Part I of the Fire Attack Study Released: Water Mapping
UL Research Institutes' Fire Safety Research Institute is pleased to release the scientific report and online training program from Part I of the 2013 Department of Homeland Security FEMA Grant-funded project, Impact of Fire Attack Utilizing Interior and Exterior Streams on Occupant Survival: Water Mapping.
This report and associated online training detail the results and analysis of a series of experiments using fire service hose streams, conducted without the presence of fire, to gain a fundamental understanding of water distribution within a compartment.
“These results will aid firefighters in understanding where water is going during various application methods along with allowing them to better understand how tactical choices such as hose stream type, nozzle movement patterns, pressures/flow rates, stream locations and elevation angles effect water distribution.”
- Steve Kerber, Vice President, Research and Director, FSRI
Abstract
As research continues into how fire department interventions affect fire dynamics in the modern fire environment, questions remain on the impact and implications of interior versus exterior fire attack on both firefighter safety and occupant survivability. Previous research on various types of fireground 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 may not support current, experienced-based practices. This gap between the research to date and the fireground suppression experience has driven the need for further study. Therefore, research into the various methods of fire attack will allow a broader understanding of how firefighter interventions on the fireground can impact the outcomes of both life safety and property protection.
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, fireground 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. 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 of the water distribution experiments. These tests were conducted without the presence of fire to gain a fundamental understanding of water flows into compartments. Each test was designed to quantify water distribution within a compartment by evaluating the differences caused by various application methods, hose stream types, nozzle movements, pressures/flow rates, stream locations, and elevation angles.
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: Water Mapping
Report Authors: Craig Weinschenk, Keith Stakes and Robin Zevotek
Download the Report: https://dx.doi.org/10.54206/102376/NEVX1787
Release Date: December 6, 2017
