TB Emergencies 2 -- Natural Gas

Question 1

What is the 1st priority order of gas valve shutdown?

Answer 1

1) appliance valve (1/4 valve)

Question 2

What is the 2nd priority order of gas valve shutdown?

Answer 2

2) Meter (meter valve, master meter, gas riser valves) – Note: avoid shutting master meter, it is preferable to shut the gas suppy at the applicance valve or interior gas riser valve as close to the leak as possible – these are 1/4 valves

Question 3

What is the 3rd priority order of gas valve shutdown?

Answer 3

3) Head of service valve (building service valve) – most of these are 1/4 valves

Question 4

What is the 4th priority order of gas valve shutdown?

Answer 4

4) Exterior gas riser valve (1/4 turn valve)

Question 5

What is the 5th priority order of gas valve shutdown? Where is it found?

Answer 5

5) Curb valve – usually found on the sidewalk side of the curb – in most cases, 1/4 turn clockwise

Question 6

What is the 6th priority order of gas valve shutdown?

Answer 6

6) Street valve (a.k.a. line, main, or isolation valve)

Question 7

Where are gas riser valves typically found?

Answer 7

Basement ceiling

Question 8

When using a curb valve to shut down the gas supply and a white valve is found, what does this mean?

Answer 8

white = plastic valve and plastic valve stops are easily broken by excess force

Question 9

Some older curb valves are gated and will require multiple turns to close. If 1/4 turn does not shut the gas off, continue to turn the valve until resistance is met. This may occur between _________ & _________ full turns.

Answer 9

7 1/2 & 15

Question 10

Do not turn an older curb valve more than how many times?

Answer 10

15

Question 11

Do not operate street valves except under extreme cirmustances and only upon direction of the _________________ after consultation with the ________________.

Answer 11

Fire Department Incident Commander/Utility Representative Supervisor

Question 12

Are non-FDNY issued flashlights, FDNY thermal imagining cameras, and department fans intrinsically safe?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

What is a Star Valve?

Answer 13

old type of gas valve that may be found between the head of service valve and the gas meter. It is rarely found today, is unreliable and should not be used

Question 14

At a major indoor gas leak, how many exposures on both sides of the original occupancy do you check?

Answer 14

3 on each side

Question 15

Can FDNY members remove sewer manhole covers?

Answer 15

Yes, with the approval of an on-scene Chief Offcer

Question 16

Can FDNY members remove Electric Manhole covers?

Answer 16

Yes, when requested by a utility company gas representative on the scene and approved by an on-scene Chief Officer

Question 17

How should round manhole covers be removed?

Answer 17

by 2 firefighters utilizing manhole hooks. battalion vehiclews carry two manhole hooks for use in removing electric manhole covers

Question 18

Can FDNY members pull rectangular or square electric manhole covers?

Answer 18

No

Question 19

Can FDNY members pull electric manhole covers if there is a manhole fire in the area or if smoke or arcing is observed in an electric manhole or transformer vault?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

When turned on in fresh air, the TIFF gas meter should be set to click how?

Answer 20

Slowly

Question 21

When is the MSA Altair digital gas meter first set to sound an alarm indoors?

Answer 21

At 10% of the Lower Explosive Limit (the FDNY indoor action level)

Question 22

100% of the lower explosive limit (LEL) equals how much gas in the air?

Answer 22

5%

Question 23

What is the outdoor FDNY action level?

Answer 23

20% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) – device sounds a different alarm then the indoor alarm

Question 24

What does a series of crosses under the COMB/EX icon indicate on the MSA Altair digitial gas meter?

Answer 24

the atmosphere is above 100% Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)

Question 25

What is the low oxygen and high oxygen alarm level on the MSA Altair Digital Gas Meter?

Answer 25

Low = 19.5%, High = 23.0%

Question 26

What does a series of crosses (+++) across the screen under the O2 icon indicate?

Answer 26

that the atmosphere is above 25% oxygen

Question 27

When the MSA Altair Digital Gas Meter is emitting a vibrating pulse and flashing a green LED light every 30 seconds, what does that mean?

Answer 27

the meter is activated and operational

Question 28

What gas is the MSA Altair Digitial Gas Meter calibrated to detect?

Answer 28

Methane