SOP Flashcards
What is a dielectric fluid found in many transformers
and capacitors?
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
What are PCBs used for?
increasing or decreasing electrical power
what are the four types of coolants for transformers?
- Air
- Mineral oil
- askarel
- Silicone
What is Askarel?
insulating fluid which contains 50% PCBS
Are askarel and PCBS materials chemically stable and have low flammability?
true
What are the trade names for PCBS and askarel?
Inerteen and Pyranol
Why are mineral oils dangerous??
they are used for coolants for transformers and contaminated with PCBs
Does silicone coolant fluids contain PCBs?
False
Why are PCBS the most stable organic chemicals known?
Low dielectric constant and high boiling point make them ideal for use as dielectric fluid fluids in electrical capacitors and transformers.
What are some of the advantage of PCBs?
low dielectric constant
low volatility
good fire resistance
low water solubility
high solubility in organic solvents
good ageing properties, with no deterioration in service
What are some of the disadvantages of PCBs fluid?
non-biodegradable
persistent in the environment
able to accumulate in fatty tissues in the body
suspected of being carcinogenic
What is created if PCBs is burning?
very toxic chemicals are formed. PCBs produced furans because of their great stability and oleophilic nature which means the fatty tissues of humans and animals easily absorb them.
what are the side effects of PCBs on humans?
Failure of kidneys and other human organs
excessive and intensive headaches if inhaled and chloracne if absorbed through the skin.
What companies serviced transformers?
Electric utility companies ie MBTA, Conrail, B&M
What are the two types of labels used to identify locations and where equipment containing PCBs are found?
- a yellow 9in diamond shaped placard with black lines containing DOT number for PCBs (2315)
- second label is attached directly to transformers and other high voltage equipment 6 in square with bold black letters
What type of transformers are a source of PCBs?
Railroad transformers its classified separately by the federal government
Does capacitors and pole transformers present the same problems as transformers in vaults?
no because its found outside on poles, have fewer fire incidents and contain lesser amount of fluid.
What are the procedures for capacitors and pole transformers incident?
avoid contact with fluid
isolate the area and wait for utility employees to take charge of the spill
do not flush with water
doke and contain if possible
never assume that the unit has been de-energized
if fire occurs, wear full PPE and SCBA and use DRY Chemical
never contact any downed wires or lines
What to do in the event of an unknown condition of the transformer?
implement the BFD/ICS
initial size up wearing PPE and SCBA
informed conditions ie location of fire, material involved, extent and magnitude of fire
What to do if a confirmed PCB incident occurs?
Incident commander shall upgrade the incident to Level 3 Hazardous materials
What are involve in electrical incidents in manholes?
Cables only or cables and high voltage transformers and switchgears
What is the incident commander duty when responding to electrical incident?
determine who owns the manhole
Due to the potential for explosion or the release of toxic fumes what should be worn?
All protective gear including SCBA
Who should Fire Alarm office dispatch involve a Eversource manhole incident?
One Engine, one Ladder and the nearest Hazmat company with the special FireIce retardant and application equipment.
Where should the company commander place the apparatus during a eversource manhole incident?
Company Commanders shall place the apparatus and position the members to avoid any contact
with or inhalation of fumes or smoke from the manhole.
If the first arriving companies observed smoke or flames coming from the manhole what should be done?
secure the area and establish a hot zone
What the purpose of FireIce?
unique powder when added to water produces a gel for insulating and extinguishing burning electrical cables at manholes which reduces the levels of carbon monoxide and minimizing secondary explosions.
FireIce is approved for what type of fire?
Class C (electrical fires)
FireIce or water shall never be directed into manholes belonging to who?
MBTA
What can be done if FireIce was not avaible?
flooding the manhole with water
How many feet should you flow or pour water into the manhole?
25 feet
FireIce is a potassium-based dry powder that produces a firefighting gel. What size hose line can it be educted into?
1 3/4 hose lines
Hazmat companies carry how containers of FireIce agent?
(4) 25 lb. containers
What type of equipment is included with FireIce agent?
specifically designed nozzle/tip with built in eductor and shutoff
25’ lenght of 3/4 hose connected to the eductor with a pick up tube attached
25 pound containers of FireIce
system supplied by a 1 3/4 handline
What type of effect is used to educted the FireIce agent?
Venturi effect
What type of motion should the members employ?
vacuuming motion with the tube in order to draw the product up to the nozzle.
What should the nozzle pressure be while operating FireIce agent?
60-100 psi
What is the safe distance while operating the nozzle with FireIce agent?
50 feet
After establishing an adequate gel solution, the nozzle team may advance toward the manhole while maintaining a minimum safe distance of what?
25 feet from the manhole opening
What can be used to accurately judge the distances?
a dry 50 foot length of hose
About how many foot should the member direct the stream of FireIce solution?
one foot of the manhole opening
How long should you keep the stream flowing until?
any arcing or burning cable subsides
What kind of hazard can cause the mixture of FireIce and water?
slippery hazard
What type of measures should be taken after FireIce solution was used?
granular absorbent, DPW sander, area taped off
MSDS product sheets list the product as both a mild eye and respiratory irritant. How should the members operate?
upwind from the product and to refrain from positioning themselves directly over the product container
Cleaning and storage: Once operation has concluded how long should flush the nozzle for?
nozzle should be flushed with fresh water for a a minimum of 30 seconds.
What companies are FireIce Units?
Engine 22 Ladder 15
Engine 33 Ladder 16
Engine 53 Special unit
SOC Units
what level of carbon monoxide do you need to be exposed to be considering poisoning?
200 ppm for several hours or more
What are of the symptoms of victim who is exposed to 200 ppm?
slight headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea after two or three hours.
What are of the symptoms of victim who is exposed to 400 ppm?
Frontal headache within one to two hours. Three hours of exposure
at this level should be considered life threatening.
What are of the symptoms of victim who is exposed to 800 ppm?
Dizziness, nausea and convulsions within 45 minutes. Two hours
of exposure at this level should be considered life threatening and death may
result in two to three hours.
What are of the symptoms of victim who is exposed to 1600 ppm?
Headache, dizziness and nausea within 45 minutes and death may
result within one hour.
List examples of fuels that produce CO when burned?
gasoline, oil, natural gas, wood, kerosene, charcoal, propane, underground wire insulation.
What is the correct method to survey the atmosphere with a gas meter?
raise the meter above the operator’s head, then slowly bring the meter down to one foot of the ground
How does the carbon monoxide detectors warn of dangerous levels?
beep 4 to 5 times in a row about every 4 seconds
How does the CO detectors warn of low battery?
chirp once every 15 seconds
End of life warning of CO detectors?
chirping every 30 seconds after 7 years. chirp will not stop until unit is powered off. Alarm will not respond to elevated CO levels
CO readings of 35 ppm or less
inform the occupant CO detection did not detect an elevated CO Do not evacuate or ventilate the premises
CO readings of more than 35 ppm but less than 100 ppm
inform occupant that CO meter detected a Potentially dangerous level of CO. Immediately evacuate and ventilate the premises, request for EMS
CO readings is 100 ppm or greater
inform the occupant the CO meter detects a potentially lethal level of CO. Immediately evacuate and ventilate the premise and request EMS.
Upgrade to level 1 carbon monoxide hazmat event. request District Chief
Documentation of Carbon Monoxide
brand name and model number of carbon monoxide detection device. detailed narrative which includes utility company, notice of violation ordering the occupant/owner to not restore the defective appliance.
Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point below 37.8°
C (100°F), and a Reid Vapor Pressure nor exceeding 2068 mm Hg (40 psia) at 37.8°C
(100°F)
Flammable liquid
A fluid in the cryogenic liquid state that is composed
predominantly of methane and that can contain minor quantities of ethane, propane,
nitrogen, and other components normally found in natural gas.
Liquid natural gas
That concentration of a combustible material in
air below which ignition will not occur. Also known as the lower explosive limit (LEL).
Lower Flammable Limit (LFL)
An odorant, which provides natural gas with a distinctive, rotten eggtype odor. It is added into the natural gas pipelines after the Local Distribution Company
(LDC) receives the gas from transmission lines or LNG transportation. Transmission
Line companies may also odorize the gas they transport. Mercaptan has a specific gravity
of 0.845. Because the Mercaptan is heavier than natural gas, a situation could arise where
you can smell the odorant but the natural gas could have already dissipated
Mercaptan
Standard for the Production, Storage, and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Chapter 12.
NFPA 59A
Standard for Recommended Practice for Handling Releases of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases.
NFPA 329
Natural gas is predominately composed of methane gas, between
85 and 95 percent
Natural gas is non-toxic, however, it may displace
oxygen and that can result in asphyxiation if a person is in a confined space
Air has a specific gravity of 1 and natural gas has a specific gravity of
0.6, approximately half the weight of air. Therefore, natural gas is lighter than air, which will cause it to rise. Venting manholes, homes, businesses, and other structures will allow natural gas to rise and dissipate into the outside environment.
Grade 1 gas leak
A gas leak that represents an existing or probable hazard to persons or property, and requires immediate repair or continuous action until
conditions are no longer hazardous. Emergency entry into surrounding homes, businesses or shelters may be needed as part of the gas odor investigation. During
this time, the gas company will monitor the area.
Grade 2 leak
A leak that is recognized as being non-hazardous at time of detection, but justifies scheduled repair based on probable future hazard
Grade 3 leak
A leak that is non-hazardous at time of detection and can be reasonably expected to remain non-hazardous
What are the two operating pressure categories for LDC systems?
Low Pressure System and Elevated Pressure System
What is low pressure system?
is a gas distribution system that is
operated at a low pressure usable by appliances. In such a system, no service regulator is required on the customer’s gas service, which operates at
approximately ¼ lb. per square inch
What is a elevated pressure system?
which is comprised of Intermediate Pressure
(IP) and High Pressure (HP). These gas distribution systems are operated at a pressure higher than the appliance utilization pressure. In such a system, a service regulator is required on each service line to reduce the pressure delivered to the
customer
City of Boston is predominately comprised of what system?
low and intermediate pressure system
Natural gas will burn if any mixture of gas in air is greater than
5 % and less than 15 % and ignition source is present
What is the leanest possible mixture that will support combustion?
Lower Explosive unit
What is the richest possible mixture that will support combustion?
Upper Explosive Limit
If the mixture is too rich gas combustion is
incomplete
if the structure containing a fuel level greater than the upper explosive limit is
ventilated
What are the sources of ignition?
Gas and diesel engines running, static electrical charge,
doorbell, electric light switch, telephone/cell phone, flashlight, pilot light, electronic ignition, refrigerator, and communication tools not intrinsically safe, including
departmental radios.
What are the ignition temperature of various gases?
Acetylene is 580 F
Butane is 760 F
Propane is 920 F
Natural gas is 1200 F
Gasoline is 800 F, its not a gas
Yellow Marking indicates
Gas, oil, steam, petroleum
Blue marking indicates
potable water
Red marking indicates
Electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cables
Green marking indicates
sewer and drain lines
Orange marking indicates
communication, alarm or signal lines
White marking indicates
Proposed excavation
Should burning natural gas be extinguished?
no unless there is an immediate life hazard
Main service Valve
underground valve is operable by a specialized key. ONLY gas company should turn these valves
Shut of Valves
Valve should never be turned ON if it was OFF. ONLy gas company is authorized to turn it back on.
Service Regulators
device is installed on gas services in IP or HP areas to reduce the gas pressure.
The regulators is located after the service riser shut off valve but before the gas meter.
Tracing Wire
usually found wrapped around the exposed portion of an outside gas service this marking wire is an indication of underground plastic pipe. The wire is used for tracing the location of the pipe and is not electrified.
Fire valves
A piece of equipment installed at the inlet side of the meter, which, under heat of approximately 150 F, will spring a lead ball to block the flow of gas into
the meter. Found primarily on meters installed inside a building.
Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI Meter)
An instrument used to detect a natural
gas leak. This instrument will need to be calibrated on a monthly basis to ensure proper and accurate indications
Mobile Flame Ionization Detection Equipment
Systems that consist of a supersensitive detector cell, either mounted in a vehicle or used as a portable machine, which takes samples of air over the surface of pavement or land and analyzes them.
How should you test for gas leak?
High to low. Natural gas is lighter than air and will rise
Natural gas escaping outside of a building
notify FAO
approach up wind direction
Natural gas escaping inside a building
Notify FAO
Do Not turn electrical switches inside building
Turn off gas service at meter set valve
High pressure pipe gas leak with no fire
Notify FAO call Algonquin Gas and Spectra Energy Gas control
Evacuate one quarter mile in all directions
