Emergency Ops Steam

Question 1

_ typically cover steam vaults w/access manholes placed in pairs

Answer 1

Concrete Slabs

Question 2

T/F Con Ed generates all high pressure steam in NYC

Answer 2

False District Steam systems generate Hi-Pr steam for housing complexes, hospitals, & various commercial locations. Enter into CIDS. Con Ed will NOT run or maintain these lines

Question 3

What color is steam

Answer 3

Invisible- White mist is the condensate that forms when steam cools

Question 4

Co Ed refers to steam pipe rupture as _

Answer 4

High Energy Line Break (HELB)

Question 5

Can FD enter a Con Ed generating plant w/o Con Ed personnel?

Answer 5

Never- respond to designated mustering sites outside the plant

Question 6

Who will mitigate a HELB in a Generating Plant

Answer 6

Plant personnel. FD should only enter to perform a search & rescue for missing plant personnel. If entering stay close to plant personnel

Question 7

What Haz Mat problem is involved w/HELB in the street?

Answer 7

Asbestos. Steam pipes are wrapped in asbestos for insulation in most of the underground piping. Could be drawn into the bldgs ventilation systems

Question 8

What is a problem in terms of HELB in the street w/utilities?

Answer 8

Underground Hi-voltage electric cables could be exposed & damaged, along w/Natural Gas & Water Mains. The gas leak could ignite from arcing electric lines & Hydrants may be unserviceable

Question 9

How shall FD approach HELB in the street?

Answer 9

Upwind & stay clear of vapor plume. Keep Staging Area away from asbestos & put in an area where communications are effective

Question 10

What shall be done w/HVAC of nearby bldgs of HELB?

Answer 10

Consider shut down

Question 11

T/F Steam frequently seen rising from ground & from steam manholes is usually the result of HELB?

Answer 11

False. More often it’s the result of water from heavy rain or leaking sewer or water main contacting steam pipe & turning into steam

Question 12

What do Vent Stacks do & what does a blue stripe indicate?

Answer 12

Directs steam up over roadway. Blue stripe indicates steam is a result from a water leak, NOT a leaking steam main

Question 13

Some Hazards of HI-Pressure Steam inside of a room

Answer 13

Fills rooms w/superheated steam that scalds occupants & makes the atmosphere oxygen deficient. May also release asbestos

Question 14

T/F Bldgs supplied w/steam will have a steam control room filled w/pipes. If unsure which valve to close- shut down all steam valves

Answer 14

False- Do NOT randomly shut steam valves inside of supplied bldg. Shutting wrong valve can cause damage to system & create hazardous condition

Question 15

If an emergency exists in a bldg w/Hi Pr Steam, member may shut _

Answer 15

Inside Service Valve. It will be labeled & sealed. If possible, wait for Con Ed personnel to shut

Question 16

If members cannot access the Inside Service Valve, can they shut the bldg steam shutoff outside the bldg?

Answer 16

FD should NOT shut this valve. Only Con Ed should shut.

Question 17

What should be monitored at a ruptured steam main?

Answer 17

Presence of Radiological Contaminants. Could be a terrorist attack

Question 18

Ruptured steam pipe, all personnel shall report into _

Answer 18

ICP

Question 19

What must be transmitted at ruptured steam pipe?

Answer 19

Due to probable presence of asbestos 10-80 specifying asbestos, until proven otherwise

Question 20

Ruptured steam pipe most correct?
A. If the steam pipe ruptured in a bldg, because it was an emergency, members were ordered to shut the Inside Service Valve. As a last resort, members can shut the building shutoff located outside the building.
B. For the ruptured steam main, monitoring was performed for the presence of radiological contaminants.
C. At a HELB in a generating plant, plant personnel will mitigate the emergency. FDNY should only enter the plant to perform search with the provided escort. FDNY can enter without an escort for a confirmed life hazard.
D. Upon arrival, you knew that the vent pipe with the blue stripe on top was a concern because it indicated the steam coming from it was a result of a leaking steam main, not a water leak.

Answer 20

B

A. There is a building steam shutoff located outside the building. FD members should not attempt to shut this valve. sect 4.4 - Tactics
C. When entering the plant, stay close to the provided escort and be guided by their advice. sect 4.1 Tactics
D. If a vent pipe has a blue stripe on the top of it, this indicates that the steam is the result of a water leak, not a leaking steam main. sect 4.3

Question 21

Vent stacks over minor steam leaks to direct the steam up over the roadway will have a _ stripe on top of it to indicate the steam is the result of a water leak, not a leaking steam main
A. White C. Black
B. Orange D. Blue

Answer 21

D

Question 22

Ruptured steam leak incorrect
A. Transmitted 10-80 specifying asbestos release
B. Monitored for radiological contaminants upon receipt of an alarm for ruptured steam main
C. Members isolated to SRA in CRZ to prevent cross contamination
D. You considered APR after consulting with Haz Mat Group Supervisor & all risks have been evaluated

Answer 22

D IC may consider

Question 23

Steam pressures in generating plants can be as high as _ psi with temperatures reaching _ degrees F.
A: 2,000 psi; 900 degrees F
B: 170 psi; 350 degrees F
C: 900 psi; 2000 degrees F
D: 350 psi; 170 degrees F

Answer 23

A

Question 24

Escaping high pressure steam can hurl debris at \_\_\_ mph. Anyone in the vicinity of the break is in danger of being struck by flying, high velocity debris.              
A: 100
B: 200
C: 1000
D: 2000

Answer 24

B EP Steam 4.2

Question 25

Steam pressures in buried supply piping & in supplied bldgs can be as high as _ psi & temperatures as high as _ degrees F
A 170 psi; 350 degrees F
B. 2000 psi, 900 degrees F
C. 350 psi; 170 degrees F
D. 90 psi; 2000 degrees F

Answer 25

A 2.2

Question 26

When heavy rain or a leaking water main results in water contacting a steam pipe, it can cool the steam inside the pipe, causing the steam to condense into water. Normally this water is drained off by a series of traps. However, if not drained off, a water slug will form which can be pushed through the piping by the steam at speeds as high as _ mph
A. 150 mph
B. 200
C. 300
D. 350

Answer 26

B 200 mph 3.1