Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition

Chapter 17 — Loss Control

Firefighter I

Firefighter I17–2

Chapter 17 Lesson Goal

• After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to perform loss control operations following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

Firefighter I17–3

Specific Objectives

1.Explain the philosophy of loss control. 2.Discuss planning and procedures for salvage operations. 3.Describe salvage covers, salvage cover maintenance, and equipment used in salvage operations. (Continued)

Firefighter I17–4

Specific Objectives

4.Summarize basic principles of salvage cover deployment. 5. Summarize methods used to catch and route water from fire fighting operations and cover openings using salvage. 6.Discuss overhaul operations.

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–5

Specific Objectives

7.Describe tools and equipment used in overhaul.8.Discuss fire safety during overhaul.9.Discuss locating hidden fires. 10. Summarize the overhaul process.

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–6

Specific Objectives

11. Clean, inspect, and repair a salvage cover. (Skill Sheet 17-I-1)12. Roll a salvage cover for a one-firefighter spread. (Skill Sheet 17-I-2)13. Spread a rolled salvage cover – One-firefighter method. (Skill Sheet 17-I-3) (Continued)

Firefighter I17–7

Specific Objectives

14. Fold a salvage cover for a one-firefighter spread. (Skill Sheet 17-I-4)15. Spread a folded salvage cover – One-firefighter method. (Skill Sheet 17-I-5)16. Fold a salvage cover for a two-firefighter spread. (Skill Sheet 17-I-6)

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–8

Specific Objectives

17. Spread a folded salvage cover – Two-firefighter balloon throw. (Skill Sheet 17-I-7)18. Construct a water chute without pike poles. (Skill Sheet 17-I-8)

19.Construct a water chute with pike poles. (Skill Sheet 17-I-9)

Firefighter I17–9

Specific Objectives

20. Construct a catchall. (Skill Sheet 17-I-10)21. Locate and extinguish hidden fires. (Skill Sheet 17-I-11)

Firefighter I17–10

Philosophy of Loss Control

• Minimize damage and provide customer service through effective mitigation and recovery efforts

• Builds goodwill

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–11

Salvage and Overhaul

• Most effective means of loss control

• Restoration of the property

Firefighter I17–12

Salvage

• Operations that aid in reducing primary and secondary damage during fire fighting– Primary damage is caused by the fire– Secondary damage is caused by fire

suppression activities

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–13

Salvage

• Both primary and secondary damage can be minimized through salvage

• Some damages cannot be avoided• Starts as soon as adequate

personnel are available• May be done simultaneously with

fire attack

Firefighter I17–14

Overhaul

• Consists of operations involved in searching for and extinguishing hidden or remaining fires

• Protecting the scene and preserving evidence are components of overhaul

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–15

Overhaul

• If possible, do not start overhaul operations until – Fire is under control– Fire cause has been determined– Evidence has been identified and

protected

Firefighter I17–16

Salvage

• Methods and operating procedures by which firefighters attempt to save property and reduce further damage– Removing property– Covering property– Other means

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–17

Salvage

• Proper salvage operations– Early planning– Knowing the procedures– Being familiar with tools and

equipment

Firefighter I17–18

Planning for Salvage Operations

• Efficient operations require planning and training

• SOPs should be developed

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–19

Planning for Salvage Operations

• Preincident plans– High-value contents– Residential occupancies– Commercial occupancies

• Work with loss-control representatives

Firefighter I17–20

Salvage Procedures

• Operations can be started at same time as fire attack

• Group building contents into compact piles

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–21

Salvage Procedures

• Group household furnishings in center of the room

• Raise furniture off wet floors

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–22

Salvage Procedures

• Commercial occupancies present special challenges

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–23

Salvage Procedures

• Large quantities of water can be removed by a variety of methods

• Water may ruin finishes; wipe off surfaces

Firefighter I17–24

Salvage Covers

• Made of waterproof canvas materials

• Manufactured in various sizes• Have reinforced corners and edge

hems

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–25

Salvage Covers

• Synthetic covers– Lightweight– Easy to handle– Economical– Indoor and

outdoor use

• Some covers may be disposable

Firefighter I17–26

Salvage Cover Maintenance

• Proper cleaning, drying, and repairing increases service life

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–27

Salvage Cover Maintenance

• Canvas salvage covers– Wetting or rinsing with hose stream

and scrubbing with a broom– Detergent solution if needed– Don’t let dry when dirty– Should be completely dry before

being folded and placed in service

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–28

Salvage Cover Maintenance

• Synthetic salvage covers– Do not require as much maintenance

as canvas– May be folded wet– Usually better to let dry first

• After salvage covers are dry, examine for damage

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–29

Salvage Cover Maintenance

• Look up at the underside to locate holes– Mark holes with

chalk or marking pen

– Repair holes

Firefighter I17–30

Salvage Equipment

• Should be located in a readily accessible area on apparatus

• SOPs dictate where equipment is carried and who performs operations

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–31

Salvage Equipment

• Keep smaller tools/equipment in a salvage toolbox

• Plastic tub may be used for supplies

Firefighter I17–32

Typical Salvage Equipment

• Electrician’s pliers

• Sidecutters• Various chisels• Tin snips• Tin roof cutter• Adjustable

wrenches• Pipe wrenches

• Hammer(s)• Sledgehammer• Hacksaw• Crosscut handsaw• Heavy-duty

stapler and staples

• Linoleum knife• Wrecking bar

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–33

Typical Salvage Equipment

• Padlock and hasp• Hinges• Screwdriver(s)• Battery-operated

power tools• Hydraulic jack• Assortment of

nails

• Assortment of screws

• Plastic sheeting• Wooden laths• Wooden wedges• Soft wood plugs• Sawdust

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–34

Typical Salvage Equipment

• Mops• Squeegees• Scoop shovels• Brooms• Mop buckets with

wringers• Automatic

sprinkler kit• Water vacuum

• Submersible pump and discharge hose

• Sponges• Chamois• Paper towels• Assortment of

rags(Continued)

Firefighter I17–35

Typical Salvage Equipment

• 100-foot (30 m) length of electrical cable

• Pigtail ground adapters

• Approved ground fault interruption device

• Salvage covers• J-Hooks

• S-hooks• Floor runners• Duct tape• Plastic bags• Cardboard boxes• Styrofoam™

blocks• Rope• Bungee cords

Firefighter I17–36

Equipment Descriptions

• Automatic sprinkler kit– Needed for buildings protected by

automatic sprinkler systems– Used to stop flow of water from an

open sprinkler

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–37

Equipment Descriptions

• Carryalls — Used to carry debris, catch falling debris, and provide a water basin for immersing small burning objects

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–38

Equipment Descriptions

• Floor runners — Protect floor coverings; lightweight, tough, heat and water resistant, easy to maintain

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–39

Equipment Descriptions

• Dewatering devices– Used to remove water from basements,

elevator shafts, and sumps– Should not use fire department pumpers– Trash-type pumps are best for salvage– Use a jet-siphon device or submersible

pump for removal of excess water

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–40

Equipment Descriptions

• Water vacuum — Used to dewater floors, carpets, other areas where water is not deep enough to be picked up by submersible pump or siphon ejector

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–41

Equipment Descriptions

• J-hooks — Driven into walls or wooden framing to provide a strong point from which to hang things

Firefighter I17–42

Equipment Descriptions

• S-hooks — Used for the same purpose as J-hooks but cannot be driven into walls or framing; must have a horizontal ledge

Firefighter I17–43

One-Firefighter Spread with a Rolled Salvage Cover

• One person can quickly unroll a cover

• May be carried on the shoulder or under the arm

Firefighter I17–44

One-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover

• Two firefighters are needed to make fold

• May be carried in any manner

Firefighter I17–45

Two-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover

• Large salvage covers cannot be easily handled by a single firefighter

• Carry this fold on the shoulder with open edges next to neck

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–46

Two-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover

• Position cover so carrier can grab lower pair of corners and second firefighter can grab uppermost pair

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–47

Two-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover

• Balloon throw is most common method for deployment

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–48

Using Chutes: Removing Water

• Practical way to remove water that comes through the ceiling from upper floor

• May be constructed on floor below fire fighting operations (Continued)

Firefighter I17–49

Using Chutes: Removing Water

• Prepared chutes are approximately 10 feet (3 m) long

• Chutes can be constructed from plastic sheeting, a heavy-duty stapler, and duct tape

Firefighter I17–50

Using Chutes: Constructing a Catchall

• Constructed from a salvage cover placed on the floor to hold small amounts of water

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–51

Using Chutes: Constructing a Catchall

• Temporarily control large amounts of water

• Place into position as soon as possible

• Usually requires two people

Firefighter I17–52

Splicing Covers

• Used when:– Objects/groupings are large– Long chutes or catchalls need to be

made

• Splice covers with watertight joints

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–53

Splicing a Chute to a Catchall

• Method of removing accumulated water should be prepared

• Submersible pumps may be used• Water chute spliced to the catchall

Firefighter I17–54

Covering Openings

• One of final parts of salvage operations

• Prevents damage by weather

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–55

Covering Openings

• Cover doors/windows• Cover openings in roofs

Firefighter I17–56

Overhaul

• Operations conducted once main body of fire has been extinguished– Searching for and extinguishing

hidden or remaining fire– Placing building and contents in safe

condition

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–57

Overhaul

• Operations conducted once main body of fire has been extinguished– Determining fire cause– Recognizing and

preserving evidence of arson

Firefighter I17–58

Safety During Overhaul

• Steps required– Inspecting premises– Developing operational plan– Providing tools and equipment– Eliminating or mitigating hazards

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–59

Safety During Overhaul

• Toxic gases– Common and

dangerous threat during overhaul

– Wear appropriate PPE, including respiratory protection (Continued)

Firefighter I17–60

Safety During Overhaul

• Other hazards are present, such as fire-weakened floors

• Mark or barricade hazardous areas• Use gloves and eye protection

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–61

Safety During Overhaul

• Physical conditioning and correct lifting are necessary

• Fatigue is preventable cause of injury

Firefighter I17–62

Overhaul Tools and Equipment

• Pike poles and plaster hooks• Axes• Prying tools• Power saws, drills, and

screwdrivers

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–63

Overhaul Tools and Equipment

• Carryall, buckets, and tubs• Shovels, bale hooks, and pitchforks• Thermal imaging camera

Firefighter I17–64

Supervision of Overhaul

• By a supervisor/officer not directly engaged in overhaul tasks

• Fire investigator should be involved

Firefighter I17–65

Fire Safety During Overhaul

• Size of charged hoselines in overhaul may not be the same

• Disconnecting fire apparatus from hydrants

• Departmental SOPs may dictate one supply line left in place

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–66

Fire Safety During Overhaul

• Attack lines used for overhaul are typically 1½ inch (38 mm) or 1¾ inch (45 mm)

• Water fire extinguishers or booster hoses may be used for small fires

• One attack line should be available

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–67

Fire Safety During Overhaul

• Place nozzle so it will not cause additional damage

• Do not allow water damage from leaking hoselines

• Use a 100-foot (30 m) hoseline as the first section on attack lines

Firefighter I17–68

Overhaul Safety Considerations

• Maintain situational awareness• Work in teams of two or more• Maintain awareness of exit routes• Maintain a RIC

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–69

Overhaul Safety Considerations

• Monitor personnel for rehab• Beware of hidden gas or electrical

utilities• Continue using accountability

system

Firefighter I17–70

Locating Hidden Fires

• Before starting a search, evaluate the condition of the area

• Factors that affect condition of the building– Intensity of the fire– Amount of water used for control

Firefighter I17–71

Indicators of Loss of Structural Integrity

• Weakened floors• Concrete that has spalled• Weakened steel roof members• Walls offset• Weakened roof trusses• Mortar in wall joints opened

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–72

Indicators of Loss of Structural Integrity

• Wall ties holding veneer/curtain walls melted

• Heavy storage on mezzanines or upper floors

• Water pooled on upper floors• Large quantities of wet insulation

Firefighter I17–73

Detecting Hidden Fires

• Sight• Touch• Sound• Electronic sensors

Firefighter I17–74

Overhaul Procedures

• Begins in the area of most severe fire involvement

• Looking for fire extension should begin as soon as possible after fire is declared under control

• Systematically carried out

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–75

Overhaul Procedures

• If fire extended to other areas, path must be determined

• When floor beams are burned at ends or where they enter a party wall, flush the voids in the wall with water

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–76

Overhaul Procedures

• Check far side of the wall to see if fire or water has come through.

• Thoroughly check insulation materials

Firefighter I17–77

Understanding Basic Building Construction

• Assists firefighters in searching for hidden fires

• Windows or doors– Fire may remain within frames or

casings– Open these areas to ensure complete

extinguishment

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–78

Building Construction and Overhaul

• When fire has burned around combustible roof or cornice, open cornice and inspect for hidden fires

• Balloon construction — Check the attic and basement for fire extension

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–79

Building Construction and Overhaul

• Opening concealed spaces– Move the furnishings of the room to

locations where they will not be damaged

– Consider electrical wiring, gas piping, or plumbing

• Make neat, planned openings to ensure extinguishment and facilitate restoration

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–80

Building Construction and Overhaul

• Ceilings may be opened from below using a pike pole or other tool

• The plaster must first be broken on some ceilings

• When pulling a ceiling, do not stand directly under area to be opened (Continued)

Firefighter I17–81

Building Construction and Overhaul

• Always position body between area being pulled and doorway to keep exit route from being blocked

• Always wear full protective clothing, including eye and respiratory protection

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–82

Building Construction and Overhaul

• Small burning objects – Submerge entire objects in containers

of water– Bathtubs, sinks, lavatories, wash tubs

• Remove larger furnishings to the outside

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–83

Building Construction and Overhaul

• Scorched or partially burned articles may prove helpful to an investigator

• Use of wetting agents such as Class A foam is valuable – Cotton, upholstery, and baled goods– Must break bales of rags, cotton, hay

apart

Firefighter I17–84

Summary

• Customer service is the core of everything that fire departments do. Loss control is an important component of fire department service delivery and is but one aspect of customer-service opportunities.

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–85

Summary

• Salvage and overhaul operations are two of the most effective means of loss control.

• Planning, procedures, and equipment are essential for effective loss-control operations.

Firefighter I17–86

Review Questions

1.What is the difference between salvage and overhaul?2.List five items used in salvage operations.3.How can water be removed from fire fighting operations using salvage covers?

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–87

Review Questions

4.When should overhaul start?5.List three indicators of possible loss of structural integrity.6.What are visual indicators of hidden fires.

(Continued)

Firefighter I17–88

Review Questions

7. What sounds may indicate a hidden fire?8.Where does overhaul typically begin?