420-06 Roof Operations

safe access to and egress from the roof. A tactical position that would permit effective defensive operations if needed.

a. The Incident Commander should evaluate and determine the need to establish roof operations. Roof stability must be considered before committing personnel to it.

i. Assigning an Assistant Safety Officer to observe roof conditions. ii. Using the Aerial apparatus and personnel for roof operations. iii. Using mechanical ventilation (PPV) as an aid to vertical ventilation

Position aerials for safe roof access and defensive actions.

Only essential personnel should be on the roof.

Evaluates roof stability before operations begin.

The Assistant Safety Officer should be able to observe the roof operations from a safe distance (i.e., an aerial ladder, an adjacent building, etc...).

i. Access the roof from an established stable platform. ii. Have a minimum of two means to egress. iii. Be in full personal protective equipment (including: SCBA and portable radio). iv. Have a roof ladder and tools to sound the roof.

i. Safety lines ii. Roof ladders iii. Aerial devices

unexposed and structurally sound roof surface shall count as an egress.

evaluate the conditions to assure the roof is structurally sound before attempting to work on it.

their route and progress as they proceed.

slipping hazard where the roof ladder hooks contact the roof. Prior to using a roof ladder on a metal roof, evaluate its ability to remain affixed to the roof.

throughout roof operations.

a. Vertical ventilation should only be performed when the exact location of the fire is known and the roof is safe to operate on. b. A vertical ventilation operation may require units to be teamed due to the amount of equipment and work that is needed to complete the task.

i. Should be utilized for purposes of weight distribution on the roof. ii. Have the potential to aid in the emergency escape of firefighters that may fall into the attic space of a weakened roof structure.

Start saws on the ground; do not operate while climbing.

Minimum size for a ventilation hole is 16 square feet.

Consider enlarging ventilation holes as needed.

i. Roof design and construction ii. Structural conditions iii. Fire conditions or effects of fire on the roof iv. Location of fire walls v. Location of existing roof openings (natural openings) vi. Location of heavy objects vii. Ventilation plan and needs

i. Know and understand the roof structure and roof coverings. ii. Plan cuts to minimize time on the roof. iii. PAR on and off the roof. iv. Maintain a secondary means of egress. v. Sound the roof before stepping on it. vi. Frequently sound the roof during roof operations. vii. Travel near the edges.

Maintain PAR on and off the roof to ensure safety.

Sound the roof before and during operations.

1. Appropriate saw(s)
2. Axe
3. Halligan
4. Hook/pike pole
5. TIC
6. Roof ladder(s)

i. Constantly evaluate the structural stability of the roof. ii. Complete adequate size vertical ventilation . iii. Provide progress reports to the Incident Commander. j. Upon successful completion of roof operations, all personnel shall vacate the roof.

i. 7-9-8 Cut for Flat roofs ii. Bay and Louver cuts for Pitch roofs

16 square feet (sf) in size (i.e., 4’ X 4’) and as close to or directly over the fire as safe operations permit.

skylights, scuttle hatches, elevator houses and other building ventilation attributes in order to minimize time on a roof.

1. A Kerf (plunge) cut
2. Inspection (triangular) hole xi. Advise the Incident Commander when the ventilation hole is opened. xii. Exit the roof as soon as ventilation is complete.