HydroVentEurope
The HydroVentEurope extinguishing and ventilation nozzle is an innovative firefighting tool based on the invention of American firefighter Kevin O'Donnell. It has been further developed to suit European conditions and creates a safer working environment for firefighters.
It is a complementary firefighting tool used in apartment fires. Apartment fires typically start in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces where the supply of combustion air is limited and where smoke and radiant heat have difficulty escaping. Examples of such fires include those occurring within a fire compartment, in basements, attics, or industrial halls. The product is placed along the lower edge of the window opening. With the extension pipe, the product can also be used to fight fires on the second floor from ground level.
Construction
1. Valve of the ventilation nozzle 2. Valve of the extinguishing nozzle 3. Ventilationnozzle 4. Extinguishingnozzle 5. Windowspike 6. Integrated window frame mounter / holder 7. Extension pipe 8. Lock 9. Closing strap to the valve of the extinguishing nozzle
Material: aluminium
Length: 2040 mm
Extension
pipelength: 1870 mm
Full length: 3910 mm
Weight: 12 kg
Operationpressure: 5-8 bar
Usageof water:
-Ventilation≈ 300 lpm
-Extinguishing≈ 130 lpm
Ventilationcapacity: ≈ 300 m3/min
Manufacturer: Oy KR Lift Ab
Function
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HydroVentEurope ventilates spaces using the ejector principle. The water flow from the ventilation nozzle creates a negative pressure in the ventilation opening, causing smoke gases to be drawn out of the fire compartment. Effective smoke ventilation requires that replacement air is provided to the areas being ventilated.
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The extinguishing nozzle supplies water to the fire compartment, cooling the fire gases and protecting the ventilation nozzle from the hot gases flowing out of the space.
Enclosed apartment fire
The temperature drops by 300 °C in 1 minute.
1. HydroVentEurope is placed in the window opening
2. Fire suppression attack
Open apartment fire
The temperature drops by 800 °C in 1 minute.
1. HydroVentEurope is placed in the window opening
2. Fire suppression attack
Operational safety
HydroVentEurope's uncontrolled movements are dangerous!
HydroVentEurope is a long pipe with a nozzle at the end. If the nozzle valve is opened without supporting the pipe, the recoil may cause an uncontrollable and dangerous movement.
Placement of HydroVentEurope in the window opening of the fire compartment
First floor: Stand by the window and broke it. Mount HydroVentEurope to the center of the window. Hold it towards the window frame while opening the ventilation valve.
Second floor: Stand by the window and broke it. Mount HydroVentEurope to the center of the window. Hold it towards the window frame while opening the ventilation valve.
The size of the ventilation hole can be 0.3-6 m2. If the ventilation hole is small. Position the HydroVentEurope so that the ventilation nozzle protrudes more from the window, this improves ventilation.
The closing strap is used to close the extinguishing valve when the extension pipe is used.
Usage example
The fire was lit to the room which was located upstairs in the house. The fire was able to strengthen until the whole upstairs (45 m²) was filled with smoke and flue gases. After that the HydroVentEurope was mounted to the room window frame. Compensation air was organized from the downstairs via opened front door. Temperature dropped about 120°C only in 15 seconds in room after start using the HydroVentEurope.
In the whole room was nearly clear visibility after 1 minute and 45 seconds. HydroVentEurope couldn't extinguish the lit fire but fire fighting pair had good circumstances to operate in the room. HydroVentEurope had removed heat, smoke, water vapor and flue gases from the lit room.
HydroVentEurope combined with extinguishing from the outside
HydroVentEurope is placed in a window opening on the upper floor to ventilate the space. Additional air enters through the small windows on the upper floor as well as through a window at the opposite end of the building. Water is sprayed in through the small window openings. After a short while, the color of the smoke changes from black to light gray. HydroVentEurope vents out the hot fire gases and cools them, while at the same time drawing in the water being sprayed from outside into the fire compartment.
Standard fire hose drill
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HydroVentEurope works best if you can use it simultaneously with smoke diving pair operating in the burning house. This means that the using of the HydroVentEurope had to begin a little before fire attack begins inside to the burning house. It is very important to do initial inquiry!
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In the picture above the crew leader inquires the target and finds that the initial fire is in a room on the right side of the house. Using the HydroVentEurope is very quick to put into the operation if the crew has been practiced it before. HydroVentEurope can also be commanded as a additional drill. It can be used for example to improve flue gases ventilation via smoke and heat exhaust vent in an industrial hall fire.
Water consumption
HydroVentEurope consumes approximately 450 l/min of water. It is therefore important to ensure additional water supply and that sufficient water is available. In practice, this means that the tanker truck is on site, or arrives very soon after firefighting operations have begun. When the initial fire has been extinguished and only ventilation is being performed, the nozzle valve can be throttled to reduce water consumption.