The Milwaukee vertical ventilation cut, which was invented by members of the Milwaukee Fire Department, involves using dual roof ladders in the process of producing the ventilation hole. Louver cuts then assist with opening up and removing the roof materials in the effort to obtain efficient lift.Īfter the the process of cutting the louvers is complete, the cutting member returns the chainsaw to the aerial, and the second member uses a long pike pole to ensure that all of the sheetrock is punched down, to allow for vertical rise. The cutting member makes a triangular cut, with the peak of the triangle positioned toward the peak of the roof: two angled cuts that meet at the peak of the triangle, followed by two cuts to make the bottom of the triangle. If the cutting member is unable to reach to make a rectangular cut, the next best option is a triangular cut. Given that the cutting member is tethered to the aerial and won’t have the range of motion that’s typical on a flatter roof, the cut sequence and the hole type might need to be adapted. In this case, it’s absolutely essential that the second member remains with a firm handhold on the cutting member so that the cutting member doesn’t fall off as cuts are made. Note: If a ladder belt that has a long attachment isn’t available, the member of the crew who is doing the cutting can position with one foot on the edge of the aerial device and one foot on the roof. This allows the cutting member to lean out away from the aerial and over the roof to operate the saw. Once the aerial is in place, the cutting member tethers him/herself to the ladder tip, platform or bucket via a ladder belt that has a long attachment. Once the aerial device is positioned and ready, the crew should position the ladder tip or bottom of the platform or bucket within several inches of the roof near to where the vent hole is desired.Ī crew only should operate with the ladder tip in a supported position when the apparatus manufacturer’s operating instructions and department standard operating guidelines allow for it. A truck crew and/or the crew that will make the cut must go up with a plan for hole type, cut sequence and how it will cut off of the aerial. However, heading up on the aerial isn’t the time to consider how to vent from the aerial. In this case, you might elect to vent off of an aerial ladder, platform or bucket if it’s available. Often, a roof might be so steep that operating on it, even with a roof ladder, simply isn’t an option. Thus, you must know how to switch tactics when you encounter a steeply pitched roof. The typical 4 x 4-foot and 4 x 8-foot square andġ-2-3-4 cut sequence that are the staples of roof ventilation very often aren’t applicable on steep roofs. This can be the difference in the interior crews being able to make the push or having to back out. However, when the roof pitch goes from flat or shallow to steep, which produces a situation where members can’t maneuver or walk easily, the comfort level of many firefighters and officers can wane, and the ventilation that’s needed often is forgone. Vertical ventilation is a critical benchmark of many departments’ fireground operations for residential and commercial occupancies.
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