1. Chapter 17— Loss Control

2. Chapter 17 Lesson Goal
After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to perform loss control operations

3. Philosophy of Loss Control
Minimize damage & provide customer service through effective recovery efforts
Builds goodwill
(Continued)

4. DISCUSSION QUESTION
How does effective loss control contribute to goodwill in the community?

5. Salvage & Overhaul Most effective means of loss control
Restoration of the property
Salvage - methods & operating procedures that reduce fire, water & smoke damage during & after fires
Overhaul – Searching for & extinguishing hidden fires

6. Salvage
Operations that aid in reducing primary & secondary damage during firefighting
Primary damage is caused by the fire
Secondary damage is caused by fire suppression activities
(Continued)

7. Salvage
Both primary & 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

8. Overhaul
Consists of operations involved in searching for & extinguishing hidden or remaining fires
Protecting the scene & preserving evidence are components of overhaul
(Continued)

9. Overhaul If possible, do not start overhaul operations until
Fire is under control
Fire cause has been determined
Evidence has been identified & protected

10. Salvage
Methods & operating procedures by which FFs attempt to save property & reduce further damage
Removing property
Covering property
Other means
(Continued)

11. Salvage Proper salvage operations Early planning
Knowing the procedures
Being familiar with tools & equipment

12. Planning for Salvage Operations
Efficient operations require planning & training
SOPs should be developed
(Continued)

13. Planning for Salvage Operations
Pre-incident plans
High-value contents
Residential occupancies
Commercial occupancies

14. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What should be done with other smaller items, such as photographs & documents?

15. Salvage Procedures
Operations can be started at same time as fire attack
Members performing salvage should be in full PPE & SCBA
Group building contents into compact piles
Salvage usually begins a floor below fire

16. Salvage Procedures Group household furnishings in center of the room
Remove pictures & place w/ furniture
Raise furniture off wet floors
(Continued)

17. Salvage Procedures Commercial occupancies present special challenges
Place stock on pallets
Be very cautious of high-piled stock that gets wet at the bottom
(Continued)

18. Salvage Procedures
Large quantities of water can be removed by a variety of methods
Remove toilets fixtures
Use water chutes
Use squeegee’s
Water may ruin finishes; wipe off surfaces

19. Salvage Covers Made of waterproof canvas materials
Manufactured in various sizes
Have reinforced corners & edge hems
Used to:
Control runoff water
Collect debris
Cover furniture
As a catchall
(Continued)

20. Salvage Covers Synthetic covers Some covers may be disposable
Lightweight
Easy to handle
Economical
Indoor & outdoor use
Some covers may be disposable

21. Salvage Cover Maintenance
Proper cleaning, drying, & repairing increases service life
(Continued)

22. Salvage Cover Maintenance
Canvas salvage covers
Wetting or rinsing with hose stream & scrubbing w/ a broom
Detergent solution if needed
Don’t let dry when dirty
Should be completely dry before being folded & placed in service
(Continued)

23. Salvage Cover Maintenance
Synthetic salvage covers
Do not require as much maintenance as canvas
Rinse w/ hose stream & scrub w/ broom
Use approved detergent on heavy stains
Do not dry in direct sunlight
(Continued)

24. Salvage Cover Maintenance
After salvage covers are dry, examine for damage, i.e. holes
Look up at the underside to locate holes
Mark holes w/ chalk or marking pen
Repair holes w/ duct tape

25. DISCUSSION QUESTION
Why should you repair holes in salvage covers?

26. Salvage Equipment
Should be located in a readily accessible area on apparatus
SOPs dictate where equipment is carried & who performs operations
(Continued)

27. Salvage Equipment Keep smaller tools/equipment in a salvage toolbox
Plastic tub may be used for supplies

28. Typical Salvage Equipment
Electrician’s pliers
Sidecutters
Various chisels
Tin snips
Tin roof cutter
Adjustable wrenches
Pipe wrenches
Hammer
Sledgehammer
Hacksaw
Crosscut handsaw
Heavy-duty stapler and staples
Linoleum knife
Wrecking bar
(Continued)

29. Typical Salvage Equipment
Padlock & 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)

30. Typical Salvage Equipment
Mops
Squeegees
Scoop shovels
Brooms
Mop buckets with wringers
Automatic sprinkler kit
Water vacuum
Submersible pump & discharge hose
Sponges
Chamois
Paper towels
Assortment of rags
(Continued)

31. Typical Salvage Equipment
100-foot (30 m) length of electrical cable
Junction boxes
Approved ground fault interruption device
Salvage covers
J-Hooks
S-hooks
Floor runners
Duct tape
Plastic bags
Cardboard boxes
Styrofoam blocks
Rope
Bungee cords

32. Equipment Descriptions
Automatic sprinkler kit
Needed for buildings protected by automatic sprinkler systems
Used to stop flow of water from an open sprinkler
(Continued)

33. Equipment Descriptions
Carryalls — Used to carry debris, catch falling debris, & provide a water basin for immersing small burning objects
(Continued)

34. Equipment Descriptions
Floor runners — Protect floor coverings; lightweight, tough material, heat & water resistant, easy to maintain
Used in hallways or traffic areas
(Continued)

35. Equipment Descriptions
Dewatering devices
Used to remove water from basements, elevator shafts, & sumps
Do not use FrPD pumpers because water can damage pumps
Trash-type pumps are best for salvage
(Continued)

36. Equipment Descriptions
Water vacuum — removes water from areas where water is not deep enough to be picked up by other means
4-5 gallon capacity
Backpack & floor models
PPE, i.e. SCBA, limited w/ backpack model

37. Equipment Descriptions
J-hooks — Driven into walls or wooden framing to provide a strong point from which to hang things
S-hooks — Used like J-hooks but cannot be driven into walls or framing; must have a horizontal ledge

38. Equipment Descriptions
Grommets
Found along the edges of salvage covers
Can be used w/ rope, S & J hooks

39. 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
Same may be done w/ folded cover

40. Two-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover
Large covers cannot be easily handled by a single FF
Carry this fold on the shoulder w/ open edges next to neck
Position cover so carrier can grab lower corners & second FF can grab upper corners
(Continued)

41. Two-Firefighter Spread with a Folded Salvage Cover
Balloon throw is most common method for deployment
(Continued)

42. Using Chutes: Removing Water
Practical way to remove water that comes through the ceiling from upper floor
Used to route water short distances through windows or doors
May be constructed on floor below firefighting operations
(Continued)

43. Using Chutes: Removing Water
Prepared chutes are approximately 10 feet (3 m) long
Chutes can be constructed from plastic sheeting, a heavy-duty stapler, & duct tape & pike poles or a ladder

44. Using Chutes: Constructing a Catchall
Constructed from a salvage cover placed on the floor to hold small amounts of water
(Continued)
Firefighter I

45. Using Chutes: Constructing a Catchall
Temporarily control large amounts of water
Place into position as soon as possible
Usually requires 2 people

46. Using Chutes: Constructing a Catchall
Open salvage cover fully
Roll sides inward to fit area
Fold ends over to form a 90° angle
Roll in
Lock corner

47. DISCUSSION QUESTION
How much water do you think a catchall can carry?

48. Splicing Covers Used when: Splice covers w/ watertight joints
Objects/groupings are large
Long chutes or catchalls need to be made
Splice covers w/ watertight joints
(Continued)

49. 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

50. Covering Openings One of final parts of salvage operations
Prevents damage by weather
Cover doors/windows
Cover openings in roofs
(Continued)

51. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What is the point of covering doors, windows, and openings on a home that has already been affected by fire?

52. Operations conducted once main body of fire has been extinguished
Overhaul
Operations conducted once main body of fire has been extinguished
Searching for & extinguishing hidden or remaining fire
Placing building & contents in safe condition
(Continued)

53. Overhaul
Ideally, fire investigators begin their work before overhaul starts
Overhaul is completed after:
Determining fire cause
Recognizing & preserving evidence of arson

54. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What is the purpose of overhaul?

55. Safety During Overhaul
Steps required
Inspecting premises to ensure building is safe to work in
Developing operational plan
Providing tools & equipment
Eliminating or reducing hazards
(Continued)

56. Safety During Overhaul
Toxic gases
Common & dangerous threat during overhaul
Wear appropriate PPE, including respiratory protection
(Continued)

57. Safety During Overhaul
Other hazards are present, such as fire-weakened floors
Mark or barricade hazardous areas
Use gloves & eye protection
(Continued)

58. Safety During Overhaul
Physical conditioning & correct lifting are necessary
Fatigue is a preventable cause of injury

59. Overhaul Tools and Equipment
Pike poles & plaster hooks
Axes
Prying tools
Power saws, drills, & screwdrivers
(Continued)

60. Overhaul Tools and Equipment
Carryall, buckets, & tubs
Shovels, bale hooks, & pitchforks
Thermal imaging camera

61. Supervision of Overhaul
By a supervisor/officer not directly engaged in overhaul tasks
Fire investigator should be involved

62. Fire Safety During Overhaul
Size of charged hoselines in overhaul may not be the same as attack lines
Do not disconnect all fire apparatus from hydrants
Leave at least one pumper connected
(Continued)

63. Fire Safety During Overhaul
Attack lines used for overhaul are 1.5”
One attack line should be available to put out hot spots or flare ups
Place nozzle so it will not cause additional damage
Do not allow water damage from leaking hoselines
(Continued)

64. Overhaul Safety Considerations
Maintain situational awareness
Work in teams of 2 or more
Maintain awareness of exit routes
Maintain a RIC
(Continued)

65. Overhaul Safety Considerations
Monitor personnel for rehab
Beware of hidden gas or electrical utilities in walls & floors
Continue using accountability system

66. Locating Hidden Fires
Before starting a search, evaluate condition of area
Factors that affect condition of building:
Intensity of fire
Amount of water used for control

67. 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)

68. Indicators of Loss of Structural Integrity
Heavy storage on mezzanines or upper floors
Water pooled on upper floors
Large quantities of wet insulation

69. Detecting Hidden Fires
Sight
Cracked plaster, peeling paint, discoloration
Touch
Using back of hand, feel walls for heat
Never remove gloves while inside

70. Detecting Hidden Fires
Sound
Popping, crackling, or hissing of steam
Electronic sensors
Thermal imaging camera
Sees heat signature

71. Overhaul Procedures Begins in area of most severe fire damage
Looking for fire extension should begin as soon as possible after fire is declared under control
Systematically carried out
(Continued)

72. 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 w/ water
(Continued)

73. Overhaul Procedures
Check far side of wall to see if fire or water has come through
Thoroughly check insulation materials
Hidden fires can smolder for many hours
May be necessary to remove insulation

74. Understanding Basic Building Construction
Assists FFs in searching for hidden fires
Windows or doors
Fire may remain within frames or casings
Open these areas to ensure complete extinguishment
(Continued)

75. Building Construction and Overhaul
When fire has burned around combustible roof or cornice, open cornice & inspect for hidden fires
Balloon construction — Check the attic & basement for fire extension
(Continued)

76. Building Construction and Overhaul
Opening concealed/void spaces
Open all spaces immediately that may conceal a hot spot
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 & facilitate restoration
(Continued)

77. Building Construction and Overhaul
Ceilings may be opened from below using a pike pole
The plaster must first be broken on some ceilings
When pulling a ceiling, do not stand directly under area to be opened
(Continued)

78. Building Construction and Overhaul
Always position body between area being pulled & doorway to keep exit route from being blocked
Pull down & away from your position
Always wear full PPE, including SCBA
(Continued)

79. Building Construction and Overhaul
Small burning objects
Submerge entire objects in containers of water
Bathtubs, sinks, lavatories, wash tubs
Take mattresses & other large furniture outside & overhaul it
(Continued)

80. 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, & baled goods
Must break bales of rags, cotton, hay apart

81. Summary
Customer service is the core of everything that fire departments do
Loss control is an important component of fire department service delivery & is only one aspect of customer-service opportunities
(Continued)

82. Summary
Salvage & overhaul operations are two of the most effective means of loss control
Planning, procedures, & equipment are essential for effective loss-control operations

83. Skills Clean, inspect, and repair a salvage cover.
Fold a salvage cover for a two-firefighter spread.
Spread a folded salvage cover — Two-firefighter balloon throw.
Construct a water chute with pike poles
Construct a catchall. (Skill Sheet FF-I-112)