Learn about the Transitional Fire Attack, a tactical method for safe and effective fire suppression in specific scenarios.

In modern construction, lightweight structures and synthetic combustible materials are favored for their cost efficiency and fast installation. However, these materials reveal their vulnerabilities during fires, posing significant threats to firefighters. Lightweight materials degrade quickly under heat, leading to unexpected collapses or rapid fire spread. Synthetic materials often produce intense heat and release harmful chemicals when burned, increasing the risks for firefighters and creating new challenges for their safety.

To address these challenges effectively, firefighters can adopt the following approaches:

1. Understanding Building Structures
   Firefighters must familiarize themselves with the characteristics of buildings made with lightweight structures and synthetic materials. This includes enhanced training and education about building design. Knowing a structure’s weaknesses and how specific materials behave during a fire enables safer operational planning.
2. Pre-Incident Planning and Risk Assessment
   Firefighters should gather information about building structures and materials in advance and perform risk assessments. Collaborating with building owners and managers is often necessary. Such information helps firefighters make better-informed decisions during emergencies.
3. Innovative Technologies and Tactics
   New tools and strategies play a vital role in fire response. Drones can provide aerial views of the building, and thermal imaging cameras can identify heat sources inside. Additionally, the development of advanced extinguishing agents and techniques contributes to improved fire suppression.
4. Continuous Education and Training
   Regular training and education keep firefighters updated on modern building materials and firefighting technologies. Hands-on experiences, like simulations and live fire drills, prepare them to tackle new challenges effectively.
5. Strengthened Communication and Collaboration
   Improved communication and cooperation between firefighters, the construction industry, and communities are crucial. Efforts like enhanced building codes and promoting fire-safe materials can contribute to broader fire safety strategies.

By integrating these approaches, firefighters can better manage risks associated with lightweight structures and synthetic combustibles, ensuring safer firefighting operations. Flexibility in adapting to evolving scenarios is essential to maintain safety.

What is a Transitional Attack?

Firefighters’ efforts to conduct internal fire attacks and search operations are inherently dangerous. Tragically, these missions can sometimes result in severe injuries or fatalities among firefighters. Firefighters must have accurate information and assess the situation carefully to determine whether the risks of entering a fire justify the potential benefits.

Setting up attack lines to prevent fire spread is crucial, but it takes time. If urgent rescue is unnecessary, and fire or smoke poses excessive risks, alternative strategies should be considered. Modern interior materials, often synthetic, combined with lightweight construction, have accelerated the occurrence of flashovers and building collapses, increasing risks for both firefighters and residents.

A strategy known as the Transitional Attack addresses these challenges. This approach involves attacking the fire from outside the building with water to reduce initial fire intensity before entering for interior operations. This method lowers firefighter risks and enhances safety. By slowing fire progression, it provides a safer environment for rescuing occupants and extinguishing the fire.

Effectiveness
Transitional attacks are particularly effective in the early stages of a fire, delaying its spread and allowing firefighters to proceed more safely and strategically. However, the application of this tactic depends on the type of fire and the building structure, and it is often used in combination with other methods. The priority is always the safety of firefighters and residents, selecting the best tactic based on the specific situation.

Background

In 2002, retired Seattle Fire Department Deputy Chief Stewart Rose introduced specialized training to the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD). This training emphasized a “transitional” firefighting mode, featuring a quick, targeted external fire suppression effort followed by an interior attack. The approach has been proven effective in both real fires and training exercises, delaying fire progression and preventing its spread to unaffected areas.

While the term “transitional” traditionally describes a shift from offensive to defensive strategies, CSFD uses it to denote a sequence: extinguishing externally first, then transitioning to an interior attack.

This technique differs from indirect attack, which uses steam to cool and extinguish fires in enclosed spaces, and combination attack, where water is first directed at the ceiling to cool the upper areas, then applied directly to burning materials.

Testing and Results

CSFD tested the effectiveness of the transitional attack using a two-story motel scheduled for demolition. The building was constructed with concrete blocks and wooden joists. During training, a team of four firefighters used a 1¾-inch handline to flow water at 175 gallons per minute into a fire through a window. This external attack, lasting five seconds, significantly reduced fire intensity, allowing another team to safely enter and extinguish the fire.

Key Findings:

• Ceiling temperatures dropped from 1,050°F to 150°F, and floor temperatures decreased from 387°F to 115°F after the initial attack.
• The method effectively suppressed the fire without forcing it into other areas.
• Proper application, including a steady water stream, minimized disruption to heat balance and ensured safe operations.

Critics have raised concerns about potential heat balance disruption, but research shows no adverse effects if executed correctly. However, the technique must be adapted to suit each fire scenario, as it is not universally applicable.

Application of Transitional Attack

The transitional attack is a firefighting method designed for specific conditions to effectively suppress and extinguish fires. It should only be implemented when appropriate for the situation. Below is an overview of scenarios where this approach is suitable or unsuitable.

When Transitional Attack is Suitable

1. Pre- or Post-Flashover Conditions
   • The fire is intense, with flames visibly escaping from one or more openings in the structure. This suggests the fire is near or has already reached a flashover (a phenomenon where fire rapidly spreads across a space).
2. Sufficient Time Available
   • There is enough time to carry out the attack without the fire reaching flashover or spreading to unburned rooms or structural components.
3. Limited Resources but No Immediate Rescue Needed
   • When resources are insufficient to implement the “two in, two out” rule (where two firefighters work inside while two remain outside as backup) and there are no occupants in immediate need of rescue.

When Transitional Attack is Not Suitable

1. Safe and Effective Attack is Possible
   • If firefighters can safely and effectively suppress the fire using another method, a transitional attack may not be necessary.
2. Rescue is a Priority
   • When occupants need immediate rescue, focus should shift to saving lives, with firefighting tactics supporting the rescue effort.
3. Unknown Fire Location
   • If the origin or spread of the fire is unclear, it may be difficult to determine where to direct the attack, making this method less effective.

Key Considerations

Transitional attack is most effective under very specific conditions. Decisions at the fire scene should always be based on the current situation, available resources, and the level of risk involved.

References

• Layman, Lloyd. Attack and Extinguishment of Interior Fires (National Fire Protection Association, 1952)
• Norman, John. Fire Officer’s Handbook of Tactics, 3rd Edition (Fire Engineering, 2005)
• Lawrence G. Schwartz, a Battalion Chief with the Colorado Springs Fire Department, has 24 years of experience and holds a degree in organizational management from Colorado Christian University, focusing on leadership.
• Derek Wheeler, a Captain with the Colorado Springs Fire Department, has 14 years of experience and holds degrees in organizational management and public fire service from Colorado Christian University and Santa Ana College, respectively.

Reference page: “Key fire characteristics: combustion elements, smoke risks, toxic gases, and safe firefighting techniques.”

References　National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

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