The Training Bulletin Page

Preplan An AutoBody Shop

For this week's drill we will ask you to do a couple of things.

Make a list of all auto body shops in your response district with the proper address.

Have a member with a digital camera go out and shoot a photo of all four sides of the building on each of these. If you have an aerial and can do it at an off hour business time so as not to interrupt business, raise the aerial and get an overhead shot of the building.

Now, have a shift officer call ahead and arrange a walk through tour. Get the size of the building, find out if cars are stored inside and if so how many, find out if there is a spray booth inside, find out what chemicals paints and lacquers are stored there and in what quantities.

Take all of the information, put it in a format, share it with members and develop a plan for fire attack for when you have the emergency.

Calculate the NFA fire flow formula for fire attack for the building.

Length x width divided by 3

Then multiply by the number of stories

Then determine and multiply by the percentage of involvement.

This should give you an approximate GPM of fire flow needed.

After you create the plan, make sure everyone knows what the plan is and follow it during the emergency!

Take care and stay safe!