1. Firefighters Support Foundation
Ventilation:
East Coast/West Coast
Tricks of the Trade
v1.0

2. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
About FSF
The Firefighters Support Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose primary mission is to develop, produce and distribute training programs to firefighters and first responders. All of our programs are distributed free of charge.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

3. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
Permission
Permission is granted to reproduce or distribute this material so long as the Firefighters Support Foundation is credited as the source
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

4. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
Accompanying Video
This PowerPoint presentation accompanies the video presentation of the same title.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

5. Presenter Abraham Madrigal
Abraham D. Madrigal has 15+ years in the fire service, with extensive experience in the realms of Truck Operations, Ventilation, Forcible Entry, RIT Operations, Fire Fighter Rescue/Survival and Technical Rescue.
Hillsboro, OR FD, Present: Engineer, Acting Lieutenant, Tech Rescue Team-Team Leader, Former Training Officer for Fire and Special Operations.
Unifire, Present: A.C. of Special Operations provides equipment and instruction for Technical Rescue, Fire Ground and Tactical Operations.
Instructor
FireTown Training Specialist: Truck Operations, Forcible Entry, Ventilation, RIT
Fire Innovations: Fire Fighter Rescue, Bailout, RIT
SpecRescue: Technical Rescue, FEMA Structural Collapse
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

6. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
Why do we ventilate?
To alleviate heated air and gasses from a structure, in order to aid in Fire Suppression Operations and victim Rescue.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

7. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
Considering Factors for Ventilation
Is Ventilation Needed?
Building Type and construction
Fireload of Building
Roof Type and Construction
Roof Load
Is Fire Attack Ready for Ventilation ?
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

8. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
East Coast/West Coast
There has always been a difference between East Coast and West Coast Operations, especially when it comes to Ventilation. East Coast primarily uses the rotary saw and West Coast the Chain saw. Not due to ego or which one is more manly, but due to the difference in construction and roofing material commonly seen between the two Coasts.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

9. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
East Coast/West Coast
Residential
Both coasts will primarily do some type of louver operation to open the roof, with either the rotary saw or the chain saw. There is the occasional dicing ventilation practice, predominately on the west coast.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

10. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
East Coast/West Coast
Commercial
This where the two coasts differ the most. Not only is there a difference in saw choice and hand tools taken to the roof, but a huge difference in the operation and cuts.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

11. East Coast IDEAL FOR ROTARY SAW
Tighter Rafter/Truss placement to accommodate for heavier snow loads.
Considerable thicker roofing material
IDEAL FOR ROTARY SAW
Cut of Choice Coffin/798 Cut
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

12. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
East Coast Coffin/798 Cut
The Coffin/798 Cut starts with first 3 cuts to make what resembles a #7 with a kickout to aid pulling thick roofing material.
The 4th and 5th cuts create the appearance of #9.
The last two cuts finish your two boxes, the completed cut creates the appearance of #8. Always remember to finish your cut towards your ladder.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

13. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
East Coast
Coffin Cut/798 Cut 6 4 1 5 7 2 3
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

14. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
West Coast
Although West Coast has several methods of cutting roofs (Dicing, Lover-n-lieu, etc.), the most common is some form of a louver system. Generally done with two sawyers and at least one hook man for the operation (commercial).
The Louver-N-Lieu can be done by the sawyers mirroring each other, or one leads and one follows.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

15. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
West Coast
Louver-In-lieu
JOIST “A”
First cut
ID Cut
Second Cut
JOIST “B”
Third and last cut
P U R L I N
P U R L I N
JOIST “C”
Repeat Process
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

16. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
West Coast
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

17. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
Run saws at full RPM’s
Become comfortable using the Saws with both hands
Trust your cut line, staring at your saw blade while cutting will cause your line to drift.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

18. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
When there is a need for a foot hold utilizing tools, a trash/rubbish hook in conjunction with a roof ladder will provide a more stable foot hold allowing for a more comfortable cut on theWest Coast.
For East Coast, the use of a 6’ NY hook and Haligan/Axe in conjunction with a roof ladder will provide a stable foot hold.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

19. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
When using a chainsaw keep the saw perpendicular to the roof and push the saw through the cut. This will help you to feel the structural components of the roof.
When using a rotary saw, cut single handed, or if your department requires, two hands on the saw, at all times, and place your second hand on the back housing just above the handle/throttle area. This will allow the blade to roll over any structural members with ease and make for a straighter cut.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

20. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
Final Note
As in any fire ground operation, training and practice breed efficiency. Always train as you play to help reduce the production of bad habits.
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade

21. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade
Special Thanks
Ed Hadfield, FireTown Training Specialist
Santiago Lasa, Jim McCormack -- FDTN
Unifire
Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade