Why Do Firefighters Open The Roof

Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed.

Why do firefighters open the roof.

If they didnt once the fire ate up all the oxygen it would lie in wait. However many old american lafrance trucks have only a windshield and no roof. By opening a large hole in the roof heat and smoke can quickly be removed from the structure. By cutting the hole and letting the fire escape upward out of the building it does not spread horizontally and you can get water onto the fire which you.

This rapidly improves conditions inside the building hastening fire suppression. One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. It also reduces the possibilities of a backdraft explosion and flashover. By opening a large hole in the roof heat and smoke can quickly be removed from the structure.

Heat and smoke rise so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in planned locations force smoke to vent upwards allowing cool air to enter the building from below. High temperature smoke is particularly dangerous. Before he goes in they put a hole in the roof so that once air comes in the fire and smoke and heat goi es out the roof. In many instances firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish the fire.

Now all fire trucks have a driving cab that is totally enclosed by a roof and doors. However internal building fires create a lot of heat and smoke and firefighters must remove the heat and smoke before they can get close enough to put out the fire. This rapidly improves conditions inside the building hastening fire suppression. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly.

When a hole is made in the roof dark smoke and dangerous superheated gases are able to escape because heat and smoke rise. Smoke is really nothing more than unburned fuel. When there is a fire in a building it is often necessary to cut a hole in the roof to ventilate. When a hole is made in the roof and the building is vented the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise.

Fire and heat rise so if there is no hole in the roof or place for the fire and heat to escape it spreads horizontally within the building causing the full building to be involved in fire until the fire burns through the roof for ventilation. Almost all of the constituents of smoke are combustible. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft and flashover. I have searched online extensively and found nearly zero information as to why a firefighter would not want more protection over their heads both on route and on scene at a fire.

It increases the victim s chance for survival and makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see.