Water driven fan system for firefighting

A water driven fan system for use in positive pressure ventilation in the fighting of fires comprising

• a portable fan means including
• shaft means including a fan shaft and a turbine shaft,
• a fan including a plurality of fan blades mounted on said fan shaft to rotate therewith and to extend radially therefrom,
• and a water powered turbine for driving said fan including a housing defining an enclosed turbine chamber, and a runner mounted on said turbine shaft to rotate therewith within said turbine chamber, said housing having an inlet and an outlet for directing the water driving said turbine into and out of said turbine chamber, said housing being constructed to direct said water to cause rotation of said runner,
• means for delivering water under pressure from a pressurized source to said turbine inlet for causing operation of said turbine to drive said fan, said water being discharged from said outlet at a substantial positive pressure,
• and a flow control valve means for controlling the flow of water from the pressurized source to said turbine inlet,
• said flow control valve means having an OFF position in which said fan means is inoperative and a FAN position in which water is directed to said turbine inlet for causing operation of said turbine to drive said fan whereby a firefighter can direct a clearstream of air into a structure or toward a fire for fighting the fire by positive pressure ventilation.