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.