Term
|
Definition
| A rotating, power-operated (usually hydraulically) ladder mounted on a self-propelled automotive fire apparatus. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A power-operated (usually hydraulically) aerial device that combines an aerial ladder with a personnel-carrying platform supported at the end of the ladder. |
|
|
Term
| Articulating Aerial Platform |
|
Definition
| Aerial device that consists of in which the structural member support (two or more booms) is hinged and operates in a folding manner. A passenger-carrying platform is attached to the working end of the device. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| To aggressively attack a fire from the exterior with a large diameter (2½-inch [65 mm] or larger) fire stream. |
|
|
Term
| Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) |
|
Definition
| Rapid vaporization of a liquid stored under pressure upon release to the atmosphere following major failure of its containing vessel. The failure of the containing vessel is the result of over-pressurization caused by an external heat source causing the vessel to explode into two or more pieces. |
|
|
Term
| Booster Hose or Booster Line |
|
Definition
| Non-collapsible rubber-covered, rubber-lined hose usually wound on a reel and mounted on an engine or water tender and used for the initial attack and extinguishment of incipient and smoldering fires. This hose is most commonly found in ½- ¾- and 1-inch (13 mm, 19 mm, and 25 mm) diameters and is used for extinguishing low-intensity fires and mop-up. Also called Hard Line and Red Line. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Battling a fire by using both a direct and an indirect attack. This method combines the steam-generating technique of a ceiling level attack with an attack on the burning materials near floor level. |
|
|
Term
| Direct Attack (Structural) |
|
Definition
| Attack method that involves the discharge of water or a foam stream directly onto the burning fuel. Also see Attack Methods (1). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Operation where action is taken directly on burning fuels by applying an extinguishing agent to the edge of the fire or close to it. |
|
|
Term
| Indirect Attack (Structural) |
|
Definition
| Directing fire streams toward the ceiling of a room or building in order to generate a large amount of steam. Converting the water to steam absorbs the heat of the fire and cools the area sufficiently for firefighters to safely enter and make a direct attack on the fire. |
|
|
Term
| Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) |
|
Definition
| Any of several petroleum products, such as propane or butane, stored under pressure as a liquid. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Large-caliber water stream usually supplied by siamesing two or more hoselines into a manifold device or by fixed piping that delivers 350 gpm (1 400 l/min) or more. |
|
|
Term
| Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) |
|
Definition
| Toxic compound found in some older oil-filled electric transformers. |
|
|
Term
| Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) |
|
Definition
| Two or more fully equipped and immediately available firefighters designated to stand by outside the hazard zone to enter and rescue firefighters inside, if necessary. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Visible products of combustion resulting from the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials and composed of small particles of carbon, tarry particles, and condensed water vapor suspended in the atmosphere, which vary in color and density depending on the types of material burning and the amount of oxygen. |
|
|
Term
| Thermal Layering (of Gases) |
|
Definition
| Outcome of combustion in a confined space in which gases tend to form into layers, according to temperature, with the hottest gases are found. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Physical configuration of the land or terrain. |
|
|
Term
| for interior fire fighting, the smallest handline that should be used |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Not extinguishment method. Reduces hazard with the hot gas layer |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Fire that cannot be seen because objects are obstructing view |
|
|
Term
| How to cool hot gas layer |
|
Definition
40-60 degree fog pattern. Point toward hot gas layer. 1-2 second pulses.
When water droplets fall from overhead, gas is cooled |
|
|
Term
| Most efficient use of water on free burning fires |
|
Definition
| Direct attack with either a solid or straight stream |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Apply water in short bursts onto burning fuels until the fire "darkens down" |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| cools hot surface and stops pyrolyis. by gently applying water, allowing it to run over the hot material |
|
|
Term
| 3 main uses for a master stream |
|
Definition
Direct Fire Attack
Backup handlines that are already attacking the fire from the exterior
Exposure protection |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Flow minimum of 350gpm.
Not practical to supply with anything less that two 2 1/2" hose.
100ft maximum for supply lines to reduce friction loss. |
|
|
Term
| Staffing Master Stream Devices |
|
Definition
2 firefighters to deploy, 1 firefighter to operate.
1 firefighter stationed at master stream device at all times unless device is deployed in hazardous position. |
|
|
Term
| Elevated master streams device |
|
Definition
Used to apply water to upper stories of buildings.
Delivered by Aerial Devices equipped with ladders or booms |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Equipped with hydraulically operated extension ladder
50-75ft ladder
Preplumbed waterways |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
engines with booms dedicated to applying water. may have small escape ladder
Not designed for rescue operations |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Flash point less than 100
can be ignited without preheating |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Flash point higher than 100
Must be heated above their flash point before ignited |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Unless leak has stopped, do not put out fire around relief valves and piping. Contain pooling liquids
Vapors heavier than air. Will accumulate in low-lying areas |
|
|
Term
| Water uses in Class B fires |
|
Definition
Cooling Agent- exposure protections. Applied to heavy oils in droplet form can absorb heat and extinguish fires.
Mechanical Tool- move flammable liguid to safer area by sweeping with fog pattern. Do not plunge.
Crew Protection: used to protect advancing crews that are shutting off valves. Lob stream to top of flame impinged pressure vessels. Approach at 45 degree angle |
|
|
Term
| Bulk Transport Vehicle Fires |
|
Definition
Techniques of extinguishment similar to storage vessels.
close-off at least one lane of traffic next to the incident lane.
dismount apparatus and work on side away from traffic. driver should angle wheels away from incident
ID cargo as soon as possible with placards, bills of lading. Contact shippers manufacturers if necessary. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Methane in pure form. flammable, but non-toxic. Classified as asphyxiant.
lighter than air
Explosive in concentrations of 5-15%
Stored as CNG Compressed Natural Gas or LNG liquid natural gas. |
|
|
Term
Liquid Petroleum Gas(LPG)
aka Bottled Gas |
|
Definition
Fuel gases stored in liquid state under pressure. Non-toxic, asphyxiant
Explosive in concentrations of 1.5-10%. Vapor density 1.5
cloud of unburned gas dissipated with at least 100gpm fog stream
Butane and propane. Propane most widely used. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Most often caused by excavation equipment striking under ground pipes.
1st concerns: Evac of area around break, evac of downwind area, and elimination of ignition sources. |
|
|
Term
| Suppressing Class C Fires |
|
Definition
Energized electrical equipment. After power shut-off, becomes Class A or B fire.
ex: railroad locomotives, telephone relay switching stations, electrical substations.
Do not shut off power until ordered. If Power shut off, lock and tag door or post firefighter at door.
Delicate electronics/computers need clean agents such as Halotron |
|
|
Term
| Transmission Lines and Equipment |
|
Definition
Fires rarely involve electrical substations, transmission lines
Cordon off area equal to 1 span between poles around broken line.
-if fire started, wait until it is out of the radius to extinguish
Notify utility company, control scene, deny entry
Electrical Transformer fires common. older transformers have hazardous coolant liquid. Use dry chem or CO2 extinguishers. Pole-top transformers handled by utility company. |
|
|
Term
| Underground Transmission Lines |
|
Definition
Consists of conduits and vaults below grade.
Danger of blown fusing or arcing igniting accumulated gases.
Keep public 1 block away
Firefighters never enter vault except for rescue. Discharge CO2 or dry chem into vault |
|
|
Term
| Commercial High-Voltage Installations |
|
Definition
Only enter for rescue. Enter with clenched fist. Have RIC ready.
Never use water.
May have toxic chemicals |
|
|
Term
| Controlling Electrical Power |
|
Definition
Electric power may be advantageous to leave on for firefighting activities /equipment. Wait for IC to order shut down.
If power needs to be shut off, utility personnel preferred.
Main switch may not shut off power completely because of generators. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Cardiac Arrest
V.fib
Respitory Arrest
Burns
muscle contractions/paralysis |
|
|
Term
| 1st Rule of dealing with electrical hazards |
|
Definition
| Assume all wires and devices are energized until proven otherwise. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Produced by downed power line passing current through the ground in the path of least resistance. Current flows in concentric circles from point of contact. |
|
|
Term
| Suppressing Class D Fires |
|
Definition
Dual challenge of burning at high temperatures and being water reactive.
Water only effective for exposure protection.
Let fire burn out if class D extinguishing agents not available.
Brilliant white when burning. May appear to be out when covered in ash, but still may be 2000 degrees. Always assume it's burning |
|
|
Term
| First Due Engine Company Responsibilities |
|
Definition
Lay 1st supply line
Perform rapid initial assessment. |
|
|
Term
| Second Due Engine Company Responsibilities |
|
Definition
| Ensure adequate water supply. Ex: finish hose lay, connect additional line to hydrant. |
|
|
Term
Support Company Responsibilities
(Ladder, truck, quint, rescue unit) |
|
Definition
| Ex: Forcible entry, search and rescue, salvage, ventilation, utilities, overhaul. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Chief officer at scene may assume command or take another position in the incident command structure. |
|
|
Term
| Fires in Upper Level of Structures |
|
Definition
More firefighters needed than residential to evac and carry equipment
Don't use elevators that go to fire floor.
Fire attack initiated from floor below fire floor. |
|
|
Term
| Fire Below Ground in Structures |
|
Definition
Use TIC to locate seat of fire. Cut hole in floor and insert cellar nozzle.
Ventilate basement opposite entry stairwell. |
|
|
Term
| Steel elongates at what temperature? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Most common fires firefighters are called to.
Attack lines should be at least 1 1/2". Boosters can't cool fast enough. Portable extinguishers |
|
|
