Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
A group of around 100 firefighters from the U.S. and Canada gathered at Underwriters Laboratories in Northbrook on March 18 to explore new, safer methods for tackling residential fires. The event aimed to challenge traditional firefighting tactics and offer more options to emergency responders.
Steve Kerber, director of UL’s Firefighter Safety Research Institute, explained that the conventional approach has long involved quickly entering a burning building with hoses and aggressively attacking the fire room by room. This method, however, can push flames toward exterior walls and cause superheated water to create dangerous steam, which can be deadly to occupants inside, he said.
Instead, a newer technique called the transitional attack involves first engaging the fire from outside—through windows—before moving inside. Although this method is still not widely adopted by many fire departments, it was demonstrated in a specially equipped test house filled with hundreds of sensors.
“We’re not trying to dictate how you should fight a fire,†Kerber emphasized. “We’re simply giving you more choices.â€
The transitional attack has been tested about two dozen times in the past month as part of a three-year study funded by a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The findings are expected to be released next year.
During the demonstration, a team of UL-trained firefighters attacked two separate rooms through open windows, spraying water upward rather than horizontally to avoid spreading the fire. They then sprayed in a circular motion to cover all surfaces without introducing more oxygen into the room. Within 15 seconds, the flames were extinguished, and temperatures dropped from around 1,800°F to 250°F.
When the firefighters entered to check for remaining embers, they found only a small spot on a chair, according to Kerber.
However, the method isn’t without its challenges. Northbrook firefighter Lt. Ryan Lee pointed out that if windows are closed, the fire becomes trapped, and breaking one could introduce air and cause the fire to spread rapidly through interior walls.
Kerber suggested that if enough personnel are available, firefighters should go inside. If not, breaking a window might be the only option.
One of the main benefits of the transitional method is that it reduces the time firefighters spend inside a burning structure, which is critical for their safety. This was highlighted by Lionel Crowther, a senior firefighter from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, who was severely burned in a 2007 fire. He shared his personal experience of losing two captains during that incident.
This study marks the first time the transitional attack has been tested with such extensive data collection, including its effects on human skin. Researchers from the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute are using pig carcasses and rats to simulate real-world conditions.
Gavin Horn, the institute’s research director, noted that there’s a common misconception that water increases the steaming effect on victims. However, the study showed that the fire itself produces a significant amount of moisture.
During the test, eight cameras captured footage both inside and outside the house. A fire was started with a dropped match and allowed to burn for several minutes before firefighters were given the signal to act. Kerber explained that flashover—the point when everything in a room ignites—typically occurs within four minutes.
Fire Chief Brad Shull of the Jefferson Twp., Ohio, fire department pointed out that many departments arrive at the scene after seven minutes, suggesting they may be responding too late.
While the transitional method shows promise, some critics argue that the test setup didn’t fully reflect real-life scenarios, especially in wealthier suburban homes with larger spaces and more airflow.
McCulloch noted that in such cases, internal firefighting might still be necessary. He also stressed the importance of homeowners closing doors when evacuating, as this can significantly reduce the amount of oxygen feeding the fire.
rugged and uneven terrain transporter,Incline Conveyor,steep terrain logging and transport
Henan Lukewei Road Machinery Manufacturing Co.,Ltd , https://www.lukeweimachinery.com