CSU FIR3301 2019 February All Units Journals Latest

FIR3301 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Unit I Journal

Instructions

In the introduction to the unit lesson, it is mentioned how previous courses may not have prepared you well enough to undertake the principles of fire behavior and combustion. Do you agree? If not, what might you need to do to be fully prepared?

Please do not use any outside material to support your rationalization or even disagreement of this concept. If you disagree with this statement, express why, supporting your disagreement with tangible thoughts.

Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.

FIR3301 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Unit II Journal

Instructions

A cause and effect diagram, often called a fishbone diagram (below), can help in brainstorming to identify possible causes of a problem or even sorting ideas into useful categories. As firefighters, most of us learn from visual learning styles. The fishbone diagram below is a visual way to look at cause and effect of thermal radiation. The effect is displayed at the fish’s head, with the possible contributing causes to the effect of thermal radiation listed on the bones. The main cause of thermal radiation is at the very top or very bottom of the fish in red font. The diagram identifies possibly five reasons why thermal radiation from a flame is of importance in fire behavior and combustion. In addition, it is important to the safety of firefighters.

From the diagram above, discuss if you believe thermal radiation can compromise a firefighter’s ability to escape from or survive a fire if trapped in a compartment 10’ x 10’ x 8’. Why, or why not?

Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.

 

FIR3301 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Unit III Journal

Rube Goldberg, an American cartoonist, was best known for cartoons that depicted complicated gadgets that were intended to perform simple tasks. The cartoon below shows a complicated gadget to make life simpler by getting the pan ready to cook breakfast as the alarm clock winds the cord to turn on the stove top. However, if left unattended, will the thermal radiation that occurs from the electric stove top heat the surroundings (book, cooking oil bottle, etc.) to the point of ignition, setting off the smoke detector, or is the thermal radiation absorbed by cooking oil in the pan until it reaches a combustible mixture, setting off the smoke detector and igniting the room? How might you alter this setup? Do you believe your setup is the best choice to prevent a fire? Why?

 

FIR3301 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Unit IV Journal

Instructions

There are many instructors (and even some studies) which demonstrate the sequence of turbulent diffusion flames leading to a backdraft using small scale models made from cardboard or plywood. Even full-scale models have been used in teaching backdrafts and fire behavior. In each of the training events (or studies), the door or plywood windows are open when the fire is lit. Once the flames become turbulent, then the door or window is closed unlike on a fire scene. After watching the smoke conditions, the instructor opens the door or window allowing oxygen-rich air to rush in, creating a backdraft. Some believe this type of training can lead to a false understanding of a backdraft. However, others support this form of training and espouse it is the same as what is seen on the fire ground.

Based on what you believe, is it realistic? Why, or why not?

 

 

FIR3301 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Unit V Journal

Instructions

Our textbook suggests smoke inhalation is a factor in most fire deaths in the United States, especially those that result from post-flashover fires. The authors continue stating single exposure to fire smoke can have both acute effects (e.g., death, incapacitation, impaired mobility, and reduced clarity of thinking) and post-exposure effects (e.g., lung damage). Firefighters can experience chronic effects from multiple exposures to smoke, as seen recently with the cancer risk heightened due to smoke inhalation. Have you, or someone you know, experienced inhalation of the irritants in smoke? Was it involved in initiating a fast attack because of a trapped civilian or other reason? Have you ever initiated a fast attack with your SCBA mask not completely sealed, believing the positive pressure would keep out smoke and irritants? Why, or why not? Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.

 

 

FIR3301 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Unit VI Journal

Instructions

In this unit, we covered radiative transfer (from soot and flames to combustible materials) in the hot upper layers of smoke, which affects the rate of flaming and the likelihood of ignition. We saw that both soot and aerosols reduce the ability to see in a fire, causing smoke obscuration in which firefighters cannot see, and it can disorient them.

Below is a summary of the administrative report subject, Two Fire Fighters Die of Smoke and Soot Inhalation in Residential Fire in Pennsylvania, taken from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/pdfs/face9803.pdf

On October 27, 1997, two male fire fighters died of smoke and soot inhalation while fighting a residential fire. An Engine Company comprised of four fighters was responding to a 911 call of a downed power line in a residential neighborhood when one of the fire fighters noticed smoke emitting from the basement area of a nearby residence. Without notifying fire dispatch of the change in conditions (smoke coming from the residence), three fire fighters entered the residence to assist the residents out, and to survey the conditions and location of the fire. The Lieutenant and one firefighter, using flashlights, proceeded through the light haze visible in the living room into the dining room and breakfast room, and down the stairs to the basement to evaluate the situation, then retreated from the basement to the outside to don their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).Two of the fire fighters reentered the residence with a charged 3/4-inch booster line and proceeded to the basement to attack the fire. This was the last time either fire fighter was seen alive. According to the medical examiner, the cause of death was smoke and soot inhalation.

Choose one question, and respond to it.

Could the smoke encountered have affected the firefighters’ cognitive abilities prior to donning SCBA?

Was the smoke and soot in the basement so irritating that it forced the firefighters to retreat from the basement to don their SCBA?

Could the positive pressure from the SCBA drive the particulates that were already inhaled into the firefighters’ upper airways deeper into their lungs, causing more damage?

Could the smoke encountered have affected the firefighters’ abilities to orient themselves after donning SCBA and caused the loss of their sense of direction resulting in them running out of air?

Compare and contrast the case study with other cases or events in your own experience. Which aspects of this incident were similar? Which were different? What are your thoughts?

Your journal entry must be at least 200 words. No references or citations are necessary.

 

FIR3301 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Unit VII Journal

Instructions

Recently, there has been discussion over the importance of not advancing into a fire until you have cooled the smoke with a wetting agent. The theory is that once the smoke is cooled, reheating of the combustibles in the compartment will be slower, as the cooled smoke can no longer produce the radiative heat conditions to support flashover. Reportedly, smoke conditions will not worsen, contrary to what has been taught in many fire academies. What has been your observation, experience, reflection, or reasoning for wetting agents or water on cooling smoke? Do you support this? Why, or why not?

 

FIR3301 Fire Behavior and Combustion

Unit VIII Journal

Instructions

How will this course enhance your professional success?