When we look at the amount of tasks that are completed on the fireground, it is impressive to think about how many tasks are done, and for the most part they are all done correctly. It is a notable fact: most of the time, our actions on the fireground result in positive outcomes. It is a desire to not only do this job, but to do it well. Every action we take on the emergency scene has to be done right, or else the results can be catastrophic.
One of the most common results of “not doing it right” is the rekindle…I know, the dreaded “R” word. No one likes to hear it; no one likes to think about it. It instills chills to officers everywhere, because it signifies a lack of efficiency on the fireground.
It was instilled very early in my career as a fire officer that the incident commander is the first person to believe there is a fire in the building, and the last person to believe that the fire is completely out (see Photo 1). To confirm the fire is truly out, we have to concern ourselves with the areas we see and those we cannot see; within the structure, convection and conduction allow the transfer of fire beyond the compartment. These gases can penetrate existing openings within the compartment and spread to unaffected sections of the structure. That being said, a few common points come to mind when ensuring that we have completely extinguished any and all fire.
Where Do You Look?
Overhaul involves the physical search for hidden fire and extinguishing it completely. Many times there exist clues as to where to look to the naked eye. There are natural openings that exist within the compartment where the fire was; all serve as an avenue for convected heat and flame spread. Switch plates, outlet covers and recessed lighting fixtures provide spaces for heat to enter and spread out of the compartment. If the plates exhibit signs of thermal damage, they need to be removed to check for extension (see Photo 2).
Within the compartment, wall coverings such as sheet rock and gypsum board provide limited protection within the compartment. As the drywall compound becomes heated, it dries and falls out, exposing a gap for the paper on the back side of the wallboard and the wood studs in the wall to ignite. The board will also shrink from heat exposure, causing gaps and cracks around the surface of the board, allowing heat to transfer through the wall (see Photo 3). Any type or size intrusion within the compartment will need to be examined further for any potential heat transfer outside the compartment.
What To Look For
When examining the compartment, look around the areas of any existing openings within the space. Any opening will require further examination to determine if spread has passed through the area. However, there may be areas above and adjacent to the compartment that will need to be examined further, as spread may have entered from the opposing side of the exposure. Signs like blistering paint, discolored paint and wall paper, or crackling noises within the exposure will warrant further investigation. One of the best tools to determine locations for flame spread is the thermal imaging camera (TIC). Overhaul companies should deploy these units in the areas of potential spread to identify where exactly the area must be exposed (see Photo 4). Once the area of highest heat concentration is identified, the area can be opened up.
Some areas of fire spread and overhaul areas are certain voids and spaces within the structures. Some of the more common areas of spread include the kitchen soffit area and the bathroom void space behind the commode. Kitchens are fairly common areas for fires within the structures, and many times heat can travel into the soffit area above the cabinets and communicate throughout the rest of the structure fairly easily (see Photo 5). It is paramount that this area is opened up for inspection to confirm extinguishment. Another common area is the large void in the wall directly behind the commode. This void is larger than most wall void spaces, as it must facilitate the waste pipe that goes down and out towards the sewer line, and the vent pipe that goes upwards and vents gases out above the roof line. Structures with multiple living units will find the utilities for the kitchens and bathrooms adjoining each other, and will provide a large avenue for flame spread. Be sure to open these spaces up and check them thoroughly (see Photo 6).
Within the compartment, there may be little if any sign of fire spread within the area. When in doubt, it is best to pull open three areas of common spread to confirm the fire has not spread beyond the compartment. The first point to open up is directly above the area with the most thermal damage. After opening that area, it is best to pull open the ceiling directly above the doorway exiting the compartment. Many times heat can travel outside the compartment through the void directly over the door. Lastly, to ensure that there wasn’t any exterior spread outside the compartment, it is best to pull the ceiling in the hallway, following the direction of the floor joists in the ceiling overhead. Smoke and heat can travel down the chase between the joists and concentrate the area of travel to a specific path. In the event the flooring consist of open floor joists or trusses, heat can travel in multiple directions, and companies will have to open up in multiple courses to ensure confinement of the fire.
What To Do About It
Equipment for the overhaul companies is not limited to the pulling, striking and cutting tools. Suppression materials are to be on hand to finish extinguishment of any hidden fire. A minimum of one 1 3/4-inch handline should be located near the areas of concern to finish extinguishment. There should also be catchalls with water located near the areas for smaller parts of the compartment to be submerged in water to affect final extinguishment. Contents and belongings that are still showing signs of heat should be removed from the structure, if possible, and completely extinguished outside.
Conclusion
Jahangir Khan once said “Without hard work and discipline, it is difficult to be a top professional.” Professionalism is an attitude, a focus on doing something right, exactly right, and working until it becomes exactly right. When we arrive on scene at a fire, the people we protect expect us to be professional; exactly right, 100% of the time.
So when the incident commander turns that property back over to its rightful owner, they must be able to say, without hesitation or doubt that indeed “the fire is out.” Ensuring that fact is a thorough overhaul process that confirms what we want the public to believe; that, indeed, we responded, operated, and performed as the true professionals that we believe we are.
Until next time, stay focused and stay safe.
MICHAEL DALEY, a Firehouse.com Contributing Editor, serves with Monroe Township, NJ, Fire District No. 3 as a lieutenant and serves on New Jersey Task Force 1. He earned the Master Fire Instructor certification from the ISFSI and is an instructor at the Middlesex County Fire Academy where he developed rescue training curriculum. He is a managing member of Fire Service Performance Concepts.
