Understanding Fire Behaviour: A Crucial Skill for Firefighters

This course focuses on the essential skill of “Reading a fire,” which involves identifying fire stages and predicting potential changes. By interpreting fire signals, firefighters can determine the fire’s development stage and employ the safest and most efficient tactics.

The Importance of Fireground Risk Assessment

Firefighters often face the challenge of making rapid decisions based on limited and sometimes inaccurate information. The fireground risk assessment model developed by Shan Raffel in 1999 is a fundamental tool for evaluating fire scenes. This model emphasizes observing four key components: Fuel, Air, Heat, and Fire. By assessing these components through Smoke, Air Track, Heat, and Flame (SAHF), firefighters can gain a better understanding of the fire’s behaviour and potential hazards.

Historical Perspective and Modern Building Materials

The training also delves into the historical evolution of firefighting tactics, highlighting the importance of understanding modern building materials and construction methods. This knowledge is crucial for predicting how fires will behave in different environments.

Identifying Critical Fire Stages

A detailed examination of the signs and symptoms of critical fire stages, such as flashover, backdraft, and fire gas ignition, is included. By using the SAHF mnemonic, firefighters can enhance their ability to recognize these stages and respond accordingly.

The Significance of Understanding Fire Behaviour

A comprehensive understanding of fire behaviour indicators is essential for effective risk assessment and strategic response. By mastering the skill of “reading a fire,” firefighters can make informed decisions, minimize risks to themselves and their colleagues, and improve overall fireground safety.

Click on link to to left to view and download the workbook. Scroll to the bottom of the file and select the download arrow. Any problems email us enquiries@frconline.co.uk

Module 1

   

Module 2

   

Module 3

   

 

Module 4

   

Module 5

   

Module 6

   

   

Module 7

 

Module 8

   

Module 9

   

Module 10

   

 

 

Module 11

   

 

Course Completion Test Support Videos

These videos support the course completion test on your workbook.
  1. What does this video show? (video 1) view the video on the dynamic pdf.

2. What type of air track can be seen in the windows to the right of this video? (Video 2)

3.what does this pulsating smoke indicate to you? (Video 3)

4. What does this video show? (Video 4)

5.W hat does the lowering neutral plane in this video indicate? (Video 5)

13.What does the airflow from this video tell us? (Video 6)

14. What type of air flow is showing at the start of this video. (Video 7)

15. What does the air flow from this video indicate? (Video 8))

18. What phenomena is this showing you? (Video 9)

We hope you enjoyed the course.  We have another course on Fire in Tall Buildings that may be of interest. Click on the link below.

FS20 –  Fires in Tall Buildings