chapter 10
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10
Property
Conservation
10
Learning Objectives (1 of 7)
• List the three tactical priorities, in priority
order, and explain how property
conservation can be accomplished
simultaneously.
• Define primary and secondary damage.
10
Learning Objectives (2 of 7)
• To the untrained observer, ventilation
and forcible entry may often appear to
cause unnecessary property damage.
Explain how proper ventilation and
forcible entry actually reduce property
damage while protecting occupants and
fire fighters.
10
Learning Objectives (3 of 7)
• Given a pressure and discharge orifice size, estimate the flow from a single and multiple sprinkler heads.
• List and explain six tactics used to reduce water damage.
• Explain why removing property from a building is not generally a good property conservation tactic.
10
Learning Objectives (4 of 7)
• Calculate the weight of water from a
nozzle discharging 350 GPM (22 L/sec)
over a 10-minute period.
• Describe the importance of ventilation in
property conservation.
• Discuss the importance of overhaul.
10
Learning Objectives (5 of 7)
• Explain how thermal imaging cameras
can be used to reduce overhaul
damage and the precautions necessary
when using thermal imaging cameras to
find hidden fires.
• Enumerate safety issues related to
overhaul and fire investigation.
10
Learning Objectives (6 of 7)
• Calculate rate of flow for a given area,
and relate the rate of flow to property
conservation issues.
• Develop a fire scenario and apply
property conservation tactics for a fire
controlled by the sprinkler system or an
accidental discharge from the sprinkler
system.
10
Learning Objectives (7 of 7)
• Develop a fire scenario and apply
property conservation tactics for a fire
controlled by hose lines using V/100 to
determine the rate of flow.
10
Overview (1 of 4)
• Property conservation tactics can
substantially reduce property loss.
• Three tactical priorities:
– Life safety
– Extinguishment
– Property conservation
10
Overview (2 of 4)
• Extinguishment is often the best life safety and property conservation tactic.
• IC should simultaneously attend to all three operational priorities during offensive operations.
• Unfair criticism often results from forcible entry, ventilation, and overhaul operations.
10
Overview (3 of 4)
• Good conservation practices = good
public relations
• Overhaul process should be explained
to owners and occupants.
10
Overview (4 of 4)
• Commercial and industrial occupancies
– Employees may be extremely helpful in
locating valves, drains, and mechanical
controls.
– May have trained fire brigades
10
Property Conservation • Generally limited to offensive attacks
• No longer an issue if fire crews have been
withdrawn from the building due to:
– Lack of resources
– Deteriorating fire and building conditions
• Fire fighters should never be placed at risk to
save what is already lost or will be lost.
10
Estimating Indirect Damage • Primary damage
– Caused by the products of combustion
– Will consume more property if fire forces are
reluctant to force entry or ventilate
• Secondary damage
– Result of fire-ground activities or a fire
suppression system
• IC must limit all types of property damage.
10
Fire Suppression Systems
• Can cause secondary damage
• Suppression efforts include:
– Letting the system control the fire
– Not shutting down the system prematurely
• System shut down possible:
– At the riser
– By closing division valves
– By using sprinkler stops
10
Sprinkler Head Flows
• Size of the orifice opening
• Type of sprinkler head
• Water pressure in the system
10
Evaluating Water Damage (1 of 2)
• Larger-than-needed hose streams will
result in less water damage.
– Fire is extinguished quicker
– Time water is flowing is reduced
– Must be applied properly
10
Evaluating Water Damage (2 of 2)
• Too small of a hose line will result in
both increased water and fire damage
– Water flows for an extended period of time
without effectively extinguishing the fire.
10
Reducing Water Damage (1 of 2)
• Promptly extinguishing the fire and
avoiding wash downs
• Stopping the flow of water from sprinkler
systems
• Containing run-off
10
Reducing Water Damage (2 of 2)
• Channeling the water into drains or
chutes or otherwise directing it out of
the building
• Covering valuable property
• Moving or removing valuable property
10
Evaluating Smoke Damage
• Can cause considerable property damage
– Smoke damage may exceed water damage.
• Follows an upward path but can cause damage below the fire as well
• Ventilation is an important property conservation tactic.
10
Evaluating Overhaul Needs (1 of 2)
• Important tactical priority
– Indicates completion of the extinguishment
priority
• Ensures that the fire is completely
extinguished and the building is safe to
re-enter
10
Evaluating Overhaul Needs (2 of 2)
• Can result in what appears to be
additional damage to the property
– Damage is warranted to prevent further
primary damage.
10
Overhaul Hazards
• Fire scene discipline may deteriorate
– Attitude that it is an undesirable chore
• Toxic gas levels can be high.
– Especially, carbon monoxide
• Smoky, toxic, smoldering debris may
contain asbestos or other materials.
10
Overhaul Safety
• Must be accomplished in a well-planned, systematic manner
• Full protective equipment required, including SCBA
• Thermal imaging cameras can make overhaul more safe and efficient.
• Air quality should be monitored and ventilation provided.
10
Fire Investigation
• Improper overhaul can destroy a fire
scene investigation.
• Areas may have to be left undisturbed
to facilitate an investigation.
• Fire investigators can be invaluable
resources to ICs.
10
Summary
• Overall goal of firefighting is to save
lives and protect property.
– Fire extinguishment and property
conservation are important steps towards
this goal.
• Overhaul must be accomplished in a
well-planned, systematic manner.