Some of the most inherently dangerous training that we conduct is live-fire training in acquired structures. However, in my opinion–and the opinions of those whom I regularly prepare these structures with–this type of training is hands-down the most beneficial for firefighters.
The purpose of this article is to stress the importance of following the recommendations of NFPA 1403: Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, as well as your state’s EPA guidelines to ensure a powerful and safe training day. Additionally, I encourage you to search NIOSH reports for information about training-related injuries or fatalities. These reports provide insight into what went wrong: the why, where and when. Learn from these incidents to prevent repeating history.
Two Tales
The best way to show the importance of prepping an acquired structure properly is to describe both a good and a bad example. I’ll summarize each training burn and then delve deeper into the differences between the two burns.
Important: Please recognize that I take responsibility, as the lead instructor, for the Camp Road burn, and absolutely DO NOT condone the actions conducted at the XYZ burn. I am grateful to the firefighters who were present at the XYZ burn, expressed their concerns and provided some pictures of the event so I could help educate others about what can happen when training burns are conducted against recommended practices. I am also grateful that I am able to critique the incident rather than mourn the loss of a firefighter there.
XYZ Burn
The XYZ training burn was conducted with little planning and even less consideration for the recommendations of NFPA 1403. The structure was an old two-story farmhouse with obvious additions (seen in the foundation walls) but no basement. From the exterior you will see several things that should jump out in regard to the lack of burn preparation: windows, vinyl siding, chimney and labeling.
- All windows need to be removed and replaced with drywall. DO NOT cover windows with plywood, as you will just restrict egress and any necessary horizontal ventilation.
- Remove the vinyl siding.
- Knock all chimneys down to the roofline. This particular chimney was brick above the roofline and only resting on the roof and wall header. The sheet metal box visible down the exterior wall was only there to conceal a cylindrical-style fireplace vent. As the structure burned away, the hazard of this situation surprised those on the fireground. Had the brick element prematurely fallen into the structure or down to the ground, the resulting injuries could have been severe.
- Label the sides, burn rooms, safe room and potential hazards on the exterior of the structure.
Furthermore, two concerning burn sets had a mattress in one room and a couch in another. These practices are not recommended in NFPA 1403 or allowed in state EPA burn-permitting.
Camp Road Burn
The Camp Road acquired structure was a 5,300-square-foot, split-level building with an attached garage and ballroom on the rear. Due to its size alone, many hours of preparation were needed, but that preparation resulted in compliance with NFPA 1403 and Ohio EPA guidelines.
From the exterior, you’ll see several things that are necessary when prepping an acquired structure:
- Remove all asphalt shingles (the EPA will usually make an exception if the roof conditions are unsafe).
- Remove all windows and replace with drywall.
- Label the sides, burn rooms, safe room and hazards.
- Make a rooftop ventilation hatch that can be opened from the ground if necessary (due to the size of this structure, a second hatch was put on the Charlie side roof). Note: I recommend using a 3-foot-long piece of chain attached to your roof hatches, and then add the rope (prevents the rope from burning away).
EPA Guidelines
To receive permission from the EPA to conduct an acquired structure fire training burn, you must submit the required documentation:
- Notification of Demolition Form: This form certifies that no regulated asbestos is present and that all regulated asbestos, including Category I and Category II non-friable asbestos-containing material, will be removed prior to the burn. The licensed Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialist who conducted the inspection and/or abatement must be identified.
- Open Burning Permit Application for Fire Training Exercise
In addition, the EPA mandates the removal of all hazardous materials that would endanger the health and safety of firefighters, the public and the environment. These materials include vinyl siding; asphalt shingles; batteries; stored chemicals, such as pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, paints, glues, sealers and tars; stored linoleum, plastics, rubber, tires or insulated wires; smoke alarms; fluorescent lights, ballasts, transformers; thermostats; electronic devices; and hazardous materials (Ohio EPA, 2010).
As you can see, the XYZ burn broke several of the EPA’s guidelines. I can’t say for certain that a burn permit application was even submitted for the XYZ burn. In the end, unnecessary contaminants were emitted into the environment, and the situation created an increased risk of flashover and unpredictable fire conditions due to the fuel load (mattress, couch, vinyl siding).
If you think the EPA doesn’t pay attention to the burn applications they approve, think again, because on the morning of the Camp Road burn, our regional EPA representative showed up to witness the burn. If we hadn’t followed the EPA’s guidelines, he could have ultimately halted the training. This was the first surprise inspection I or the other instructors have been a part of in nearly 30 acquired structure burns, but it did confirm that our preparations are right on. If a surprise inspection were to have occurred at the XYZ burn, the rep would have issued a no-burn directive.
NFPA 1403
When you’re lucky enough to receive a donation in the form of an acquire structure, take your responsibility seriously. As mentioned earlier, firefighters have been injured and killed during live-fire training. It’s on your shoulders as a trainee, instructor, lead instructor or authority having jurisdiction to ensure that the unthinkable doesn’t happen on your training ground.
With that said, I am going to highlight some of the important aspects of the building preparations recommended by NFPA 1403. You can easily review the standard for yourself or I would be happy to pass on the packet that my department uses during the preparation phase of each burn. For those of you who like pictures, I also have a PowerPoint presentation that depicts certain features or recommends certain actions:
- Fix interior structural deficiencies: stair treads, railings, floor boards, holes in walls.
- Remove interior finishings: All carpet, linoleum, paneling and other thermoplastic-type materials.
- Remove exterior coverings: Any vinyl material must be removed.
- Make exits safe: Ensure steps are stable with no drop-offs, eliminate overgrown landscaping, and remove ice and snow.
- Window removal: Remove all windows and replace with drywall.
- Make a safe room: With a window cut down to the floor and a ladder to the ground, create an attic access hole and insert an attic ladder. The safe room provides a safe haven for ignition instructors, an area for the interior safety line, an area for instructor tool storage, pre-established attic access and a clear path for emergency egress.
- Roof vents: Make hinged roof vents with emergency rope pulls accessible from the exterior ground.
- Remove chimneys: Remove to the roofline.
- Remove roofing materials: Good ladder training prior to burn day. All shingles must be removed and disposed of. The EPA usually will give exception to shingle removal on unsafe roofs.
- Exterior labeling: Label all exterior sides, burn rooms, the safe room, interior features, such as stairway location, and potential hazards or no entry points.
- Interior labeling: Provide arrows and the word “Exit” low on walls to visually show the way to the closest exit.
- Fuel materials: They must have known burning characteristics. Flammable or combustible liquids are not acceptable practice. All that’s needed in each burn set is a stack of pallets and a bale of straw.
This is not an all-inclusive list, as each acquired structure will require different preparations. If you follow the recommended standards and guidelines–and some common sense–your preparations will be successful. Ensure that these preparations are complete prior to burn day so all efforts are geared toward fireground operations.
Conclusion
We simply cannot afford or allow shortcuts in our preparations of structures that will be used for live-fire training. If you aren’t sure of what to do, ask for guidance. Train hard, and pass it on!
References
Burning Down the House: How Can Your Fire Department Do It Properly? Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. 2010. Retrieved on October 19, 2011, from www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/41/sb/publications/BurningHouse.pdf.
Additional Resource
Check out Live Fire Training: Principles and Practice, a training resource for fire service instructors produced by the IAFC, ISFSI and NFPA (www.jblearning.com/catalog/9780763781880). The book provides a definitive guide on how to ensure safe and realistic live-fire training for both students and instructors. Based on NFPA 1403: Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions, this essential resource features:
- Detailed instructions on preparing for live burns in acquired structures, using gas-fired and non-gas-fired permanent structural props, and working with exterior live fire props.
- Incident Reports of actual live-fire training accidents, including a summary of the lessons learned.
- Current live-fire training legal requirements and direction on how to be compliant with industry standards.
- A singular focus on fire fighter safety throughout the text.
