Training Bulletin #5: Automobile Fires and Hazards Flashcards
Percentage of fire responses involving motor vehicles?
20%
What do you disconnect first when SAFE from car battery?
Ground cable (attached to vehicle body frame)
When FREON gas found in air conditioners decomposes due to heat, it gives off what two toxic gases?
Phosgene and Fluoride
How far can Hydraulic bumpers travel up to due to pressure build up by fire?
3” (But have seen to travel 25’)**
* Gas chamber filled with nitrogen/helium pressurized to 150 psi
How far can mechanical bumpers travel?
4” (springs which absorb impact)
What glass is tempered or safety on a car?
- tempered (most of the car)
- Safety (windshield)
Flash point and specific gravity of GASOLINE?
-45 degrees F, 0.8
Flash point and specific gravity of DIESEL?
125 degrees F, 1.0
Working within how many feet of an auto fire constitutes working in IDLH?
30 ‘
* Any member working within IDLH of any vehicle fire prior to extinguishment OR before being determined to be safe by IC SHALL have full PPE/SCBA on.
What are the considerations of apparatus placement for a vehicle fire?
- Upwind
- Uphill
- Personnel protection
- Warning devices
- Early consideration for water supply needs to be addressed EARLY
CHP research had indicated that the use of excessive warning lights may cause _, particularly in drunk drivers.
Focus Fixation
Batteries in vehicles are hazardous due to the the presence of _.
Hydrogen vapors
What is the leading cause of vehicle fires n engine compartments?
Fuel System Malfunction
What are the usual causes of tire fires for a vehicle?
- Overheated brakes
- Under inflation of tires
Note**
The most severe casualties in terms of loss of life and property occurs from fires following a REAR END COLLISION due to majority of fuel tanks located in rear of vehicle.
When POSSIBLE place dry chemical extinguisher on _ side of vehicle.
Windward
What is the effective range of a 20 pound dry chemical extinguisher?
15-20 feet
What does BLEVE stand for?
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
* Big concern with fires in vehicles utilizing Liquified Petroleum Gases (LPG)
The LPG storage cylinder is usually found on the exterior of the vehicle on either side or the rear. The storage tank may be found IN the vehicle interior if what?
Properly sealed and separated from passenger compartment.
If vapors coming out from relief valve have been ignited what should be done?
Allow the LPG to burn and protect exposures
If fires is impinging on the LPG storage cylinder what actions should be done?
- Control the fire
- Cool the cylinder
Recorded BLEVES have occurred within _ minutes of fire exposure. Ensure safety of personnel and operations at all times.
10
LPG is _ than air. It tends to settle into low lying and confined areas such as garages
Heavier
Note**
The vapor cloud of LPG is VISIBLE but cannot be sued to accurately define flammable perimeters. Vapors can flashover the entire confined area if ignited.
LPG vapor clouds can be dispersed using _ streams.
Fog
List of toxic gases due to burning plastics.
- Ammonia
- Hydrogen Chloride
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Carbon Dioxide
- Hydrogen Cyanide
- Nitric Oxide
- Carbon Monoxide
- Hydrogen Sulfide
- Sulfur dioxide
- Acetic Acid
- Acetic Anhydride
- Formaldehyde
- Acetaldehyde Acrolein
- Formic Acid
- Furfural
What are the combustible metals found in engine blocks, heads, wheels, headlight casing, etc.
Alloy of Aluminum and Magnesium
*Takes a lot of water to bring bring ignition temperature down, and after initial intensification , the fire should go out.
Note**
Most of the so called “mag” wheels are an aluminum alloy and DO NOT contain magnesium.
For vehicle extrications _ minimum working area must be established.
30’
During vehicle extrication, victim stabilization can be initiated after what has been assured?
- Personnel safety (stabilization of vehicle)
- Control of incident
Who is designated as the Safety Officer during a vehicle extrication?
Engine Company Captain
* This officer will also control access to the work area excluding unauthorized/unnecessary personnel water they be fire, EMS, police, news media or civilian. Use police assistance when necessary.
Engineers of a vehicle extrication are responsible for what?
- Traffic control
- Secondary water supply
Extrication incidents demand _, _, and _. Our objective as emergency responders is to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.
- Creativity
- Discipline
- Flexibility
