FSRI Releases Part II of the Fire Attack Study: Air Entrainment
UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI) is pleased to release the scientific report and online training program from Part II of the 2013 DHS FEMA Grant, Impact of Fire Attack Utilizing Interior and Exterior Streams on Occupant Survival: Air Entrainment.
This report and associated online training detail the results and analysis from the air entrainment testing. These tests were conducted without the presence of fire, to gain a fundamental understanding of how hose streams entrain air. Each set of experiments was intended to add to the understanding of air entrainment and pressure from fire service hose streams by evaluating the differences caused by various application methods, hose stream types, nozzle movements, pressures/flow rates, manufacturers, and ventilation configurations.
“Understanding the concept of air entrainment can aid firefighters in being more effective. Applying these concepts to structural firefighting allows for better control of air during both interior and exterior operations.”
- Steve Kerber, Vice President, Research and Director, FSRI
Click here to download the report.
Click here to access the online training.
Abstract
As research continues into how fire department interventions affect fire dynamics in the modern fire environment, questions continue to arise on the impact and implications of interior versus exterior fire attack on both firefighter safety and occupant survivability. Previous research into various types of fire ground ventilation, flow paths, and exterior fire streams has provided the fire service with an increased understanding of fire dynamics. However, in some instances, the information from the studies did not support current, experience-based practices. This gap between the research to date and the fire ground suppression experience has driven the need for further study.
This study will build upon the fire research conducted to date by analyzing how firefighting tactics, specifically different fire suppression tools and tactics, affect the thermal exposure and survivability of both firefighters and building occupants and affect fire behavior in structures. The purpose of this study is to improve firefighter safety, fire ground tactics, and the knowledge of fire dynamics by providing the fire service with scientific information, developed from water flow and full-scale fire testing, in representative single-family homes. This study will build and expand upon the fire research conducted to date by analyzing how firefighting tactics, specifically suppression methods, affect the thermal exposure and survivability of both firefighters and building occupants in addition to impacting fire behavior in structures. The purpose of this study is to improve firefighter safety, fireground tactics, and the knowledge of fire dynamics by providing the fire service with credible scientific information, developed from both water flow and full-scale fire testing, in representative single family homes. The project is comprised of 3 parts:
• Part I: Water Distribution
• Part II: Air Entrainment
• Part III: Full-Scale Residential Fire Experiments
This report details the results and analysis from the air entrainment testing. These tests were conducted without the presence of fire to gain a fundamental understanding of how hose streams entrain air. Each set of experiments was intended to add to the understanding of air entrainment and pressure from fire service hose streams by evaluating the differences caused by various application methods, hose stream types, nozzle movements, pressures/flow rates, manufacturers, and ventilation configurations.
Research Project: Study of the Impact of Fire Attack Utilizing Interior and Exterior Streams on Firefighter Safety and Occupant Survival
Report Title: Impact of Fire Attack Utilizing Interior and Exterior Streams on Firefighter Safety and Occupant Survival: Air Entrainment
Report Authors: Craig Weinschenk, Keith Stakes and Robin Zevotek
Download the Report: https://dx.doi.org/10.54206/102376/GMAX3657
Release Date: December 6, 2017
