Most of our fires are found in residential structures. These structures can be isolated single-family, single-story structures or multi-level single family or duplex-style houses. In homes consisting of only one floor, the easiest rule to remember is to try to ventilate the smoke and heat out of an exit point close to the seat of the fire. This ensures we are going to limit the amount of smoke and heat damage to the interior of the structure.
Here are some basics to follow:
- Ventilation should begin as close to the room of origin as possible.
- Open or remove those windows in the room of origin that are closest to the fire.
- Prioritize the removal/opening of windows to those where flames or pressurized smoke is already coming out of or where fire can be seen or heard through.
- If more ventilation is required, consider other windows for complete ventilation. Base the amount of damage to windows and roofs to the amount of ventilation required to perform ventilation adequately.
- Try to reduce the amount of damage if possible. Taking out all first-floor windows when fighting a single room and contents fire may be overkill.
- In single family residences, fires in the attic or cock-loft should be checked for fire spread, especially of they are directly over the seat of the fire.
For more ventilation basics for other types of structures, check out FR1 Columnist Michael Lee’s expert column.