Fireground Support Operations (1St Edition)

Fireground Support Operations (1st Edition) Chapter 12 - Loss Control Test Review

. Loss Control used to be done by civilian salvage crews hired by insurance companies, now firefighters do it. . The purpose of loss control is to reduce damage from fire, smoke, water, inclement weather, and other contingencies before, during, and after a fire. . Primary damage is damage produced by a fire. . Secondary damage is damage produced by fighting a fire or leaving property inadequately protected. . Loss control should start with pre-incident planning and follow through to post-incident operations. . The purpose of pre-incident planning is to increase incident safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. . By definition, an emergency is an incident that is emerging (it is dynamic and changing). . Using a systematic pre-incident planning process, fireground operations are more successful. . A pre-incident (AKA operational or contingency) plan should include loss control in every aspect of the plan (done at same time). . Loss control risk is any aspect of a building or contents that has the potential for producing primary or secondary loss with a fire. . Risk identification is usually accomplished through an ongoing program of pre-incident planning inspections (AKA surveys). . Pre-incident surveys allow firefighters to become familiar with contents, produce information for plans, and inform owners of risks. . Items noted on pre-incident plans that may cause primary/secondary loss include: life safety hazards, vital processes, vital business information/documents, biohazards, flammable/reactive processes, structural design, highly absorbent contents, and location of MSDS. . Features that can reduce the risk of loss include: fire escapes, smoke towers, areas of refuge, automatic fire doors, built-in fire detection/suppression systems, and automatic smoke vents. . Risk evaluation is based on experience and judgment. . Once a building is inspected with loss control risks identified/evaluated, information can be translated into a plan. . The loss control elements of a building plan include: most effective/least destructive means of forcing entry, most effective means of evacuation, where vital business documents are stored, and when/how built-in suppression systems are supported and used. . Secondary damage can result from forcible entry, fire attack, ventilation/smoke removal, water use/removal, salvage, and overhaul. . Extinguishing a fire quickly and efficiently limits primary damage. . Factors for limiting primary damage include: adequate on-scene resources, effective method of attack, effective ventilation, and thorough overhaul. . To limit primary damage, a sufficient number of trained firefighters must attack the fire directly. . Trapped heat/smoke can seriously damage building contents. . Damage done by hidden fires is still considered primary damage. . Portable rekindle detectors operate on battery power or AC power and are used to automatically transmit a radio signal to fire department communications center if a rekindle occurs. . Aggressive fire attack and ventilation can reduce primary damage. . Overhaul should not begin until whoever is charged with determining the fire cause has been consulted (IC/investigator). . Hot spots can be identified by thermal imagers or by introducing fresh air into the building with blowers. . Carbon monoxide is always present after a fire. . Broad-spectrum gas analyzers can be used to check for known or suspected gases. . Carbon monoxide (CO) can be used as an index gas, meaning if CO has been reduced by ventilation, other toxic gases should have also been reduced. . Acrolein (CH2CHCHO) is a strong respiratory irritant produced when polyethylene is heated (cellulose, wood, natural materials). . Acrolein is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and tear gas. . Hydrogen Chloride (HCl) is a colorless, very pungent, and irritating gas given off when materials containing chlorine thermally decompose (PVC, other plastics). . Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) is an asphyxiant that is colorless, with almond odor, given off when natural materials containing nitrogen such as wool, silk, polyurethane foam, and materials containing urea thermally decompose. . Hydrogen cyanide is used in the electroplating industry.

FireNotes.com® Fireground Support Operations (1st Edition) – Chapter 12 Page 1 of 2 . Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a colorless, odorless, non-flammable gas produced in free-burning fires (can asphyxiate via respiratory acceleration and oxygen displacement).

. Nitrogen Oxides (NO and NO2) are reddish brown or copper-color gases liberated when pyroxylin plastics burn.

. Nitric Oxide (NO) coverts to Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) in the presence of moisture (pulmonary irritant, delayed systemic effect).

. Phosgene (COCl2) is a highly toxic, colorless gas with an odor of musty hay. . Phosgene is produced when refrigerants, such as freon, contacts flame (strong pulmonary irritant, delayed effect of several hours). . One of the most effective means of secondary loss control is performing careful forcible entry. . Careful ventilation can contribute to both primary and secondary loss control. . Perhaps the most effective means of reducing secondary loss is performing rapid/effective salvage operations. . In general, salvage operations should start on the floor below the fire floor as fire attack begins. . Common loss control methods include: protecting floors, floor coverings, and building contents, expelling smoke, removing heat, and controlling/moving water. . Narrow canvas or plastic floor runners (AKA hall runners) can be used to protect floors. . Protecting building's floors can reduce secondary loss. . Building contents protected by salvage covers should also be elevated off the floor if possible. . Archways and large openings can be covered by plastic sheeting/salvage covers when expelling smoke. . In some cases, water in the air can be absorbed by a building's materials (resulting in instability). . Techniques for removing water include: wiping water from horizontal surfaces, constructing water chutes/catch basins, using mops, squeegees, water shovels, or wet vacs, using portable pumps, breaching exterior walls (improvised scuppers), and removing toilets to allow water to drain. . Discharge water contaminated with toxins should not be allowed to enter storm drains. . To reduce economic loss, as much of a victim's property should be salvaged as possible. . The Occupant Services Sector is responsible for valuables found at an incident. . A video tape of the incident scene taken after overhaul can assist owner's with insurance claims. . After salvage/overhaul, before firefighters leave the scene, the property should be secured from weather and vandals. . If hazards exist, such as open holes/pits, property should be cordoned off. . To reduce psychological fire loss, firefighters can refer victims to agencies to assist victims. . Most "after-fire" assistance agencies follow the FEMA booklet entitled "After the Fire! Returning to Normal, published by the US Fire Administration.

FireNotes.com® Fireground Support Operations (1st Edition) – Chapter 12 Page 2 of 2