SALVAGE

Salvage is the

protection of

buildings and their

contents from unnecessary damage due to water,

smoke, heat , and other elements. It is estimated that seventy-five percent (75%) of total

fire loss is created during extinguishing operations and other events occurring after the fire,

(Indirect damage). Twenty-five percent (25%) represents the loss actually caused by the fire,

(Direct damage). Although we can do little to prevent direct loss caused by fire and its by-

products, speedy and efficient salvage operations, performed as early as time and personnel

permit, can greatly reduce the total loss and inconvenience to a structure and its occupants.

Definition and Basic Objectives

Subject 8

By nature, some suppression tasks result in damage to a structure, e.g., forcible entry, ventilation,use of hose streams, etc. The fire departments obligation rests with every crew member, from forcibleentry to the final stages of overhaul, with regard to controlling damage in order to keep losses to aminimum.

The success or failure of salvage operations can be directly attributed to the degree to which thoseinvolved have familiarized themselves with salvage equipment and techniques. It is a combination ofthis familiarity mixed with a good dose of imagination and ingenuity that will enable effective andtimely salvage at the scene of an emergency.

REMEMBER: Salvage remains an essential function of the fire service. Victims of fire and otherdisasters recognize and appreciate the fire department’s efforts when irreplaceable personal belongingsand other contents of a home or business are saved through efficient salvage work. Salvage does notrequire a huge workforce. It can be performed by a small number of well trained, well-preparedpersonnel. In simple terms,

EFFECTIVE SALVAGE = GOOD PUBLIC RELATIONS

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Forcible Entry Ventilation

Use of Hose Streams Overhaul

Strategic PrioritiesStrategic priorities, relating to salvage

operations, will be dictated by the type ofincident (fire, flood, etc.). Other factors to beconsidered may include, but are not limited to:

— Type and size of structure

— Type of construction

— Occupancy

Residential – Start with irreplaceablepersonal belongings such as familyphotographs and other items of possiblesentimental value. Then move on toclothing and other essentials, and finally,consider televisions, furniture, etc.

Commercial – Give priority to anybookkeeping materials and other recordsincluding computers, then move on tomerchandise.

Industrial – As with commercial,consider records first. Then pay attentionto any valuable machinery and rawmaterials.

— Progression of incident at time of arrival

— Value of contents

— Automatic fire protection systems

— Possible location of records and files(including computers)

— Personnel available

— Salvage equipment available

An effective salvage operation begins with agood size-up as part of a coordinated attack.Size-up of an incident must be made to gatherdata for decisions on what needs to be done andhow to best perform those tasks. Salvage size-up should begin upon receipt of the alarm andmust be included in all phases of firegroundoperations. The same system of size-up used fora fire can easily be adapted to other salvage typeincidents. It includes the following steps:

— Facts - Nature of incident, type ofoccupancy, type of construction.

— Probabilities - Estimation of progress,possible hazards, weather.

— Available Resources - Type and quantitynecessary to perform effectively.

— Decision - What are the objectives?

— Plan of Operation - How to accomplish

objectives.

Tactical ConsiderationsControlled damage at the scene of an incident

is the goal of salvage. To achieve this goal crewmembers should train and become proficient inall operations relating to the following:

Forcible Entry – Know how to gain accesswith a limited amount of damage. Make surethe amount of damage is warranted andnecessary in relation to the urgency of thesituation. In other words, if there is noimmediate life hazard and no significant sign offire, consider a less destructive means of entrythan breaking down a door or taking out awindow.

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9-3

ALWAYS CONSIDER:Urgency vs.

Amount of Damage

Ventilation – To minimize damage from fire,smoke and heat should be confined to as smallan area as possible. Ordinary doors areextremely effective in blocking smoke andconvected heat. If no door exists, plastic orsalvage covers work extremely well as atemporary draft curtain in this situation. Rapid

removal of heat and other products ofcombustion can significantly lower the amountof direct fire loss. First consider horizontalventilation, e.g., positive pressure ventilationutilizing natural or existing openings. Ifhorizontal ventilation is insufficient and verticalventilation is deemed necessary, be sure to makea hole only large enough to do the job. Ifhorizontal ventilation worked well enough, leavewell enough alone and don’t cut holes in roofs forthe sake of a drill. Consider covering the holeor other openings with plastic before leaving thescene.

Application of Water – Although it is notthought of a a normal Truck Companyfunction, it needs to be said that applying waterat the wrong time, from the wrong place, withthe wrong nozzle pattern causes a significant

amount of preventable damage. Make everyattempt to locate the seat of the fire and use onlyas mush water as is necessary to control thesituation. Often the water extinguisher carriedby truck companies can control a small fire evenbefore hose lines are in place.

Dewatering – Methods used to remove waterfrom a structure are only limited by the amountof salvage equipment on hand and theimagination of the crew. Often, theseoperations should be started in unaffectedportions of the structure that may be threatenedby the progression of the incident. Do notwaste time attempting to save already damagedgoods when it can be better spent directing theflow of water or removing goods and materialsfrom the path of water. In multiple storybuildings salvage may need to be initiated onlower floors before the affected floor. Everyattempt should be made to stop the source ofthe water while continuing to control the pathof the water.

Overhaul – Hap-Hazard overhaul techniquescan also contribute to greater fire loss. Anattentive overhaul crew can sometimes recovervaluables that may have been written off as atotal loss. Many a business has been able toreopen its doors because partially files werelegible enough to allow restoration.

Covering of Goods and Materials – In orderto be effective, this operation must begin as

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SALVAGECOVER

PLASTIC

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early in the incident as possible. Beforecovering is begun consider these facts:

— Can the valuables be moved to a safelocation, eliminating the need forcovering?

— Is there enough covers or plastic tosafely and effectively cover all thevaluables?

— Are the valuables you intend to coveralready lost to fire, smoke or water?

Although traditional salvage covers continueto prove invaluable in fire, heat or otherspecialty situations, plastic should be givenstrong consideration in the following situations:

— As an additional vapor barrier under asalvage cover.

— If the area to be covered is in excess of astandard 12 x 18 foot salvage cover.

— Valuables will require covering for anextended period of time.

If covers were used initially they can bereplaced with plastic prior to leaving thescene.

— If covering for water protection onfloor(s) below an incident.

— Limited manpower.

Plastic is also advantage because largequantities can be easily stored on the apparatus,it can be left at the scene indefinitely, and it isextremely cost effective. ($10.00 per rollcompared to $150.00 per salvage cover)

Another advantage of plastic is the case withwhich it can be hung using only a staplegun.This makes it an excellent choice for “bagging”a room prior to pulling a ceiling during acreeping attic fire. Upon completion the plasticand staples can be removed, leaving only smallstaple holes in the walls and a relatively clean,dust free environment in the rest of thestructure.

SummaryIf 75 percent of fire loss is indirect, salvage,

then, is a vary important fire departmentoperation. Salvage should be a concern duringevery phase of the incident, from forcible entryto overhaul. Along with its otherresponsibilities, the fire department mustattempt to limit suppression damage as much aspossible. The result will be reduced fire loss,valuable possessions saved, and businesses ableto reopen their doors.

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=$150.00 $150.00