Smoke Barrel Use

Used a smoke barrel yesterday at our training tower, and worked great. Wanting to know what everyone's thoughts/facts/info on using the smoke barrel in a seperate area of the training tower. Our tower has 2 burn rooms, one on the main floor and one on the second floor. The rest of the tower is metal construction. I used the burn barrel right in the front entry (out of the way of egress)on the main floor and had a hoseline with me to keep the straw from flaring up. My concern is this: the nay-sayers are going to squak that the smoke barrel should be placed in the burn room where the burning is taking place and I am looking for guidance on how to approach this. Thanks,
Chad Cox

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Started May 6 by:

Chad Cox: View Discussions »

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Permalink Reply by Drew Smith May 16

I have used a burn barrel in an area other than the fire room to create some heat and smoke. The key is control. When we use the barrel we do a couple of things. One is put wet hay on top to creat the smoke. ANother thing is to have a lid. I have used two barrel types. One is a metal drum with metal lid. We can choke the fire by covering the barrel. The other barrel is a drum cut in half lengthwise with a hinge making two halfs and a metal bar to adjust the lid height. The barrel is on legs-very nice. Whoever is stoking needs to understand why the barrel is used. 1403 says one fire at a time and we keep that intent. In many towers it is hard to get smoke to build up without such a barrel.

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Permalink Reply by Chad Cox May 17

Thanks for the input. We did some live burns in our burn tower the other day, and I worked on the smoke barrel again. Across the board all the crews out that day complimented on how good the smoke conditions were throughout the building. Took a TIC with me and monitiored the heat conditions that way down the road if someone wants to argue that it is putting out heat. The entire time, the temperature readings at the ceiling level were 79-80 degrees. Thanks for the advice, and look forward to hearing more.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Piontek Jun 23

I have plans for a propane fired hay burner, I can send it to you if you wish. Produces great smoke and heat, actually will create a heat signature that a tic can view fairly well. It's easier to stoke and keep producing heat, but MUST be manned at all times for obvious reasons, as well as placed properly within the building.

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Permalink Reply by Drew Smith Jun 23

Tony, I'd like the plans if you can send them to me at dsmith@prospectheightsfire.com. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Chad Cox Jul 1

Tony,

Can you please send me the plans for the propane fired hay burner? Thanks,
Chad Cox
chadsworthks@yahoo.com

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Permalink Reply by Doug Price Aug 28

Tony, My name is doug price. Im a new Live Burn Instructor, an the Community College is building a ESTC for the local depts. The propane hay burner sounds great I would love to have a copy of the plans if possible. Thanx doug. dprice6307@yahoo.com

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