Chp 3 Apparatus Safety Flashcards
NFPA for driver qualifications
NFPA 1002 Standard for Fire Apparatus Diver/Operator Professional Qualifications (requires FF1 cert)
Aerial is governed by NFPA 1001 Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifiications
Driver abilities
Reading: mfg, fire service manuals, maps
Computer: access records, submit reports
Writing: forms, repair requests
Mathematical: solve equations
Fitness: in accordance with NFPA 1500
Visual acuity: NFPA 1582
Hearing: NFPA 1582
Licensing requirements
Set by DOT, altered by states
Some require CDL
Driving regulations
Federal laws, state vehicle codes, city ordinances, NFPA, and dept policies regulate drivers
Regs are set for ideal conditions, adjust for less than
Can be exemptions for speed, direction and parking
Failure to follow is civil or criminal also for dept
Not exempt from reckless disregard
Reckless disregard
Do something dangerous while ignoring possible consequences (worse than negligence)
Negligence
Breach of duty by failing to perform at standard of reasonable person
Usually gross violation of laws or policies, DUI
Gross negligence
Willful and wanton disregard, DUI
Due regard
Not relieved of obligation to operate with due regard for the safety of others
Intersection most likely place of accident
note
NIOSH publishes vehicle fatalities report
Situational awareness
Perception of ones surrounding environment and the ability to anticipate future events
Collision causes
Backing
Reckless driving
Speeding
Lack of skill, experience
Overload and misuse
Mechanical failure
Driver readiness
Reckless driving examples
Speeding
Going on soft shoulder
Distracted driving
Ignore weight limits
Tailgating
Not yielding to other EMS
Panic
Brake fade
Overheated brakes don’t stop as effectively
Caused by excessive speed
No way to mitigate other than driving well
Lack of driving skill causes
Overconfidence in driving ability
Inability to recognize danger (42%)
False sense of security from a good driving record
Misunderstanding apparatus capabilities
Insufficient training
Driver readiness causes
Substance abuse
Rx drugs
Personal issues
Death of loved one
Sick
Fatigue
Seatbelts required by
NFPA 1901
NFPA 1500
1500 allows backing while loading LDH (only drive forward, no tailboard riding)
Idling diesel engines
Wastes fuel
Buildup of carbon in injectors, valves and pistons
May damage engine components and emissions systems
DPF installed after 2007
High exhaust system temp indicator
DPF indicator
Manual regen switch
Regen inhibit switch
Clean, no black smoke
Regen: when hot enough dump fuel into exhaust stream to raise exhaust temp
SCR
Selective Catalyst Reductant
DEF tank must be full or reduced torque or speed (5 mph)
Shutting down
Never do it hot
Idle 3-5 minutes or
Oil film burns onto hot surfaces
Heads and exhaust manifolds damages
Turbo chargers can seize
Breakover angle
From rear tires to midpoint of the chassis
Lateral weight transfer
Rollover from turning to fast or steep slope
Minimize steering and speed
Axle loading
Affects steering and traction
Weigh to make sure within 7% from side to side and front to back ratings
Downhill driving
Use service brake, aux brake and downshifting to control speed but watch rpm
Lugging
Too high a gear
Causes overthrottling: injecting more fuel than can be burned causing oil dilution, wasted fuel
Stopping in snow
3-15x longer
Test with brakes away from traffic
Driving 10-39
Plan path well ahead
Keep big picture: see reaction of motorists
Scan the area
Visualize an escape rout for collisions
Maintain safe distance
Make sure others can see and hear you
Audible devices
Must completely stop at all intersections with red light
50 mph negates sirens
incr 20 mph reduces auidible distance by 250’
EMS should travel 300’-500’ apart
Traffic control devices
Strobe activated
Siren activated (blue and white indicator lights)
GPS transmitters
Passing vehicles
Try not to
Stay n fast lane
Don’t pass on the right
Go opposing if you have to
Only chief buggies etc. should pass other EMS
Visual lead time
The time needed to stop or perform an evasive maneuver at the current speed
Look ahead
Braking distance
Distance traveled from applying brakes to complete stop
Total stopping distance
Reaction time plus braking distance
Reaction distance
Distance from seeing something to applying the brake
Acceleration skid
Hit gas too hard
Don’t apply brakes
Ease off gas
Straighten front wheels
Locked wheel skid
Braking too hard
Doesn’t matter which way the wheels are turned
Ease off the brake
Straighten the wheels
Don’t apply clutch
Causes of skids
Too fast
Not anticipating obstacles
Not using aux braking devises
Bad tire pressure or tread depth
Aux braking systems
NFPA 1901 requires for GVW of 36,000
Exhaust brake
Engine compression brake
Transmission output retarder
Electromagnetic retarder
Disable them in bad weather
Exhaust brake
Least effective
Restricts exhaust airflow to make engine less efficient
Engine compression brake
Better with shifting
Attached to engine valve train
Compresses intake air to create heat
Doesn’t affect engine temp
Electromagnetic retarder
Effective
Mounted on driveline or rear axle
Electric power goes to coils which resist rotation
Dissapate heat with veins, less effective if hot
Can be applied in stages
Transmission retarder
Effective
Transmission fluid is goes into housing, slows the driveline
Heats transmission fluid if too hot outside system may shut down
Snow chains
Not effective in snow 3-6” deep
Or going slow or in reverse
ATC
Automatic traction control
Like ABS for slippage
Transfers engine torque and applies brakes from spinning to non spinning wheels
Driver controlled differential lock
On some aerials
Locks both wheels to turn at the same rate during slippery conditions
Not for every day driving or driving down hill
Tires make scrubbing sound
Interaxle differential lock
Locks the differential between the two rear axles
Can shfit in while moving or not
Ease on gas first and don’t apply if already spinning
Stability control systems
Roll stability control: part of ABS, senses lateral force from turns and applies engine brake then brakes
Electronic stability control: applies brakes individually to steer truck the way you are steering
Stability system safety: remember these don’t improve cornering ability, just correct for rollovers
Backing
Park so you don’t have to
Walk around
Use spotters with safety vests, driver side 8-10’ back
Light up the spotter
Use portable radios and hand signals
Two blasts of the horn before starting
Stowing equipment
Brackets must hold 10x the weight of the equipment
Hose chute
Drive 5 mph to deploy 7’ of hose/sec
Always open drain or bleeder valve before removing intake or discharge caps
Note
Tillers are heavier and stop slower
Also less weight on drive axle so traction is less
Tiller concerns
Distance of trailer from base of the building
Angle of trailer to tractor
Overhead clearance
Side and rear obstructions
Grades and slops of working area
Hose loading
Allowed by NFPA 1500
Always drive forward at 5mph
Everyone must be trained
One member must be safety
Close off traffic
Don’t stand on the apparatus
Intersections
Most common place for accidents
NFPA 1500 requires full stop and account for all lanes of traffic
Make eye contact
