INSTRUCT-O-GRAM THE HANDS ON TRAINING GUIDE FOR THE FIRE INSTRUCTOR VOLUME XI, ISSUE 9 HOSE OPERATIONS SEPTEMBER 1990 HOSE OPERATIONS INSTRUCTOR TASK To use hose lines within a structure to attack fire, assist in rescue, cover exposures and gain control of the overall fire situation. Estimated Time:.. INTRODUCTION...6 hours Advancing hose lines into a building quickly is a most important fireground operation. Lines may be taken in by stairway, ladders, ropes, aerial devices and other methods. Efficient operation is a must if control of the fire is to be attained quickly. OUTLINE 1. Advancing dry and charged lines into a building by inside and outside stairways. 2. Advancing line by ground and aerial ladders, towers and platforms. 3. Advancing lines by rope, pike pole and shepherd hook. 4. Using lines from a standpipe system. 5. Operating hand lines from ground ladders, aerial ladders and other aerial devices. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES I. NFPA Standard 1001, Firefighter I A. 3-13.1 The firefighter, given the necessary equipment and operating as an individual and as a member of a team, shall advance dry hose lines of two different sizes, both of which shall be 1 1/2 inch or larger, from a pumper: 1. into a structure 2. up a ladder into an upper floor window 3. up an inside stairway to an upper floor 4. up an outside stairway to an upper floor 5. down an inside stairway to a lower floor 6. down an outside stairway to a lower floor 7. to an upper floor by hoisting B. 3-13.4 same as 3-13.3 but with charged lines C. 3-13.11 The firefighter shall work from a ladder with a charged line which shall be 1 1/ 2 inch or larger. D. 3-13.12The firefighter shall demonstrate the techniques of carrying hose into a building to be connected to a standpipe, and of advancing a hose line from a standpipe. II. The firefighter shall have a thorough knowledge of methods used to advance hose lines with the equipment of the department and how these methods are applied on the fireground. ISSN: 0739-4551
IOG '90 SEPTEMBER INSTRUCTOR OUTLINE 1. PURPOSE It is the purpose of this lesson to have the student handle hose lines of various sizes and to advance these lines, dry and charged, into a building through several different methods. It is to prepare the student to pass the test of Firefighter I, Hose, Nozzles and Appliances section of NFPA Standard 1001, and to give the student an overview of the different means of attack at a building fire. Students in this session should already have had basic hose and appliance lessons. However, at this point a review of properly removing attack lines from the apparatus and advancing them to the building should be done prior to those operations requiring entrance into the building. This action may save lost time during the remainder of the class and permit smooth efficient operations. 2. OUTLINE/PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES A review of the outline and performance objectives indicates that several different operations must be done with dry and charged lines. In many cases not all of the operations will be required, such as an absence of aerial apparatus, standpipes, etc. The instructor should concentrate on those evolutions most likely required of the department(s) involved. In any case, lines should be advanced for specific assignments: 1. Fire attack 2. Over the fire (where required by the building involved) 3. Protect exposures interior and exterior 4. To protect those trapped in a building 5. Back-up (supplemental) lines Point out that initial attack lines and the streams they throw may be of any size available due to the fire encountered. One size hose line is not used for initial attack on all fires. Note that back-up lines are used in the same general area as the initial attack lines and the key here is that they are always larger in gpm discharge. They are brought to position and charged so that they are instantly ready to gain fire control or cover a retreat from a building. For example, two 1 1/2" or 1 3/4" lines should be backed up by a 21 /2" line, preferably with a 1 1/4-inch tip, the largest handline stream. If control of the fire is not accomplished quickly by the smaller lines, additional lines of the same size will also be ineffective. It is reach and volume that are needed. Where the training situation permits, use ladders, rope, (with hose roller) pike poles, shepherd hooks and aerial devices to advance lines up into a structure. Explain that when lines are advanced through any of these methods, only one section of hose is needed for every four or five floors; stairway advance requires one section for each floor. Where truck companies are present, assign students to those units and have them raise ladders for the hose lines, venting, search, etc. Rotate students through the various operations individually or by groups as is best dictated by the existing conditions.
_ w 3. GENERAL PROCEDURES As always, it is important to consider the building being used, the number of students present, apparatus and assistance available and overall safety and control. In the first session, attempt to involve all the students in all the operations. Remember, they should advance two different sizes of both dry and charged lines. In the later session, attempt to operate with the manpower usually available to the department(s) represented. Set up to advance lines for a specific fire situation. Point out that control of stairways and corridors is of extreme importance to control the spread of fire, protect the occupants and effect rescue. Indicate where the lines are to go for the problem presented. Once initial attack lines are in place have a back-up line advanced. In this way two different size lines will be handled, and proper firefighting procedure performed. If the number of students and apparatus permits, have the entire initial attack line/back-up line operation run again before taking up the first lines. This will keep the students involved, assist in covering the operations required more quickly and allow better instructor control. SEPTEMBER IOG '90 it can be placed in the space at the sill. The nozzleman has the hose come under the right arm and over the left shoulder, nozzle down on butt. In this way full body force can be exerted in carrying the hose, the nozzle will not be beating on the body and, if the line should become charged, it will merely raise up off of the back and remain in place. If the nozzle is carried in front, it may raise up and knock the firefighter off the ladder. The second firefighter places the first coupling in front of the right shoulder on a soft spot, not on bones. He climbs about twenty feet behind the nozzleman, pacing movement with the nozzleman. When the nozzleman reaches the window, he determines if it is safe to enter and, if so, he quickly grasps the nozzle with the left hand, swings it forward and places it over the sill to the right of the ladder. He/she then enters and begins pulling in the slack. The second firefighter continues to climb as the nozzleman pulls in the slack. When the firefighter is at the top of the ladder, he/she removes the coupling from his/her shoulder and places it inside over the sill. The second firefighter enters the window, fifty feet inside. If a third firefighter is involved, the second pulls in the slack as the nozzleman begins to move toward the firefighting position. The third firefighter enters, 100 feet inside. Cover advancing a line by ladder prior to working it into an operation. Proper procedure for advancing a line over a ladder into a window includes placing the ladder to the left side of the window (space permitting) with not more than one rung over the sill. This leaves space to the right and above for the firefighter to move into the building. The hose is carried on the right side so that Point out that it may be necessary to knock out the window (and storm window) with the ladder to effect entry. If this proves difficult, it may be necessary to first place the ladder beside the window and remove it with tools, then place the ladder to advance the hose line into the building. Slack line should be flaked to the right of the ladder up close to the building for most efficient operation
IOG '90 SEPTEMBER and ease of the firefighters. The ladder should be secured at the tip or butted by a firefighter before climbing with the line begins. To advance a charged line by ladder, the ladder movements may be the same as described above. Charged lines, however, will require rope hose tools or web straps to be used by firefighters, placed about twenty-five feet apart. It is much more efficient to shut down and drain the line, advance it and then recharge it. Advancing a line by rope can often be a quick, effective method of getting a line into upper floors. A hose roller should be used if it is available, though it is not always necessary with the smaller lines. Here again, the slack should be flaked out close up to the building for easiest operation. Also, if the building permits, advance line by rope inside beside the stairway. Often, due to the design of the stairway, there is an open chute-like area down through the floors which is ideal for rope advance as opposed to humping the line up the stairs. A much quicker, more efficient operation can be carried out using much less hose. Pike poles and shepherd hooks can be similarly used in this instance. equipment and having couplings and hose loops drop through the ladder. The nozzle may be carried as on a ground ladder, but others should use rope hose tools. The line may be advanced into the building or taken up to operate from the ladder when a master stream is not required. When operating a stream from a ground ladder do not fasten the hose tight to a ladder rung. Instead, have the rope hose tool hook on one rung, take up the slack with turns on the second rung down and have the hose suspended between the next two rungs down. In this way most of the back pressure will be absorbed by the rope, with less tendency to pull back on the ladder. For standpipe operations most departments have some sort of bag, pack, or cart setup to get the standpipe lines into position and stretch them from the standpipe outlet to the fire. The hose should be fixed to allow line to be taken to the outlet and stretched toward the fire at the same time. If the session is not conducted at a standpiped facility it may be possible to set up a mock standpipe outlet using a 2 1/2" adapter mount or 2 1/2" hose with a gate valve attached. Have the students then stretch the lines as required by their particular standpipe hose setup. Advancing lines by pike pole or shepherd hook can be very efficient up an outside fire escape, outside stairway, open gangways, or any place firefighters can quickly get over one another, pass the line and go up again. It is not effective when it is necessary to go into the building then force entrance through apartments or offices to get out to the line. Advancing a line up an aerial ladder is best done by keeping the line straight to avoid hangups on aerial Attempt to set up the supposed fire situation as realistically as possible, taking into consideration the building being used. Start from an apparatus still position and cover all that is required. When this is completed and you are satisfied with the performance, it may be good to have the units respond in with the usual manpower to certain problems presented to them. If available, have department officers command the units. Also, it may be possible to work in real or artificial smoke.
SEPTEMBER IOG '90 After each operation review overall and individual performances. Bring out any unsafe practices. Attempt to find out if everyone understood what they were doing, what was going on around them at the same time and the purpose of the various operations. Before taking up, review the entire session, and promote and askquestions especially in those areas you think may be somewhat weak. See to it that all equipment used is properly cleaned, air bottles filled and units properly stowed. INSTRUCTOR REFERENCES IFSTA, Essentials of Firefighting, 200, Engine Company fireground Operations Richman, Chapters 4, 6, 7 Firefighting Principles and Practices Clark» About the Author Hal Richman is a retired fire chief with over 30 years in the fire service. He is the past president of ISFSI, the author of two books on firefighting, and a speaker at major national conferences. He has conducted operational seminars for officers, both in the U.S. and overseas. Hal has also performed fire department evaluations for city governments, and has been head of the Fire Science Program for five years. Methods and techniques provided in the Instruct-O-Gram are suggested by the author. There are many other methods and techniques which are equally successful and used in many municipalities throughout the world. The new Instruct-O-Gram is aimed at developing sound training procedures for the recruit level. These procedures may differ from policy which is established by the chief of the department and commonly posted as the "standard operating procedure" (SOP). It is suggested that any difference in procedures be brought to the attention of the chief of the department. International Society of Fire Service Instructors
log '90 SEPTEMBER SUGGESTED LESSON PLAN INSTRUCTOR NOTES I. ADVANCING INITIAL ATTACK LINES A. By stairway/corridors 1. inside and outside 2. to upper floors 3. to lower floors B. By ground ladder 1. proper positioning of hose and nozzle 2. proper carry of coupling(s) C. By rope, pike pole, shepherd hook 1. outside/hose roller 2. inside D. By aerial ladder 1. rope hose tools/hose straps E. From aerial/platform pipes F. From standpipe systems 1. on same floor 2. to upper floor
SEPTEMBER IOG '90 INSTRUCTOR NOTES II. ADVANCING BACK-UP (SUPPLEMENTAL) LINES A. Larger gpm flow lines B. Operations as above in I III. OPERATING LINES/STREAMS FROM LADDERS A. Ground ladders 1. leg lock/life belt 2. proper tie/rope hose tool 3. proper position related to window u B. Aerial ladders 1. life belt only 2. proper tie/rope hose tool 3. proper position related to window
TRAINING NOTICE TIME:. DATE: STUDENT TASK To understand and perform the various methods of advancing hose lines into abuilding in order to attack fire, assist in rescue, protect exposures and gain control of the overall fire situation. ESTIMATED TIME INTRODUCTION 6 hours Advancing hose lines into a building to the proper position quickly is a most important fireground operation and one in which the new firefighter will be involved. Lines may be taken in by stairway, ladders, ropes, aerial devices and other methods. Efficient operation is a must if control of the fire is to be accomplished quickly. OUTLINE 1. Advancing dry and charged lines into a building by inside and outside stairways. 2. Advancing line by ground ladders, aerial ladders, towers and platforms. 3. Advancing lines by rope, pike pole and shepherd hook. 4. Using lines from a standpipe system. 5. Operating line from ground ladders, aerial ladders and other aerial devices. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES I. NFPA Standard 1001, Firefighter I A. 3-13.1 The firefighter, given the necessary equipment and operating as an individual and as a member of a team, shall advance dry hose lines of two different sizes, both of which shall be 1 1/2-inch or larger from a pumper: 1. into a structure 2. up a ladder into and upper floor window LOCATION: NOTES: 3. up and inside stairway to an upper floor 4. up and outside stairway to an upper floor 5. down and inside stairway to a lower floor 6. down and outside stairway to a lower floor 7. to an upper floor by hoisting B. 3-14.1 same as 3-13.1, but with charged lines C. 3-13.11 The firefighter shall work from a ladder with a charged line which shall be 1 1/2-inch or larger. D. 3-13.12 The firefighter shall demonstrate the techniques of carrying hose into a building to be connected to a standpipe, and of advancing a hose line from a standpipe. II. The firefighter shall have a thorough knowledge of methods used to advance hose lines with the equipment of the department and of how these methods are applied on the fireground. REFERENCES IFSTA 200 - Essentials of Firefighting Engine Company Fireground Operations- Richman Chapter4, "Rescue"; Chapters, "Initial Attack Lines"; Chapter 7, "Backup Lines" Firefighting Principles and Practices Clark REVIEW Rope, tools and devices which may be used in advancing hose lines. Fire department equipment SOP's and orders related to hose operations. Fire department material