This might sound like a ridiculous question, but in my department there have been several structure fires that we have recently encountered with toungue and groove ceilings.  The problem arises when once the obvious fire has been put out and we are attempting to gain access into attic areas to deal with extension, nothing seem to be able to open the ceiling relatively easy.  We have used various hand tools and chainsaws.  The chainsaws work well provided there is not a heavy smoke environment.  If so the chainsaw continually chokes out due to not having proper air flow.  This all may sound silly, but it is a growing problem and we are looking for ways to improve our functionality on the fire ground.  Any help would be great.

He have an electric chainsaw for this type of situation.  Its not near as effective as a gas saw, but its better than beating your brains out with hand tools.

We use an electric chain saw as well, or a cordless saws all after a hole is made. Actually the electric chain saw is the way to go when working indoors, such as checking for extension etc. No fumes.

2 man pike pole. It also helps to find an area already breached, like a light fixture, and rip the ceiling down starting there.

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Kill your enemies and eat their children.
67C North Side Ninjas

A Capt. at my department has made a fitting to hook up to an oxygen bottle for use in such a situation. I believe he found how to make it on the internet. Not sure how it works either........ maybe thats why his lid is a different color than mine.

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To be the man, WOOOOOO, You've got to beat the man!! -"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair

sawzall

Find a couple of the crew members that's pissed off at their spouse, kids, chief, etc, and send them in w/ the hand tools.  It'll tire them out, probably make them forget what they were bitching/pissed off about.  I mean what firefighter doesn't love to distroy shit, just as much as they like making things better for the victims, and sometimes building things (at home and around the station).

Of course the chainsaw (gas, electric, etc) and/or power saw (electric, battery, etc) would be faster, and safer though.

A little side note:  If you ever have to cut a floor for whatever reason, try to remove the carpeting if there is any first when and if you have to use a chainsaw.  I saw a couple of idiots at a fire do it once (for whatever reason they were cutting the floor), and the chainsaw did NOT like that at all.  If my memory serves me correct, I think the saw ended up being at the chainsaw repair shop for a few wks after that.  Needless to say, the guys at the repair shop were thrilled, and Township Administration was to get the bill.

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"It's better to be pissed off, then pissed on!"

"Take care and stay safe everyone!"

Iron Curtain:

A Capt. at my department has made a fitting to hook up to an oxygen bottle for use in such a situation. I believe he found how to make it on the internet. Not sure how it works either........ maybe thats why his lid is a different color than mine.

 

O2 bottle or an air tank.  I'd think using high flow O2 for this to be a bit on the "Watch this shit!" side of the tactical spectrum.  Be interested if you could find a link or something.

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Drew Lyman,
"Dear Chief, much has happened since we talked last..."

nick b:

sawzall

Ditto... with a demo blade...

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I like being on B-shift.