HAZARDS TO FIREFIGHTERS

HAZARDS TO FIREFIGHTERS

Introduction The Airport environment and aircraft add even more unique hazards and safety considerations for Firefighters.

Video Intro Ready plane for catapult shot Wedged into jet intake Injuries broken collar bone Ruptured both Ear drums Showing what a jet blast can do at full power

Jet intake & Jet blast

Fuel Aircraft fuel will significantly complicate an incident operations and endanger emergency responders. Fuel is extremely flammable toxic skin irritant, Cause respiratory problems

Hydraulic systems and Fluids Larger aircraft use hydraulic Fluids, that are: Skin irritants Toxic Damage turnout gear Pressures as high as 3000 psi Difficult to detect small leaks Easley lacerate inject irritate skin & Eyes

HYDRAULIC INJECTION INCIDENT A warning to us all

Hydraulic Injection caused a pinprick intrusion to the IPs hand. Hydraulic Fluid in use was a Mineral Oil Unknown at present Pressure of fluid was 630Bar( approx 9,150 psi) Equipment in use: Scissor cutters used at Road Traffic Accidents to release occupants. Location of Accident: Fire Service Training Ground Risk Assessments were in place and Full PPE was worn.

Training Session under controlled conditions within Brigade Training Premises IP was to cut through sample vehicle using scissors. Normal practise at time was for the hydraulic hose to be run over operators shoulder to tool in use. Hose ruptured at ferrule area resulting in release of fluid through PPE (Leather gauntlets) to IPs hand. Events

What Happened Next IP went to A&E and initial prognosis was keep clean and rest. By chance a specialist observed and intervened. Mineral Oil had already started to eat away fatty tissues in hand and began travelling through the hand and up the arm. IP had 5 operations to cut away oil deposits and was on his last chance before losing arm. It was successful Wound could not be sutured due to tissue damage by oil so wound was gradually closed over weeks.

Results IP was eventually medically discharged from force and is severely disabled in this hand. Hydraulic Fluid in use has been changed to Aero Shell Fluid 4. Fire Brigade has passed learning's on to its associated Brigades. Litigation is in place: IP to Brigade Brigade to Equipment Manufacturers. IP awaits final outcome Timescale: 2 years and counting

Oxygen Systems Compressed oxygen systems Older aircraft Ignition of petroleum materials Accelerate combustions Chemically generated systems Potassium hydroxide Corrosive 400-500 degrees F during operation Liquid oxygen (LOX) Military Aircraft Skin burns Explosively react with oil Airport pavement

Electrical systems Aircraft electrical systems can present a serious ignition and shock hazard. Make every attempt to shut down the power on the fight deck and disconnect the batteries

Electrical systems The Electrical system Normally 24 V system Can be 110 AC volt When engine is running APU is running Shutting off Engines Fuel pump batteries

Pressurized Cylinders Pressurized components containers, & cylinders located throughout a large aircraft May will not have pressure relief valves or rupture disks B.L.E.V.E.

B.L.E.V.E.

Landing Gear Problems Blown Tire/Lost Wheel CAUSES: Hot Brake COMPLICATIONS (MAIN GEAR) Structural Damage Anti-Skid Failure Additional Blowouts Temperature Buildup Engine Fire / Damage (DC9, COMPLICATIONS (NOSE MD80/90, 727) GEAR) Longer Rollout Loss of Directional Control / Veer off Runway Gear Collapse Longer Rollout

TIRE RIM WHEEL ASSEMBLIES Tires have pressures up to and over 200psi Explode with the force of a bomb when Overheated Over pressured Damaged Hot rims and wheels can fracture under the stress Throw metal fragments Avoid areas opposite the sides of the aircraft wheel assemblies Approach wheels from front and rear of aircraft only if absolutely necessary

Hot Brakes

TIRE RIM WHEEL ASSEMBLIES Blow out Plugs

Wheel Fire

RIM WHEEL ASSEMBLIES

Cooling Hot Wheels

Landing Gear & Other Devices Any aircraft device containing loaded or stored energy can suddenly release or activate Landing gear can collapse Control surfaces can move flaps Ailerons Wheel wells Ram air turbines Other devices Engine thrust reversers can activate Speed brakes

Landing Gear Problems Discontinued Use of Asbestos Carbon Pads Buildup heat faster May glow red after normal landings on hot days CAUSES: Thrust Reverser Failure Long taxi times Locked brake Hot Brakes!

Landing Gear Problems Hot Brakes! Tire Rupturing Wheel Halves Separate Fire Do NOT Approach from sides Do NOT apply water Temperature will build for up to 15 minutes Cool with assisted natural ventilation. PPV etc..

Landing Gear Problems Wheel Fire HYDRAULIC FLUID FIRE (Small Fire): Possible Spread to Tire / Wing Approach from front/back Dry Chemical Agents recommended RUBBER BURNING (Large Fire): Flame impingement on wing Spread to fuselage through wheel wheel Turrets / Hand lines (At least 250 gpm water/foam) FRAGMENTATION DANGER OF WHEEL

Wheel Fires

Landing Gear Problems Wheel Fire

Landing Gear & Other Devices Pressurization cam make doors dangerous to open Unless deactivated or disarmed escapes slides can inflate within 5-10 sec of opening the door

Landing Gear & Other Devices Different type of gear Off center PIN (older aircraft) Door systems Locate the hinges Plug type of exits

Landing Gear Problems Collapsed Gear STATIC: Nose Gear Only Structural Damage Aircraft Nose down attitude for evacuation ROLLING (NOSE GEAR) Rear slides Unusable for evacuation Structural Damage Loss of Directional Control / Veering off Runway

Landing Gear Problems Collapsed Gear ROLLING (MAIN GEAR) Unusual attitude / Some exits will be unusable Structural Damage / Loss of Wing engine / Wing Possibility of Fire

IN FLIGHT: Landing Gear Problems Hot Brakes Ruptured Duct False Indicator Pilot will lower gear Wheel Well Fire Actual Fire may spread to interior of aircraft ON RAMP: False Indication Hot Air Leak

Landing Gear Problems Unsafe Gear Indicator Gear not locked Gear Collapse on Touchdown Veer off Runway Bad Indicator Light No Event Landing

Landing Gear & Other Devices Secure extended landing gear Chock aircraft wheels during incident Avoid working under aircraft Stay clear of devices that can move Where full PPE with eye and Ear protection Utilize aircraft mechanics and maintenance personnel to identify dangerous aircraft systems *YOUR MOST VALUABLE RESORCE*

Encountered on any aircraft Problems with interior fires Scattered on impact Non dangerous cargo Larger volumes and varieties Affected by impact or fire may pose greater risk Cans may have a fire extinguisher systems Hazardous cargoes

Hazardous cargoes An agricultural spraying aircraft may have toxic pesticides and herbicides on board Photo taken at by Johnson Mound

Composite materials Modern commercial aircraft contain approximately 15% Composite materials New aircraft will have more Composite fibers may be scattered around the impact area some may create Respiratory Eye Skin irritation Quickly extinguishing post crash fires will keep composite materials controlled

Metals and Materials Magnesium Titanium Radioactive metals (on older aircraft) Uranium Thorium Asbestos (older aircraft engine dry bays) Brown White

Radar Radar beams like microwaves can present a health hazard Radar found Nose cone Under wing or fuselage Stay back at least 25