Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

Using simple fans, a structure can be slightly pressurized to provide rapid and effective removal of heat, smoke and toxic gases - this technique is known as positive pressure ventilation (PPV). Both laboratory and live fire tests clearly demonstrate the possible benefits of using PPV during fire attack to include saving lives, reducing property damage and minimizing long-term adverse health effects for firefighters. Training and practice are required in order to use PPV techniques effectively. Unfortunately, live fire PPV training and practice is dangerous, expensive and not environmentally benign. As positive pressure ventilation becomes more widely used in the fire service, creative techniques for research and training in PPV are desirable. A simulation method for PPV has been under development at the University of Central Florida's Two-Phase Flow and Heat Transfer Laboratories. This method is an inexpensive, non-destructive means of educating and training firefighters to use PPV and has been shown, under certain conditions, to be an accurate reproduction of the events occurring during actual live fires.