*TB 145- Combustible Metals

Question 1

Fires involving combustible metals are designated as a class ___ fire

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Combustible metals can be divided into what two categories?

Answer 2

1. Alkali metals (Lithium, Sodium, and Potassium)

2. Alkali Earth metals (Magnesium), Transitional metals (Titanium, Zirconium), and Other Metals(Aluminum)

Question 3

Combustible Metals:
Alkali metals are water-reactive under non-fire conditions and should be placarded with the ____ under the NFPA 704 system. Alkali metals are all highly reactive and are usually stored immersed in mineral oil or kerosene (paraffin oil).

Answer 3

W

Question 4

Combustible Metals:
Which is more dangerous?

Alkali metals or Alkali Earth metals/Transitional metals/Other metals

Answer 4

Alkali metals

Question 5

Combustible Metals:
Metals (titanium, magnesium, zirconium, and aluminum) shall be indicated by a ___ in the fourth space of the 704 placard if the quantities or form meet the LAFD criteria for placarding.

Answer 5

M

Question 6

Occupancies that exceed ____ pounds of combustible metals as per Table 4-A of the Los Angeles Fire Code or that process or store ____ pounds or less of combustible metals that are in the form of dusts, chips, powders, turnings, or ribbons shall have a “M” in the appropriate space on the NFPA 704 placard.

Answer 6

500 and 500 lbs

Question 7

Combustible Metals:

If multiple hazards exist, the 704 placard symbols (no more than two) shall be stacked how?

Answer 7

With the most severe hazard indicated on top and the combustible metal symbol “M” (when applicable) always positioned at the bottom

Question 8

Combustible Metals:
The Department is in the process of surveying all businesses that utilize combustible metals and will require an NFPA Placard with a ____

Answer 8

W

Question 9

Combustible metals:
Flames burning with a ‘white hot’ appearance, the presence of flowing or molten metal, and white colored smoke are conditions that exist during a _______ type of fire.

Answer 9

Combustible metals

Question 10

Combustible metal:
Members of the LAFD working within ___ feet of a burning metal product are considered to be working in an IDLH environment. Members within the IDLH shall be “Fully Encapsulated”

Answer 10

30 ft

Question 11

Combustible metal:
Extinguishment of combustible metal fires is accomplished through _____ of the burning material. If the fire is allowed to burn, this process will occur naturally as an oxide crust develops over and smothers the burning material beneath

Answer 11

Smothering

Question 12

Combustible metals:
What approved extinguishing agent is provided by the LAFD to extinguish combustible metal fires?

What is the brand name of the product?

Answer 12

Dry powder, under the brand name “MET-L-X”

Question 13

Combustible metals:
_____ is a dry powder composed of a salt base with an added polymer for sealing and other additives to render it free-flowing and cause heat caking or rusting.

Answer 13

MET-L-X

Question 14

Combustible metal:
S&M maintains approximately ____ pounds of MET-L-X and has the ability to deliver it to the scene of the fire. MET-L-X is applied manually through use of a shovel or by disbursing the product directly from the storage bucket.

Answer 14

500 lbs

Question 15

Combustible metal:
Per the manufacture’s recommendations, a ___ inch layer of MET-L-X is required to effectively smother a combustible metal fire

Answer 15

1

Question 16

Combustible metal:
Per the manufacture’s recommendations, ___ pounds of MET-L-X is required for every one square foot of combustible metal fire.

Answer 16

10lbs

Question 17

Combustible metal:

The entire stock of MET-L-X maintained at Supply and Maintenance would only extinguish a ___ square foot fire.

Answer 17

50

Question 18

Combustible metal:
Businesses utilizing combustible metals may have an approved Class “D” extinguisher on site. If no extinguisher is available, what other products can be used? (5 listed in TB)

Answer 18

• dry sand
• graphite powder
• dry sodium
• G1-R
• Met-L-X

Question 19

Combustible metal:
____ is a dry chemical extinguishing agent as opposed to a dry powder extinguishing agent and is not effective for combustible metal fires.

Answer 19

Purple K

Question 20

Combustible metal:
Once a member of the fire attack team realizes that it is a combustible metal fire that we are attempting to extinguish, immediately ____ (continue/discontinue?) the use of water as an extinguishing agent and relay the information to the other resources onscene/ en route.

Answer 20

Discontinue

Question 21

Combustible metal:

What are the three ways to combat a combustible metal fire?

Answer 21

• Separate
• Isolate
• Extinguish

Question 22

Combustible metal:
In some situations, the best course of action may be to let the combustible metal fire burn out. Depending on the size of the fire and the amount of combustible metal, this may take ___ hours or longer.

Answer 22

24hrs

Question 23

Combustible metal:

A small amount of combustible metal product would be considered approximately the size of a _____.

Answer 23

Waste basket.

Question 24

Combustible metal:

What product can be used to minimize water run-off during exposure protection while fighting a combustible metal fire?

Answer 24

Barricade

Question 25

Combustible metal:
Working within ___ feet of any auto fire constitutes working in an IDLH. Any member working within the IDLH of any auto fire prior to extinguishment or before being determined safe by the IC shall be what?

Answer 25

• 30 ft

* Fully encapsulated

Question 26

Most combustible metal fires produce extreme temperatures ranging from ____ to _____ degrees Fahrenheit

Answer 26

5,000 to 9,000°F