The Good & Bad Of Ventilation

The Good & Bad Of Ventilation

The Good & Bad Of Ventilation

Presented By Eddie CrombieWilco FOOLS August 2012 Training

Presented By Eddie CrombieWilco FOOLS August 2012 Training

What Is Ventilation?

“Ventilation is the systematic removal of heated air, smoke, gases or other airborne contaminants from a structure and replacing them with cooler

and fresher air to reduce damage and to facilitate fire fighting operations.”

-IFSTA

What Is Ventilation?

“Ventilation is the systematic removal of heated air, smoke, gases or other airborne contaminants from a structure and replacing them with cooler

and fresher air to reduce damage and to facilitate fire fighting operations.”

-IFSTA

What effect does it have on the fire?

• WHAT will this do to conditions inside?

• WHERE is the proper location to place our opening?

• WHY do we chose horizontal over vertical? Visa versa?

• WHEN is the best time to ventilate?

What happens inside?

What happens inside?

Where to place our opening?

The fire flow path

Where to place our opening?

The fire flow path

Under Pressure

• Fire seeks out oxygen

• Pressure differences

• The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Ventilating Far

• Limit temperature fluctuation

• Increase systematic temperatures and fire spread

• Decrease overall survivability

Ventilating Near

• Limit fire spread

• Substantial increase at the seat

• Increases overall survivability

V-E-I-S

• We must isolate ourselves

• Mark Falkenhan

Why do we vent high vs low?

Why do we vent high vs low?

Venting High

• Vertical ventilation flow path created

• Reduces horizontal spread

• Large influx of oxygen through lower openings

• Flashover temperatures in 120 seconds

Venting low

• Reduces vertical fire spread

• Reduces horizontal spread

• Slightly slower spike in temperature (250 seconds)

When do we vent?When do we vent?

When do we vent?

• Dependent on the engine company

• 80 seconds for single story

• 160 seconds for two story

• What is your response district like?

• OUR GOAL IS COORDINATION!

Giving Ventilation Props

• Has an much an impact as the application of water

• The window of effectiveness is small

• We should “Vent for Extinguishment”

Preforming a coordinated horizontal ventilation low and near the fire, as opposed to a vertical

roof ventilation, gives us the greatest chance at being the most beneficial to the engine company. This greatly limits the spread of fire and isolates

the drastic spike in temperature to a defined area increasing the survivability of occupants inside.