When ventilating a building, which type of ventilation can a firefighter use?

Mechanical ventilation involves the use of tools and equipment to enhance airflow within a structure, especially during firefighting operations. This method is critical in controlling smoke and heat, improving visibility and access, and facilitating the safe evacuation of occupants. Firefighters may deploy fans or exhaust systems to actively push out smoke and toxic gases or bring in fresh air, thus creating a safer environment for rescue and fire suppression efforts.

While other methods like natural ventilation depend on natural atmospheric conditions to allow air movement through open windows or doors, mechanical ventilation is often preferred in emergency situations where control over airflow is vital. Positive pressure ventilation uses fans to introduce fresh air into a structure, while negative pressure ventilation removes air from it. However, the term 'mechanical ventilation' broadly encompasses both positive and negative pressure strategies, indicating the range of mechanical methods firefighters can utilize to manage and improve interior conditions during a fire response.