English / USA

Roof-Venting

Fire and rescue departments in North America frequently engage in the practice of "roof-venting" structures involved in fires to help evacuate penned-up heat and smoke by sawing vent openings into the top layer of a building.

Roof-venting usually means physically placing one or more fire fighters on or near the roof of a structure, that may still be burning and forcing openings either manually or with a power tool. There are several ways to make such an opening, but many, if not most, run counter to standard safe and sound operating principles for handheld power equipment, primarily due to insecure footing.

!Warning!

STIHL does not generally recommend this practice due to the many variables the fire/rescue service may encounter in the field, e.g. steeply sloped roofs, low- grip conditions such as ice/snow, the close proximity of bystanders (including other fire fighters), weakened structural integrity, etc.

!Warning!

Roof venting is extremely dangerous and should be conducted only by specially trained personnel in accordance with all local, state and federal rules and regulations. In addition, in order to reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury, always observe the following precautions. Never attempt

to operate any Rescue Saw when you are not in a secure position, allowing you to safely hold the saw with both hands. Never use a Rescue Saw while standing on an unsecure and/or unstable ladder. Such ladders may fall, slide or collapse. Never use a Rescue Saw on a roof unless you are certain that it is structurally sound and secure footing is provided. Avoid cutting through rafters that will weaken the roof support and standing on surfaces that will be weakened by the cut. The frequently used pre-fab roof trusses held together by nail-plates are particularly subject to rapid weakening when exposed to the heat of a fire. Sometimes, a moveable platform unattached to the structure, such as the basket of an aerial truck, may be the only means to provide the necessary adequate footing and the freedom to use both hands to operate the saw.

001BA031 KN

!Warning!

Never work on any insecure support. Never use the saw above shoulder height. Never work in a tree unless you have received specific, professional training for such work, are properly secured (such as tackle and harness system or a lift bucket), have both hands free for operating the chainsaw in a cramped environment and have taken proper precautions to avoid injury from falling limbs or branches.

Rescue Saw

15