Tactical ventilation

Question 1

Define the term ventilation?

Answer 1

Is the removal of products of combustion from a structure and their replacement with a supply of fresher air in order to improve conditions.

Question 2

Define the term Self ventilation/Uncontrolled ventilation?

Answer 2

Ventilation of a compartment caused by the failure of windows, doors or other elements of structure resulting from the action of the fire

Question 3

Define the term Consequential ventilation?

Answer 3

Ventilation of the fire as a result of firefighting operations. When firefighters begin firefighting and rescue operations at a building they cause ventilation as a consequence of their activities. As teams make entry into fire compartments via doors and windows, the ingress of fresh air and the application of water alters the conditions in the compartment. This may lead to rapid fire development and the expansion/spread of the products of combustion beyond the compartment/premises of origin.

Question 4

Define the term Tactical ventilation?

Answer 4

The systematic, and coordinated removal of hot smoke and fire gases and their replacement with fresh air as part of the Incident Commander’s (IC) overall incident plan.

Question 5

What is Tactical ventilation designed to achieve?

Answer 5

It’s undertaken by operational teams carrying out planned activities designed to:

1. Limit or reduce the spread of fire and the products of combustion.
2. Improve conditions i.e. reduce heat and improve visibility.
3. Dilute and remove products of combustion.
4. Assist with the evacuation of the building.
5. Improve working conditions and casualty survivability elsewhere in the building.

Question 6

Define the term defensive ventilation?

Answer 6

Carried out away from the fire, or after the fire is extinguished, to remove heat and smoke, particularly to improve access and escape routes in areas of the building not directly affected by the fire.

Question 7

Define the term offensive ventilation?

Answer 7

Carried out close to the fire compartment to have a direct effect on the fire itself, to limit fire spread and to make conditions safer for firefighters.

Question 8

Define the term Self or uncontrolled ventilation?

Answer 8

This can occur before or during firefighting operations and may influence fire behaviour in the fire compartment or other parts of the building and cause rapid fire development or undetected fire spread.

Question 9

In relation to tactical ventilation, what is the danger of concealed voids?

Answer 9

Once the fire has been extinguished there remains the potential for flammable products of combustion to have collected within voids and other compartments

Question 10

To assist the safe and efficient resolution of an incident, what considerations and actions should an IC systematically work through when establishing a tactical ventilation plan?

Answer 10

1. Assess prevailing wind conditions affecting potential ventilation pathways
2. The availability of suitable ventilation inlets and outlets
3. Identify the ventilation pathway
4. Secure the ventilation pathway
5. Weight of attack
6. Covering jets
7. Firefighting activities
8. Activate ventilation pathway
9. After the fire is extinguished