Positive Pressure Ventilation

1. Positive Pressure Ventilation Service Learning, Career Exploration, Personal Growth Student Name Teacher, Class Period

2. I chose this topic because positive pressure ventilation is a relatively new process and is often misunderstood, misused, or even not used at all. I feel that if more awareness is made about it, then it can help make life much easier at a fire scene. • Thesis Statement: Positive pressure ventilation, which is an extensive process, has more advantages than disadvantages.

3. Positive Pressure Ventilation Background • Positive pressure is a form of ventilation used on a structure fire for room-and-content type fires. If used properly, it will drastically improve conditions inside the building for personnel assigned to interior attack by forcing cool, clean air in through and opening and the heat and smoke out through a second opening.

4. Process • Openings on structure • “Cone of air” • Pressure in the building • Number of fans • Three phases of PPV: • 1: after fire is controlled • 2: clear smoky areas not containing fire • 3: preceding fire attack

5. Advantages • VS vertical ventilation • Used at entrance • Structural damage • Bad air out, good air in • Vertically or horizontally • No entry necessary • Temperature/visibility • Redirection of smoke/heat • More efficient

6. Disadvantages • If not done properly • Few though devastating • Bad movement of smoke (victims) • Oxygen • Timing

7. Conclusion • In conclusion, positive pressure ventilation is a tedious process and has many advantages. Though there are few, the disadvantages can be catastrophic. • I learned that it is one of the more simpler forms of ventilation but is rapid and helpful when done correctly.