Could someone direct me to where I can find a written definition of "Overhaul". The word appears 20 times in the 2004 edition of 921 without ever truely being defined.

The Fire Protection Handbook comes close to a definition in section 10-13, to wit: "Overhaul operations are required to extinguish the fire completely, make the structure safe, and aid in determining the fire ignition sequence."

In my humble opinion, the "aid in determining the fire ignition sequence" is not a legitimate part of "Overhaul". It is origin and cause investigation and lumping this activity into overhaul encourages activities that can lead to spoliation. Perhaps agreeing on a definition for overhaul and including that in the definitions section of 921 is a good place to start in separating these activities and defining those responsible.

I encourage receiving your own personal definitions of Overhaul, in case it has not appeared in writing anywhere.

Mike Learmonth, B.A.Sc., M.B.A., M.Eng., J.D., LL.B., C.F.E.I., P.Eng.
Senior Associate, Giffin Koerth Forensic Engineering and Science