Ventilation Activities Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ventilation Activities - Assignment Example When making a ventilation hole, the smallest size for a commercial building should be 4X4 feet. If the roof is panelized, the crew should not make the hole right over the fire; instead, it should be made as close to the fire as safety permits. In the case of a single family residence, the hole needs to be 2X4 feet. Crews need to make sure they stay focused on the fire burning, as well as the pressure they are venting. They also need to make sure that the ventilation hole is large enough. The wind should remain at the backs of the crew so the smoke will not be directly inhaled. When they have completed making the ventilation hole, they should then report back to the Incident Commander (Structural Fire Attack). Anytime personnel go to the roof, they are to assure two "IDENTIFIED ESCAPE ROUTES" are in place. In some cases, the building may have a built-in ladder that can be used as a secondary escape route, or the crews may be able to exit to another building that has a separate roof. Crews operating on a roof are to have a minimum of 1 sounding device, 1 pike pole, 1 chainsaw, and a portable radio. When cutting a ventilation hole, crews should be aware of fire burning at the edge of the hole or smoke venting under pressure. If this occurs, the ventilation hole has not been cut large enough.