Emergencies 2

Question 1

Gas. Is gas lighter than air? What is its explosive range?

Answer 1

Yes. Its explosive range is 5 - 15% and it is non-toxic.

Question 2

Gas. What is added to it to give it an odor?

Answer 2

Mercaptan

Question 3

Gas. What is it’s ignition temp?

Answer 3

1163 degrees

Question 4

Gas. High and medium pressure gas is regulated down to _______ psi before it passes through the customer’s meter.

Answer 4

1/4 psi. **Exception - A few commercial customers receive gas at 1 to 3psi.

Question 5

Gas. What is the peck vent?

Answer 5

It is found on high pressure services. If the regulator fails, this safety valve vents excess gas to the exterior of the building.

Question 6

Gas. What is the priority order of valve shutdown and how many turns?

Answer 6

1. Appliance valve - 1/4 turn
2. Meter valve or master meter - 1/4 turn
3. Head of Service ( just inside building) - 1/4 turn
   
   • • Some older valves will require 4 1/2 to 5 turns in a clockwise direction.
4. Exterior Gas Riser - 1/4 turn
5. Curb valve - 1/4 turn, older ones may not meet resistance until between 7 1/2 - 15 turns. Do not turn valve more than 15 turns.
6. Street valve - Utility shuts off ***Only under extreme circumstances do we shut it off under direction of IC after consultation with utilities

Question 7

Gas. Note Plastic pipe is not allowed to be used as a gas pipe inside a structure.

Answer 7

Note

Question 8

Gas. What is the size of the cover for the curb valve? What does a white valve mean in it and what do you do?

Answer 8

4 x 4 square. A white valve is a plastic valve and you should close it gently

Question 9

Gas. T or F. FFs can fold a leaking plastic gas pipe.

Answer 9

False.

Question 10

T or F. Flashlights and TICs are intrinsically safe.

Answer 10

False. TICs are not intinsicaly safe and only FDNY flashlights are intrinsically safe. Neither are FD fans

Question 11

Gas. What should you do while waiting for the gas supply to be shut off at a burning gas fire?

Answer 11

Wet down combustible material near the burning gas.

Question 12

If you notice window or wall mounted gas heating units at a fire, what should you do?

Answer 12

Notify IC and their gas supply must be shut down.

Question 13

Gas. Where do we start to ventilate in a bldg if it is safe to do so?

Answer 13

The upper levels

Question 14

If power to a bldg with gas found in it must be cut, how do we do it?

Answer 14

DO NOT pull the electric meter or open a circuit breaker. Have it cut by the utility company at a pole or a manhole.

Question 15

Gas. If you are approaching an alarm location in the rig and a strong odor of gas is detected, what should you do?

Answer 15

STOP the apparatus ( it is a source of ignition) and take a reading with a digital combustible indicator.

Question 16

Gas. When can FFs remove a sewer manhole? An electric manhole

Answer 16

Sewer - Can be removed with the approval of a an on the scene chief officer.
Electric - Only when requested by a utility gas rep on the scene and approved by a chief officer.
You cannot remove SQUARE manhole covers*
**In order to remove any manhole covers you need to obtain two manhole hooks which are found in the BN vehicle.**

Question 17

What notifications must be made when a gas valve is shut?

Answer 17

Officer, IC, and utility company

Question 18

Gas. Who is the MSA Altair Digital Gas Meter issued to?

Answer 18

All non - soc support companys

Question 19

Gas. What sign will the Altair gas meter give the user that it is operating?

Answer 19

The meter will emit a vibrating pulse and flashing green LED light every 30 seconds to alert user the meter is operating. Note - The self check and warm up function takes 40 seconds.

Question 20

Gas. How do you zero out the Altair gas meter?

Answer 20

1. Get to fresh air
2. Press and hold reset button for 3 seconds (reset button is to right of power button, power button is in center)
3. Press the power button to accept the reset.

Question 21

Gas. When will the Altair meter activate?

Answer 21

When the atmosphere reaches 10% of the LEL of gas ( explosive range of gas is 5-15%). This would be 10% of that 5%, or .5% of gas in air.

Question 22

Gas True or False. It is normal to have a slight odor of gas at the peck vent.

Answer 22

False. there should be no odor, if there is, you must investigate.

Question 23

Gas. What are the indoor and outdoor action levels?

Answer 23

Indoors - 10%LEL
Outdoors - 20% LEL
As these levels are approached ventilation should start. Also - notify dispatcher of conditions
- have utility co respond and request ETA
- Consider precautionary hose placement

Question 24

Gas. What does a series of 3 crosses underneath the COMB/EX icon on the Altair meter indicate?

Answer 24

100% above the LEL for gas. this is an explosive environment and members shouldn’t operate except for life saving purposes.

Question 25

Gas. The normal O2 reading on the Altair is 20.8. What are the low level and high alarm levels set at for O2 on it?

Answer 25

19.5% and 23.0% (Normal O2 in atmosphere is 19.5% - 23.5% Don’t get these numbers confused.)

Question 26

Gas. What should be done immediately upon activation of the O2 sensor?

Answer 26

DON SCBA
Notify IC
Notify dispatch
Have utility Co. respond and request

Question 27

Gas. What does a series 3 crosses across the screen under the O2 icon indicate on the Altair meter?

Answer 27

That the atmosphere is above 25% O2.