Ch. 9: Reading Hazardous Energy Flashcards
(53 cards)
Stored potential energy that causes harm if suddenly released.
hazardous energy
The effective ISO categorizes the status of hazardous energy forms in one of the following at incidents:
- Stable - Not likely to change
- Stable - May change
- Unstable - May require attention
- Unstable - Requires immediate attention
What is the integrity of electrical systems based on?
Their being properly grounded, insulated, and circuit protected.
What path is electricity always trying to seek?
Path of least resistance to ground.
What is electrical energy that has established a path to ground through the earth and is energizing it?
ground gradient
What is a downed power line an example of?
ground gradient (may be energizing the earth in a concentric ring of up to 30’ depending on the voltage of the source)
What is a commonplace in many data storage and processing centers, as well as in telecommunication switch equipment centers?
UPS (uninterrupted power supplies) battery rooms
How can pooled water, battery acid, and battery rack hardware become DC energized?
Because there is typically no ground fault protection with DC power.
What catches fire, it may burn for several days, and the heat generated from it can cause serious damage to the tension wire infrastructure?
Transformers because they can hold several thousand gallons of oil.
High tension wires that separate from anchor points can “reel coil” with tremendous force.
When the tension is released suddenly, the wire snaps, or whips, in a direction opposite to the tension force.
What happens when two energies are at play with high tension wires?
1st - Law of motion: For every action (or force), there is an opposite and equal action (force).
2nd - Steel retains a certain memory
What is the integrity of a gas system relied on?
A tight supply vessel (a tank or piping), a shut off valve, a pressure regulation device, and a distribution system with protection at each appliance (shutoff valve and surge protection).
Water and storm sewer systems can cause safety concerns in numerous incident situations.
- Uncontrolled water flow can cause initial and secondary collapses in structures.
- A damaged sewer or storm drain system can leech water into surrounding gravel and dirt beds, undermining, the earth supporting a structure, road, or other utility system.
What will result with water that collects in basements or other building areas that may extinguish gas-fired equipment pilot lights?
The result that raw gas is being “bubbled” into the water.
What can happen to storm sewer systems in flash flood situations?
These systems can be overwhelmed with water and debris.
What are examples of mechanical stored energy?
Systems that include pulleys, cables, counterweights, and springs.
What systems use either hydraulics (liquids) or pneumatics (air/gases) as a medium to achieve power or force?
Pressurized systems
What should be considered when a victim trapped in a vehicle with an undeployed air restraint safety device is in danger?
Consider it an immediate rescue environment
What are the weather considerations that are essential to effective ISO performance?
Wind, humidity, temperature, and the potential for change.
What is by far the most important of all the weather considerations affective firefighting operations?
Wind
Nothing can change a situation faster - or cause more frustration in an operation - than the effects of _______.
wind
How is wind created?
As air masses attempt to reach equilibrium.
From the ISOs perspective, temperature needs to be evaluated relative to its effect on firefighter exposure.
Acclimation is key!
What does a thunder clap that is less than 5 seconds from the flash mean?
You are in the lightning area.
