THE OVERHAUL
Once the fire is out the overhaul of the fire area begins. I've listed the steps below;
1. Reestablish ventilation in the compartment to remove smoke and hot gases. Rig portable ventilation if necessary.
2. Use fire axes and picks to probe for smoldering embers. Use water as embers are uncovered.
3. Rig portable water pumps if this has not already been done during the fire-fighting process. Remove excess water.
4. Remove all items from the room involved in the fire and take these items to the weather deck.
5. Use a fire axe to make entry into false overheads, bulkheads, and decks to make sure that the fire is not continuing in these spaces. Smoldering and cable fires may continue undetected ifthis is not accomplished. Sweep up and remove all ash and debris from the compartment.
THE FLASHBACK WATCH
The final step prior to leaving the fire area is to set the flashback watch. The watch must be equipped with a charged fire hose and a fire axe. The purpose of this watch is to continue to wet down the smoldering material and probe for hidden fire.
