Fighting
Fire in a Storage Unit
Fighting a fire in a storage unit can be tricky and
very dangerous. Most commercial storage units have a wood frame and metal
siding and roofing which mean’s the inside is an oven and most storage units
are packed from side to side, floor to ceiling.
The first consideration when fighting a fire is
always safety but that doesn’t only encompass the fire. People store many
different items that can cause a lot of potential harm. One of the biggest
safety problems to think about is combustibles. Anything that can explode given
enough heat becomes a ticking time bomb when there’s a fire.
When you first enter the unit, be on the lookout for
things like CO2 canisters, paintball guns, oxygen tanks, gas cans, spray paint,
etc. These types of items can have gas inside them that builds up with heat
causing pressure against the wall of the item and could potentially make them
explode.
If a unit is packed full you need to move all
the items that are blocking the way. While moving quickly to remove the items
keep in mind to move cautiously. People often store firearms, knives and other
weapons. If you are paying attention you may put your hand on a knife that’s
sticking up or drop an old gun that may be unstable. If you come across one of
these items treat them as a possible explosive device like oxygen tanks and put
them into an area that is a safe distance from the fire and out of the way of
other people.
Keep in mind that fire moves to the nearest fuel
source it can find which means that the fire may travel to other nearby units
which can creates the explosive hazards all over again. If there are enough
firemen on scene and can safely do it then open the connecting units and remove
all the hazardous items that are available.
Knowing the environment you are at is essential to
being successful.
