What is the purpose of negative ventilation in a fire?

Negative ventilation in a fire scenario is primarily utilized to remove air from the affected space. The process involves creating a pressure differential by exhausting air from the area, resulting in a negative pressure environment. This decrease in air pressure prevents further oxygen from entering the fire zone, thereby depriving the fire of one of its essential elements—oxygen—which can help to mitigate its intensity.

Removing air from the space also assists in controlling the movement of smoke and toxic gases, thereby improving the conditions for firefighting operations and potentially reducing the spread of harmful smoke to other areas. Implementing negative ventilation strategically can be an effective tool for fire control and damage mitigation.

This understanding is crucial for effective damage control and firefighting efforts, highlighting the importance of air management in fire scenarios.