4 Loss Control Flashcards
Ch. 4 pg. 93
Primary damage
Caused by fire itself and not actions taken to extinguish
pg 93
Secondary damage
Damage from firefighting efforts and leaving priority unprotected
pg 93
Loss control was originally done by
civilian salvage companies hired by fire insurance companies
pg 93
Purpose of loss control:
Primary damage:
Secondary damage:
To reduce damage from fire, smoke, water weather, during and after fire.
Primary - damage produced by fire and smoke
secondary- damage that results from fighting the fire and/or leaving the property unsecured.
pg 93
Loss control should be considered during (3)
Pre planning,
during fighting structure fires
during post fire operations
When is pre incident loss control planning performed
During regular pre planning
pg 95
Typically, pre-incident loss control planning is done in conjunction with other preincident planning. Regardless of what system is used to assess and manage loss control risks all such systems involve the same basic steps. (3)
Risk Id
Risk evaluation
Plans development
To differentiate them from code enforcement inspections, pre plans are often called
Surveys.
pg 95
Risk identification is usually accomplished through an ongoing program of preincident planning surveys. These site visits are commonly called surveys.
Pre plans or surveys have three purposes:
- Allow ff to become familiar with building and contents
- Gather info for plan development
- Inform owners or occupants of anything to be done to reduce loss
pg 95
During plans, surveys, ffs should look for anything that might increase primary or secondary loss. Note such items as: (7)
Life safety hazards
Means for primary and secondary access,egress
Vital processes that should be shut down only if needed
Biohazard, flammable or reactive material
Highly absorbent materials that need to be kept form water
pg 95
Risk identification is usually accomplished through an ongoing program of preincednt planning surveys. During planning surveys, firefighters should look for and document any conditions that might increase primary or secondary loss.
In addtion, ff should note any of the following features or systems that can reduce loss: (4)
Fire escapes, smoke towers, area of refuge
Automatic fire doors
Built in fire detection suppression systems
Auto smoke vents
pg 93
Practice of minimizing damage and providing customer service through effective mitigation and recovery efforts before during and after incident
Loss control
pg 97 plans development
once a building has been surveyed and the loss control risks have been identified and evaluated, the information and conclusions should be translated into operation or contingency plans. Loss control element of plans may specify or indicate the following: (5)
- Most effective, least destructive means of entry, lock boxes
- Most effective evacuation and protect occupants
- Vital records kept and how to protect them
- Supporting and using fire suppression systems
- How to protect building contents from smoke water etc
pg 98
Because of privacy issues, findings of pre plan surveys must be kept
Confidential
pg 98
Most important way of limiting primary loss
Extinguishing fire quickly
Most important factors of limitng primary loss
Proper size up Effective strategy Adequate on scene resources Effective ventilation Through overhaul
Size up
Ongoing dynamic mental eval process performed by officer in charge to evaluate all influencing factors develop strategic goals and tactical objectives before committing personnel
To prevent primary loss, overhaul should be thorough and detailed but not
Indiscriminate and careless
pg 102
During overhaul, mental exhaustion can make firefighters more likely to
Miss subtle danger signs like impending collapse
What can help extinguish hot spots more effectively
Class a foam
pg 104
Other common fire gasses: list (6)
Acrolein Hydrogen chloride Hydrogen cyanide Carbon dioxide Nitrogen oxides Phosgene
pg 104
while other fire fighters are limiting primary loss by attacking a structure fire, truck company personnel can make a significant contributions to the secondary loss control effort. Secondary loss control, considerations may include: (3)
Assisting fire attack
Venting
Salvage
pg 105
there are several Ways to assist fire attack
first is by creating exterior and interior openings,
second is Pulling ceilings and opening walls to allow water to be applied more directly.
pg 105
How to minimize secondary damage while gaining entry
Instead of forcing, try conventional means of opening windows and doors, if safe to do so or possible. Or force with the aim to keep function of the door or window instead of destroying it.
