Lumbar Pack Safety System: Webbing
Black Sunday New York City: January 23, 2005 o Bronx Box 3-3 2997: (6) Firefighters forced to bail out of a 4 th story window; (3) firefighters killed, (3) firefighters seriously injured.
Black Sunday New York City:
Reasons FF s are being Forced to Bail: 1) Synthetic Materials: Contributing to the fire load, causing fires to burn hotter and faster. In the past the fire load was made up of more natural fiber materials. The rate of fire growth now doubles approximately every 30 sec. UL has identified 44 carcinogens produced from the off gassing of materials in the smoke we breath.
Reasons FF s are being Forced to Bail (cont d): 2) Energy Efficient Construction: Energy efficient building construction traps the heat & gases. Pictured Below: Thermal pane windows & spray foam insulation
Reasons FF s are being Forced to Bail (cont d): 3) Building Construction: Lightweight building materials, fail earlier in fire conditions, causing an interior structural collapse Prefabricated Truss Roof Open Truss Construction: Allows fire to spread horizontally in all directions
Reasons FF s are being Forced to Bail (cont d): 4) PPE: Modern PPE does not allow the FF to feel the heat until it is too late
Reasons FF s are being Forced to Bail (cont d): 5) Lack of Experience: Call volume has shifted in recent decades from firefighting to general emergency response (Smells, Bells, EMS, Service Calls) Going in Too Far and Too Fast!
Explain Components of System Inspection, Care, & Maintenance Packaging How to Use System Connection to Harness Most important objective Instill Confidence With Hands On Training
Hook One Piece Dropped Forged Steel Size 7 X 3 Weight 13 Oz. Safety Factor 15 to 1 Tip 5000# s Saddle 10,000# s
Webbing Construction Length - 50 feet 3/8 Tubular K29AP Webbing 100% Kevlar Non Corrosive & Light Weight 1112 Degree F Rating for 2.5 Min. with a 300 Lb. load 5500 # Tensile Strength
Webbing Construction Strength Tensile Strength: Five Pull avg. 5,500lbs. Passed Drop Test (300 lb. at 1 meter) Resistant to Cuts & High Temps
Webbing Construction Strong and Compact sewn eye termination
Webbing Construction Only (2) things you Never do with this system 1. Never let go with the brake hand (right hand) 2. Never hook into the sewn eyelet (seen below) NEVER!!
F.I.R.E. AL Device Operation Auto-Locking Design Trigger Controlled Enclosed Design Prevents gear, gloves and debris interference Connects to FD Harness with 9000# Tri-Link
F.I.R.E. AL Device Interior View ***DO NOT open, disassemble, or tamper with your Device.***
Device Operation Used incorrectly held in open position:
Parts of the Bag Made of: Advanced Fire Rated Flame & Flash Resistant (1200 F) Designed to evenly distribute the weight of the system around the entire waist of the firefighter. Magazine Sleeve Hook & Descender Pocket
Inspection Prior to every tour After every structural fire After operating at a Haz-Mat incident Inspection & Complete Repacking PESH Expectation: Minimum Monthly Quarterly or in accordance with your departmental SOP/SOG s if more stringent
Inspect: Proper Connection to the Harness Carabineer & device properly aligned Bag & leg straps secure to harness Webbing Inspect sewn edge for loose threads Hook & device Nicks & sharp edges Handle maneuverability Proper placement in bag Bag Integrity Flap Large securing snaps
Monthly Inspection: Completely remove webbing from bag Examine entire length inch by inch Check for fraying of sheath Integrity of end stopper Follow Pre-Tour Inspection Procedure Repack system Proper Care Prevent UV Exposure
System shall be placed OOS: After every non-training evolution If fraying on sewn end or webbing is present Any deformities/nicks in descending device or hook Exposure to any hazardous materials Any doubt or uncertainty in system and system integrity
How Not To Store Your System!
Slack in Webbing The length of Crosby hook plus approximately 4 should be left between the hook and the AL - F.I.R.E. descended to allow for enough clearance over most window sills.
Each magazine sleeve can only hold three sections of webbing Measure webbing along the top of the magazine Push webbing into each sleeve with metal rod Repeat these steps until all webbing is loaded
Packing Bag (Cont d): Fold magazine in half Slide magazine into designated sleeve Mate Velcro at far end of sleeve with Velcro on the magazine Load hook and descender into designated pocket Fold flap over hook pocket Re-attach to your harness with button loops
Anchoring: Remotely: Tied/Hooked to Substantial Object Radiator or Steam Pipe Wall Studs Door Frame Using Tools At the Window: ONLY if unable to tie-off remotely!
Anchoring Tying Technique
Anchoring Radiator, Steam Pipe, or Plaster Lath
Anchoring Alternate Options
Anchoring Radiator or Steam Pipes Remotely: Tied/Hooked to Substantial Object
Anchoring: Remotely: Moving to point of descent: Control webbing with right hand: Device: move far enough to clear window edge:
Anchoring: At the window: to be used ONLY as a last resort!
Anchoring: At the window: to be used ONLY as a last resort!
Anchoring at the window: Hook in left hand
Anchoring at the window: Cup saddle of hook in middle of hand:
Anchoring at the window: Place hook in bottom left corner under window
Exiting: Stay low Maintain left hand position
Exiting: Roll forward head 1 st
Exiting: Leg Lock Relieves pressure on shoulder Maintains control as you move out window Final opportunity to: Ensure system/hook deployed correctly Re-enter if conditions improve
Exiting: Punch out to five O clock
Exiting: Roll out into slide position
Exiting: Brake hand to Three O'clock Position
Detaching: If possible use full length of rope: Faster & easier Lessens shock on anchor
Anchoring at the window
Additional Considerations Use what is available
After Deployment: Packing the Bag