Tempest VS-1.2D DEWALT Battery PPV Fan: 9,614 CFM Positive Pressure Ventilation on a Familiar Battery Platform

Fire departments have been burned before by proprietary battery ecosystems: a battery PPV fan arrives on scene, its custom cells are depleted, and there is no compatible charger on the rig. The Tempest VS-1.2D solves that problem in the simplest way possible. It runs on the same DEWALT FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 12.0 Ah batteries that crews already carry for power tools and rescue equipment. No second charging system. No proprietary cells to stock. Just a 9,614 CFM positive pressure ventilation fan that plugs into the battery platform most departments already own.

What is the Tempest VS-1.2D and how does it differ from a standard PPV fan?

The Tempest VS-1.2D is a battery-powered positive pressure ventilation fan built on the DEWALT FLEXVOLT platform, delivering 9,614 CFM through an 18-inch blade assembly driven by a 0.9 HP motor. Unlike gas-powered PPV fans, it produces zero exhaust emissions inside a structure, making it suitable for residential overhaul operations, training drills in enclosed spaces, and any scene where combustion exhaust would compromise air quality or firefighter safety.

The critical distinction from other battery PPV fans on the market is battery standardization. The VS-1.2D accepts one to three DEWALT FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 12.0 Ah batteries, item number 585-040 in the Tempest ordering system. Departments already running DEWALT cordless tools on their apparatus can draw from an existing battery and charger inventory rather than purchasing and maintaining a separate proprietary system. The fan ships as item 910-1860 in a no-battery, no-charger configuration, allowing departments to integrate it directly into their current DEWALT ecosystem.

What is the run time on a single DEWALT FLEXVOLT battery, and how is runtime extended?

The VS-1.2D delivers 40 minutes of constant CFM output on a single DEWALT FLEXVOLT 12.0 Ah battery. Crucially, CFM is maintained at full power through the entire discharge cycle, meaning airflow does not taper as the battery drains. This is a meaningful operational specification: a fan that delivers 9,614 CFM at full charge but drops to reduced output before the 40-minute mark would misrepresent its tactical value.

Runtime extends linearly with additional batteries. A second or third DEWALT FLEXVOLT 12.0 Ah cell can be loaded to cover longer incidents, extended overhaul operations, or back-to-back deployments without returning to quarters for a recharge. The fan is also Shore Power compatible out of the box, providing unlimited runtime when AC power is available at the scene or at the station during training. For departments running multi-hour high-rise ventilation scenarios or repeated training rotations, Shore Power compatibility eliminates battery logistics entirely.

How does the IP65 motor rating protect the VS-1.2D on the fire ground?

IP65 is an IEC standard ingress protection rating indicating a motor that is fully dust-tight and resistant to water projected from a nozzle in any direction. On the fire ground, that matters for two specific failure modes: water intrusion from suppression operations and particulate contamination from ash, insulation debris, and soot that permeate the air during and after a working fire.

Many battery-powered fans use motors rated only to IP44 or lower, which allows dust ingress and water splash from limited angles. The VS-1.2D motor at IP65 withstands direct water jets, which reflects the realistic conditions of positioning a PPV fan at a doorway while suppression crews are working inside. Combined with a design that is fabricated and built in the USA at Tempest’s Fresno, California facility, the motor protection specification is matched to fire service use rather than general consumer or light commercial fan applications. For reference, NFPA standards governing fire apparatus and equipment establish the durability baseline that fire service tools must meet, and IP65 motor protection aligns with the wet environment expectations those standards anticipate.

What does 9,614 CFM mean for PPV effectiveness, and what structures is the VS-1.2D sized for?

Positive pressure ventilation effectiveness is a function of fan airflow relative to building volume and opening size. At 9,614 CFM, the VS-1.2D is sized for single-family residential structures, small commercial occupancies, and apartment units where a single fan positioned at the attack entry point can achieve a full air change rapidly enough to clear smoke and heat before it banks back down.

The 18-inch blade diameter is the mechanical basis for that airflow figure. The 0.9 HP motor drives the blade assembly at a velocity that maintains 9,614 CFM through the full battery cycle, not just at peak. For structural comparison, Tempest’s own product line includes larger fans for high-volume commercial applications, but the VS-1.2D’s 9,614 CFM output sits in the practical range for the residential and light commercial calls that make up the majority of a typical department’s ventilation deployments. At 51 lbs. with three batteries installed, one firefighter can carry and deploy the fan without a second crew member, preserving personnel for suppression and search tasks.

How does the foldable design and LED lighting affect tactical deployment?

The VS-1.2D uses a foldable handle design for compact storage on apparatus, which is a direct response to the space constraints of modern fire trucks. Apparatus compartment depth often limits which fans can be stored upright versus on their side, and a foldable handle reduces the footprint enough to make the difference between fitting in a designated compartment or requiring a mount bracket solution.

The integrated automatic LED flow-path lighting solves a specific low-visibility positioning problem. When a PPV fan is placed at a doorway in pre-dawn or smoke-obscured conditions, the crew positioning the fan cannot easily confirm the airflow cone is centered on the opening. The automatic LED illumination activates without manual intervention, visually marking the airflow path so the positioning firefighter can align the fan for maximum efficiency without relying on ambient lighting. This is a feature difference from fans that require manual light activation or carry no lighting at all, both of which introduce a step and a risk during fast-moving ventilation operations.

What charger options are compatible with the VS-1.2D battery system?

Because the VS-1.2D uses standard DEWALT FLEXVOLT 20V/60V MAX 12.0 Ah batteries, any DEWALT-compatible charger will service the cells. Tempest lists two dedicated charger options: item 585-046, the DEWALT Single-Bay Quick Charger, and item 585-047, the DEWALT 4-Bay Quick Charger. The 4-Bay option is the practical choice for departments running multiple battery-powered tools or operating more than one VS-1.2D fan simultaneously, since it allows up to four 12.0 Ah cells to charge concurrently.

This charger flexibility is a direct operational advantage over fans using proprietary battery systems, where a single charger failure can take an entire unit out of service until a replacement charger arrives. DEWALT FLEXVOLT chargers are stocked through tool supply chains, not just fire equipment distributors, which shortens replacement lead times considerably. For departments that already maintain a DEWALT 4-Bay charger for other tools, no additional charger purchase is required at all when adopting the VS-1.2D. You can review the Tempest official product specifications to confirm current kit configurations and compatible accessories.

Where is the Tempest VS-1.2D manufactured, and what does that mean for quality and support?

The VS-1.2D is designed, fabricated, and built in the USA at Tempest’s facility at 4708 N. Blythe Avenue, Fresno, California. Domestic manufacture has practical implications beyond a country-of-origin label: parts availability, warranty service, and product support all operate within domestic supply chains, reducing lead times for replacement components compared to fans sourced from overseas manufacturing facilities.

Tempest manufactures the VS-1.2D as the DEWALT platform variant of the VS-1.2, meaning the core fan chassis and blade assembly are shared across the product family. A department that operates multiple VS-1.2 variants can share structural spare parts, reducing the number of unique SKUs carried in a maintenance stock. The IP65 motor, 18-inch blade assembly, and precise locking tilt-angle mechanism are all consistent across the VS-1.2 family, so training on one variant transfers directly to the other.

Where is the Tempest VS-1.2D used, and what applications is it built for?

The VS-1.2D is deployed across a range of fire service and emergency ventilation applications where battery operation, emission-free output, and rapid setup matter most. Primary applications include:

Residential structure fires: Single-family homes and apartment units where smoke and heat removal before or after suppression is required. The 9,614 CFM output is matched to these occupancy sizes, and the 51 lb. total weight supports one-person deployment from apparatus to entry point without delay.

Overhaul operations: Post-knockdown air quality restoration in structures where running a gas engine would reintroduce combustion products. Battery operation makes the VS-1.2D the appropriate tool for this phase, where Shore Power compatibility also becomes valuable if the incident runs long.

Training and drill facilities: Indoor training structures where exhaust from a gas PPV fan cannot be safely managed. Shore Power compatibility gives instructors unlimited runtime without battery management during repeated drill rotations.

High-rise and limited-access scenarios: Locations where carrying fuel cans or exhaust management is impractical and where the compact, foldable form factor of the VS-1.2D reduces the logistics load on crews.

Departments sourcing ventilation equipment can browse the full selection in the Blowers and Fans Catalog to compare the VS-1.2D against other Tempest fan configurations and related PPV equipment available through PE Energy.

When is the Tempest VS-1.2D the right call, and when is it not?

The VS-1.2D is the correct choice when a department needs battery PPV performance without building a new proprietary charging ecosystem, when emission-free operation is required inside a structure, or when apparatus space limits fan size and a foldable, 51 lb. unit with a known 9,614 CFM output is the practical fit. The DEWALT FLEXVOLT compatibility is the defining value proposition: departments not already running DEWALT tools will see less immediate benefit, since they will need to acquire batteries and chargers from scratch rather than drawing on existing inventory.

The VS-1.2D is not suited for large commercial structures, warehouses, or high-bay occupancies where a single 9,614 CFM fan cannot move enough air to achieve practical positive pressure. Those applications call for higher-output fan configurations. For departments operating in residential and light commercial response zones, the VS-1.2D’s combination of IP65 motor protection, Shore Power compatibility, constant CFM battery output, and DEWALT platform integration makes it one of the more logistically clean battery PPV options available in the fire service market today.

Technical Specifications

Tempest Fire

VS-1.2D DEWALT® Battery PPV Fan

DEWALT® FLEXVOLT® Compatible | 9,614 CFM | Made in USA

Overview

The Tempest VS-1.2D is the DEWALT® platform version of the VS-1.2 battery PPV fan. It runs on 1 to 3 removable DEWALT® FLEXVOLT® 20V/60V MAX* 12.0 Ah batteries — the same batteries many departments already carry for power tools — eliminating the need for a proprietary charging ecosystem.

At 9,614 CFM with a 40-minute run time on a single battery (up to 3 batteries for extended runtime), the VS-1.2D offers complete autonomy with the convenience of an industry-standard battery platform. Shore Power compatible out of the box.

Models & Ordering Information

Fan & battery kits available. Contact for current kit configurations.

Manufacturer: Tempest — 4708 N. Blythe Avenue, Fresno, California 93722 USA — tempest.us.com