Overhaul
Overhaul turns up in 2 fields: mechanical, fire & safety. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Overhaul in mechanical
To completely disassemble, inspect, repair, and rebuild a machine to restore it to working condition.
An overhaul is a major maintenance event that goes far beyond routine servicing. It involves stripping a piece of equipment down to its bare components, measuring parts for wear against factory tolerances, replacing seals and bearings, and reassembling the unit. It is scheduled based on operating hours to prevent catastrophic failure in heavy machinery like turbines and diesel engines.
"We need to pull the main feed pump off the line and overhaul it before the impeller clearances get any worse."
Overhaul in fire & safety
The process of searching for and extinguishing hidden fires inside a structure.
Overhaul is the critical phase of structural firefighting that occurs after the main fire is knocked down. Crews tear open walls, pull down ceilings, and dig through debris to find and extinguish hidden embers or hot spots. The goal is to prevent a rekindle while trying to preserve as much of the property and fire cause evidence as possible.
"Grab a pike pole and a thermal imager, we need to start overhaul in the attic."