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Opening the Roof We have discussed in depth the physics associated with ventilation; Flow path, heat transfer, air exchange, uniflow and bidirectional flows. All the stuff we need to know but has very little to do with actually “opening” a structure up! So, in this segment we are...

Over the last 20 years we have seen the use of Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) in offensive structural firefighting evolve. This concept got it’s start in the United States back in the early 1980’s on the west coast. It was originally utilized to assist the attack crew with a...

Understanding the beginning…. During the last several years, a number of studies and theories have been explored in an attempt to understand, why and how fires today are “different” than fires from 25 years ago. The overwhelming evidence points to the chemicals and...

Photo Courtesy of Jefferson County   As we continue to discuss the “where” about venting a structure, we must spend some time talking about the where NOT to vent. Over my time in the fire service I have spent a considerable amount of time studying fires that did not go well....

  The “WHERE” Continues. Let’s Go Vertical As we explore the different structure types and sizes as they relate to ventilation needs, we must now discuss the benefits and risks associated with vertical ventilation. For those of us that are directionally challenged that’s...

The “When”, Understanding What Happens During fire growth, the products of combustion in today’s fire environment create “bad” air at a rapid rate. That bad air (CO, Hydrogen Cyanide, CO2 and Carbon) replaces the needed “good” air (Oxygen enriched) that the fire uses....