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Car fires
OK so last night I got my tucas whooped during drill which was, packing up, taking a hydrant, pulling a pre-connect, and attacking a car fire (repeatedly). I had fun (except for loading the hose bed). I asked some questions, while some were answered some were not.
Besides approaching at a 45 degree angle from the front, how else would you approach safely to attack a fire in the engine? What is the safest way to open a hatch back? If you are not a car junkie how would you be able to tell if it is a hydrid/electrical?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Patti Walz on
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Thank you Brian. I grabbed my book last night and worked on refresher. We will be doing a burn to learn on a car soon and the hybrids are the least touched on subject.
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Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
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Hey Patti,
You're missing 2 legs from your Safe Auto Fire Attack Triangle. The 3 legs are: 45 degree angle, Upwind and Uphill.
The 45 degree angle is to avoid the Bumper Blowoff which has already been mentioned. Upwind because gases given off by an auto fire are (most often) a lot more toxic than gases produced at a structure fire. And Uphill because it is quite exciting to be focused on an Auto fire when you realize that a small river of flaming gasoline is running between your legs!
TCSS
Reg
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Thank you. I think I will do what I can to avoid the flaming river between my legs...... fortunately most of my area is flat (except for the ditches).
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Permalink Reply by Phoenix on
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Reg,
As far as leg #2....toxic gases...shouldn't be an issue if you're wearing your SCBA like your supposed to be. Just saying.
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Very true, Phoenix, but some of the nasty stuff generated during a car fire can be absorped through the skin. Not to mention the severe reduction of visibility due to the smoke generated by such a fire. But you are correct in that the inhalation of these wonderful by-products is prevented by proper PPE!
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So when would you NOT approach a car fire, aside from the obvious.... Live wire, bomb....
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Permalink Reply by Jerod Kurtz on
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Know the vehicle that you are approaching. 95% of vehicles on the road today do not have loaded bumpers anymore, they are plastic. Approach the vehicle from the side and be aware of exploding airbags, gas cylinders, shocks and struts, and the hood cylinders. They will be your major concern now. Cool the vechicle from a distant to include under the vehicle. Approach the engine conpartment fire and rear fire (trunk) from the passenger compartment side of the vehicle. Know the terrain you are working on and stay out of the area of the spilled fuel. Many vehicles have plastic fuel tanks which will melt and dump the fuel under you. Any vehicle that is burning is a loss to the owner, DO NOT endanger yourself or your crew for a lost cause. ALWAYS wear your SCBA and PPE. Expect the unexpected! There is a lot of new information out there, just do some looking. Stay safe.
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Permalink Reply by Gregory Borg on
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Patti,
Paul is right on, do what he said. Also, my crew does the following on car fires. First take a big enough line, the booster (red) line does not cut it at times. With all the plasic in the car and mag/flamable metals we us an 1 3/4 attack line. Second SCBA everytime, I also have my crew get out the dry powder (chem) extinguisher and an axe. The dry powder works when water will not, the axe, head down will hold the hood up when springs sag. You can use the peen of the axe to poke a hole in the hood over the fire if you cannot get the hood open, also access though the fenderwell or grill. Keep a springloaded center punch in your pocket to break windows, works every time and you don't have someone swinging a heavy tool in the smike or with people in the car. Consider chocking the wheels also, they have rolled off while burning! You can just pull the valve stem out (with the plyers in your pocket) of one tire to chock it. When done, overhaul well and DC the battery.
Remember what your Mom told you, "always wera your protection".
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Thank you Gregory.
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Thank you. I know that if there is ever an "I don't know answer" where to go.... FFN!
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I am printing this up and taking it to the station.
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This is a really great article. Thank you Matthew.
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