Intense Heat Dramatically Reduced in Basement Fire

March 2009

A thermal imaging camera helped make up the mind of Deputy Fire Chief Rob Shanks of the Rocky Mountain House Fire Department. A temperature of 900° C threatened his crew as he contemplated an interior attack on a basement fire in an Alberta home.

Choosing to deploy a DSPA-5 (formerly FIT and FIT-5), Chief Shanks watched in amazement as the temperature dropped to 400° C approximately 20 seconds after the DSPA-5 dispersed its powder aerosol. The interior attach followed.

“We were very impressed at how fast the DSPA worked and how easy it was to use,” said Chief Shanks. “Every fire department should have one of these.”

The fire was confined to the basement.  The department estimates property savings at approximately $100,000.