TB 5 - Automobile Fires Flashcards
Freon gas used in air conditioners is under pressure and may emit the toxic gases ______ and ______ if heated to the point of decomposition.
phosgene and fluoride
_______ malfunction is a leading cause of fires in the engine compartment.
Fuel system
When working in the engine compartment there is an EXPLOSION hazard with the VEHICLE BATTERY (hydrogen vapors).
When working in this area, always wear _______.
-Safety goggles Or SCBA face piece.
Apparatus Spotting
California Highway Patrol research has indicated that the use of excessive warning lights may cause _______, particularly in drunk drivers.
focus fixation
Energy Absorbing Bumpers
Hydraulic - Consists of a gas chamber filled with a mixture of inert, non-flammable nitrogen/helium gas pressurized to 150 PSI and a hydraulic fluid chamber which is filled with a petroleum based fluid.
Bumper travel is up to ______ inches.
3 inches
Energy Absorbing Bumpers
Mechanical - Employs a heavy spring to absorb impact.
These units travel up to _____ inches
4 inches
Unusually high pressure developing from fire conditions may result in the sudden release of the bumper assembly causing serious injury to personnel.
At an incident in the valley, a bumper assembly traveled a distance of _____ feet.
25 ft
Overheated brakes and/or underinflation are the usual causes of ______ fires. Large quantities of water are required for cooling and extinguishment
tire fires
Most auto glass is tempered and will break out in small chips. The exception is the front windshield, which should be _____ glass.
safety glass
You should not remove the vehicles gas cap during a vehicle fire.
Removing the gas cap from a fuel tank, under heat and pressure conditions, could result in ________.
a REFLASH or EXPLOSION .
Fuel tanks can be constructed using what two materials?
-Metal (sheet metal with crimped and welded seams)
-Plastic
Gasoline Fuel Specs
Flash Point: ?
Specific Gravity: ?
Flash Point: -45 F
Specific Gravity: 0.8
Diesel Fuel Specs
Flash Point: ?
Specific Gravity: ?
Flash Point : 125 f
Specific Gravity: less than 1.0
What are the 3 practices of handling fuel spills?
- Containment - diking using sawdust, sand, ect.
- Absorption - small spills using sand, sawdust, ect.
- Dilution - NEVER wash fuel spills into storm drains. If fuel has already entered the drainage system, attempt to dilute the product by flushing with copious amounts of water.
Vehicle Fire IDLH
Any member working within the IDLH of any vehicle fire prior to extinguishment or before being determined to be safe by the IC shall be fully encapsulated.
Working within _____ feet of any vehicle fire constitutes working in an IDLH.
30 ft
Applying Water to Vehicle Fires
Firefighters should be aware that the fire may initially _______ with the application of water.
FULL ENCAPSULATION will provide an additional layer of protection for Firefighters from reactions to water.
intensify and react violently
Standard operating procedure involves the minimum deployment of what equipment?
•1-1/2” hose line for fire SUPPRESSION
•dry chemical extinguisher for personnel PROTECTION (to both ff and civilian).
Equipment Placement
- When possible, position dry chemical extinguisher on ______ side of vehicle.
- The effective range of a 20 pound extinguisher is ____ to _____ feet.
- windward
- 15 to 20ft
Conditions fostering flashover or backdraft can be present at incidents involving vehicle fires.
The potential for backdraft can be reduced through cross ventilation of the vehicle by ________.
breaking out windows.
Cooling the vehicle fuel tank is an advisable safety precaution if fire IMPINGEMENT on the tank is suspected. This will prevent a possible ________.
(Do not allow water to enter the fuel tank as this may cause fuel to overflow from the tank creating an additional hazard.)
BLEVE - Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
BLEVE Hazard in Vehicles utilizing LPG
A pressure relief valve is required at the storage cylinder. ALLOW the relief valve to operate as designed.
What actions are taken if the vapors coming from the relief valve have been ignited?
-ALLOW LPG to burn and protect exposures
(If fire is IMPINGING on the LPG storage cylinder, take action to CONTROL the FIRE and COOL the CYLINDER.)
Recorded BLEVES have occurred within _____ minutes of fire exposure.
10 mins
Some vehicles have various parts constructed of combustible metals, such as engine blocks, heads, wheels, headlight casings, etc.
These metals are normally an alloy of _______ and ______.
aluminum and magnesium.
Vehicle Extrication
- A safe ____ft minimum working area must be established.
- The first arriving Engine Company shall, as a minimum, deploy and maintain throughout the duration of the incident, a charged 1-1/2” hose line with ______ as backup.
- 30 ft
- dry chemical extinguisher
Vehicle Extrication
The Engine Company Captain will normally assume the role of _______.
-Safety Officer.
(This officer will also control access to the work area excluding unauthorized/unnecessary personnel whether they be fire, EMS, police, news media or civilian. Use police assistance when necessary.)
