12/05/2026
🔥COMBINATION ATTACK — INTERIOR FIRE SUPPRESSION
A combination attack is a practical interior firefighting method that uses gas cooling followed by direct fire attack to control fire behavior and achieve safe knockdown.
**COOL THE HOT GAS LAYER
Before pushing in, apply short, controlled water pulses at ceiling level.
This targets the superheated gases and smoke above you.
• Lowers temperature
• Slows fire growth
• Reduces flashover potential
Use a straight stream or a narrow fog pattern. Apply only what is needed to avoid excessive steam.
>DIRECT FIRE ATTACK
Once conditions improve, transition to the burning material.
Apply water directly to the fuel.
• Removes heat from the source
• Controls and knocks down the fire
• Leads to extinguishment
🔥Fire is not only at the seat.
The hot gas layer overhead can ignite and spread fire rapidly.
Cooling the gases improves visibility and survivability.
Direct attack removes heat from the fuel.
Together, this gives better control and safer operations.
KEY FIRE BEHAVIOR PRINCIPLES
• Heat and gases rise and collect overhead
• Smoke contains unburned fuel
• High heat can lead to flashover if not controlled
🧑‍🚒FIREFIGHTER SAFETY
• Use short pulses, not continuous flow, for gas cooling
• Stay low to reduce exposure to heat and steam
• Coordinate ventilation with fire attack
• Continuously read smoke and changing conditions
👉Gas cooling is not intended to extinguish the fire.
It is used to improve conditions and prevent rapid fire progression.
Extinguishment happens during direct fire attack.
đź’§Cool the gases, then cool the fuel.
Proper water application and understanding fire behavior are critical on the fireground.
