on the Fireground,” by Vincent Dunn.

This book is everything firefighting. Just about anything that you want to know about firefighting is in here. The great thing is that the information is short, to the point and easy to apply to situations.

Keeping these books and others within reach is a good way to stay engaged. These resources gives you valuable information at your fingertips when you need it. It is also a good way to pass on information to others and to have meaningful conversation about “fire stuff.”

Stay safe and keep your mind on the task at hand, becoming a better firefighter.

Other places to get books for the fire service:

These are just a few, if you know of others, please let us know.

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