BOF FF1 Chapter 15*15 Overhaul, Property Conservation, and Scene Preservation

Area of Origin

The general location (room or area) where the ignition source and the material first ignited actually came together for the first time.

Carryall

Waterproof carrier used to carry and catch debris or used as a water sump basin for immersing small burning objects.

Catchall

Retaining basin, usually made from salvage covers, to impound water dripping from above.

Chain of Custody

Continuous changes of possession of physical evidence that must be established in court to admit such material into evidence. In order for physical evidence to be admissible in court, there must be an evidence log of accountability that documents each change of possession from the evidence’s discovery until it is presented in court.

Chase

Vertical or horizontal space in a building used to route pipes, wires, ducts, or other utility or mechanical systems. Usually surrounded with a fire-rated enclosure.

Fire Cause Determination

Process of establishing the cause of a fire incident through careful investigation and analysis of the available evidence.

Incendiary Device

Any mechanical, electrical, or chemical device used intentionally to initiate combustion and start a fire.

Overhaul

Operations conducted once the main body of fire has been extinguished; consists of searching for and extinguishing hidden or remaining fire, placing the building and its contents in a safe condition, determining the cause of the fire, and recognizing and preserving evidence of arson.

Point of Origin

Exact physical location where the heat source and fuel come in contact with each other and a fire begins.

Property Conservation

Methods and operating procedures by which firefighters attempt to save property and reduce further damage from water, smoke, heat, and exposure during or immediately after a fire; may be accomplished by removing property from a fire area, by covering it, or by other means.

Salvage Cover

Waterproof cover made of cotton duck, plastic, or other material used by fire departments to protect unaffected furniture and building areas from heat, smoke, and water damage; a tarpaulin or tarp.

Scupper

Form of drain opening either built into or created in an outer wall at floor or roof level through which water can drain from the floor or flat roof.

Spalling

Expansion of excess moisture within masonry materials due to exposure to the heat of a fire, resulting in tensile forces within the material, and causing it to break apart. The expansion causes sections of the material’s surface to violently disintegrate, resulting in explosive pitting or chipping of the material’s surface.

Trail(er)

Combustible material, such as rolled rags, blankets, newspapers, or flammable liquid, often used to connect remote fuel packages (such as pools of ignitable liquid and other combustible materials) in order to spread fire from one point or area to other points or areas; frequently used in conjunction with an incendiary device.

What hazards might be present during overhaul?

toxic gases, carcinogens, fire weakened floors, sharp objects, excessive fatigue, rekindling fires

List indicators of possible loss of structural integrity during overhaul

weakened floors due to floor joists being burned away or delaminated, evidence of spalling on concrete, weakend steal roof members, walls offset because of elongation of steel roof supports, weakened rough trusses due to burn through of key members or connectors, mortar in wall joints open due to excessive heat, wall ties holding the veneer/curtain walls melted from heat, heavy storage on mezzanines or upper floors, water pooled on upper areas, and large quantities of wet insulation

Where would you search for possible fire extension during structural overhaul?

Electrical receptables and switches, return air ducts and heating vents, telephone, cable, and internet connections, and pipe chases

What are some ways that a vehicle fire might spread from its original compartment?

Fires in the engine compartment may breach the windshield or forward firewall penetrations to enter the passenger compartment. Fires in the passenger compartment may burn through the rear seats or rear firewall penetrations to enter the vehicle's trunk compartment. Fires under the vehicle may spread into the engine compartment or into passenger or trunk compartments through penetration.

What is the purpose of property conservation?

Protect property without compromising their first priority, protecting life and health

What tools are typically used for salvage operations?

*salvage covers, carryalls, floor runners, dewatering devices, and water vacuums AND power tools (drills, drivers, saws), mechanical tools (pliers, adjustable wrenches, vice grips), Plumbing tools (pipe wrenches, pipe tape, pipe patch kits), general carpentry tools (hammers, saws, crowbars), mops, squeegees, and buckets

When is moving contents to a safe location within a structure an effective salvage procedure?

when the fire is limited and not likely to spread, and weather conditions would damage contents if they were moved outside

What challenges arise when attempting salvage operations in commercial occupancies?

Difficult to cover contents in these occupancies when large stocks and display features are involved, display shelves are frequently built to ceiling and directly against the wall which makes contents difficult to cover because when water falls down our wall it naturally comes into contact with shelving and wet contents, and content stacked too close to a ceiling present problems

What is the purpose of a chute and catchall for salvage operations?

A water chute removes water that comes through the ceiling from upper floors, a catchall is placed on the floor to hold water until chutes can be constructed to route the water outside of the structure

How should salvage covers be cleaned?

wetting or rinsing with a hose stream and scrubbing with a broom, extremely dirty or stained cover should be scrubbed with detergent solution and then thoroughly rinsed, should be clean and completely dry before folded and stored in the apparatus (avoid when outside conditions are windy)

What information can help determine a fire’s area of origin?

In a fuel limited structure and vehicle fire, the area of origin is often apparent, but the area of fire origin may not be the area with the most fire damage (may be the result of a high release rate burning near a vent or high release rate fuel package). Eyewitness accounts may be valuable in locating where fire began along with noting initial scene observations. The IC,fire investigator, or criminal investigator may determine the area of origin and the fire cause.

What are the guidelines for establishing the perimeter at a structure fire?

Explosions (established 1.5 times distance from the farthest piece of debris), structure fires (encompasses the area surrounding the building in any potential evidence that is located outside the building, extending beyond the farthest piece of evidence located during an exterior examination), and vehicle fires (keeping unauthorized personnel away and allowing investigators sufficient room to work)

When attempting to identify signs of arson, what are some things to note and record for the investigators?

time of day, weather and natural hazards, obstructions and barriers, and people leaving the scene

What are some steps to take to preserve evidence in place?

consider the entire fire scene as potential evidence, limit access to the fire scene, and keep evidence remaining undisturbed excess except when absolutely necessary for the extinguishment of the fire

What field reduction of contaminants steps should you perform before leaving the scene?

using a soft bristle brush and damp towel to remove large debris from PPE, using a hose line to rinse off all PPE and equipment, removing all turnout gear, using soap and water or disposal disposable towels to clean your head face and neck areas, begging contaminated equipment for travel back to the station, showering immediately upon returning to the station, and cleaning gear in apparatus interiors immediately after cleaning yourself upon returning to the station