Developed By: Firefighter Alex Chapin August 2017

Transcription

1 F O G N A I L O P E R A T I O N S 1. 1 Develped By: Firefighter Alex Chapin August 2017 T A S K S K I L L D E S C R I P T I O N A N D D E T A I L The fgnail, when deplyed in a timely and accurate manner n the fire grund, has the ptential t halt fire grwth, limit excessive prperty damage, and increase firefighter safety. The fgnail can be implemented within a variety f applicatins and it is imprtant that persnnel understand when, where, and hw the fgnail shuld be deplyed t ensure maximum effectiveness. Understanding the Fgnail: The fgnail (figure 1) is a lng slender nzzle that is equipped with a piercing tip that can be driven thrugh walls, rfs, flrs and windw frames. The intent f the fgnail is t intrduce very fine water drplets int an atmsphere t cntrl a fire withut therwise pening up the cntainer and intrducing unnecessary xygen int the envirnment. In a sense, placing a fgnail int a structure is cmparable t a sprinkler head f a fire prtectin system but mre efficent. Cnsideratin shuld be made n hw lng the device is flwed. The device shuld be flwed unitl the fire suppressed, i.e. seam cnverted. Effrts shuld be made t cntinually mnitr fire cnditins and limit water damage if pssible. It will need t be fllwed up with interir handlines, salvage and verhaul in rder t achieve final fire cntrl. Figure 1 Fgnail Design Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 1

2 Tw Fgnail Types: LFRA emplys tw types f fgnails that are designed fr very different applicatins. Each fgnail prduces a unique stream that is intended fr deplyment t different, specific parts f a structure. Attack Fgnail (Figure 2 and 3) - The attack fgnail is similar t a side wall sprinkler head. It prduces a lng, narrw stream f tiny water particles with the ptential t reach up t 26 feet. The stream prduced by the attack fgnail mre clsely resembles that f a traditinal fg nzzle r pwer cne stream. The attack fgnail cmbines the benefits f maximum absrptin f heat frm small water drplets with stream reach. These characteristics make the attack fgnail ideal fr exterir attack n a rm and cntents fire, attic fire attack frm the gable end f a structure, r attic attack frm the sffit prtin f a structure. Figure 2 Attack Fgnail Stream Figure 3 Attack Fgnail Tip Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 2

3 Restrictr Fgnail (Figure 4 and 5) - The restrictr fgnail prduces a shallw, wide stream f tiny water drplets capable f reaching a width f up t 33 feet. The stream prduced by the restrictr fgnail resembles that f a pendant r upright sprinkler head. Because f this unique stream shape, the restrictr fgnail is best utilized in an attic fire attack frm the rf deck r ceiling, a basement fire attack thrugh the ceiling, r in a very cnfined space (wall, crawl space, etc.). Fgnail Equipment: Each LFRA engine shall be equipped with the fllwing equipment fr fgnail peratins (figure 6): - (1) Attack Fgnail (white) - (1) Restrictr Fgnail (red) - (2) hse packs (Hrseshe) - (1) Gated Wye (Precnnected t attack nail pack) Figure 6 Fgnail Equipment (Engine) Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 3

4 Each fgnail hse pack n LFRA engines shall be laded int a hrseshe lad and precnnected t the fgnail nzzle. The attack fgnail hse pack shall be precnnected t the gated wye n the female end f the hse (see belw figure 7). The male cupling (fgnail cnnectin) must be placed at the center f the hrseshe. Figure 7 Cmpleted Fgnail Pack - Engine Each LFRA aerial truck shall be equipped with the fllwing equipment fr fgnail peratins (figure 8): ***Nte: Fgnail hse n aerial apparatus are t remain in rlls. - (2) Attack Fgnail (white) - (2) Restrictr Fgnail (red) - (4) hse pack (Rlled) - (1) Fgnail Hammer Figure 8 Fgnail Equipment (Aerial Truck) Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 4

5 Fgnail Deplyment (Tactical Level): Attic Fires Gable Attack: The attack fgnail can be deplyed t an attic fire using multiple tactics. When available, the attack fgnail may be placed in the gable end f a building by placing it thrugh the siding r utilizing a gable vent (figure 9). The stream reach f the attack fgnail has the ability t reach a large amunt f attic space ptentially invlved in fire frm this psitin. Sffit Attack: Anther pssibility when dealing with an attic fire is t utilize an attack fgnail thrugh the sffit prtin f the structure. When cnducting a sffit attack, it is essential that an angle is used t direct water tward the peak f the rf within the attic (Figure 10). If the firefighter is able t insert the fg nail at an angle parallel t the rf deck, this is generally ideal. Figure 9 Gable Attack n Attic Space Figure 10 Sffit Attack n Attic Space Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 5

6 Attic Fires (Cntinued) Rf Attack: Anther tactic that may be applied t an attic fire is the fgnail attack thrugh the rf deck (Figure 11). T perfrm this peratin, a firefighter will utilize the restrictr fgnail and incert it directly thrugh the rf deck and int the attic space. The ideal element abut this attack methd is that it virtually places an verhead sprinkler system int the attic space t cntrl the fire. The majrity f rf decks are very similar in the sense that ther than shingles and the deck itself, there is very little material t impede attic access with the fgnail. Ceiling Attack (Interir): Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary t utilize the restrictr fgnail frm the interir f the structure. In this case, the attic space wuld be accessed frm belw thrugh the ceiling. This tactic is nt ideal because f the barriers that may exist when attempting t access the attic space. Vid spaces, insulatin, etc. may have the ptential t blck the water stream frm reaching the attic space. This tactic may be utilized if gable, sffit, and rf access pints are nt available. Cmbinatin Attack: Due t attic cnstructin and/r fire invlvement, cmbining the attack methds described abve may be necessary fr fire cntrl (Figure 12). Prtins f the attic may nt be accessible with a certain attack methd and fgnail lcatin may be adjusted until a psitive change in fire cnditin ccurs. Figure 11 Rf Deck Attack n Attic Space Figure 12 Cmbinatin Attack Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 6

7 Vent Limited Fires Figure 13 Vent Limited Attack Optins The fgnail may be the ideal tactic t apply tward a vent-limited rm and cntents fire. When the cntents f a structure are n fire and n windws r drs are pen t the utside f the building, the fire has the ptential t be vent limited. This means that the fire des nt have enugh xygen t be prgressive and cntinue t cnsume the fuels within the structure at a rapid pace. If the building is pened up by the fire department fr suppressin, the fire has the ptential t grw based n the intrductin f supplemental xygen. When applying the fgnail t a vent-limited fire, water is intrduced int the cntainer s atmsphere withut intruducing addtinal air. This allws massive amunts f heat t be absrbed by the expanding steam. The fgnail attack must then be fllwed up by interir attack lines t gain fire cntrl. It is essential that the cntainer is vented as sn as the fire becmes suppressed. Heat and cmbustin prducts will then be released frm the cntainer resulting in increased visibility fr crews wrking inside (attack, search, verhaul). When applying the fgnail t a vent limited rm and cntents fire, the attack fgnail will be the tl f chice in mst circumstances. There are a variety f lcatins that the fgnail can be driven thrugh the siding f the building, hwever, ne f the best ptins will be near r thrugh a windw frame (Figure 13). By inserting the fgnail near a windw, it allws crews t ensure the fgnail has entered the envirnment as well as visualy mnitr change in fire cnditins prduced by the fgnail. Basement Fires When applying the fgnail t a basement fire, tactics will ften be very cnsistent with tactics applied t a vent limited rm and cntents fire (see abve). When pssible, the windw frame shuld be utilized fr fgnail insertin belw grade. Multiple attack pints may be necessary t access the extent f the basement that is invlved in fire. Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 7

8 Fgnail Deplyment (Task Level): Fgnail Supply Line Deplyment: In rder t place a fgnail int peratin, a hse line must be stretched t supply the fgnail with water (figure 14). There are several hse line ptins n LFRA engines that can be emplyed fr fgnail supply. The bumper line, perhaps, is the mst favrable and quickest line available t supply the fgnail r if the apparatus is clse enugh, cnntecting the wye directly t the pump discharge. When necessary, the yellw, r alley line may als be apprpriate. If pssible, cndsider aviding using the green line due t use and applicatins f ur G-Frce nzzle. Figure 14: Firefighter selects and pulls apprpriate line fr fgnail supply Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 8

9 Once pulled, the firefighter must remve the nzzle r gasner frm the supply line and attach the ne-inch fgnail pack with the gated wye. The firefighter shuld ensure that the gated wye is clsed t prevent the fgnail pack frm being charged prematurely. Figure 15 - Firefighter Remves Nzzle frm Supply Line Figure 16 - Firefighter Attaches Fgnail Pack ***Nte: If the restrictr fg nail pack is t be deplyed, the gated wye must be remved frm the attack fgnail pack and transferred t the restrictr befre cnnecting t the supply line. Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 9

10 As sn as the fgnail pack is attached, the firefighter must call fr the line t be charged. This ensures that water is immediately available at the gated wye when the fgnail is in place (figure 17). Figure 17 - Supply Line Charged t the Gated Wye Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 10

11 Placing the Fgnail: Once the line designated t supply the fgnail has been deplyed, it is time t place the fgnail int the structure. Whether the fgnail is t be placed int the siding, rf, r windw frame f the building, the prcedure t insert the fgnail is essentially the same. The firefighter must first take the time t flake ut the ne-inch fgnail pack prir t charging the hse (figure 18). This step is crucial t preventing hse entanglement later, especially nce multiple fgnails cme int play. Figure 18 - Firefighter flakes ut the nce inch hrseshe lad Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 11

12 Prir t inserting the fgnail int the structure, the firefighter must first size up the deplyment site. Windws, heat signatures, and smke can all aid in selecting the specific lcatin in which t insert the fgnail. When inserting the fgnail fr a rm and cntents fire, placement within the tp 1/3 f the wall is a best practice in rder t avid furniture and ther fixtures. The firefighter must first make an initial hle in the siding r rf, this can be dne by utilizing the pick end f the fgnail hammer (figure 19). Once the initial hle is made, the fgnail tip can be placed int the hle and the fgnail driven int the structure using the flathead side f the hammer (figure 20). Figure 19 - Firefighter creates initial hle utilizing The pick end f the hammer Figure 20 - Firefighter drives the fgnail int the structure utilizing the flat end f the hammer ***Nte: If the firefighter faces any resistance when driving the fgnail int the structure, they must remve the fgnail and chse a different spt. If the fgnail is frced it will bend r break! Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 12

13 The drill and bit can be emplyed as an alternative t the hammer when placing the fgnail int a structure. Thugh ptentially mre time cnsuming, the drill allws the fgnail t be placed with great accuracy. In additin, the drill gives the firefighter an ptin t utilize the windw frame as an insertin pint fr the fgnail. When drilling the wall, the firefighter must visualize structural cmpnets that may act as an bstructin. Enugh space must be given between a windw and the insertin pint t avid running int windw framing (figure 21). When drilling the windw frame, the firefighter must chse a wide enugh prtin that will accmmdate the entire hle and allw clearance frm the glass (Figure 22). Figure 21 Firefighter chses the tp 1/3 f the wall near the windw t drill fr fgnail insertin Figure 22- Firefighter chses the widest prtin f the windw frame t drill fr fgnail insertin Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 13

14 Placing the Fgnail fr Gable Attack: When placing the attack fgnail fr gable attack, the ladder shuld be situated t the side f the deplyment site. Charging the fgnail prir t climbing the ladder prevents multiple trips up and dwn the ladder. This als allws fr a timely, single persn deplyment f the fgnail (Figure 21). The fgnail shuld be placed as high as pssible in the gable end f the structure (figure 22), if the building type des nt allw fr fgnail insertin thrugh the siding, a gable attic vent may be utilized. Figure 21 - The hse is charged prir t climbing the ladder Figure 22 - The firefighter places the fgnail as high as pssible in the gable end f the structure ***Nte: The attack fgnail is the primary chice fr a gable end attic attack Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 14

15 Placing the Fgnail fr Sffit Attack: When placing the attack fgnail fr a sffit attack, the ladder shuld be situated just belw, r ff t the side f the target lcatin. Sme sffits may be difficult t access fr fgnail attack and alternative ptins may be ideal. When inserting the attack fgnail int the sffit, the firefighter shuld attempt t match the insertin angle with the rf deck as much as pssible (Figure 23). This allws fr the mst efficient stream cverage within the attic space. The firefighter must als place the fgnail as clse as pssible t the building while still remaining in the sffit. This ensures that the fgnail makes it int the attic space rather than int a vid space. Figure 23 The firefighter places the attack fgnail in the sffit at the same angle as the rf deck. ***Nte: The attack fgnail is the primary chice fr a sffit attack Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 15

16 Placing the Fgnail fr Rf Attack (Grund Ladders): When utilizing the rf deck fr fgnail attack n an attic fire, a rf ladder can be utilized in rder t manage risk. The extensin ladder and rf ladder shuld be placed in cnjunctin with the fgnail being deplyed. When placing a restrictr fgnail int the rf deck f a structure, the thermal imager must be relied heavily upn. The fficer incharge f the peratin must take the time t scan the rf with a thermal imager in rder t ensure accuracy when placing the fgnail (Figure 24). When a significant heat signature is identified, the fgnail shuld be placed at the highest pint pssible directly abve the signature in rder t capture the entire space ptentially invlved in fire (Figure 25). Figure 24: The fficer scans the rf fr heat signatures in rder t determine fgnail placement Figure 25: The firefighter places the restrictr fgnail as high as pssible near the peak f the rf ***Nte: The restrictr fgnail is the primary chice fr a rf attack Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 16

17 Placing the Fgnail fr Rf Attack (Aerial Ladder): When utilizing an aerial ladder fr fgnail deplyment t the rf, the ladder/platfrm shuld be utilized as much as pssible in rder t maximize safety within the peratin. When placing the restrictr fgnail in the rf deck frm an aerial device, the hse must remain in a rlled psitin fr deplyment. Once the aerial is in psitin, the hse must be rlled dwn the rf deck tward the grund level s that it can be hked up fr supply (Figure 26). The fgnail can then be driven thrugh the rf deck and charged in the same manner as previusly described (Figure 27). Every effrt shuld be made t insert the fgnail while remaining n the aerial platfrm r ladder. Figure 26: Firefighter rlls the fgnail hse dwn the rf deck where it will be cnnected t a supply line belw Figure 27: Firefighter inserts the fgnail int the rf deck while remaining n the aerial platfrm Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 17

18 R E F E R E N C E S "Fgnail - Attack and Restrictr." DAFO Fire & Rescue Equiptment. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 July "Fgnails." Cmpartment Fire Behavir RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 July IFSTA Essentials f Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operatins, 5 th Editin IFSTA Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/ Operatr Handbk, 3 rd Editin LFRA Fgnail Presentatin: V:\Fire\Training Natinal Fire Prtectin Agency Standards: 1961, 1963,1964,1965 "Swedish Fgnail Specialists." Water Fg. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 July Fgnail Operatins 1.1 Page 18