The Art of Reading Smoke | Check Description for Updated Videos!

This video includes experiments on smoke reading, live fire training footage and an overview of basic smoke reading concepts.This video was shot several years ago so if you're looking for new videos check out the channel or view the beginning of our series on Fire Behavior 101:
Fire Behavior 101: • Fire Behavior 101 | Pa...
How to Label Sides of a Structure: • How to Label Sides of ...
Benefits of the Reverse Lay: • Benefits of the Revers...
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[@Boxalarmtraining]

If you are looking for new updated content check out my other videos. This video was shot years ago and we have produced many more updated videos since this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2qrmIeHqK2So5Y

[@lovecheese45]

Great vids. Very much worth watching to learn

[@moemcgovern7345]

I've never been a firefighter. I saw way too many house fires; when I was a child. I have PTSD, so I watch these videos: and hopefully, overcome my PTSD.

[@theevilmonkeyemail]

Bro I just learned so much in this 10 minute video. I've been a professional firefighter for 2 year and didn't know half this stuff.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thanks!

[@STRIDER99r1]

Very informative video and just the tip of the iceberg, as in there is truly "an art to reading smoke" and so much information/studying that needs to be done. Two of the most important topics every fireman NEEDS to be proficient at is building construction and reading smoke. Its a topic you never "master" and always an uphill learning curve. You simply can not learn enough to say "ive mastered this topic I dont need to study anymore". Great informative video but again, dont let the lesson stop at this 10 minute video. Always be better, study study study. Stay safe brothers and again, GREAT video. #343...never forget

[@danreed7622]

FG, never ever stop training. 18 years in and I continue to learn every day because I choose to.

[@briangale2878]

I just retired after 35 years and this is amazing information

[@guntherbeckman1257]

My Granddad Mike Oakley was a Cheif.. he fought one of the most serious fires in the 1900s Look up the knights of Columbus hostel fire in st. John's Newfoundland. It's believed to be started by Nazi says

[@hiryuusanzo6308]

This actually helped me understand why the firefighters always climb the roof despite it being such a hazard. Even though I know it's for ventilation, I couldn't really understand the importance behind it.This is really educational and helpful. Kudos!

[@glendawills4303]

I've just become a Fire Fighter Instructor Lvl 1. I'm an Assistant Chief in a rural volunteer department. We was so stagnant in our understanding of types and how to attack fires. Already I have taught my team some amazing information. Thank you for taking the time out to think of us small departments. My brothers are looking like a well oiled machine on scenes. Thanks again. DCVFD

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Great. Thanks!

[@barbkeen1221]

Hi Glenda! I checked out your channel and subbed as I saw all your Fire fighting related videos. I just joined my local VFD and want to learn as much as possible so ill be watching them tomorrow. Thanks and stay safe!

[@SMHerring1]

Thanks for the video. Been on the job for seven months and working on improving my knowledge to be a better fireman. Keep up the good work.

[@freefiresims2449]

Thank you for making this video. I appreciate that this video had solid focus on safety and hammering the core concepts of smoke reading. I’ll be saving this one to my favorites for using on duty for crew training.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thanks

[@bethmorano1452]

Great video. Fire fighting is a true art. My hats off to our women and men firefighters!

[@tonyw2049]

As a public adjuster, an advocate for the property owner, this type of info is very helpful in being sure Insurance companies cover all the damages a policy is designed to cover...,! Not what someone else wants you to have in order to save a dollar in payout...Great info, excellent learning for my tradeMany thanksTony WYoungsville Metro Public Adjustment

[@PaEMT_FF9]

Truly wonderful concise video, on reading smoke, brother. Great job. Thank You.

[@TheFredster-dk1bi]

Very well presented, thank you for this video, I was struggling so much to understand this subject and now it’s much more clear! Thank You!

[@warmwoolsoxgood4559]

Knowledge is passed on that may be video from years ago but to a newbie is extremely informative and valuable. I’ll be viewing your later work, and you, sir, are a great instructor; concise, good visuals, and great execution and content. Many thanks! 😊👍👍👍

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thank you.

[@lesleyashcroft394]

A very well explained video. Clear and concise with really good practical demonstrations. Excellent, thanks Lesley

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Older houses aren't necessarily more prone to fire. Wiring would definately need to be checked by an electrician. Sometimes older construction is actually better than the new lightweight construction. Newer building codes in most cities have reduced the chances of fire but the majority of fires are caused by human error not manufacturing defects. "Smoke Stained" windows are windows that have been caked with soot due to extreme heat from a fire in the decay stage.

[@jerrysmith7449]

Thanks for your video. The info is important for persons trying to evacuate a burning structure and also for people who have made it out and otherwise fail get get the hell away from a burning building.

[@laraelin4119]

The green liquid is drawn in by cooling (air in glass shrinks in volume) after the matches are extinguished. Fires don't "suck" oxygen. Fires simply heat air, making it lighter, making it rise. It's actually PUSHED upward by the cooler heavier air around and below it, like a cork is pushed up in water. The cool air replacing the warmer air brings with it fresh oxygen.

[@lindanwfirefighter4973]

Lara Elon Incorrect! I am guessing your not a firefighter.

[@Tindometari]

It's all pull, actually. The hot air "exhausted" by the fire rises by buoyancy, and that is what sucks the airflow through the fire. And this doesn't suck *oxygen*, it pulls air in bulk through the fire and the fire just consumes the oxygen as it passes through. In confined spaces or extreme wildfires or firestorms, fire can consume all or nearly all oxygen in an area, and that leads to the idea that it sucks in oxygen specifically ... but it's all the air that flows.

[@vishnuprasad1204]

Exactly, it's is the stack effect

[@bujacik9N]

Our instructor recommended watching your videos and they are extremely helpful for my studies!! Thank you so much for this information

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thank you very much. Must be a good instructor! haha

[@iqbal4105]

Are you fire fighter at Airport

[@judithyatesbesttruecrime2635]

An excellent video. Well written and explained so that anyone can understand- broken down easily while using science and great visuals. Thank you!

[@whiteybrundage5108]

Thanks great video for refreshing older guys

[@andredalia]

Incredible video. Keep it up with the great work. That's an awesome content for all the firefighters around the world.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thank you very much!

[@STRIDER99r1]

Very informative video and just the tip of the iceberg, as in there is truly "an art to reading smoke" and so much information/studying that needs to be done. Two of the most important topics every fireman NEEDS to be proficient at is building construction and reading smoke. Its a topic you never "master" and always an uphill learning curve. You simply can not learn enough to say "ive mastered this topic I dont need to study anymore". Great informative video but again, dont let the lesson stop at this 10 minute video. Always be better, study study study. Stay safe brothers and again, GREAT video. #343...never forget

[@Kihsiimawa]

Light smoke conditions can sometimes be deceiving, so it's important to apply all of this and more (like looking for the smoke-stained windows) throughout to keep everyone safe.

[@danconnors8961]

This video was great to get that first on scene the added info to pass along to set up an attack. Shipboard situations is something I need to do more research. Thanks much for your research and videos

[@danconnors8961]

good heads up to add smoke type in training. I teach maritime fire fighting and am thankful you have put a lot of effort in your videos

[@TheGraham27]

This was amazing. I'm trying to become a firefighter in Canada. N thank u so much.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Best of luck!

[@Bluelinechevy82]

I am new to the fire service, this video is super helpful.

[@garrymiller1497]

White smoke is paper, wood, cotton Black is oil, metal (cars, building beams etc)

[@SMHS695]

Great video I'll have to show these to my training command tomorrow if I see him

[@meyou9655]

This is very well put together. Thank you.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thanks

[@ReshundaEdwards-em5xi]

Thank you. Your explanation and knowledge has so peeked my interest in learning more.

[@BeanDar]

Matt, very well done video. I was learned a lot from this and look foward to watching the rest of your videos.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Bean Dar Thank you very much!

[@Sharrendan]

Thank you for the perfect explanation. 👌

[@victorofd]

Great Video! I'm going to use the examples that you showed this summer when I teach new recruits about the dangers of smoke and smoke reading. It will be a great demonstration to introduce these important topics. Talk about a great ice breaker! Cheers!

[@an10nee]

Excellent video thank you for posting

[@KP415TL3]

best video Ive seen on this! Thanks

[@tntequiv]

Excellent tutorial for those of us who aren't fire fighting professionals. I'm building myfire safety training class for work and wanted to have some extra intelligence to bring to my team. Cheers.

[@user-dh8tj1tk4n]

your videos are incredible thank you! your helping me so much with firefighter training.

[@feliciagray5781]

Cool watching this with my boys

[@Canadianhonkindiesel]

Great video! This sure helps in sizing up fires.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thank you very much. Hope to come out with more videos soon.

[@anitaanzaldua5603]

i needed this. thank you so much for this great video!

[@iqbal4105]

Is it possible for girls to be fire fighter at Airport

[@LaSalseraSensual]

Thank you!! Stay safe out there brother.

[@owensweetland342]

👍 Great video

[@robertdipietro9592]

Great stuff. Thank you

[@Hawkeye4180]

Very helpful video and full of great educational material. Thank you very very much

[@crossfireradio8565]

I'm a Japanese firefighter. I am currently studying English to study firefighter training in the United States.

[@gregmoore3773]

Nice Job Sir! Great basic examples.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thanks!

[@derrickgibson5644]

Damn good video. Im ready to fight a fire. Just got all the training i need lol.

[@joesniffer9815]

Nice video 👍 And really cool experiments. Thanks for posting.

[@jeanbizot2974]

Thanks a lot very good for instruction of newbies

[@Anight7mareX]

Awesome video. I look forward to more and I'm always looking to learn. Thanks.

[@yokeleetan4034]

actual it may not be the smoke particles but the pyrolised candle wax vapor on top of the wick that burns upon contact with ignition source.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thank you. Hope you can use it.

[@kuznetskiibassein3840]

Great training. Thanks.

[@ryanmcgowan3061]

The fire isn't "sucking oxygen." The convection of extremely hot gasses rising needs to be replenished with something, so new air moves in to take the place of the hot air escaping. It's like a powerful fan pushing air up and several thousand CFM. Under a cup, the gasses cool and condense, forming a vacuum, pulling the water in. It would be more accurate to say the smoke is causing the suction, which in turn feeds the fire with oxygen.

[@darrenott2441]

Bingo. You sir, saved me typing it out.

[@rarestgem1021]

Excellent. Tyvm

[@nicholasmakepeace8748]

Thanks you for the video

[@ogvito]

Great video my friend, lots of useful info

[@yourbuddyrook]

great video Matt!

[@Boxalarmtraining]

+yourbuddyrook Thank you!

[@Boxalarmtraining]

@victorofd Thank you very much. Hopefully we will have many more to come.

[@charissakerr9953]

This is an Excellent video - good explanation, and an excellent scenario that walks through changes in smoke

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thanks!

[@andrewbaxter3332]

Great video

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Thanks

[@seanpierce7673]

The best way tobdrop the heat were that black thermol tavernas is yo take your 2 T in attack line and shoot it down on the floor or close to it to drop the heat in the room b4 yougo in thier. And to take a few swipes of the fire yo u can see b4 going in to doban attack on the main body of fire

[@stevenkelly1046]

good video.Keep it up.

[@rileydog1299]

Thanks nice job.

[@hankaaron3942]

Awesome video, any chance your channel can create a video about fire safety during riots/protests?

[@codydifraia5013]

cool stuff here. thank you. i would love to see a video of topside ventillation

[@Boxalarmtraining]

cody difraia Thank you very much. We do have a video on our channel showing ventilation if you would like to see it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnPQhGyli8t9i7s

[@c2h7]

I think it's not the candle's smoke which is igniting in the first experiment, but rather the vaporized wax. What burns in a candle (as with most solid+liquid materials) is not the wax itself but rather the gas which the heated wax emits. After blowing out the flame, wax-gas is still rising from the wick for a few seconds.

[@matthewweitz1949]

very cool

[@fdggfgdfgd251]

Can u explain... the part where u said .. if you were to stand up.. you would displace some of the smoke.in the hot layer. Would this affect the team mates and visibility in the cool layer ? Fascinating if so. As I never would have thought

[@awonroa1986]

Learned a lot.tnx

[@kevinaustin5176]

What was the liquid you used in the plate for the back draft presentation?

[@shahrukhislam3809]

sir in this case how we should control over the fire? how far I know if someone breaks a door or a window then, a lot of oxygen will enter into the room which will help the fire to develop. so how we can fight with the fire in such conditions? please respond. thank you.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Controlling two things in particular. The flow of air and the flow of water. Limiting air inhibits growth but also flowing more water absorbs more energy.

[@TheWaynelds]

What exactly does "smoke stained" windows mean? Also, are older houses (such as mine, built in the early 1900s) more prone to fires? During the 31 years ive lived here, the wiring has never been replaced, so im guessing it's older than i am. I've never encountered any problems with our wiring, (flickering lights, fuses blowing, ect) but theres a couple rooms where certain outlets & switches no longer work because of a leaky roof.

[@TheSuperStarCarWash]

Awesome video. Matt... Will you please examine & read the smoke conditions from the trade towers on 9/11? What was the temperature of these fires, and could those temperatures melt steel?

[@TheWaynelds]

What does “Smoke stained windows” mean exactly? Is that just another term for having smoke residue on the windows and you can’t see through the glass? I would think that would be the case in every structure fire since the windows would have some degree of smoke residue.

[@derrickguffey4775]

So which is technically more dangerous backdraft or flash over. I'm curious because I've been told a backdraft is horrendous to be caught up in.

[@rbcfire44]

Thank you!!! Much Love

[@LIVEACTION1985]

good vid man

[@Chargedhalo]

So Turbulent Smoke flow is categorized as being “ pressurized”?

[@keithoconnor502]

Isn't a candle releasing vapors of paraffin that when heated travel up the wick, so if the flame is extinguished the remaining vapors in the wick are what is being reignited, I could be wrong..

[@Boxalarmtraining]

That may be true. Smoke is a byproduct of combustion. It has lots of thing in it. In a structure fire you might have phosgene, cyanide, etc inside smoke. The unburned particles in smoke can ignite. Smoke will ignite in a structure fire as well as this candle. The “effect” is not proprietary to the candle. It does happen in actual structure fires. You can see many other videos on vent point ignition, or smoke explosions, that show the ignition of the by products of combustion.

[@ricardojack4157]

I have to try this with the candle to prove if what he saying is 100% accurate

[@christopheryoung8190]

Candle is a lot different than house fire. Candle is waxy paraffin, which puts out paraffin vapors. Doubt you could do that with smoke after blowing out a wooden match.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

The paraffin may not replicate the exact results of a structure fire but the purpose is to show the potential for smoke ignition or vent point ignition at a structure fire. Structure fires do not only burn organic materials, they burn synthetics which produce very toxic and even flammable vapors which can ignite just like the candle.

[@reef973]

Matt Hinkle theres vapor droplets in smoke

[@forestdenizen6497]

*51 native Americans expected a video about reading smoke signals.*

[@stupidass31]

What was the liquid you used on the plate? Will it work with any liquid or did you have to use a specific type of liquid.

[@Boxalarmtraining]

That is just water with food coloring in it so you can see it better.

[@JenniferSeavers-xi5zi]

Great job!!! Do you have more videos?

[@Boxalarmtraining]

I have a lot more videos. Just go to my channel name “Matt Hinkle”. Over 100 videos for firefighters.

[@tommcrae4613]

If so, you have any vids?

[@aarongallagher7035]

Say your already inside the structure and you here a victim in a room with the door closed but there is no window to escape from how do you get the victim out of danger?

[@Boxalarmtraining]

It really depends on department SOPs. Some departments have a way to provide air to victims.

[@williamfairfaxmasonprescot9334]

Hi. Im a little fuzzy on what a Charlie Delta corner is?

[@brendanstanford5612]

So am I! Something like (the November-Echo, or November-Whiskey corner) would make sense, but what the hell is a CD corner?

[@Algot19]

William Fairfax Mason Prescott III different places have different names for there sides such as ABCD or 1234

[@timofeyborshch597]

Alpha side=front of house Bravo=left side Charlie=rear Delta= right side

[@brendanstanford5612]

@@timofeyborshch597 It all makes sense now. Thanks brother

[@timofeyborshch597]

@@brendanstanford5612 Yes sir👍

[@cowboycody8094]

Just out of curiosity in your little video clip I heard the fire alarm going off how long does it typically take for a fire alarm to detect smoke?

[@runningcreekcustoms5265]

That wasnt a smoke detector. It was what is called a PASS device. (Personal Alert Safety System) It is typically integrated into a firefighters SCBA (breathing apparatus) and starts alerting in about 30 seconds if the firefighter stops moving. It can also be manually activated if needed.

[@cadeaponick4276]

I have a question, If you arrive and you just get off the rig and your Masking Up what happenes when you go in and as soon as you go in you get an overflow or back draft how will you be able to tell what kind of smoke or where the fire is coming from? I hope to hear from you

[@Boxalarmtraining]

That is a transition from reading smoke to reading conditions. Once you make the decision to go interior you really will not be able to read smoke very easily. You will have to rely on temperatures, flame over/rollover, for your analysis of the current conditions. Although there is a chance you could get caught in a backdraft once you go interior, most of the time the conditions would present that type of situation. However, if you see rollover/flameover you will be reaching critical points of flashover and the decision to press on and over power the fire with water, or retreat and go defensive will become inevitable. Just remember that extreme temperatures in a structure will be a very good indicator that flashover is a reality if nothing is done. If you crawl through high heat conditions and smoke you are crawling through fuel. Those conditions and that fire atmosphere need to be cooled as you attack the fire to try to prevent rapid fire growth or flashover.

[@cadeaponick4276]

Thank you so much

[@reef973]

Matt Hinkle indirect attack or combination of indirect and direct attack

[@Boxalarmtraining]

reef973 There is definitely tactical considerations to cool gases as you make a push on a fire. If we "indirectly" flow water to cool the atmosphere we can make a much more effective push on the fire.

[@reef973]

Matt Hinkle right cooling is very important don't want a flashover

[@rich3222]

I thought the candle reignited because the wax was gas and had reached ignition tempreture ,but I guess its the same thing ,the original fuel as a gas at ignition tempreture makes up part of the smoke.I think when you blow out the candle in the example it's not smoke you are reigniting more wax vapour thou

[@reclamaleduri8447]

i dont understand somthing, why fire fighters look an the fire with hose in hand ? why they do not act quickly?

[@Boxalarmtraining]

This was a training fire. This was controlled by firefighters to teach new firefighters what to look for and how to attack the fire. The footage is not from an actual emergency response.

[@reclamaleduri8447]

Matt Hinkle aaaaaaaaaaaa thx man, sorry my english, in Romania the firefighters is sucks...every fire damage 100%. they reach on the fire after 15min, even 30min, romanian people is the most stupid people on the earth because they dont have in house smoke alarm Instead have a Samsung Galaxy S5 or apple etc new gadget, i try to show the benefits of this smoke alarm but i speek single, thx again ...

[@Tindometari]

Also, fighting a fire isn't all about running up with a hose. On arrival, there's a period during which firefighters assess the scene and form a plan of attack for safety and effectiveness.

[@watchthe1369]

@@Tindometari Just so long as that size up doesn't take more than a couple minutes..... If you take 5 minutes the house goes from a survivable mess to a total loss that might include the occupants....

[@tommcrae4613]

Have you done much with positive pressure venting?

[@SkrillaPaps]

Could the thermal balance also be the neutral plane?

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Yes, it is referred to either way.

[@hdgamerz991]

#TYFYS

[@707DBC]

What do you start with ,when fighting fire . Like what is it that you aim for

[@TheModernSnipez]

Good size-up.

[@ethannewton5209]

My chife was talking about a orange smoke what could that be

[@DEVanderbiltCecil]

Burn boss?

[@thomasmellard304]

He doesn't mention about thick black smoke.

[@jjasperson808]

Wow (sarcasm) thanks Dave Dodson! And you quote some b.s. text book that no where says anything about vent limited or even EEW (Windows)... class A fire by color??? Nope! That went away a long time ago for most of us, as all of our "real" fires are plastics and thick black fuel.... You are lucky if you pull up on that training burn in your district. Thanks for trying to put out good info, just check your facts!

[@Boxalarmtraining]

Keep in mind this is an old video that I produced years ago. I understand your points but don’t appreciate your candor. I teach this very topic in many classes and when I have time (not a short video to try to help people without training resources) I go in depth into vent limited fires, combustion, synthetic products, heat release rates, absorption of energy through various nozzles and flows, bi-directional vs. unidirectional flow paths, application of water and Officer decision making. This is an intro video for someone that has no experience. I do understand many of your comments including class A by color, etc. If I was hypercritical of your statement I would say “thick black fuel”? You mean pressurized dark smoke resulting from incomplete combustion and high heat release rates generating significant pressure? I know what you mean when you say it but it is easy to be critical. If I took you literally I could say do you mean like “thick black oil”? Of course I don’t say that. I know what you mean. You sound educated in the subject area and I am glad to hear there are guys out there that learn what you have learned. Just don’t be so quick to judge and if you have a lot to offer why don’t you put a KZbin video out for us to learn more?

[@rcpd3359]

What about hydraulic ventilation