Here's a bit of insider information: with certain designs, the fan can produce some amazing airflow
numbers set pretty far back, which is great for marketing big numbers, but when positioned at more
realistic distances (closer in to the entry point) the performance of most ventilators is pretty much the
same, because most countries use standard door sizes in the construction of buildings. All our equipment
is rated at several different door sizes to guide your proper selection and to provide a better understanding
of the ventilators capabilities.
Every structure is different, every fire is dynamic, and every piece of rescue equipment must be ready for
anything. Therefore, the topic of "setback distance" needs to be addressed. The setback distance is simply
a general range of acceptable setback distances, that will provide the desired result of ventilating the
structure.
Sometimes structural entries have large approaches, where the ventilator can be setback farther, at
distances of 4 meters or more.
Sometimes a short approach, with stairs or a turn or in a hallway, confines the useable setback distance to
3 meters or less.
The point is, you don't always know, and in this line of work you have to be prepared for anything.
When selecting any equipment for your brigade, you should already know the typical structure types and
sizes in your response area. A ventilators size and performance should be chosen based upon the
following criteria:
1. What is the average size structure in your response area?
If mixed, for example, between small residential/commercial and a few larger industrial buildings,
several smaller fans may be a more realistic choice than a single giant fan that will take up
valuable space and is difficult to maneuver. Several smaller fans, used together, can produce
very impressive air movements and easily fit within the compact compartments of most modern
fire apparatus.
2. How big are your truck's compartments?
Saving space, and minimizing weight, are increasingly becoming concerns of brigades when
deciding which equipment to choose. Furthermore, budget cuts may force fire brigades to use
their current apparatus, more efficiently. That means, packing as much equipment as possible
into your existing truck. To do this, equipment must be lightweight and as compact as possible,
while still providing the performance needed to get the job done.
3. What do you expect from your ventilator?
While there are certain factors that can affect the airflow performance of a ventilator, considering
the challenging realities faced by first responders, there really are more important things to
consider when selecting equipment than which one has the highest airflow performance in a
controlled test environment.
- Reliability:Which ventilator will keep on working after running the gauntlet on fire scene
operations for the next 3 years or more?
- Durability: Which ventilator is tough enough to start right up after the new rookie drops it
out of the rear compartment?
- Performance: Which ventilator will provide superior performance at every ventilation-
required scene in your response area?
10.2 Shared Operation Zone
