POSITIVE PRESSURE FANS SELECTION GUIDE
It is probably undisputed that there are some questions regarding the use of battery-powered positive pressure ventilators. We at Vogt-CTE and BLOWHARD would like to shed some light on these questions.
Fulfills DIN 14963
BlowHard firefighting ventilators have been tested and comply with the new DIN 14963 standard for portable ventilation equipment.
Quickee – DIN14963-EM-A-1-1
Commando –DIN14963-EM-A-2-1
WHY BLOWHARD?
You can get all the essential information at a glance in our new presentation. And if you still have a question or would like a trial, just give us a call…
THE PRODUCT BENEFITS
Battery life is important because the decision should be yours when to stop using it. Blowhard relies on integrated batteries as they promise lossless power transfer, longer runtime and longer life than is possible with replaceable batteries. The integrated technology allows, in addition to a temperature management of the batteries, the IP 67 standard (dustproof & waterproof) and is therefore also ideally suited for tough applications.
Power without control is useless. Even the highest technical values are of no use if it does not arrive and can not be used at the place of operation. The BLOWHARD High-Flow-Jet airflow management system smartly turns the already high performance values of BLOWHARD fans into an unbeatable helper in fire management.
The blowhard fan design allows you to continuously tilt the airflow up to 180 degrees. This freedom allows for a wide range of tactical settings and arrangements at the scene, giving you effective and safe PPV ventilation.
Blowhard devices are designed to be quickly and effectively put into action. In this regard, the weight and volume of the PPV fans play a key role for rescuers. The devices are light enough to be brought to the scene even by a single person.
Blowhard products are built for use in the harshest conditions on site. Despite the lightness of the devices, no compromises are made on the solid construction. The devices are suitable for many years of use in the harshest conditions.
The basis of a good fan is good performance values. Not only the battery, the motor and the electronics used are decisive, but also the flow design of the fan unit, such as the rotor blades and their number, as well as the design of the air grille and much more.
Every second counts at the scene of a fire. Both for the fire scene and for rescuers, as well as for the possible victims. Equipment that supports this rescue must therefore be ready for use quickly. The concentration should be on the operation and the tactics of the operation and not in setting up the equipment. Blowhard ventilators are built in such a way that anyone can set them up quickly at the scene of an emergency, even without explanation. No matter whether professional fire department or volunteer fire department.
Stand in place, start the positive pressure ventilator and give full attention to the scene. The operability of the equipment must not be a mystery. Electronic “gimmicks” are of little use, because the concentration should be on the operation and the operation tactics and not in the operation of the equipment. Even without technical training, the equipment must be easy to operate. Regardless of whether it is a professional fire department or a volunteer fire department.
Blowhard PPV positive pressure ventilators are designed for low operating costs. On the one hand, the units offer very high mechanical quality combined with very long service life even in tough applications. Spare parts availability and corresponding warranty plans further reduce operating costs. Components of the highest quality are installed, such as the most modern and reliable battery technology. So that rescuers do not experience any surprises.
Simply safer and faster to the fire scene with battery-powered PPV positive pressure ventilators
Just a few years ago, it was unthinkable to use positive pressure ventilators in a fire. The concerns about adding fuel to the fire were too great. At best, positive pressure ventilators were used to clear the scene of smoke after extinguishing the fire. The acceptance of positive pressure ventilators in strategic and tactical firefighting operations was, depending on the market, rather low.
Just a few years and many important experiences later, the picture has changed in many countries. The strategic and tactical use of high-performance ventilators is now well established, as the safety of first responders increases and the sources of fires can be better localized. A faster extinguishing operation is possible, which subsequently means more safety for the firefighter and the material.
And the development in the positive pressure ventilator sector continues. Thanks to their low weight, high performance and compact design, battery-powered PPV positive pressure ventilators are now ready for use even faster and more effectively than gasoline-powered or corded positive pressure ventilators. As a result, many fire departments are looking at replacing their existing positive pressure ventilators with new battery-powered high-capacity ventilators, sometimes allowing the deployment of an entire fleet of positive pressure ventilators for strategic fire operations. In other words, more positive pressure ventilators in the same vehicle space as before. Battery-powered fans are thus much faster to set up than conventional fans. This has the effect of allowing firefighters to enter a building more quickly. It is probably undeniable that there are some questions regarding the use of battery fans. We at Vogt-CTE and BLOWHARD would like to shed some light on these issues.
1: Due to positive pressure ventilators it is not necessary to change the rescue tactics
As described, more and more firefighting operations are being carried out with the aid of one or, even better, several positive pressure ventilators. The advantages: rapid operational readiness, clearer visibility at the source of the fire, and cooling and safety of the firefighters far outweigh a somewhat accelerated fire. Putting a positive pressure ventilator in front of the door and not adapting the tactics to it does not work as a rule. The use of high-pressure ventilators requires a strategy and tactics adapted to the entire rescue operation. The strategic and tactical use of high-performance fans must be trained and practiced as a team. As a rule, there are fire rescuers assigned to the team for this purpose, and the responsibility lies with the incident command.
2: The positive pressure fan does not matter. The main thing is that it blows sufficiently strong
We now know that the proper strategic and tactical use of positive pressure ventilation is very important for the added success and safety that positive pressure ventilation should bring. But the best strategy and tactics are of little use if positive pressure ventilator technology is used that is not optimally tailored to firefighting operations.
The best way to explain it is in terms of airflow, the quality of which is of central importance at the scene. The efficiency of the airflow determines what positive pressure ventilator performance is able to penetrate to the source of the fire. In this respect, a PPV positive pressure ventilator has to perform quite differently from conventional positive pressure ventilators. A good example of this is Blowhard’s High-Flow-Jet technology, which allows a concentrated air flow. To be compared with a laser in light. The shape and efficiency of the rotor blades is also crucial to the quality of an effective airflow. Only with the optimal technology is it possible to achieve different variants, such as blowing in or exhausting, or covering or not covering door lintels.
And ultimately, it has an impact on battery performance and service life. Inefficient airflow or rotor blades that are too large also mean a battery that is drained sooner. Or just more weight and volume that has to be moved because the battery has to be bigger. So, many people can build overpressure ventilators, and they can do it in an appealingly short development time. But only a few can develop a tool for rescue operations to meet the needs of rescuers.
3: Positive pressure ventilators with gasoline are the better choice in case of doubt
Classic gasoline-powered positive pressure ventilators have several advantages. One of the most important is their unlimited running time, provided that there is enough gasoline at the site. But there are also significant disadvantages. First of all, the weight plays a decisive role, as does the space required on the emergency vehicle. Which, as we know, can never be generous enough.
On the one hand, the heavy weight of a gasoline unit slows down operations, and far fewer positive pressure ventilators can be stowed on the emergency vehicle. In addition, the adjustment of the inclination of the air flow is often limited by the combustion engine. Further negative points are the handling of fire-hazardous operating materials in the vicinity of a fire source and also the additional environmental pollution and personnel exposure due to exhaust fumes during operation, which are sometimes associated with this.
The gasoline fan is therefore not always the first and best choice at the scene of the fire. If you want to use the overpressure fan under full load – in the sense of “a lot helps a lot” – for as long as possible, gasoline fans will of course help you. However, it is more advisable to use the ventilator in a smart way than in a power-sapping way. It’s always safer and gentler on women, men, materials and the environment.
4: The battery runtime under full load is not enough
Aside from the fact that battery fan runtime is almost always sufficient, as we’ve read, there are many other factors that are more critical to your firefighting success than concern about battery runtime.
But yes. Batteries can drain. The battery only provides power for a limited time. In almost all cases, this power is designed to be absolutely sufficient, as a fire should also be extinguished after an appropriate amount of time. Nevertheless, there are some things you can do when dealing with a battery fan. First of all, it should be clarified whether it needs the continuous and full power of the fan or whether the power can be reduced in certain phases of the fire in order to maintain the overpressures at the fire scene. Pure wind speed and air pressure must be distinguished from each other. Manufacturers of professional high-performance fans offer appropriate training courses where this expertise can be acquired. Again, it is advisable to plan the tactical use of positive pressure ventilators in detail and to train the emergency forces and the incident commanders.
The use of spare batteries, it seems obvious, would be an alternative. However, this is almost never practiced in the field and is correspondingly susceptible in the electrical connections. Dirt, water and soot are addressed here. Plug-in connections sometimes tend to dissipate power, which has a negative impact on operating times. Charging during operation is also something you should check very carefully. Many overpressure fans reduce their performance during charging. It would therefore make more sense to have a wired operation at full power.
Accordingly, an integrated battery, ease of use and a smart usage plan will benefit you more than pure power and performance. In addition, it is recommended to always treat your batteries with care and to take care of your health. Once not to mention checking what quality of batteries has been installed. In the case of a Blowhard fan, this care is ensured by built-in electronics without any hassle for you.
5: Technology and electronics make rescue operations more efficient
Basically, we humans always function in a similar way. Something that is heavy and clunky is less likely to be used than small, light and yet solid products. If you don’t use complex products every day, you can’t operate them safely. Therefore, it can be said that ease of use, quick usability and unconditional reliability are key drivers behind functioning and popular rescue equipment.
Buy the right one. Any “gimmick” you think you need can be forgotten or not work in the rush of deployment. During a mission, simple and safe operation is what matters. Everything else is theory and is rarely or never needed. At the operation site only one thing is important. The speed, simplicity and ease with which the device can be brought to the scene. And, of course, that it works permanently and reliably.
Battery-powered fans make your deployment safer and faster. There are no tripping accidents over cables and no problems with fire-hazardous liquids. Battery-powered fans can usually be brought to the scene by one person, and on the vehicle there is usually room for 2 positive pressure fans in the space of a gasoline-powered fan. And they can be charged on the emergency vehicle and this completely without space-consuming additional chargers and with additional cables.
Blowhard makes the lives of rescuers easier and safer. Blowhard is designed for uncompromising use by professionals and heroes. No “gimmicks” and no false promises. Uncompromising, reliable and robust. Vogt-CTE supplies products from Blowhard Fans one of the first suppliers to consistently rely on battery technology.
- Vogt-CTE GmbH
- Erlenauweg 17
- 3110 Münsingen - Switzerland
- info@vogt-cte.com
- +41 33 223 72 12
