Air Quality Management Flashcards
What is SOG 3.2.1.4?
Air Quality Management
What is the purpose of the Air Quality Mangement SOG?
To establish a guideline for air monitoring at structure fires, haz-mat, and confine space incidents
Who does the Air Quality Management guideline apply to?
All suppression personnel
Where and when should air monitoring take place?
At any incident where the potential for hazardous atmosphere may exist and before any person or persons are allowed to enter any enclosed, un-ventilated structure or confine space without PPE
What symptoms are included in CO exposure?
headache, nausea, fatigue, dizzy spells (low levels)
respiratory problems, unconsciousness, and cardiac arrest (high levels)
What is the best preventative measure for smoke exposure?
SCBA
When are SCBA’s required?
All structure fires that present a smoke condition, to include kitchen and cooking fires
All vehicle fires until completely extinguished all all smoke has dissipated
All large trash receptacle fires until completely extinguished
Structure and Vehicle—monitoring has taken place
What are personnel to do with turnout gear following structure fires that heavily soil and saturate gear with products of combustion?
Wash and switch to second set of gear ASAP
What meters are to be out at all structure fires?
HCN and CO
If no company on scene has meters what is the IC to do?
Request additional companies
Where are meters located in the district?
On all first out engines and command vehicle
When can SCBA’s be removed?
When the atmosphere can be monitored and deemed safe
What conditions warrant atmospheric monitoring?
- When SCBA removal is requested at fire post ventilation
- Personnel found working inside w/o SCBA
- vehicle fires within a structure or in a parking garage
- Whenever IC says so
- Adjacent apartments or structures where smoke is reported
If readings and operating time period is of sufficient length, and signs of exposure exist in a member what should happen?
Personnel should be transported to the hospital for immediate evaluation
What situations do NOT warrant atmospheric monitoring?
vehicle fires in open atmosphere
when a burning odor is detected and there is no visible smoke i.e. light ballast
what situation may require more than one monitoring station be set up due to its size of incident and environmental conditions?
Haz-Mat incidents
What might cause damage to monitoring equipment at Haz-Mat responses?
saturating air monitor sensors
When and where should PPE be worn at Haz-Mat’s
?
Hot Zone—ALWAYS
How should PPE for Haz-Mats be determined?
By the IC based on info available and at his discretion
What should all confine space operations begin with?
Air monitoring
When should monitor readings be recorded on CS?
Before vent, after the start of vent, and during rescue operation.
Any rise or change in the readings for any alarm from the air monitor shall be immediately reported to the ?
IC
What should be used to allow access to multiple levels of confined space?
A 4 gas monitor with a pump and pick up tube
Where shall proper PPE be worn on confined space?
In immediate area of entrance and ventilation exit port
What is the action level in order to operate without SCBA in an environment where HCN is present?
4.7 ppm
What is the Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) for HCN as recommended by NIOSH?
4.7 ppm
What is the definition of short term exposure limit (STEL) as defined by NIOSH?
a 15-minute time weighted average (TWA) exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during a workday
What is the action level for CO?
35 ppm
What should personnel do prior to drinking and eating in rehab or back at station?
Wash your hands/practice good hygiene
Who is responsible for reporting an significant exposures during a structure fire?
Reporting officer
What information should be provided in the narrative when reporting a significant exposure?
HCN and CO levels during the time of operation Areas monitored How long personnel operated Those personnel that operated Specifics concerning the call
What should be done anytime personnel are operating outside the safe range without SCBA?
A notation is to be made in the report under the Fire personnel Casualty section
Who calibrates and when should the monitors be calibrated?
The engineer (or acting engineer) assigned to the unit on the 15th of every month.
What should the engineer check during calibration?
the battery state, span and/or calibrate the devices
Whos responsibility is it that calibration is taken care of?
The Lieutenant
How are meters to be calibrated?
Bump tested according to manufacturer recommendations
What will need to happen to meters if they are exposed to high concentration and register “out of range”?
The meter will need to be bump tested at a minimum to insure proper operation
How do we keep track of all spanning and calibration?
Control log that is to be completed monthly
What three indicators are to be used to determine if a person has been exposed to HCN?
Exposed to fire or smoke in an enclosed area
Soot found around the mouth and nose
Altered mental status
How long is the half life of HCN
One hour
What medical attention should be included due to HCN short half life?
Blood work and HCN testing
What should destitnation hospital be advised of when transporting a FF with possible HCN?
That the FF was operating in a known hazardous environment containing hydrogen cyanide
What are some acute exposure symptoms of HCN?
weakness, headache, confusion, vertigo, fatigue, anxiety, dyspnea, and occasionally nausea and vomiting
What happens to the respiratory rate when exposed to HCN?
Usually increased initially and at later stages becomes slow and gasping.
What does cyanosis in HCN usually indicate?
That respiration has either ceased or has been inadequate for a few minutes.
What happens if large amounts of cyanide are absorbed?
collapse almost instantaneous, unconsciousness: often with convulsions, is followed almost immediately by death
