SAVING PROPERTY: SALVAGE OPERATIONS, PART 2
BY ANTHONY J. PASCOCELLO, JR.
Part 1 appeared in the September issue.
Salvage covers can be used in various ways–to cover contents and equipment, as catchalls or chutes, and to form blockades, to name a few. But unless they are properly deployed, salvage covers can lose some of their effectiveness. Covers should be opened from a folded or rolled configuration.
The cover fold used by the New York City Fire Patrol, known as the “Underwriters fold,” begins with a 12-foot-wide by 18-foot-long cover fully opened and spread out. It is folded in half (along its width) and then folded in half again, leaving the cover three feet wide. The cover then is folded lengthwise in half and then in half again. After two more half-folds, the cover will be three feet long by 1312 inches wide. This size facilitates easy storage and transportation and can be easily deployed by two members.
One advantage of using this fold is that it allows the cover to be opened for use as a floor runner to protect carpeting, rugs, and special floors from being damaged by incoming firefighters and their equipment. It will cover an area three feet wide by 18 feet long (or 12 or 14 feet long, depending on the size of the salvage cover).
DEPLOYING A SALVAGE COVER
Before “throwing” a cover, size up the situation. First, determine what areas or objects are at greatest risk of being damaged. Next, try to maximize the area protected by a cover. To do this might require moving furniture, equipment, or other movable objects that will be placed under the cover. Move fragile, freestanding objects to locations where they will not get knocked over and broken.
The most effective way to throw a salvage cover over property is for two members to stand at either end of the cover and pull very tightly. Each grasps the middle of his end with one hand and rolls the end with the other hand several times. When they throw the cover at the same time, the rolled end will open or deploy over the contents.
This technique is the most effective for throwing a salvage cover. But sometimes, when there is a limited amount of working space or the contents are very wide or too high, the cover can get caught up and not be of much help. If this happens, simply position one member on the other side of the contents to grasp the cover and pull it over while the second member “feeds” the cover to the first member. This technique may slow the salvage operation somewhat, but it also will ensure that the contents are properly protected.
HIGH-RACK STORAGE OR SHELVING
A different technique is required for high-rack storage or shelving along walls. Use cover poles or pike poles with points narrow enough to fit into the grommets along the salvage cover`s edges. Put the poles through the grommets and raise the cover up and over the high contents. Do the same for shelving or racks against a wall; but in those cases, nail or hook the cover into the wall, if possible. The cover poles also can be used to place a cover over wide areas or hard-to-reach contents.
MAKING AND DEPLOYING CATCHALLS
Salvage covers can be made into catchall bags to collect water runoff. One of two types of bags can be used, depending on the amount of water. The first type, a deep bag, is fairly simple to make and deploy. The first step is to determine where a large amount of water will break out. After you find that place, use chairs, wastebaskets, or whatever else is available to form a circle, leaving the center open. Place the salvage cover over the items in the circle, and push the center all the way down to form a bag in which water can accumulate. Once the water becomes deep enough, use a pump or vacuum to remove it. This is an important step, since the collected water could add enough weight to cause the floor to collapse.
If you encounter a small amount of dripping water, you can make a shallow bag to collect the water. To make the shallow bag, open a cover and roll the sides several times. Then roll the corners several times to close all the ends. The rolled-up sides will act as walls, forming a shallow bag.
FORMING BARRIERS AND CHUTES
One way to prevent water from spreading down stairwells, into elevator shafts, and into general areas is to form blocks using covers. A folded salvage cover can be placed in a doorway during the initial stages of an incident to stop the flow of runoff water. Several covers can be placed on top of one another if the water rises rapidly or the cover seems to float, defeating its purpose. To block large hallways or corridors, open the cover and fold it over so it closes off the area, preventing the water from spreading. If deployed properly, blocks can be very effective, diverting and channeling water into drains, doorways, pumps, and vacuums.
In some situations, a chute can be constructed and used to divert water out a window or into a deep bag. For instance, if water is pouring from a hole in the ceiling, set up a chute under the hole to catch the water and divert it out a window or into a bag.
Making a chute is fairly simple. Needed are a salvage cover, three pike poles, and a ladder (preferably A-frame). Roll the sides of the cover around the pike pole handles, leaving the hook ends exposed. Continue rolling until the necessary size is reached. Open the A-frame ladder, and place the third pike pole across the rungs and hook the chute to it. Place the open end out a window or into a bag.
ENGINEERING/MAINTENANCE STAFF ASSISTANCE
When a fire or water emergency occurs, building engineering/maintenance personnel can assist fire department members with salvage tasks. In addition, they are valuable resources for information concerning a building or facility`s features before an incident and can provide assistance during an incident. Communication with them is essential. Following is a list of information these personnel can have on hand before an incident and actions they can take to assist during salvage operations.
Preincident
Have an easily accessible and diverse supply of replacement sprinkler heads.
Know the location and accessibility of floor drains to relieve excess water.
Have readily available keys to open doors to reduce the amount of forcible entry and expedite the start of salvage operations.
Maintain a list of occupants, their types or specialties, and the degree of risk they will suffer from smoke or water damage.
Maintain floor plans and diagrams to help determine the locations of possible salvage operations.
Advise on whether freight elevators are operating and can be used to transport members and equipment.
Know how the HVAC system works and whether it will assist in removing smoke or will worsen the smoke condition.
Store salvage equipment in convenient areas within major buildings for a fast response by assigned personnel. If a building or complex does not have maintenance personnel available to provide these services, firefighters could still put the equipment in place.
Know the location of sprinkler shutoff and drain valves.
Locate outlets from which to operate equipment.
During the Incident
Advise of any hazardous materials stored or located on the premises.
Warn of hazardous areas in which special precautions should be taken.
Know if elevators are operating and functioning properly.
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Salvage covers are not limited to the uses described here. Improvising on the scene may be necessary to accomplish salvage tasks. Firefighters periodically should train and practice with salvage covers to be able to deploy them quickly and efficiently when needed. n
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Submersible pumps can remove moderate to large volumes of water. When using submersible pumps, periodically check that drains are able to handle the excess water and that an overflow problem is not created.
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Sprinkler kit. Having an easily accessible supply of replacement sprinkler heads available can expedite overhaul operations and reduce water damage. (Photos by author.)
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ANTHONY J. PASCOCELLO, JR., formerly a volunteer firefighter and member of the New York City Fire Patrol, is a fire alarm dispatcher for the City of New York (NY) Fire Department. He has a bachelor`s degree in fire service administration.
