Why Do Firefighters Open The Roof

One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic.

Why do firefighters open the roof. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof cut holes to access the attic and stop the fire from spreading through the attic. As a former volunteer firefighter i feel like i can speak on this. It s usually done on the side of the house that is most engulfed so as to not spread the fire by letting new oxygen in. Please follow and like us.

If they didnt once the fire ate up all the oxygen it would lie in wait until fresh air came in when the firefighter entered and it would almost literally explode with new flames and heat so to speak aka backdraft. When there is a fire in a building it is often necessary to cut a hole in the roof to ventilate. Gaining access to the roof for this operation should begin from a well supported area of the roof preferably from the opposite side of a fire wall or other substantial separation. When firefighters vent a structure fire it s like the other posters said to release built up smoke and carbon as a way to prevent a back draft situation.

Why do firefighters cut a hole in the roof. In many instances firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish the fire. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly. Heat and smoke rise so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards allowing cool air to enter.

With a fire in the attic space and crews working on the roof collapse may occur earlier than the test results indicate. Fire in a building creates a tremendous amount of heat and smoke. Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly.

For the fire service the data gained from these four scientific. Firefighters may get ahead of the fire on a roof and cut holes to access the attic to stop the fire from spreading through the attic. Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed.