B-126 Salvage and Overhaul

Question 1

Salvage operations generally start ____ and are usually dependent upon ____

Answer 1

• at the same time of the fire attack
• the construction features of the building and the amount of available resources (e.g. personnel, equipment) that are present.

Question 2

Typical salvage operations include:

Answer 2

1. Ventilating the area.
2. Covering contents with tarps.
3. Controlling water flow via the use of water chutes, catchalls, and absorbent material.
4. Removing water from the building via floor and wall drains, large floor openings, or portable pumps.

Question 3

Overhaul operations generally start ____. During these operations personnel search the scene for any _____. It also helps identify the ____ of fire.

Answer 3

• once the fire has been declared “Fire under control”
• hidden fires, embers or sparks that would lead to a rekindle
• point of origin and the potential cause

Question 4

Regardless of the situation, it is essential that all personnel wear proper PPE while performing overhaul operations until ____

Answer 4

the atmosphere has been proven safe.

Question 5

At minimum, company officers should:

Answer 5

(1) ensure all overhaul personnel are wearing appropriate PPE;
(2) utilize a systematic approach throughout the entire process (e.g. room by room, floor by floor, etc.);
(3) use water sparingly; and
(4) determine where the fire traveled through the building.

Question 6

If doors or windows have been burned, personnel should have expose ____ in order to assure that there is no remaining or concealed fire is present.

Answer 6

the door frames or casings and check all concealed spaces above the fire floor (e.g. ceilings, floors, and within the walls)

Question 7

During overhaul firefighters should also look for:

Answer 7

a. Weakened floors.
b. Spalled concrete (from heat).
c. Weak steel roof members.
d. Walls that have been offset.
e. Weakened roof trusses.
f. Sharp objects.
g. Dangling wires/debris.
h. Non-firefighting personnel moving debris out or about the fire scene.

Question 8

signs of fire can be identified through:

Answer 8

• sight
  (discoloration of materials, peeling paint, smoke emissions, cracked plaster, rippled wallpaper, burned areas, and melted plastic),
• feel,
• sound
  (popping or crackling, high-pitched or hissing)
• and/or with the aid of different sensors (i.e., TIC and infrared heat detector)

Question 9

Personnel should ensure that one or more of the following pieces of equipment are available during salvage and overhaul operations:

Answer 9

1. Waterproof canvas or vinyl (cover valuables).
2. Suitable plastic rolls (cover valuables).
3. Brooms and Squeegees (move water or debris).
4. Shovels (move debris).
5. PPV Fan (move smoke).
6. Wooden blocks or cribbing (elevate furniture).
7. Pliers (cut or pull wire).
8. Sledgehammer, Denver Tool or Axes (open walls and floors).
9. Pike poles and NY hooks (open ceilings to check on fire extension).
10. Saws, drills, screw drivers (make small openings and build protection).
11. Buckets (carry debris).
12. Bale hooks or pitchforks (move loose material).
13. Duct Tape (seal openings).

Question 10

The following actions should be considered while conducting any/all salvage and overhaul operations:

Answer 10

1. Conduct a collapse danger survey and rope off all identified danger areas (i.e., damaged utilities, structural defects, and unstable objects).
2. Set up portable fans to remove toxic smoke and gas.
3. Set up portable lights and power supply.
4. Survey walls and ceiling with Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) for hidden fire.
5. Shut off utilities of gas and electricity.
6. Determine the fitness of firefighters that are selected to perform these operations. If possible, use fresh personnel for overhauling duties. Rest and rotate personnel as needed.
7. Assign firefighters specific areas large enough to provide safe work areas. Supervise and coordinate over-hauling in close quarters where two or more firefighters must work together.
8. Group the largest and heaviest pieces of furniture together as a base for other lighter furniture and fabric coverings (i.e., rugs, blankets, pillows, etc.) prior to covering with tarps. Do not build this pile close to anything that would impede proper coverage.
9. Check the tops of bureaus, dressers and tables for valuables and place them in drawers for safekeeping. Inform company officer or IC of item and location.
10. Conduct “Top Down” overhaul operations. Always wear SCBA face pieces and eye shields when pulling ceilings and check all routes of potential fire spread.
11. Guard, protect and preserve all evidence where it is found. Rope off area(s) and remain on scene for a Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) representative. For further guidance, consult the appropriate FPB SOG.
12. Notify incident commander if any smoldering rubble that must be removed from the building. Control flare-ups and rekindles with hose lines.