UL tests transitional attack for house fires
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Excerpts from the Chicago Tribune:
On March 18, around 100 firefighters from the U.S. and Canada gathered at Underwriters Laboratories in Northbrook to explore new, safer methods for tackling residential fires. The event aimed to challenge traditional firefighting techniques that have long been the standard.
Steve Kerber, director of UL’s Firefighter Safety Research Institute, explained that the conventional approach has been to immediately bring in hoses and aggressively attack the fire room by room, pushing it against exterior walls with water. However, this method can be dangerous, as attacking through windows from the outside may push flames into other rooms, and superheated water can create steam that can kill occupants.
A newer technique, known as the transitional attack, involves quickly attacking through windows before moving inside. Though still not widely adopted, this method was demonstrated in a specially equipped test house filled with hundreds of sensors. Kerber emphasized that the goal isn’t to dictate how firefighters should operate, but to provide them with more options.
UL has conducted about two dozen tests on this method over the past month as part of a three-year study funded by a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The final report is expected next year.
During the demonstration, a team of ten UL firefighters attacked two burning rooms by spraying water upward rather than horizontally, preventing the spread of fire. They then sprayed in a circular motion to cover as much surface area as possible without letting in extra air. In just 15 seconds, the flames were gone, and temperatures dropped from 1,800°F to 250°F. When firefighters entered, they found only a small spot on a chair.
However, the method has its limitations. Northbrook firefighter Lt. Ryan Lee pointed out that if windows are closed, the fire becomes trapped, and breaking a window could introduce air and cause the fire to spread more rapidly. Kerber advised that if enough personnel are available, firefighters should go inside. If not, breaking a window is the best option.
Proponents argue that the transitional method reduces the time firefighters spend inside a burning structure, which is crucial for their safety. One observer, Lionel Crowther, a senior firefighter from the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service, shared his own experience. He was severely burned in a 2007 fire where two captains lost their lives, including one he couldn’t rescue before diving through a second-story window.
This study marks the first time transitional firefighting has been tested with extensive electronic data collection, including the impact on human skin. UL partnered with the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute, which is using pig carcasses—whose skin is similar to humans—and rats to measure heat exposure during the process.
Gavin Horn, the Institute’s research director, noted that it’s a myth that water significantly increases the steaming effect on trapped individuals. “We’ve been surprised by how much moisture is created naturally by the fire itself,†he said.
The demonstration was monitored via eight cameras inside and outside the house. A fire was started with a dropped match and allowed to burn for several minutes before firefighters were called in. Kerber mentioned that flashover—the point at which everything in a room ignites—typically occurs within four minutes.
Fire Chief Brad Shull from Jefferson Twp., Ohio, pointed out that many departments arrive on the scene after seven minutes, suggesting they often respond too late. Kerber added that the use of hoses in the transitional method helps restrict airflow, but McCulloch later noted that the model didn’t fully represent real-world conditions in American suburbs, where homes can be much larger.
He stressed that the best way to limit oxygen supply is for residents to close doors when leaving the house. “When they leave, they should close the door,†he said. This simple action can significantly slow fire spread and improve firefighter safety.
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