FIRE ENGINEERING
April 1983
Volume 136 No. 4
Investigating fire disasters … See page 33
DEPARTMENTS
6 EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK
Do you have the time for safety?
8 VOLUNTEERS CORNER
Preconnected hose lines
11 LETTERS
60 MANUFACTURERS’ LITERATURE FILE
54 NEWS
55 READER SERVICE CARD
58 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
RESEARCH
12 PROJECT F.I.R.E.S.
Turnout gear is a fire fighter’s first line of defense against injury. Will the ideal protective clothing system be a reality or an unattainable dream?
SAFETY
15 SELECTING ROPE FOR FIRE/RESCUE OPERATIONS
Because of the critical life-saving situations in which rope is used, it is important to know not only the various ways of using rope, but also the physical properties of rope itself.
22 SEVEN FIRE FIGHTERS CAUGHT IN EXPLOSION
But proper protective clothing helped save their lives despite a surface temperature estimated at 1200 degrees.
39 THE MAKING OF A TURNOUT COAT
Despite appearances, turnout coats are not all alike. They are being made more fire-resistant and more comfortable.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
18 SAFETY FIRST AT HAZ-MAT INCIDENTS
Facing dangerous situations is part of fire fighting, but taking unnecessary risks shouldn’t be. Safety awareness, particularly in hazardous materials situations, must be practiced by all fire fighters.
24 “THIS STUFF IS GETTING TO ALL OF US!”
Twelve rescue squad members and four others were hospitalized from an unknown gas poisoning. Even the emergency room was quarantined. Fire officials raced to identify the dangerous gas.
EMS/RESCUE
29 CONSIDER THE CARABINER
Fire and rescue personnel may find a carabiner to be faster and easier to use than a knot.
MANAGEMENT
33 THE COVER STORY: INVESTIGATING FIRE DISASTERS
When a disaster happens, the pressure is on for a “complete and thorough investigation.” Will you be ready?
TRAINING
44 FIRE PROTECTION FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
The unique hazards associated with nuclear power plants demand special training. Hands-on training courses and on-site fire departments at utility plants may be the solution.
