Firefighting has Changed - Episode 26

Over the last 50 years the fires that firefighters face have changed an enormous amount. With fuel rich modern synthetic fuels, light weight construction and more open plan designs the modern fireground can be very different to the fires of pervious times.

[@donwetherell8738]

Great video Matt. Great for students learning about fire risk assessments. Significantly better than I’ve ever seen before! 😂

[@MattDavis5]

haha thanks! Much appreciated!

[@IcebergProject9]

Thanks Matt, its very Informative. Im waiting for ur new contents.

[@MattDavis5]

Thanks! I'll be starting work on the second part to this video very soon! (fuel vs vent control).

[@joshuathomas3309]

Hey Matt I love love love your videos. You often help teach my class so thankful! I was wondering have you seen or heard of the Swedish fire nerd lars axelsson?

[@MattDavis5]

Thanks mate. Glad you like them 👍🏽 Yep I’ve seen a few of his videos. They’re great! Why do you ask?

[@joshuathomas3309]

@MattDavis5 I have only discovered him recently and some of his topics cover water stream applications. Some of the frustrations found in training fires vs real fires and kind of keeps receo priorities. But sells the point of monoxide being the most lethal and straight stream applications majority of time either interior or exterior are generally more effective. He then goes on to explain that rooms at super temperature their atmosphere can hold more total gas vapour so our droplets aren't exactly as effective due to early vaporisation. He's arguments are compelling in a way to me and I wondered what some one else like yourself thought of his arguments or points.

[@MattDavis5]

I’m not sure I’ve seen those specific videos. But I do know he is a big fan of straight streams and he makes some really interesting points. If you are interested in straight streams have a look as UL Fsri’s website. They have done some really interesting work with them in recent years as well 👍🏽
As for Carbon monoxide it is really a big hazard. But also not to forget about hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, benzene and a whole bunch of other nasty chemicals. In short smoke is bad news. I’ve spent a bit of time learning more about smoke composition and toxicity recently.. and the more I learn, the more I realise that there is a lot more to learn! Haha
I guess from my point of view is that I’m always keen to learn new things. Be it new tactics or a better understanding of fire dynamics. It’s all interesting and gives more tools for the tool box 🙂👍🏽

[@kaimikkelsen]

Thanks Matt - really great video. I've been meaning to check your channel out for a long time, I'm glad it popped up in my feed.
Does Australia see extensive use of engineered wood floor joists in home construction?
When i was in University in Canada, we had a fire fighter come through our fire dynamics class and he was making many of the same points you do and I found it pretty concerning. But another aspect he mentioned was the poor structural fire resistance that engineered floor joists offer, particularly if you have them over an unfinished basement.

[@MattDavis5]

Thanks Mate!
Yes there is plenty of it being used here too. But basements aren't as common in Australia, so we don't get as many basement fires with exposed beams. When they are used between floors they will normally be covered with plaster or something similar which provides some limited protection. However, I have seen them exposed under some houses which were built on pillars. But in those cases the fuel load is normally very low as is is not a liveable area.
UL FSRI have done some really interesting work in the area. If you haven't already done so it would be worth having a look at their website. Cheers, Matt.

[@xAwaranx]

Great video, as always Matt

[@MattDavis5]

Thanks! Glad you like it!