As a truck officer, I believe vertical ventilation is the most challenging and dangerous task we have. For fear of a roof collapse, my goal is to get on the roof safely, make a large hole and get off asap!
Modern household fire loads are primarily plastics and synthetics. Where plumbing was copper and cast iron, it’s now PVC. Electrical insulation is plastic. With all the glues and plastics that go into furniture, appliances and carpeting, it can be argued that the dominant fuel in a house fire is Class B–not Class A.
With that in mind, the fire service must reevaluate the typical 4′ x 4′ vent hole for vertical ventilation. With the high BTU output and volume of pressurized smoke produced by Class B household fuels, the traditional 4′ x 4′ may be an insufficient size to vent this “new smoke.” Instead, 4′ x 8′ holes or even 12′ x 12′ holes should be considered to keep up with the science of modern fire behavior.
However, we don’t hear much about increasing the ceiling hole to match the roof hole. Think about it. What good is it to make a 4′ x 8′ roof cut, only to punch the ceiling with the end of a pike pole that makes a hole the size of tennis ball? It takes repetitive strikes to punch a hole large enough to effectively vent the smoke before flames and radiant heat push firefighters back.
Apparently veteran Captain Mike Schamadan of the Phoenix Fire Department had the same concerns. Frustrated by the limitations of a traditional pike pole, Schamadan put a plate on the end of a pole to increase the surface area that comes in contact with the ceiling. He found that while using this tool, a well-placed strike could knock half a panel off with a single blow. Unfortunately, the tool was difficult to hold on to with the little hook at the end of the pike pole, so he developed a larger hook and larger point to make it easier to hold. He then found a beefier stock of pultruded fiberglass to use for the pole. Thus, the Big Spike Tool was born.
The Big Spike is 78 inches long and weighs 11 lbs. (Note: If roof pitch angles or ceiling heights in your community would require a longer tool, custom lengths are available at no additional cost.) The tool has two working ends, both made of Tenzaloy, a special aluminum-like alloy that’s non-conductive, lighter than steel and exceptionally strong–ideal for a tool that will be used in aggressive applications where load-carrying capacity and impact strength are essential.
The foot end of the tool has a serrated, gridded footplate that resembles a giant potato masher. It’s used to batter, pound, smash and punch through roofs, walls and ceilings. Note: Because the plate is flat, it’s best to strike the intended surface straight on, rather than at an angle.
The spike end, which resembles a serrated lance with a serrated pistol grip, is used in the traditional fashion of a pike pole. The thick 8½-inch-long spike has a beveled point. The unique design and angle of the pistol grip, which is actually the hook, helps firefighters avoid pulling ceiling debris directly on themselves. The spike end also acts as the handle when the tool is used to punch through the ceilings from the roof.
The pole itself is a 2-inch-thick, resin-reinforced, fiberglass shaft, making the Big Spike strong enough to support the weight of a firefighter with full PPE ensemble.
There’s also a Little Spike tool, a smaller version of the Big Spike, but without the foot plate. The 6-lb. Little Spike features a Tenzaloy D-handle with a 30-inch-long shaft for interior, close-quarters work. Like its larger counterpart, the spike is used to poke, prod, pry or pull drywall, siding or any sorts of building material normally encountered in structure fires.
The idea of increasing the surface area just enough to get the job done effectively and safely resonated with me, and I was anxious to test the tools. The first thing my team found was that the Big Spike was great for sounding a roof. What used to take multiple strikes can be accomplished in two or three. The foot plate has a “firmer” feel than the rubbish hook when it locates a structural member.
After making louver cuts, we found that the foot plate made it easy to punch the louvers open. With the plate’s increased surface area, it’s a tighter fit to get the Big Spike through the louver holes to punch the ceiling, but it’s doable. Obviously, the bigger the hole is, the easier it is to insert the foot plate. The Big Spike is a beefy tool, and it smashed through the cross-bracing fairly easily. When the Big Spike tool was rammed down into the attic space to punch through the ceiling, huge chunks of drywall fell into the room below–quite impressive! The Little Spike is just as impressive at opening walls and ceilings.
We practiced an evolution using the Big Spike to rescue or assist a firefighter who is falling into an attic space by laying the shaft perpendicular to the roof rafters. It takes some practice, but it’s a very cool self-rescue drill. Although this can be practiced with any type of pike pole, the girth of the Big Spike shaft makes it easier for firefighters to grab onto and boost themselves up and over the tool and roll back onto the roof decking.
Like any tool, there are limitations. One truck captain thought the tool was too cumbersome to take to the roof. My response was, “What tool isn’t? SCBAs are cumbersome. Should we leave those on the truck?” That thought process doesn’t fly with me.
A couple other things to note: Due to the increased diameter of the shaft, only one Big Spike could be carried up a ladder at a time. Also, these tools are not designed for “J” hooking and pulling up roof decking. Finally, because you need to strike your target directly, rather than at an angle, you’re getting a little closer to your target. But that’s the same position you’d be in if you were using an axe or an end of a pike pole. That’s OK if you’re trying to find rafters on a sound roof. It’s not OK if the roof is going to give on the next impact load, so stay alert.
All in all, we found the Big Spike ($206) and the Little Spike ($156) to be virtually indestructible. Nevertheless, they come with a lifetime guarantee. They’re maintenance free and, best of all, they’re made in the USA.
The bottom line: Heavy smoke conditions can obscure visibility, so you may only get one chance to get it right. With the Big Spike, one good strike may be all you need to get the job done. And anytime a tool can make a dangerous job safer for firefighters, it’s worth taking a look at.
Big Spike Tools
Pros
+ Increased surface area makes larger vent holes;
+ Thick pole makes for easy gripping;
+ Spike end can open padlocks and door restraints; and
+ It’s lightweight, non-conductive and exceptionally strong.
Cons
– Need to strike target straight on; and
– Can only carry one at a time.
Big Spike Tools
1 E. Northview Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85020
Tel: 602/568-4000
Fax: 707/988-1588
E-mail: doc@bigspiketools.com
Web: http://bigspiketools.com
