I know there are alot of terracotta roofs in the south but we up along the shore area in N.J. they are poping up so i like to know how many Fire co. have sledgehammers on there ladder trucks we have a 5lber in the bucket to smash the tiles for a quicker vent job.or is there a better way to deal with this type of roof Thanks for all info.

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This could be an interesting comparison. The majority of houses where I live have tile roofs, either terracotta or concrete. As not all the rows are tied down, we simply slide and lift tiles out of the way. Quick and easy.
ahhh... the more softer kinder approach. I think that if you don't have to destroy things, then don't. Tony's observation that they simply move the tiles out of the way is akin to watching an engine company focused on using the Hurst tool to pry open a door while someone simply walks over to the other side of the vehicle and opens a door... I have a tile roof and just walking on them results in some of the tiles cracking, that's why I don't walk on my roof. The repair costs are in the thousands... Precision ventilation, minimizing further structural damage should be always be a tactical priority in conjunction with a solid interior attack and coordinated ventilation.
And isn't it fun climbing on an old tile roof to ventilate when the fire has been pretty hot? Crack, crack, crack, crack... You learn how to walk carefully!

Mike, in your area are all rows of tiles tied or only some?
Now wait a minute Mike.
Being a firefighter and NOT destroying something? Ya must be more injured than I thought. Besides, us elders have no business on the roof anyway. ;)
We telephone our fire reports through to HQ. I'm now being asked to give an estimate of how much of the damage done was due to firefighting actions... Over 70% of our funding comes from the insurance companies, which could explain that question!
Interesting. Does that mean you get more money, for less damage that you do? BTW, Mike and I are old school, and still believe in the principles of life safety, property conservation, then suppression. A lot of the younger bucks today are not happy unless they are tearing something up. Fortunately, we have very few tile roofs in my area.
Doesn't mean we get more money (unfortunately) but it does sit behind the qay we train and fight structure fires. We too stick very much to RECEO.
Typical Roof Components:


Standard Terracotta Roof Tile:


Typical Terracotta Roof Tile Installation Using Nail Gun:

The WAY we train. The WAY... Proof read Tony, proof read!
Thanks Mike. This shows up a huge difference. We don't have underlay beneath the battens.
Our method of simply sliding and lifting the tiles away isn't going to do anything for you. Construction differences between countries...
Wow two old dogs going at it i love being a old timer LOL Well Mike & oldman is it a safe way to do that do you have the time to lift and slide tiles like that i thought to vet asap is the main facter in venting a roof so the inside men can do there job Thanks to all for there input


Just to make sure that I am communicating clearly here... the initial ventilation hole that is going to be created... on a tile roof is going to have a couple (or more) broken tiles. Chillin' out, removing tile piece by piece isn't gunna' happen... Rapid ventilation in conjunction with interior attack team(s) is imperative toward quick extinguishment and minimizing interior damage(s). It's after you have the initial ventilation hole cut and you've vented the fire that you want to be a bit more careful, instead of creating further and unnecessary damage(s). ms

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