Fire Stream Management and Ventilation Procedures

Fire Stream Management

• Fire stream management techniques are defined in this SOP
• Life safety is the top priority when deploying hose lines.
• Incident stabilization and property conservation follow life safety considerations.
• Hose lines should be advanced inside fire buildings to control access to halls, stairways, or other vertical and horizontal channels
• It is the responsibility of each engine company to ensure an uninterrupted, adequate supply of water
• Hose line effectiveness depends on size, placement, speed, mobility, and supply

Ventilation Considerations

• Ventilation decisions significantly impact fireground operations
• Fire growth and development are influenced by air entering and exiting the fire area
• Ventilation openings should be controlled and coordinated with the fire attack
• Uncontrolled forcible entry may lead to firefighter or civilian injury, death, and property loss
• Ventilation should be performed with a purpose, considering the impact of actions

Flow Path

• The flow path is the movement of fire through a structure, determined by inlet and exhaust vents for air
• Increasing ventilation openings can lead to fire growth and spread
• Limiting or controlling openings can limit fire growth
• Keeping doors closed helps limit oxygen and reduces fire temperature
• Each new ventilation opening creates a new flow path, potentially leading to dangerous conditions for firefighters

Horizontal Ventilation

• Forcing entry should be treated as ventilation
• Initial ventilation should involve assessing airflow for ventilation-limited fires.
• Each new opening can result in hazardous conditions if placed between the fire and its spread path
• Fire showing does not always indicate sufficient ventilation
• Horizontal ventilation should coincide with water application
• Commercial buildings may require horizontal openings for egress and ventilation, requiring consideration for their impact

Vertical Ventilation

• Vertical ventilation is a natural method for exhausting heated gases but can also create a potential for air uptake
• Vertical ventilation accelerates airflow and can spread fire along the flow path, increasing growth
• Coordination with the fire attack is crucial
• Avoid working over truss roof systems damaged by fire unless inspected and deemed safe

Wind-Driven Fires

• Wind can significantly impact the flow path
• Windward side ventilation can introduce massive amounts of oxygen into a fire, leading to rapid growth and flow path shifts
• Fire attack and ventilation should consider wind direction, keeping it at your back during attack, and limiting ventilation to the leeward side

Positive Pressure Ventilation

• Positive pressure ventilation is coordinated by the Incident Commander
• Positive pressure ventilation should never occur before the 'water on the fire' benchmark.

Vent, Enter, Isolate, Search (VEIS)

• VEIS is effective for potential victims accessible via windows
• When performing VEIS, minimize flow path creation and drawing fire towards victims
• Avoid venting the window with the ladder, and delay venting the entry window until entry
• Upon entrance
• Upon entry to the room, immediately control the door (flow path)