Attacking a fire involving a motor vehicle should be no different than attacking a fire in a structure. Basic hose handling and attack techniques are used.
Session Reference:
Topic: Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting
Time Required: 6 Hours
Materials:
• Slide or Overhead Projector and Screen
• Brady Vehicle Fire Slides or Transparencies
• Video Tape "Vehicle Fires" Media Resources
• 3-4 Automobiles
• Excelsior or Untreated Straw
• Fully Equipped Fire Engine (may need two)
References:
• Essentials of Fire Fighting, 4th ed., International Fire Service Training Association
Preparation
Motivation:
Objective (SPO): The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the techniques to gain access and control and suppress a fire involving a motor vehicle using basic fire suppression and vehicle rescue techniques.
Overview: Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting
• Vehicle Construction
• Size Up
• Apparatus Placement
• Water Supply
• Safety
• Hoseline Placement
• Exposure Protection Priorities
• Special Considerations
• Practical Exercises
Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting
SPO 1-1 The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the techniques to gain access and control and suppress a fire involving a motor vehicle using basic fire suppression and vehicle rescue techniques.
EO 1-1 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of motor vehicle construction and the inherent problems that are present when such a vehicle is involved in a fire.
EO 1-2 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of scene size up for an incident involving a motor vehicle fire.
EO 1-3 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of apparatus placement for a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-4 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the water supply requirements for a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-5 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the scene safety requirements and considerations at a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-6 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of hoseline placement at a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-7 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of exposure protection priorities for a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-8 Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the special considerations for a fire involving a motor vehicle.
EO 1-9 Demonstrate the proper techniques to gain access and suppress a fire involving a motor vehicle.
Instructional Guide
· Vehicle Construction (1-1)
Vehicle Components
• Body
• Metal - sheet metal over structural supports
• Fiberglass on metal frame
• Plastic in fenders and around bumpers
• Frame
• Standard - frame rails
• Unibody - integrated body support
• Means of access
• Doors - front, rear, and hatchback
• Windows - front, side, rear
• Hood - hinged front or rear
• Trunk - usually in rear
• Wheel wells
• Lights - head lights and tail lights
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Inherent Problems
• Toxic gases from burning components
• Batteries - acid and pressure which could result in an explosion
• Bumpers - shock absorbers
• Driveshaft - hollow tubes
• Catalytic converters - source of ignition
• Pressurized fuel systems - spray fuel vapors under pressure
• Tires - pressure that could be released with explosive force and fuel (rubber burns)
• Glass - breaking characteristics(tempered vs. safety)
• Electrical shock hazard - battery cables and various electrical components
• High pressure systems - hydraulic and air brake lines on trucks
• Airbags - multiple locations dependent upon vehicle
• Cooling systems - freon under pressure (freon produces toxic vapors when heated)
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Fire Transmission
• Interior features
• Seats - upholstery and padding (fire could be deep-seated and smolder before
bursting into flames)
• Carpeting - may melt rather than burn
• Dashboard - plastic with wiring concealed behind
• Plastic - gauges, interior molding
• Insulation - conceal fire
• Sleeping area in large trucks - additional people and combustibles
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Potential fire locations
• Engine compartment
• Carburetor
• Wiring in ignition system
• Air Cleaner
• Passenger compartment
• Trunk
• Brake and tire areas on large trucks
• Truck beds - from discarded smoking materials
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Fuels
• Gasoline - low flash point
• Diesel - higher flash point
• Gasohol - may require special extinguishing agents
• Propane/LNG - presence may not be obvious
• Electricity - may require special extinguishing agents
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Gaining Access
• Doors
• Locked or unlocked - conventional or electric locks - check all doors
• Cut sheet metal to expose lock
• May be able to force door with conventional tools
• Windows
• Front windshield - safety glass
• Side and rear windows - tempered glass
• Glass may melt or explode
• Hood
• Internal latch release that melts easily
• External release of latch - may require being in close proximity to vehicle
• Forcing sheet metal on side of hood to cool down before forcing latch
• Secure hood from closing - springs may collapse when heated
• Trunk
• Key to gain access
• Forcing sheet metal on side to cool down
• Displacing lock assembly by forcing lock and opening trunk with haligan bar
point or screwdriver
• Wheel wells
• Locating existing openings
• Making openings
• Will require getting low to force water into engine compartment
• Lights
• Head lights - force entry tool through light so that nozzle can be inserted to cool
motor
• Front turn signals - alternative means of accessing motor compartment
• Tail lights - force entry tool through light so that nozzle can be inserted to cool
trunk area
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II. Size Up (1-2)
Auto fire
• Simple auto fire with no exposures
• Auto fire in or near structure
• Auto fire near other automobiles
• Victims still in vehicle on fire
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Auto accident
• Auto on fire
• Potential for auto to ignite after arrival
• Victims still in vehicle
• Exposures
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Time of day
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Weather/season
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Staffing/equipment
• May more than one engine for certain areas or types of vehicles
• Should have adequate staffing to place at least one attack line in service with a
preference to a secondary line to protect exposures
• Should consider an EMS unit
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Location
• Limited access
• Apparatus from both directions on duel highways
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Additional help
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Suspicious fire
• Smoke color
• Fire extent
• Preserve evidence
• Call investigator
• Arson increases during poor economy
• Motive to collect insurance
• Interviews
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III. Apparatus Placement (1-3)
Upgrade - should be 100 to 150 feet away from fire
Upwind
Consider traffic and safety of personnel
Watch for downed wires - accidents
Access for additional apparatus (tankers)
Safety - regarding traffic patterns
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IV. Water Supply (1-4)
Booster tank - adequate on most vehicle fires but should have a minimum of 500 gallons
Hydrant
Static source - may require more than one piece of apparatus
Tankers/other pumpers
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V. Safety (1-5)
Account for all personnel
Protective clothing
Breathing apparatus
Correct approach
• 45 degrees of vehicle
• Stay away from front or rear bumpers
• Separate fire from uninvolved areas and victims
• Sweep fuel burning underneath vehicle
Area security - 100 foot perimeter around vehicle
Vehicle security - accidents
Spectators/firelines/police assistance
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VI. Hoseline Placement (1-6)
Use 1-1/2" lines or greater
Rescue - protect occupants first
Overpower fire in passenger unit
Maintain escape route in case of change in wind direction or fire intensity
Protect exposures next
• Other autos
• Buildings
Cool fuel tanks
Attack fire (extinguishment)
Have hose line available for overhaul
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VII. Exposure Protection Priorities (1-7)
Life/rescue
Distance between fire and uninvolved areas
Value - items of higher value should be protected first when having to choose
Wind direction - may change direction smoke and flame travel
Construction - some exposures more easily ignited than others
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VIII. Special Considerations (1-8)
Ambulances/first aid for injured (helicopters)
Cargo - private auto
Trunks
• Spray paint and closed containers
• Gasoline
• Ammunition
Cargo - commercial carriers
Bills of lading
• Manifests
• Driver may have in possession
Identify contents/Chemtrec 800-434-9300 - presence of hazardous materials may affect planning of apparatus and overall strategy and tactics
VW engines - magnesium metals
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Practical Exercises (1-9)
NOTE: Instructor may want to demonstrate techniques prior to student practice.
Gaining access to vehicle
• Doors
• Locked or unlocked - conventional or electric locks
• Cut sheet metal to expose lock
• Windows
• Front windshield - safety glass
• Side and rear windows - tempered glass
• Glass melting or exploding
• Hood
• Internal latch release
• External release of latch
• Forcing sheet metal
• Secure hood from closing - springs may collapse when heated
• Trunk
• Key to gain access
• Forcing sheet metal
• Displacing lock assembly
• Wheel wells
• Locating existing openings
• Making openings
• Lights
• Head lights
• Front turn signals
• Tail lights
----------------------
Attacking Fires in Engine Compartment
• Adequate water supply
• Adequate staffing
• Adequate attack line capability
• Safe approach
• Gain access to fire area
• Proper attack techniques - stream and application
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Attacking Fires in Passenger Compartment
• Adequate water supply
• Adequate staffing
• Adequate attack line capability
• Safe approach
• Gain access to fire area
• Proper attack techniques - stream and application
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Maintaining Escape Route - Watch Hose Handling Making Attack and Backing Out
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Overhauling
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Summary
Review:
Basic Firefighting: Vehicle Firefighting
• Vehicle Construction
• Size Up
• Apparatus Placement
• Water Supply
• Safety
• Hoseline Placement
• Exposure Protection Priorities
• Special Considerations
• Practical Exercises
Remotivation: Attacking a fire involving a motor vehicle should be no different than attacking a fire in a structure. Basic hose handling and attack techniques are used. Conventional forcible entry tools can be used to gain access to the passenger compartment, trunk, and hood.
