Utilities Manual Flashcards
What is the Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) of Propane?
9.5
What is the best procedure when a propane tank is venting and the escaping product is burning?
Cool the tank at the vapor space
The explosive range of Carbon Monoxide is ____ and _____.
12.8% (LEL); 74% (UEL)
Any structure should be immediately evacuated if the CO level is ____ ppm or above.
35
What is the minimum limit of approach for a power line with 50,000 volts?
10 feet
What is the safest insulator for electricity?
Distance
How far away should you stay from a vehicle that has down wires on it?
30’
On a power pole there are two lines of numbers, what does the top line indicate?
Map Grid
On a power pole there are two lines of numbers, what does the bottom line indicate?
Specific pole number
The ___________ is a wooden bar located at the top of a utility pole. It keeps the power lines separated by a sufficient distance to prevent arching.
Cross Arm
Per APWA, a RED marker/flag indicates which of the following utility:
Electric, cable, conduit and lighting cable
Per APWA, a PURPLE marker/flag indicates which of the following utility:
Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
What is the flammable range for natural gas?
5% - 15%
What does the acronym BLEVE stand for?
Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion
If a break is in a line that is reported to be over __ inches in diameter, the incident should be upgraded to a hazardous materials response because of the increased risk of large amounts of escaping flammable gasses.
2”
The proper sequence for shutting off the utility in either a leak or fire situation is:
At the appliance (if safe), at the meter, at the curb box
To protect the utility company workers, units should position upwind with ______ when necessary:
20lb dry chemical extinguisher and a charged hoseline
For outside gas leaks, the DOT Emergency Response Guide (ERG) suggests an evacuation distance of:
330 feet
Fire department personnel may perform clamping or crimping of a leak when:
Only in extreme cases for lines that are 0.75” or smaller
When should the gas be turned off at the curb box?
In the event that the shut-off on the inside of a residential installation cannot be operated due to fire or accessibility
For outside propane tank fires or tanks that are exposed to fire, the initial attack line should be:
1.75” along with an additional backup 1.75” line
NIOSH has established ___ ppm of Carbon Monoxide as the acceptable level for commercial buildings
35
If the detection/monitoring equipment shows a reading of __ ppm of CO, the occupancy shall be immediately evacuated, and crews should retreat and don their SCBA
35
At an incident where an individual is in a vehicle that has downed wires, personnel should stay how far away from the vehicle until power can be locked out
30 feet
The primary method for ventilation in an inside gas leak is_______?
Natural
The piping vent pipe will be within____ of the vent on an inside wall?
5 feet
What is the initial alarm for an inside gas leak?
2 engine companies, 1 truck or rescue, 1 Battalion Chief
A device which provides transition between underground power cables to overhead lines or conductors?
Pothead
APWA color codes underground utilities. What does yellow specify?
Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or gaseous materials
To direct and disperse vapor clouds away from the ignition source on an outside propane tank leak, it is recommended that _______ be deployed?
(2) 1¾ hand lines on a narrow fog
Fire department personnel shall ensure no persons enter a trench that is deeper than ____ that is not shored.
5 feet
A vapor density less than 1 indicates that a gas or vapor will?
Rise in air
If the fire department must turn off the sprinkler system to a commercial building, proper notifications shall be made to?
Fire inspection division/department or fire marshal’s office
Per APWA, a PINK marker/flag indicates which of the following utility:
Temporary survey markings
Natural gas (methane) has a flammable range of _______ - ________%
5 - 15%
Personnel shall don their SCBA if they encounter carbon monoxide readings greater than ______ppm within a structure.
35
230,000 to 500,000 volt electrical lines have an absolute limit of approach of _________ feet.
25’
At an incident where wires are on a vehicle, generally accepted rules for safe distance is to keep people back at least _______ times the distance between poles.
1 ½
The ___________ space is an intermediate space located between regular-use floors, commonly located in hospitals and laboratory-type buildings to allow space for the mechanical systems of the building.
Interstitial
Mercaptan is added to natural gas at the;
Distribution site (Gate Station)
If an IDLH atmosphere is identified while investigating an inside gas leak a/an ____________ shall be identified.
Initial RIT
A sustained outage is when power has been out for more than ____ minutes?
2 minutes
Gas transmission lines have pressure ranges up to ____ psi?
450
What is the proper sequence for shutting off gas utilities?
Appliance, meter, curb box
The most hazardous condition involving downed power lines is?
They do not come in contact with the ground
Transmission systems carry power generally between how many volts?
60,000 and 500,000
What is the expansion rate of liquified natural gas?
600:1
The initial alarm assignment for an outside gas leak not meeting the hazardous material response criteria should include:
1-engine, 1- truck or rescue
What are the two basic types of residential meters?
Inside and outside
Most piping located underground in a curb box is usually at a depth of
2-3ft
For outside gas leaks, the general rule for apparatus positioning is no closer than ____ft for the first-arriving unit and a minimum distance of ____ft for all other incoming units.
100; 300
Gas shut off valves are:
Quarter-turn
What action should you take if, while fighting a propane fire, you hear a rising sound from venting safety devices or see discoloration of the tank?
Leave the area immediately
Which of the following gas shut-off valves shall not be operated by the fire department?
Street
For an outside gas fire, what, at a minimum, shall be deployed?
An 1¾” line along with a dry chemical extinguisher
What is the best procedure or tactic if a gas line is on fire?
Protect exposures
When shall an EMS unit be added to an inside gas leak?
If any occupants report feeling ill
What should be the primary tactic used to remove gasses from a structure?
Natural ventilation
For instances where the leak cannot be controlled (i.e., high pressure gas lines, gas leaks underwater when a trench fills with water and gas is leaking, and/or leaking from a manhole cover, crack in street, drain), the officer should confirm the respective utility company is enroute, establish hot/cold zones for operations, and:
Isolate the area
When should an initial RIT be identified and consideration given to increasing resources for a structure fire response?
When an IDLH atmosphere is identified
What is the approved APWA color code for marking potable water?
Blue
What is a characteristic that makes natural gas in transmission pipelines and rail cars a particularly significant danger to first responders?
The gas is odorless in those vessels
What is the last option for turning off the gas to a residential building for Fire and Rescue personnel?
At the curb box in front of the residence
Propane has a vapor density of 1.56, which gives it what type of behavior?
It is heavier than air and will seek low areas and accumulate
What is the most common type of propane incident?
Incidents involving 20 lb. cylinders
According to the APWA, what color paint or other marking material would be used to mark the following; electric, cable, conduit and lighting cable?
Red
You arrive on the scene of an outside gas leak and find green lines painted on the ground in the area of the leak. What does this marking represent?
Sewer and drain lines
Which of the following is defined by; ‘Designed to be incapable of producing heat or spark sufficient to ignite an explosive atmosphere’?
Intrinsically safe
