Essential Equipment for Horizontal and Vertical Ventilation

It seems pretty simple, but one of the first steps in performing successful ventilation is having the appropriate tools to complete it. With the constant changes in building construction, ladder crews need an elaborate ensemble of ventilation tools to address all types of ventilation challenges. To simplify things for this article, I broke ventilation into two categories–horizontal and vertical–and listed the most probable and appropriate tools needed to conduct each type. I highly suggest referring to NFPA 1901: Standard for Aerial Fire Apparatus, which has a detailed list of the equipment that should be carried on a ladder truck.

Horizontal Ventilation

When we implement horizontal ventilation for fire attack purposes, positive pressure attack (PPA) is the most common tactic. In bigger buildings, or instances where a fan is not available, natural ventilation can occur to relieve the conditions inside.

Fans/Blowers

PPA is conducted using a fan or a blower. When a fan is used properly, with an adequate exhaust and a practiced plan, it’s one of the best tools on the fireground for addressing ventilation. In situations where the fan is being used for ventilation (not just removing standing smoke after fire control), in my opinion, a gas-powered fan is the way to go because you can set it and start it without dealing with a cord, and if it needs to be repositioned, you don’t need to worry about cord length.

Fans come in sizes that range anywhere from 16—28 inches, and have a multitude of features depending on the brand and the price. Consider two key factors when determining what fan you’re going to place on the truck: compartment size and cubic feet per minute (CFM). In the world of fans, bigger is most often better, so put the biggest fan you can fit on your rig that offers the most CFM.

Before purchasing a fan, research the different options. Features such as direct drive vs. belt-driven don’t change tactical operations, but may make a difference to the firefighters using the equipment.

Wedges

Although simple, wedges (or chocks) are definitely vital to perform PPA, because they allow you to control doors. You can always use an axe to wedge a door open, but I recommend carrying at least two good, old-fashioned wood sprinkler wedges, or a device that has been designed specifically to hold open doors.

Forcible Entry Tools

When creating an exhaust for horizontal ventilation, it’s pretty common to need to force a window or door that will be used as an exhaust. I recommend carrying a typical set of irons (a flat-head axe married with a Halligan bar). Because most times a window closest to the fire will need to be broken, it’s also a good idea to carry a trash hook so the window can be broken and cleared while the firefighter stays a safe distance away.

Vertical Ventilation

Performing vertical ventilation should be methodical, coordinated, fast and efficient. Although there are some standard ventilation tools you’ll need to carry to any roof, I highly suggest getting to know your first-due area to identify any buildings that present ventilation obstacles requiring specific tools. Of course, what you bring will also depend on whether it’s a commercial or residential roof.

Chainsaws

When performing vertical ventilation, the chainsaw is an extremely effective tool with regard to speed and the ability to feel rafters. There are many high-quality brands of saws, and most designed for rescue operations will have enough power, but there are also some other key components to consider.

The “bar length” refers to the portion of the saw that holds the chain. A versatile size for rooftop ventilation is a 20″ bar; this allows the saw to be maneuvered easy, but also has enough length to gain reach when performing ventilation on roof types such as panelized roofs. When considering blades, a carbide tip is an excellent consideration because it’s long-lasting and can also cut through thinner-gauged metals if necessary. Many other options are available from the various vendors, so do your homework and find out what features your department needs.

Sounding Tools

One of the most important tasks to complete on the roof is “sounding” through which firefighters determine where structural members are located and determine the overall tenability of the roof. I like the 6′ trash hook with a D-handle, as the hook offers a good amount of weight at the end to get an accurate feel of the roof. The D-handle also allows you to get a solid grip even with wet gloves, which in turn gives you a firm feel of the roof. The two prongs on the end of the trash hook also help you pull up on a louver or yank up skip sheathing roofs.

Axe

The axe is one of the most iconic tools in the fire service. I recommend having access to both flat- and pick-headed axes. When brought to the roof, the pick portion of the axe can be utilized to create smoke indication holes, while the flat-head’s extra mass (usually 8 lbs.) offers a little more power for chopping through the roof. These tools can be used for footing on pitched roofs and to force entry on objects such as skylights.

Circular Saw

Circular saws should mainly be used on commercial roofs, where we need to cut materials with more mass. I personally don’t like using these types of saws for ventilation with typical roof material because the added torque makes control more difficult and it’s really hard to feel when you’re on a rafter. However, circular saws work well for cutting metal, cutting through foam to expose roof decking, forcing skylights and forcing entry on rooftop doors or hatches. There are various blades for these saws, but the carbide-tipped multi-blade is versatile enough to cut through most typical items truckies encounter. Do some research to determine the options best suited for your department.

Ladders

Aside from the expectation that ladder companies will carry enough ladders to get them to most three-story structures and below (anything higher may require an aerial for access), ladder companies should also consider taking a folding ladder to flat roofs in case they encounter parapets. Roof ladders with hooks should also be readily available for when we need to vent steep, pitched roofs from a ladder.

Self-Rescue

Operating on the roof is dangerous and our means of egress can change rapidly. I strongly recommend carrying and training extensively on systems that allow for firefighter descent. There are multiple types of devices that can be purchased and can accommodate almost any budget. Components to consider are Type 2 or 3 harnesses, self-descent devices, rescue rope and rope anchors. No matter what system you purchase, ensure your crew is trained in self-descent by a qualified instructor.

Know the Plan

When considering ventilation equipment for your department, know the building construction types in your response area, because this will often drive what resources you’ll need to accomplish effective ventilation. Also, ensure that you understand residential pitched roof construction, as well as the different types of flat roof commercial construction. The items listed above are the basics, but they’re often enough to complete a ventilation operation.

One final piece of “equipment” to consider: a well thought-out ventilation plan that your crew has trained on thoroughly. You can have the best tools in the world, but its operating on safe zones, understanding how building construction drives cutting sequence, and having a highly trained crew that knows what task needs to be completed that make for a safe, efficient and successful roof operation.