Killer in the Attic: Half-Attic Fires Training for Firefighters

In the first of a multi-part series, Instructor John Sachen presents an extremely important series: half-attic fires and the challenges and dangers they present to firefighters. This segment covers which structures have half-attics, the chemistry of wood fires, incomplete combustion, and fire under pressure. For more information, contact Working Fire Training at 800-516-3473 or e-mail to info@workingfire.com.

In the second of a multi-part series, Instructor John Sachen presents an extremely important subject: half-attic fires and the challenges and dangers they present to firefighters. This segment continues with the composition of wood fires, the result of incomplete combustion, and more on pressure-driven fires.

In the third of a multi-part series, Instructor John Sachen discusses the traveling wave that causes backdrafts, half-attic construction, and how to communicate clearly the location of attic fires.

In the fourth of a multi-part series, Instructor John Sachen uses two case studies to explore the fighting of half-attic fires, much like the Davenport fire in this month’s Fireline incident. Tips for recognizing living space during size-up and how to fight (and not fight) these fires is presented.

In the conclusion of this multi-part series, Instructor John Sachen covers procedures to use to find these concealed attic fires, being clear in communications to Command, the running debate of Positive Pressure Attack (PPA) vs. Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) and the specific details of using PPA as an extinguishment tool.