FSRI and ISFSI Release Report - Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires
The “Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires” report is now available.
BC Corner of the Basement Structure
Supported with a DHS/FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant, ISFSI and UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) conducted this research to better understand why basement fires present such a high risk to firefighters and what they can do to avoid injury. This study went beyond earlier research by increasing the size of the basement and incorporating three different ventilation and access conditions to the basement. Those access conditions include no exterior access to the basement, limited exterior access to the basement, and exterior access to the basement. The results of the experiments show the importance of identifying a basement fire, controlling ventilation, and flowing an effective hose stream into the basement from a position of advantage, as soon as possible.
Abstract
Many firefighters have been injured or killed while trying to extinguish a basement fire or a fire on a level below them. Prior research has shown basement fires present a high risk to firefighters. This risk stems from unexpected floor collapse and high heat. Prior research also indicated the tools that firefighters have traditionally used to determine the structural integrity of the floor offer little value with lightweight construction. Past experiments in small basements have indicated that the most effective method of fighting a basement fire may be from the exterior of the building.
This study went beyond earlier research by increasing the size of the basement and incorporating three different ventilation and access conditions to the basement. Those access conditions include no exterior access to the basement, limited exterior access to the basement, and exterior access to the basement. The results of the experiments show the importance of identifying a basement fire, controlling ventilation and flowing an effective hose stream into the basement from a position of advantage, as soon as possible.
These experiments highlighted the importance of identifying a basement fire during size-up and subsequently choosing the appropriate tactics that coordinate ventilation with suppression. In all experiments, the basement fire were ventilation limited. Additional ventilation without suppression was shown in to increase the hazard to any occupants trapped in the structure. Various nozzles and appliances were used to flow water into the basement. Water streams applied through the floor, through a small window remote from the seat of the fire, and through a basement level access door controlled the fire and reduced the hazard throughout the structure.
Effective water application into the basement cooled the fire gases to prevent flashover, slowed the destruction of the structure, and reduced the hazard from fire. This action made entry conditions into a basement with active burning possible for a fully protected firefighter. Effective water application also supported search operations and reduced the threat from heat and toxic gases for any trapped occupants. Occupants isolated from the fire environment by a closed door or other means were provided addition protection when compared with conditions in rooms open to the fire environment.
Research Project: Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires
Report Title: Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires
Report Authors: Daniel Madryzkowski and Craig Weinschenk
Download the Report: https://dx.doi.org/10.54206/102376/ETSA5492
Release Date: August 3, 2018
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Captain Matt LeTourneau, Philadelphia FD, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2018 after succumbing to injuries suffered from a structural collapse while fighting a rowhouse fire. Matt assisted FSRI countless times when we conducted experiments in Pennsylvania and was a key member of the technical panel for the Basement Fires research project. He always stopped by to talk fire service topics and to simply see if we needed an extra hand with anything, usually before or after a shift with PFD. In honor of his contributions, the Understanding and Fighting Basement Fires Project is dedicated in his name. |
