Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting

6th Edition

Chapter 9 — Fire Suppression, Ventilation, and Overhaul

Identify fire suppression techniques.

Learning Objective 1

9–2

ARFF live fire training must meet the requirements of NFPA® 1403.

9–3

ARFF personnel may encounter aircraft accidents with fuel that is spilled, but not ignited.

9–4

In an aircraft fire, the IC must choose between two basic attack methods.

9–5

Total extinguishment

Maintain escape/evacuation areas

WARNING

While ARFF personnel inspect an aircraft following a fire warning indication, the aircraft may still have one engine running to provide electrical power to the aircraft systems. ARFF personnel must exercise caution when working around the air intakes of operating turbojet engines and the propellers of the reciprocating and turboprop engines.

9–6

ARFF personnel should know basic attack techniques used in fire suppression.

9–7

NOTE

Turret operators working on opposite sides of an aircraft must avoid pushing burning fuel under the aircraft to the other side.

9–8

The roll-on method directs the foam stream on the ground near the front edge of a burning liquid pool.

9–9

In the deflection or bank-down method, the foam stream is directed at an object and runs down onto the fuel.

9–10

The base-of-the-fire delivery angle maximizes agent effectiveness and minimizes extinguishment time.

9–11

CAUTION

Take care not to agitate standing or pooled fuel and potentially increase the fire magnitude or affected area.

9–12

The rain-down method directs thestream above the fire or spill and allows the foam to float gently down.

9–13

CAUTION

Avoid plunging the foam stream down into the fuel.

9–14

Turrets can apply large quantities of foam and other agents from a distance.

9–15

Handlines should be deployed when the main fire is extinguished.

9–16

CAUTION

When operating handlines, ARFF personnel should avoid walking through fuel spills. If this is unavoidable, personnel must avoid breaking the foam blanket and agitating the fuel.

9–17

ARFF personnel have been most successful when they have used fog and spray water streams.

9–18

A straight stream may be the best nozzle pattern to use in well-involved,unventilated aircraft interior fires.

9–19

CAUTION

Avoid plunging the foam stream down into the fuel.

9–20

Correct application of foam can be as important as the type of foam chosen.

9–21

Principle of

“Insulate and

Isolate”

Foam can be applied using a variety of nozzles and streams.

9–22

When applying foam, the objective is to create a blanket that suppresses the vapors given off by the fuel.

9–23

Once foam concentrate is mixed with water, the solution must be mixed with air and delivered to the surface of the fuel.

9–24

Turret nozzles are large, pre-plumbed master stream appliances.

9–25

Handline nozzles can be safely handled by one to three firefighters.

9–26

Aspirating or nonaspirating nozzles each produce foam with different advantages.

9–27

CAUTION

Dry chemical can be a minor respiratory irritant; therefore, ARFF personnel should always wear SCBA when applying them. Do not aim dry chemical agents directly at escaping passengers.

9–28

ARFF personnel may apply dry chemical agent using extinguishers.

9–29

Wheeled dry chemical extinguisher

CAUTION

Point the top of the extinguisher away from the firefighter or other personnel when pressurizing the unit. Because of the size of the nozzle, the firefighter should be prepared for a significant nozzle reaction when it is opened and may need assistance.

9–30

Dry chemical is dispensed from apparatus mounted units in three different ways.

9–31

Dry chemical is often used on three-dimensional fires on engine nacelles or for running fuel fires.

9–32

Clean agents should only be applied in short bursts so that its effect on the fire may be observed.

9–33

Clean agents

Properly executed dual agent attacks are effective for fighting three-dimensional fires.

9–34

A three-dimensional fuel fire is difficult to extinguish.

9–35

Handlines are used to conduct interior fire attack operations.

9–36

CAUTION

Interior fire fighting operations should not interfere with the evacuation of aircraft occupants.

9–37

The preferred method of extinguishing engine and APU/EPU fires is to operate the fire shut down system.

9–38

Other options for extinguishing engine or APU/EPU fires are available.

9–39

ARFF personnel may encounter other types of engine fires.

9–40

The safest approach to wheel assembly fires is to apply large amounts of water from a distance.

9–41

NOTE

If magnesium or titanium is suspected, applying large amounts of water from a distance is an effective initial extinguishing technique, however, if the fire is not extinguished, appropriate Class D extinguishing techniques should be deployed.

9–42

NOTE

When ignited, Skydrol® (aviation hydraulic fluid), thermally decomposes at high temperatures and produces toxic vapors.

9–43

CAUTION

Wear full protective clothing and SCBA regardless of the suspected hazard during a fire involving wheel assemblies.

9–44

Airport firefighters must prevent the spread of fire to uninvolved, exposed properties.

9–45

Rocket engine fires should be approached with caution.

9–46

REVIEW QUESTION

Identify the two basic attack methods for an aircraft accident with

fire involvement.

9–47

Describe methods of ventilation in an aircraft fire.

Learning Objective 2

9–48

Proper ventilation, coordinated with interior attack, should be part of planned and coordinated operation.

9–49

WARNING

Never discharge hoseline or turret streams into a hole, either burned or cut into the top of an aircraft. This will interrupt the vertical ventilation process and push the fire and products of combustion horizontally through the aircraft.

9–50

REVIEW QUESTION

What technique can ARFF personnel utilize to locate suitable ventilation

locations?

9–51

Describe overhaul operations after an aircraft incident/accident.

Learning Objective 3

9–52

Personnel should exercise extreme caution when conducting overhaul.

9–53

NOTE

Personnel should watch out for any fire that has extended into the void space over the ceiling panels. These fires can extend and come down behind personnel.

9–54

Preserve the interior as much as reasonably possible during overhaul.

9–55

REVIEW QUESTION

During overhaul operations, what materials may need to be removed to

access concealed fires?

9–56

Explain the importance of evidence preservation during overhaul operations.

Learning Objective 4

9–57

Avoid disturbing any evidence that may aid investigators in determining the cause of the accident.

9–58

REVIEW QUESTION

Why should overhaul personnel move only parts of the aircraft that are essential to completing fire extinguishment?

9–59

These objectives are measured in Skill Sheets 9-5 – 9-11.

These skill sheets can be found in the curriculum package.This checklist corresponds with the skill steps beginning on p. 382 of the manual.

Learning Objectives 5-11

9–60

• During an aircraft accident, ARFF personnel must be prepared to prevent flammable liquids and combustibles from igniting and suppress fires that have already started.

Summary

9–61

(Cont.)

• Fire suppression requires ARFF personnel to use the extinguishing agents and systems on their apparatus in a trained and coordinated fashion.

Summary

9–62

(Cont.)

• Ventilation can aid in the rescue of passengers and crew. Removing the products of combustion from the aircraft interior can increase the survivability factors for those inside the aircraft and improve visibility for firefighters.

Summary

9–63

(Cont.)

• Overhaul is critical for ensuring that all fires are extinguished, thus preventing the re-ignition of flammable and combustible materials.

• Throughout fire suppression, ventilation, and overhaul operations, ARFF personnel must preserve evidence found at the accident.

Summary

9–64