A basement fire

Lessons from a subway fire in South Korea

Kokura-minami Fire Station Assistant commander Shinsuke Isobe

Fire in an underground space

The smoke and heat diffusion speed is quick.
The ambient temperature rising rate is high. Difficulties in evacuation and rescue Difficulties in fire fighting operation
Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Prevention Report, No. 217, pp. 42-44 (2004).

Outline of the subway fire in South Korea

Place of incidence: Chungangno Station of Daegu Metropolitan City Subway Line No.1 Date and time of incidence: Around 9:52 on February 18 (Tue.), 2003

Time of fire awareness: 9:54

Time of the arrival of first-arriving fire fighting team: 9:59 Time of fire extinguishment:

13:38
Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Contemporary Fire Fighting, May issue, p. 26 (2003).

Outline of the subway fire in South Korea

State of human suffering:

192 dead and 148 casualties (including 10 firefighters)

Number of mobilized people: The 992 firefighters (197 units) were mobilized and rescued 140 people Number of mobilized vehicles: 158 vehicles
Fire engine Smoke eject Fire engine with water truck tank

Total

Lighting truck

Rescue truck

Ambulance

Others

Support from other cities

158

11

21

42

33

39

Note: The underlined portion and table are excerpted from a survey report issued by Special Disaster Office, Fire Fighting Research Institute.

Situation of the time when the fire broke out

9:56 9:55 9:54 9:53

9:56

Situation of the time when the fire broke out

Train #1079

Situation of the time when the fire broke out

9:56

Situation of the time when the fire broke out

Train #1079

Train #1080

Situation of the time when the fire broke out

Down line
1079

Fire
To Anshim

(1)
(2)

(1)

(6) (7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(3)

(3)

(4)
Up line

(5)

(6)

(7)
To Jincheon 1080

Door that was closed

Door that was opened

Direction of fire spreading

Situation of the time when the fire broke out

Many people were exhausted and lying here

B2

Ticket gate

No Dead

142 Dead
180 Train #1079 Train #1080

B3

142 Dead / 192 Dead = 74%

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Smoke and hot air Difficulties in fire fighting operation Difficulties in evacuation and rescue

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Smoke, hot air, and air current Smoke
The smoke rising rate is five to six meters per second. The smoke makes evacuation and fire fighting difficult. The stairway easily becomes a smoke path.

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Smoke, hot air, and air current Smoke

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Smoke, hot air, and air current Smoke

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Smoke, hot air, and air current Hot air
Emissions into the atmosphere are low. Attacking is difficult because of accumulated hot air. The loss of firefighters physical strength is intense.

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Smoke, hot air, and air current
Hot air Curbing the rising of temperature

Heat release
In the case of a fire of building on the ground

Heat release

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Smoke, hot air, and air current Hot air

In the case of a fire inside an underground space

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Difficulties in fire fighting operation

The operation has to be made in a broad area for many hours in smoke.

There are problems of the hours using an air cylinder of self-containedcompressed air breathing apparatus and of the number of cylinders.

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Difficulties in fire fighting operation
The operation has to be made in a broad area for many hours in smoke. There are problems of the hours using an air cylinder of self-containedcompressed air breathing apparatus and of the number of cylinders.

Standard hours using an air cylinder Under normal use : condition When acting : strenuously 20 to 30 minutes 15 to 20 minutes

The hours become much shorter if the hours for returning to the ground are included.

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Difficulties in fire fighting operation
The operation has to be made in a broad area for many hours in smoke. There are problems of the hours using an air cylinder of self-contained-compressed air breathing apparatus and of the number of cylinders.

When continuing the fire fighting and rescue operations in smoke

Air cylinders to be used by work teams Spare air cylinders for work teams Air cylinders to be used by support teams Spare air cylinders for support teams

It is necessary to provide a large number of air cylinders.

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Difficulties in evacuation and rescue
Evacuees are in panic due to dense smoke and heat, which hinders evacuation guidance.

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Prevention Report, No. 217, pp. 42-44 (2004).

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Difficulties in evacuation and rescue
People are forced to bear a large burden of evacuation to the ground depending on the depth of the place where they are.
The ground

First basement level

5 to 6 meters per second

Second basement level

18 m

Third basement level

Obstacles for fighting operation against underground fire

Difficulties in evacuation and rescue
Possibility of a firefighters approach path conflicting with an evacuation route. The ground

First basement level

Second basement level

Third basement level

Command headquarters
Establishment of command headquarters

Basis of command

Command headquarters
Establishment of command headquarters

The command headquarters should be placed on the ground where is easy to see the entire picture of the fire site and has no interference to the command activity.

The command headquarters should be placed around the gateway to an underground space, which may not conflict with the evacuation gate.
The command headquarters should be placed in a spacious field where an on-site first aid station can be set up and the surrounding roads conditions are good.

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 4, p. 4007.

Command headquarters
Basis of command
Giving a top priority to lifesaving It is necessary to prioritize the search and rescue of life and the evacuation guidance. Understanding the actual state of disaster It is necessary to promptly understand the actual state of disaster by multifactedly collecting information through the listening from relevant parties and the estimation from the flowing condition of smoke and hot air. Determining the fire fighting operation policy The fire commander has to make a judgment from the actual state of disaster, the scale of underground space, the flowing condition of smoke and hot air, and a variety of information, and clearly determine the operation policy about the evacuation guidance, search, rescue, and fire suppression. Familiarizing firefighters with the operation policy When determining and altering the operation policy, all firefighters have to be well informed immediately, and the confirmation has to be obtained from all fire chiefs.
Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 2, pp. 4007-4008.

Measures taken by the first-arriving fire fighting team after they arrived
They make the persons concerned safe, grasp the disaster state, and report the state to the following team and commander.

Conditions of object Actual state of disaster State of evacuation and people who need rescue Operation hazard Condition of fire fighting equipment
Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 2, pp. 4007-4008.

Measures taken by the first-arriving fire fighting team after they arrived
Conditions of object Underground structure Basement level Intended purpose Scale of underground space Condition of entrance
(What structure does the subsurface construction has?) (How many basement levels does the subsurface construction has?) (Is it an underground mall or a subway station?) (What is the area of underground space?) (From which entrance can firefighters approach?)

Measures taken by the first-arriving fire fighting team after they arrived
Actual disaster state Type
(What is burning?) (Where is the place of burning?)

Fire point
Spread of fire

(What is the state of spreading fire?)

(What is the state of smoke belch?) (What is the state of peoples evacuation?)

Fumes
State of evacuation

Measures taken by the first-arriving fire fighting team after they arrived
States of evacuees and people who require rescue
Existence or nonexistence of people who need rescue Number of people who need rescue Place where people who need rescue are staying
(First of all, whether is there anyone who needs rescue or not?) (If there are people who need rescue, about how many people are there?)

(Where and which level?)

Measures taken by the first-arriving fire fighting team after they arrived
Hazards to operation Explosion
(Is not there gas leakage, etc?) (Is there any stock or leakage of dangerous goods?) (What is the condition of hot air in an underground space?) (Is not there any danger of collapsing, etc?)

Existence or nonexistence of dangerous goods

Condition of dense smoke and hot air Danger of falling and collapsing

Measures taken by the first-arriving fire fighting team after they arrived
States of fire facilities Kinds
(What kinds of equipment are installed?) (Which equipment is operating?)

Condition of operation Effect

(Is that equipment operating effectively?)

Securing the approach path

Avoiding conflict with evacuees Selecting the place that has a good breathing condition and less amount of smoke belch Place where the firefighters can directly approach from the ground Joint with connected building

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 4, pp. 4014-4015.

Securing the approach path

When the level just below the fire point level can be used, it is possible to approach by using that level.

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 2, p. 4008.

Case where there are a lot of people who need rescue

Immediately letting the fire fighting team rescue people and requesting support teams

The search has to be made preferentially on the place where a danger to human life is pressing. People who are not able to evacuate for themselves should be prioritized, and people who can evacuate under their own power should evacuate after being instructed the evacuation direction. The rescue operation as the first stage should be made up to the block having no smoke contamination so that the rescue efficiency can be increased.
Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 4, p. 4019.

Case where there are a lot of people who need rescue

The rescue operation as the first stage should be made up to the block having no smoke contamination so that the rescue efficiency can be increased.

DANGER ZONE

CLEA ZONE

Evacuation guidance
It should be tried to prevent a panic. The guidance shall be made by the fire fighting team depending on circumstances, and the instruction should be given specifically including evacuation direction and stairway to be used. The place where people are guided should be on the ground with no interference to the operation of fire fighting teams. The firefighters should be placed on the gateway to the ground so that the evacuee can be guided.

Where the level just below the fire point level can be used, the circumvent guidance should be considered by using that level.

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 4, p. 4018.

Evacuation guidance
The guidance shall be made by the fire fighting team depending on circumstances, and the instruction should be given specifically including evacuation direction and stairway to be used.

Evacuation guidance
When the level just below the fire point level can be used, the circumvent guidance should be considered by using that level.

Lifesaving operation
Daegu St.

Chungangno St.

To Anshim St.

Panwoltang St.

To Chinchon St.

Lifesaving operation

Panwoltang St.

Chungangno St.

Daegu St.

Lifesaving operation

Appearance of neutral band in the third basement level (imagination)

Advance command post

Command headquarters

Panwoltang St.

Chungangno St.

Daegu St.

Advance command post in the Panwoltang Station side

Advance command post in the Daegu St. Station side

Advance command post

Roles of advance command post Field management based on the operation policy of the fire commander Commanding each fire fighting team that approached and controlling their actions Putting materials and equipment together and managing them Communication with the command headquarters Managing the replacement firefighters
Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 4, p. 4008.

Advance command post

Place for establishing an advance command post Place with less smoke contamination, closing to the start of fire, and of convenience for command activity Place where the communication with the command headquarters can be secured

Place with sufficient space to put materials and equipment together

It has to be paid attention that the radio contact does not become disconnected by utilizing the auxiliary facilities of radio communication, etc.
Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept. Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 4, p. 4009.

Search procedures
Giving priority to the block of origin of fire, and searching blocks of fire spreading risk in order of precedence

Giving priority to the air discharge side

Giving priority to the block that has a great danger to human life

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Firefighters Association of Japan, Rescue, pp. 167-168.

Important matters to keep in mind when searching

Approaching from the air intake side after duly assessing the air discharge side and intake side

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Firefighters Association of Japan, Rescue, p. 168.

Important matters to keep in mind when searching

A shutter, etc. should be broken down with engine cutters, and it should be considered to set up the approach gate as well as to discharge the dense smoke and hot air.

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Firefighters Association of Japan, Rescue, p. 168.

Important matters to keep in mind when searching

When approaching, a party has to be formed with two or more firefighters, and an escape route has to be secured by extending a rope.
Coiling a rope with bowline knot

Belay rope
Safety rope

Ceiling hook

Karabiner

Portable torch

Note: The photo is excerpted from Firefighters Association of Japan, Rescue, p. 162.

Important matters to keep in mind when searching

It should be tried to secure the search route and escape route by covering with atomized water injection as well as by eliminating smoke and heat.

The time of action made internally has to be strictly controlled so that the operation with free scope can be implemented.

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Firefighters Association of Japan, Rescue, p. 168.

Fire fighting procedures

Approaching from the air intake side Being covered by water injection Eliminating smoke with atomized water injection

Fire fighting procedures

Being covered by water injection

Nozzle pressure: 0.7 MPa or more

60-70 70-90
When a firefighter, who covers others, itself needs a cover

Water injection procedures under an intense heat environment

A case where water injection is made by two firefighters

Water injection procedures under an intense heat environment

A case where water injection is made by one firefighter

Setup of smoke outlet

Making small blocks by closing shutters and fireretarding doors Choosing the place facing road (such as stairway) for a smoke outlet

Implementing the smoke elimination by air blast in the place other than firing room

Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 4, p. 4016.

Measures to eliminate smoke

Determining after duly assessing, such as, the amount of smoke belch, smoke density, and state of evacuation Operation of smoke elimination facilities Air blast by the smoke elimination and high foaming truck

Air suction by the smoke elimination and high foaming truck

Spray water injection
Note: The underlined portion is excerpted from Disaster Prevention Div., Tokyo Fire Dept., Contemporary Fire Fighting Strategies, No. 4, p. 4015.

Measures to eliminate smoke

Operation of smoke elimination facilities

Fresh air

Measures to eliminate smoke

Operation of smoke elimination facilities

Without smoke

Dirty air

With smoke

Measures to eliminate smoke

Air blast by the smoke elimination and high foaming truck

The air blast by the smoke elimination and high foaming truck has less effect if it was conducted in a wider space.

Measures to eliminate smoke

Air blast by the smoke elimination and high foaming truck If air is sent to the firing room,

The fire further grows stronger.

Measures to eliminate smoke

Air suction by the smoke elimination and high foaming truck

The air suction by the smoke elimination and high foaming truck is effective in a smaller block.

Measures to eliminate smoke

Spray water injection

Nozzle pressure: 0.7 MPa or more

Making no aperture

60-70

In conclusion
Characteristics of underground fire

The smoke and heat diffusion speed is quick. The ambient temperature rising rate is high.

Difficulties in evacuation and rescue

Difficulties infire fighting operation