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Full Scale Firefighting Tests in the Tistbrottet Mine

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Abstract

The paper describes full-scale fire-fighting tests performed in an underground mine. A total of six different methods to fight a full scale fire in a mine tunnel were tested. The methods involved different fire-fighting equipment but were comparable regarding fundamental conditions such as length of response-route, fire-fighting set-up, and smoke and fire size. The aim was to compare different equipment and methods to reach and eventually extinguish the fire. Fire fighters using breathing apparatus (BA) were monitored regarding air consumption, movement speed and local actions and decisions. The results are presented and analyzed in respect to fire-fighting efficiency, front BA operations including moving speed and performed actions, as well as the time to successfully put out the fire. Measurements of heat release rates, temperatures and moving speeds are given in order to quantify the efficiency of the operation. Results indicate that a timespan of 15–30 min is needed for the firefighters to reach the fire source and achieve the extinguishing criteria in five of the tests. The standard equipment and nozzles shows good performance in the tests. A limiting factor on the firefighter’s endurance is the amount of air that is available. As a result from these findings the endurance of BA-teams could improve if focus is put on team organization, lightweight equipment and air supply.

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Acknowledgments

This project would not have been possible to perform without the financial support from MSB—The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. Many persons have also contributed to the enormous amount of effort and work needed to prepare the tunnel for the tests. The authors would especially like to thank Atlas Copco for lending out the equipment and to mine site manager Thomas Askemur for his exceptional patience answering our questions and making the tests possible by allowing us to use the mine. The authors would also like to thank Deputy Fire Chief Dick Forsberg for his help with coordination of the logistics and last but not least Fire Officer Krister Palmqvist, for invaluable IR images and a priceless knowledge about tactics and IR imaging, as well as Fire Safety Engineer Per Rohlén for fantastic photo documentation and for always sharing his experiences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Greater Stockholm Fire Brigade, Malmskillnadsgatan 64, 11183, Stockholm, Sweden

    Anders Palm

  2. Mälardalen University, 721 23, Västerås, Sweden

    Maria Kumm

  3. SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden, SP Fire Research, Box 857, 501 15, Borås, Sweden

    Haukur Ingason

  4. Lund University, Lund, Sweden

    Haukur Ingason

Authors
  1. Anders Palm
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  2. Maria Kumm
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  3. Haukur Ingason
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anders Palm.

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Palm, A., Kumm, M. & Ingason, H. Full Scale Firefighting Tests in the Tistbrottet Mine. Fire Technol 52, 1519–1537 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-015-0476-z

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