Firefighters Support Foundation Ventilation East CoastWest Coast Tricks

Firefighters Support Foundation Ventilation: East Coast/West Coast -------Tricks of the Trade v 1. 0

About FSF The Firefighters Support Foundation is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization whose primary mission is to develop, produce and distribute training programs to firefighters and first responders. All of our programs are distributed free of charge. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 2

Permission is granted to reproduce or distribute this material so long as the Firefighters Support Foundation is credited as the source Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 3

Accompanying Video This Power. Point presentation accompanies the video presentation of the same title. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 4

Presenter Abraham Madrigal Abraham D. Madrigal has 15+ years in the fire service, with extensive experience in the realms of Truck Operations, Ventilation, Forcible Entry, RIT Operations, Fire Fighter Rescue/Survival and Technical Rescue. • Hillsboro, OR FD, Present: Engineer, Acting Lieutenant, Tech Rescue Team-Team Leader, Former Training Officer for Fire and Special Operations. • Unifire, Present: A. C. of Special Operations provides equipment and instruction for Technical Rescue, Fire Ground and Tactical Operations. • Instructor – Fire. Town Training Specialist: Truck Operations, Forcible Entry, Ventilation, RIT – Fire Innovations: Fire Fighter Rescue, Bailout, RIT – Spec. Rescue: Technical Rescue, FEMA Structural Collapse Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 5

Ventilation Why do we ventilate? § To alleviate heated air and gasses from a structure, in order to aid in Fire Suppression Operations and victim Rescue. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 6

Ventilation Considering Factors for Ventilation – Is Ventilation Needed? – Building Type and construction – Fireload of Building – Roof Type and Construction – Roof Load – Is Fire Attack Ready for Ventilation ? Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 7

East Coast/West Coast There has always been a difference between East Coast and West Coast Operations, especially when it comes to Ventilation. East Coast primarily uses the rotary saw and West Coast the Chain saw. Not due to ego or which one is more manly, but due to the difference in construction and roofing material commonly seen between the two Coasts. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 8

East Coast/West Coast Residential Both coasts will primarily do some type of louver operation to open the roof, with either the rotary saw or the chain saw. There is the occasional dicing ventilation practice, predominately on the west coast. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 9

East Coast/West Coast Commercial This where the two coasts differ the most. Not only is there a difference in saw choice and hand tools taken to the roof, but a huge difference in the operation and cuts. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 10

East Coast – Tighter Rafter/Truss placement to accommodate for heavier snow loads. – Considerable thicker roofing material IDEAL FOR ROTARY SAW Cut of Choice Coffin/798 Cut Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 11

East Coffin/798 Cut • The Coffin/798 Cut starts with first 3 cuts to make what resembles a #7 with a kickout to aid pulling thick roofing material. • The 4 th and 5 th cuts create the appearance of #9. • The last two cuts finish your two boxes, the completed cut creates the appearance of #8. Always remember to finish your cut towards your ladder. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 12

East Coffin Cut/798 Cut 4 6 1 5 7 3 Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 2 13

West Coast • Although West Coast has several methods of cutting roofs (Dicing, Lover-n-lieu, etc. ), the most common is some form of a louver system. Generally done with two sawyers and at least one hook man for the operation (commercial). • The Louver-N-Lieu can be done by the sawyers mirroring each other, or one leads and one follows. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 14

West Coast Louver-In-lieu First cut Second Cut PURLIN JOIST “B” JOIST “C” Third and last cut ID Cut PURLIN JOIST “A” Repeat Process Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 15

West Coast Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 16

Tricks of the Trade • Run saws at full RPM’s • Become comfortable using the Saws with both hands • Trust your cut line, staring at your saw blade while cutting will cause your line to drift. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 17

Tricks of the Trade • When there is a need for a foot hold utilizing tools, a trash/rubbish hook in conjunction with a roof ladder will provide a more stable foot hold allowing for a more comfortable cut on the. West Coast. • For East Coast, the use of a 6’ NY hook and Haligan/Axe in conjunction with a roof ladder will provide a stable foot hold. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 18

Tricks of The Trade • When using a chainsaw keep the saw perpendicular to the roof and push the saw through the cut. This will help you to feel the structural components of the roof. • When using a rotary saw, cut single handed, or if your department requires, two hands on the saw, at all times, and place your second hand on the back housing just above the handle/throttle area. This will allow the blade to roll over any structural members with ease and make for a straighter cut. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 19

Final Note • As in any fire ground operation, training and practice breed efficiency. Always train as you play to help reduce the production of bad habits. Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 20

Special Thanks • Ed Hadfield, Fire. Town Training Specialist • Santiago Lasa, Jim Mc. Cormack -- FDTN • Unifire Ventilation: Tricks of the Trade 21