Why Do Firefighters Open The Roofs

In many instances firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish the fire.

Why do firefighters open the roofs.

Smoke is really nothing more than unburned fuel. When a hole is made in the roof because 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. 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.

By opening a large hole in the roof heat and smoke can quickly be removed from the structure. 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. By opening a large hole in the roof heat and smoke can quickly be removed from the structure. Unlike the movie versions of fires it is impossible for firefighters to see in such an environment.

This rapidly improves conditions inside the building hastening fire suppression. This rapidly improves conditions inside the building hastening fire suppression. Dangerous gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building. High temperature smoke is particularly dangerous.

When a hole is made in the roof dark smoke and dangerous superheated gases are able to escape because heat and smoke rise. Cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards allowing cooler air to enter the structure from below. If they didnt once the fire ate up all the oxygen it would lie in wait.