reading smoke developed by dave dodson, battalion chief (ret.), colorado

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Reading Smoke Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

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Page 1: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Reading Smoke Reading Smoke

Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Page 2: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Preparing to use this Preparing to use this program: program:

View the “Reading Smoke” video on View the “Reading Smoke” video on DVD #1 prior to delivering this programDVD #1 prior to delivering this program

Review Reading Smoke Lesson PlanReview Reading Smoke Lesson Plan

Prepare by finding raw fireground Prepare by finding raw fireground footage to use in order to practice footage to use in order to practice “Reading Smoke” (See slide “Practice “Reading Smoke” (See slide “Practice Examples” for usable websites)Examples” for usable websites)

Page 3: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

The Reading Smoke The Reading Smoke ProcessProcess

Reading Smoke can help you answer 3 Reading Smoke can help you answer 3 questions:questions:

1.1. Where, specifically, is the fire?Where, specifically, is the fire?

2.2. How big or intense is the fire?How big or intense is the fire?

3.3. How fast is the event changing? (rate and How fast is the event changing? (rate and severity of fire spread)severity of fire spread)

Page 4: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Basic Process – the Basic Process – the ScienceScience

3 concepts:3 concepts:

1.1. Smoke is Smoke is FUELFUEL

2.2. The fuels have The fuels have changed – changed – more more continuity and continuity and explosiveness than explosiveness than previously taughtpreviously taught

3.3. The smoke has trigger The smoke has trigger points: right points: right temperature and right temperature and right mixturemixture

Page 5: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Consider this…Consider this…

Gas Self-Ignition Temperature

Flammable Range

Acrolein 450°F 3-31%

Benzene 928°F 1-8%

Hydrogen Cyanide 1000°F 5-40%

Carbon Monoxide 1123°F 12-74%

The following gases create “ladder fuels” within smoke (remember, there are particulates and aerosols also).

Page 6: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

The Basic Process (cont.)The Basic Process (cont.)

Process Rules:Process Rules:

1.1. Nothing is absoluteNothing is absolute

2.2. Compare ventilation Compare ventilation openings openings (restricted or (restricted or unrestricted, smoke or unrestricted, smoke or no smoke)no smoke)

3.3. Start measuring rate of Start measuring rate of change change (seconds or (seconds or minutes)minutes)

Page 7: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

The 3 Steps for “Reading Smoke”

1.1. Inventory & compare Inventory & compare

smoke attributes: smoke attributes:

volume, velocity, volume, velocity,

density, and colordensity, and color

2.2. Factor in influences Factor in influences

that change the that change the

meaning of VVDCmeaning of VVDC

3.3. Answer the Answer the

questionsquestions

Page 8: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

STEP 1: Inventory and compare the key attributes

Volume Velocity

(Pressure) Density Color

Page 9: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

VOLUME

Gives an impression Establishes relativity

to the “box” Remember: a small

volume of smoke from a very large box is significant

Volume is a source of pressure (velocity)

Page 10: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

VELOCITY (Pressure)

How fast is the smoke leaving?

Turbulent or Laminar?

Is laminar heat or volume pushed?

Compare velocity from like-sized openings to find fire location

Page 11: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Density Most Important

Factor Tells you the Tells you the

futurefuture Continuity of FuelContinuity of Fuel Likelihood of an Likelihood of an

EventEvent ““Degree” of the Degree” of the

EventEvent

Page 12: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Color Tells Stage of Heating Should compliment

velocity to find location of fire

“Brown” Smoke is usually unfinished wood being heated

Remember, smoke color can be filtered over distance or through resistance

Page 13: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

STEP 2: Factor in Influences

Container Container (defines (defines the significance of the significance of VVDC)VVDC)

WeatherWeather

Page 14: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

STEP 3: Answer the Questions

Where’s the fire?Where’s the fire? How big or intense How big or intense

is the fire?is the fire? How fast is it How fast is it

changing? changing? (rate (rate and severity)and severity)

Page 15: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Always Remember:Always Remember:

Velocity trumps Velocity trumps colorcolor

ANYANY thick, fast thick, fast moving smoke is moving smoke is ignitableignitable

Zero visibility Zero visibility makes you a makes you a slave to your slave to your environmentenvironment

Page 16: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Single Most Important Point:

Turbulent smoke Turbulent smoke is is ready to flash – ready to flash – and indicates that and indicates that floor temperatures floor temperatures are past human life are past human life thresholds (zero thresholds (zero rescue profile!)rescue profile!)

Manage it – but Manage it – but reduce your risk-reduce your risk-taking!taking!

Page 17: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Practice Practice ExamplesExamples

Use raw fireground footage from your Use raw fireground footage from your department, or from the internet:department, or from the internet: www.youtube.com (search on (search on

house fires or flashover)house fires or flashover) www.community.firevideo.net www.firefighterclosecalls.com www.fire.nist.gov

Page 18: Reading Smoke Developed by Dave Dodson, Battalion Chief (ret.), Colorado

Be Safe – Be Safe – Make it Safe !Make it Safe !

For more information on Reading Smoke

contact Dave Dodson at [email protected]