Essentials of Fire Fighting6th Edition

Firefighter I

Chapter 13 — Tactical Ventilation

Describe reasons for tactical ventilation.

Learning Objective 1

13–2

Tactical ventilation is carefully planned to achieve the best results.

13–3

The success of tactical ventilation depends on several factors.

13–4

Tactical ventilation is performed for several general reasons.

13–5

Tactical ventilation can be effective when correctly implemented.

13–6

Tactical ventilation can improve life safety, the highest incident priority.

13–7

Incident stabilization can be accomplished through ventilation.

13–8

Ventilation can influence property conservation.

13–9

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the reasons for tactical ventilation?

13–10

Identify considerations that affect the decision to ventilate.

Learning Objective 2

13–11

Explain the critical fire behavior indicators present during

tactical ventilation.

Learning Objective 3

13–12

Both occupants and firefighters are at risk during a structural fire.

13–13

Changes in building construction present different risks during fires.

13–14

Knowledge of the building can help make decisions concerning ventilation.

13–15

Various building characteristics should be considered when ventilating.

13–16

(Cont.)

Various building characteristics should be considered when ventilating.

13–17

Several fire behavior indicators also help with planning for ventilation.

13–18

(Cont.)

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Several fire behavior indicators also help with planning for ventilation.

13–19

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CAUTION

Do not rely solely on the presence or location of flames to assess an incident.

13–20

REVIEW QUESTION

How do smoke, air flow, heat, and flame impact fire behavior in a structure?

13–21

First arriving units must determine size, location, and extent of the fire.

13–22

The type of ventilation used will depend on several factors.

13–23

The location for ventilation must be selected based on several factors.

13–24

(Cont.)

The location for ventilation must be selected based on several factors.

13–25

Weather conditions will affect what happens inside a building as well.

13–26

CAUTION

A strong wind can overpower the natural convective effect of a fire and drive the smoke and hot gases back into the building.

13–27

Exposures should be taken into account when planning ventilation.

13–28

Staffing and resources are both requirements for ventilation.

13–29

REVIEW QUESTION

What considerations will affect the decision to ventilate?

13–30

Define horizontal and vertical ventilation.

Learning Objective 4

13–31

Explain the means for achieving horizontal and vertical

ventilation.

Learning Objective 5

13–32

There are two main types of tactical ventilation that can be performed.

13–33

(Cont.)

There are two main types of tactical ventilation that can be performed.

13–34

There are three means to accomplish ventilation used in the fire service.

13–35

There are several indicators of the need for mechanical or hydraulic ventilation.

13–36

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the basic means used to accomplish ventilation?

13–37

Describe the types of horizontal ventilation.

Learning Objective 6

13–38

Horizontal ventilation can be applied to several types of structures.

13–39

Natural horizontal ventilation works with existing conditions to take advantage of natural air flow.

13–40

There are two types of mechanical horizontal ventilation.

13–41

NPV uses smoke ejectors to expel and pull smoke from a structure.

13–42

PPV uses a fan to create slightly higher pressure inside a structure than is outside.

13–43

WARNING!

Improperly applied, PPV can change the interior conditions and injure personnel working inside the structure.

13–44

PPV has both advantages and disadvantages.

13–45

Hydraulic ventilation is used when other types of forced ventilation are unavailable.

13–46

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the main types of horizontal ventilation?

13–47

You should know the precautions against upsetting horizontal ventilation.

13–48

Mechanical ventilation has both advantages and disadvantages.

13–49

REVIEW QUESTION

How do the advantages and disadvantages of natural, mechanical, and hydraulic ventilation compare to one another?

13–50

Describe the types of vertical ventilation.

Learning Objective 7

13–51

Vertical ventilation occurs after the Incident Commander considers several factors.

13–52

Vertical ventilation presents several risks the IC must assess.

13–53

Safety precautions should be used during vertical ventilation.

13–54

(Cont.)

Check wind direction, velocity

Safety precautions should be used during vertical ventilation.

13–55

(Cont.)

CAUTION

Roof ladders are only meant to prevent slipping and are not intended to be used on fire-weakened roofs.

13–56

Safety precautions should be used during vertical ventilation.

13–57

(Cont.)

Safety precautions should be used during vertical ventilation.

13–58

WARNING!

Never direct a fire stream into a vertical exhaust opening when interior attack crews are inside the structure because it will force smoke, heat, and steam down on them.

13–59

Knowing what to expect when sounding a roof is important.

13–60

CAUTION

Work in groups of at least two, but with no more personnel than absolutely necessary to perform the assigned task.

13–61

Roof-cutting operations require specific resources and skills.

13–62

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Roof ventilation leaders have specific responsibilities to perform.

13–63

Various types of inspection holes can be used during ventilation.

13–64

Offensive ventilation methods depend on the opening and roof type.

13–65

A square or rectangle is the most common opening made in a flat roof.

13–66

Different types of roofs require different ventilation tactics.

13–67

The trench cut is strictly a defensive ventilation method.

13–68

The process for making a trench cut follows specific procedures.

13–69

REVIEW QUESTION

What are the types of vertical ventilation?

13–70

All ventilation team members should follow safety practices.

13–71

You should know the precautions against upsetting vertical ventilation.

13–72

WARNING!

Do not direct a fire stream into a ventilation opening during offensive interior operations.

13–73

REVIEW QUESTION

What differences are there between horizontal and vertical ventilation?

13–74

Recognize other types of ventilation situations.

Learning Objective 8

13–75

Other types of ventilation situations, such as basement fires, may arise.

13–76

Other types of ventilation situations exist, such as windowless buildings.

13–77

High-rise fires are also another type of ventilation situation that may arise.

13–78

Tactical ventilation must be considered during preincident planning.

13–79

WARNING!

Do not use stairwells or elevator shafts simultaneously for both evacuation and ventilation.

13–80

REVIEW QUESTION

What other types of ventilation situations might firefighters

encounter?

13–81

Explain the effects of building systems on tactical ventilation.

Learning Objective 9

13–82

Ventilation will have several effects on building systems.

13–83

Built-in smoke control systems are designed to confine fire.

13–84

WARNING!

Do not attempt to operate building systems that assist in ventilation.

13–85

REVIEW QUESTION

How can a built-in heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system affect tactical ventilation?

13–86

• Tactical ventilation of a burning building allows heat, smoke, and fire gases to escape to the atmosphere and also draws fresh air into the building.

• Properly applied tactical ventilation allows firefighters to see better, locate victims more easily, and find the seat of the fire sooner.

Summary

13–87

(Cont.)

• Tactical ventilation limits fire spread and channels heat and smoke away from trapped victims; but must be correctly coordinated.

Summary

13–88

(Cont.)

• Firefighters must understand fire behavior, know various ventilation methods and have knowledge of roof construction and know how to create exhaust openings in all types of roofs that have a variety of openings in order to perform ventilation correctly.

Summary

13–89

Ventilate using mechanical negative pressure in a window.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-1.

Learning Objective 10

13–90

Ventilate using mechanical negative pressure in a doorway.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-2.

Learning Objective 11

13–91

Ventilate using mechanical positive pressure.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-3.

Learning Objective 12

13–92

Perform horizontal hydraulic ventilation.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-4.

Learning Objective 13

13–93

Demonstrate the procedure for sounding a roof.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-5.

Learning Objective 14

13–94

Ventilate using a rotary saw to cut an opening.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-6.

Learning Objective 15

13–95

Ventilate using an axe to cut an opening.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-7.

Learning Objective 16

13–96

Demonstrate the procedure for opening a flat roof.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-8.

Learning Objective 17

13–97

Perform the steps for opening pitched roofs.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-9.

Learning Objective 18

13–98

Demonstrate the procedure for making a trench cut using a rotary saw.

This objective is measured in Skill Sheet 13-I-10.

Learning Objective 19

13–99