VENTILATION

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State of GeorgiaBASIC FIRE FIGHTER TRAINING
COURSE Module 1

• VENTILATION

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VENTILATION

• The planned and systematic release and removal
  of heated air, smoke, and toxic gases from a
  confined area and the replacement of these
  products of combustion with a supply of cooler,
  fresh air.

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PROPER VENTILATIONAdvantages

• Simplifies rescue
• Reduces flashover hazards
• Reduces backdraft hazards
• Reduces mushrooming

• Speeds extinguishment
• Salvage operations
• Reduces damage
• Decreases danger
• Easier firefighting
• Confines the fire

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VENTILATION EFFECTS

• IMPROPER
• Fire may Spread
• Potential Backdraft
• May delay rescue
• Potentially harmful to occupants

• PROPER
• Improved visibility
• Lower temperatures
• Safer working conditions

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TYPES OF VENTILATIONNatural
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TYPES OF VENTILATIONForced
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TYPES OF FORCED VENTILATON

• Mechanical
• Depressurization
• Pressurization

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MECHANICAL VENTILATIONDepressurization

• Advantages
• effective when others are not
• ensures positive control
• supplements other methods of ventilation
• may be faster than natural ventilation
• good public relations

• Disadvantages
• May cause fire to intensify and spread
• Needs a power source
• Special equipment is required
• Interferes with egress and ingress

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MECHANICAL VENTILATIONPressurization

• Disadvantages
• Needs a power source
• Special equipment is required
• May cause fire to intensify and spread

• Advantages
• done without entering structure
• doesnt interfere with ingress or egress

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HYDRAULIC VENTILATION

• Disadvantages
• increase in water damage
• increases demand on water supply
• freezing of water
• time in is limited
• firefighters may remain in structure

• Advantages
• requires no special equipment
• can be performed by the same firefighter
• removes smoke faster than mechanical ventilation

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VENTILATIONConsiderations

• Life safety conditions
• Building conditions
• Fire conditions

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BACKDRAFTEffects

• Structural damage
• Serious injury
• Flying debris
• Additional heat or fire damage

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BACKDRAFTPrevention

• Control openings
• Open slowly
• Natural vertical ventilation

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ROOF TYPES
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ROOF TYPES
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ROOF TYPES
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VERTICAL VENTILATION Safety Precautions

• Wear full protective equipment
• Determine the safety of the building and roof
• IF UNSAFE STAY OFF !!!
• Have a charged hose line ready and in position
• Coordinate ventilation with other crews
• Observe wind direction in relation to exposures

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VERTICAL VENTILATION Safety Precautions

• Note the existence of and avoid obstructions or
  excessive weight on the roof
• Extend ladder 3 to 5 rungs above the roof line
• Sound the roof for structural integrity before
  stepping on to it
• Provide two means of escape
• Use life lines, roof ladders or other means to
  prevent slipping or falling

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VERTICAL VENTILATION Safety Precautions

• Work in groups of two but no more than necessary
• Use caution around electrical wires
• Use tools with caution and beware of others
• Start power tools on the ground and shut off
  before hoisting
• Avoid cutting main structural supports

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VERTICAL VENTILATION Safety Precautions

• The angle of cut should be away from the body
• Guard the opening in the roof
• Evacuate the roof when ventilation is complete
• Use support members of the structure for travel

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HORIZONTAL VENTILATION Safety Precautions

• Wear full protective equipment
• Determine the safety of the building
• Work in groups
• Provide two means of escape
• Have a charged hose line ready and in position to
  protect exposures
• Coordinate ventilation with other crews
• Use caution around electrical wires
• Use tools with caution.

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VENTILATION TOOLS

• Pike pole
• Pick-head axe
• Power Saw
• Ladders

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NATURAL VERTICAL VENTILATIONProcedure

• Determine where to ventilate
• Ladder 5 rungs above the roofline
• Deploy roof ladder
• Locate roof supports
• Make the opening at least 4 X 4
• Remove roof materials
• Cut decking alongside joist
• Pry up boards
• Open ceiling below

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NATURAL HORIZONTAL VENTILATION Procedure

• Determine where air is to be channeled
• Determine where to ventilate
• Open structure on windward side as low as
  possible
• Open structure on leeward side as high as
  possible.

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NATURAL TRENCH VENTILATION

• Follow same safety precautions as for vertical
  ventilation
• Determine where the opening is to be made
• Ahead of the fire
• Cut trench from one exterior wall to the other
• 4 feet wide
• Use same procedures as for vertical ventilation

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DEPRESSURIZATION VENTILATION
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PRESSURIZED VENTILATION
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HYDRAULIC VENTILATION