3D Firefighting - Smoke Burns!
What is different about 3D Firefighting as opposed to traditional structural
fire strategies? Quite simply it involves a 'culture change'. It demands greater
attention is paid to the three-dimensional risk - the 'hidden dangers of smoke
as it transports throughout a structure to lay in wait for firefighters. The
hazards of flashover; backdraft and smoke explosions are generally known but
little understood by firefighters. The way a fire grows, develops and on
occasions spreads so rapidly that firefighters become trapped or killed, is
often taken for granted.
3DFirefighting is about getting water onto the fire yes, but it is also about
getting water into the gas layers, using the optimum methods of water
application with the equipment available and maintaining thermal balance whilst
doing it. It is also about understanding the practical aspects of how a fire
grows, develops and behaves and how dangerous gases may form, accumulate and
transport into hidden areas of a building, waiting to 'ambush' firefighters. 3D
Firefighting is all about gaining a working knowledge of where to make vent
openings; when to make vent openings and when not to!
This website has focused specifically on firefighter safety and 3D
Firefighting concepts as a training tool in an effort to reduce traumatic
fire-ground Line of Duty Deaths amongst firefighters. Our work has been central
to the following factors and we have developed and contributed research in these
very areas.
- Assess Risk to Firefighters
- Implement Control Measures
- Observe Fire & Smoke Behavior
- Locate and assess the Air-Track
- Effective Tactical Deployment
- Assess the Needed Flow-rate
- Tactical Ventilation
- Rapid Fire Phenomena - Hazards
- Effective Command & Control
There is clear evidence that many fire commanders do not
fully appreciate the practical aspects of fire behavior or understand the counter
measures of tactical ventilation; or anti-ventilation (a strategy rarely
documented in training manuals); 3D water-fog pulsing; or the safe deployment of
firefighters under risk-based guidelines and principles.
Fire-ground commanders
and company officers should adopt a greater appreciation of the when; how; why;
and where to deploy into; attack; ventilate or isolate fires and gain a more in-depth and
practical understanding of what 'coordinating' fire attack with ventilation
actually means.
The Fire Risk Management Program at National Research Council (NRC) of Canada has
initiated a study to review current firefighting technologies in an effort to improve the safety and effectiveness of firefighting teams. Our initial research efforts have resulted in the
research report on the three dimensional (3D) Water Fog
Technique introduced by the Swedish Fire Service and reported on throughout
this website by Paul Grimwood. In the report, current research and applications of this technique for firefighting services worldwide have been reviewed, and future studies on this technique have been identified and recommended in order to provide more insights into the technique.
3D Firefighting addresses structure fires in the gaseous phase as opposed to
the fuel phase. This means that firefighters are trained in fire behavior and
fire dynamics from a practical viewpoint. The result is a greater appreciation
and awareness of ventilation profiles and countering techniques used to enter
fire compartments and remain there safely. 3D Firefighters learn to recognize
risk; to evaluate risk and finally to manage risk.
The NRC reports on tests by the US Navy where 3D water-fog methods were used in a
range of compartment fire situations.
Ex London & New York firefighter Paul Grimwood has worked to introduce
and develop the concepts of '3D Firefighting' across three decades of inner city
firefighting.
3D FIREFIGHTING - BOOK REVIEW
3D FIREFIGHTING - 2nd BOOK REVIEW
Contact Us for further information
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