Vehicle Fires Flashcards by Phillip Celaya

According to the power point, vehicle fires and deaths have overall been increasing or decreasing?

Decreasing

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True or false…

Technological advancements in automobile safety for passengers has made it safer for firefighters as well

False

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The powerpoint lists 12 modern automobile hazards. Try to list them all

Plastic components                  
Energy Absorbing bumpers     
Suspension systems                 
Safety/restrain systems           
Fuel Systems                             
Hybrid vehicles
Electrical Systems
Drive Lines
Wheels and tires 
Cast aluminum/alloy
Magnesium
Human stupidity

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Most vehicle interiors are made up of __% plastic

95%

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Increased use of plastic means increased intensity of ____

Burning

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Plastic components contribute to greater BTU production. Examples range from _____ to _____

750,000 to 2 million

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The main type of plastic in cars is ____

Polyurethane

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Another type of plastic used on cars is _____

Enduraflex

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Enduraflex produces what type of gas?

Hydrogen cyanide

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Under fire conditions, plastics produce what 3 deadly vapors?

Carbon monoxide
Hydrogen cyanide
Hydrogen chloride

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Energy absorbing bumpers were produced and required by the DOT on all passenger cars in what year?

1973

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True or False

The original design of energy absorbing bumpers was not a threat to firefighters

True

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What kind of design do today’s bumpers have that can explode with deadly results?

Hydraulic piston design

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What are the 4 types of suspensions listed on the powerpoint?

Standard “leaf spring and shock”
Iso-strut “Macpherson”
Air suspension
Owner modified lifting or lowering

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Which of the 4 types of suspensions is listed as “potential extreme threat”?

Iso-strut “Macpherson”

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Which of the 4 types of suspensions is listed as “mostly commercial with no threat”?

Air suspension

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Why are owner modified lifted or lowered vehicles dangerous?

Bigger struts. Higher off the ground so shrapnel has a potential to reach you easier

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What is a pressure vessel?

Any vessel that contains a fluid, gas, or air

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What are the 6 examples of pressure vessels listed on the power point?

Bumpers
Shocks
Struts
Drive shafts
Tires
A/C system

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Hatchback and hood struts have a ____ ____ filled piston have a potential for ____

Hydraulic fluid

Exploding

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What causes air bags to rapidly fill up with air?

Sodium azide

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If a car crashes and the airbag does not go off, can the airbag still deploy after the battery is detached?

Yes

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Why is rapid cooling of an airbag area important during a fire?

Sodium azide is flammable and heat can make it explode

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To be safe, you should stay out of ____ of undeployed bags

Range

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Sodium azide can do what 4 thing to the human body?

Can be fatal if absorbed through the skin Could be fatal if swallowed Can cause respiratory, skin, and eye irritation Can cause CNS problems

In many cases with sodium azide, people will complain of ____, ____, and ____ irritation

Skin, tracheal, and eye irritation

What are the NFPA ratings for sodium azide?

Health 4 Fire 1 Reactivity 3

The powerpoint lists 9 fuels for vehicles | Try to list them all

``` Gasoline Diesel Propane Ethanol Methanol CNG (compressed natural gas) LNG (liquid natural gas) Multiple batteries for hybrid Hydrogen ```

Does gasoline in it's liquid state burn?

What is the vapor density of gasoline?

3-4 times heavier than air

What is the specific gravity of gasoline?

What is the flash point of gasoline?

Negative 45 degrees

What is the autoignition temperature of gasoline?

536 degrees

1 gallon of gasoline has the same amount of potential energy as ___ pounds of nitroglycerin or ____ pounds of dynamite

85 | 54

What is the vapor density of propane?

1.6

What is the LEL and UEL of propane?

2.1-9.5

BLEVE potential of propane- | Expands ___ times its volume out of container

270

What does BLEVE stand for?

Boiling Liquid Evaporating Vapor Explosion

Compressed natural gas is mostly ____

Methane

What is the LEL and UEL of CNG?

5-15%

What is the vapor density of CNG?

One good thing about CNG and Hydrogen is that they disperse ____

Easily

What PSI is CNG stored at?

2400-4000 psi and is dispensed to the vehicle at that same psi

What is the LEL and UEL of hydrogen?

4-75%

What is the vapor density of hydrogen?

.0899

What psi is hydrogen stored at in vehicles?

5,000 AND 10,000 psi and is dispensed to the vehicle at the same psi

What is the typical capacity of a fuel tank?

10-40 gallons

Newer fuel tanks are made out of....

High-density polyethelene plastic

Fuel tanks have the potential for rapid....

Release of product

What three "vehicles" have different fuels, tanks, and storage items?

Campers, motor homes, and "lunch wagons" What da H E double hockey stick is a lunch wagon?

What is the typical psi in a fuel system?

40 psi

Fuel systems are closed and that means that pressure ____

Builds

Propane tanks are constructed of ____

Steel

CNG tanks are constructed of what 3 materials?

Steel Aluminum Fiberglass

What do fuel systems have to prevent catastrophic failure?

Pressure relief mechanisms

How many manual shutoffs to the fuel system do CNG vehicles have?

Hydrogen tanks are made out of...

Carbon fiber epoxy resin

What is the normal operating temperature of a catalytic converter? What temperature can one that is malfunctioning reach?

1000 degrees | 2500 degrees

Drive lines can potentially____

Explode

What are 2 hazards that have to do with tires and rims?

``` Split rims (can be deadly) Exploding tires ```

What kind of acid is in batteries?

Sulfuric acid

Can batteries explode?

YES

What are the 3 types of vehicles listed for "dual batteries"?

4WDs RVs Diesel

Which battery cable do you disconnect first?

Negative

What color is the negative battery cable?

Black

What may give an indication of the contents of the vehicle?

Placards Labels Business name

If you see weird fire or smoke during a vehicle fire, don't be afraid to...

Call for HazMat

What 5 things are you observing during a vehicle fire size up?

``` Color of smoke Color of fire/flames Location of fire What fire is impinging on Exposures ```

What are the 7 tools listed on the powerpoint that you will need for a vehicle fire?

``` 1 3/4 hoseline Irons Pry bar Dry chemical extinguisher Hand tools and/or cutters Flash light Wheel chocks ```

What is the ideal and safe angle to approach a vehicle fire?

45 degrees

If you must approach from an unsafe angle, what must you keep in mind?

Explosions | Bumpers

The fire apparatus should be placed at least ___ feet away from the vehicle fire

75 feet

What are some of the first things you should cool in a vehicle fire?

Tires Struts Bumpers

If a fire cause looks suspicious, what should you do?

Use as little water as possible to conserve evidence