Breathing air consumption during different firefighting methods in underground mining environment
2022 (English) In: Fire safety journal, ISSN 0379-7112, E-ISSN 1873-7226, Vol. 133, article id 103661Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The paper analyses the breathing air consumption among participating firefighters during full-scale tests performed in the Tistbrottet mine in Sweden 2013. The availability of breathing air during firefighting has in earlier work been identified as a critical tactical factor in underground firefighting. Results from the tests show that there are differences in the breathing air consumption and that this depends on the methods used, equipment and the workload. The use of BA-teams, i.e. firefighters equipped with breathing apparatuses, is a complex group activity where the largest breathing air consumer will set the limits for the whole team. Light equipment and a structured command and control during the activities will enhance the endurance and the firefighting performance. Equipment and methods affect both firefighting performance and the durability of the firefighting activities. Examples of tested methods and equipment during the test series are: different variations of conventional hose lay-out; CAFS; cutting extinguisher; and trolley for equipment and complementary air. The aid of additional air supply and the use of trolleys will support the activities but is dependent on a large degree of preparation and training to function properly. Based on the tests, it is concluded that the larger model of air bottles should be considered for distances longer than 75 m.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages Elsevier, 2022. Vol. 133, article id 103661
Keywords [en]
Breathing air consumption, BA-Operation, Underground firefighting, Fire in tunnels, Fire and rescue operation
National Category
Other Civil Engineering
Research subject Structural Engineering
Identifiers URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-92925 DOI: 10.1016/j.firesaf.2022.103661 ISI: 000884396300001 Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85137168665 OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-92925 DiVA, id: diva2:1695514
Projects Taktik och Metodik vid brand i Undermarksanläggningar (TMU)
Funder Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
Note Validerad;2022;Nivå 2;2022-09-14 (hanlid)
2022-09-142022-09-142022-12-02 Bibliographically approved