Essentials Book Flashcards
Define culture
The shared assumptions, beliefs, and values of a group or organization
Define Jargon
the specialized or technical language of a trade, profession or similar group
What is the basic unit of fire fighting operations?
a company
NFPA 1001?
Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications
NFPA 1582
Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments
NFPA 1500?
Standard on Fire Department Occupational Health and Safety Program
Unity of Command?
Each employee reports directly to just on supervisor
Division of Labor?
Process of dividing large jobs into smaller jobs in order to make them more manageable, equalize workloads and increase efficiency
Define policy?
A guide to decision making within an organization–policies set boundaries and establish standards of conduct that an organization expects from its members
Define procedures?
Detailed written plans that list specific steps for approaching a recurring problem or situation
Define Standard?
a set of principles, protocols, or procedures that is developed by committees through consensus
Define code?
a collection of rules and regulations that has been enacted by law in a particular jurisdiction
What is the leading cause of death for firefighters?
stress or overexertion
What were the leading injuries to firefighters?
Stains and sprains followed by cuts and bruises
What percent of firefighters are overweight?
40%
NFPA 1971?
Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Firefighting
NFPA 1975?
Standard on Station/Work Uniforms for Emergency Services
What is a risk management plan?
Written plan that analyzes the exposure to hazards, implements appropriate risk management techniques and establishes criteria for monitoring their effectiveness
What are the five causes for fire apparatus collisions?
- improper backing
- excessive speed
- lack of driving skill and experience
- reckless driving by the public
- poor apparatus design or maintenance
Define defensive driving?
anticipating potential hazards and developing strategies to dea with them
How far apart should multiple emergency vehicles travel?
300-500’
What is driver reaction distance?
The distance the apparatus travels from when the driver operator realizes the need to stop until the driver/operator’s foot touches the brake pedal
Define braking distance?
the distance the apparatus travels form when the driver touches the brake until the vehicle is completely stopped
Define total stopping distance
The sum of the driver reaction distance and the braking distance
The only exception to the rule of never stand on or in moving apparatus is?
while loading hose as the apparatus slowly moves forward (5mph or less)
What are unpowered tools?
Hand tools
Electrical tools not marked “double insulated” should have what?
three prong plug
What are control zones?
hot, warm and cold zones
What are the reasons a collapse zone is established?
- prolonged heat or fire have weakened the structure
- a defensive strategy has been adopted
- interior operations cannot be justified
What are external communications?
Requests from the public for both emergency and non emergency assistance
What are internal communications?
Consists primarily of radio transmissions between units and individuals during emergency operations
What is the central location that takes all emergency calls and routes the call to the fire, ems, or police dispatcher?
Public Safety Answering Point
What are the four main limitations or barriers to all radio transmissions?
- distance
- physical barries
- interference
- ambient noise
The generally accepted communication model consists of 6 basic elements which are?
- sender
- message
- receiver
- feedback to sender
- interference
What are the ABCs of good communication?
A-Accurate
B-Brief
C-Concise
What are some reasons the IC can request a PAR?
- 15 min intervals
- incident declared U/C
- change from offensive to defensive
- sudden catastrophic event
- emergency evac
- firefighter reported missing or in distress
- primary search has been completed
- Safety Officer requests one
What affects how wood reacts to fire conditions?
size and moisture content
Pressure treating wood reduces its load carrying ability by as much as?
25%
What are the two types of iron that can be found in buildings?
Cast and wrought
Wrought iron and cast iron are connected differently, how are they connected?
Wrought iron is usually riveted or welded together
Cast iron is bolted or screwed
Spalling?
Expansion of excess moisture within masonry materials due to exposure to the heat of a fire, resulting in tensile forces within the material and causing it to break apart. The expansion causes sections of the material’s surface to violently disintegrate, resulting in explosive pitting or chipping of the materials surface
A 50’ steel beam may elongate by at much as ___ inches when heated from room temperature to about 1000.
4”
At what temperature can failure of steel structural members be anticipated?
1000
Curtain Wall?
nonload bearing wall, often of glass and steel, fixed to the outside of a building and serving especially as cladding
In lath and plaster, the lath is oriented?
horizontally
Every building is composed of the following building elements?
- structural frame
- floor construction
- roof construction
Type 1 construction?
fire resistive
Type II construction?
noncombustible or limited combustible
Type III construction
Ordinary
Type IV heavy timber construction, structural members will be of what size and have a fire resistance rating of?
8” and 2 hours
Type V constuction?
wood frame or stick frame
What percentage do manufactured homes make up of all housing sales in the US?
25%
Reference occupancy classification, structures may be divided into either _____ occupancies or ____ occupancies.
single use or separated use
What are the three prevalent roof types?
flat, pitched, and arched
Types of roof styles?
Check pic on phone
What are the four types of arched roofs?
- bowstring
- ribbed
- diagonal grid (lamella)
- pleated barrel
What are the three main components roofs are made of?
- roof supporting structure
- roof deck or sheathing
- roof covering
What is generally used to support flat roofs and floor assemblies?
parallel chord truss
Rafter?
inclined beam that supports a roof, runs parallel to the slope of the roof and to which the roof decking is attached
Joists?
horizontal structural members used to support a ceiling or floor. Drywall materials are nailed or screwed to the ceiling joists and the subfloor is nailed or screwed to the floor joists
What are referred to as wide flange beams?
box beams and I-beams
Purlin?
Horizontal member between trusses that supports the roof
What are the two types of concrete roofs?
Precast and poured in place
Live load?
Items within a building that are movable but are not included as a permanent part of the structure; merchandise, stock, furnishings, occupants, firefighters, and the water used for fire suppression are examples of live loads. Also force placed upon a structure by the addition of people, objects or weather
What are the five types of doors?
- swinging
- sliding
- folding
- vertical
- revolving
Fire doors made with terneplate are commonly referred to as?
tin-clad doors
All windows contain glass known as…?
glazing
Fixed windows are also known as?
- display windows
- picture windows
- deadlights
What are the two primary types of dangerous conditions that may be posed by a particular building?
- conditions that contribute to the spread and intensity of the fire
- conditions that make the building susceptible to collapse
What is one of the most critical hazards in commercial, industrial and storage facilities?
heavy fuel load
What kind of roof covering can significantly contribute to fire spread?
wood shakes
Unprotected engineered steel and wooden trusses can fail after?
5-10 minutes of exposure to fire
During what stage of the fire is collapse very likely?
Decay stage and during post suppression activities
Contents can be a factor contributing to collapse in three ways?
- generating higher temperatures and rapid combustion
- causing collapse more rapidly due to added dead weight
- increasing stress on structural members due to increased weight from water retention
250gpm adds how much weight of water per minute to the structure?
1 ton
What is physical science?
The study of matter and energy
When does a physical change occur?
When a substance remains chemically the same but changes in size, shape, or appearance (water freezing)
When does a chemical reaction occur?
When a substance changes from one type of matter into another, such as two or more substances combining to form compounds
Oxidation?
A chemical reaction involving the combination of an oxidizer, such as 02 in the air with other materials
Oxidizer?
Material that readily yields oxygen or other oxidizing gas, or that readily reacts to promote or initiate combustion of combustible materials
Energy?
The capacity to perform work. Work occurs when a force is applied to an object over a distance or when a substance undergoes a chemical, biological or physical change
Potential energy?
stored energy possessed by an object that can be released in the future to perform work once released
Kinetic Energy
the energy possessed by a body because of its motion
What is the measure for energy?
Joules
How many joules is necessary to change the temp of one gram of water by one degree celsius?
4.2 J
What is a BTU (British Thermal Unit)?
amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 lb of water 1 degrees F
How many Joules = 1BTU?
1055J
Exothermic reactions?
Reactions that emit energy (fire)
Reactions that absorb energy as they occur are?
endothermic reactions
Piloted ignition?
moment when a mix of fuel and oxygen encounters an external heat source with sufficient heat or thermal energy to start the combustion reaction
Autoignition
initiation of combustion by heat but without a spark or flame
What are the two modes of combustion?
nonflaming and flaming
passive agent?
materials that absorb heat but do not participate actively in the combustion process (drywall/gypsum board)
CO combines with hemoglobin more than ____ times faster than 02 does.
200x
CO is created by?
incomplete combustion of carbon containing material
HCN is created by
the combustion of materials containing nitrogen
Co2 is a product of ____ combustion of organic materials?
complete
How many irritants are in smoke?
over 20
Thermal Energy is also known as?
heat
What is the most common source of heat in combustion reactions?
Chemical energy
Self-heating?
a form of oxidation, is a chemical reaction that increases the temperature of a material without the addition of external heat
Arching vs. sparking
Arc-high temperature luminous electric discharge across a gap or through a medium
Sparking-when an arc occurs, luminous particles can be formed and spatter away from the point of arcing (spattering is the sparking)
Conduction
transfer of heat through or between solids that are in direct contact
convection
heat transfer by circulation within a medium such as a gas or a liquid
radiation
heat transfer by way of electromagnetic energy
How is mechanical energy generated?
friction or compression
Heat transfer due to conduction is dependent upon three factors…
- area being heated
- temperature difference between the heat source and the material being heated
- thermal conductivity of the heated material
Lateral currents are the result of?
differences in pressure
Radiant heat increases by a factor of what as the temperature of the heat source increases?
4
Heat Release Rate?
total amount of heat released per unit time. HRR is measured in KW and MW of outputs
Reducing Agent?
the fuel that is being oxidized or burned during combustion
Power?
the rate at which energy is being transferred over time
At sea level atmosphere exerts a pressure of ____?
14.7 psi
The pressure that vapors escaping from a liquid exert is known as?
vapor pressure
flash point?
minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors to ignite, but not sustain combustion
fire point?
the temperature at which sufficient vapors are being generated to sustain the combustion reaction
What mixes readily with water?
polar solvents
What temperature does pyrolysis of wood begin?
400
The required temperature for ignition of the vapors being given off by wood is?
1000-1300
What is the primary oxidizing agent in most fires?
oxygen in the air
At normal ambient temperatures (68) materials can ignite and burn at 02 concentrations as low as?
14%
Oxygen deficient/enriched
19.5%, 23.5%
Free radicals?
molecular fragments that are highly reactive
Chemical flame inhibition?
Extinguishment of a fire by interruption of the chemical chain reaction
Room or compartment fires take two forms:
fuel controlled and ventilation controlled
insulation?
contains heat within the compartment causing a localized increase in the temperature and fire growth
heat reflectivity?
increases fire spread through the transfer of radiant heat from wall surfaces to adjacent fuel sources
retention
maintains temperature by absorbing and releasing large amounts of heat slowly
Cold temperatures can cause smoke to appear?
White
Plume?
The column of hot gases, flames and smoke rising above a fire; also called convection column, thermal updraft, or thermal column
Mushrooming, when hot gases begin the spread horizontally across the ceiling is referred to as?
ceiling jet
The interface of the hot and cooler gas layers at the opening is commonly referred to as?
neutral plane
What are the four common elements of flashover?
- transition in fire development
- rapidity
- compartment
- ignition of all exposed surfaces
What ceiling temperature does flashover typically occur at?
1100
Protective coats used for structural firefighting is made of three components:
outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal barrier
What is the maximum noise exposure level?
90 decibels
Pass alarm activates when a firefighter is motionless for more than ___ seconds
30 seconds
How loud must the PASS device be and it must go off for at least how long?
95 decibels and continuously for at least one hour
What is the best protection for responders on the roadway?
Be visible to other motorists and work behind a barrier formed by your apparatus
Work uniforms perform two functions?
1) identify the wearer as a member of the organization
2) provide a layer of protection against direct flame contact
What are the four types of cleaning for PPE?
- routine-does not require that clothing be removed from service
- advanced-personnel trained in the care of gear should do this–likely use a gear washer
- specialized- when clothing is contaminated with hazardous materials or body fluids that cannot be removed by routine or advanced cleaning
- contract- specialized cleaning performed by the manufacturer, its representative or a certified vendor
PPE that is carried in personal vehicles should be placed in what?
closable garment bags intended for that purpose
What temperature do burns occur at?
1st- skin temp hits 118
2nd- 131
3rd- 152
At what 02 percentage does the human body increase its respiratory rate?
18%
Particulates bigger than what size are filtered by the nasal membranes?
1 micrometer
The two categories of respiratory protection equipment are atmosphere supplying respirators (ASRs) and air-purifying respirators (APRs). What is the difference?
ASRs- provide breathable air when working in oxygen deficient, toxic or gas filled atmospheres
APRs- filter particulates out of the ambient air
What are the two types of ASRs?
- SCBA
- supplied air respirators
What are the two types of SCBA?
Open circuit-uses compressed air
Closed circuit-uses compressed O2
What are the four basic components of SCBA?
- backplate and harness assembly
- air cylinder assembly
- regulator assembly
- facepiece assembly
What are the two types of fit tests?
Qualitative-measures the wearer’s response to a test agent
Quantiative-measures the amount of a test agent that has leaked into the respirator from the ambient atmosphere
How long must a firefighter wearing contact lenses demonstrate use without any problems in order to be approved to wear while wearing SCBA?
6 months
The UAC connection on SCBA is to be located within how many inches of the cylinder outlet?
4inches
Particulate filters have three categories of filter degradtion…
N- not resistant to oil
R- resistant to oil
P- used when oil or non-oil lubricants are present
Air cylinders should have no less than ___% of cylinder capacity?
90%
The frequency SCBA are inspected must not exceed?
1 week
What type of cylinders have an indefinite service life until they fail a hydro test?
steel and aluminum
With the exception of steel and aluminum cylinders all others have a service life of?
15 years
Hydro static test intervals on cylinders are as follows:
steel, aluminum, and fully wrapped carbon fiber- every 5 years
hoop-wrapped aluminum, fully wrapped fiberglass, fully wrapped kevlar- every 3 years
There are three breathing air sources that may be used to refill depleted SCBA air cylinder, they are and they must provide what grade air?
- stationary fill systems
- mobile fill systems
- Firefighter Breathing Air Replenishment Systems installed in high rises buildings
-Type 1 Grade D quality air
What is the only time an individual can work alone in an IDLH?
confined space where two members cannot fit
There are five classes of portable extinguishers they are:
A-ordinary combustibles B-Flammable and combustible liquids and gases C-energized electrical equipment D-combustible metals and alloys K- combustible cooking oils
Wet chemical systems?
Extinguishing system that uses a wet chemical solution as the primary extinguishing agent; usually installed in range hoods and associated ducting where grease may accumulate.
Extinguishing agents use at least one of the following methods to extinguish fires:
- smothering
- cooling
- chain breaking
- saponification–forming an oxygen-excluding soapy foam surface
If water type extinguishers are going to be exposed to temperatures below what shall they be protected against freezing?
40degrees
All portable extinguishers use one of the following methods to expel their contents:
- manual pump
- stored pressure
- pressure cartridge–compressed inert gas contained in a separate cartridge on the side of the container
Deionized water is used in what kind of extinguishers?
water mist extinguishers
Wet chemical extinguishers contain?
A special potassium-based low pH agent formulated to operate on the principle of saponification
AFFF extinguishers are most effective on?
static pools of flammable liquids
Halon has been replaced by?
clean agents, which cool and smother fires in class a and class B, also are nonconductive so they can be used on energized electrical equipment
Dry powder is used for?
Class D
How much pressure is maintained in the agent storage tank of a dry chem extinguisher?
200psi
What are the two gases used as pressurizing gas in dry chem extinguishers?
nitrogen or CO2
How are Class A extinguishers rated?
1a-40a, 1A 1 1/4 gallons are requied, 2A 2 1/2 gallons of water required
How are class B extinguishers rated?
1B-640B
Based on the approximate square foot of flammable liquid fire that a nonexpert operator can extinguish using one full extinguisher
Class K extinguishers have a minimum requirement of?
Must be able to extinguish a fire from a deep fryer using light oils with a surface area of 2.25 square feet
Name the letter/image symbol for each extinguisher class?
A-triangle/pile of wood B-square/ gas can C-circle/ electrical plug D-star/ half of a gear K-hexagon/ frying pan
Dry Chemical extinguishers have corrosive particulate residue so they should not be used where…
highly sensitive computer equipment is located
What are the three factors that determine the value of a fire extinguisher?
- serviceability
- accessibility
- simplicity of operation
Extinguishers should be inspected at least
weekly
If an extinguisher is deficient in weight by how much should it be removed from service?
10%
How often should a dry chem extinguisher be emptied and refilled?
Every 6 years
What is the only rope suitable for life safety applications?
block creel construction using continuous filament virgin fiber for load bearing elements
What kind of rope has excellent resistance to water, mildew, mold, rotting, shrinkage, and the effects of ultraviolet light?
Also:
- Longer life span than natural fiber rope
- It is very strong yet lightweight
- It is easy to maintain
Disadvantage:
-Melt when exposed to heat
Synthetic fiber rope
Natural fiber ropes have what advantages and disadvantages?
Advantages:
- resistant to sunlight
- does not melt when exposed to heat
- holds a knot firmly
Disadvantages:
- prone to mildew and mold
- deteriorates when exposed to chemicals
- burns when in contact with embers or open flame
What are the four most common types of rope?
- kernmantle
- laid
- braided
- braid on braid
Kernmantle rope is use for?
Life safety
How is kernamentle rope constructed?
it is a jacketed synthetic rope composed of a braid covering or sheath (mantle) over a core (kern) of the main load bearing strands
Kernmantle core is made of?
High strength fibers, usually nylon which accounts for 75% of the ropes strength
What is the difference between dynamic and static kernmantle rope and when are they used differently?
Dynamic (high stretch)-used when long falls are a possiblity
Static (low stretch)-used for most rope rescue operations, must not elongate more than 10% when tested under a load equal to 10% of its breaking strength
Laid rope?
Constructed by twisting fibers together to form strands then twisting the strands (typically 3) together to make the final rope. Most natural fiber ropes and some synthetic ropes are this type. Used exclusively as utility rope.
What is a disadvantage of laid ropes?
They are susceptible to abrasion and other physical damage
Braided rope?
rope constructed by uniformly intertwining strands or rope together
Braid on braid rope?
a braided core enclosed in a braied, herringbone patterned sheath (also known as double braided rope)
Very strong with half its strength in the core and half in the jacket
Each rope should be inspected at least?
once a year
When inspecting a rope what are you checking for?
imbedded shards of glass, metal shavings, wood splinters or other foreign objects that can damage the fibers. If any are found remove from service.
Ruptured fibers and powdering between strands indicate?
the rope has been overloaded
powdering between strands indicates?
internal wear
Sharp angles, bends and knots can reduce strength by as much as?
50%
Never subject a rope to sustained load for longer than?
2 days
If a rust stain is halfway through the rope how much strength of the rope is lost?
50%
Synthetic fiber ropes should be washed in?
lukewarm to warm water, with a mild detergent or fabric softener added to loosen imbedded dirt particles
What shall not be used when cleaning natural fiber ropes?
water
What sewing method is used with webbing to prevent edge-stitched webbing from becoming unstiched?
lock-stitching
What class harness is intended to be used for emergency escape and what weight rating does it have?
emergency escape and load up to 300lbs
What is the difference in a class I and class II harness?
Class II is rated for loads up to 600lbs
Class III harness?
full body harness, rated for loads up to 600lbs
When tying knots a rope is divided into three parts:
working end: used to tie the knot or hitch
running part: the free end that is used for hoisting or pulling
standing part: the section between the working end and the running part
The tighter the bend in a rope the ropes strength….
more is lost
There are three names for the bends which are?
- bight: is formed by simply bending the rope back on itself while keeping the sides parallel
- loop: crossing the side of a bight over the standing part
- round turn: consists of further bending one side of a loop
What is the safety knot?
overhand knot
Priority of searches:
1) most severely threatened
2) largest numbers
3) remainder of hazard zone
4) exposures
Oriented search method?
team leader remains anchored at the door, wall or hoseline, while other team members spread out through the room to complete the search
A search line is typically?
200’ of 3/8” rope with a kevlar sheath
About how far from the entry point is the end of the searched rope tied and at what height?
10’ away from the entrance and 3’ high, a tag indicating unit is left at that point as well
What team member carries the rope bag?
the lead
The person that is next to the “lead” and directs the lead is called?
the navigator
In a search rope a 2 in steel ring is tied every how many feet, directly behind each ring, one or more knots are tied indicating?
Steel ring every 20’, every knot indicates 20’ from the beginning of the line…knots towards the fire, rings towards the exit
Search line tethers are?
20’ lengths of 1/4” rope with a kevlar sheath. Each tether has a steel ring tied to one end, a knot at the midpoint and a carabiner at the other end
Even in an emergency you should never pull a victim…
sideways