Instructor Guide
Session Reference: 1
Topic: Review of Ventilation Principles & Practices
Level of Instruction:
Time Required: 3 Hours
Materials:
References:
- IFSTA Essentials of Firefighting, 3rd Edition
Preparation
Motivation:
Objective (SPO):
The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of ventilation, the safety precautions to be taken when ventilating a structure and how to use the various types of ventilation through class discussion and participation.
Overview:
- Review of ventilation principles
- Safety precautions during ventilation
- Review of the various types of ventilation
Session 1-1
Review of Ventilation Principles & Practices
| SPO 1-1-1 |
The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of ventilation, the safety precautions to be taken when ventilating a structure, and how to utilize the various types of ventilation. |
| EO 1-1-1 |
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of ventilation and how it effects fire suppression operations. |
| EO 1-1-2 |
Demonstrate an understanding of the precautions to be taken during ventilation operations as they relate to firefighter safety. |
| EO 1-1-3 |
Demonstrate an understanding of how to utilize horizontal, vertical, trench, hydraulic and mechanical ventilation. |
Instructional Guide
- Principles of Ventilation (1-1-1)
- Ventilation ---- the planned and systematic removal of heat, smoke and toxic gases from an area and the replacement of these products with cooler fresh air
- Effects of proper ventilation
- Better visibility
- Reduced temperature levels
- Reduced possibility of backdraft or flashover
- Easier to locate seat of fire or victim
- Reduced smoke damage to property
- Advantages of ventilation toward fire suppression operations
- Assists with rescue of victims
- Increases fire attack
- Reduces possibility of backdraft/flashover
- Aids in property conservation
Safety Precautions (1-1-2)
- When ventilating a structure, firefighters should wear full protective equipment and SCBA
- Always vent at the highest point if possible
- Have hoselines in place and ready to make your attack
- Always work with the wind at your back or side when cutting vent holes or venting windows
- Never place a hoseline or elevated fire stream into a ventilation opening
- Check the stability of the roof before starting ventilation operations
- Restrict number of personnel working on roof to minimum to accomplish task.
- Always work from a roof ladder when cutting hole on a pitched roof
- Watch out for overhead power lines
- Have a secondary escape route from roof
- Check power tools on the ground to make sure they will start before taking to the roof
- Be careful not to cut main structural supports
- Watch out for signs of unsafe roof conditions
- Maintain communications capability with ventilation crew
- Remove crew from roof after ventilation hole is completed
Types of Ventilation (1-1-3)
- Horizontal Ventilation
- Use of doors and windows to ventilate across the floor of a building
- Open leeward side windows first, at top
- Open windward side windows next, at bottom
- Keep ventilation openings clear from all obstructions
- Vertical Ventilation
- Opening made above the fire to relieve heat and gases due to mushrooming
- Ventilation opening should be made directly over fire and at the highest point
- Utilize any natural openings already there such skylights, scuttle holes, exhaust fans, etc.
- Ventilation openings should be large enough (minimum of 4' x 4')
- Openings cut on pitched roofs should be on leeward side and as high as possible
- Make sure opening is clear from any material or obstruction
- Trench Ventilation
- Used in buildings with large attic areas to stop horizontal spread of fire
- Four foot wide opening cut in roof from outside wall to outside wall
- Opening must be far enough away from fire to allow it to be completed before fire gets there
- Tactic used to save rest of structure by cutting firebreak in roof
- Hydraulic Ventilation
- Use of interior fog stream to move smoke and gases through window or door
- Wide fog pattern utilized approximately two foot from opening.
- Fog pattern must cover 90% of opening for maximum effect.
- Will move more air than smoke ejector
- Quick way for attack crew to start ventilation process
- Will increase water damage
- Mechanical Ventilation
- Negative Pressure (Use of smoke ejectors)
- Placement of ejector for maximum effect (highest point in opening)
- Reduce churning
- Remove items such as drapes, blind, screens, etc. which might block air flow
- Provide and maintain unobstructed replacement air opening
- Positive Pressure (Use of PPV fans)
- Placement of PPV fan for maximum effect (outside -ground level)
- Cone of air to completely cover door opening
- Eject smoke from opening on opposite side of building
- May pressurize one room at a time by closing interior doors
SUMMARY
Student Performance Objective (SPO):
The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of the principles of ventilation, the safety precautions to be taken when ventilating a structure and how to use the various types of ventilation through class discussion and participation.
Review:
Review of Ventilation Principles & Practices
- Review of Ventilation Principles
- Safety Precautions during Ventilation
- Review of the various types of Ventilation
Remotivation:
Assignment:
Evaluation:
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