13- HazMat- Product Control

Question 1

Operations Level Responders with Mission-Specific product control training have the following responsibilities:

*6 answers

Answer 1

-Select and use PPE
-Select and perform product control techniques to confine/contain the release with limited risk of personal exposure
-Use approved control agents and equipment on a release involving hazardous materials or WMDs
-Use control valves and emergency controls
-Operate shutoff devices on cargo tanks and intermodal tanks in transportation and containers at fixed facilities
-Perform product control techniques

Question 2

The goal of leak control is:

Answer 2

To stop or limit the escape or to contain the release either in its original container or by transferring it to a new one.

*leak control is often referred to as “containment”

Question 3

Who performs most offensive leak-control tactics?

Answer 3

HazMat technicians and specialists

*operations level responders can take offensive actions at situations involving gasoline, diesel, LPG, and other natural gas fuels.

Question 4

MC-331 High Pressure Cargo Tank Trucks have an emergency shutoff on the left-front corner of the tank, behind the driver’s compartment. They may also have one on either the left-rear or right-rear of the tank. These tanks may also have an electronically operated shutdown device that can be activated ___ feet from the vehicle, which can also stop the engine and perform other functions.

Answer 4

150 feet

Question 5

Nonpressure Liquid Tanks (MC-306/DOT-406) and Low-Pressure Chemical Tanks (MC-307/DOT-407) have an emergency shutoff device on the left-front corner of the tank behind the driver’s compartment. Some will also have one on either the right- or left-rear corner. Some cargo tanks may also have emergency shutoffs where?

Answer 5

In the center of the tank near valves and piping, or built into the valve box.

Question 6

Corrosive Liquid Tanks (MC-312/DOT-412) do NOT typically have emergency shutoff devices. If any emergency shutoff device is installed, it is located:

Answer 6

On the left-front corner of the tank behind the driver’s compartment.

Question 7

Gas service (high pressure and cryogenic) intermodal containers will have emergency shutoffs for the ____ internal valve. Look for a METAL CABLE running down one side of the frame rail of the intermodal container or from the liquid valve to a fixed point away from the container.

Answer 7

Bottom

Question 8

The SHUTOFF is an inline valve located on the owner supply side of the meter; between the distribution system and the meter. When the valve is open, the ____ is in line with the pipe. To close it, use a spanner wrench, pipe wrench, or similar tool to turn the ____ until it is ___* to the pipe.

Answer 8

Tang

90* to the pipe

*Contact the local utility company whenever gas has been shut off or when any emergency involving natural gas occurs

Question 9

At the Operations Level, control actions involving spills are generally ____ in nature, and _____ is a primary consideration.

Answer 9

Defensive in nature
Safety is a primary consideration

Question 10

SPILL control is often simply called:

Answer 10

Confinement

Question 11

______, like a sponge soaking up water, retains a liquid hazardous material in some other material. Responders use this medium at incidents involving small spills (55 gallons or less), such as gasoline or diesel fuel.

Answer 11

Absorption

(soak up the material and swell)

Question 12

In ______, molecules of the liquid hazardous material physically adhere to the material rather than being absorbed into its inner spaces. They primarily control shallow liquid spills.

Answer 12

Adsorption

(adhere to the material instead of soaking it up, do not swell)

Question 13

Responders use _____ or _____ to reduce or delay the dispersion of hazardous materials. When used on liquids, this method is essentially the same as vapor suppression because it typically uses an aqueous foam agent to cover the surface of a spill.

Answer 13

Blanketing or Covering

Question 14

There are TWO main types of dams:

Answer 14

-Containment Dam (aka “complete dam”)- stops all flow of product or water
-Underflow/Overflow Dam- permits surface water or runoff to pass either under or over the dam while holding back the hazardous material

Question 15

An underflow dam retains hazardous materials that are _____ than water.

An overflow dam retains hazardous materials that are _____ than water.

Answer 15

An UNDERFLOW dam retains hazardous materials that are LIGHTER than water while the water flows UNDER the dammed hazardous material.

An OVERFLOW dam retains hazardous materials that are HEAVIER than water while the water flows OVER the dammed hazardous material.

Question 16

_____ is using raised embankments or other barriers to prevent movement of a hazardous material to another area.

Answer 16

Diking

Question 17

_____ is directing and controlling the flow of a liquid to an area that will produce less harm.

Answer 17

Diverting

Question 18

_____ is holding or containing a liquid in an area until it can be absorbed, neutralized, or removed. It is often used as a longer-term solution than other similar product control methods.

Answer 18

Retaining

Question 19

____ is the application of water to a water-soluble material to reduce the hazard. Changing the pH of a liquid water-soluble hazardous material requires copious amounts of water that may create runoff problems. This method rarely has practical applications at hazmat incidents in terms of spill control; responders use it more frequently during decon operations.

Answer 19

Dilution

Question 20

____ involves breaking up a hazardous material that has spilled on a solid or liquid surface. Both chemical and biological agents can be used. This method poses problems of spreading the material over a wide area, and the process itself may cause additional issues.

Answer 20

Dispersion

Question 21

Some hazardous materials may be ______ to minimize the amount of harm that they cause upon contact. It involves raising or lowering the pH of corrosive materials to render them neutral (pH 7).

Answer 21

Neutralized

*with few exceptions, responders should only conduct neutralization under the direction of a hazmat technician

Question 22

______ uses water spray to direct or influence the course of airborne hazardous materials. Water streams cause air turbulence, and this turbulence causes air to mix with the hazardous material, causing a reduction of the material’s concentration.

Answer 22

Vapor Dispersion

Question 23

______ is the action taken to reduce the emission of vapors. Firefighting foams are effective on spills of flammable and combustible liquids IF the foam concentrate is compatible with the material. Materials such as alcohols and polar solvents may destroy regular water-miscible foam, so alcohol-resistant foams may be required for these products.

Answer 23

Vapor Suppression

Question 24

Foam concentrates are divided into TWO general categories based on the classification of fuels for which they are effective:

Class __ fuel foams for ordinary combustibles

Class __ fuel foams for flammable/combustible liquids

Answer 24

Class A = ordinary combustibles
Class B = flammable/combustible liquids

Question 25

To produce high-quality foam, FOUR elements are necessary:

Answer 25

-Foam Concentrate
-Water
-Air
-Mechanical Agitation

Question 26

Foam products must be ____ (mixed with water) and ____ (mixed with air) before use.

To produce fire fighting foam, the concentrate, water, and air must be ____ or injected.

Answer 26

Proportioned (mixed with water)
Aerated (mixed with air)

Concentrate, water, and air must be educted or injected.

Question 27

Points to consider when using foam for vapor suppression include:

*5 answers

Answer 27

-Don’t use water streams in conjunction with the application of foam; water destroys and washes away foam blankets
-Ensure that a material is below its boiling point; foams can’t seal vapors of boiling liquids
-Don’t rely on the film that precedes the foam blanket; it’s not a reliable vapor suppressant
-Reapply aerated foam periodically until the foam completely covers the spill
-Ensure foam concentrate is above its freezing point

Question 28

Unlike finished foam that blankets the fuel, a ______ mixes with the fuel, breaking it into small droplets and encapsulating them. The resulting mixture is rendered nonflammable.

Answer 28

Emulsifier

Question 29

Foam quality is measured in terms of its 25% _____ and its ______.

Answer 29

25% drainage time and its expansion ratio

Question 30

Drainage time is the time required for ___% of the total liquid solution to drain from the foam.

_______ is the volume of finished foam that results from a unit volume of foam solution.

Answer 30

25%

Expansion Ratio

Question 31

Long drainage times result in _____ foam blankets.

The greater the expansion ration is, the _____ the foam blanket that can be developed.

Answer 31

Long-Lasting

Thicker

Question 32

___ ____ ____ nozzles produce a larger expansion ratio than water fog nozzles.

Answer 32

Air-Aspirating Foam Nozzles

Question 33

When encountering a fire at a flammable liquid storage tank… if initial water streams will not cool both the tank and exposures, give priority to:

Answer 33

The involved container

Question 34

Most potassium-based dry chemical agents (such as Purple K) are compatible with foam, but other dry chemical extinguishers are NOT. Do NOT use:

*2 answers

Answer 34

-ABC extinguishers that use monoammonium phosphate based dry chemical (YELLOW in color)
-BC extinguishers that use sodium bicarbonate (BLUE in color)

*the majority of potassium-based dry chemical agents are PURPLE in color

Question 35

When applying Class B foam, the _____ method directs the foam stream on the ground near the front edge of a burning liquid spill. This method is typically used on a pool of ignited or unignited liquid fuel on open ground.

Answer 35

Roll-On Method

Question 36

When applying Class B foam, the _____ method may be employed when an elevated object is near or within the area of a burning pool of liquid or an unignited liquid spill. The foam stream is directed onto the object, allowing the foam to run down and onto the surface of the fuel. This method is primarily used on fires contained in diked pools around storage tanks and fire involving spills around damaged or overturned transport vehicles.

Answer 36

Bank-Down Method (aka the “backsplash method”)

Question 37

When applying Class B foam, the _____ method directs the stream into the air above the fire or spill and allows the foam to float gently down onto the surface of the fuel. This method is best used with AFFF.

Answer 37

Rain-Down Method

Question 38

The most common cause of a BLEVE is:

Answer 38

When flames contact the tank shell above the liquid level and the tank shell itself has overheated.

Question 39

If there is any possibility of a BLEVE, apply continual water (at a minimum of ___GPM per flame impingement point) to the UPPER portions of the tank, preferably from unattended ______ devices.

Answer 39

Minimum of 500GPM per flame impingement point

Unattended master stream devices

Question 40

When using water streams to disperse gas being released under pressure, the ____ and _____ of the water streams must EXCEED the ____ and ____ of the escaping gas.

Answer 40

Mass and Velocity

Question 41

Many flammable solids are metals that require a Class __ fire extinguisher.

Answer 41

Class D