Training Bulletin #5: Automobile Fires and Hazards

Question 1

Percentage of fire responses involving motor vehicles?

Answer 1

20%

Question 2

What do you disconnect first when SAFE from car battery?

Answer 2

Ground cable (attached to vehicle body frame)

Question 3

When FREON gas found in air conditioners decomposes due to heat, it gives off what two toxic gases?

Answer 3

Phosgene and Fluoride

Question 4

How far can Hydraulic bumpers travel up to due to pressure build up by fire?

Answer 4

3” (But have seen to travel 25’)**

* Gas chamber filled with nitrogen/helium pressurized to 150 psi

Question 5

How far can mechanical bumpers travel?

Answer 5

4” (springs which absorb impact)

Question 6

What glass is tempered or safety on a car?

Answer 6

• tempered (most of the car)

- Safety (windshield)

Question 7

Flash point and specific gravity of GASOLINE?

Answer 7

-45 degrees F, 0.8

Question 8

Flash point and specific gravity of DIESEL?

Answer 8

125 degrees F, 1.0

Question 9

Working within how many feet of an auto fire constitutes working in IDLH?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What are the considerations of apparatus placement for a vehicle fire?

Answer 10

• Upwind
• Uphill
• Personnel protection
• Warning devices
• Early consideration for water supply needs to be addressed EARLY

Question 11

CHP research had indicated that the use of excessive warning lights may cause _, particularly in drunk drivers.

Answer 11

Focus Fixation

Question 12

Batteries in vehicles are hazardous due to the the presence of _.

Answer 12

Hydrogen vapors

Question 13

What is the leading cause of vehicle fires n engine compartments?

Answer 13

Fuel System Malfunction

Question 14

What are the usual causes of tire fires for a vehicle?

Answer 14

• Overheated brakes

- Under inflation of tires

Question 15

Note**

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

When POSSIBLE place dry chemical extinguisher on _ side of vehicle.

Answer 16

Windward

Question 17

What is the effective range of a 20 pound dry chemical extinguisher?

Answer 17

15-20 feet

Question 18

What does BLEVE stand for?

Answer 18

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion

* Big concern with fires in vehicles utilizing Liquified Petroleum Gases (LPG)

Question 19

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?

Answer 19

Properly sealed and separated from passenger compartment.

Question 20

If vapors coming out from relief valve have been ignited what should be done?

Answer 20

Allow the LPG to burn and protect exposures

Question 21

If fires is impinging on the LPG storage cylinder what actions should be done?

Answer 21

• Control the fire

- Cool the cylinder

Question 22

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

Answer 22

10

Question 23

LPG is _ than air. It tends to settle into low lying and confined areas such as garages

Answer 23

Heavier

Question 24

Note**

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

LPG vapor clouds can be dispersed using _ streams.

Answer 25

Fog

Question 26

List of toxic gases due to burning plastics.

Answer 26

• 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

Question 27

What are the combustible metals found in engine blocks, heads, wheels, headlight casing, etc.

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Note**

Answer 28

Most of the so called “mag” wheels are an aluminum alloy and DO NOT contain magnesium.

Question 29

For vehicle extrications _ minimum working area must be established.

Answer 29

30’

Question 30

During vehicle extrication, victim stabilization can be initiated after what has been assured?

Answer 30

• Personnel safety (stabilization of vehicle)

- Control of incident

Question 31

Who is designated as the Safety Officer during a vehicle extrication?

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

Engineers of a vehicle extrication are responsible for what?

Answer 32

• Traffic control

- Secondary water supply

Question 33

Extrication incidents demand _, _, and _. Our objective as emergency responders is to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Answer 33

• Creativity
• Discipline
• Flexibility