Flashover Recognition and Survival - Mobile Flashover Training from PSFA

 FLASHOVER SURVIVAL TRAINING

PURPOSE

Flashover training provides members a safe environment to witness the different stages of fire behavior; Incipient, Free Burning and Decay Stages.  Early signs of Flashover, such as, rollover will also be created.

Members will be able to identify signs and signals leading to eminent Flashover and perform cooling measures to increase their survivability.

TRAINING PROCEDURES

1. Brief lecture about the phenomenon of Flashover, procedures while inside the container and safety surrounding live fire training.
2. Prior to entering the Flashover container certain nozzle techniques will be discussed, demonstrated and performed by each member.

• Heat checks
• Aggressive cooling measures
• Penciling

3. Debriefing and Rehabilitation.
4. Assist with loading and cleaning out the container.

TERMINOLOGY

• Flashover:  The scientific definition states it is caused by the radiation feedback of heat.  Heat from the growing fire is absorbed into the upper walls and contents of the room, heating up the combustible gases and furnishings to their auto-ignition temperature.  This build up of heat in the room triggers flashover.
• Rollover:  Sporadic flashes of flames mixed with smoke at ceiling level.  Rollover precedes flashover.
• Off gassing:  The breakdown of combustible material exposed to heat to the point of omitting flammable gasses.
• Heat Checks:  A nozzle technique used to test the environment above your head. Nozzle is positioned straight over head on a full fog pattern then opened and closed quickly.
• Aggressive Cooling Measures:  Nozzles techniques used to cool super heated gases to reduce the potential of a flashover.

1. Three Dimensional water fog application
2. Up/Down method

3. Penciling

    

   TERMINOLOGY CONTINUED:

    

• Flashpoint:       A temperature, measured in degrees of Fahrenheit, in which a product will begin to emit flammable vapors.
• Ignition Temperature:   The temperature in which emitting vapors will ignite.             

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

• Full PPE’s
• Extra hood
• Extra Long or short  sleeve shirts
• Knee Pads (optional)
• Extra Work pants
• Drink plenty of fluid before arriving to training