Evaluating the impact of ventilation configurations after fire suppression on temperature,visibility,and carbon monoxide levels at different heights in a firefighter training environment with training fuels

Abstract

This study analyzes post-suppression ventilation strategies in a simulated 70 m² residential unit within a firefighter training environment, utilizing training fuels. It compares five tactical approaches: ventilation-controlled, ventilation by using thermal buoyancy, positive pressure ventilation (PPV), and hydraulic ventilation with single and dual openings. Results demonstrate that tactical ventilation significantly outperformed ventilation-controlled strategies. While positive pressure ventilation achieved superior temperature reduction (25.49% at 1.7 m height), it caused temporary CO increases and visibility loss due to turbulence. Hydraulic ventilation with dual openings proved most effective overall, delivering the highest visibility category and 44.71% CO reduction while maintaining clear smoke extraction. These findings offer evidence-based guidance for fire services to refine their post-suppression protocols, ultimately enhancing firefighter safety and improving survival outcomes in residential fires.