Chapter 20

Chapter 20Salvage, Overhaul, and Fire Cause Determination11IntroductionSalvage and overhaul operations are not viewed as critical tasks.During the fire attack, firefighters can watch for signs and conditions to assist fire investigator.The chapter explains reasons for and importance of salvage, overhaul, and fire cause determination.2Salvage Tools, Equipment, and Maintenance Fire incidents have a potential loss of material goods.Scene triageBasic premise of salvage operations is to remove harmful atmosphere from material.Use proper tools.Some operations require complex equipment.3(A) Good and (B) bad salvage operations.

(A)(B)44Salvage CoversMainstay of salvage operationsSeveral different materialsPlastics coversCanvas coversKnife or scissors to cut desired length5Firefighter carrying Visqueen roll.

66Floor RunnerLightweight canvas-type materialProtects the floor Important not to damage floors unnecessarilyCustomer service makes the difference7Floor runner in place.

88Water VacuumTwo basic types:BackpackOn wheelsBackpack cannot be worn with SCBAs. Used to drain catch-allsLimited capacityAnother option is a pump.

9Miscellaneous Salvage ToolsSome other toolsHammerNailsStaple gunsVisqueenDoors and windows securedSalvage covers10Maintenance of Salvage Tools and EquipmentAfter use, tools must be cleaned and inspected.Tools often exposed to hazardous materialsReimbursementDo not allow debris to spill from salvage cover.Loose fold and roll11Loose fold and roll.

1212Salvage Cover Folds and RollsCovers RolledFoldedAvailable compartment space dictates methodTwo firefighters are needed to roll a cover.Fold cover neatly like a bed sheet.13Salvage OperationsSafety considerationsSprinkling headsProtecting material goodsArranging of furnishingsWater removalPost indicator valve and outside screw (stem) and yoke valve

14Salvage Operations (cont.)Sprinkler stopsUse sprinkler stops if no valves can be located.Importance of salvage operationsCan be as important as any actions performed on emergency sceneMake something good out of a bad situation.Preserve as much property as possible.15Overhaul Tools, Equipment, and OperationsProcess of overhaulTools used for overhaul built for following tasks:Tearing into buildingCutting through floorsPulling ceilingsSearching for hidden fires16Common ToolsCommon overhaul tools:Pike polesPitchforksRubbish hooksShovelsAxesChain sawsCarry-allsWheelbarrows17Carry-All1.8 metre square (6-foot-square) piece of heavy canvasRope strung through grommets Used to carry debris out of buildingUsed where wheelbarrows cannot be taken18OperationsAfter fire investigation, overhaul investigations can begin.Hidden fireThermal imaging cameras Wooden structural membersInsulation19Overhauling RoofsLong processMultiple roofsPitched roof may be built over flat roof.Creates two attic spacesOverhaul nightmare20Electronic Heat SensorsRelatively new way to check for hotspotsDetermine where heat is higher compared to surrounding areasAlerting mechanisms differSome used to find people21(A) Helmet with thermal imaging camera attached. (B) Firefighter using a handheld thermal imaging camera.

(A)(B)2222Revisits of the Involved StructureImportant to revisit scene Wise to make additional checksTwo hours after last company leaves and again within 10 hoursNext shiftFire watch23Debris RemovalRemoving debrisLoose materialPlace material in a pile and lightly hose down.Cover debris with Visqueen. 24The Importance of the Overhaul OperationsCustomer service aspects:Hidden firesLimit amount of uncovered debrisLeave building in a safe stateOverhaul work is often the only thing owners get to see the result of.Make sure overhaul work is in concert with fire investigator.25Fire Cause Determination ConcernsPossible clues as to how the fire startedFirefighters should listen to the reported information.During response, additional information may be gathered by questioning.Firefighters must ensure that investigator pre-approves removal of any part of structure.26Preservation of EvidenceItems that seem out of the ordinaryLeave items where they are found.Protect and preserve area.Cordon off area.Compromised evidence and areasLegal actions27Basics of Point of Origin DeterminationScientific pursuitScientific approachPath of least resistanceFires starting pointDepth of charDamage can be influenced by many factors.28V pattern in a structure fire.

2929Depth of char.

3030Lessons LearnedSalvage and overhaul duties are vital.Salvage and overhaul have a direct impact on success of incident.These duties are a great customer service for the homeowner, even if they are never recognized.31