Truck Operations›Commercial Roof Ops

Official evolution · ADO-Aerial Task Book · September 2024

1.2 — Commercial Roof Operation

Perform vertical ventilation and cut a heat hole on commercial flat roof

3 man roof team — required staffing for this evolution. Any steep-pitch commercial roof is run as a commercial operation, not as steep pitch residential. Task book skill sheet 1.2 · Truck Manual p.46 (“steep pitch residential and commercial roofs: 3 members minimum,” read per crew ruling SR-4) · crew ruling 2026-08-29

Sections

SETUP

S1

Truck company may use flat roof prop to simulate operation as a three man roof team.

S2

Engineer will verbalize placement of primary ladder and Tailboard/Tillerman will verbalize location of secondary ladder.

S3

Engineer will lead the vent operation with a Tailboard/Tillerman firefighter and Captain.

S4

The Officer/Engineer will complete the drill record and ensure that the evolution is performed within a reasonable time once familiarity has been established.

ON-ARRIVAL

1

Correct positioning of truck for operation. Using the Aerial device as our primary ladder should be our default for commercial buildings.

Why the aerial is the default & source
“Commercial Buildings: All commercial buildings should be laddered with the aerial ladder as the primary ladder when roof operations are being performed. While it may seem easy to ladder a one-story commercial with a ground ladder it will not be easy to get that crew off the roof in a timely manner should the need arise. In addition the angle of the aerial ladder will be much easier to ascend and descend with tools.”

The manual states it without exception; the task book states it as a default. Ruled: published as the default. The Aerial is the strongest and safest one-man ladder throw the fire department has.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1 — Section 6, Apparatus Positioning, p.144 (“Other considerations — Commercial Buildings”) · Section 5, Rig to Roof, p.47 · crew ruling R-42, 2026-08-29

Spotting the truck — the four considerations

Positioning an aerial apparatus breaks down into four basic considerations:

  1. Uninvolved to Involved — spot the ladder to create distance between where the fire is and where it will be going. Crews going to the roof need time to assess and ventilate, and this sets up protection of uninvolved portions if aerial master streams are anticipated
  2. Corners — the “offside” corner is where we aim to place the aerial when going to the roof. Just a few feet off the corner allows two ways on and off the ladder — handy if crews need to exit the roof in a hurry
  3. Inside vs. Outside — an outside spot lets Engine companies position closer to the building underneath the Truck’s ladder, gets the waterway out of the way, produces a better climbing angle for crews going to the roof, and sets up aerial master stream operations should the need arise. An inside spot means needing a longer throw (building height or a long setback)
  4. Pull Past / Stop Short — pulling past can allow aerial placement where needed and lets ground ladders be pulled out right in front of the structure quickly, for primary or secondary access/egress. Stopping short might be needed for aerial placement

Second-due Trucks place their ladders to the roof if the first Truck is performing roof operations (as long as there isn’t an imminent need for a Rescue with their aerial) — attempting the opposite “offside” corner, with secondary ladders on their side of the building.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1 — Section 6, Apparatus Positioning: the four considerations p.143 · Second Due Trucks p.144

2

Primary ladder thrown to correct location

Why & source

The primary ladder is thrown to the off-side corner — this trades space for time and gives an opportunity to perform diagnostic work prior to committing over the fire. Placing the ladder just a few feet off the corner allows two ways on and off.

“The tip of the ladder should ‘kiss’ the roof with both beams. This takes the bounce out of the ladder and is much safer to maneuver up and down with tools. Stay away from placing the egress section on the roof and opt to place the beams on instead.”

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1 — off-side corner and trading space for time p.47 (Rig to Roof) · the “kiss the roof” quote p.143 (Section 6 — Corners)

3

Secondary ladder through to correct location

Source note

Printed as shown — “through” appears where “thrown” is meant (compare 1.1 step 2, “Primary ladder thrown to correct location”). Transcribed verbatim.

ADO-Aerial Task Book, September 2024, skill sheet 1.2

Why & source

Placement: halfway between the primary ladder and the fire, on the fire side wall. Ideally every member of the roof team passes the secondary on their way to the fire. Exception — very small buildings: laddering 2 corners might prove more beneficial.

“On a commercial roof operation the Tillerman is responsible for throwing the secondary ladder while the Captain is assisting the Engineer in stabilizing the Truck.”

That assignment is an example of how the roles are commonly filled — pages assign by role, and only Engineer = Lead Saw is fixed.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.47 (Rig to Roof) · role ruling SR-5, 2026-08-29

4

Saws started on turntable or ground

Source note

This is the only place in the aerial task book that permits starting saws on the turntable rather than the ground — a flat-roof / aerial-access allowance.

ADO-Aerial Task Book, September 2024, skill sheet 1.2

5

Mask up before climbing ladder

STOP — BEFORE ANY WORK ON THE ROOF

Treat the roof as lightweight until the inspection hole proves otherwise.

Inspection holes are an absolute on all commercial roofs. At no time should we be walking where we haven’t sounded. Cross country walking across the roof is extremely dangerous and should not be done at any time. The Engineer does not step onto a commercial roof until it has been sounded for him.

Treat as lightweight: 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.46 · sounding and inspection holes: p.49 · Lead Hook sounds before the Engineer makes the cut: crew rulings SR-4 and R-9, matching skill sheet 1.2 steps 6–7

ROOF OPERATION

6

Lead hook will climb ladder with married hooks and sound out 180 degrees and area where inspection hole will be cut

Why & source

Lead hook sounding sequence, in the manual’s exact order:

  1. Sounds prior to stepping onto the roof
  2. Sounds out a 180 around the ladder
  3. Sounds the area where an inspection hole will be cut
  4. Retreats to the wall and waits for the lead saw

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.48

7

Engineer will ascend ladder and cut inspection hole at least three feet away from any wall and identify rafter type, direction, spacing and determines type and thickness of decking

Why & source

The manual’s full inspection-hole spec on commercial roofs:

  1. Immediately upon making the roof, cut a triangle-shaped inspection hole at a 45 degree angle to the outside load bearing wall
  2. Out of the path of travel and at least 3 feet away from the wall
  3. Big enough to fit a hand into, small enough that it does not act as a ventilation hole — 6″ cuts are adequate
  4. Clear the decking with the saw
  5. Reach in and identify rafter type, direction, spacing
  6. On the way out, pinch the decking to determine type and thickness

This determines what type of roof operations we can perform.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49 (Diagnostics — Inspection Hole)

8

Engineer relays information to roof team and determines the path of travel

Why & source

All walking is done as much as possible on load bearing walls and at right angles. The lead saw dictates the path of travel to the rest of the crew. On lightweight commercial: follow outside load bearing walls until we can find and work off of a large LAM beam. On panelized: follow beams, or purlins.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.48

9

Smoke indicator holes should be cut in the path of travel every 15-20 feet at every change of direction and when passing a heavy load to reassess smoke and fire conditions

Why & source

Two types: the triangle hole — the go-to smoke indicator on commercial buildings, small, 3-sided, cut out of the path of travel — and the “kerf” cut, a single plunge cut. When passing a heavy load: place a kerf before AND after the load. Smoke indicators should continually be reassessed.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49 (Smoke Indicator Holes)

10

Heat hole will be placed over the fire location

Why & source

Where exactly depends on what the inspection hole found — the manual splits it by construction: lightweight: cutting directly over fire is not advised — trade space for time. Conventional: cutting directly over fire is encouraged. Panelized: back off just far enough to work in an area not subject to heavy flame impingement. See Building types below.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1 — lightweight p.55 · conventional p.57 · panelized p.58

11

After vent hole is cut the Engineer will Determine if the hole needs to be extended

Why & source
“To have the hole be effective we must exhaust the built up pressure from inside that is being caused by the fire. If an initial hole is exhausting smoke and/or fire under pressure then it needs to be expanded. After the initial hole is opened the lead saw makes the determination on whether to expand.”

The lead saw is the Engineer.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49 (Offensive “Heat Holes”)

12

The hole can be extended WITH and AGAINST construction

Why & source

“With” construction = cut parallel to the rafters. “Against” construction = cut perpendicular to the rafters. Expand always working back towards your egress — never place a ventilation hole between you and your egress.

Expanding and the egress rule: 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.50 (Double Center Rafter Cut) · the with/against definitions: p.51 (Defensive Strip Cuts)

13

After operations are complete the roof team will sound their way back to the ladder

Why & source

When exiting the roof we sound our way off, following the same path of travel we came up. Never walk where you haven’t sounded.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49

14

NOTE: Drop bag needs to be deployed for a hose line to the roof. This can be done by the captain or another member of the roof team.

Why & source

Every member’s SCBA going to the roof carries a drop bag containing 75′ of utility rope. The Engineer or Captain from the roof team drops it upon making the roof. Engineers on the ground should be looking for drop bags from the roof and should bring a 1¾″ line with an attached fog nozzle to them when possible. On the three-person team the manual puts the drop bag with the 2nd Hook — commonly the Captain.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.48 & p.60

THREE-PERSON ROOF TEAM

Roles, not riding positions — the “commonly” lines are examples of how they are filled. Only one binding is fixed: the Engineer is the Lead Saw.

Lead Hook

Commonly the Tillerman or Tailboard. If there is a firefighter with minimal experience, they should be placed in the lead hook position.

Brings the “married” Roof Hooks to the roof. Sounds the roof ahead of the lead saw.

Lead Saw

The Engineer — fixed.

Brings a chainsaw to the roof. Is in charge of the roof operation. Cuts all inspection and smoke indicator holes. Responsible for path of travel and opening of the roof.

2nd Hook

Commonly the Captain.

Brings long punch, rotary saw, 2nd chainsaw or halligan if needed. Follows lead Hook and Saw with the 2nd 6′ Hook, sounding to widen out the path. Communicates heavy loads and location to Fire Attack. Drop bag for possible hoseline to the roof. Runs L.C.E.S. on the roof: Lookout — watches for condition changes · Communication — all radio traffic to interior crews and Command · Escape Routes — ensures escape routes do not become compromised · Safety Zones — stays on load bearing walls and keeps uninvolved members on them too.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1 — “As a 3 person Truck crew going to the roof there should be a team of 2 Hooks and 1 Saw Operator” p.47 · the three role definitions p.48 (Roof Team Assignments) · roles-not-riding-positions per crew rulings SR-5 and R-21; Engineer = Lead Saw per R-8, 2026-08-29

CUT SEQUENCES — COMMERCIAL

OFD uses two cut sequences to open the majority of ventilation openings. On panelized roofs the sequence changes with the member you are standing on — see Building types below.

A

Double center rafter cut — the primary sequence

Steps & source

Versatile, usable on the majority of residential and commercial roofs. Yields an initial 4′ × 6′ hole, easily expanded with or against construction.

  1. Head cut. Plunge the saw into the roof and use the top of the bar to find your outside perimeter rafter closest to the fire
  2. Reverse the saw, heading back towards your egress, rolling two rafters and stopping at your third outside perimeter rafter
  3. Outside dice cut where the head cut finished — dice cuts approximately 1 to 1½ lengths of your saw
  4. Second dice in the middle of the head cut
  5. Third/final dice on the inside of the fire side perimeter rafter
  6. Bottom final cut — a skim cut back towards your egress
  7. Expand with or against construction, always working back towards your egress

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49–50

B

Single center rafter cut — reserved cases

When & source

Reserved for steep pitch roofs where reach is limited, or where rafter spacing is greater than 24″ o.c. — flat commercial truss spacing runs 16″ o.c. to 4′ o.c. Full sequence on the steep pitch page.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49–50 & p.55

C

Defensive strip cut — stopping lateral spread

Rules & source

A fire break for when fire has spread significantly — the bigger save sometimes needs to be addressed sooner (running attic fire in a strip mall or center hallway apartment building). Prior to cutting a strip, every effort should be made at opening a heat hole above the fire.

  1. Must be highly coordinated with interior crews. Hose lines need to be in place underneath where the strip is being cut, and brought to the roof as well
  2. Strip cuts should be at least 3′ wide
  3. Use the building layout — narrower portions, firewalls, large beams. When utilizing large beams the strip is placed on the fire side of the beam
  4. Best accomplished as a two saw operation — all four roof members working; generally the Officer trades the 2nd saw with the 2nd hook
  5. Once all cuts are complete the Officer coordinates opening the roof with interior crews

Note the crew size: the strip sequence is written for four roof members, one more than this evolution’s three. On large commercial roof operations the manual says a 2nd Truck might be required for ventilation — that 2nd Truck throws its own primary and secondary ladder.

Strip cuts p.50 · two-saw operation and the four members p.51 · 2nd Truck on large commercial roofs p.47 — 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1

D

Opening the roof

Rules & source

All decking will be pulled back onto the roof. Louvering is discouraged — it blocks the ventilation opening and material can fall onto interior crews or make punching the lid difficult.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.50

BUILDING TYPES — HOW THE VENTILATION CHANGES

The inspection hole tells you which of these you are standing on. All buildings are treated as lightweight until it proves otherwise.

Lightweight commercial (wood)

  • Majority of commercial roofs are flat; a good amount are pitched — if pitched, assume similar construction to residential lightweight wood
  • Flat wood roofs: a number of different truss types, spaced anywhere from 16″ o.c. to 4′ o.c. Wood trusses usually rest on a load bearing LAM beam
  • With good fire involvement below: careful inspection work, and cutting off of LAM beams is highly advised
  • Cutting directly over fire is NOT advised on lightweight roofs. Trade space for time if fire is found coming from a smoke indicator hole
  • Proper identification of the truss type and spacing is paramount before beginning roof operations
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.55

Conventional Orem: older strip malls on State St

  • 2″×6″ or larger dimensional lumber placed 16″–24″ o.c.; decking of 1″×6″ straight, diagonal, or spaced sheathing
  • Found in many of the small “strip mall” type older commercial buildings along State St
  • Very strong; can resist fire for large amounts of time. Cutting an offensive heat hole DIRECTLY OVER FIRE in these roofs is ENCOURAGED
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.56–57

Arched Orem: Ogden’s Flooring & Design, 400 N State St

  • Built in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s on both small and large commercial structures; multiple arched roofs located throughout the City
  • Most of our arched roof systems are metal truss arches; some are both metal and wood in the same truss system. Many of our arched roof trusses are supported on pilasters rather than the wall itself
  • Rafters 2×6″ or larger, covered by 1×6″ sheathing and composition roofing
  • Most are well constructed — when exposed to fire, early structural collapse of the arched trusses should not be a primary concern
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.57 & p.142

Masonry & URM Orem: rare — plentiful in Provo & Pleasant Grove

  • What looks like brick is often brick veneer over wood-frame or block walls — attached with metal clips, creating an air space that can let fire spread through the voids
  • True brick walls — Unreinforced Masonry (URM) — are pre-WWII Type III construction: more than one wythe with a header course about every 6th course (bricks turned the opposite direction to connect the wythes). Extremely rare in Orem, plentiful in older neighboring cities
  • URM is prone to sudden and catastrophic collapse during fires when other parts of the building fail — expect wall, floor, AND roof collapse after significant fire. These buildings were designed so floor and roof joists pull out from the walls during a fire (as at the Los Hermanos fire in downtown Provo); where rafters or joists are anchored to the walls, collapse is enhanced
  • The safe areas are: 1. the corners of the building · 2. a distance at least equal to the height of the walls away from the building
  • Block construction (commonly 8″×8″×16″, often concrete-and-rebar filled) is very strong and used extensively throughout the city
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.136–138 (Masonry — Hazards; safe-area list p.138)

Facades — “external attics”

  • Facades conceal equipment and machinery on flat roofs and are found throughout the city. Unless proven otherwise, expect any facade to be not fire-stopped and open to the attic
  • If a facade is exposed to fire, expect it to collapse outward at least the distance of its overhang
  • Facades normally hide or conceal the roof line — an area often neglected is the distance from the facade to the actual roof. If possible, ladder the portion of the building without a facade (usually the sides and back); a good size-up for ladder placement is mandatory
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.133–135 (Facades)

Metal — open web bar joist

  • Top and bottom chords usually 1/8″ steel; web supports of solid 5/8″ steel bar. Joists spaced eight feet apart, accepting corrugated metal decking covered by alternating layers of tar and tar paper
  • Large buildings may have bar-joists used as girders spaced up to 45 feet
  • Consider the perimeter of the building a strong area
  • Steel begins to lose its strength at 1000°F. When the ENTIRE roof is composed of metal, the SHORT TIME necessary for roof collapse should be a MAJOR CONCERN when a significant amount of fire is encountered
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.57–58

Metal beam & concrete tilt-up Orem: UVU · Mid-town A & B · west end

  • Metal beam — steel-beam skeleton usually coated with sprayed-on fire retardant, finished in concrete, masonry or glass; two stories to the tallest high rise. Many buildings at Utah Valley University and the A and B buildings at Mid-town use this construction
  • When exposed to sufficient heat, metal beams can expand 9″ per 100′ — which can push out walls. Vertical extension of fire and smoke to upper floors is enhanced; watch for falling panels of glass or other building materials
  • Concrete tilt-up — concrete slabs tilted up into place as exterior walls, up to five stories; plentiful on the west end of the city. Expect lightweight wood-frame and steel-framed walls separating out the interior. Steel roofs are common
  • “What you see is not what you get” — pre-fire planning your area and being familiar with construction and specific buildings is the key
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.140–141 (Metal Beam — Hazards; Tilt Up)

Panelized

  • Pre-assembled lightweight panels over beams and purlins. Beams typically 12–20 feet apart; purlins perpendicular, 8–10 feet apart. Panels reinforced by 2×4s that may be called “rafters”
  • TRAVEL RULE: the roof team travels ONLY on beams and purlins — preferably on beams. The 2×4 “rafters” are NOT suitable to safely bear the weight of a firefighter. At no time should any member step off of a carefully sounded beam or purlin
  • Hole placement: trade space for time — back off the position directly over the fire, just far enough to work in an area not subject to heavy flame impingement
  • From a PURLIN, the head cut is made AGAINST construction: reach out as far as you can, plunge and locate a perpendicular member · complete the head cut cutting away from the fire at arm’s reach · roll 2 rafters and stop at 3 · dice back toward the fire · skim cut toward the egress along the fire side member you are standing on
  • From a BEAM, the head cut is made WITH construction: reach out, plunge, locate a purlin · complete the head cut working back away from the fire — no rafters rolled, but reach out far enough to reach OVER a rafter · dice back towards the fire, ROLLING each rafter, not cutting through it · space dice cuts to make manageable panels · final bottom skim cut along the fire side of the member you are standing on, back toward the egress
  • Expansion runs along the structural member the saw operator is operating from — anticipate the need to expand EARLY; visible fire in the cuts or heavy smoke from the initial cuts is the indicator
  • The lead hook waits until the saw operator is at least one cut sequence ahead before opening the roof; the roof is opened starting with the cut section closest to the fire, working back toward the egress; members pass each other only at intersections of beams and purlins
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.58–59

STOP — CORRUGATED METAL BUILDINGS

Roof ventilation operations on these buildings should be considered EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Corrugated portions will QUICKLY FAIL when subjected to sufficient heat or fire — steel loses its tensile strength at 1000°F, and aluminum or fiberglass offers little resistance. Many of these roofs use fiberglass skylights that look similar to the roof decking and are hard to identify, especially when covered with snow. Plentiful on the west end of Orem, but found throughout the city.

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.139–140

EMERGENCY OPERATIONS — ROOF MAYDAYS

Although our entire roof operation is based around opening the roof in a safe manner, all Truck companies should have a basic plan in place in case one of our members has a Mayday situation on the roof. Roof Maydays are broken into three categories. 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.59 (Roof Member Rescue). Everything in this section comes from that chapter — nothing here is added.

1

Member INTO the roof

The plan & source
  1. Call the Mayday — transmitted immediately, with the three basic facts: Who, What and Where.
    “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. L33 has a member partially into the roof, halfway down the Charlie wall, 20 ft. in.”
    Once the initial Mayday is acknowledged by the IC, additional information can be requested — line to the drop bag, 2nd company to the roof with hooks and roofers, etc.
  2. Drop bag / line to the roof — if not done already, a line needs to be brought to the roof, flowing water onto the member in the roof if fire conditions are present, flowing from an area determined to be safe
  3. Sounding — never just go for the grab. The area is obviously compromised and we don’t want to compound the issue. Sound out the area around the downed member with a roof hook. Present the hook to the member and try to get it under their armpits, hooks up — or place it through their SCBA straps. With multiple members on the roof this happens simultaneously with the Mayday and the line
  4. Roofers — brought up from the Aerial or the ground, brought across the roof and placed at angles in front of the downed member, spanning multiple rafters — a more secure area to put multiple members on to pull the downed member out
  5. Cut for Life — usually on the roof we are cutting for Fire; in this instance we cut in an area AWAY from the downed member in an attempt to pull the fire in that direction
  6. Blowing out rafters — cut two rafters away in a secured area, blow out that rafter, insert a roofer and use it for leverage to try to get under the feet of the downed member
  7. Accessing the attic space — reserved for pitched residential roofs: members cut away from the downed member to access the attic and use hoselines, ladders and whatever tools necessary. Members in the attic space might be unconscious, needing air and significant assistance getting out

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.60 (Roof Member Rescue — Member into the roof)

2

Member THROUGH the roof

The plan & source
  1. Call the Mayday — Who, What and Where. This could be the single biggest thing the roof team can do for the downed member: most of the rescue work will need to be done by interior companies and the RIT (the manual prints “RIC”)
  2. Drop bag / line to the roof — flowing water INTO the area the member went into the roof if fire conditions are present, from an area determined to be safe
  3. Cut for Life — cut away from the downed member to pull the fire in that direction
  4. Cut for Fire — we still need lift interior: both to find the downed member and to locate fire and extinguish it

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.60–61 (Roof Member Rescue — Member through the roof)

3

Medical emergency on the roof

The plan & source
  1. Call the Mayday — Who, What and Where. The scope of the emergency determines what we need on the roof: if the member is still conscious and mobile, inform the IC and assist the member off the roof and to Medical
  2. CPR — if the downed member is unresponsive and not breathing, immediately begin CPR without delay
  3. Getting the downed member off — rope from a drop bag on a ground ladder: connect one end to the downed member’s SCBA (converted) and their internal harness, wrap 2 rungs with the rope above the roofline for friction, and drop the bag to the ground. A member on the ground controls the descent while a member on the roof pushes the tip away from the roofline. If building height requires the Aerial device, revert to lowering them in the stokes

2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.61 (Roof Member Rescue — Medical Emergency)

Sources. Setup and steps 1–14: OFD ADO-Aerial Task Book, September 2024, skill sheet 1.2 — verbatim, in the printed order, typos preserved. All manual material: 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, pages as cited on each line. The Truck Manual numbers its pages straight through 1–144, so a bare “p.49” is the whole-manual page — unlike Engine Company Operations, which numbers by chapter (“5-4”). Nothing here is from any other department’s program.

See also: Residential roof ops · Steep pitch roof ops · Truck flow

Version: site2 · Last reviewed 2026-08-30 · Compiled by Engineer Jason Anderson