IFSTA CH 15 Overhaul

Question 1

LOSS CONTROL

Answer 1

To describe the activities performed before, during and after a fire has been extinguished to minimize losses to property

Question 2

Properly applied loss control activities include:

Answer 2

Minimizing damage to the structure, exposures and contents

Eliminating the chance that a fire will reignite in the structure

Reducing the amount of time needed to repair and reopen the business

Creating goodwill for the fire department within the community

Minimizing financial loss for the owner/occupant, insurance company and community

Question 3

Two types of damage result from a structure fire

Answer 3

Fire and smoke causes primary damage

Fire suppression activities such as forcible entry, ventilation, and fire extinguishment operations cause secondary damage

Question 4

OVERHAUL

Answer 4

Refers to all operations conducted after the main body of the fire has been extinguished

Question 5

Overhaul includes the following activities

Answer 5

Searching for and extinguishing hidden or remaining fire

Placing the building and its contents in a safe condition

Determining the cause of the fire

Recognizing and preserving evidence of arson

Question 6

The steps to establish safe overhaul conditions include the following:

Answer 6

Inspecting the premises

Developing an operational plan

Providing needed tools and equipment

Eliminating or mitigating hazards (including securing any remaining utilities)

Question 7

common toxic gases

Answer 7

Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide

Question 8

due to the threat of reignition

Answer 8

charged hose lines should be present during overhaul operations

Question 9

Additional overhaul safety considerations:

Answer 9

Work in teams of two or more

Maintain awareness of available exit routes

Maintain a RIC throughout the operation

Monitor the need for personnel rehabilitation

Beware of hidden gas or electrical utilities

Continue using the accountability system until incident termination

Question 10

Firefighters can often detect hidden fires by

Answer 10

sight
touch
sound
electronic sensors

Question 11

hidden fires - sight

Answer 11

 Discoloration of materials
 Peeling paint
 Smoke emissions from cracks
 Cracked plaster
 Rippled wallpaper
 Burned areas

Question 12

hidden fires - touch

Answer 12

Heat felt through walls and floors

Question 13

hidden fires - sound

Answer 13

Popping or cracking of fire burning

Hissing of steam

Question 14

hidden fires - electronic sensors

Answer 14

Thermal (heat) signature detection with thermal imager

Infrared heat detection

Question 15

Overhaul Procedures

Answer 15

-Overhaul typically begins in the area of most severe fire involvement
-Move furnishings of the room to locations where they will not be damaged. If it is not possible to move the contents, protect them with salvage covers
-Remove only enough wall, ceiling or floor covering to verify complete extinguishment

Question 16

When pulling any ceiling, do not stand directly under the area to be opened

Answer 16

Position yourself between the area being pulled and a doorway to keep the exit route from being blocked with falling debris

Always wear full PPE including respiratory protection when pulling ceilings

Question 17

Procedures to be performed before leaving the scene include:

Answer 17

Using a soft bristle brush and damp towel to remove large debris from PPE

Removing all turnout gear

Using wet wipes or towel to remove soot from your skin

Using a hose line to rinse off all PPE and equipment

Bagging contaminated equipment for travel back to the station

Showering immediately upon returning to the station

Cleaning gear and apparatus interiors immediately following cleaning yourself when returning to the station

Question 18

PROPERTY CONSERVATION

Answer 18

Also called savage

Firefighters attempt to save property and reduce further damage from water, smoke, heat and exposure during or immediately after a fire

Question 19

Typical tools and equipment used in salvage operations include but are not limited to:

Answer 19

o Salvage covers
o Electrical tools
o Mechanical tools
o Plumbing tools
o General carpentry tools
o Mops, squeegees and buckets

Question 20

Salvage Covers

Answer 20

Used to protect unaffected furniture and areas of the building

Made of waterproof canvas or vinyl and are manufactured in various sizes

Question 21

Vinyl covers

Answer 21

are lightweight, easy to handle, economical and practical for both indoor and outdoor use

They may melt if used to cover hot objects and may tear if used to cover sharp corners or edges

Question 22

Automatic Sprinkler Kit

Answer 22

Tools in a sprinkler kit are used to stop the flow of water from an open sprinkler

Question 23

Carryalls

Answer 23

Are used to carry debris, catch fallings debris, and provide a water basin for immersing small burning objects

Question 24

Dewatering Devices

Answer 24

Dewatering devices are pumps used to remove water from basements, elevator shafts and sumps

Question 25

Water Vacuum

Answer 25

These devices can be used where standing water is too shallow to be picked up with a submersible pump or siphon ejector

Backpack-type tanks normally have a capacity of 4-5 gallons (15-20L)

Question 26

Choice of salvage procedure depends on:

Answer 26

• Number of personnel available
• Type, size and quantity of the contents
• Extent and location of the fire
• Current weather conditions

Question 27

Salvage procedures include:

Answer 27

Moving contents to a safe location in the structure

Removing contents from the structure

Protecting the contents in place with salvage covers

Question 28

You can remove large quantities of water in the following ways:

Answer 28

Make use of existing sanitary piping systems

Create scuppers*

Create chutes made of salvage covers, plastic or other available materials to route
water into other areas

Locate and clean clogged drains

Remove toilet fixtures

Question 29

Removing water with chutes

Answer 29

Water chute is one of the most practical methods of removing water that comes through the ceiling from upper floors

Water chutes may be constructed on the floor below fire fighting operations to drain runoff out of the structure through windows or doors

Question 30

Constructing a Catchall

Answer 30

Are constructed from a salvage cover placed on the floor to hold small amounts of water

Properly constructed catchalls can hold several hundred gallons (liters) of water and often save considerable time during salvage operations

Question 31

Covering openings

Answer 31

You should cover openings to prevent further damage to the property from weather and trespassers

Doors and windows that have been broken or removed during suppression activities should be covered with plywood, heavy plastic or some similar materials to keep rain out

Question 32

Salvage Equipment Care and Maintenance

Answer 32

The only cleaning required for canvas salvage covers is wetting or rinsing with a hose stream and scrubbing with a broom

Extremely dirty or stained covers may be scrubbed with a detergent solution and then thoroughly rinsed

Canvas salvage covers should be clean and completely dry before they are folded and stored on the apparatus

Question 33

SCENE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION

Answer 33

Scene preservation includes all attempts to prevent contamination and/or removal or loss of evidence relating to the origin and cause of fire

Question 34

Reason for Protecting the Fire Scene

Answer 34

Evidence of the location of the area of origin and fire cause is necessary to determine the fire cause classification

Question 35

Area of Origin

Answer 35

Is the general location where the fire began, it will contain the precise point of origin

Control of all evidence must be maintained as part of the chain of custody required in a legal case

Question 36

Chain of custody*

Question 37

Point of origin*

Question 38

Area of Origin*

Question 39

Obvious Signs of Fire Origin

Answer 39

Firefighters can follow physical indicators from the area of least damage to the area of most damage to locate the area of origin

The most obvious sign of origin is the location with the most damage: where the fire was burning the hottest for the longest amount of time

Question 40

Early security measures should include the following

Answer 40

Restricting access to the scene

Protecting any potential evidence located in the area

Minimizing fire suppression and overhaul activities that could destroy important information regarding the origin and cause of the fire

Question 41

Guidelines for establishing a perimeter of the proper size - explosions

Answer 41

should be established at 1.5 times the distance from the furthest piece of debris found

Question 42

Guidelines for establishing a perimeter of the proper size - structure fires

Answer 42

firefighters may establish a fire scene perimeter to limit access to the fire and keep bystanders at a safe distance

The perimeter should extend beyond the farthest piece of evidence located during the exterior examination of the structure

Question 43

Fire Cause Determination (next step after fire origin)

Answer 43

Is the process of establishing the cause of a fire incident through careful investigation and analysis of the available evidence

Question 44

Identifying signs of arson

Answer 44

Time of day (ex. At night occupants should be in night clothes)

Weather and natural hazards (ex. If temp is low the windows typically wouldn’t be open)

Man-made barriers
People leaving the scene
Time of arrival and extent of fire
Wind direction and velocity
Doors or windows locked or unlocked
Location of fire
Containers or cans
Burglary tools
Familiar faces

Question 45

As operation continues, you should continue to observe

Answer 45

 Unusual odors
 Abnormal behaviour of fire when water is applied
 Obstacles hindering fire fighting
 Incendiary devices*
 Trailers (usually leave char or burn patterns)
 Structural alterations
 Fire patterns
 Heat intensity
 Availability of documents
 Fire detection and protection systems
 Intrusion alarms
 Location of fire
 Personal possessions
 Household items
 Equipment or inventory
 Business records