'INTERIOR' INDIRECT AND COMBINATION ATTACKS: A MISUNDERSTANDING?

摘要

Many articles have been written explaining the different methods of fire attack and options for applying water during firefighting operations. However, to this day the debate continues, and few topics stir more emotion at the fire station kitchen table than the age-old question, "What is the best way to extinguish a fire when conducting an aggressive, interior structural fire attack?" First, let us review the three most commonly accepted and applied methods of structural fire attack. Prior to the mid-1950s, most fire departments practiced direct fire attack using primarily smooth bore nozzles, producing a solid stream. The essence of direct attack is simple: apply water in the form of a straight or solid stream directly onto burning fuel in an effort to cool it below the point at which the fuel produces flammable vapors. The concept is very simple: If more water [gallons per minute (gpm)] is applied to the burning fuel than heat (Btus) being produced by the fire and a negative heat balance is achieved, the fire will go out. The other key factor to consider when using a direct attack is whether the water is actually reaching the burning fuel, emphasizing the importance of reach arid penetration when attacking a fire using the direct method.