Utility Emergencies Flashcards

1
Q

What should color coded surface marks indicate?

A
  • Name, initials, or logo of the company that owns or operates the line and the width of the line if it is greater than 50 mm (2 inches).
  • Locations and route of buried lines.
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2
Q

APWA

A

American Public Works Association

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3
Q

Red

A

Electric, cable, conduit, and lighting cable

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4
Q

Yellow

A

Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or gaseous materials

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5
Q

Orange

A

Communications, alarm, or signal lines, cable or conduit

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6
Q

Blue

A

Potable water

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7
Q

Purple

A

Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines

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8
Q

Green

A

Sewer and drain lines

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9
Q

Pink

A

Temporary survey markings

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10
Q

White

A

Proposed excavation

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11
Q

What is methane

A

A simple hydrocarbon consisting of hydrogen and carbon

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12
Q

Define vapor density

A

The weight of a given volume of gas compared to the weight of the same amount of air at the same temperature and pressure.

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13
Q

What is the vapor density of methane?

A

0.55

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14
Q

What will heavy concentrations of natural gas do?

A

Displace the oxygen, causing drowsiness and suffocation from asphyxiation.

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15
Q

What are some hazards of natural gas?

A

Colorless and odorless. Mercaptan is added to it to give it a detectable scent. Natural gas in transmission pipelines and rail cars is not odorized, so leaks that do occur can go undetected creating a significant danger to first responders.

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16
Q

What is the flammable range for natural gas (methane)?

A

5% - 15%

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17
Q

What is the ignition temperature for natural gas (methane)? What can it be ignited by?

A

The ignition temperature for natural gas is about 1200° F and can easily be ignited by something as simple as a doorbell or a cell phone.

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18
Q

What is the expansion ratio of natural gas (methane)? What is a potential associated risk when in a container?

A

The expansion ratio of liquefied natural gas to a gas is 600:1. When liquefied gas cylinders are exposed to heat from fire impingement there is a potential for a BLEVE to occur.

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19
Q

What is the operating pressure of gas lines vs transmission lines?

A

Gas lines typically have operating pressures of 0.25 to 55 pounds per square inch (psi). The transmission lines range in size from 6” to 30” and have pressures up to 450 psi. These lines can generate 2,000 to 24,000 volts of static electricity.

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20
Q

What is the safest way to move natural products?

A

Pipelines remain the safest, most efficient, and economical way to move these natural resources.

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21
Q

What are some indicators of a pipeline leak?

A
  • A hissing or roaring sound.
  • Any unusual odor near the pipeline.
  • Dead or discolored vegetation in an otherwise green location.
  • Fire coming from the ground or appearing to burn above the ground
  • Dirt being blown or appearing to be thrown into the air.
  • Water bubbling or being blown into the air at a pond, creek, or river.
  • A dry spot in a moist field.
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22
Q

What is the proper sequence for shutting off gas?

A
  1. At the appliance (if can be safely done).
  2. At the meter.
  3. At the curb box.
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23
Q

What is the general rule for positioning on a gas leak?

A

The general rule for apparatus positioning is no closer than 100 feet for the first arriving unit and a minimum distance of 300 feet for all other incoming fire apparatus

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24
Q

What is an outside gas leak and when should it be upgraded to a Hazmat response?

A

An outside gas leak is any flammable gas leak that has originated outside a structure and the gases have not migrated into the building of origin or exposures nearby. The call should be upgraded when the break is in a line that is reported to be over 2” in diameter.

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25
Q

When should you operate street valves?

A

Never

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26
Q

After turning off a gas valve should you turn it back on? Explain.

A

If a gas valve has been turned off, do not turn it back on, this could cause an explosion.

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27
Q

How far from the hot zone should people evacuate?

A

The DOT Emergency Response Guide (ERG) suggests an evacuation distance of 330 feet. This may include evacuating buildings located within or near the zone.

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28
Q

When should clamping or crimping a leak be considered? On what sized line?

A

Only in extreme cases. This should only be considered for lines that are 3⁄4” or smaller.

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29
Q

What steps should be taken when crimping a line?

A

1.Several feet from the leak, dig a hole to expose the leaking line away from any gas readings. Gas lines are buried around 24” below the surface but it is not uncommon to find them only several inches to several feet deep. With plastic pipe, the gas company lays a yellow-coated wire over the gas line so their detectors can find the metal; the detectors cannot pick up the plastic pipe.
2.Once this gas line is exposed, use a grounding spray or grounding device such as a wet towel over the pipe to ground and then safely clamp the line.

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30
Q

What things should be taken into consideration when using a dry chem or 1 3/4” line?

A

The wind direction, humidity, weight of the gas, and any other factors pertaining to the migration of the vapor cloud.

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31
Q

What should be done when a gas line is on fire?

A

Protect exposures; a burning gas fire is not explosive, but if the fire is extinguished without shutting off the gas an explosive condition has been created.

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32
Q

When should intrinsically safe equipment be turned on?

A

All intrinsically safe equipment should be turned on prior to entering a gaseous atmosphere.

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33
Q

How should you monitor a room with a closed door? Why?

A

Closed doors should be cracked slightly to insert the probe and a reading obtained before opening the door. Opening a door or venting an atmosphere that is above the Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) could cause an explosive atmosphere and subsequent explosion.

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34
Q

What is an Arc?

A

The flow of an electric current across a gap between two conductors, terminals, or contacts. It can result in:
- Sparks
- A loud noise
- A momentary or sustained outage

35
Q

What is a breaker used for?

A

Detects overload conditions and disconnects/stops the flow of electrical current

36
Q

What is a circuit?

A

A path through which electric current is intended to flow

37
Q

What is a fuse?

A

A protective device which melts and burns, opening the circuit, when a specified value is exceeded.

38
Q

Intrinsically safe

A

Designed to be incapable of producing heat or a spark sufficient to ignite an explosive atmosphere

39
Q

Momentary outage

A

An electrical outage lasting less than two minutes

40
Q

Sustained outage

A

An electrical outage lasting more than two minutes

41
Q

Distribution System

A

Links the transmission system to most customers; includes primary and secondary lines

42
Q

Fault

A

Any abnormal electrical current

43
Q

Pothead

A

A device that provides transmission between underground cable to overhead lines or conductors

44
Q

When shutting off a curb valve, what tool should you use to remove the cover of the street valve?

A

A five sided wrench

45
Q

What is the best practice for a gas line on fire?

A

Protect exposures

46
Q

What is the best practice for a burning gas meter?

A

Two hose lines on a wide fog to extinguish the fire and protect the firefighter shutting off the gas at the stop cock.

47
Q

Where is the best place to shut off the gas during a meter fire?

A

The curb valve

48
Q

What tasks should be accomplished during an inside gas leak?

A
  • Evacuation
  • Monitoring
  • Exposure protection
  • Hazard mitigation
  • Ventilation
49
Q

What should happen when an IDLH is confirmed on an inside gas leak?

A

RIT shall be identified and consideration should be given to upgrading to a structure fire response

50
Q

In large homes, responders should be cognizant of:

A

More than one meter servicing a house

51
Q

How should ignition sources be eliminated?

A

By manual controls, not by electrical switches

52
Q

What may cause an auxiliary generator to turn on?

A

If power is shut off at the electric panel. Secure the generator prior to operating the panel.

53
Q

What form of ventilation should be the primary tactic?

A

Natural ventilation

54
Q

What should happen when any valve is turned off?

A

It should be tagged

55
Q

Gas-fired roof top heating units are widely used in:

A

Commercial and industrial facilities

56
Q

What is the function of a regulator on a gas meter?

A

It steps the psi down from 40 to 1/4 or 1/2 psi PRIOR to the meter

57
Q

What are the two basic types of gas meters?

A

Inside and outside

58
Q

What will let you know if a gas meter is interior?

A

Vent pipe

59
Q

Where is the shut off valve vs the quarter turn valve in relation to the meter?

A

Shut off valve is prior to the meter. The quarter turn valves is prior to the regulator

60
Q

What should be done on an inside gas fire?

A

Normal firefighting operations with the exception of extinguishing the gas fed fire

61
Q

Characteristics of propane:

A

Expansion ratio- 270:1

Vapor Density- 1.56

Range 2.3-9.5

Gal= 4.23 lb

Ignition temp 920-1,120 degrees F

Specific gravity- .504

62
Q

What state is propane stored in?

A

liquid

63
Q

What should be used to move a propane vapor cloud?

A

Two hose lines on a narrow fog

64
Q

When will the relief valve release pressure in a propane tank?

A

When the internal pressure exceeds 250 and 375 psi depending on the size of the tank

65
Q

How much air space does a propane tank need?

A

20%

66
Q

Is it safer for a propane tank to leak vapor or liquid?

A

Vapor because liquid will expand to create far more vapor

67
Q

Where should you cool a tank if it is exposed to fire?

A

The vapor space

68
Q

How many gpm of water can effectively cool a tank?

A

50gpm

69
Q

When can a a crew close the tank valve?

A

When the relief valve sets

70
Q

Can you walk in the path of the relief valve?

A

No NEVER

71
Q

How is CO formed?

A

By the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels

72
Q

Flammable range of CO:

A

12.8-74%

73
Q

How does CO enter the body?

A

Only through respiratory system

74
Q

What is the EPA set TWA for CO in outdoor air?

A

9ppm over a 24 hour period

75
Q

What is the OSHA PEL and TWA?

A

35 over 8 hour TWA and 50 over 1 hour

76
Q

What will you get for a CO emergency?

A

1 E
1 M

77
Q

What is the EPA set TWA for CO for residential levels?

A

CO shall not exceed 9ppm over an 8 hour period

78
Q

When should you evacuate an occupancy during a CO alarm?

A

When there are readings of 35ppm or above

79
Q

When you find readings greater than 100ppm what does that mean?

A

Occupancy may be in potentially lethal range and the building should be evacuated

80
Q

Pipeline markings

A
  • Approximate location; not its exact location.
  • Commodity transported, name of company and number where company representatives can always be reached.
  • Markers do not indicate how deep the pipeline is buried or how many lines are in the area.
81
Q

Who determines whether or not gas needs to be odorized

A

DOT regulates the odorization of gases in transportation.

82
Q

How much mercaptan is added to propane?

A

1lb per every 10,000GAL which is one ppb

83
Q

Hazmat radio channel FCFD

A

42G

84
Q

Leaking rail car valve orientation

A

Liquid valves are in line with car

Vapor runs perpendicular to the rail car