SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
One and Two Story Dwellings
In most situations, one and two story dwellings can be adequately ventilated through windows. There is
usually no need to vent through either natural or forced roof openings unless the fire is in the attic.
Ventilation can be supported through positive pressure blowers.
A. One Story Dwellings
In a single-story dwelling, Ladder/Truck crews should open or remove windows close to the fire,
while the Engine crews begin fire attack.
Ladder/Truck crews should then enter the dwelling to search for victims and check for fire
extension. At that time, they should open the other windows to complete the ventilation. The attic
or cockloft should be checked for fire spread, especially in the area directly above the fire
B. Two Story Dwellings
If the fire is on the first floor, the first-floor windows closest to the fire should be opened
immediately. The second floor should also be vented and a search for victims and fire extension
begun as soon as Truck crews can enter the dwelling.
If the fire is on the second floor, that floor must be vented first. Where possible, the fire floor
should also be vented from the inside.
The attic or cockloft should be entered, checked for fire, and vented if necessary. This is especially
important where units of a two-family dwelling are side by side, since such dwellings often
contain a single common attic across which fire can also spread from one unit to the other. Since
fire can also spread through the (usually flimsy) dividing wall between side-by-side units, this too
should be carefully checked along its full length and height.
C. Attic Fires
A working fire in an attic should be attacked from within the building. To aid Engine Companies,
Ladder/Truck crews must ventilate the attic. If there is a window at each end of the attic, both
windows should be opened or removed from outside. If an attic has no windows, it may have
built-in louvers at each end for normal ventilation. These are usually located under the peak of the
roof and can be removed to accelerate venting. If necessary for adequate venting, the roof should
be opened at or near the hot spot.
D. Basement Fires
A basement should be ventilated through all available basement openings. In addition, the first
floor should be thoroughly vented.
By also venting the first floor, Truck crews will aid Engine personnel in positioning their lines and
advancing them to the basement.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 208
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley