Taming the flames and controlling oxygen are what you do as a firefighter. And to perform these maneuvers, help victims get to safety and minimize damage, you have a number of tools and methods at your disposal. Among them, your department likely has a fire fan or blower based on the principles of positive pressure ventilation (PPV).

Although other systems remain in use, PPV fans are some of the most common. Understand how they work and support your operations, and what Fire Safety USA offers.

What Is a Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan?

PPV fans don't just blow air around. They draw it into a structure to increase the amount of interior pressure present. From here, the interior air is forced to a lower-pressure outside area through a window or another opening.

In conjunction with other methods, PPV fans control potentially hazardous interior conditions: In addition to diverting heat and lowering temperature, the resulting pressurization causes smoke and toxic gases to exit a structure.

For a general picture of their use:

• PPV fans have an output of 7,000-24,000 cfm, with larger blades providing more power. Operation ranges from a single power output to controls for adjusting speed and flow rate.
• PPV fans use either gasoline or battery power, with the latter built to draw a current from existing sources.
• Departments typically deploy this tactic for larger structures, including commercial and industrial buildings, high rises, underground locations, aircraft and maritime fires and confined spaces.
• No matter where they're used, PPV fans maximize and direct airflow to openings like windows and doors and bring in cooler, cleaner air from the outdoors.
• Fire fans are usually mobile or may be mounted onto a fire truck or another rescue vehicle.

Prior to the introduction of PPV fans in the 1990s, negative pressure fans were the standard and remain in use for select applications: for example, confined structures with only one opening.

Order Fire Fans From Fire Safety USA

Whether you're replacing an existing positive pressure ventilation fan, upgrading to an adjustable system or retaining a negative pressure solution among your lineup, Fire Safety USA anticipates your team's needs with quality, affordably priced equipment. Browse all fire fans now before placing an order online, through our call center or via our direct fax line.