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The ART of Reading SmokeThe ART of Reading Smoke
Developed by: Dave Dodson
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Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?
To determine To determine ““HOW MUCHHOW MUCH” fire” fireTo determine To determine ““HOW MUCHHOW MUCH” fire” fire
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Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?
To help find the To help find the LOCATIONLOCATION
of the fireof the fire
To help find the To help find the LOCATIONLOCATION
of the fireof the fire
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Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?
To help predict To help predict COLLAPSECOLLAPSE
potentialpotential
To help predict To help predict COLLAPSECOLLAPSE
potentialpotential
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Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?
To help To help PRIORITIZEPRIORITIZE Strategies Strategies
& Tactics& Tactics
To help To help PRIORITIZEPRIORITIZE Strategies Strategies
& Tactics& Tactics
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Why “Read” Smoke?Why “Read” Smoke?
To To PROTECTPROTECT Firefighters from aFirefighters from a
““HOSTILE FIRE HOSTILE FIRE
EVENT”EVENT”
To To PROTECTPROTECT Firefighters from aFirefighters from a
““HOSTILE FIRE HOSTILE FIRE
EVENT”EVENT”
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The “ADVANCED” Basics
The “ADVANCED” Basics
Concept #1: Smoke Concept #1: Smoke is Fuelis Fuel
Concept #1: Smoke Concept #1: Smoke is Fuelis Fuel
Particulates Particulates
Aerosols Aerosols
Gases Gases
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The “ADVANCED” Basics
The “ADVANCED” Basics
Concept #2: Fuels have Concept #2: Fuels have changed: Mass and Make-changed: Mass and Make-up!up!
Concept #2: Fuels have Concept #2: Fuels have changed: Mass and Make-changed: Mass and Make-up!up!
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The “ADVANCED” Basics
The “ADVANCED” Basics
Concept #3: Smoke has trigger Concept #3: Smoke has trigger points:points:
•Flash Point Flash Point
•Fire PointFire Point
•Ignition TemperatureIgnition Temperature
Concept #3: Smoke has trigger Concept #3: Smoke has trigger points:points:
•Flash Point Flash Point
•Fire PointFire Point
•Ignition TemperatureIgnition Temperature
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The “ADVANCED” Basics
The “ADVANCED” Basics
How does How does “flammable range”“flammable range” factor factor in?in?
How does How does “flammable range”“flammable range” factor factor in?in?
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Flammable Range & the Three Fires
Flammable Range & the Three Fires
Too Lean . . .Too Lean . . .
Too Rich . . .Too Rich . . .
Just Right . . .Just Right . . .
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The “ADVANCED” Basics
The “ADVANCED” Basics
Need to be able to determine...Need to be able to determine...
• What stage is the fire in…What stage is the fire in…
• Is the “box” absorbing heat? Is the “box” absorbing heat? Laminar Laminar vs. Turbulent smoke flowvs. Turbulent smoke flow
Need to be able to determine...Need to be able to determine...
• What stage is the fire in…What stage is the fire in…
• Is the “box” absorbing heat? Is the “box” absorbing heat? Laminar Laminar vs. Turbulent smoke flowvs. Turbulent smoke flow
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“ HOSTILE ” Fire Events
“ HOSTILE ” Fire Events
• FlashoverFlashover
• BackdraftBackdraft
• Smoke ExplosionSmoke Explosion
• Rapid Fire SpreadRapid Fire Spread
• FlashoverFlashover
• BackdraftBackdraft
• Smoke ExplosionSmoke Explosion
• Rapid Fire SpreadRapid Fire Spread
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FLASHOVERFLASHOVER
WARNING SIGNS:WARNING SIGNS:Turbulent SmokeTurbulent Smoke““Rollover”Rollover”Auto Ignition outsideAuto Ignition outsideSmoke –Cloud Ignition is likely after Smoke –Cloud Ignition is likely after
flashoverflashover
WARNING SIGNS:WARNING SIGNS:Turbulent SmokeTurbulent Smoke““Rollover”Rollover”Auto Ignition outsideAuto Ignition outsideSmoke –Cloud Ignition is likely after Smoke –Cloud Ignition is likely after
flashoverflashover
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BACKDRAFTBACKDRAFT
Remember – Backdraft is triggered by O2 Remember – Backdraft is triggered by O2 being introduced to a pressurized being introduced to a pressurized “box”“box”
Yellowish-grey smokeYellowish-grey smoke WhistlingWhistling Bowing windowsBowing windows ““Sealed” containersSealed” containers
Remember – Backdraft is triggered by O2 Remember – Backdraft is triggered by O2 being introduced to a pressurized being introduced to a pressurized “box”“box”
Yellowish-grey smokeYellowish-grey smoke WhistlingWhistling Bowing windowsBowing windows ““Sealed” containersSealed” containers
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SMOKE EXPLOSIONSMOKE EXPLOSIONRemember – A Smoke Explosion is a spark Remember – A Smoke Explosion is a spark
or flame applied to a mixture below its or flame applied to a mixture below its ignition temperatureignition temperature
Trapped gases in upper areasTrapped gases in upper areas Growing fireGrowing fire Increasing smoke densityIncreasing smoke density Air intake overtaking smoke exitingAir intake overtaking smoke exiting
Remember – A Smoke Explosion is a spark Remember – A Smoke Explosion is a spark or flame applied to a mixture below its or flame applied to a mixture below its ignition temperatureignition temperature
Trapped gases in upper areasTrapped gases in upper areas Growing fireGrowing fire Increasing smoke densityIncreasing smoke density Air intake overtaking smoke exitingAir intake overtaking smoke exiting
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RAPID FIRE SPREADRAPID FIRE SPREAD
Usually “Container” InfluencedUsually “Container” Influenced
Fuel for fire spread is smoke driven vs. Fuel for fire spread is smoke driven vs.
contents surface flamingcontents surface flaming
Look for fast-moving smoke in high Look for fast-moving smoke in high
pressure zones (stairs and hallways)pressure zones (stairs and hallways)
Usually “Container” InfluencedUsually “Container” Influenced
Fuel for fire spread is smoke driven vs. Fuel for fire spread is smoke driven vs.
contents surface flamingcontents surface flaming
Look for fast-moving smoke in high Look for fast-moving smoke in high
pressure zones (stairs and hallways)pressure zones (stairs and hallways)
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“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”
• Observations are Observations are
typically made typically made
from outside - from outside -
inside inside
observations hide observations hide
the “real” picture.the “real” picture.
• Observations are Observations are
typically made typically made
from outside - from outside -
inside inside
observations hide observations hide
the “real” picture.the “real” picture.
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“ Reading Smoke”“ Reading Smoke”
• Nothing is absolute Nothing is absolute
• Visible FIRE is easy to read - look past it Visible FIRE is easy to read - look past it
for the real storyfor the real story
• Compare vent openingsCompare vent openings
• Nothing is absolute Nothing is absolute
• Visible FIRE is easy to read - look past it Visible FIRE is easy to read - look past it
for the real storyfor the real story
• Compare vent openingsCompare vent openings
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The ART of Reading Smoke
The ART of Reading Smoke
A A 4-STEP PROCESS4-STEP PROCESS to help to help predict fire behavior and hostile predict fire behavior and hostile
eventsevents
A A 4-STEP PROCESS4-STEP PROCESS to help to help predict fire behavior and hostile predict fire behavior and hostile
eventsevents
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Step 1: Evaluate Key
Factors
Step 1: Evaluate Key
Factors• VolumeVolume
• Velocity Velocity
(Pressure)(Pressure)
• DensityDensity
• ColorColor
• VolumeVolume
• Velocity Velocity
(Pressure)(Pressure)
• DensityDensity
• ColorColor
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VOLUMEVOLUME
Always relative Always relative to the “Box”to the “Box”
Tells “how Tells “how much” fuel has much” fuel has off-gassedoff-gassed
Sets the StageSets the Stage
Always relative Always relative to the “Box”to the “Box”
Tells “how Tells “how much” fuel has much” fuel has off-gassedoff-gassed
Sets the StageSets the Stage
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VELOCITY (Pressure)VELOCITY (Pressure)
How fast is the How fast is the smoke leaving?smoke leaving?
Can indicate Can indicate volume or heatvolume or heat
Helps find the Helps find the location of the location of the actual fireactual fire
How fast is the How fast is the smoke leaving?smoke leaving?
Can indicate Can indicate volume or heatvolume or heat
Helps find the Helps find the location of the location of the actual fireactual fire
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DENSITYDENSITYMost Important Most Important
FactorFactorQuality of Quality of
BurningBurningContinuity of FuelContinuity of FuelLikelihood of an Likelihood of an
eventevent““Degree” of the Degree” of the
EventEvent
Most Important Most Important FactorFactor
Quality of Quality of BurningBurning
Continuity of FuelContinuity of FuelLikelihood of an Likelihood of an
eventevent““Degree” of the Degree” of the
EventEvent
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COLORCOLOR
Rarely tells Rarely tells “material burning”“material burning”
Stage of HeatingStage of Heating Location of FireLocation of Fire Amount of FlamingAmount of Flaming ““Brown” SmokeBrown” Smoke ““Black Fire”Black Fire”
Rarely tells Rarely tells “material burning”“material burning”
Stage of HeatingStage of Heating Location of FireLocation of Fire Amount of FlamingAmount of Flaming ““Brown” SmokeBrown” Smoke ““Black Fire”Black Fire”
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“BLACK FIRE”“BLACK FIRE”
“Black Fire” is the term we give to High Volume, High Velocity, Extremely Dense, Black Smoke.
It is the sure sign of impending flashover – VENT & COOL are your only choices.
“Black Fire” is the term we give to High Volume, High Velocity, Extremely Dense, Black Smoke.
It is the sure sign of impending flashover – VENT & COOL are your only choices.
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Step 2: Weigh Factors
Step 2: Weigh Factors
• Container (most Container (most important factor)important factor)
• Thermal BalanceThermal Balance
• WeatherWeather
• Firefighting Firefighting effortsefforts
• Container (most Container (most important factor)important factor)
• Thermal BalanceThermal Balance
• WeatherWeather
• Firefighting Firefighting effortsefforts
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Step 3: Judge the Rate of Change
Step 3: Judge the Rate of Change
How fast are SMOKE conditions How fast are SMOKE conditions getting better or worse?getting better or worse?
How fast are SMOKE conditions How fast are SMOKE conditions getting better or worse?getting better or worse?
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Step 4: Predict the EVENT
Step 4: Predict the EVENT
Consider that:Consider that:
• One hostile event can - One hostile event can - and and
usually willusually will - lead to another - lead to another
event.event.
• Communicate your Communicate your
observations.observations.
• Warning Signs are not always Warning Signs are not always
visual – use your KNOWLEDGE visual – use your KNOWLEDGE
and EXPERIENCE.and EXPERIENCE.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…
Consider that:Consider that:
• One hostile event can - One hostile event can - and and
usually willusually will - lead to another - lead to another
event.event.
• Communicate your Communicate your
observations.observations.
• Warning Signs are not always Warning Signs are not always
visual – use your KNOWLEDGE visual – use your KNOWLEDGE
and EXPERIENCE.and EXPERIENCE.
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS…
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Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”
When you open a door or window - When you open a door or window - watch what the smoke does – and watch what the smoke does – and what the fresh air does!what the fresh air does!
When you open a door or window - When you open a door or window - watch what the smoke does – and watch what the smoke does – and what the fresh air does!what the fresh air does!
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Some other “Tricks”Some other “Tricks”
A 5-second change in any key factor A 5-second change in any key factor means an event has taken place – means an event has taken place – the key is to define what event has the key is to define what event has taken place and to forecast what taken place and to forecast what will likely happen next. will likely happen next.
A 5-second change in any key factor A 5-second change in any key factor means an event has taken place – means an event has taken place – the key is to define what event has the key is to define what event has taken place and to forecast what taken place and to forecast what will likely happen next. will likely happen next.
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THE ART OF READING SMOKE
THE ART OF READING SMOKE
Some ExamplesSome ExamplesSome ExamplesSome Examples
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Special THANKS to:Special THANKS to:
Mike Scott, Battalion Chief, Kent (WA) Fire
David Ross, Chief of Safety, Toronto Fire Services
Peter McBride, Shift Safety Chief, Ottawa Fire
Mike Scott, Battalion Chief, Kent (WA) Fire
David Ross, Chief of Safety, Toronto Fire Services
Peter McBride, Shift Safety Chief, Ottawa Fire
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Be Safe – Make it SafeBe Safe – Make it Safe