(2) TB 70 - Metro Rail Blue Line

Question 1

What Rail Lines make up the Light Rail Network?

Answer 1

1. Metro Blue Line
2. Metro Green Line
3. Metro Gold Line
4. Metro Exposition Line
5. Metro Crenshaw/LAX Line
6. Regional Connector (Gold Line to 7th/Metro Center)

Question 2

Light Rail Vehicles (LVR) consists of track and stations that are fed electrically by a ______ System as opposed to a third rail system like the Red/Purple line.

Answer 2

Catenary

(Catenary lines are fed from local utility substations)

Question 3

The 34.5 kV AC from Traction Power SubStations (TPSS) is converted by a transformer/rectifier to _____ volt DC and fed through the Pantograph via Catenary lines in order to operate passenger vehicles.

Answer 3

750

Question 4

Emergency Blue Light Stations (BLS’s), which have “mushroom” buttons to de-energize Cantenary lines, are located at:

Answer 4

-Traction Power SubStations (TPSS)
-cross passages
-elevated stations
-remote access points.

(If time permits, always call Rail Operations Control (ROC) first.)

Question 5

True or False?

Light Rail Vehicles (LRV’s) do not weigh any LESS THAN heavy rail cars

Answer 5

True.

(they often weigh more).

Question 6

Typically, the Light Rail Vehicles on all lines travel on two parallel tracks on the “right side of the road” like our motor vehicle traffic. This is important to know because in some of the emergencies that you will be involved with, the Metro authorities may decide to “single track.”

This means?

Answer 6

-trains may be traveling on an “uninvolved” track from both directions.

(ALWAYS look both ways before crossing)

Question 7

It is also important to know the configuration and locations of the Guideways and stations in your _____ district because each location poses its own set of accessibility, exiting, and water availability considerations.

Answer 7

first-in

Question 8

The vast majority of “train versus auto” incidents occur at ______ sections of the Guideway.

Answer 8

at-grade

Question 9

______ stations and track are generally those transitional sections of the Guideway that take it from tunnels to at-grade or elevated sections.

Answer 9

U-cut

Question 10

Whether a light rail track is at-grade, in a tunnel, at a station, or on an elevated structure, it will be near a mile marker.

Milepost markers are used throughout the rail network and are marked not to exceed distances of more than _____ mile.

Answer 10

1/10

Question 11

At-grade stations and Guideways comprise the majority of the Light Rail System.

What Fire/Life Systems are at at-grade Stations?

Answer 11

-Emergency Lighting

(There are NO STANDPIPES installed in at-grade stations located in the City of Los Angeles.)

Question 12

It is highly recommended that LAFD stations located in areas that have at-grade tracks brush up on extrication techniques contact the local ________ to exchange ideas and info on rail-related incidents.

Answer 12

Rail Transit Operations Supervisor

Question 13

Tunnels and Underground Stations

COMMON Fire/Life Safety Features:

Answer 13

1. Class I Standpipes
   —1st st Tunnel and Flower St Tunnel have the ONLY AUTOMATIC WET standpipes (sufficient pressure). The rest have MANUAL WET standpipe systems (need LAFD augmenting).
2. Lighting
   — 90 min of battery backup
3. Blue Light Stations (BLS)
   —Communicate with ROC and ability to de-energize rail in that segment
4. Emergency Walkways
   —At least 30 inches wide
5. Antennas for LAFD radio transmission
   —in repeat setting. 2,4,6,7,12,15,16,17

Question 14

Tunnels and Underground Stations

Class I standpipes are located between ____ and ____ ft apart and are provided with FDC’s.

Answer 14

250 to 300 ft

Question 15

Tunnels and Underground Stations

The ______ standpipes are ineffective until the Fire Department’s pumping apparatus can augment the system through the FDC’s.

Answer 15

manual wet

Question 16

Unique Fire/Life Safety Features of Light Rail TUNNELS and STATIONS (BLUE, GOLD, EXPO):

Answer 16

(This EXCLUDES the Flower Street Tunnel of the Blue Line)

1. Cross Passages and Emergency Exits
   — 750ft apart.
   —Emergency hatches mount flush, are with panic hardware, and allow LAFD access with a hydrant spanner.
2. Blue Light Stations
   — Located at each cross passage and end of platforms
   — Contain Emergency Trip Station (ETS) with a “mushroom” button
   — Contain Emergency Telephone (ETEL) with automatic ring-down to ROC
   — Under-Car Deluge Sprinkler System button located at ETS at end of platforms
3. Water System
   — At every cross passage and every 250 to 300 ft throughout tunnel, 2-1/2” outlets.
   — Fire Hose Cabinets with 100’ of 1-1/2” rubber lined hose and spray nozzle, a 2-1/2” FD outlet, and 40 BC dry chem or CO2 extinguisher.
4. Ventilation
   — Fans located at each end of stations and at each portal entrance (if system is greater than 1000 ft). The fans are bi-directional
   — Best to allow ROC to control them unless there is a proof of need to change their configuration.
5. Emergency Management Panel (EMP)
   — Located on the mezzanine (concourse) lvl, or outside station entrance at street lvl

Question 17

Tunnel Stations

The FDC to each station is easy to find.
It is on or around the _____ of the station by the main entrance.

Answer 17

address side

Question 18

Activating the automatic sprinkler system (under-car Deluge system) will also de-energize the _______.

Answer 18

Overhead Catenary (OC) line in that section.

Question 19

Tunnel Portion

The cross passage is used for the TRANSFER of passengers (or emergency responders) from one bore to another.

A _____ will identify each cross passage.

Answer 19

red exit sign

(Keep in mind that an exit sign does not necessarily lead one to the public way but leads to a Point-of-Safety. A Point-of–Safety is a location that brings the patrons out of harm’s way. The Point-of-Safety in this case is the next tunnel.)

Question 20

Concerning the operation of the Emergency Ventilation fans, it is essential that first-responders have all the facts concerning:

Answer 20

-Train’s location
-Passenger Evacuation direction
-Fire Dept’s access location

(Emergency Ventilation Operations Procedural (EVOP) manuals is located inside the EMP’s of each light rail stations.)

Question 21

The Emergency Ventilation fans will be found at Light Rail enclosed system stations, system underground or enclosed trainways greater than ______ ft.

Answer 21

1000 ft

Question 22

EMP features:

Answer 22

-Indicate location (zone) and nature of alarm
-status of ventilation fans (if applicable)
-recall the elevators
-stop escalators that are downward flight
-Public address system
-two land lines (dial 9 to reach outside lines)

Question 23

The Flower Street Tunnel of the Long Beach Blue Line is a SINGLE-BORE tunnel, which means that any fire or rescue problem encountered will require a ______ attack/approach, unlike the advantage offered with dual bi-directional bores

This part of the tunnel has the SAME Fire/Life Safety features as the HEAVY RAIL system.

Answer 23

direct

Question 24

“COMMON” Fire/Life Safety Features of Elevated Guideways and Stations

Answer 24

1. Class I Standpipes
   —Other than the Chinatown Aerial and 101 Freeway Aerial Guideways (hydrant nearby), all aerial structures on all Light Rail Systems have wet standpipe systems.
   —Hose valves on aerial Guideways are usually located between 250’ and 300’ apart.
   —At elevated stations, they are usually at, or near, the ends of the platforms, and not greater than 200’ apart.
   —FDC provided for standpipe systems
2. Emergency Lighting
   —90 mins of battery backup
3. Blue Light Stations
   — Communicate with ROC and de-energize rail in that segment of guideway
4. Emergency Walkways

Question 25

Where is the Blue Light Station for the Elevated Guideway/Station at the Arroyo Seco Bridge?

Answer 25

None in close proximity…. call ROC

Question 26

The “Light Rail” Vehicle (LRV) is an articulated (flexible in center), six-axle rail vehicle, with an operating cab at each end allowing for bi-directional movement.

The ends of a LRV are referred to as the “A” and “B” ends. The designation “_____” end is merely the end of the vehicle, which serves as the point of attachment for the Pantograph.

Answer 26

A

Question 27

The LRV may run in a single, double, or triple arrangement.

The maximum capacity of each car is _____ passengers.

Answer 27

237

Question 28

LRV Doors

-There are FOUR double sliding doors on each side of the LRV.

-Interior emergency door releases are located over EACH SET of passenger doors. They are mounted in the car’s ceiling and readily identified by a sign, which reads “Emergency Door Release,” adjacent to an opening that exposes a RED “T” handle.

-After pulling the “T” handle, a ____ to ____ second delay will occur before the doors can be opened; this is due to the rate of air pressure escaping the system.

Answer 28

4 to 5

Question 29

“CAUTION!!! Prior to opening any passenger doors from the interior, be certain that the doors are adjacent to a safe egress location and not adjacent to a _______.

Answer 29

Guideway flyover

(This places the egress of the LRV in a dangerous position.)

Question 30

“Old Vehicle” Exterior Emergency Door Release

In the “old vehicle,” the panel is normally opened by a __________.

Answer 30

Metro Vehicle Operator’s key

(Emergency personnel may open this panel without a key, by using an implement such as a PEN or PENCIL.)

Question 31

All LRV windows (interior and exterior) are made of polycarbonate (Lexan) material.

Entry through these windows may be gained by?

Answer 31

-Rotary saw with carbide tip blade
-removing weather stripping around the window

Question 32

Through training with LACMTA Rail Operations, “T” keys and the “XX-4245” barrel keys will be distributed to fire services.

1. What is the “T” key for?
2. What is the “XX-4245” barrel key for?

Answer 32

1. “T” keys access and control most all compartment doors and access panels on all types of LRV’s
2. The XX-4245 barrel key accesses the other portions of access, including the train operator’s crew cab doors for all types of LRV’s.

Question 33

Not all rail vehicles are guaranteed to operate exclusively on a specific rail line and may be interconnected, it is important that first responders understand all LRV characteristics.

What are the stated Light Rail Vehicle Types in the Training Bulletin?

Answer 33

P-865
P-2000
P-2020
P-2550
P-3010 (NEW GENERATION)

Question 34

What can be used instead of the “T” key to access the exterior emergency door release?

Answer 34

-Pen or Pencil

-3/8” allen wrench

Question 35

Be advised that the train must have sufficient ______ and ______ for the “barrel key” to operate the exterior doors.

Answer 35

air pressure and 37.5 DC battery power

Question 36

True or False?

Due to the number of access points located on each LRV, there should be LIMITED consideration for the use of forcible entry tools, such as the “jaws-of life” Hurst Tool.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

ETS’s are located at Traction Power Substations (TPSS) and identified by a BLUE LIGHT, which is visible above the roof of the TPSS structure.

Power to the Overhead Catenary System is supplied by the TPSS located at approximately ____ mile intervals along the railway.

Answer 37

1 mile

(Traction Power Substations (TPSS) should be considered energized at all times.)

Question 38

Overhead Catenary System

To avoid affecting trains not involved in the incident and creating an even larger problem, the ETS push button a the TPSS should only be used if?

Answer 38

you do not have the ability to contact ROC and time is critical.

Question 39

When responding to Metro Rail incidents such as a train vs. pedestrian, train vs. vehicle, train vs. train, train fire or de-railment, the first arriving company should?

Answer 39

-start assessing the need for additional resources

-life safety

-incident stabilization.

(Additionally, prior to arrival, the first-in company should CONSIDER requesting, through MFC, that ROC have the train operator lower the pantograph on the roof of the LRV to remove the high voltage 750 DC power from the OCS to the LRV.)

Question 40

Each LRV has a pantograph located on the roof of the “A” SECTION of the car.

The maximum operating length of a train is _____ LRV’s coupled together for a resulting length of 270’, with three pantographs, one for each LRV.

Answer 40

Three

(If multiple vehicles are coupled together, the Pantograph on all vehicles must be lowered to de-energize the train)

Question 41

What must be accomplished before LAFD personnel can access the LRV roof?

Answer 41

Metro Traction Power Staff arrive and:
-test the OCS
-Place “ground straps” on each end of the train

Question 42

Train Operators are instructed to lower the Pantograph when involved in an accident. The Pantograph can be lowered electronically from the OPERATOR’S CAB or manually via a FOOT PUMP.

The foot pump is located?

Answer 42

under the SECOND forward-facing seat (left side) of the car’s “A” SECTION.

Question 43

The Pantograph is secured in the down position by an auto-locking mechanism. When manually lowering the Pantograph, listen for the lock to “CLICK”

Failure to engage the lock by fully lowering the Pantograph will?

Answer 43

allow the spring tension to raise the Pantograph once again and cause the vehicle to become reenergized.

(Notable indications that the pantographs are lowered include “shut-down” of the air conditioning unit and reduction of the passenger compartment “lighting” intensity. Confirm lowering by going outside and looking.)

Question 44

What are the different components of the Overhead Catenary System?

Answer 44

1. Messenger Wire
2. Hanger
3. Contact Wire

Question 45

The height of the Overhead Catenary System varies from _____ to _____ ft.

Answer 45

18’ to 22’

Question 46

There are several POWER CONSIDERATIONS during a Light Rail Train (LRT) response involving the traction distribution system, including:

Answer 46

-Traction Power Sub-Station (TPSS)
-OCS
-LRV Pantograph
-LRV 37.5v DC Battery power

Question 47

If the train operator hasnt lowered the pantographs, the first arriving ______ should request the train operator to lower the pantographs.

Answer 47

company

Question 48

Priority methods of lowering pantographs

Answer 48

1. Lower from operators cab with “master key” (master key should already be in place inside the operators cab)
2. If unsuccessful, remove the master key from the key switch, walk to the opposite end of the train and try the rear operators cab
3. If still unsuccessful, try the manual foot pump

Question 49

After the pantograph has been lowered, do not climb on top of the LRV “A” section in and about the pantograph, as the LRV has capacitors. The bleed down resistors short out the capacitors to deenergize the pantograph area, however, all circuits must be functioning properly for that to occur.

It is recommended that you wait ____ to ____ minutes prior to working on the roof area of any pantograph.

Answer 49

5 to 15 mins

Question 50

When the 750v DC is removed from the LRV by the lowering of the pantographs by either electronic or manually, the LRV maintains _____ DC battery power for additional equipment on-board the LRV such as:
-interior lighting
-doors
-radios
-unit for raising and lowering the pantograph

Answer 50

37.5v DC

(Batteries located in “B” section of LRV)

Question 51

When an incident in an underground facility supported by emergency fans occurs, _______ will determine if fan support is required to mitigate smoke and initiate pre-designated emergency ventilation scenarios based on the information from the train operator and the direction of evacuation.

Answer 51

the Rail Operations Control (ROC)

(Should first responders request any change to the preprogrammed ventilation scenario, such action can be commanded through METRO FIELD STAFF or initiated locally at the EMP.)

Question 52

Light Rail Vehicle Incidents

A size-up should include, but is not limited to, the following:

Answer 52

1. Location of Incident
2. Number of Vehicles (single vehicle or two vehicle train)
3. Condition of vehicles (upright, derailed ect)
4. Condition of the OCS

Question 53

True or False?

When an incident does not result in damage to the OCS, there is no reason to de-energize it.

Answer 53

True

(The IC who requests a shutdown of the OCS will have the sole authority to re-energize the system. The rail system controller must be notified when any change of command occurs.)

Question 54

When applying its service braking system, the train will take approximately _____ to stop from its max speed of 55 mph.

Answer 54

800 ft

Question 55

The Fire Telephone (FTEL) are located only in the Blue and Red Line tunnels. They are used for point-to-point communication for tactical emergency operations.

They are found in each of the following locations:

Answer 55

-ETS
-FDC
-hose outlet connection (except cabinets in station)
-station valve rooms
-EMP
-Station Command Posts

Question 56

The emergency escape hatches mount flush, are provided with panic hardware, and allow the Fire Department access with a hydrant spanner. They are spaced approximately ______ft apart throughout the length of the tunnel.

Answer 56

800 ft

Question 57

Cross passages are located about every _____ ft throughout the tunnel.

Answer 57

750’