FPASA BULLETIN FD 09
SALVAGE
Any organisation incorporating a fire defence programme should include salvage
operations as a vital part of its emergency procedure planning. The provision of salvage
equipment, training of personnel and the procedures to be adopted before, during and after
a fire or other disaster, must be pre-planned as attempts at organising salvage during the
chaotic conditions which prevail when a fire breaks out, or immediately after, are bound to
present difficulties.
Salvage equipment
The type of equipment suitable for salvage operations can normally be found on most
industrial premises and very little specialised equipment is necessary. These include
items:
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for moving stock -
forklift trucks
open trolleys
spare pallets
for reducing water damage -
portable pumps
dollies (filled with sand)
drain covers or guards
tarpaulins, polythene or plastic sheets
for cleaning up after fires -
brooms, brushes and mops
buckets
squeegees
spades and shovels
cleaning rags, waste and chamois leathers
bags of sawdust
oil cans
heaters (for drying purposes)
for securing of premises after fires –
hammers and nails
padlocks
various building materials
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Pre-planning for salvage
Salvage work should be largely the responsibility of the factory fire team, with assistance,
where necessary, from other staff members.
Salvage considerations vary from plant to plant and the men should be advised by a senior
staff member, such as the works engineer, who is aware of the priorities in the protection
and salvage of goods and machinery
A considerable amount of water is often used during fire-fighting operations and
damming may be necessary to guide water towards drains
To ensure that salvage operations are carried out efficiently some training of personnel is
necessary and consideration should be given to the following:
i
ii
iii
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What plant and/or stock can be moved, how it should be moved and where to?
The location of stormwater drains and drainage channels which could be used for the
removal of water from buildings and how water could be directed towards these.
The possibilities of lessening the effects of smoke by ventilation and by containment.
Water can be guided toward staircases and fir escapes from upper levels
Thought should also be given to improving storage methods. The provision of aisles and
gangways of adequate width in storage areas facilitates fire-fighting operations and
reduces unnecessary water damage.
Good access considerably improves salvage work as stock can be moved more rapidly
and the protection of goods with plastic sheets is facilitated.
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Water damage can also be reduced by storing goods, particularly those of a perishable
nature, on pallets instead of directly on the floor.
Water damage can be reduced by storing goods on pallets instead of directly
on the floor as shown here.
Salvage during a fire
In the event of a fire, salvage work should be started as soon as it is safe to do so,
providing it does not interfere with fire-fighting operations.
The first consideration would be to protect vital equipment and stock below the fire floor.
Perishables and goods susceptible to water damage should be lifted off the floor and
covered.
Damming may be necessary to prevent water from flowing into affected areas and/or to
guide water away from goods or toward drains or staircases. Dollies are particularly
suitable for this purpose and can be made from old canvas sheets, fire hose or strips of
plastic sheet sewn together and filled with sand.
When large volumes of water are used for fire-fighting ensure that drains are not blocked
by floating debris.
Smoke damage can be reduced by keeping doors and other internal openings closed.
After the fire
The restoration of automatic extinguishing or detection systems which may have operated
or become damaged during a fire must receive prompt attention.
Damage to machinery and stock susceptible to rust may be reduced by cleaning and oiling.
If artificial heating in the form of portable heaters is necessary this should be done only
under strict supervision.
Openings in roofs can be temporarily covered with tarpaulins or salvage sheets and
damaged doors and windows should be boarded up to secure the building overnight.
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Published by
Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa
(Incorporated Association not for Gain)
(Reg.No. 73/00022/08)
P O Box 15467
Impala Park
1472
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