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Anyone seen or used these at a fire?
A recent building familiarization tour with my truck company yielded these pre-engineered smoke vents. They are spring loaded on a fusible link so they can automatically activate to reduce heat and gases by themselves. They do have a manual release mechanism for a manual activation. Warning: the hatches are hinged on the sides so they spring open from the center. Therefore never place your body over the top of the hatch when activating the handle. I suggest using a pike pole to extend your reach.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
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I've never seen these before. My first reaction was, "Why didn't I think of that?"
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Permalink Reply by Ron King (Fire Chief) on
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Never seen these. What a great idea.
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Permalink Reply by 55 TRUCK on
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I have seen them on a few buildings in the city. I have not had a fire in a building equipped with them.
It is possible that other companies and or other shifts have had a fire in a building with these vents.
Come to think of it, even if a building had them that I was on. I wouldn't know it, being that I am an engine man. I am inside fighting the fire while the Truck guys are on the roof.
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Permalink Reply by captnjak on
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Just curious:
New construction or retro-fit?
What was occupancy type?
How many were there?
Heard of them; never seen them.
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Permalink Reply by Moose on
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I have seen different variations of these in my area yes.
The first thing I see though is two of our firefighters knocking themselves unconcious after pulling the handle...lol
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One was a high school they had 4. There were 2 on a new construction and a retrofit of 3 on another. If my recall serves me well.
two of the buildings were large warehouses with offices. The retro was a old mill type building that had been renovated with a add on section. It housed offices.
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Permalink Reply by Derek J Sinesi on
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I have seen these. We have one at the senior housing and one at the school. Both are over the elevators. So if you pop one or come across one don't step in. It could be your last step.
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Permalink Reply by Jim Conrad on
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Are these things for real or are you guys just yanking my chain? How do you keep the rascals from pulling the rope and letting all the snow and rain in?
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Permalink Reply by Brian Mulroy on
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As being in the commercial construction industry along with the fire service, I will say I have seen them installed (not that exact type) but I have never seen them used for real. I have seen them operate at inspections of new buildings but never for the intended purpose. The ones that I have installed on buildings are a bit different, they do not have the manual pull rope like that, it is basically a lever like is used on truck boxes. Keeps the critters from pulling the rope, but obviously not the interested facility maintenance staff!! Mostly installed on warehouses, or dorm type facilty at least for me.
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Permalink Reply by FETC on
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Thanks guys for the replies. This was on the roof of a new university building. I have seen them in my district for about 5 years now. All new big box stores have them. Home Depot, Wally World, Target and the large grocery stores have at least twenty of them on their roofs. Like others have said, in different styles and configurations but all work the same.
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