TB 145 - Combustible Metals

Question 1

What application when utilized on combustible metal products has the potential for explosive results?

Answer 1

Water

Question 2

Most combustible metal fires produce extreme temperatures ranging from what degrees?

Answer 2

5000 to 9000 degrees

Question 3

Temperatures at 5000 to 9000 degrees are high enough to separate water into what elements?

Answer 3

Hydrogen and oxygen

Question 4

Fire involving combustible metals are designated as what class fire?

Answer 4

Class D

Question 5

What is a factor in determining ease of ignition, rate of burn, temperature generated, and the explosive potential of combustible metals?

Answer 5

Surface area

Question 6

Which poses a greater hazard and when exposed to fire conditions can result in explosion, small or large metal pieces?

Answer 6

Small

Question 7

What 2 types of metals can combustible metals be divided into?

Answer 7

Alkali metals

Alkali earth metals (transitional, other metals)

Question 8

Which type of metal is water reactive under no fire conditions and should be placarded with the “W” under the NFPA 704 system?

Answer 8

Alkali metals

Question 9

Alkali metals are highly reactive and are usually stored immersed in what?

Answer 9

Mineral or kerosene (paraffin) oil

Question 10

Which type of metal when burning can become extremely dangerous when in contact with water?

Answer 10

Alkali earth metals

Question 11

Full compliance of all businesses who are found utilizing combustible metals will require and NFPA 704 placard with a “W” by when?

Answer 11

January 2011

Question 12

Placard shall be indicated by an “M” in the 4th space if the quantities or form
Meet LAFD criteria for placarding in excess of 500 pounds of combustible metals or that process or store how many pounds or less of combustible metals in dusts, chips, powders, turnings or ribbons?

Answer 12

500 pounds

Question 13

For the NFPA 704 placard, if multiple hazards exist, how many symbols are limited to the placard and how are they positioned on the placard?

Answer 13

No more than 2, most severe stacked on top with lesser stacked in bottom

Question 14

Unusual fire or smoke, “white hot” flames, presence of flowing or molten metal and white colored smoke indicate what kind of burning material?

Answer 14

Combustible metals

Question 15

Members working within how many feet of a burning metal product are considered to be working in an IDLH?

Answer 15

30 feet

Question 16

Extinguishment of combustible metal fires is accomplished through what affect of the burning material?

Answer 16

Smothering

Question 17

Utilizing water, foam, purple “K” or dry chem extinguishers can disrupt the process and actually make the fire what?

Answer 17

Worse

Question 18

Which is the only approved product provided by the LAFD to extinguish combustible metal fires?

Answer 18

“MET-L-X”

Question 19

How many pounds of MET-L-X does supply and maintenance have?

Answer 19

500 pounds

Question 20

According to the manufacturer, how thick of a layer of MET-L-X is required to effectively smother a fire?

Answer 20

1”

Question 21

How many pounds of MET-L-X is required for every one square foot of fire?

Answer 21

10 pounds

Question 22

What is MET-L-X made out of?

Answer 22

Salt base with an added polymer for sealing

Question 23

The entire stock of MET-L-X maintained a supply and maintenance would only extinguish how many square feet of a fire?

Answer 23

50 square feet

Question 24

Purple “K” is appropriate for what class fire only?

Answer 24

A, B, and C

Question 25

What type of power extinguisher combustible metal fires?

Answer 25

Dry

Question 26

If a small amount of product the size of what may be separated from exposures by a fully encapsulated firefighter through use of shovel or similar tool?

Answer 26

Size of a waste basket

Question 27

It may be appropriate to attempt to extinguish the product using what if found on site?

Answer 27

Dry sand

Question 28

Firefighting operations will be primarily defensive, however firefighters moving what away from exposures may be possible?

Answer 28

Dumpster with wheels or 55-gallon drums

Question 29

Metal fires will burn quickly and begin to develop an oxide crust that will limit open burning material, the crust should not be distributed until the point of extinguishment which can take up to or longer than how many hours?

Answer 29

24 hours