In this installment of the series, I am going to discuss a modification frequently made to a halligan or a six-foot New York (NY) roof hook to aid in horizontal ventilation from the floor above or from the roof. In fireproof buildings, such as Class 1 high-rise multiple dwellings (HRFPMD) (photo 1), the roof firefighter is assigned to the apartment above the fire to assess conditions and set up for coordinated ventilation.
Similarly, in nonfireproof multiple dwellings (NFPMD) (photo 2) where fire is located on the top floor, following standard vertical ventilation (bulkhead, scuttles, skylights, etc.), the roof firefighter performs coordinated horizontal ventilation of the top-floor windows prior to cutting the roof.
COORDINATED HORIZONTAL VENTILATION
Before we discuss the modifications made to facilitate this operation, I need to clarify what I mean by coordinated floor above horizontal ventilation. In HRFPMDs, the roof firefighter must assess the situation regarding the wind condition prior to performing any ventilation. Once on the floor above, and in the apartment directly over the fire, the roof firefighter can gauge wind conditions by opening a window in line with the fire and then opening the apartment door.
Conditions experienced in the apartment above will mirror those on the fire floor. If the roof firefighter experiences strong winds blowing into the apartment above, the officer and the incident commander should be advised, and no horizontal ventilation should be performed. Venting the windows in this instance would likely result in blowtorch-like conditions in the fire apartment. Placement of a wind control device would be more appropriate in the event the windows below unexpectedly failed.
Conversely, if the conditions on the floor above indicate no adverse wind effects, the roof firefighter can relay that information to the officer and remain at the ready to vent from above in coordination with the advance of the handline on the fire.
In nonfireproof buildings with flat roofs, such as “three-deckers,” tenements, or brownstones, where fire is located on the top floor, horizontal ventilation from the roof often improves conditions in the fire apartment and facilitates rapid advancement of the initial hoseline.
Similar to the operations in fireproof buildings, the roof firefighter must assess conditions, communicate with the officer, and coordinate the venting with the advance of the hoseline. It is also recommended that the roof firefighter vent the natural openings on the roof (bulkheads, skylights, scuttles) (photo 3) prior to venting the top-floor windows.
Tool Modifications
To accomplish floor above ventilation, the halligan needs to be modified to accept a carabiner or snap hook attached to a short length of utility rope (photo 4). In the past, the halligan was tied off for venting purposes; this proved time consuming and often resulted in the knot coming undone and the tool falling to the ground. Welding a link onto the shaft of the tool creates a secure attachment point to perform floor above ventilation.
Select a link of fairly substantial gauge to stand up to the forces and torque applied when venting windows from above. I typically cut the links from discarded snow chains and weld them to the shaft of the halligan about 1à‚½ inches above the shoulder of the fork (photo 5). Only one link is needed, and I usually weld it on the same side of the shaft that the point is on. The thought is that, by placing the link on the point side of the shaft, the tool will strike the window point first as it pendulums into the window, increasing the likelihood of breaking the glass on the first attempt.
Once the link is firmly welded to the shaft, I use the point of another halligan to expand the opening of the link. Simply drive the point through the link to round out the original opening (photo 6). Expanding the opening of the link allows it to accept snap hooks or carabiners of varying sizes (photo 7). An additional modification would be to weld a similar link to the shaft at the bottom of the six-foot NY roof hook. Doing so would allow you to marry the hook and halligan together to perform floor above ventilation (photo 8).
Once these modifications are complete, your tools will be equipped with a secure attachment point to perform horizontal ventilation from above. It is recommended that you carry a piece of small-diameter utility cord with a carabiner fixed to one end. I carry 12 feet of 9mm kernmantle rope and have my carabiner secured with a figure eight follow through (photo 9).
To vent from above, attach your rope to the welded link, lower your tool to the window below, and hold your mark on the rope (photos 10 and 11). While maintaining your mark securely in one hand, throw the tool outward and allow it to cascade into the window below, following an arched pattern. Once the initial pane has been vented, you can reposition to measure for the remaining pane, be it upper or lower, and repeat the process.
Another method for venting from above is to marry the halligan to the six-foot roof hook. This attachment is made by connecting the links on each tool with a carabiner or a threaded link (photo 12). Once connected, lower the halligan into position and use the hook to whip the tool into the window (photo 13). The six-foot hook provides a great deal of leverage, and the whipping action generates a tremendous amount of force, which makes this technique extremely effective for venting windows.
Secure Attachment
Welding a link onto your halligan is a simple modification that will provide you with a secure attachment point to perform additional functions with the tool. The attachment point allows you to vent from the floor above or the rooftop using a utility rope or a six-foot hook. In addition, it provides you with a secure location to attach your tool for hoisting to an elevated location and doesn’t require any knots.
As with any modification made to your tool, wear proper safety equipment, take your time, and enlist the services of a qualified welder to attach the link.
