P
OSITIVE
P
RESSURE
V
ENTILATION
F
ANS
7
Step 5. Rock the fan onto the two retracted legs.
Step 6. Loosen the leg lock handle on the extended leg, retract the leg, and then
retighten the leg lock handle.
Videos showing how to extend and retract the legs on a V
ENTRY
F
AN
can be seen on
ventry.com.
HOW TO USE POSITIVE PRESSURE VENTILATION
PPV The Basics
Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is a powerful tool for firefighting but, like a double-
edged sword, it can cut both ways. Training and careful planning are essential if PPV is
going to work to its full potential. Remember the basic fire triangle (heat, air, fuel). PPV
reduces the temperature by displacing the hot flammable gasses, but it also provides
the fire with an abundant source of oxygen. Timing is the key: have everything ready for
the initial attack before positive pressure is used. The size-up needs to be done,
incident command needs to develop a plan which uses an aggressive initial attack, lines
need to be setup and charged, and firefighters in SBA’s need to be ready to attack the
fire seat.
Use PPV to blow the heat and smoke out of the structure, then get in and put the fire
out before the increase in oxygen has a chance to let the fire flair up. Figure 16 is a
simple example of the fan's proper use.
Figure 14. Step 5
Figure 15. Step 6
