EMERGENCY PROCEDURES Flashcards
Regarding the properties and characteristics of natural gas, it would be correct to state that?
A) It is classified as a “combustible gas”
B) Depending on the mixture, the explosive range is 5% to 25%.
C) It is colorless and odorless, however mercaptan is added to give it an “egg” smell.
D) It is slighlty heavier than air.
E) When natural gas ignites, it undergoes a rapid increase in volume. If confined, the pressure due to this volume change will create an explosive force.
ANSWER: E) When natural gas ignites, it undergoes a rapid increase in volume. If confined, the pressure due to this volume change will create an explosive force.
A - Classified as a FLAMMABLE GAS
B - Explosive range is 5% to FIFTEEN (15%)
C - Mercaptan gives it a ROTTING smell (bulletin used to say “rotten egg” smell)
D - SIGNIFICANTLY LIGHTER than air.
(EP Natural Gas - 3)
Regarding the gas system infrastructure, it is incorrect to state that?
A) Gate stations have remote monitoring, but generally have no permanent on-site personnel.
B) An incident at a gate station should be treated as an industrial facility emergency limiting actions to life saving and protecting exposures until consulatation with the Utility Company.
C) Gas is routed via high, medium, and low pressure distribution main. Only high pressure mains have control valves, generally found near street corners.
D) High pressure mains are made of steel. Medium and low pressure mains are made of steel, plastic or if older, cast iron.
ANSWER: C) Gas is routed via high, medium, and low pressure distribution main. Only high pressure mains have control valves, generally found near street corners. (INCORRECT).
- BOTH MEDIUM and HIGH pressure mains have control valves.
(EP - Natural Gas - 4.1)
You are a company officer operating at a major gas emergency where the IC has ordered you to locate the nearest gas main valve cover so that Con Ed can shut down the main if necessary. You should know that Con Ed gas main valve covers have ID numbers located where?
A) Stamped on the south side of the collar, underneath the cover.
B) Stamped on the north side of the collar, underneath the cover.
C) On tags inside of the valve cover.
D) On tags outside of the valve cover.
ANSWER: C) On tags inside of the valve cover.
- National grid ID numbers are located on the north side of the collar, underneath the cover.
(EP - Natural gas - 4.3 pg 8)
A Lieutenant conducting drill on natural gas valves was incorrect to state that curb valves / service valves?
A) Shut the gas supply to an entire building.
B) Are usually found on the street side of the curb.
C) Are usually recessed in from the curb and are covered with a 4” x 4” square or round brittle concrete or steel cover which may be sitting on top of a plastic or wooden plate.
D) Found on National Grid “Long Service” system are sometimes located across the street from the building they supply and may also be found in the street. An arrow cast into the cover will point to the building it supplies.
ANSWER: B) Are usuually found on the street side of the curb. (INCORRECT)
- Found on the SIDEWALK side of the curb.
(EP - Natural Gas 4.4)
A company officer operating at a gas leak in the cellar of an MD sees the letters “NC” and “EFV” stamped on a tag near the service meter. He should know that this indicates which of the following?
- “NC” indicates there is “no cover” over the curb valve
- “EFV” indicates there is an “excess flow valve” in the line on the service pipe.
A) 1 only B) 2 only C) 1 & 2 D) Neither
ANSWER: B) 2 only
1 - “NC” indicates there is NO CURB VALVE
(EP - Natural Gas - 4.4.2)
There are various valves, regulators and vents to control the supply of gas to occupanices. Which point below is incorrect concerning these devices?
A) Exterior gas service valves control the supply of gas meters installed on the outside of buildings. If an exterior gas service valve is present, no curb valve / service valve is required.
B) Head of service valves control the supply of gas to meters installed on the inside of buildings.
C) Service regulators are usually located before the gas meter on medium and high pressure systems to reduce the gas to low pressure.
D) Peck vents are installed on medium or high pressure systems to vent excess gas if a service regulator fails.
E) Peck vents may have a blue cap and normally have an odor of natural gas at the peck vent.
ANSWER: E) Peck vents may have a blue cap and normally have an odor of natural gas at the peck vent. (INCORRECT)
- Peck vents have a RED CAP
- Normally have NO ODOR of gas at peck vent
(EP - Natural Gas - 4.4.2)
Gas meters can supply individual occupancies or an entire building. An officer conducting drill on gas meters was incorrect when he stated?
A) Before the meter there should be a 1/4 turn meter valve that controls the supply of gas to the meter.
B) Shutting a master meter shuts gas to an entire building, including all occupancies in that building. If there are two master meters, the valve to only one meter needs to be closed to shut supply to the entire building.
C) Interior riser valves may exist that come off a master meter, typically near the ceiling. They may be used to isolate only a section of the building.
D) All natural gas appliances should have a 1/4 turn valve.
ANSWER: B) Shutting a master meter shuts gas to an entire building, including all occupancies in that building. If there are two master meters, the valve to only one meter needs to be closed to shut supply to the entire building. (INCORRECT)
- If there are 2 master meters SHUT VALVE TO BOTH METERS.
- The purpose of a double meter is to be able to shut down one in case it needs to be repaired without shutting off gas supply to the entire building.
(EP - Natural gas - 4.4.3)
First alarm units arrive at the scene of a reported gas leak in a 4 story OLT. Which THREE (3) of the following conditions would be indicative of a major gas emergency?
A) Any damage, from small to serious, to a major component like a master meter, gas service pipe, main valve or distribution main.
B) 10% LEL or greater detected outside or inside a building.
C) 15% LEL or greater detected in an invented subsurface structure (manholes, sewers ….)
D) Gas present in one or more subsurface structures (manholes or sewers)
E) Indications of gas migrating into a building from an outside source.
F) Gas leaking inside of a structure and the controlling valve cannot be found or is inoperable.
G) Gas leaking or present inside of a large open area.
ANSWER: B,E,F are CORRECT / A,C,D,G INCORRECT
A - SERIOUS DAMAGE
C - TWENTY (20%) LEL in unvented substructure
D - Gas present in TWO or more subsurface structures
G - Gas leaking or present inside a WALL or VOID.
7 Indicators of Major Gas Emergencies “10-20 VOIDS”
10% LEL or greater - Inside or Outside
20% LEL - elevated readings in an unvented subsurface
V - Gas leaking inside of a VOID or wall
O - Gas migrating into building from OUTSIDE source
I - Gas leaking inside structure and control valves INOPERABLE or cannot be located.
D - SERIOUS DAMAGE (not any damage) to a major component of gas infrastructure (master meter , main valve etc.)
S - Gas present in TWO or more SUBSURFACE structures.
(EP - Natural Gas - Section 5)
Highly probable test question
Units operating at a gas emergency would be incorrect to perform which tactic?
A) If any natural gas is found on the Natural Gas Meter upon entering a building, or while proceeding to the reported location within a building, the first ladder inside team should proceed directly to the basement / cellar to evaluate conditions.
B) The 1st Ladder outside team should proceed to the natural gas utility meter location, which may be in the basement / cellar or exterior of the building.
C) The 1st Engine Officer should proceed to the reported location or caller when arriving at gas emergency only if arriving before the ladder company. Remaining engine members should prepare to stretch a line, positioned outside of the potential blast zone.
D) Apparatus should not be positioned in front of the reported leak location. Avoid positioning over manholes and sewers. Additional units shall stage at street corners and only enter the block when appropriate.
E) The 1st priority at these responses is to locate and mitigate the gas leak.
ANSWER: E) The 1st priority at these responses is to locate and mitigate the gas leak. (INCORRECT)
- The 1st priority is to determine IF THIS IS A MAJOR GAS EMERGENCY or not.
- The 2nd priority is to locate and mitigate the leak.
(EP - Natural Gas - 6.5)
Regarding the use of gas detectors and gas meters, it would be incorrect to state that?
A) The natural gas detector is used to determine the location of the leak. It is the superior tool for locating leaks in appliances, supply piping, and points of entry.
B) The natural gas meter is used to determine the amount of gas present in an area by visibly displaying the level of gas in % LEL. It is the superior tool for identifying areas where it is no longer safe to operate.
C) Natural gas detectors and meters require warm up times in fresh air. It is good practice to power on these devices before arrival on scene.
D) When using meters to investigate gas emergencies, the best practice is to measure readings at a location high upon entry of the room of the suspected leak and report that % LEL to the IC.
ANSWER: D) When using meters to investigate gas emergencies, the best practice is to measure readings at a location high upon entry of the room of the suspected leak and report that % LEL to the IC. (INCORRECT)
- Measure HIGH AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM of the suspected leak and report this % LEL to IC.
(EP - Natural Gas - 6.4)
When mitigating a gas leak, members would be incorrect to think?
A) Ignition sources near the leak may be removed by utilizing a remote shutoff; this should only be done outside of the area that is within the explosive range.
B) Leaks should be controlled by shutting the closest valve that controls supply.
C) A leak or break in low or medium pressure gas piping may be stopped or greatly diminished by taping or stuffing putty, rags, paper, etc.
D) Leaking plastic pipe found outside should not be touched, folded, or approached
ANSWER: C) A leak or break in low or medium pressure gas piping may be stopped or greatly diminished by taping or stuffing putty, rags, paper, etc. (INOCRRECT)
- A leak in LOW PRESSURE piping only may be stopped or diminished by stuffing putty, rags, paper etc.
(EP - Natural Gas - 6.7)
The priority order of valve closure in the Natural Gas bulletin is appliance vavle followed by which of the following choices?
A) Master meter valve, interior gas riser valve, individual meter valve, head of service valve, curb valve.
B) Interior gas riser valve, individual meter valve, master meter valve, curb valve, head of service valve.
C) Interior gas riser valve, master meter valve, individual meter valve, head of service valve, curb valve.
D) Interior gas riser valve, individual meter valve, master meter valve, head of service valve, curb valve.
ANSWER: D) Interior gas riser valve, individual meter valve, master meter valve, head of service valve, curb valve.
(EP - Natural Gas - pg 22 to 24)
Order of valve closure
- Appliance valve
- Interior gas riser
- Individual meter
- Master meter
- Head of service
- Curb
You are a company officer operating at an incident where there is a major gas leak in a multiple dwelling that cannot be controlled from any valves inside the building. In this situation you would be incorrect to think that?
A) FDNY members are authorized to shut curb valves / service valves, but this should only be done as a last resort and in consultation with the utility company.
B) Curb valves / service valves may be covered with concrete or grass and may not be visible.
C) White curb valves indicate plastic valves that are easily broken with excess force. A white plastic insert is required for both National Grid and Con Edison plastic valves.
D) The FDNY is not permitted to shut a Main valve.
ANSWER: C) White curb valves indicate plastic valves that are easily broken with excess force. A white plastic insert is required for both National Grid and Con Edison plastic valves. (INCORRECT)
- White plastic insert required for NATIONAL GRID only (not Con Ed)
(EP - Natural Gas - pg 24)
Which of the following FDNY isued powered equipment are considered instrinsically safe? (More than one correct)
A) Handie-talkies
B) Natural gas detectors
C) Natural gas meters
D) FDNY issued flashlights
E) Thermal Imaging Cameras
F) Ventilation Fans
ANSWER: A) Handie-talkies / B) Natural gas detectors / C) Natural gas meters / D) FDNY issued flashlights (ALL INTRINSICALLY SAFE)
- Thermal Imaging Camera NOT intinsically safe
- Ventilation fans NOT intrinsically safe
(EP - Natural Gas - 9.1.2)
You are a company officer that has arrived at the scene of a reported odor of gas. On arrival, you determine there are serious indications of a major gas emergency for a leak inside of an OLT. The leak has been found and can be controlled by a valve. In this situation you should be guided by all of the following except which?
A) You should transmit a 10-75 and a 10-80 No Code, specifying a major gas emergency.
B) If gas levels can be kept to less than 80% LEL by venitng, you may continue to operate.
C) If gas levels can be kept to less than 80% LEL, you my remove ignition sources only if this can be done from an area not within the explosive range.
D) If any readings display levels of 80% LEL or greater, the opportunity to cut power has expired.
E) If at any time the gas levels reach 80% LEL or higher, treat the efefcted area as a “potential blast zone”
ANSWER: A) You should transmit a 10-75 and a 10-80 No Code, specifying a major gas emergency. (INCORRECT)
- 10-75 and a 10-80 CODE 1
- Give a 10-80 Code 1 for MAJOR GAS EMERGENCY / CHEMICAL SUICIDES and HAZMAT EMERGENCY STORAGE SYSTEMS.
(EP - Natural Gas - 7.3)
Which of the following are considered potential blast zones in regards to major gas emergencies?
- When a leak is found - and gas levels reach 20% of the LEL or higher.
- When it is suspected that gas has been leaking for a considerable amount of time and is likely trapped in a void space.
- When a leak is not found - and levels cannot be limited to less than 10% LEL by venting, and there are indications that the leak is coming from an outside, subsurface source.
A) 1,2 B) 2,3 C) 1,3 D) 1,2,3
ANSWER: B) 2,3
1 - When a leak is found and gas levels reach EIGHTY (80%) of LEL or higher.
Potential Blast Zones
- Gas reaches levels of 80% LEL or higher
- Gas leaking for considerable amount of time in void
- Leak NOT found / levels cannot be limited to 10% LEL by venting and there are indications that leak is coming from an outside, subsurface source.
(EP - Natural Gas - pg 32)
Engine 100 & Ladder 99 have arrived at the scene of a major gas emergency for a leak inside of a multiple dwelling where the IC has decided there is an explosive environment and established a potential blast zone. Ladder 99 is instructed to perform rapid evacuation tactics in the potential blast zone. In this situation, Ladder 99 should be guided by which one tactic?
A) Evacuation should be via an available stairway. No elevator in any building shall ever be used because elevators create static electric arcs when activated by a call button or signaled to move.
B) Members shall alert occupants to self evacuate by knocking on doors and moving from door to door. Assistance can be provided to people with special needs or thos requiring assistance.
C) Forcible entry should only be accomplished for suspected life hazards.
D) When forcing entry, use the adz end of the halligan to gap and force the door and / or use conventional forcible entry.
ANSWER: B) Members shall alert occupants to self evacuate by knocking on doors and moving from door to door. Assistance can be provided to people with special needs or thos requiring assistance.
A - CAN USE elevators in some cases if taking the stairs is impractical (High Rise Upper Floors)
C - Forcible entry for KNOWN LIFE HAZARDS
D - Use adz to gap and force OR USE HYDRA RAM.
(EP - Natural Gas - 9.1.3)
Engine 100 and Ladder 99 have arrived at the scene of a major gas emergency for a leak inside of a multiple dwelling where the IC has decided there is an explosive environment and established a potential blast zone. Regarding the water supply and line placement considerations, E-100 would be correct to think?
A) 1 3/4”, 2 1/2” or large caliber streams are all appropriate for defensive positions.
B) All members, apparatus, appliances and hose should be positioned inside of the potential blast zone.
C) Fog streams should be used to help dissipate natural gas venting outside of the structure.
D) A charged fog hoseline may be used to protect utility workers plugging or squeezing a gas pipe under pressure to stop a leak.
ANSWER: D) A charged fog hoseline may be used to protect utility workers plugging or squeezing a gas pipe under pressure to stop a leak.
A - 1 3/4” line IS NOT APPROPRIATE for defensive pos.
B - Everyone should be OUTSIDE of blast zone
C - Fog streams SHOULD NOT be used to help gas venting OUTSIDE of a structure.
Engine 100 & Ladder 99 have arrived at the scene of a major gas emergency for a leak inside of a multiple dwelling where the IC has decided there is an explosive environment and established a potential blast zone. Which point below concerning operations in the potential blast zone is not accurate?
A) The potential blast zone should be identified by “DANGER DO NOT ENTER” tape.
B) The potential blast zone should only be entered for direct, life saving purposes.
C) Certain areas may be considered safe in the potential blast zone if they are too rich to burn.
D) Venting windows and doors as they are passed is permissible in the potential blast zone by rapid evacuation teams if doing so will not delay evacuation.
ANSWER: C) Certain areas may be considered safe in the potential blast zone if they are too rich to burn. (INCORRECT)
- NO AREA may be considered safe in the P.B.Z.
(EP -Natural gas - 9.2.4)
In regards to pulling manhole covers to naturally ventilate subsurface structures, it is correct for members to think?
A) Sewer manhole covers may be removed by FDNY personnel only if approved by both an on scene utility worker and a Chief Officer.
B) Electric manhole covers can be removed by FDNY personnel if requested by an on scene utility company worker, approved by a Chief Officer and the cover has been determined to be free of stray voltage.
C) Only round or square electric manhole covers may be pulled by FDNY personnel
D) Do not pull any electric manhole covers if there is a manhole fire in the area, or smoking or arcing is observed in an electric manhole or transformer vault.
ANSWER: D) Do not pull any electric manhole covers if there is a manhole fire in the area, or smoking or arcing is observed in an electric manhole or transformer vault.
A - Sewer manhole covers (Can be removed by FDNY with CHIEF APPROVAL)
B - Electric manhole covers can be removed by FDNY if requested by utility worker / approved by a Chief and been determined free of stray voltage by an UTILITY COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE.
C - ONLY ROUND manhole covers can be pulled by FDNY.
(EP - Natural Gas - 9.2.4)
Steam piping runs under streets and sidewalks with manholes providing access to the underground steam system. Regarding the delivery of steam, it would be incorrect to state that?
A) Concrete slabs typically cover steam vaults with access manholes placed in pairs.
B) Steam is invisible; the white mist seen is the condensate that forms when steam cools.
C) Steam pressures in generating plants can be as high as 2000 psi with temperatures reaching 900 degrees F.
D) Steam pressures in buried supply piping and in supplied buildings can be as high as 350 psi with temperatures reaching 170 degrees F.
ANSWER: D) Steam pressures in buried supply piping and in supplied buildings can be as high as 350 psi with temperatures reaching 170 degrees F. (INCORRECT)
- Steam pressures in buried supply piping and in supplied buildings can be as high as ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY (170) psi with temperatures reaching THREE HUNDRED AND FIFTY (350) degrees F.
(EP - Steam - 1.1)
Water slugs formed in steam piping can be pushed at speeds as high as 200 mph. If the slug encounters a bend in the piping, it can cause a steam pipe rupture. Con Ed refers to steam pipe ruptures as a HELB (High Emergency Line Break). Regarding the possibility of asbestos releaase at a HELB, members should know that asbestos has been removed from which of the following?
A) Steam manholes
B) Generating plants
C) Undergroundpipes buried in the street.
D) Buildings supplied with steam.
ANSWER: A) Steam manholes
EP - Steam - 4.1
Members encountering a High Energy Line Break at a generating plant would be correct to think that?
A) FDNY members should be tasked with mitigating the emergency.
B) FDNY members should only enter the plant to perform mitigation.
C) If FDNY members enter the plant, they should stay close to the White Hat.
D) Members may never enter a Con Ed generating plant without Con Ed personnel.
ANSWER: D) Members may never enter a Con Ed generating plant without Con Ed personnel.
A - Only PLANT PERSONNEL will mitigate the emergency
B - FDNY only enters plant for SEARCH & RESCUE (escorted by plant personnel)
C - If FDNY members enter the plant they should stay close to the ESCORT.
(EP - Steam - 4.1)
Members respond to a report of a steam condition in the street in Midtown Manhattan and find a vent pipe over a steam manhole directing steam over the roadway. Members notice that there is a blue stripe on the top on the vent pipe. In this situation, members should know it is the most correct to think this indicates the steam as a result of a?
A) Leaking steam main
B) Water leak from a sewer, water main, or heavy rain contacting the steam pipe.
C) HELB
D) Possible asbestos issue
ANSWER: B) Water leak from a sewer, water main, or heavy rain contacting the steam pipe.
(EP - Steam - 4.3)