Checking for Extension, Overhaul and Forcible Entry

B. Areas of possible rekindling

  1. Walls and ceilings

       a. If in contact with fire and heat, must be opened and checked

       b. If partially opened during fire, open further to find full extent of fire

       c. Important to open ceiling space because any fire there will be guided to wall spaces and then up

           through building

       d. Ceiling spaces should be checked with extra care so damage will be minimized - protect

            building contents

       e. Check to see if sparkshave been carried up interior walls or partitions

  2. Above fire

      a. Remove baseboards for positive check for fire travel through walls and partitions

      b. Older walls more susceptible to hidden fire than newer walls

      c. Both sides of insulation must be checked

      d. When crews find that fire has penetrated ceiling space, must assume fire spread into floor above

      e. If part of floor must be removed, take it up until clean areas shows extent of fire

      f. In general, cutting during overhaul should be done with power saws

  3. Shafts

      a. When crews suspect or find fire spread into vertical shafts, they must be opened and checked

      b. Shaft openings might have to be enlarged to allow streams to be manipulated properly

      c. Check top and bottom of shaft for fire and sparks

      d. Shafts opened for venting or fire control must be thoroughly checked

      e. Anything in contact with shafts must be thoroughly inspected

  4. Cabinets and compartments - if cabinets have been subjected to fire or intense heat, they must be

       thoroughly checked

  5. Window and door facings

       a. When fire has involved window or door facing, crews should remove facings and check

           concealed recesses

       b. If extension found, walls or partitions must be opened to end fire travel

       c. Wainscoting handled as door facing

  6. Basement areas

      a. When fire directly involved basement or cellar, area must be checked completely

      b. Even if not involved, check for fire that might have fallen from upper levels

      c. Party walls must be examined carefully - both sides with special attention to point where joists

          overlap or abut

C. Chemicals and other hazards

  1. Fire fighters should know which chemicals and flammable liquids are kept in storage areas

  2. Care must be exercised during firefighting operations for leaking flammables igniting

  3. During overhaul, attention must be paid to labels on containers and to signs posted

  4. Protective clothing (including SCBA) essential in overhaul

NOTE:Structural fire fighting protective clothing may not provide adequate protection from chemicals.When chemicals are discovered, there hazard must be determined before  proceeding with overhaul.

D. Searching for the cause of fire

  1. Important part of overhaul is discovery and preservation of evidence of arson

  2. Fire fighters should be trained to look for signs of a deliberately set fire

  3. Jumping into overhaul without checking for signs, evidence might accidentally be thrown out,

    buried, or washed away

  4. When number of suspicious fires occurred in area, information should be sent to responding

       companies

  5. Be especially alert for deliberately set fire and call investigators when anything unusual is discovered

  6. Indications of deliberately set fire

      a. Location, especially if started at bottom of stairwell or shaft

      b. Multiple fires

      c. Unusual odors

      d. Undue wood charring

      e. Uneven burning

      f. Holes made in walls and floors

      g. Heating equipment not in proper condition

      h. Empty accelerant containers

      i. Residues of wax or paraffin

      j. Opened or removed service doors or panels to shafts

      k. Inoperative sprinkler systems, fire doors, and other protective devices