Drive To Survive Flashcards
Standard for fire apparatus driver/operator professional qualifications
NFPA 1002
Standard for fire and emergency service vehicle operations training programs
NFPA 1451
Standard on fire department occupational health and safety program
NFPA 1500
The distance it takes a vehicle to come to a stop is known as
Stopping distance
The distance it takes the driver to perceive a hazard is known as
Perception distance
The distance it takes the driver to react to the hazard is known as
Reaction distance
The distance it takes the vehicle to respond to the drivers input is known as
Mechanical lag distance
The distance it will take the vehicle to dissipate its energy and come to a stop is known as
Braking distance
Total stopping distance =
Perception distance + reaction distance + mechanical lag + braking distance
When a person uses their sense to gather information, the process is known as
Perception
The time it takes for a person to detect, identify, and react to a hazard is known as
Perception and reaction time
The process of moving a persons eyes is known as
Saccade
What is the average saccade time on a clear day
1/3 of a second
It can take a driver approximately how long to move their head in one direction and all the way back
1.7 seconds
The distance that the vehicle travels as the driver perceives and reacts to the problem is known as
Perception and reaction distance
This is the energy of motion
Kinetic energy
This will determine how well a vehicle is able to grab the roadway and come to a stop
Drag factor
To calculate drag factor we must know what 3 things
Coefficient of friction of road, braking efficiency of vehicle, slope of road
This refers to the “stickiness” of the roadway
Coefficient of friction
The higher the coefficient of friction is, means
The more sticky the road is
A roadway with a high coefficient of friction will result in?
A roadway with a low coefficient of friction will result in?
(High) A shorter stopping distance
(Low) A longer stopping distance
Measurements of coefficient of friction range between?
Higher numbers =
Lower numbers =
0.2-0.9
(Higher) stickier roadways
(Lower) slicker roadways
The reduced braking efficiency of a fire apparatus is attributed to what 2 things
Rubber compound of truck tires, mechanical lag of air brake system
This formula will calculate the braking distance of a vehicle based on the conditions present at the time of the skid
Skid to stop formula
Studies have shown that the braking efficiency of a fire apparatus could be as low as ______ compared to a standard passenger car
65%
The total stopping distance of a vehicle includes 2 parts:
Perception and reaction distance, skid distance
The distance the driver can see is known as
Sight distance
The minimum sight distance required to perceive, react, and bring the vehicle to a safe stop is known as
Stopping sight distance
This type of acceleration pushes the car from side to side
Lateral acceleration
What are the 2 types of g-force
Longitudinal and lateral
G-force which acts on the fire apparatus in the front to back direction
Longitudinal g-force
When does a fire apparatus experience longitudinal g-force
When the vehicle accelerates or brakes
G-force which acts on a vehicle from side to side
Lateral g-force
The amount of lateral g-force an apparatus will experience is determined by
Speed of vehicle and how sharply driver turns wheel
Relationship between the height of the center of gravity and the track width of a vehicle
Rollover threshold
The distance between the center of the rear or dual wheels
Track width
What formula is used to calculate the rollover threshold of a vehicle
Static stability factor
The results using the static stability factor determines what?
The amount of lateral g-force a vehicle can absorb before it rolls over
Which NFPA addresses fire apparatus rollover thresholds
NFPA 1901
Rollover threshold formula
Track width divided by 2 x height of center of gravity
Most modern day fire apparatus will be able to absorb _____ lateral gs without rolling over
0.50-0.60
An average passenger car can absorb ______ lateral gs before it rolls over
1.3-1.4
What is the formula for calculating lateral g-force
Speed (squared) divided by curve radius x 15
What factors can increase or decrease lateral g-force
Speed and sharpness of curve
A driver who turns the wheel too sharply will create a curve in the road which may induce a rollover known as
Steering induced rollover
If the amount of lateral g-force required to roll the vehicle is greater than the amount of grip between the tires and road surface, what tends to happen
Tires will tend to slide out before vehicle generates lateral gs to flip
The resistance of an object to any change in its speed or direction of motion
Inertia
Partitions that help reduce the energy of a surging liquid load
Baffles
Baffles are in place to act as
Shock absorbers to help prevent a large wall of water from striking the inside of the tank
What are the 2 types of of tank baffling methods
Containment and dynamic
This baffling method uses a series of swash plates to divide the tank into a series of smaller interconnected compartments
Containment method
This baffling method uses a series that of baffles to disrupt the movement of water by changing its direction of travel
Dynamic method
How are the baffles placed in a dynamic method baffle system and why
Staggered, to create a turbulent motion so the water absorbs most of its own energy
What are 2 types of of rollover crashes
Tripped and untripped
These rollover are caused when an object in the vehicles path blocks the movement of the tires
Tripped rollover
These rollovers are caused by the frictional force between the tire and road surface. What’s another name for them
Untripped, or maneuver induced rollover
How can the apparatus operator minimize how much lateral g-force is placed on the vehicle
Reducing speed and steady, controlled turns
How can you increase the rollover threshold of a vehicle
Increase track width
Lower center of gravity
Stiffen suspension
Most fire apparatus manufacturers are equipping vehicles with what
Electronic stability control systems
What do electronic stability control systems do?
Helps prevent the sideways skidding and loss of control that leads to rollovers
This monitors the amount of force being applied about the vehicles lateral axis
ARP, active rollover protection
When the ARP detects a potential rollover in a vehicle what does it do
Applies the brakes and decreases engine torque
What is the best way to burn off a vehicles kinetic energy and bring the vehicle to a stoo
Using the brakes
What may cause a vehicle to skid if used on a wet, snow covered, or icy road and why
Engine or driveline retarder
Because it creates a braking force on the wheels through the drive train
This refers to the braking and accelerating capabilities of a tire
Longitudinal friction
This refers to the cornering ability of a tire
Lateral friction
The grip of an average truck tire is around ______ of the grip of a passenger car tire
80-85%
What should you shut off when the road is wet
Engine or driveline retarder
When an engine retarder engages, what does it do
Slows the driveshaft and rear drive axle of the vehicle
If the front tires of a vehicle start to break traction while rounding a curve the vehicle will
Understeer
In an understeer situation the vehicle will…
Lose steering control and continue to travel in a straight line
If the rear tires start to break traction while rounding a curve the vehicle will
Oversteer
What happens in an oversteer situation and what is it called
Rear tires break traction, rear end starts to spin around its center of gravity, known as a yaw
What is the natural tendency and actually solution for a driver in an understeer condition
Slow down and turn the wheel harder
What should a driver do in an oversteer condition
Turn the wheel in the opposite direction of the spin
Most vehicle manufacturers will strive to design a vehicle that ____ instead of ____
Understeers, oversteers
What are the different types of skids
Front tire, left or right tire, and full tire skids
If left side tires lock the vehicle pulls towards the left
If right side tires lock the vehicle pulls toward the right side
What is this called?
Tanking
What are obvious indicators of an understeer in a vehicle
Driver turns steering wheel but vehicle continues straight
Chattering of front tires
If a vehicle enters an understeer what should the driver do
Ease off the offending pedal, whether it be accelerator or brakes
This allows the driver to reduce the pressure of the front brakes by up to half
Limiting valve or wet/dry switch
The noise inside the passenger compartment of f a civilian vehicle is called
Ambient noise
A siren must be at least ____ decibels higher than the ambient noise to be effectively heard
10 decibels
The process of keeping noise out is known as
Attenuation
On average, sirens produce a maximum of ______ in front of the siren speaker
124 decibels 10 ft in front
The concept of the farther you are from the siren, the quieter the sound of the siren
Inverse square law
According to inverse square law, every time the distance from the siren is doubled, the sound pressure will
Decrease 6 decibels
The effective range of a siren can be no more than
80 feet
An intersection where the fire apparatus faces a red light, stop sign, or other traffic control device
Negative right of way intersection
The amount of time and distance for a civilian to see or hear the apparatus, localize it, react, and yield the right of way
Notice of approach
Multiple emergency vehicles driving directly behind each other to the same emergency is known as
Caravanning
What is a stale green light
Light that’s been green for an extended period of time
These change traffic lights facing emergency vehicles to green
Traffic preemption device
This traffic preemption device uses a strobe light mounted on the emergency vehicle
Light emitting/infared activating
This traffic preemption device uses a directional microphone mounted on the traffic signal arm
Sound activated
This traffic preemption device tracks the emergency vehicles route of travel, speed, and direction or approach
Global positioning
This traffic preemption device relies on a radio transmitter inside the emergency vehicle
Radio activated
What are the different types of traffic preemption devices used
Light emitting
Sounds activated
Global positioning
Radio activated
What is used to gauge the severity of a non rollover crash
Delta-V
What is delta-V
The change in a vehicles velocity over a period of time
This describes the motion of bodies or objects inside the vehicle
Kinematics
What are the 3 exceptions for the apparatus not moving unless everyone is seatbelted
Patient care
Hose loading
Tiller training
If the drivers seatbelt is malfunctioning, the entire truck must be
Taken out of service
What are the 2 types of warning systems used at railroad crossings
Passive and active
These systems are used at unguarded rail crossings
Passive warning systems
These systems are used at busier rail crossings and include gates and lights that flash when a train is approaching
Active warning systems
How long will it take a train traveling 55 mph to make an emergency stop? This is a reason why…
Over 1 mile.
Trains always have the right of way
The limited amount of room on the far side of the tracks is known as the
Containment or storage area
Why are air brakes used on larger trucks
Infinite supply of air
Generate more stopping power
What is the downside of air brakes? What is this called
Time it takes to pressurize the system with enough power to engage brakes.
Called lag time
Most vehicles equipped with air brakes utilize what kind of system
Dual
Explain a dual break system
1 set of brake controls but 2 separate brake systems
One operates the front brakes, the other the rear brakes
What is the reason for a dual system in air brakes
If one system fails, the entire vehicle doesn’t lose all of its brakes
Air brake chambers are divided into what 2 sides
Service brake (foundation) and spring brake
During normal operations, what side of the brake chamber is pressurized with air
Spring brake side
The spring brake system is also used as? What does it do?
Emergency braking system
Acts as a failsafe in the event a of an air leak
These are used to stop the truck during routine driving
Service brakes
The spring brake side of the brake chamber controls what
Parking brake and emergency brake
Brake chambers can range in size from
9,12, 16, 20, 30, and 36 sq. in.
Applying 100 pounds of air pressure to a size 20 brake chamber results in
2,000 pounds of force on the pushrod
The distance the pushrod has to travel to properly apply the brakes is known as
Stroke
When do slack adjusters need to be adjusted
If they move an inch or more
Slack adjusters are designed to do what
Ensure the pushrod maintains the proper stroke to ensure full braking efficiency
This is a result of the braking systems inability to burn off excess kinetic energy
Brake fade
Excess kinetic energy is the result of what
Overweight vehicle or excess speed
When all of the brakes enter a fade situation and the vehicle loses its ability to brake, this is called
Cascade failure
What are the ways to prevent brake fade
Annual weight certifications
Brake adjustments
What cause brake imbalance and what are the two common types
Improper brake adjustment and repairs
Air and torque imbalance
The amount of air pressure needed to open the valve in an air brake system
Crack pressure
An ideal brake adjustment will result in what
No more than a 90 degree angle between the pushrod and slack adjuster
What are the 2 methods of slowing a vehicle down without using brakes
Downshifting and auxiliary braking device
This uses the vehicle’s transmission to slow the vehicle
Downshifting
This will slow the vehicle and reduce the need for the service brakes
Auxiliary braking device
What are the 4 functions of a piston
Induction
Compression
Power
Exhaust
Piston sucks air into its piston chamber
Induction
Piston compresses air inside piston chamber
Compression
This automatically pumps the brakes even when the driver forcibly applies the brakes
ABS system (anti-lock brakes)
The part of the tire in contact with the road is called
Contact patch
The speed which a vehicle will hydroplane depends on what three factors
Depth of tire tread
Air pressure
Depth of water
The tire pressure printed on the side of the tire is for the
Maximum tire pressure for the tire
Any tire that is underinflated by ____ is considered to be
20%
To have been run flat
According to studies and demonstrations what is the proper response to a tire blowout
Accelerate and keep the vehicle in a straight line
NFPA 1911 states that the maximum life of a tire shall be no more than
7 years
Where will the manufacture date of a tire be printed
Side of the tire and as a 4 digit code
The first 2 digits of a tire code are for? The second 2 digits are for?
Week of the year
Year of tire manufacture
What does “P” indicate and “LT” indicate on a tire
Passenger vehicle (P)
Light truck (LT)
What is aspect ratio for a tire
The tires ratio of height to width
An aspect ratio of 70 or lower means
short sidewalls for improved steering and better handling
What does the “R” stand for on a tire
Radial
What type of tire has been the industry standard for the past 20 years
Radial ply construction
This is the measurement of how much weight each tire can support
Load index
The M + S on a tire indicates
Mud and snow capabilities
The number of plies indicates what on a tire
Number of layers of rubber coated fabric
The greater the number of plies means
The more weight a tire can support
Number indicates the maximum load that can be carried by the tire
Maximum load rating
Number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal conditions
Maximum permissible inflation pressure
Number indicates the tires wear rate, higher number means
Tread wear number
Longer it takes for tire tread to wear down
Letter indicates a tires ability to stop on wet pavement. What are the grades from high to low
Traction letter
AA, A, B, C
Laws prohibit drivers from operating a non commercial vehicle if their blood alcohol concentration is
Greater than 0.08%
A commercial motor vehicle is defined as
Having a gross vehicle weight over 26,001 pounds
Laws prohibit a driver from operating a commercial vehicle if there blood alcohol concentration is
Greater than 0.04%
Studies indicate that an average person will metabolize alcohol how quickly
0.015% per hour
NFPA 1451 requires vehicles to be inspected how often? And within ___ after being used in an emergency response
At least weekly,
24 hours
What type of vehicle is a Tiller truck
Articulated vehicle
What is the greatest concern with articulated vehicles
Jackknifing
This results when some of the tires on an articulated vehicle lose traction with the road, while the rest don’t
Jackknife
V shaped portion of the trailer that extends forward from the trailer frame
Tongue
The amount of weight being carried by the trailers tongue
Tongue weight
Most experts agree that the vehicles tongue weight should fall between ____ of the gross weight of the trailer
9% and 15%
The total weight of the trailer, includes equipment, fluids, and weight of trailer itself
Gross trailer weight rating
The total weight of the tow vehicle and trailer combined with all passengers, fluids, equipment, and fuel
Gross combined vehicle weight rating
The recommended maximum weight of a vehicle when fully loaded
Gross vehicle weight rating
Ball shaped piece of steel that the coupler latches to
Hitch ball
Bar that the hitch bar attaches to. What 2 sizes does it come in
Draw bar
1 1/4 in and 2 in
The forward most part of the trailer tongue that drops over the hitch ball
Coupler
What are the 4 different types of hitches
Weight carrying
Weight distributing
Fifth wheel
Gooseneck
This type of hitch carries all the trailers tongue weight on the ball and receiver
Weight carrying
This type of hitch distribute the tongue weight across the tow vehicles frame
Weight distributing
This type of hitch is mounted in the bed of a pickup truck or commercial vehicle
Fifth wheel
Similar to a fifth wheel but it uses a ball hitch instead of a locking pin
Gooseneck hitch
What are the hitch ball size and weight ranges for each
1 7/8 in - up to 2,000 lbs
2 in - 3,500 to 8,000 lbs
2 5/16 in - 6,000 to 30,000 lbs
What are the types of trailer brakes
Electromagnetic and surge
How do electromagnetic brakes work
Brake controller determines how much electricity is supplied to electromagnet
What are the 2 types of brake controllers
Time delay and proportional
In this brake controller, voltage is applied gradually to the trailer brakes using a circuit
Time delay
In this brake controller, the controller will sense how fast the tow vehicle is decelerating and apply the trailer brakes at same intensity
Proportional system
In this brake system, the momentum of the decelerating trailer will cause the brake system to activate
Surge braking system
What should be used at all times during trailer operations
Chains, making sure they are crossed
What is the reason to cross the chains for trailer operations
To create a nest so if the hitch fails, the tongue of trailer will fall into nest instead of seperating
Trailer sway is more common in vehicle with
Soft suspension and longer distance between rear axle and hitch
What are the causes of trailer sway
Weight distribution
Wind
Tractor trailers
Roads
A force of air createrdby a tractor trailer as it drives down the road
Bow wind
This means a vehicle may pull to the right or left during heavy acceleration. What type of vehicles experience this
Torque steering
Front wheel drive vehicles
In this type of vehicle the power is transferred from the drive train to a transfer case
Four wheel drive
What does the transfer case do
Divides the power between the front and rear axles to maximize torque applied to all 4 wheels
This is designed to provide more torque for off road use
4 wheel low
The ability to travel over rough terrain in first gear at idle speed
Crawl ratio
This is designed for slippery conditions
4 wheel high
This allows the outside tires to spin quicker than the inside tires so the inside tires don’t get dragged through a turn
Differential
What are the different types of differentials
Open
Locking
Limited Slip
In this differential, torque is split equally between the wheels on the axle, regardless of road conditions
Open
The wheels receive equal torque but have unequal rotational speed
Open differential
In this differential, the wheels on the axle are locked together and will spin at the same speed regardless of traction
Locking
In this differential, it allows the tires to rotate at different speeds, preventing wheel slip during turns
Limited slip
For off road recovery operations, the recovery equipment should have a safety factor of at least
2:1
When selecting a winch for a vehicle, most manufacturers recommend to
Multiply weight of vehicle by 1.5
A winch’s maximum pulling capacity is rated with
The first layer of rope wound on the drum
As a rule of thumb, one inch of strap webbing equals
10,000 lbs of load
These are used by one vehicle to pull or snatch another vehicle that is stuck of the road
Recovery strap
These are used to pull on vehicle behind another when the wheels of the other vehicle can move freely
Tow strap
Can tow straps be used for pulling or snatching another vehicle? Why?
No, because lack of elasticity may cause strap to snap when pulling
How many wraps should be always be left on the winch spool
At least 5
What should you before backing a vehicle without any spotters
Conduct a walk around
The likelihood that an object will come to the attention of a driver is known as
Conspicuity
The beam of a headlight is biased toward what side of the vehicle and why
Right side, to prevent too much glare from affecting oncoming driver
An ice covered road can increase stopping distance as much as
4 times
This occurs when raindrops fall through a thin layer of cold air
Freezing rain
This forms when raindrops travel through a thick layer of cold air
Sleet
What are the three types of distracted driving
Visual
Manual
Cognitive
This distraction causes drivers to take their hands off the wheel
Manual
This distraction will take the drivers mind off the road
Cognitive
When driving, most experts recommend a break every
2 hours or 100 miles
If a hose line must be driven over, when should you attempt to drive over it
When it is charged
When is the only time a firefighter is allowed to stand on the tail step, side step, or running board when the vehicle is moving
Hose loading operations
The height of a wheel chock should be
1/4 the height of the tire
Over time, the repeated compression and expansion of the power spring can result in a loss of parking brake power called
Sag loss
If there is enough of a jerk, or the air bags deploy, the event data recorder will record
Up to 5 seconds of pre impact data
Which NFPA standards are the definitive standards for driver training and vehicle operations
1002, 1451, 1500
This refers to what the department wants the members to do
Policy
This lays out guidelines for how it should be done
Procedure
Deep scar or chop in the roadway
Gouge
A straight skid that suddenly changes direction to the right or left is an example of
Offset skid mark
How do you convert miles per hour to feet per second
Multiply the speed in mph by 1.466
