VEHICLE FIRE GUIDELINES
IResponse levels.
When Wildland fires are not a consideration, most vehicle fires will require a two engine response if there are no complicating factors such as multiple vehicles involved, injuries or structures threatened etc. Additional engines may be required for water supply but in most cases 1000 gallons of water will be sufficient to both extinguish and overhaul a vehicle fire.
During Wildland season or whenever there is a realistic possibility of extension to the Wildland, vehicle fires should be treated initially as a general alarm with all available personnel and apparatus responding.
IIUpon arrival at scene.
When possible, position the engine uphill and at least 50 feet away from the involved vehicle, avoid positioning the engine on the upwind side of the fire in the smoke.
The first priority should be for rescue or evacuation if required and possible.
Protection of exposures should be the second priority.
Assess the need for additional apparatus and personnel. Provide a report on conditions including appropriate resource requests or cancellations. It is generally wise to request one more engine than you think you’ll need. If there is any threat of extension to exposures continue all available resources until containment is achieved then reassess.
IIIInitial attack.
Full structure gear is required for direct attack on a vehicle fire.
Firefighters conducting initial attack should be mindful of the potential for exploding tires, flammable liquid fires (particularly down slope), gas tank explosions (rare but they do occur) and particularly the toxic gasses produced during a vehicle fire. Additionally, some components of modern vehicles produce toxic fluids that can be readily absorbed through the skin with potentially fatal results. Electric vehicles also present special hazards that must be recognized before commencing an initial attack.
In most cases it is possible to initiate initial attack without a BA but only if it is possible to take effective action without incurring respiratory risk. This means directing a hose stream to suppress or contain the fire or protect exposures from a safe distance without the possibility of exposure to smoke or flames.
Firefighters conducting direct, close in attack must be in full turnouts, using a BA and on air. BA s must be utilized through out extinguishment and overhaul so long as there is any respiratory hazard. It may be possible to suppress a vehicle fire with only one Firefighter doing the actual suppression in a BA.
When possible, the hood latch should be activated to gain access to the engine compartment as soon as practically possible. The latch mechanism usually fails almost immediately upon exposure to fire making access to the engine compartment much more difficult. Firefighters opening the hood should stay low and have a charged 1 ½ inch attack line immediately available. Fire will often roll out of the engine compartment when the hood is opened. Engine compartment fires can often be knocked down by directing a hose stream up into the engine compartment from under the vehicle.
Firefighters conducting initial attack should approach the vehicle cautiously using a
gradual suppression strategy.
IV Flammable metals in vehicle fires.
Many vehicles utilize flammable metals like aluminum and magnesium. Aluminum is resistant to extinguishment with water but will eventually succumb if enough is applied. Magnesium fires are accelerated by an application of water and will flare up significantly in the presence of water. Both of these metals are found in wheels and engine blocks. Magnesium fires will generally have to burn them selves out. Application of water, applied from a safe distance will hasten the process.
VOverhaul.
Complete extinguishment of vehicles can be very difficult to achieve. Fully involved vehicles will often produce a thick layer of smoldering debris that is difficult to penetrate. Additionally, concealed spaces create other difficulties. Both of these problems can be partially mitigated by the use of class A foam in either a high density or wet water application. Class B foam should generally be avoided because it seals the crust and does not penetrate as well.
VIRelease of vehicles to owners or for tow.
Given the problems sighted above, positive extinguishment and complete overhaul of vehicle fires is impossible to guaranty. Before releasing vehicles, particularly for tow and storage in wrecking yards, caution the party taking responsibility for the vehicle that there is a potential for rekindle. The vehicle should be regularly inspected during transport for signs of rekindle and thoroughly inspected before storage at the wrecking yard. Additionally, vehicles that have been exposed to fire should initially be stored away from other vehicles. Anyone taking responsibility for a car involved in a vehicle fire should be cautioned regarding all of these possibilities and the fact that they were cautioned should be documented in the report.