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Live fire training policy (F4 TRP)
Date
17 March 2015
Issued by
National Commander
Purpose
To detail the requirements of the National Commander when organising and
conducting live fire training.
Requirement
Whenever live fire is to be used as a training medium, this policy must be
followed. Area Managers are responsible for ensuring compliance with this
policy.
Contents
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Pre-planning actions and responsibilities ........................................................................................ 3
Actions before ignition ..................................................................................................................... 5
Personnel, and command and control ............................................................................................. 6
Process ........................................................................................................................................... 8
Appendix A - Overview.................................................................................................................... 9
Appendix B - Extinguisher training and RFTB training ................................................................... 10
Appendix C - Pre-planning checklist.............................................................................................. 11
Appendix D - Actions before ignition checklist ............................................................................... 12
Guideline
The
Acquired structure live fire training guideline (F4 GD) should be read
alongside this policy, and must be applied at all New Zealand Fire Service
(NZFS) and National Rural Fire Authority (NRFA) live fire training in acquired
structures.
The guideline covers:
the planning and approval process, and
the setting up and all activity involved with the burning of acquired
structures, including:
o command and control
under the Official Information Act
o fire development
o water application techniques
o extinguishment
o ventilation
o closure of the training session - including scene handover and
decontamination of PPE to reduce exposure to possible carcinogen
contaminants.
References
The following references are also relevant to this document:
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NFPA 1403 Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions
Fire Service Code of Practice for Firefighting Water Supplies
Fire Service Act 1975
NZFS Department of Operations and Training
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F4 TRP Live fire training policy March 2015.docx
F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Introduction
About live fire
Live fire training is an extremely beneficial training medium for operational
training
firefighters. It allows fire service personnel to study fire development and
behaviour and to practise various suppression tactics in a controlled and safe
environment.
This policy concentrates on live fire training involving structures. However, it
notes that extinguisher training; Realistic Fire Training Buildings (RFTB) and
Compartment Fire Behaviour Training (CFBT) also encompass live fire
training practice. Other policies, procedures and training documents provide
guidance and instruction for this type of training.
This policy excludes vegetation as a medium for live fire training. This type of
Act
training must be done within the policy provisions of the National Rural Fire
Authority.
Burning coated
Coated wire may be found in buildings that the Fire Service use for live fire
wire
burns.
The Resource Management (National Environment Standards Relating to
Certain Air Pollutants, Dioxins and Other Toxics) Amendment Regulations
2008, Sub- clause 9, notes that the burning of coated wire is permitted if it is
part of a building burnt for the purpose of training firefighters.
Information
Selecting the
Fire Service personnel are frequently offered properties for demolition by fire
building
or for use for live fire training. These are only to be considered where they
provide a training benefit.
In determining the training benefit from any building, the completeness and
design of the structure must be considered.
Some building features, or the lack of, may limit the training benefit. A very
Official
small structure or one that has any of the following defects will provide very
limited training benefit:
sections of the ceilings missing
the
missing doors (especially external doors)
broken or missing windows (may be acceptable if boarded up or re-
glazed)
large sections of the floor or roof missing.
For ease of management and control, and to minimise effects on the
under
environment, only domestic sized (up to 300m2 floor area) dwelling type
structures of no more than two stories are to be used for live fire training
structures.
Pre-inspection of a structure to determine suitability must be conducted by
personnel appointed by the Area Manager, (this will preferably include the
person who will be responsible for conducting the training).
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NZFS Department of Operations and Training
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F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Pre-planning actions and responsibilities
Building owner
The building owner is responsible for:
ensuring that gas, electricity, water, sewerage and telephone have been
isolated with aerial power and telephone cables removed
checking whether demolition by burning is restricted by rules in the district
plan or any regional air or discharge plan and obtaining resource consents
from the regional council and territorial authority, if required.
Person
The person appointed to organise any live fire training exercise is responsible
appointed to
for the following:
organise live fire
Act
Checking whether the property is registered as an historic place or
training exercise
archaeological site under the Historic Places Act 1993 or is subject to a
heritage order under the Resource Management Act 1991 or protected in
the territorial authority’s District Plan.
Determining whether the property is suitable for the intended training.
Getting the following information, in writing, from the building owner:
o a request for the New Zealand Fire Service to demolish the property
by fire
o evidence of ownership of the property
o a statement that any insurance on the property has been cancelled or
Information
that no insurance claim will be made as a consequence of the
demolition of property
o a statement that they understand and accept that under section 43 of
the Fire Service Act 1975, the New Zealand Fire Service is not liable
for any loss or damage that may result from the demolition of the
building by fire
o a statement that they will accept responsibility for the site at the
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completion of the exercise including the removal and tidying of rubble
after fire
o a copy of all consents.
the
Checking for potential damage to exposures including any flora and
fauna.
Considering smoke nuisance to neighbouring properties, especially the
effects this may have on airports, hospitals, old peoples homes, building
ventilation system intakes and roads or motorways.
under
Notifying the neighbours, Police, Ambulance, the Communications Centre
and any other officials (e.g.: Rural Fire Officer) considered relevant in
advance of intended arrangements.
Checking construction features and materials for hazards such as:
o asbestos
o masonry tile, bitumen or aluminium roof cladding
o lead flashings
o sealed / closed containers (consider the removal of hot water
cylinders, “zip” type hot water heaters and wetbacks)
Released o ceiling header tanks
o chimneys
If found, these must be eliminated, isolated, or minimised, (in the event
that this cannot be done, the building is not to be used and must be
handed back to the owner for demolition).
Continued on next page...
NZFS Department of Operations and Training
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F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Person
The person appointed to organise any live fire training exercise is
also
appointed to
responsible for:
organise live fire Checking that “sufficient” primary water supply is immediately available
training exercise
and that a supplementary or alternative water supply is readily available
(continued)
Note: “Sufficient” wil be as determined by the person appointed to
inspect the property prior to authorising any live fire training.
The Fire Service Code of Practice for Firefighting Water Supplies must be
used as a guide, however it is accepted that water requirements may vary
depending on:
o location
o building size
Act
o building design
o fire loading
o construction materials
o exposure protection requirements
A “supplementary” or “alternative” supply may be a tanker or static
supply, but must be no less than 3600 litres.
Where practical, the water supply used for an attack delivery is to be
independent of that used to supply a back up delivery.
Drafting a burn plan for use in briefing sessions, all planned evolutions
Information
and locations must be indicated on the plan.
Making a written request to the Area Manager to conduct live fire training.
The request must state:
o the address of the property
o the brigade[s] and number of trainees to be in attendance
o a brief description of the building (e.g. single storey 3 bedroom
dwelling with timber floor, brick exterior walls, iron roof, plasterboard
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internal walls and soft-board ceilings), with a basic plan showing room
layout, entrance points, water supplies, proposed appliance siting and
exposures the
o the training objectives and the burn plan
o who will be responsible for conducting the training and the names of
instructors
o how this policy has been complied with.
under
Area Manager
An Area Manager (or their representative) may only give permission to
conduct the live fire training if all of the provisions of this policy have been
met.
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F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Actions before ignition
Actions
Actions to be taken immediately before ignition include:
immediately
Double-check the address to ensure that the correct property is
before
prepared for demolition.
ignition
Notify the neighbours immediately before ignition of your intention to
start the fire.
Check to ensure that all persons and animals are clear of the property
(e.g. vagrants, squatters etc.).
Systematically check the site for safety hazards, which must be
eliminated, isolated or minimised accordingly. Such hazards may
include:
Act
o holes in floors, damaged stairways etc.
o sealed/closed containers - double-check to ensure that hot water
cylinders etc have been removed or can freely vent so as not to
create a boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE)
o rotten timbers
o remove plastic spouting from above the entry / exit points
o double-check to ensure that gas, electricity and other services
have been cut off and isolated from the structure.
Position deliveries and appliances to protect adjacent properties,
including any flora and fauna from radiant heat, (particular care must
Information
be taken where trampolines, plastic tunnel houses or canvas awnings
are close-by).
Note: Burning shall not commence where wind conditions are such
that fire product or building debris will pose an undue hazard or
nuisance to any adjacent property.
Confirm ignition time and address with the Communication Centre.
Official
the
under
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F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Personnel, and command and control
Personnel
The OIC of the live fire training exercise is responsible for:
Briefing all participants in relation to the required physical and mental
standards required for such training. This will include explaining the
dangers of undertaking such activity with ailments such as:
o physical impairment, e.g. pulled muscles, strains & sprains etc
o medical impairment, e.g. influenza, migraine
o a mental state of depression
o extreme work tiredness
o alcohol or drugs impairment including any medication that may
impact on safety
Note: Prescribed medication dispensed through a pharmacy should
Act
have information with it that describes any restrictions on physical
activity.
All participants must have a personal opportunity to report any
concerns regarding their fitness to take part.
Ensuring there are suitably qualified personnel immediately available
to render first aid, (including oxygen), if required
All personnel undertaking an internal firefighting role have successfully
attained the following minimum training standards:
o paid staff must have successfully completed the equipment
handling and B.A. components of the paid firefighter recruit training
Information
course
o volunteer members must have successfully completed the
volunteer firefighter Basic Skills and Grade 2 BA course.
Fire Service personnel not trained to these standards may undertake
an outside supporting role.
Official
Fire Service personnel not trained to above standards, and authorised
members of the media, may be allowed to enter the building at the
instructors discretion, on condition that they are:
o restricted to a place of clean air
the
o close to an exit way
o under strict supervision by Fire Service personnel at all times
o dressed in full level 2 protective clothing
Ensuring that pump operators are familiar and competent with the
under
appliance and / or pumps to be used
Making sure all personnel, (instructors and students), are familiar with
the building layout, which includes a tour through the structure
pointing out all of the hazards to them. They must also be shown the
designated exit ways
Giving a safety briefing that ensures everyone [this includes those who
are participating in the training, as well as those that are involved in
protecting exposures and providing additional support], knows the
burn plan and the pre-arranged actions if the training exercise runs
Released into difficulties or doesn’t go according to plan
Ensuring that all personnel wear personal protective clothing and
equipment appropriate for their task[s]
ensuring a maximum ratio of 4 students to 1 instructor at all times.
The use of people as live “victims” in live fire training is strictly prohibited.
NZFS Department of Operations and Training
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F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Command
The OIC of the live fire training exercise is responsible for:
and Control
appointing personnel to positions of responsibility in accordance with
the Fire Service Command and Control structure
appointing at least one safety officer specifically to the role
establishing an incident ground communications network between
internal and external operations and all instructors.
positioning personnel with charged deliveries around the structure to
guard against damage to exposures
ensuring that observers and personnel not directly involved in training
activities are held in a safe area designated by cordon tape or similar
posting personnel on stand-by after the exercise for a sufficient period Act
until there is no possibility of re-ignition, and no possibility of danger
from collapse or falling materials.
Information
Official
the
under
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F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Process
Live fire
Exits from the building are to be kept clear and checked prior to each
training
training evolution.
process
Ignite each section of the structure separately to ensure personnel gain
the best value from the exercise. With the exception of using flammable
liquids for specific origin and cause determination training, the following
combustibles are not to be used to commence or sustain combustion:
flammable liquids
tyres
plastics in sheet form
straw or hay.
Act
Where flammable liquids are used for origin and cause training they must
be kept to an absolute minimum quantity (<1 litre per fire setting and only
one fire setting per evolution).
Mattresses, foam rubber and/or polyurethane foam furniture may be used
to start the fire and/or form part of the furniture fire loading, however the
quantity used must be minimal (in line with normal household quantities
and distribution).
A minimum of 2 attack deliveries must be placed inside during
compartment training, at least one of these must be capable of flowing
Information
7 l/s @ 700 kPa.
Entry Control Procedure must be used and learning / practising the role of
the Entry Control Officer should form part of the training objective.
Maintain and retain a comprehensive diary of the exercise from start time
until the exercise is completed, including photographs and video
coverage.
Official
Make the building safe from re-ignition and falling/blown debris and hand
the responsibility for the site back to the owner before finally departing the
scene.
the
Record of amendments
Date
Brief description of amendment
under
Oct 2012
Code changed to F4
Dec 2014
Additional field required in Appendix C.
All fields required to be completed in Appendix C and D.
Guideline document created -
Acquired structure live fire training guideline (F4 GD).
March 2015 Paragraph about the
Acquired structure live fire training guideline (F4 GD) added at the start of
the policy, along with a link to the guideline document.
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F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Appendix A - Overview
Building offered for
live fire training
Inspect building
and surrounds
Act
Is
Process ends. Building
the building
No
owner notified of NZFS
suitable?
decision and thanked
Yes
Information
Complete all pre-planning
actions and responsibilities,
including sign-off by the
Area Manager
Official
Are all of
the
the above
Yes
Conduct exercise
completed?
No
under
Conduct all of the
actions before
ignition
Write to the building owner,
thanking them for the opportunity,
and advise them of the completion
Released
of our involvement with their
building.
NZFS Department of Operations and Training
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F4 Live fire training (OM B1)
Appendix B - Extinguisher training and RFTB training
Extinguisher
Class B fuels may be used for extinguisher training on condition that they
training
are:
kept to minimum quantities (<5 litres per container)
properly contained in a fit for purpose tray
ignited by a lighting device that affords at least a 1.6m distance from the
container and the person igniting it
are a maximum of 20% petrol / 80% diesel mix
appropriately disposed of at the conclusion of the training evolution, (refer
to POLLC1.12 Resource Management Act).
A check will need to be made as to whether the burning is restricted by rules Act
in the district plan or any regional air or discharge plan and resource
consents from the regional council and territorial authority will need to be
obtained if required. (refer to POLLC1.12 Resource Management Act).
Members of the public being educated in the use and effect of different
extinguishing medium need not be protected with full structural protective
clothing, (as they won’t have this available to them in normal circumstances).
Instructors must ensure that the students personal clothing is protected from
damage, that hair and eyes are protected and that students approach from
an upwind direction maintaining a safe (but effective) distance.
Firefighters undergoing this type of training must wear full structural
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protective clothing.
Realistic fire
Realistic fire training buildings (RFTB) are provided at selected Fire Service
training
sites and must only be operated under the strict control of a qualified /
buildings
certificated instructor.
The instructor is to strictly adhere to the requirements as detailed in the
Official
RFTB training manual, which shall comply with this policy.
A maximum ratio of 4 students to 1 instructor must be observed and the
instructor must be in contact with students at all times.
the
Only approved untreated woods can be used as fuel.
One person must be dedicated to monitor the control panel at all times when
students are inside.
The ceiling temperature on any level where personnel are assigned to work
under
is not to exceed 300ºC.
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RD6 Live fire training (OM B1)
Appendix C - Pre-planning checklist
All fields MUST be completed
Act
Action point
Responsibility
Date
Comment
Signed
achieved
Pre-inspection conducted
Asbestos survey completed by Worksafe NZ
registered asbestos professional.
Written asbestos report included in application to
Area Manager
Written statement from the owner received,
(request for demolition; evidence of ownership;
insurance cancelled; Fire Service limitation of
Information
liability; site clean up).
T/A – Regional Council consent(s) gained, (by
the building owner).
Check for building classification (Historic Place
or Protected building)
Official
Services isolated & aerial wires removed
Exposures safe or able to be protected
the
Smoke nuisance to neighbours
Hazards identified (building safe from asbestos,
masonry tile roof header tanks etc
Neighbours; Police; Ambulance and other
officials notified
under
Communication Centre notified in writing
Water quantity and supply established
Request to carry out the training forwarded to
the FRC
Permission granted from the FRC
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RD6 Live fire training (OM B1)
Appendix D - Actions before ignition checklist
All fields MUST be completed
Act
Action point
Responsibility
Achieved
Comment
Signed
Double-check the address
Check wind strength and direction
Notify neighbours
Position deliveries for exposure protection
Check site for safety hazards
Check site for people / animals
Information
Establish a safe area for bystanders
Ensure immediately available personnel to render
first aid
Ensure pump operators are conversant with the
pump[s] being used
Official
Establish Command & Control structure – appoint
Safety Officer
Establish Incident Ground Communication System
the
Safety briefing to all regarding fitness, the burn plan
and the contingency plan
Ensure all personnel have been given a tour of the
building to highlight hazards and exits
under
Confirm ignition time and address with
Communication Centre
Establish and maintain a ratio of 4 students to 1
instructor
Light the fire – no accelerants – no live patients
Maintain a diary / video of the training
Appoint standby crew
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