Training Bulletin #4-Gasoline Tank Truck Incidents Flashcards
What are the primary considerations on these incidents?
Preservation of Life, property, environment (LPE) IN THAT ORDER
Where does LAFD regulate tank trucks?
Fire Code- Division 38
What are the three basic vehicle-tank configurations and gallons carried by each?
- Single tank truck with two or three axles: 3,000-5,000 gallons
- Tank tractor with a semi-trailerr connected by fifth wheel: 9,000 gallons (40 ft tank)
- Tank truck pulling two-axle trailer: 4,200 gallons (truck tank), 4,800 gallons (trailer tank), total 9,000 gallons.
What are tanks made of and how thick are they?
Aluminum: 3/16” thickest part on bottom. (Thinner at top)
* Due to this design loads to be carried in upright position. In case of a rollover, tanks must FIRST be off-loaded prior to moving back to upright position due to think walls and weight.
Where are emergency shutdown switches located?
- left front corner
- main panel on right side
When is an offensive attack employed?
When there is an immediate life hazard and/or there is enough personnel, apparatus, equipment, and foam on scene to distinguish the fire.
When would use of plain water only (no foam) be acceptable on these incidents?
When there is an immediate life hazard/rescue when foam is not available or when foam use would cause an unacceptable delay in rescue.
When should extinguishing operation take place?
When apparatus, personnel, equipment, and foam are set and in place.
How much class B foam do foam tenders carry?
1,000 gallons
When should a second foam tender be dispatched?
Once one foam tender is added, a second should be added as well.
What not to do when applying foam?
Do not drive streams beneath surface of liquid
When is defensive attack employed?
When there is no life, exposure or environmental hazards and /or when insufficient staffing and equipment to perform offensive attack. (*Idea is to let fire burn itself out.)
Aluminum tanks begin to melt at what temperature?
1,200 degrees F
At what rate does gasoline burn?
1 ft/hour vertically regardless of surface area (Ex. 4 ft high, burn 4 hours)
How much can vacuum trucks hold?
Up to 90% their rated capacity (dependent on weight of product and required vapor space)
When would a 2,500 gallon vacuum truck be needed?
Up to 2,000 gallon spill
When would a 5,000 gallon vacuum truck be needed?
2,000-4,500 gallon spill
What are the three categories of vacuum truck cleanliness?
Dirty, Clean, Super Clean
What constitutes a dirty truck?
Tank empty of product, but has not been cleaned.
What constitutes a clean truck?
Tank empty and has been washed with water only, with possible traces of product left from previous load.
* What LAFD requests due to safety and cost compared to the other two.
What constitutes a super clean truck?
Tank empty of product and chemically cleaned, free of all previous product.
Tank Trucks transport approximately _% of all fuels used by vehicles.
90%
Note**
Transportation of fuel products are regulated nationally by Department of Transportation (DOT) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Bureau of Carrier Safety and Office of Hazardous Materials.
California imposes its own regulations on tank trucks and requires periodic inspections by the _.
California Highway Patrol (CHP)
The LAFD regulates flammable and combustible liquid tank trucks in Div. #_ of the Fire Code
38
When a tank truck and/or trailer accident occurs, a complex incident is created with potential for what?
- Fire
- Rescue
- Evacuation
- Hazardous Materials Operations
- Environmental Concerns
Note**
Tanks can have 2-4 compartments with single bulk heads to separate compartments.
When are double bulkheads required in tanks?
When there are different flammable products with different FLASH POINTS in the same tank.
The void space between bulk heads (leak indicator) can hold up to _ gallons IF plugged.
200
* If a plug found, NEVER remove it.
What is the purpose of Baffles in a tank?
Baffles assist with tank strength, but due very little to reduce surge.
Note**
All external piping on tanks have built in SHEAR POINTS.
If there is a leak, eliminate potential ignition sources a minimum of _ away from leak.
100’
What does AR-AFFF stand for?
Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foam
When using AR-AFFF plan on _ minute supply for suppression operations and an extra _ min for foam blanket maintenance.
- 15
- 15
If there were a 100 square feet of burning liquid, _gallons of AR-AFFF concentrate at _% would be required with approximately _ gallons of water.
- 31
- 3
- 1,000
If there was a 1000 square feet of burning liquid, _ gallons of AR-AFFF concentrate at _ % would be required with approximately _ gallons of water.
- 312
- 3
- 10,000
The gross weight of a tanker full would be approximately _ pounds.
80,000
Note**
The disconnection of the tow bar SHALL only be performed by trained heavy wrecker personnel AND only after product has been off-loaded.
How many 20 ton towing wreckers does it take for an all up-righting operation?
2
Note**
All LAFD Hazmat companies have received equipment and training on what is the softest and quickest method of off-loading an overturned tanker.
When MFC orders vacuum trucks directly from a Hazmat hauling company, the LAFD becomes “responsible party” and financially responsible for the waste hauling and disposal, FIRST with the approval of who?
Deputy Department Commander
* This occurs after first attempting to get ahold of responsible party to take care of clean up. If not LAFD takes action.
Who has authority of Hazmat incidents on STATE roadways (highways/freeways)?
CHP
*If there are life and fire hazards, CHP usually gives authority over to LAFD.
Note**
CalTrans is responsible for clean-up of State highways/freeways and has the authority to order and pay for clean up operations when:
When LAFD takes responsibility of clean up, the required EPA Identification number for the Hazardous waste Manifest must be obtained from who?
On-Call Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Public Safety.
If vapors cannot be brought back to INTACT tank, the EXHAUST HOSE METHOD must be used and directed a minimum of what away from ignition source?
50 ‘ downwind and downhill
