Smoke Control Using Positive Pressure Fans

Question 1

Natural Tendency of Air Movement…?

Answer 1

Higher Pressure are to a lower pressure Area

Question 2

High Rise Units in Manhattan carry how many PPF’s each?

Answer 2

2

Some Ladder companies are also assigned 2 fans each (second piece)

Question 3

Ventilation Support group will report to Command Post with following equipment?

Answer 3

27 inch tempest PFF
exhaust hoses
eye and ear protection
Dave Clark headset and HT's
Co monitors
elevator keys
Halligan and heavy axe
door chocks/lights/SCBA and PPE

Question 4

What is the first consideration for pressurization?

Answer 4

ATTACK STAIRWELL

-Pressurization of the attack stairway is MOST EFFECTIVE if done SIMULTANEOUSLY with the fire attack

Question 5

Stairwell pressurization MUST be initiated by…?

Answer 5

INCIDENT COMMANDER

Question 6

Who shall inform IC of recommended placement of PPF’s?

Answer 6

Vent GROUP SUPERVISOR: based on :

• number of PPFs and Personnel available
• location of fire floor
• number of floors in building
• stage of firefighting operations

Question 7

When can PPF;s in operation be left unattended??

Answer 7

NEVER

HT EQUIPPED MEMBER

Question 8

Priority order of use for PPF’s?

Answer 8

1. Pressurizing attack stairwell for fire attack
2. pressurizing evacuation stairwell
3. ventilating public hallways

Question 9

Optimum placement of PPF?

Answer 9

4 to 6 feet from the attack stairway door on ground floor and directly facing the door to the stairwell at an angle tilt of 80 DEGREES

Question 10

Fan shall be positioned to blow____the stairwell: it should not be_________?

Answer 10

INTO

PLACED IN THE STAIRWELL

Question 11

PPF’S CREAT noise which can interfere with ICP…in this case..?

Answer 11

look for another location other than lobby entrance to attack stairwell

Question 12

In PROJECT TYPE MD’s, the ICP is usually not located in the LObby, thus..?

Answer 12

PFF noise SHOULD NOT hamper communications

Question 13

Pressure delivered to attack stair by PFF will be great enough for up to___stairwell doors to be open and pressurization to remain effective?

Answer 13

3

however all members should understand that keeping as many doors closed as possible is the goal
members moving from one area to another should remember to CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND THEM

Question 14

Line is stretched through stairwell door…?

Answer 14

door closed as much AS POSSIBLE

Question 15

Ventilation support Group Supervisor should?

Answer 15

instruct his members to survey attack stairway below fire floor to verify doors are closed

request IC instruct 3rd and 4th Ladder Companies operating above fire floor to verify doors are closed

Question 16

ONE fan can provided proper pressure in the stairwell up to…?

Answer 16

10 stories

Question 17

2 fans will pressurize a…?

Answer 17

40 story building

Question 18

Fire above the 10th floor?

Or ADDItional pressures required.

Answer 18

1st fan- LOBBY

2nd fan- 3 FLOORS BELOW FIRE FLOOR

Question 19

It is recommended that a member on the fire floor remain in position at the stairwell door..?

Answer 19

at all times

Question 20

What is sequential ventilation?

Answer 20

• ventilate through attack stairwell
• accomplished by pressurizing evacuation stairwell. Place fan at base of EVACUATIoN stairwell(exterior of building) (create higher pressure here), this stairwell will be contaminate free–CREATING HIGHER PRESSURE IN EVACUATION STAIRWELL, BUT VENTING THROUGH ATTACK

Process:

• placement of fan will be EXTERIOR of building (replace smoke and CO with FRESH AIR, gas powered fan inside,would prevent this)
• confirm attack stairwell is clear of civilians and members
• bulkhead of attack stairwell OPENED-all other doors in this stairwell closed/including EVACUATION BULKHEAD CLOSED
• opening both attack and evac doors on fire floor will cross ventilate, removing smoke via attack stairwell
• this can be done floor by floor-start LOWEST and work towards top of building

-this will work when a building has HIGH LEVELS OF CO (see next card) or other contaminants…electric fans can also be implemented

Question 21

If CO levels are in the 0 to 60 PPM range…?

Answer 21

GAS POWERED FANS will NOT reduce those levels

Question 22

Fans shall___be transported while in operation?

Answer 22

NEVER

Question 23

Whenever the fan is operating, members shall wear…?

Answer 23

EYE and EAR PROTECTION

Question 24

PPF’s lifted by ?

Answer 24

2 members

Question 25

NEVER be fueled…?

Answer 25

INSIDE A STRUCTURE

Question 26

When running Fans _____MUST ALWAYS be attached to limit CO production?

Answer 26

EXHAUST HOSES

Question 27

When do we inspect Fans?

Answer 27

DAILY 9X6 TOUR- inspect and start
WEEKLY at MUD-full RPM for 5 minutes
Tech services

Question 28

Mechanical Ventilation of LARGE/Structure Areas?

Answer 28

create Higher pressure interior/lower pressure exterior

• higher exhaust opening/the better
• set farther back than 4 to 6 feet/80 degrees
• exhaust opening double size of inlet where fan is placed
• moves 5 times more air then electric fan
• fans blowing fresh air into structure are 75% more efficient

Question 29

Negative Pressurization?

Answer 29

Lower pressure within structure utilizing electric fan-operated in the exhaust mode

• clean exterior air enters and replaces contaminated air
• to maximize-hagn fan in window as high as possible/salvage tarps create a seal
• can’t hang fan- contaminated area facing exhaust opening 6 to 8 feet/ 30 degrees

Question 30

Run time..

Answer 30

2-3 hours/full throttle