A Different Approach To Fire Attack
Chino Valley Fire Training Division
February 2014
Article One
Legacy And Modern Fuels
Key Points For
Firefighters:
 Gases expand when
heated
 Gases become less dense
and will rise when
heated
 When gases are confined
and heated, pressure
increases
 Increased smoke
pressure indicates
higher temperatures
As Fire Service equipment continues to change and become more modernized,
our tactics have remained the same. In Legacy homes (hardwood furniture and
natural based cloth materials), fuel loading is usually around 140lbs (1.2 mil
BTU’s) of material per room. In Modern
homes, fuel loading can be 540lbs (4.9 mil
BTU’s) of material per room. This information
tells us that our structure or contents fires
burn much hotter. The current flashover rate
for a Modern home is approximately 4 minutes
opposed to the Legacy which flashes just under
30 minutes. New occupancies are NOT failing
but burning faster. In regards to the
compartment: consider the size, construction,
fire load and air track profile to determine the
Room Furnishing comparisons during UL and NIST
best possible tactics.
burn studies
Air Track Management
In this issue:
Legacy and Modern Fuels/ 1
Air Track Management
Compartments/Contents
vs. Structure
2
OODA Loop/40-70 Rule
Task-Tactical-Strategic
3
Positive Pressure Attack
4
Air Track Management (ATM) may seem to be a new word to Chino Valley Fire but the concept
of controlling air flow through a compartment is not. There should not be any confusion with the
term ATM because it’s simply another way of saying air flow through a compartment. There are
four main AIR TRACK factors: Smoke, Pressure/Velocity, Neutral Plane, and Direction. In regards
to smoke, pay special attention to location, color, density, and volume which will tell you exactly
what the fire is doing. Pressure/Velocity means the speed at which
the smoke is traveling. Neutral Plane is the difference in density
between hot smoke and cooler air below and creates two distinct
layers (seen in photo). Direction is the last of the four air track
factors. As we begin to critically think more on the fireground, pay
close attention to where the smoke is entering and exiting. If the
smoke exits above a door way toward you and fresh air enters below
you, what is this an indication of? You probably have a single intake/
exhaust point. Contrast that with you opening the door and no smoke is exiting in your direction,
then there is another exhaust point which can put you in a good position for Positive Pressure
Attack.
Page 2
What is a Compartment
Key Points For
Firefighters:
Studies from Underwriters Laboratories
and National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) use the term
compartments as part of their research.
What is considered a compartment? At
Chino Valley Fire, it is described as any
room or sectioned off area usually a
bedroom, garage, great room, etc. Is an Attic
considered a compartment? Yes, because it
is contained within a structure and
surrounded by essentially four walls.
 Fires in the Attic are
considered structure
fires as opposed to
fires in a bedroom that
haven't breached the
drywall are considered
contents fires
Is the Building on fire?
OR
Is there a Fire in the building?
 Four Air Track factors:
Smoke, Velocity,
Neutral Plane and
Direction
CONTENTS OR STRUCTURE
 Treat BLACK FIRE
(Black, turbulent,
pressurized smoke) as
fire
 Increased pressure
indicates higher
temperatures
Contents Fires–fires within walls and held by the drywall
Structure Fires-fires that have contacted structural members
or breached drywall
Page 3
The OODA Loop is decision making process penned by Air Force General John
Boyd. Many say he was the best U.S. Fighter Pilot who later promoted his way to
the Pentagon becoming a war strategist. Today, General Boyd’s decision making
process (OODA Loop) is taught in the Military Academies and Fire Leadership
classes.
40-70 Rule
General Colin Powell
OODA Loop
Observation: the collection of data by means of the senses
Orientation:
Two part Rule:
#1 Facing
the analysis and synthesis of data to form one’s current mental
perspective
Decision:
the determination of a course of action based on one’s current
mental perspective
tough decisions
Action:
you should have
Traditionally personnel have used Observation and Action during emergency
incidents. To become better at our craft we need to focus on what is the fire
doing and stay one step ahead. The OODA Loop doesn't end with the initial
no less than
the physical playing-out of decisions
40% of the
information
Ta s k - Ta c t i c a l - S t ra t e g i c
and no more
O p e r a t i o n a l L eve l s o n t h e
F i re g ro u n d
than 70% for
initial actions.
#2 Trust Your
Gut, don’t let
opportunities
pass
*Task (close) 0-6 feet Engineers/Firefighters
*Tactical (middle) 6-99 feet Captains/Engineers
*Strategic (far) 100+ feet Chiefs
All Personnel should view fire from all Levels
Page 4
P O S I T I V E P R E S S U R E AT TAC K
P PA
Air Track Direction
When air moves in an
opening (inlet)
without smoke
discharge, what’s
happening?
Smoke is exiting from
another opening
Positive Pressure Attack (PPA) is a well coordinated and communicated tactic
used on CONTENTS FIRES to reduce heat and smoke from a structure before fire
crews make entry. Can a four person Engine company effectively execute PPA?
Yes, if and only if, they are well rehearsed! The location of the fire is imperative
before PPA. A Blower is brought to the door (in the off position) by one crew
member and another is pulling a pre-connect or other hoseline. The third crew
member is preparing to make an exhaust opening near the fire if possible.
Intake or tactical entry points must be controlled by keeping it closed or closing
the door to prevent the air flow from feeding the fire. Once personnel have
communicated and are in place, an exhaust opening is established, the blower is
turned on and set toward entry point with nozzle selected to straight stream.
Fire crews wait 30-60 seconds for convection currents and positive air track
to exhaust.
When TO Use PPA
Adequate Resources, Adequate Hoselines, Proper Exhaust,
When NOT to Use PPA
Unknown Location of Fire, Entry Point Laden with Smoke or Flames, Inadequate
Exhaust, Poor Communications
Smoke is coming out
with no inward
movement of air,
what’s likely
happening?
Another opening is
serving as the inlet
Further Reference
Air Track
http://www.firetactics.com/AIR_TRACK_MANAGEMENT.htm
http://dev2000.firefighternation.com/article/firefighting-operations/using-air-trackmanagement-control-compartment-fires
http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2010/08/fire-behavior-enemy.html
Positive Pressure Attack
http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2007/11/positive-pressure-attack-questions-andanswers.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NT0KQ1sjtCM