Structure Fire Ventilation Making firefighting easier.

Safety Weather and traffic control

Ventilation is a part of structural firefighting tactics, and involves the expulsion of heat and smoke from a fire building, permitting the firefighters to more easily and safely find trapped individuals and attack the fire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventilation_(firefighting)Wikipedia

Ventilation Basics Why should you ventilate? When should you ventilate? How should you ventilate? Skills basics

Why should you ventilate There are only three reasons to ventilate. Increase survivability of occupants until rescue can be made Keep the fire from moving Ease heat and smoke pressure on the fire attack team (increase tenability).

When should you ventilate? To keep the fire in check, ventilate as soon as you can. Keep in mind that this will increase fire intensity and should not happen too soon before attack. For rescue, ventilate the room of origin as soon as practical with the same cautions as above. For fire attack, ventilate just prior to the attack line entering the building.

Increased Intensity

How to ventilate Ventilation can be accomplished vertically or horizontally. Vertical ventilation is going to the roof and cutting a hole. Horizontal ventilation has 3 different ways to be done Natural Positive Pressure Negative Pressure

Close Call Ladder Truck

Skills Basics – Vertical Ventilation Have two means of egress Sound the roof (hit it hard!!) Soft Spongy Avoid powerlines Hole needs to be near or above fire Limit time on the roof

Skills Basics - Vertical Ventilation Ensure hole is not between you and an egress MUST cut a whole hole (4’ x 4’) – avoid structural members NEVER NEVER NEVER direct water into a ventilation hole…. This pushes fire on the attack team!!

Skills Basics – Hole Cutting Inspection cut – why? Make furthest cut first Good technique Steep Pitch

Skills Basics – Hole Cutting Flat Roof Issues Loading Construction Locating fire Trench Cut Strictly defensive Made after vertical ventilation

Skills Basics – Positive Pressure After selecting where you are placing fan break windows in the fire room or near the fire room BEFORE YOU START THE FAN Once the windows are broken start the fan and make sure that you have a good seal. Only use PPV when attack teams are already ready to go

This is how to get a good seal

PPV

Natural and Negative Must have wind on your side Not as stable Not as fast

Skills Basics – Breaking Glass NO!!! Smacking it is not how you do it, although it may seem that way. Use a tool not your hand or center punch. Keep the tool at an angle with your hands above the head of the tool so glass won’t slide down to your hands. YES!!!

Hydraulic Ventilation

Review Safety Why? MUST be coordinated attack On and Off the roof Good reminder – its never over