Ventilation (firefighting)
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Ventilation is a part of structural
Types of ventilation
In general, there are two types of ventilation; vertical and horizontal. Their names refer to the general locations of the intended exit points of the heat and smoke to be ventilated. Vertical ventilation takes place through holes cut in the roof, typically by
Methods
When glass windows in a burning structure burst from internal pressure and heat, or the fire burns through the roof, it may be said to have "auto-ventilated" or "self-ventilated."
Negative pressure ventilation is another method of ventilation sometimes used in firefighting efforts. The method of negative pressure ventilation is a process of using smoke ejectors to remove the smoke from a building.[3] Negative pressure ventilation is not used as much as positive pressure ventilation for the reason that positive pressure can move more air throughout the structure and clear out more smoke in a timely manner.
Hydraulic ventilation is another method of ventilation that is very useful if vertical ventilation or positive pressure ventilation is either unsafe or not a feasible strategy.[4] Hydraulic ventilation is done by setting up a hose line on a fog stream and directing it out a window. The air that a fog stream draws in also draws out the smoke and ejects it outside. This method can be useful during overhaul operations as long as there is another hose line in place in the immediate area.
See also
References
- ^ Feasey, R. "Post-Flashover Design Fires" (PDF).
- ^ LaFemina, Fred. "Ventilation Basics". Retrieved 2011-11-07.
- ^ "Negative Pressure Ventilation". Ventry Solutions. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
- ^ "Throw Back to Basics: Hydraulic Ventilation". Fire Engineering. 2015-11-19. Retrieved 2020-11-05.