Tactical Roof Operations and Strategic Decision-Making

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chris Fleming on August 5, 2008 at 2:43pm

The first thing I would want to know is the location and extent of the fire. If it is a small room and contents fire on a lower floor of a residential, horizontal ventilation is usually adequate. However, if it is a top floor fire, a rapidly spreading structural fire or a building showing potential backdraft conditions, vertical ventilation would be a first choice. At this point I would want to know the roof construction and configuration (flat, peaked, gable, etc.). It's also important to note whether the roof support system is exposed to flame. Peaked roofs are very difficult to safely ventilate and require more time, thus cutting down the "safe" work time. Flat roofs in ordinary constructed buildings are usually made with dimensional lumber and provide a good working platform if not heavily exposed to fire. Truss construction throws all the rules out the window! Firefighters should not operate on or under any truss roof exposed to fire. I hate to say "never" in firefighting, but this is one of those situations. The evidence supports that strategic "truth". You may get away with it once, but this construction is too unpredictable when attacked by fire. This is why knowing building construction is critical to good size up. Opening up the roof can consist of bulkhead doors, and skylights as well as cutting a h***. Command has to realize that this tactic is labor and time intensive. Knowing how quickly the fire is spreading is important. You don't want the troops on the roof to get over run and you should have a good idea of how the ventilation is going to effect fire spread. As far as being a company officer assigned to the roof division or vent group, you can't get involved with cutting the h***. The officer's job is to be the safety watchout for his or her crew. Once you get involved in working, you compromise your crews safety . If you don't have enough people in one company to get it done assign multiple companies.