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Service Delivery 2. Collapsed Structures. Aim. To provide information that will assist students to deal with incidents involving collapsed structures safely and effectively. Learning Outcomes At the end of the session students will be able to:.
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Service Delivery 2 Collapsed Structures
Aim To provide information that will assist students to deal with incidents involving collapsed structures safely and effectively.
Learning OutcomesAt the end of the session students will be able to: • Explain the role of emergency services and other agencies • Describe the common structures and the types of collapse that may occur • Detail the procedures for locating and rescuing casualties • List the safety factors applicable to such incidents.
Role of the Fire Brigade To provide; • Human resources • Specialist equipment • Specialist knowledge.
Role of other agencies • Police • Ambulance/paramedic and hospitals • Surveyors/structural engineers • Plant hire • Armed forces • Voluntary agencies • Emergency planning.
Framed buildings • The structural load is supported by a steel or reinforced concrete frame • Modern buildings such as office blocks and hospitals • Good collapse resistance, any failures tend to be localised.
Unframed buildings • Traditional form of structure • Loads are carried by the walls • If load bearing walls fail along with columns or beams the result is an extensive collapse • Voids and spaces can be formed by the support of strong structural members.
Signs of structural collapse • Leaning walls • Cracks in brickwork • Distortion of window / door frames • Partial or full roof failure • Floors bowing in the centre • Holes in floors • Falling plaster • Smoke from cracks in the masonry.
Stage 1 Reconnaissance; • Ensure crew safety • Identify possible locations of casualties • Gain information on the possible cause of collapse • Rescue of casualties not severely trapped • Ensure structural safety.
Stage 2 Slightly damaged buildings; • Where floors and roof are intact • Ensure personal safety on approach • Carry out a systematic search • Notify the Incident Commander of dangerous conditions and areas searched • Mark rooms searched and unsafe areas.
Stage 3 Searching likely survival points ; • Slightly damaged areas • Voids under collapsed floors • Under stairs • Beside chimney breasts • In basements • Intact rooms with blocked entrances.
Stage 4 Selected debris removal ; • Associated with a total collapse • Used where the casualties location can be reasonably assured • Trenching and tunneling techniques may need to be employed.
Stage 5 General debris clearance ; • The systematic clearance of the whole site until all casualties are accounted for.
Priorities • Inter-service liaison • Implementation of a plan • Execution of the plan • Co-operation of all rescue workers.
Establishing contact • Establish communications with trapped people as soon as possible • Calling and listening period • Knock on steel objects protruding from the rubble.
Verbal contact established Seek information on; • Nature of injuries • How they are trapped • The location of any openings in walls close to the casualty.
Maintain communications • Helps to maintain morale • Can help to ensure rescuers keep working in the right direction • Casualty may be able to warn of the displacement of any debris.
Trenching techniques • Only clear enough debris to allow the passage of a stretcher • Ensure trench stability • Rotate workers • Do not use sharp tools • Do not crawl over the debris • Dump removed debris well clear of the site.
Tunnelling techniques • Only to reach a specified point • Struts and props to ensure stability • Be careful not to cause further collapse • Large obstacles may need cutting through • Ensure the tunnel will allow the passage of a stretcher • Only one person may be able to work at the head of the tunnel at a time.
Equipment • Hand tools • Hydraulic equipment • Airbags • Lighting • Specialist equipment on Emergency Tenders and Rescue Support Units.
Precautions and hazards • Be alert to changes in conditions • Gloves must be worn at all times • Constantly monitor your working area • When inside keep close to walls • Isolate services • Beware large amounts of broken glass • Do not force doors and windows.
Precautions and hazards • Minimum number of personnel in risk area • Workers should be rotated to avoid fatigue • Emergency team on stand-by • Keep equipment which may cause vibration away from the structure • Maintain egress.
Precautions and hazards • Beware falling objects • Extra lighting may be required • Extra problems will be encountered when lifting heavy and awkward objects • Crews should report any hazards to the Incident Commander.
ConfirmationAssessments will be based on this lesson and the corresponding study note Learning Outcomes • Explain the role of emergency services and other agencies • Describe the common structures and the types of collapse that may occur • Detail the procedures for locating and rescuing casualties • List the safety factors relevant to such incidents.
