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Comment by Doug on March 4, 2009 at 1:57pm

It's called a cellar nozzle : )

Comment by Salty Jake on March 4, 2009 at 1:56pm

Here is another option if your department is not equipped with a bresnan, or commonly known as a cellar nozzle. Size up essential, look for basement widows at or near the seat of the fire , most are wide enough to except a ladder of some sort, most basement windows will except an extension ladder or attic if the opening is smaller. Lash your hand line to the ladder with a fog nozzle in a 45 to 60 degree pattern, charge the line, move the ladder in and out of the window either by hand, or I perfer the use of an extension ladder using the halyard to extend the fly section into the burn area. Quick and effective knock down without placing personnel in harms way. After the fire is knocked down entry can be made for overhaul and further extinguishment. Caution, once entry is made and you identify that lightweight construction such as truss floor joist, laminated beams, TGI's, or even bar joist have been used, strucual intergrity has been compromised and collapse is likely, especially under the kitchen area with heavy appliances. Try this at your next training burn. Stay safe!

Comment by Glenn.D.C_15 on March 4, 2009 at 1:14pm

We acutally have a piece of equipment for basements fires (that we have only used in training).
It is a essentially a 2 foot piece of pipe. It has a rotating head, and fold-able arms so as not to fall through the hole that would be made in the floor to use it. It connects to an inch and a half hose, and once water is pumped through it, the head spins, effectively making it a big sprinkler.

Comment by SMOKEnPipesJim on March 4, 2009 at 4:37am

The very nature of basement fires makes them inherantly unsafe, 1) many are Fully below grade so to access we have to go into one chimney shaft or the other ( if there are even two)
2) lessened ventilation potential creates heavier smoke conditions, higher heat typically basement windows hardly even open so ventilation is a major concern even using Ejectors or PPV in eithercase one is going to only evacuate so much smoke or Pressurize and potenitally drive the fire elseware, Inherantly the basement is a typical location for heating systems here in the Northeast this maybe an oil heater and include 275-330 gallons sometimes in tandem though these tanks are usually nota major issue its something to think about or gas Burner Our local gas Company has refit all meters to exterior locations , but this may not be the case in Your areas, Natural gas meters and piping can have minor leakage, in a fire situation getting the Gas Company on scene to shut the main down maybe a concern... Likewise , The basement is typically and extension of storage and junk that builds up over the years that folks need to store as well as anynumber of storage containers of god only knows what from paints, solvents , Gasolene, Just moving around can be difficult under normal conditions with all the lights working and clear visability.... Interior stairs can be shoddy at best I've seen landings with a liece of 1/8th inch plywood used to cover holes , treads removed or busted and in newer construction totally open stairs That would offer no fire stop type protection at all overhead clearance is always an issue and often shoddy "sub enclosures" often make it nearly impossible to find utilites.... Gas water heaters pilotlights area hazard unto themselves and dont be surprised if the dryer isnt gas as well add in a gas heater and thats 3 pilotlights for fumes to find, make it a multifamily and compound the issue a couple times.... exteror bulkhead doors can also create problems and depending on age of construction and configuration can vary from a metal bilco of a couple styles to a wooden old school bulkhead we have to consider quick and easy and safe access... 1st getting the door opened up , getting down the stairs safely (how old are they, DO they even exist?) and then the interior entry door that"should be" fairlyeasy Unless the owner has had to beef up security barracading the door with 2x4's in brackets or whatever either way once you get to the basement , figuring out what is burning ?
another issue more in commercial type buildings be wary of elevation changes or boiler pits..
a couple years ago we had an alarm activation in a taxpayer the 1st floor has a chinese resturant and a store front on the otherside of the stair to the second and third floor ordinary/frame (6 apartments?) we forced our way into the basement looking for the alarm which isactuallyInside the resturant side it turned out.. But getting in the basement was an education imagine down 4 steps to a slab that left to right is 15 feet across 8 feet straight across to a totallyunprotected 5 footdrop off ( 5 steps down again these stairs are offset like 6 feet right of the entry stairs which this lower slab goes to the front wall however in the A/D ( front right corner) or as you enter all the away back to the front and left corner is a boiler pit which is another 4 foot drop off and often with a foot of water in the pit although thereis a sump pump hole that is 4 feet below the water line, Knowing your basements is the best way to stay safe, expect the worst beware of Truss as well as other new technologies you have to be concerned with collapse and failure.. a lot to be concerned about

Comment by Cody Baker on March 4, 2009 at 3:17am

I would be very afraid of going into a basement or crawlspace. Why would you go into a tight space during a fire that is the question??? Why would you risk your life going into a basement or crawlspace. I am all about saving the structure or property. I realize you you want to be able to save everything just be very carefull ok BE SAFE

Comment by Dustin J. Millis on March 4, 2009 at 3:05am

In my opinion, no there isn't. I've heard too many stories of FF's being trapped in a basement because there one and only exit was blocked somehow. I'm all about trying to save as much property as possible but a basement or a crawlspace is just too risky.