Basic Firefighter Written Practice Exam

What ventilation technique uses a high-volume fan to create a slightly higher pressure inside a building?

1. Negative Pressure

2. Positive Pressure

3. Evacuative Ventilation

4. Controlled Ventilation

The correct answer is: Positive Pressure

The correct answer is positive pressure ventilation. This technique involves using a high-volume fan to push fresh air into a building, creating a pressure differential that results in slightly higher pressure inside the structure compared to the outside. This increase in pressure helps to control smoke and heat during firefighting operations by forcing these elements out of the building through any available openings or ventilation points. This method is particularly effective in improving visibility and reducing the dangers that smoke and heat pose to both firefighters and any occupants within the building, while also aiding in the overall firefighting efforts. In contrast, negative pressure ventilation involves creating a vacuum inside the building, drawing air and smoke out rather than pushing clean air in. Evacuative ventilation typically refers to methods designed to remove smoke and heat from a structure but does not specifically involve creating a higher internal pressure. Controlled ventilation refers more broadly to managing airflow within a structure but does not specifically imply the use of high-volume fans to increase pressure. Therefore, the nuances of these techniques highlight why positive pressure ventilation is the most suitable answer to the question.