What Do You Use to Practice Roof Ventilation?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James Hawk on November 11, 2009 at 6:07pm

in my nys ff1 course we used plywood screwed onto pallets

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on November 11, 2009 at 6:33pm

Hopefully you're going to have someone up on the roof that knows what their doing so really, it's nothing more than gaining practice/experience with the saw(s). But, since you only want to be cutting through the sheathing and not the joists (if you don't know why this is you probably shouldn't be up there in the first place) I would suggest rather than pallets knock up some 2 x 10's (keeps the blade away from the ground/pavement) in a 4 x 8 box with joists 16" oc in between and then screw down some ply. It will give the ff the chance to practice cutting and feeling/letting the saw ride up over the joists.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Clincher on November 11, 2009 at 8:36pm

As lucky as we are we have been getting houses that the county has purchased due to flood zones/plaines. When we don't get the real thing we as a Dept have built a prop with the option to change the pitch. We can go from a flat roof to an 8/12. Built on 2x8's for durability and covered with sheating we can also throw down 3-tab or whatever we want. usually we only use sheating so we dont chew our chains up.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Doug Ayers on November 12, 2009 at 2:40pm

How did you build your prop? We are a small dept and it is difficult to get off station training because we need to be available for medical runs. Any training suggestions would be appreciated. d-ayers@live.com

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Royce Terry on November 11, 2009 at 9:35pm

Great ways guys. I've seen some fire dept that have like a shed sort of structure and they have holes that are pre cut and then slide the plywood over the holes. But then your only cutting regular wood and not getting the feeling of the joists. Jack/dt love the idea of putting some sort of wood underneath so you can feel the saw ride over the joists.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on November 11, 2009 at 10:05pm

I've seen some fire dept that have like a shed sort of structure and they have holes that are pre cut and then slide the plywood over the holes.

That is what the tech college has and we can do some training with those. They are a roof mock up with different pitches and the plywood is placed on top of joists, so there is that feel of them when cutting. Anytime a house or building is available, take advantage because it gives a different feel with the shingles, etc on top as well.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Clincher on November 11, 2009 at 9:39pm

The best way to gain experience is to get on an actual roof and cut. Get on a couple and check out the different era's and construction types. Check out www.vententersearch.com and read what alot of the truckies have to say. Ask people about their tactics and so on. Good Luck Brotha!!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jeff Gaudio on November 12, 2009 at 12:18am

If the city is going to tear down a house that is structurally safe, we train with that house as if it was a real job, except for fire. We breach walls, flow water, and vent the roof. It's the best kind of training because we're training on the real thing.
Our tools:
Cutters Edge chainsaw
12"Pike pole
12' roof ladder
halligen bar
Pick head axe

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Steven Pinksa on November 16, 2009 at 8:27pm

If your not able to located a "training house", then just like Mr. Hawk said will work.

▶ Reply to This