Firefighting with fog

A new strategy for combating fires has been embraced by firefighters in Sweden and Great Britain, and is starting to gain acceptance in the United States. Called 3-D firefighting, the tactic takes into account not just the structure of the fire, but also the gases that fill a room. Firemen can gauge a blaze with thermal-imaging equipment and then use split-second pulses of fog to attack or control and extinguish the blaze. Bursts of delicate fog cool the gases and contain the fire. The water is broken into tiny droplets and deployed in extremely brief bursts, so instead of turning to steam, the moisture's expanded surface area will cool the gases in the smoke. Then firefighters can move closer to the blaze -- instead of ducking for cover. Once they are close enough, revert to the old method of smothering the blaze with a massive application of water.

Another benefit of this method is if you use less water to put out the fire. It also means less property damage.

Source: ivanhoe.comAdded: 17 November 2006