Ventilation Methods

and
Techniques
Acknowledgements
The following presentation was developed from the review,
practice, and emergency ground experience utilizing principles
and techniques which have been documented in “Ventilation
Methods and Techniques” written by John Mittendorf.

Retired Battalion Chief John Mittendorf has an extensive

background as a national lecturer and seminar leader, and is a
recognized authority on building construction, truck company
operations, and ventilation methods. He has authored
numerous ventilation articles that have appeared in American
Fire Journal, Fire Engineering, and Firehouse magazines.

Chief Mittendorf is a member of 5 college fire science

advisory boards and lectures for the Fire Protection
Administration and Technology program at California
University at Los Angeles.
2
Objectives
Increase Knowledge of Building Construction
Understand the Principles of Ventilation
Review Ventilation Rules
Review Pressurized Ventilation Techniques
Discuss the Anatomy of a Ventilation Opening
Review Conventional Ventilation Methods
Review Lightweight Ventilation Methods

3
Introduction
Definitions:
Ventilation:
Procedures necessary to effect the planned and systematic
direction and removal of smoke, heat, and fire gases from
a structure.
Size Up:
A mental evaluation that assists in determining a course of
action and the methods necessary to accomplish a desired
goal.

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Introduction
Size Up
1) Analyze the situation
Ventilation Yes/No
Offensive vs. Defensive
Time factor
2) Decide on a plan
2 Man vs. 4 Man Teams
Vertical vs. Horizontal
Natural vs. Mechanical
3) Put the plan into operation
Ladder placement
Tool assignments
Type of opening
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Introduction
Visually “size up” construction methods and
styles.

Undress the building in your mind!

Look past the exterior of the building and

visualize what is inside.

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Table of Contents
1. Building Construction
2. Ventilation Principles
3. Ventilation Rules
4. Pressurized Ventilation
5. Ventilation: Anatomy 101
6. Conventional Ventilation
7. Lightweight Ventilation
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Chapter 1 Building Construction
Chapter Contents:
Construction Styles
Roof Styles
Construction Methods
Age of the Building

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Chapter 1 Building Construction
Construction Styles
Conventional
size = strength
depends on the structural members size to be strong.
the greater the span, the larger the material.
characteristics; 8x8, 2x6, mill timber.

Lightweight
compression and tension = strength
depends on multiple members.
length does not change the size.
characteristics; 2x4, 2x3, mgp

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Chapter 1 Building Construction
Roof Styles
Gable
Hip
Bridge Truss
Arch
Saw Tooth
Corrugated
Flat
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Chapter 1 Building Construction
Roof Styles
Flat
conventional
wooden I-beam
open web
open web bar joist
metal gusset plate
panelized
lightweight concrete

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Chapter 1 Building Construction
Construction Methods
Metal
Concrete
Masonry
Frame/Stucco
Frame/Wood
Curtain

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Chapter 1 Building Construction
Age of the Building
Pre - 1933
1933 - 1950’s
1950’s - 1970’s
1970’s - Today

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Chapter 2 Ventilation Principles
Chapter Contents:
Key Terms
Ventilation as a Tool
Structural Considerations

14
Chapter 2 Ventilation Principles
Key Terms
Ventilation
Procedures necessary to effect the planned and systematic direction and
removal of smoke, heat, and fire gases from a structure.

Backdraft
The introduction of oxygen to a confined area that is pressurized with heated
flammable gases, that are deficient in oxygen, that results in an explosive force
of significant intensity.

Flashover
The sudden ingition of exposed combustible surfaces and/or combustible gases
in an involved area that results in a sudden and intense rise in temperature.

Note: Vertical Ventilation prevents Backdraft and Flashover!!!

15
Chapter 2 Ventilation Principles
Ventilation as a Tool
Rescue
Exposure Protection
Confinement
Extinguishment
Overhaul and Salvage

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Chapter 2 Ventilation Principles
Structural Considerations
Basements
Habitation
Commercial
High Rise

17
Chapter 3 Ventilation Rules
Chapter Contents:
Efficient and timely ventilation operations should
be governed by a set of characteristic standard
operational procedures whose values will
determine the behavior of a ventilation operation.

The following ventilation rules should be an

integral part of each ventilation team members
standard operating procedures.

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Chapter 3 Ventilation Rules
Standard Operating Procedures
Pre-Plan Standard Operations
Size Up
Minimum of 2 Team Members
Minimum of 2 Ladders
Basic Equipment
Ladder the Strong Areas of the Roof
Uninvolved to the Involved
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Chapter 3 Ventilation Rules
Standard Operating Procedures
Priorities
Read the roof
Location and extension of the fire
Sound your path of travel
Keep the wind at your back
Utilize natural ventilation aids

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Chapter 3 Ventilation Rules
Standard Operating Procedures
Use construction to your advantage
Work towards the means of egress
Only cut as deep as necessary
Size of the opening
Coordination
Communication
Power tool safety
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Chapter 4 Pressurized Ventilation
Chapter Contents:
Key Terms
Negative Pressure
Positive Pressure
Operational Considerations
Structural Considerations

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Chapter 4 Pressurized Ventilation
Key Terms
2 Basic Methods of Ventilation
Natural Ventilation
natural currents directing flow of air through buildings openings
positive pressure

Pressurized Ventilation
mechanically forcing the flow of air through buildings openings
negative pressure
positive pressure

23
Chapter 4 Pressurized Ventilation
Negative Pressure
Requires personnel to be exposed to contaminants
Contaminates the blowers
May require special equipment to hang blowers
Added noise and confusion inside structure

Implementation
Blower is placed inside of opening and started
Must have another opening to draw fresh air from
Contaminated air is drawn to and through the blower and outside

24
Chapter 4 Pressurized Ventilation
Positive Pressure
Personnel are not exposed to contaminants
Contaminants are not drawn through the blower
Doorways and hallways are not blocked
No additional noise inside the structure
Efficient at removing contaminants from all parts of room/building
Twice as efficient as negative pressure

Implementation
Entrance opening – “the cone”
Control the travel of air through the building – “compartmentalize”
Exhaust opening – ¾ to 1 ¾ the size of the entrance

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Chapter 4 Pressurized Ventilation
Operational Considerations
Blower exhaust odor in building
Exhaust opening is too small

Multiple blowers
Maximum efficiency = in-line
#1 blower directed into opening
#2 blower covers the opening (“the cone”)
Large entrance opening = side by side

26
Chapter 4 Pressurized Ventilation
Structural Considerations
Basements
#1 blower into lower portion of opening
#2 blower blowing from the side, and above the #1

High Rise
HVAC/Stairwell
Pressurized systems
Cross ventilation
Exhaust features

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Chapter 5 Anatomy of an Opening
Chapter Contents:
Key Terms
Types of Openings
Size of Openings

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Chapter 5 Anatomy of an Opening
Key Terms
Ventilation Opening
Specific openings that are utilized to reduce and/or remove concentration of
heat, smoke, and fire gases from a structure, and/or to channel and redirect the
travel of fire.
Center Rafter
A section of roof decking that has been cut for ventilation purposes of the
section to be removed is nailed to a single rafter.
Decking
Made up of a base (lightweight concrete, wood sheathing, plywood, corrugated
metal), and a covering (tile, shingles, comp).
Dicing
A series of cuts between and parallel to rafters. Ventilation is then
accomplished by “J” hooking roof material off of its structural members.

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Chapter 5 Anatomy of an Opening
Key Terms
Head cut
A cut through the decking that is perpendicular to the direction of the rafters
and involves rolling the rafters.
“J” Hook
Removal of sheathing enhanced by using a “J” Hook motion which brings the
tool under and up to the decking to be removed.
Louvering
A cut section of roof decking that is hinged vertically on a single rafter to open
a ventilation opening.
Parallel Cut
Cuts through the decking that are parallel to the direction of the rafters.
Utilized when dicing.
Pull Back
A cut section of roof that is removed from its structural support by pulling up
and back with an appropriate tool to open the ventilation opening.
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Chapter 5 Anatomy of an Opening
Key Terms
Rolling Rafters
When cutting through roof decking with a power saw and a rafter is encountered,
the saw is lifted over the rafter and the cut is resumed. (Note: mark the rafters).
Score Cut
A light cut of the decking covering (usually composition) only.
Strip
A long and narrow section of roof decking that is removed ahead of a
horizontally extending fire to minimize extension of the fire. A defensive cut.
Inspection Cut
A cut through the roof decking only and at 45 degrees to any exterior wall.
When contact is made with a structural member, roll the member and continue
the cut for approximately one foot. Complete the cut by making two small cuts
over the structure which will allow the removal of a small triangular portion of
decking directly over the rafter. This will assist in determining the type of roof,
decking, and rafter direction.

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Chapter 5 Anatomy of an Opening
Key Terms
Indicator Hole
A small hole which indicates the conditions of smoke or fire within a structure.
Heat Hole
Heat openings are opened over (or in close proximity to) a fire and are
specifically designed to vertically vent the fire, heat, and smoke.

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Chapter 5 Anatomy of an Opening
Types of Openings
Natural Openings –utilized/created by a fire to “self ventilate”
Fire burning through the roof
Ventilators
Skylights that fail/burn through
Automatic smoke vents
Heat Openings
Opened over a fire
Designed to vertically vent the fire
Directional Openings
Cut ahead of the fire
Directs horizontal/extension travel
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Chapter 5 Anatomy of an Opening
Size of Openings
Type of Opening
Heat Hole vs. Strip Cut
Ease of Removal
Louvering vs. Dicing
Multiple rafter sections
Location of Opening
Type of construction
Style of opening (heat vs. strip)
Strength of work area (conventional vs. lightweight)

Note:
As long as contaminants are venting under pressure, keep enlarging the opening!

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Chapter 6 Conventional Ventilation
Chapter Contents:
Identification
Teamwork
Ladder Placement
Location of Fire
Structural Integrity
Method of Travel
Ventilation Openings

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Chapter 6 Conventional Ventilation
Identification
Objective: “Identify the type of roof”
Dwellings
Older styles
Wood sided
Pre-1970’s
2x6 rafter tails
True shake roof material
Commercial
Earthquake retro
Pre-1950’s
Un-reinforced masonry
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Chapter 6 Conventional Ventilation
Teamwork
2 Man Team
Verbal communication
Non-verbal communication
1 Saw man
1 Sounder/Safety
4 Man Team
Verbal communication
Non-verbal communication
2 Saw men
1 Sounder/Lead
1 Sounder/Safety

37
Chapter 6 Conventional Ventilation
Ladder Placement
Ladder and approach the involved area from the uninvolved
Minimum of 2 ladders
Determine the location and extension of the fire
Windward side of objective
Ladder the strong areas of the building
Beams, Ridges, Valleys, Hips, Corners
Avoid windows and doors
Extend far enough to be readily visible
Once climbed – DO NOT MOVE!

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Chapter 6 Conventional Ventilation
Location of Fire
What is the location and extent of the fire?
Read the Roof
Smoke Indicators
Indicator holes
Radio traffic
Windows
Ventilators
Vent Pipes

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Chapter 6 Conventional Ventilation
Structural Integrity
What is the structural integrity of the area to be ventilated?
Dwellings
Perimeter
Ridges
Valleys
Rafters
Commercial
Perimeter
Beams
Perlins
Rafters

40
Chapter 6 Conventional Ventilation
Method of Travel
Dwellings
Perimeter
Ridges
Valleys
Rafters
Commercial
Perimeter
Beams
Rafters

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Chapter 6 Conventional Ventilation
Ventilation Openings
Dicing
Not possible with plywood decking
Louvering
Mandatory with plywood decking
Strip
Time consuming
18-24 inch width
Louver – sheathing, plywood, metal decking (4-6 ft)
“J” Hook – sheathing (not plywood)

42
Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Chapter Contents:
Identification
Teamwork
Ladder Placement
Location of Fire
Structural Integrity
Method of Travel
Ventilation Openings

43
Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Identification
Objective: “Identify the type of roof”
Dwellings
Newer styles
Last 20-30 years
2x4 rafter tails
Commercial
Concrete “tilt-up” walls
Newer style with fascias
Flat roofs
Last 20-30 years

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Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Teamwork
2 Man Team
Verbal communication
Non-verbal communication
1 Saw man
1 Sounder/Safety
4 Man Team
Verbal communication
Non-verbal communication
2 Saw men
1 Sounder/Lead
1 Sounder/Safety

45
Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Ladder Placement
Ladder and approach the involved area from the uninvolved
Minimum of 2 ladders
Determine the location and extension of the fire
Windward side of objective
Ladder the strong areas of the building
Beams, Pilasters, Corners
Avoid windows and doors
Extend far enough to be readily visible
Once climbed – DO NOT MOVE!

46
Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Location of Fire
What is the location and extent of the fire?
Read the Roof
Smoke Indicators
Indicator holes
Radio traffic
Windows
Ventilators
Vent Pipes
Sky lights (4x8)

47
Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Structural Integrity
What is the structural integrity of the area to be ventilated?
Dwellings
Perimeter
Trusses
Valleys
Commercial
Perimeter
Beams
Trusses
Perlins

Note:
Do not ventilate over the fire - Go as close as possible on an uninvolved part
of the roof! 48
Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Method of Travel
Dwellings
Perimeter
Ridges
Hips
Commercial
Perimeter
Trusses
Beams
Perlins

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Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Ventilation Openings
Louvering
Plywood decking
Panelized
Open Web
Metal Gusset Plate
Wooden I-Beam
Open Web Bar Joist
Removing Skylights
Panelized
4x8 = roof structure
Drop Panel
Panelized
Dangerous for those below

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Chapter 7 Lightweight Ventilation
Ventilation Openings
Strip
Time consuming
18-24 inch width
Louver - plywood, metal decking (4-6 ft)

Pull Back
Panelized
Demands timing and teamwork

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