Flammable Liquid Manual Flashcards

1
Q

Define trans-loading

A

The transfer of fuel ethanol from rail tanks directly to road tankers

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2
Q

What hazards may be present during events involving flammable liquids?

A
  • Fire or explosion
  • Ignition by heat, spark, or flame
  • Vapors that may explode or travel
  • BLEVE
  • Environmental hazards
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3
Q

What are the three operating modes typically used at an incident?

A
  • Offensive attack mode
  • Defensive attack mode
  • Non-intervention mode
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4
Q

Define offensive attack mode.

A

The commitment of resources to aggressive leak, spill, and fire control objectives. This mode is used where additional risk is justified because rescue operations can be quickly achieved.

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5
Q

Define defensive attack mode.

A

Uses available resources to achieve less aggressive objectives such as limiting the size or spread of the problem. Used when the benefit of offensive attack is not worth the risk.

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6
Q

Define non-intervention mode.

A

Taking no immediate action other than isolating the area until the risk of intervention is reduced to an acceptable level. Can be used while assembling resources.

This mode must be considered for ethanol fires or large scale events.

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7
Q

What should the first engine company do?

A
  • Size up
  • Initiate hazard protection
  • Make contact with responsible
    party
  • Perform recon
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8
Q

What is the rule of thumb when developing a water supply plan?

A

The supply should be able to flow at least 1000gpm of finished product per unit flowing product.

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9
Q

What are the characteristics of hydrocarbons?

A
  • Organic compounds containing ONLY hydrogen and carbon
  • Found in primarily petroleum products
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10
Q

What are the characteristics of polar solvents?

A
  • Products of distillation that are water soluble
  • Hydrophilic, require special types of foam
  • Include alcohols such as ethanol, ketones, and lacquers
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11
Q

Define a flammable liquid.

A

A product having a flash point BELOW 100 degrees F and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40psi absolute (IFSTA)

Below 141 degrees F (VDEM)

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12
Q

Define a combustible liquid.

A

Has a flash point above 100 degrees F but below 200 degrees F (IFSTA)

Between 141 and 200 degrees F (VDEM)

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13
Q

What is RFG?

A

It is reformulated gasoline. Its composition has been changed and has lower levels of volatile compounds. RFG with GREATER than 10% oxygenate additives reacts like a polar solvent and should be treated as such.

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14
Q

What is used as a means of extinguishing ethanol fires?

A

Alcohol resistant foam. (AR)

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15
Q

What are the three common blends of ethanol fuels?

A
  • E-10 (most common; may be labeled as RFG)
  • E-95 (95% ethanol)
  • E-85 (85% ethanol)
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16
Q

Where would a responder encounter pure ethanol?

A

An incident at a production facility or a transloading facility

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17
Q

What is special about ethanol for motor fuel blends?

A

It will be denatured with up to 5% gasoline (E-95) for any style of transport.

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18
Q

What are the chemical and physical characteristics of pure ethanol?

A
  • Polar solvent that is water soluble
  • 55 degree F flashpoint
  • Vapor density of 1.59
  • Specific gravity of 0.79
  • Auto-ignition temp of 793 degrees
  • Boiling point of 173 degrees
  • Flammable range is 3.3-19%
  • Carcinogenic compounds are not present
  • At 5 parts water to 1 part ethanol it will still burn
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19
Q

Can what is the relationship between ethanol, gasoline, and electricity?

A

Some blends of ethanol can conduct electricity while gasoline cannot

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20
Q

What are some problems with blended fuel and unblended gasoline?

A
  • Higher concentrations of ethanol produce less black smoke and decreased visible flame color.
  • When foam or water has been flowed on the burning product, the gasoline will tend to burn off first, leaving the less volatile ethanol water solution which may have no visible flame or smoke.
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21
Q

How is the majority of E-95 transported?

A

By rail

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22
Q

What has the greatest potential for transfer problems due to a lack of permanent fixtures or safety equipment?

A

Trans-loading

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23
Q

Ethanol transportation incidents with fire put firefighters in a position of greater hazard than hydrocarbon transportation incidents because:

A

 Gasoline tends to burn off first (higher vapor pressure).
 Less heat produced from ethanol fires compared to hydrocarbons.
 Ethanol burns more efficiently than hydrocarbons.
 Ethanol is 100% miscible in water.
 20% ethanol solution is flammable.
 The presence of water separates gasoline from mixture.
 Ethanol has a higher flash point.
 Greater percentage of gasoline in the mix produces greater heat and possibility of soot
production in tank.

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24
Q

How is AR foam designed to work?

A

It forms a tough membrane between the foam blanket and the alcohol-type fuel. It must be applied gently to the surface or else it will be absorbed into the fuel.

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25
Q

What techniques must be used to apply AR foam?

A

AR-type foams must be applied to ethanol fires using Type II (fixed foam chambers) gentle application techniques.

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26
Q

How does type II application work?

A

You must direct the foam stream onto a vertical surface and allow it to run down onto the fuel. Direct application to the fuel surface will likely be ineffective unless the fuel depth is very shallow (i.e., 0.25 inches or less).

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27
Q

What is Type III application? When is it effective?

A
  • Fixed and hand line nozzle application
  • Effective when deflected off surfaces to mimic gentle application
  • Prone to failure in ethanol-blended fuels of any substantial depth

Bank down

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28
Q

What is the required flow rate for AFFF on hydrocarbon fuel?

A

1gpm/10 Sq Ft of burning surface

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29
Q

What is the required flow rate for AR foam on ethanol blended fuels that are shallow?

A

2gpm/10 Sp Ft of burning surface

30
Q

What is the required flow rate for AR foam on ethanol blended fuels that are deep?

A

3gpm/10 Sq Ft of burning surface

31
Q

Define a small spill.

A
  • 55 gallons or less,
  • A small cylinder, or a small leak from a large container with a minimum flow.
  • Passenger vehicles with leaking tanks
32
Q

How should small spills inside of a structure be managed?

A

With the appropriate assignment for the structure type as well as a hazmat response

33
Q

What are the resources required for the management of a small spill not occurring inside a structure?

A
  • One engine company with atmospheric monitoring capabilities.
  • The engine company officer should consider a hazardous materials response
  • If spill ignites, a Foam Task Force should be requested. 2 AR foam units, 1 pump-and-roll unit, 2 Engines, 1 BC, and 1 HM asset
34
Q

What does a Foam Task Force consist of?

A
  • 2 AR foam units
  • 1 pump-and-roll unit
  • 2 Engines
  • 1 BC
  • 1 HM asset
35
Q

Define a large spill

A
  • A spill exceeding 55 gallons or multiple spills from multiple small packages or containers.
  • Any incident at or involving pipelines, horizontal tanks, tank farms, or flammable liquid tanker trucks or rail cars.
36
Q

What are the resources required for the management of a large spill with or without fire?

A
  • 4 engines
  • 2 specialty units – one must be an aerial device
  • 2 EMS units
  • 1 battalion chief
  • 1 command aide
  • 1 EMS supervisor
  • 1 Foam Task Force (FTF)
  • A hazardous material response
37
Q

What are the 4 tactical approaches to tanker incidents?

A
  1. First, assemble the resources and extinguish the fire with Class B foam. Be sure an adequate foam and water supply is available before initiating the attack.
  2. For combustible liquids, extinguish the fire with water fog when it can be done without creating environmental problems with the runoff. Large, hot fires of combustible liquids will require foam application
  3. Protect adjacent exposures, and allow the fuel to burn itself out.
  4. Un-ignited leaks and spills should be diked immediately at a safe location and the liquid covered with foam. Remove all ignition sources.
38
Q

What is the most prevalent style of transport for the blended fuels that emergency responders will encounter?

A

MC306 and DOT 406 tankers

39
Q

What are some characteristics of MC306 and DOT406 tankers?

A
  • Non-pressurized
  • 9,000 gallon capacity with up to 8 pots
  • Has outlets on the underside of the trailer for on- and off-loading
  • Breakaway piping, remote shut-off controls, and vapor recovery systems.
  • MAWP 3-7psi at 1,100
  • Elliptical/oval cross section
  • Carries materials lighter than water like gasoline and solvents
40
Q

What are some characteristics of MC307 and DOT407 tankers?

A
  • Horseshoe shaped ends, if insulated
  • Stainless steel or carbon steel, usually insulated
  • Bottom loaded and bottom off-loaded air pressure for top or bottom off-load
  • Single compartment (can be as many as five); external stiffening rings required
  • Maximum working pressure 40 psi and a minimum of 25 psi
41
Q

What do tankers with an oval shape carry?

A

Liquids lighter than water

42
Q

What do tankers with a circular shape carry?

A

Liquids heavier than water

43
Q

How will tankers carrying ethanol and ethanol-fuel blends be placarded when carrying E-10?

A

UN 1203

44
Q

How will tankers carrying ethanol and ethanol-fuel blends be placarded when carrying E-85?

A

UN 3475

45
Q

How will tankers carrying ethanol and ethanol-fuel blends be placarded when carrying E-95?

A

UN or NA (North American) 1987

46
Q

How will pure ethanol be placarded?

A

UN 1170

47
Q

What is the suggested primary attack of an incident involving a DOT 406?

A

AR-AFFF finished foam. The preferred method of attack would be the use of an AR-AFFF unit. The AFFF pump-and-roll unit would remain as RIT or back up to the AR-AFFF

48
Q

If vapors are suspected you should:

A

Maintain a safe distance, the invisible cloud is usually much
larger than the visible cloud.

49
Q

How far away should you be when using binoculars to look for placards?

A

500 ft

50
Q

What resources are required for rail car incidents?

A

Same as large spill resources

51
Q

Flammable liquids will be found most often in:

A
  • General service rail cars (<100psi); some may be transported in a high-pressure rail cars (100-600 psi)
52
Q

How many gallons can a general service rail car carry?

A

30,000 gallons

53
Q

What are some general rail car characteristics?

A
  • Bottom loaded and unloaded
  • Pressure and vacuum relief devices similar as those currently found on highway tanker trucks.
54
Q

What is a DOT111

A

General service rail car

55
Q

Do the four tactical approaches change for rail car incidents?

A

No

56
Q

What is the leading single hazardous material transported by rail?

A

E-95
(train shipments containing 75– 100 cars of E-95 are now commonly seen on some key rail routes)

57
Q

Is diesel a flammable or combustible liquid?

A

Combustible liquid

58
Q

How should you handle an incident involving a diesel locomotive?

A
  • Hit the emergency fuel stop on either side of the locomotive
  • Chock wheels as with any rail car.
  • Extinguish with class B foam

fuel tank is on the under-belly at the halfway point of the locomotive

59
Q

What are two primary factors for transformer fires?

A

Load and age

60
Q

Can foam be applied to an energized transformer?

A

No

61
Q

What should you always assume about transformers?

A

Always assume that electrical equipment is energized and dangerous until the power company advises that it is safe.

62
Q

A small transformer fire may be knocked down with:

A

A dry chemical extinguisher prior to the power being shut down if absolutely necessary.

63
Q

Larger transformer fires may require the response of:

A

A hazardous materials unit as well as a foam task force and the use of Purple K for extinguishment.

64
Q

What resources are required for a pipeline rupture?

A

Same as large spill

65
Q

How far under ground are pipelines?

A

Several feet which makes them more of a hazard

66
Q

What is another hazard found with pipelines?

A

Supplemental pumping stations and shut-off valves are often miles apart, creating the potential for large volume product losses if a break or rupture occurs.

67
Q

What are the three benchmarks that define the nature and current scope of a flammable or combustible liquid incident?

A
  • Life safety
  • Incident stabilization/protecting the environment
  • Property conservation
68
Q

The overall strategic goals of any incident at a bulk petroleum facility are:

A
  • Rescue and recovery
  • Public protection actions
  • Spill, Leak control or confinement
  • Fire control
69
Q
A
70
Q

Placard 1017

A

Chlorine