TB 145 - Combustible Metals Flashcards
What are the critical first steps to ensuring a safe and successful outcome of a combustible metals fire?
-Recognition
-Communication
-Teamwork
-Proper tactical adjustments
Fires involving combustible metals are designated as a class “____” fire.
Class D
_______ is a factor in determining ease of ignition, rate of burn, temperature generated, and the explosive potential of combustible metals
-Surface area
(Metal powders, dusts, turnings, chips, and other small pieces with greater surface area pose a much greater hazard than large unprocessed billets, ingots, and processed blocks.)
Metal fires burn at extreme temperatures ranging from ______ degrees F to ______ degrees F.
5000-9000 degrees F
(THREE times the temperatures of a typical structure fire)
(The extreme temperatures become a major factor when selecting an extinguishing agent since water (H2O) will DISSOCIATE when super heated.
Combustible metals can be divided into what two categories?
- Alkali Metals
- Alkali Earth Metals, Transitional Metals, Other metals
Alkali Metals
Although Alkali metals have many industrial uses, they are NOT commonly encountered.
Alkali metals (LITHIUM, SODIUM, and POTASSIUM) are WATER reactive under NON-FIRE conditions and should be placarded with the “_____” under the NFPA 704 system.
“W”
(These are stored immersed in mineral oil or kerosene (paraffin oil). Applying water is DANGEROUS.)
When burning, Alkali Earth Metals, Transitional Metals, and Other Metals can become extremely dangerous when in contact with water.
List examples of metal names for each category as stated in the training bulletin:
Alkali Earth Metals:?
Transitional Metals:?
Other Metals:?
-Alkali Earth metals: MAGNESIUM
-Transitional metals: TITANIUM, ZIRCONIUM
-Other Metals: ALUMINUM
What on-scene (active incident) indicators will assist companies in identifying the presence of combustible metals?
• NFPA Placards
• Information from on-site employees
• Outside storage bins
• Dust collection and scrubber systems
• Information from MDC (BP8, Additional information from MFC, etc)
• Transportation placarding (DOT)
• Shipping manifests/waybills (for mobile property)
• NAERG (emergency response guide)
• Smoke indications (Unusual coloring)
• Fire behavior
• Violent reaction of fire to water
Titanium, magnesium, zirconium, and aluminum shall be indicated by an “_____” in the FOURTH space IF the quantities or form meet the LAFD criteria for placarding.
“M”
(occupancies that exceed 500 pounds of combustible metals or that process or store 500 pounds or less of combustible metals that are in the form of dusts, chips, powders, turnings, or ribbons).
704 Placarding for Combustible Metals
If multiple hazards exist, the symbols (no more than two) shall be stacked with the most severe hazard indicated on _____ and the combustible metal symbol “M” always positioned at the ______.
-Top (most severe)
-Bottom (“M”)
What are the unusual fire or smoke conditions that could indicate the presence of combustible metals?
-Flames burning with a ‘white hot’ appearance
-presence of flowing or molten metal
-WHITE colored smoke
-“explosions” when water applied
Combustible metals present significant hazards to Fire Personnel for the following reasons:
• High burning temperature
• Volatile reaction to water
• Debris from water reactions being thrown through the air
Members of the LAFD working within _____ feet of a burning metal product are considered to be working in an IDLH environment and shall be “FULLY ENCAPSULATED” and ON AIR.
30 ft
Extinguishment of combustible metal fires is accomplished through?
- Smothering with extinguishing agent
- If the fire is allowed to burn, an oxide crust develops over and smothers the burning material beneath.
Dry powder, under the brand name “______”, is the only approved product provided by the LAFD to extinguish combustible metal fires.
MET-L-X
(Supply and Maintenance maintains approximately 500 pounds of MET-L-X and has the ability to deliver it to the scene of the fire.)