Flammable Liquid Manual Flashcards
Define trans-loading
The transfer of fuel ethanol from rail tanks directly to road tankers
What hazards may be present during events involving flammable liquids?
- Fire or explosion
- Ignition by heat, spark, or flame
- Vapors that may explode or travel
- BLEVE
- Environmental hazards
What are the three operating modes typically used at an incident?
- Offensive attack mode
- Defensive attack mode
- Non-intervention mode
Define offensive attack mode.
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.
Define defensive attack mode.
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.
Define non-intervention mode.
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.
What should the first engine company do?
- Size up
- Initiate hazard protection
- Make contact with responsible
party - Perform recon
What is the rule of thumb when developing a water supply plan?
The supply should be able to flow at least 1000gpm of finished product per unit flowing product.
What are the characteristics of hydrocarbons?
- Organic compounds containing ONLY hydrogen and carbon
- Found in primarily petroleum products
What are the characteristics of polar solvents?
- Products of distillation that are water soluble
- Hydrophilic, require special types of foam
- Include alcohols such as ethanol, ketones, and lacquers
Define a flammable liquid.
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)
Define a combustible liquid.
Has a flash point above 100 degrees F but below 200 degrees F (IFSTA)
Between 141 and 200 degrees F (VDEM)
What is RFG?
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.
What is used as a means of extinguishing ethanol fires?
Alcohol resistant foam. (AR)
What are the three common blends of ethanol fuels?
- E-10 (most common; may be labeled as RFG)
- E-95 (95% ethanol)
- E-85 (85% ethanol)
Where would a responder encounter pure ethanol?
An incident at a production facility or a transloading facility
What is special about ethanol for motor fuel blends?
It will be denatured with up to 5% gasoline (E-95) for any style of transport.
What are the chemical and physical characteristics of pure ethanol?
- 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
Can what is the relationship between ethanol, gasoline, and electricity?
Some blends of ethanol can conduct electricity while gasoline cannot
What are some problems with blended fuel and unblended gasoline?
- 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.
How is the majority of E-95 transported?
By rail
What has the greatest potential for transfer problems due to a lack of permanent fixtures or safety equipment?
Trans-loading
Ethanol transportation incidents with fire put firefighters in a position of greater hazard than hydrocarbon transportation incidents because:
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.
How is AR foam designed to work?
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.
What techniques must be used to apply AR foam?
AR-type foams must be applied to ethanol fires using Type II (fixed foam chambers) gentle application techniques.
How does type II application work?
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).
What is Type III application? When is it effective?
- 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
What is the required flow rate for AFFF on hydrocarbon fuel?
1gpm/10 Sq Ft of burning surface