Ventilation Tools Firefighter I. Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked

Ventilation ToolsFirefighter I

Copyright and Terms of Service

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the following conditions:

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Tools

Turnout gear (protective clothing) – clothing firefighters must wear to protect themselves while fighting fires (including ventilation), during rescue operations, and on emergency medical calls I don’t remember this from the lesson or the slideshow.

3Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.

Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

Cutting Tools

Axes– Pick-head axe – 6- or 8-pound head,

a very versatile tool, often used to open roofs to create ventilation openings. It can also be used to break windows for ventilation

– Flat-head axe – 6- or 8-pound head,can also be used to open up roofs and create ventilation openings but is not as versatile as a pick-head axe



Cutting Tools (continued)

Power saws– Chain saws – commonly used during ventilation

operations. When equipped with a carbide tip they can cut rapidly through many different types of roofing materials

– Rotary saws – have many uses, but if the blade is changed to cut wood, they are effective in ventilation operations



Pushing/Pulling Tools

• Pike poles – used for pushing or pulling down ceilings in ventilation operations to provide a path for smoke, heat, and fire gases to exit the building through established ventilation openings

• Roofman’s Hooks – used to sound roofs and can be used to pry roof shingles if necessary



Portable Fans

Blowers – used in positive pressure ventilation (PPV) where firefighters create positive pressure within the structure. This pressure is slightly higher than the outside atmospheric pressure, and smoke, heat, and fire gases are forced through the ventilation opening by mechanically blowing air into and through the structure



Portable Fans (continued)

Smoke ejectors – used in negative pressure ventilation (NPV) by drawing smoke, heat, and gases to established ventilation openings in the exterior of the structure



Nozzles

Combination nozzles – used in the wide fog pattern for hydraulic ventilation. The nozzle is operated at 100 psi. The air movement created from the fog stream helps push the smoke, heat, and fire gases from the building. The fog stream is inside the structure and placed so that 85 to 95% of the window or door opening to the outside is covered by a wide fog pattern



Nozzles (continued)

Fog nozzles – used in a wide fog pattern in hydraulic ventilation as well. The nozzle pressure is also set at 100 psi. The air movement created from the fog stream helps push the smoke, heat, and fire gases from the building. The fog stream is inside the structure and placed so that 85 to 95 percent of the window or door opening to the outside is covered by a wide fog pattern



Attack lines

Attack lines – to be in position before ventilation operations are begin



Safety: Cutting Tools

• Make sure you have the correct tool for the job

• Wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) while doing the job. Gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection should all be used

• Maintain situation awareness• Keep unauthorized people out

of the work area



Safety: Pushing/Pulling Tools

• When pushing or pulling ceilings with a pike pole, be aware of falling ceiling and roofing material.

• Do not use prying tools as pulling tools or pulling tools as prying tools. Use the tools for what they are intended

• Maintain the tool handles to avoid splinters and other damage



Safety: Power Saws

• Make sure you have the correct tool for the job. Match the saw and/or saw blade to the material needing to be cut

• Wear your PPE while doing the job. Gloves, eye protection, and hearing protection should all be used

• Inspect the saw before and after each use• Do not use a power saw if you are in a flammable

atmosphere or near flammable liquids or gases• Keep unauthorized people out of the work area



Safety: Power Saws (continued)

• Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for saw operation

• Keep the blades and/or chains well sharpened. Dull saws are more likely to cause accidents and injuries

• Start all cuts with the power saw at full throttle



Safety: Portable Fans

• Take advantage of prevailing wind conditions

• When doing PPV, make sure that the cone of air covers the entire entry opening

• If using electrical cords and generators, make sure that they don’t create a tripping hazard

• When doing PPV, it will not be necessary to enter the building to set it up



Safety: Portable Fans (continued)

• Make sure you are schooled in methods of creating ventilation openings in all roof types. Flat and pitched roofs may have a variety of different coverings

• Be aware of backdraft situations• Avoid “churning” air when doing

ventilation. Churning is the recirculation of gases being drawn back into a room or structure because the exit opening around the smoke ejector has not been sealed



Safety: Fog Nozzles

• Maintain all nozzles according to the manufacturer’s specifications

• Check gaskets for damage and replace them if necessary

• Check for external damage to the nozzle

• Check for internal damage to the nozzle and any debris inside it. Clean it according to the manufacturer’s specifications



Safety: Attack Lines

• Hose should be washed, dried, and replaced according to the department standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the manufacturer’s specifications

• Inspect hose for damage and wear in accordance with the department SOPs and the manufacturer’s specifications

• Test hose in accordance with the department SOPs and the manufacturer’s specifications



Scene Safety: Life Safety

The first consideration is always life safety: both the lives of the firefighters and the building occupants. Ask these questions:

– Are the occupants awake or asleep?– Have the occupants become overcome

by smoke and carbon monoxide poisoning?

– Are the building occupants alive?– Are the building occupants lost or have

they found an area of refuge within the building?



Scene Safety: Timely Ventilation

Timely ventilation can help mitigate most circumstances above. Ask these questions:

– Do you start ventilation before search and rescue operations?

– Does the fire need to be attacked before beginning ventilation?



Scene Safety: Hazards

There are hazards that exist for firefighters. Ask these questions:

– What type of structure is involved?– How old is the structure?– How and where will ventilation be facilitated? – Are there natural openings that could be used or

are you going to have to create openings in the structure?



Scene Safety: Hazards (continued)

There are hazards that exist for firefighters. Ask these questions (continued):

– Hazards associated with the accumulation of heat, smoke, and other fire gases include• Visual impairment• Toxic/flammable gases• Oxygen deficient atmospheres• Potential for backdraft• Potential for flashover



Resources

• 0135151112, Essentials of Firefighting (5th Edition), International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA).

• Photographs used with permission from IFSTA



Documents

Ventilation Tools Firefighter I. Copyright and Terms of Service Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. These materials are copyrighted © and trademarked