Fire Fighting Strategic Ventilation of the United Kingdom vs the United States - Research Paper Example

Fire Fighting Strategic Ventilation United Kingdom vs. United States Introduction Fire fighting is the art of putting out destructive fires. The purpose of fire fighting is to rescue lives and prevent the destruction of property and the surrounding environment. Fire fighting has over the years developed from simple extinguishing of fires to a more complex process that involve emergency medication hence it requires proper training and relevant education for one to become proficient. Extinguishment The science of extinguishment is to ensure that fires are put out by removing the four components. For instance, water is the basic method used for putting out fires. The firs way in which it achieves this is by the removal of heat from the fire; this is described as cooling process. Water has the ability to absorb a lot of heat from the fire converting it to steam. Without the heat, the fuel cannot combine with oxygen to keep on burning. The second way of extinguishing fires by use of water is by smothering the fire. Water is heated to boiling point by the heat in the fires and when this happens, it’s converted to steam or vapor. Vapor dilutes oxygen in the air and the reduced oxygen cannot support fires. Form can effectively achieve this status and it’s usually added to water during fire extinguishing process (Madrzykowski & Kerber 2009). A third way to put out fires is the removal of fuel from the fires. This is basically achieved by curbing the flow of the fuel responsible for fires like gases of liquids. Otherwise the fire can be allowed to deplete the fuel by itself then it is put off by itself. The fourth way to achieve extinguishment is by inhibiting the chemical changes that take place. This can be achieved by use of halogenated chemicals and other dry chemicals which inhibit the process of combustion and stop flaming (Thomson 2004). Strategic ventilation Strategic ventilation is very important in the process of fire fighting and this may need to be carried out at any time in the strategic hierarchy depending on the prevailing situation. In many occasions, fire fighters have overlooked the significance of ventilation (Bernard 2007). Generally this disregard is common among the fire fighting companies that do not have ladders. Smoke is a major hazard in the event of a fire outbreak as it carries poisonous gases with it carries heat and obstructs vision as well. Ventilation is a strategy that is used to put out the fires and reduce smoke (Bernard 2007). Paul Grimwood was the man behind the introduction of tactical ventilation in management of fires to put a well organized and smart way to fight fires. Strategic ventilation has since then been adopted by the United Kingdom fire fighters. Strategic ventilation is actually the process of venting or containing fires so that the fire fighters have control over it and interior fire fighting operations can be achieved effectively (Madrzykowski & Kerber 2009). Ventilations help to provide safety to people’s lives, property conservation, and assists in fire extinguishment. The first thing that ventilation does is to pull the fire away from areas that cannot be accessed or where people could be trapped. It can also reduce the spread of fire by directing it to open areas where fire fighter can effectively attack it and reduce smoke and other hazards like chocking, heat and wasting water. Tactical Ventilation in UK and US The fire fighters in the UK have always carried out the Positive pressure ventilation techniques when faced with fires. PPV is the use of a fan to direct fires to parts of the building by creating areas of excess pressure enabling heat and smoke to be pooled away, the fire fighters can then secure the safer areas and rescue people. The exit for the smoke is very necessary hence clear understanding of the building is very necessary (Thomson 2004). The doors should remain open or propped. The disadvantage of this is that in some incidences, fire may be initiated. Hydraulic ventilation involves directing a stream of fire and smoke from inside the building to the window or door by use of a fog pattern. By this means, smoke is effectively pulled out of the structure. Some people tend to look at ventilation as something that should be done when the fire is over just for the comfort of the fire fighters. This is not true in the real sense as ventilation is a very important tool for rescue operations in the event of a fire (Madrzykowski & Kerber 2009). It helps to confine the fires, save lives, extinguish flames and also reduce the exposure rates. Rescue ventilation involves directing fire away from potential victims and help to clear ways like the stairs so that fire fighting rescue operations are effected. Confinement ventilation helps to stop the heat from flashing over (Bernard 2007). In extinguishment ventilation, the fires are made visible to the fire fighters so that the inside of the buildings can be more tenable and safer. The key point is to know when, where and how to apply it. In full flamed structure with poisonous gases, ventilation can be a very important tool. The fire and rescue operations in the UK are organized in the county basis or the metropolitan area since the counties were reorganized in 1974. Scotland and Wales operate their own regional bases with eight in Scotland and three in Wales. The Northern Ireland operates under one brigade. The term brigade was largely used in early 19th century before it was replaced by use of fire and rescue team following changes in the legislation. In the rural areas of the UK, fire fighter stations are operated by retained fire fighters who man the station on part time basis (Madrzykowski & Kerber 2009). The stations not only respond to incidences of fires but also to other emergencies that threaten people lives, property and the environment as well. Advantages of Vertical Ventilations Two types tactical ventilation have been descried and are very imperative in the process of structural putting out fire operations. They are vertical and horizontal ventilation otherwise referred to as lateral ventilation by some people. The use of both types is very effective and makes the fire fighting work very safe (Madrzykowski & Kerber 2009). However, though this fire fighting process have been very efficient in putting out fierce fires, they are very destructive in nature in bring out the specific needs. For instance, in the event of a fire and ventilation is required, firefighters get to dig or create holes in the roof tops, break up windows, open up floors to allow heated gases under pressure or smoke to get out the interior sections of the buildings. Opening up holes in the roof or breaking floors during these operations is known as vertical ventilation, on the other hand, lateral ventilation can be done where windows and walls are opened instead, or doors broken to let out smoke and other gases from the inside(Madrzykowski & Kerber 2009). In the United States of America as opposed to the United Kingdom, vertical ventilation is widely used for fire extinguishing. Vertical ventilation is basically an initial stage of tactical ventilation process of fire fighting operations and is usually applied for various objectives to be achieved. When vertical ventilation is carried out successfully, its able to relives the top most parts of the buildings under fire of smoke and heated gases. This provide safe working environment for fire fighter and rescue teams. When smoke and the heated gases are done away with; fire fighters are able to prevent conditions called mushrooming. This is a situation where smoke and heated gases spread to other areas pushing down to the lower portions of the building helping fire expansion and explosions. This is because pressure may mount up and gases that are heated increased in confined areas of the structure leading to blasts. Vertical ventilation has the advantage of increasing the survival period of victims who can be rescued later when trapped or feeling unconscious. Vertical ventilation allows gases to escape upwards hence clearing the areas of poisonous gases that can suffocate individual furthermore toxic gases are lighter and will tend to escape out leaving trapped individual in slightly safer and stable condition. The rescuers searching for victims above the fire areas can be more efficient and less punishing as the smoke gases and heat can escape to the open leaving clear conditions for the fire fighters and rescuers. Still with regard to fire incidences, it has been well established that vertical ventilation clears movement areas like stairways from heat, gases and smoke allowing rapid movement of the hose line for attack. Ventilation for advancement of the hose line is very critical in the process of fire fighting though precaution must be taken when venting the building. Premature ventilation can result in extensive spread of fire that can get out of control. The US fire fighting can be very effective than that of the UK as vertical ventilation is very efficient and is becoming a significant aspect of fire fighting if safer working conditions and better results have to be achieved (Thomson 2004). Vertical ventilation also allows advance over the original fire portions to look for and cut of extension of fire. Openings in the roof like the skylights, bulkheads and scuttles are necessary for vertical ventilation. Previous incidences have taught fire fighters that ventilation should be delayed until the fire engines and water pipes are ready as premature ventilation could create a way of expanding the fire. In this way, the engine will move ahead of the fire and heat, gases and smoke will be pushed ahead and remove them via the openings created. In the event of potential life hazards, ventilation permits rescuers to enter buildings and pull out trapped individuals (Thomson 2004). However it’s very important to weigh risks against benefits as the whole rescue operations, ventilation techniques and fire fighting are very risky and could be fatal to the fire fighters and volunteers. Additional risks have to be evaluated to reduce injuries destructions or even deaths. Conclusion The process of fire extinguishment and rescue operations has over the years improved because of the trainings offered and sophistication of technology. Currently a multidisciplinary action always takes care of rescue and fire extinguishing operations. Evaluation of the risks involved is very important as fire fighting is a risky undertaking. References Bernard K. (2007) Structural Firefighting. Strategies and Tactics. Jones and Bartlett Publishers Madrzykowski D. & Kerber S. (2009). Fire Fighting Tactics under Wind Driven Conditions. Retrieved in four parts on 18th April 28, 2009 from http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Wind_Driven_Report_Part1.pdf; http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Wind_Driven_Report_Part2.pdf;http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Wind_Driven_Report_Part3.pdf;http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Wind_Driven_Report_Part4. Thomson D. (2004) The Firefighter’s Handbook. Essentials of Fire Fighting and Emergency Response. (2nd Ed). Clifton Park. Delmar Publishers. New York Read More