Common Firefighting Common Firefighting Extinguishing AgentsExtinguishing Agents
Water Water FoamsFoams Halon 1211Halon 1211 COCO22
Dry chemicalsDry chemicals Dry powdersDry powdersExtinguishing agents are selected Extinguishing agents are selected
based on based on the materials that are burning.the materials that are burning.
Suppressing Class B Suppressing Class B FiresFires
( flammable / combustible liquids and ( flammable / combustible liquids and gases)gases)
Key Terms:Key Terms:
Flammable liquidFlammable liquid Combustible Combustible
liquidliquid Compressed gasCompressed gas Flash pointFlash point BleveBleve Vapour pressureVapour pressure
Vapour densityVapour density Specific gravitySpecific gravity Soluble / insolubleSoluble / insoluble Miscible / Miscible /
immiscibleimmiscible Boiling pointBoiling point HydrocarbonHydrocarbon Polar solventPolar solvent
Suppressing Large Suppressing Large Class B FiresClass B Fires
Extreme caution.Extreme caution. Stop leak.Stop leak. Avoid standing in fuel. Avoid standing in fuel.
(wicking)(wicking) Foam to extinguish Foam to extinguish
large fire.large fire. Large volumes of Large volumes of
water to cool tank & water to cool tank & reduce vapour reduce vapour pressure. (BLEVE)pressure. (BLEVE)
Fog dissipates Fog dissipates vapours.vapours.
Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B Fires
Water as a Cooling Water as a Cooling AgentAgent
Protect exposures.Protect exposures. Cool burning tanks.Cool burning tanks. Cool vapours in tanks.Cool vapours in tanks. Cool support beams Cool support beams
and and
other materials that other materials that may weaken.may weaken.
Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B Fires
Water as a Mechanical ToolWater as a Mechanical Tool
Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B FiresWater as a Mechanical ToolWater as a Mechanical Tool
Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B FiresWater as a Substitute MediumWater as a Substitute Medium
Using Water to Control Using Water to Control Class B FiresClass B Fires
Water as Protective CoverWater as Protective Cover
Bulk Transport Vehicle Bulk Transport Vehicle FiresFires
Same techniques Same techniques for controlling fires for controlling fires in storage vessels.in storage vessels.
Traffic risks.Traffic risks. Water supply Water supply
limitations. limitations. Additional risks Additional risks
posed by location.posed by location. Instability of Instability of
vehicle.vehicle. Container damage.Container damage.
Passenger Vehicle FiresPassenger Vehicle Fires
Approach from sides.Approach from sides. Attack upwind.Attack upwind. Protect occupants.Protect occupants. ALWAYS WEAR SCBAALWAYS WEAR SCBA
Passenger Vehicle FiresPassenger Vehicle Fires
Dangers:Dangers: Gas tankGas tank Alternative Alternative
fuel vehiclesfuel vehicles ShocksShocks BumpersBumpers Tires Tires BatteryBattery Pistons on Pistons on
liftgatesliftgates Strut Strut
suspensionsuspension
Control of Gas UtilitiesControl of Gas UtilitiesNatural GasNatural Gas 40% Lighter than 40% Lighter than
air.air. Non toxic but will Non toxic but will
displace oxygen.displace oxygen. Distinctive odour.Distinctive odour. Explosive range 5-Explosive range 5-
15%15% Fire / leak. Fire / leak. Notify Enbridge Notify Enbridge
Gas.Gas.
Liquefied Petroleum Liquefied Petroleum GasGas
Stored as a liquid when Stored as a liquid when under pressure in under pressure in container.container.
Expansion ratio 270-1.Expansion ratio 270-1. Vapour density 1.5. Vapour density 1.5.
(heavier)(heavier) Explosive range 1.5-10%Explosive range 1.5-10% NO ODOURNO ODOUR Fire / leak.Fire / leak. BLEVEBLEVE Evacuate area.Evacuate area.
Suppressing Class C Suppressing Class C FiresFires
Hydro vaults, transformers, substations, Hydro vaults, transformers, substations, commercial high voltage installations, etc.commercial high voltage installations, etc.
Recognize the electrical danger.Recognize the electrical danger. Notify hydro.Notify hydro. Shut off power.Shut off power. Use proper extinguishing agents and Use proper extinguishing agents and
methods.methods. Ground gradient / step or touch potential.Ground gradient / step or touch potential. Maintain safe working distances.Maintain safe working distances.
Suppressing Class D Suppressing Class D FiresFires
Combustible metals & alloys: magnesium, Combustible metals & alloys: magnesium, sodium, lithium, potassium.sodium, lithium, potassium.
No universal class D extinguishing agent.No universal class D extinguishing agent. Class D agents – dry powders.Class D agents – dry powders. Facilities that use or store these metals Facilities that use or store these metals
are required to maintain adequate are required to maintain adequate amounts of extinguishing agent.amounts of extinguishing agent.
Water may cause a reaction / explosion.Water may cause a reaction / explosion.
Practical Learning Practical Learning OutcomesOutcomes
Interior direct attack.Interior direct attack. Interior indirect attack.Interior indirect attack. Combination attack.Combination attack. Exterior fire attack.Exterior fire attack. Class B fire attack using water fog Class B fire attack using water fog
(2 teams).(2 teams).