Chapter 5 Terms

Question 1

Airborne pathogens

Answer 1

Disease causing microorganisms that are suspended in the air

Question 2

Air purifying respirator APR

Answer 2

Respirator that removes contaminants by passing ambient air through a filter, cartridge, or canister; may have a full or partial face piece

Question 3

Atmosphere supplying respirator ASR

Answer 3

Respirator that supplies, the user with an air supply from a source, independent of the ambient atmosphere

Question 4

Auto cascade system

Answer 4

Completely automated stationary fill system that fills air cylinders to program pressure 

Question 5

Cascade system

Answer 5

Three or more large, interconnected air cylinders, from which smaller SCB cylinders are recharged; the largest cylinders typically have a capacity of 300 ft.³

Question 6

Close circuit self-contained breathing apparatus

Answer 6

SCB that recycles exhaled air; removes carbon dioxide and restores compressed, chemical, or liquid oxygen. Not approved for firefighting operations.

Question 7

Coda federal regulations CFR

Answer 7

Rules and regulations published by executive agencies of the US federal government. These administrative laws are just as enforcible as federal laws, which must be passed by Congress

Question 8

Emergency escape breathing support system EEBSS

Answer 8

Feature installed on some SBA, which allows two firefighters to breathe from one cylinder without removing their face pieces

Question 9

End of service time indicator EOSTI

Answer 9

Warning device that alerts the user that the respiratory protection equipment is about to reach its limit, and that it is time to exit the contaminated atmosphere; it’s alarm may be audible, tactile, visual or any combination

Question 10

Firefighter breathing air replenishment system FBARS

Answer 10

A standpipe for Air permanently installed within a high-rise building or a large horizontal structure. Air is pumped into the system by a fire departments, mobile air truck on the ground, providing an immediate and continuous supply of breathing air to the responders. Air bottles can then be refilled in matter of seconds at the fill station located throughout the high-rise building.

Question 11

Fusee

Answer 11

Pyrotechnic flare sometimes used in wildland firefighting to start controlled burns

Question 12

High efficiency, particulate air ( HEPA) filter

Answer 12

Respiratory filter that is certified to remove at least 99.97% of mono disperse particles of 0.3 µm in diameter

Question 13

Open circuit self-contained breathing apparatus

Answer 13

SCB that allows exhaled Air to be discharged or vented into the atmosphere

Question 14

Oxygen deficient atmosphere

Answer 14

Atmosphere containing less than the normal 19.5% oxygen at least 16% oxygen is needed to produce flames or sustain human life

Question 15

Particulate

Answer 15

Very small particle of solid material, such as dust that is suspended in the atmosphere

Question 16

Permissible exposure limit PEL

Answer 16

Maximum time weighted concentration at which 95% of exposed, healthy adults suffer no adverse effects over a 40 hour work week; an eight hour time weighted average unless otherwise noted. PELs are expressed in either parts per million or milligrams per cubic metre

Question 17

Personal alert, safety system PASS

Answer 17

Electronic lack of motion sensor that sounds an alarm when a firefighter becomes motionless can also be manually activated

Question 18

Point of no return

Answer 18

Point at which air in the SCB will last only long enough to exit hazardous atmosphere

Question 19

Powered air purifying respirator PAPR

Answer 19

Motorized respirator that uses a filter to clean surrounding air, then delivers it to the where to breathe; typically includes a headpiece, breathing tube, and a blower/battery box that is worn on the belt

Question 20

Proximity firefighting

Answer 20

Activities required for rescue, fire, suppression, and property conservation at fires that produce high radiant, conductive, or conductive heat; includes aircraft, hazardous, materials, transport, and storage tank fires

Question 21

Qualitative fit test QLFT

Answer 21

Respirator fit test that measures the wearers response to a test agent, such as irritant smoke or odorous paper. If the wear to text the test agent, such as through smell or taste, the respirator fit is in adequate.

Question 22

Quantitive test QNFT

Answer 22

Fit test in which instruments measure the amount of a test agent that has leaked into the respirator from the ambient atmosphere. If the leakage measures above a preset amount, the respirator fit is an adequate.

Question 23

Remote pressure gauge

Answer 23

Pressure gauge that is not mounted on the regulator, but can be seen by the SCBA wearer. Commonly found on SCBA that have face piece mounted regulators.

Question 24

Search line

Answer 24

Non-loadbearing rope to a safe, exterior location and attached to a firefighter during search operations to act as a safety line

Question 25

Self-contained breathing apparatus

Answer 25

Respirator worn by the user that supplies a breathable atmosphere that is either carried in or generated by the apparatus and is independent of the ambient atmosphere. Respiratory protection is worn in all atmosphere that are considered to be immediately to life and health

Question 26

Structural firefighters, protective clothing

Answer 26

General term for equipment, one by Fire and Emergency Services responders; includes helmet, coat, pants, boots, eye protection, gloves, protective hood, self-contained, breathing apparatus, and personal alert safety system

Question 27

Supplied air respirator SAR

Answer 27

Atmosphere, supplying respirator, for which the source of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the user; not certified for firefighting operations

Question 28

Thermal saturation

Answer 28

Point at which a liquid or solid can no longer absorb heat without undergoing a physical change, wither vaporization in liquids or pyrolization in solids