In fire service, primary damage refers to damage caused by what?

Primary damage in the context of fire service specifically refers to the destruction or degradation of property that occurs as a direct result of the fire itself, which includes the effects of heat and smoke. When a fire burns, it not only consumes materials but also creates smoke that can permeate structures, leaving behind residue and contributing to further damage even after the flames have been extinguished. This is why fire and smoke are acknowledged as the initial causes of damage, as they are the direct consequences of an active fire scenario.

In contrast, other forms of damage, such as those caused by water usage, are categorized as secondary damage because they occur as a response to extinguishing the fire rather than from the fire's presence itself. Similarly, damage from rescue operations typically involves efforts to save lives rather than being a result of the fire directly, it may contribute to overall property loss but is not categorized as primary. Building collapse can be a result of fire-related stress on structures, but it is not considered a primary damage factor as it may also relate to other issues like structural integrity independent of fire activities. Thus, primary damage is focused on the immediate effects of fire and smoke during the incident.