TB Gas

Question 1

_ is found on high pressure gas services. If the regulator fails, this safety valve vents excess gas to exterior of bldg?

Can individual gas meters be found inside of apartments

Answer 1

Peck Vent

Yes in older apartments- may be in apartment served & may be found in public hallways

Question 2

Most gas shutoffs are _turns in _ direction

Curb valve is usually found on _ side of the curb, covered w/4”x4” square/round _

Answer 2

1/4 turn in counter clockwise direction

Sidewalk side- concrete or steel cover. 1/4 shut off with gas key. White valve= gentle shut down

Question 3

Priority order of valve shutdown “All My Red M&Ms Have Been Eaten”

Answer 3

Appliance valve, Meter valve, gas Riser valve coming off master meter, Master Meter, Head of service valve (Building service valve), Exterior gas riser valve, Curb valve

Question 4

Older Curb Valves will require multiple turns to close. How many

Answer 4

If 1/4 turn doesn’t shut gas off- turn 7 1/2 to 15 full turns (no more than 15). Use chalk as an indicator

Question 5

Can FDNY operate Street Valves

Answer 5

Utility Co should shut down all valves beyond curb valve. Do NOT operate street valves except under extreme circumstances & only if ordered by IC after consultation w/Utility Rep Supervisor

Question 6

Are FD issued flashlights intrinsically safe? What about TIC?

Can FFs operate on plastic gas pipes

Answer 6

Yes; No

Do NOT touch. Could result in a spark from static electricity igniting escaping gas

Question 7

What should be done if gas suspected along with manhole fire

Can Dept fans be used to vent gas

Answer 7

Requires response of gas utility in addition to electric utility companies

No - not intrinsically safe

Question 8

Can stuffing rags, paper, or taping be used to stop/diminish gas leaks

Where should venting begin when dealing w/major indoor gas leaks

Answer 8

Yes on low pressure systems; No on high pressure systems

Start at upper levels when possible & work you way down to 1st flrs & then out of bldg

Question 9

How many exposures should be checked for confirmed gas leaks

T/F If gas readings are obtained in Electric sewer, or any other utility manhole, surrounding structures must be checked

Answer 9

Check at least 3 on both sides of occupancy

True (if electrical manhole request from Utility Co via Dispatcher the identity of bldgs supplied by involved manhole)

Question 10

Can FD units remove manhole covers

Answer 10

Sewer manhole: may be performed w/approval of on-scene Chief

Electrical Manhole- only permitted when requested by GAS Utility Rep on scene AND approval of on-scene Chief

Question 11

What is the difference in Round Manhole covers vs square manhole covers in terms of FD removal ops

Answer 11

Round- removed by 2 FFs w/manhole hooks carried on Battalion rig
Square/Rectangular- are NOT pulled; Neither are any manhole covers w/fire, smoke, or arcing. Any doubt- no removal. 10-25-2= no removal

Question 12

_ is carried by all non-SSL. It gives a digital readout of LEL for combustible gas & also is an O2 sensor vs _ carried by all SOC companies, SSL, & Haz Mat units to display LEL of any flammable gas present

Answer 12

MSA Altair;

Digital Combustible Gas Indicator

Question 13

DCGI & Altair sound an alarm at _ LEL for indoor action & a different alarm at _ for outdoor action level

Utility meters show % in air…how do they relate to FD meters

Answer 13

10% indoor; 20% outdoor

Multiply by .05 or 5%. FD action level 10% LEL is only .5% gas in air on Utility meter. 100% LEL equals 5% gas in air

Question 14

Location of the curb valve may be indicated on _ which are located on exterior of buildings in Hi Pressure systems

Answer 14

Peck/Relief Vent. Should contain no odor. If odor detected- investigate

Question 15

Con Ed system code on their peck vent 5R25 means

Answer 15

Starting at left hand front corner of house: measure 5’ off to the right. At this point 25’ measured off at right angle toward sidewalk. Curb valve located at this point.

Question 16

Malfunction of Altair- reported to

Answer 16

Haz mat Ops meter room. It’s NOT sent via bag for repair/replacement. 1 for 1 with replacement becoming permanent meter. Do NOT ID

Question 17

Altair- series of crosses under the Comb/Ex icon indicates

Normal O2 readings on Altair is _%.
Low alarm set at _% & high alarm at _%
A series of 3 crosses across O2 icon indicates atmosphere is above _%

Answer 17

Atmosphere is above 100% LEL Do NOT operate in except to save life

20.8%; 19.5%, 23%; 25%

Question 18

National Grid Peck Vent Locating Code system- what do the letters EFU & NC mean

Answer 18

Excess Flow Valve- automatically shuts down flow of gas if it senses excess. No Curb Valve will be present. NC- also No Curb Valve

Question 19

Can the Altair Gas Meter replace the TIFF

What maintenance should be done on Altair

Answer 19

No it should be used only for natural gas. It can detect other gases, but requires variations of LEL accuracy

Charging only- no alterations

Question 20

How long is warm-up time for Altair vs Tiff

Answer 20

Altair approx 40 seconds & emits a vibrating pulse & green LED every 30 seconds to alert operating
Tiff: 30 seconds

Question 21

Outdoor gas leak with a broken gas main in the street. Gas utility company is on-scene but the electric utility gave a 30 minute ETA. Incorrect?
A. Chief had the 2nd Lad remove the sewer manhole covers because it may reduce the infiltration of gas into surrounding properties.
B. The electric manhole covers could not be removed until the electric utility arrived because the covers must be checked for stray voltage.
C. Round Manhole covers should be removed by 2 FFs utilizing manhole hooks. Bat rigs carry 2 manhole hooks for use in removing electric manhole covers.
D. DO NOT pull rectangular or square electric manhole covers.

Answer 21

B Removal of ELECTRIC MANHOLE covers by FDNY personnel may be performed only when requested by a utility company GAS (not electric) representative on the scene and approved by an on-scene Chief Officer.
Removal of SEWER MANHOLE covers can be performed by FDNY personnel with the approval of an on-scene Chief Officer.

Question 22

MSA Altair Digital Gas Meter correct
A. Meter will activate when the atmosphere reaches 10% of the LEL of natural gas. Action level for indoor operations is 10% LEL and for outdoor operations is 20% LEL.
B. A series of crosses under the COMB/EX icon indicates the atmosphere is above 10% LEL.
C. The meter is equipped with 2 sensors, one for combustible gas and the other for oxygen and can be used to detect gases other then natural gas.
D. The meter has been issued to all ladder companies to increase their operational effectiveness in dealing with incidents involving natural gas.

Answer 22

A. sect 5.1 and 5.2.

B. sect 5.2 - A series of crosses under the COMB/EX icon indicates the atmosphere is above 100% LEL.
C. sect 1.2 - The meter should NOT be used to detect gases other then natural gas.
D. sect 1.1 - The Meter has been issued to all “non SOC support” ladder companies.

Question 23

Which choice below contains incorrect information regarding natural gas?
A: It is lighter than air
B: Explosive Range is 5% - 15%
C: Ignition Temperature is 1128 Degrees Fahrenheit
D: It is Non-Toxic

Answer 23

C) Ignition Temperature is 1163 Degrees Fahrenheit (1128 Degrees is the Ignition Temperature of Carbon Monoxide)
TB Emerg 2 2

Question 24

Star Valve is an old type gas valve rarely found today. It is unreliable and should not be used correct
A: the appliance valve and the gas meter
B: the head of service valve and the exterior gas riser valve
C: the head of service valve and the gas meter
D: the exterior gas riser valve and the curb valve

Answer 24

C

Question 25

Unable to locate the curb valve immediately, the Off now finds the street valve- Correct
A. Street valves may never be operated by FD members
B. Do not operate street valves except under extreme circumstances when directed by FD IC after consult with a utility rep

Answer 25

B Pg 8

Question 26

Members respond to the scene of an outdoor gas odor where they find a broken plastic gas pipe in a street excavation- Correct
A. Use a tool to crimp the piping to stop flow of gas
B. Fold piping to stop flow of gas
C. Fill excavation area with water to stop flow of gas
D. Use a fog stream to dissipate escaping gas

Answer 26

D pg 16

Avoid filling excavation with water, doing so will only hamper repair process

Question 27

High pressure outdoor gas leak is indicated by which 2 points
A. Heavy gas odor in area
B. Opaque cloud rising from ground
C. Dirt & debris blowing into the air from an excavation
D. Loud roaring sound

Answer 27

C & D

pg 14

Question 28

Your DCGI meter at a major indoor gas leak reads 10% LEL. Actual percent of gas in the air is _
A. 5% and you are at FD Indoor Action level
B. .5% & you are at FD Indoor Action level
C. 5% & you are not at FD Indoor Action level
D. .5% & you are NOT at FD Indoor Action level

Answer 28

B pg 18

Question 29

In National Grid Coding System which 2 sets of letters found on Peck Vent indicate no curb valve present
A. NCV
B. NC
C. EFV
D. EXC

Answer 29

B & C pg 21

Question 30

Incorrect for gas emergency
A: Presence of window or wall mounted gas heating units must be communicated to the IC and their gas supply shut down at all gas emergencies.
B: Dept fans are not intrinsically safe and should not be used to vent the gas. A fog nozzle may be used for venting if necessary.
C: Notify the gas utility of water main breaks.
D: Shut gas supply as close as possible to the leak

Answer 30

A sect 11 - Tactics - At FIRES, the presence of window or wall mounted gas heating units must be communicated to the Incident Commander and their gas supply shut down.