DAMAGE CONTROL INVESTIGATION

“Tricks of the Trade” POWERPOINT

TRAINING

MARCH 2013

After damage investigating requires a sharp eye and understanding of multiple types of obvious and hidden damage and ability to report what

is visualized. Hidden damage, unchecked, can be a ship’s demise.

1. Always look through the window prior to opening door, if available.

3. Open door, enter cautiously

2. Check door for heat, slowly undog door and listen

MULTIPLE REPORTS SINGLE SPACE

Bulkhead deformation, buckled in 3 feet

Ruptured pipe

Deck buckled up 2 feet

Compartment demolished

Light smoke in overhead 1. Make report to DCRS that light

smoke in Pway overhead, coming from adjacent compartment (port side)

2. Determine origin of smoke 3. Check door for heat, use back of

hand 4. SCBA in standby or go on air 5. Slowly undog door ¾ ways, giggle

door to check for pressure and listen for air (pressure or vacuum)

6. Observe to see if smoke is heavy or light

7. If flames present at door secure and report

8. Completely undog door, slowly open, observe smoke color and concentration level, look for fire origination

Investigator sequence:

1. REPORT white smoke coming from compartment 3-228-0-E 2. Don SCBA, air on, report time, report entering compartment 3. If able: Enter compartment as a team (NEVER enter alone), stay LOW, look for

fire origination 4. Combat fire, if small, using portable extinguisher

A. Report if extinguished 5. Back out if unable to engage fire 6. Secure door, light off installed extinguisher (if available), report 7. Establish immediate fire and smoke boundaries 8. Look for hidden or subsequent damage surrounding the Primary Damage Area

(PDA) 9. Continue investigation

Obvious damage: Warped Bulkhead

Hidden damage: Electrical wires cut or damaged

Cracks in bulkhead, seams, or welds

Air escaping (blowing) through cracks

Warped door frame preventing door from seating properly

Solid sound when bulkhead tapped or sweating on bulkhead (flooding on opposite side)

Damage above, below, forward, or aft of this compartment

Assess the damage by telltale signs

Weatherdeck

2nd Deck

3rd Deck

4th Deck

Damage to the deck is

significant enough to

indicate a space with complete

flash-over, warping the metal

above and cracking the non-

skid

Charred deck and structure indicates rapidly burning fire below

When using a flashlight the smoke can hide damage, always check thoroughly and completely

Use all senses: Sight, smell, sound, and good judgment to uncover all damage