1. Essentials of Fire Fighting
6th Edition
Firefighter I
Chapter 13 — Tactical Ventilation

2. Describe reasons for tactical
ventilation.
Learning Objective 1
13–2

3. Tactical ventilation is carefully
planned to achieve the best
results.
13–3

4. The success of tactical ventilation
depends on several factors.
13–4

5. Tactical ventilation is performed for
several general reasons.
13–5

6. Tactical ventilation can be effective
when correctly implemented.
13–6

7. Tactical ventilation can improve life
safety, the highest incident priority.
13–7

8. Incident stabilization can be
accomplished through ventilation.
13–8

9. Ventilation can influence property
conservation.
13–9

10. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the reasons for tactical
ventilation?
13–10

11. Identify considerations that affect
the decision to ventilate.
Learning Objective 2
13–11

12. Explain the critical fire behavior
indicators present during tactical
ventilation.
Learning Objective 3
13–12

13. Both occupants and firefighters are
at risk during a structural fire.
13–13

14. Changes in building construction
present different risks during fires.
13–14

15. Knowledge of the building can help
make decisions concerning
ventilation.
13–15

16. Various building characteristics
should be considered when
ventilating.
13–16
(Cont.)

17. Various building characteristics
should be considered when
ventilating.
13–17

18. Several fire behavior indicators also
help with planning for ventilation.
13–18
(Cont.)
CourtesyofBobEspositio

19. Several fire behavior indicators also
help with planning for ventilation.
13–19
CourtesyofMikeWieder

20. CAUTION
Do not rely solely on the presence or
location of flames to assess an incident.
13–20

21. REVIEW QUESTION
How do smoke, air flow, heat, and
flame impact fire behavior in a
structure?
13–21

22. First arriving units must determine
size, location, and extent of the fire.
13–22

23. The type of ventilation used will
depend on several factors.
13–23

24. The location for ventilation must be
selected based on several factors.
13–24
(Cont.)

25. The location for ventilation must be
selected based on several factors.
13–25

26. Weather conditions will affect what
happens inside a building as well.
13–26

27. CAUTION
A strong wind can overpower the
natural convective effect of a fire and
drive the smoke and hot gases back
into the building.
13–27

28. Exposures should be taken into
account when planning ventilation.
13–28

29. Staffing and resources are both
requirements for ventilation.
13–29

30. REVIEW QUESTION
What considerations will affect the
decision to ventilate?
13–30

31. Define horizontal and vertical
ventilation.
Learning Objective 4
13–31

32. Explain the means for achieving
horizontal and vertical ventilation.
Learning Objective 5
13–32

33. There are two main types of tactical
ventilation that can be performed.
13–33
(Cont.)

34. There are two main types of tactical
ventilation that can be performed.
13–34

35. There are three means to accomplish
ventilation used in the fire service.
13–35

36. There are several indicators of the
need for mechanical or hydraulic
ventilation.
13–36

37. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the basic means used to
accomplish ventilation?
13–37

38. Describe the types of horizontal
ventilation.
Learning Objective 6
13–38

39. Horizontal ventilation can be applied
to several types of structures.
13–39

40. Natural horizontal ventilation works
with existing conditions to take
advantage of natural air flow.
13–40

41. There are two types of mechanical
horizontal ventilation.
13–41

42. NPV uses smoke ejectors to expel
and pull smoke from a structure.
13–42

43. PPV uses a fan to create slightly
higher pressure inside a structure
than is outside.
13–43

44. WARNING!
Improperly applied, PPV can change
the interior conditions and injure
personnel working inside the structure.
13–44

45. PPV has both advantages and
disadvantages.
13–45

46. Hydraulic ventilation is used
when other types of forced
ventilation are unavailable.
13–46

47. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the main types of
horizontal ventilation?
13–47

48. You should know the precautions
against upsetting horizontal
ventilation.
13–48

49. Mechanical ventilation has both
advantages and disadvantages.
13–49

50. REVIEW QUESTION
How do the advantages and
disadvantages of natural,
mechanical, and hydraulic ventilation
compare to one another?
13–50

51. Describe the types of vertical
ventilation.
Learning Objective 7
13–51

52. Vertical ventilation occurs after
the Incident Commander considers
several factors.
13–52

53. Vertical ventilation presents several
risks the IC must assess.
13–53

54. Safety precautions should be used
during vertical ventilation.
13–54
(Cont.)
Check wind
direction,
velocity

55. Safety precautions should be used
during vertical ventilation.
13–55
(Cont.)

56. CAUTION
Roof ladders are only meant to prevent
slipping and are not intended to be used
on fire-weakened roofs.
13–56

57. Safety precautions should be used
during vertical ventilation.
13–57
(Cont.)

58. Safety precautions should be used
during vertical ventilation.
13–58

59. WARNING!
Never direct a fire stream into a vertical
exhaust opening when interior attack
crews are inside the structure because
it will force smoke, heat, and steam
down on them.
13–59

60. Knowing what to expect when
sounding a roof is important.
13–60

61. CAUTION
Work in groups of at least two, but with
no more personnel than absolutely
necessary to perform the assigned task.
13–61

62. Roof-cutting operations require
specific resources and skills.
13–62
CourtesyofMattDaly

63. Roof ventilation leaders have
specific responsibilities to perform.
13–63

64. Various types of inspection holes
can be used during ventilation.
13–64

65. Offensive ventilation methods depend
on the opening and roof type.
13–65

66. A square or rectangle is the most
common opening made in a flat
roof.
13–66

67. Different types of roofs require
different ventilation tactics.
13–67

68. The trench cut is strictly a
defensive ventilation method.
13–68

69. The process for making a trench
cut follows specific procedures.
13–69

70. REVIEW QUESTION
What are the types of vertical
ventilation?
13–70

71. All ventilation team members
should follow safety practices.
13–71

72. You should know the precautions
against upsetting vertical ventilation.
13–72

73. WARNING!
Do not direct a fire stream into a
ventilation opening during offensive
interior operations.
13–73

74. REVIEW QUESTION
What differences are there between
horizontal and vertical ventilation?
13–74

75. Recognize other types of ventilation
situations.
Learning Objective 8
13–75

76. Other types of ventilation situations,
such as basement fires, may arise.
13–76

77. Other types of ventilation situations
exist, such as windowless buildings.
13–77

78. High-rise fires are also another type
of ventilation situation that may arise.
13–78

79. Tactical ventilation must be
considered during preincident
planning.
13–79

80. WARNING!
Do not use stairwells or elevator shafts
simultaneously for both evacuation and
ventilation.
13–80

81. REVIEW QUESTION
What other types of ventilation
situations might firefighters encounter?
13–81

82. Explain the effects of building
systems on tactical ventilation.
Learning Objective 9
13–82

83. Ventilation will have several effects
on building systems.
13–83

84. Built-in smoke control systems are
designed to confine fire.
13–84

85. WARNING!
Do not attempt to operate building
systems that assist in ventilation.
13–85

86. REVIEW QUESTION
How can a built-in heating
ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) system affect tactical ventilation?
13–86

87. • Tactical ventilation of a burning building
allows heat, smoke, and fire gases to
escape to the atmosphere and also
draws fresh air into the building.
• Properly applied tactical ventilation
allows firefighters to see better, locate
victims more easily, and find the seat of
the fire sooner.
Summary
13–87
(Cont.)

88. • Tactical ventilation limits fire spread
and channels heat and smoke away
from trapped victims; but must be
correctly coordinated.
Summary
13–88
(Cont.)

89. • Firefighters must understand fire
behavior, know various ventilation
methods and have knowledge of roof
construction and know how to create
exhaust openings in all types of roofs
that have a variety of openings in order
to perform ventilation correctly.
Summary
13–89

90. Ventilate using mechanical negative
pressure in a window.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-1.
Learning Objective 10
13–90

91. Ventilate using mechanical negative
pressure in a doorway.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-2.
Learning Objective 11
13–91

92. Ventilate using mechanical positive
pressure.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-3.
Learning Objective 12
13–92

93. Perform horizontal hydraulic
ventilation.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-4.
Learning Objective 13
13–93

94. Demonstrate the procedure for
sounding a roof.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-5.
Learning Objective 14
13–94

95. Ventilate using a rotary saw to cut an
opening.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-6.
Learning Objective 15
13–95

96. Ventilate using an axe to cut an
opening.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-7.
Learning Objective 16
13–96

97. Demonstrate the procedure for
opening a flat roof.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-8.
Learning Objective 17
13–97

98. Perform the steps for opening pitched
roofs.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-9.
Learning Objective 18
13–98

99. Demonstrate the procedure for making
a trench cut using a rotary saw.
This objective is measured in Skill
Sheet 13-I-10.
Learning Objective 19
13–99