TRAINING BULLETIN # 005 AUTOMOBILE FIRES AND ASSOCIATED HAZARDS

Question 1

Approximately ____% of the Department’s fire responses involve motorvehicles.

Answer 1

20%

Question 2

Apparatus Placement
1. ______ - Avoids accidental contact with hazardous/flammable liquids and vapors. Facilitates advancing lines and equipment. Provides protection against runaway vehicles.

Answer 2

Uphill

Question 3

Apparatus placement

2. ______ - Affords protection from hazardous vapors and reduces smoke in the work area.

Answer 3

Upwind

Question 4

Apparatus placement

____________ ____________ - Apparatus can be utilized to shield the work area from traffic hazards. Improves equipment access. Creates a safe work area taking into consideration the potential for fuel tank rupture.

Answer 4

Personnel protection

Question 5

Apparatus placement

Warning Devices - Utilization of _______ for safety. Use of apparatus warning lights adhering to Department policy.

Answer 5

Cones

Question 6

CAUTION: California Highway Patrol research has indicated that the use of excessive warning lights may cause ________ _________, particularly in drunk drivers.

Answer 6

Focus fixation

Question 7

Water supply.possible additional sources include

Answer 7

Additional apparatus
Aerial ladder for improvised standpipe
Water tank trucks
Hydrants
Pools
Reservoirs

Question 8

Vehicle involvement
Engine compartment access

If the interior release (usually made of plastic) is destroyed by fire, search the general fire wall area under the __________ for a bare cable.

Answer 8

Dashboard

Question 9

Vehicle involvement engine compartment access

Other release levers may be located in ______ area, near front______, etc. Many late model vehicles have plastic grills that can easily be removed allowing faster location of release mechanisms.

Answer 9

Grill area
Front bumper

Question 10

Use __________ crowbar to prop hood open as this will protect against spring failure

Answer 10

Hayward

Question 11

Battery - Explosion hazard due to presence of ________ vapors

Answer 11

Hydrogen vapors

Question 12

ALWAYS WEAR ________ ________, IF NOT WEARING SCBA FACE PIECE, WHEN WORKING IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Answer 12

Safety goggles

Question 13

When safe, always disconnect battery _______ cable first.

Answer 13

Ground

Question 14

Control of emissions from evaporation of fuel has been required in car models since

Answer 14

1970s

Question 15

Fuel vapors which would otherwise escape to the atmosphere are directed to a

Answer 15

Vapor canister

Question 16

The ______ in the canister absorbs the vapors and stores them

Answer 16

Carbon

Question 17

Vapor canister is most often located in the lower, forward portion of the engine compartment, but in some cases, may be located in one of the __________ __________ _______.

Answer 17

Front wheel Wells

Question 18

An exhaust emission control device located in the vehicle exhaust system just ahead of the muffler.

Answer 18

Catalytic converter

Question 19

______ gas used in air conditioners is under pressure and may emit the toxic gases_______ and _________ if heated to the point of decomposition.

Answer 19

Freon
Phosgene and fluoride

Question 20

Many late model vehicles employ ________ ________assist in engine cooling.

Answer 20

Electric fans

Question 21

_______ system malfunction is a leading cause of fires in the engine compartment

Answer 21

Fuel system

Question 22

Fuel related problems

In order to extinguish the resultant fire, the fuel source must be eliminated. This can be accomplished by _______ the fuel line and/or deactivating the ______ ______.

Answer 22

Crimping
Fuel pump

Question 23

For fires involving dash instrumentation, disconnect the electrical power and treat as a

Answer 23

Class A fires

Question 24

___________ components provide an abundant fire load

Answer 24

Upholstery

Question 25

Trunk/hatch hold open devices may employ, alone or in combination, any of the following:

Answer 25

Springs, inert gas pistons, extending arms, etc

Question 26

Energy absorbing bumpers Hydraulic - Consists of a gas chamber filled with a mixture of inert, non-flammable nitrogen/helium gas pressurized to _____ PSI and a hydraulic fluid chamber which is filled with a ________ based fluid. These two chambers are separated by a floating piston. Bumper travel is up to ______ inches.

Answer 26

150psi Petroleum based fluid 3 inches

Question 27

Energy absorbing bumpers Mechanical - Employs a heavy spring to absorb impact. These units travel up to

Answer 27

4 inches

Question 28

Hazards - A jammed bumper suddenly returning to original position. Avoid the use of a ________ ________ on hydraulic units to preclude possible ignition and injury.

Answer 28

Cutting torch

Question 29

At an incident in the valley, a bumper assembly traveled a distance of

Answer 29

25 feet

Question 30

CAUTION: The safe deployment of apparatus and personnel must allow for the possible release of

Answer 30

Vehicle bumper assemblies

Question 31

Overheated ______ and/or __________ are the usual causes of tire fires.

Answer 31

Brakes Under inflation

Question 32

In many auto incidents it becomes necessary to break

Answer 32

Window glass

Question 33

Most auto glass is tempered and will break out in small chips. The exception is the

Answer 33

Front windshield which is safety glass

Question 34

Fuel tanks Metal- sheet metal with ________ and ________ seams

Answer 34

Crimped and welded

Question 35

Fuel tanks Plastic- molded high-density ___________ or similar material

Answer 35

Polyethylene

Question 36

is integral with metal tanks and has a soldered joint on most models.

Answer 36

Fill pipe

Question 37

Gasoline vent lines have _____— hose connecting them to tank.

Answer 37

Neoprene

Question 38

Removing the gas cap from a fuel tank, under heat and pressure conditions, could result in a

Answer 38

Reflash or explosion

Question 39

GASOLINE: Flash point:

Answer 39

-45

Question 40

Gasoline Specific Gravity:

Answer 40

0.8

Question 41

Gasoline water soluble?

Answer 41

No

Question 42

Diesel #2 Flash Point: Specific Gravity Less than Water Soluble:

Answer 42

125 degrees 1.0 No

Question 43

Small spills can be eliminated utilizing sand, sawdust, etc. for

Answer 43

Absorption

Question 44

NEVER wash fuel spills into

Answer 44

Storm drains

Question 45

When possible, position dry chemical extinguisher on ________ side of vehicle. The effective range of a 20 pound extinguisher is

Answer 45

Windward 15-20 feet

Question 46

Explosion resulting from the introduction of oxygen into a confined space/area that is both pressurized with heated flammable gases and deficient in oxygen.

Answer 46

Backdraft

Question 47

Sudden ignition of combustible gases and/or combustible surfaces in an involved area resulting in a Sudden and intense rise in temperature.

Answer 47

Flashover

Question 48

BLEVE Stands for

Answer 48

Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion

Question 49

The LPG storage cylinder is usually found on the exterior of the vehicle on _______ side or the ______. The storage tank may be found in the vehicle ________ if properly sealed and separated from passenger compartment.

Answer 49

Either side or the rear Interior

Question 50

Recorded BLEVES have occurred within ___minutes of fire exposure. Ensure safety of personnel and operations at all times.

Answer 50

10 mins

Question 51

LPG is heavier than

Answer 51

AIR