Haz Mat 1

Question 0

Methanol characteristics

Answer 0

• Highly volatile flammable liquid
• Flash point of 54 degrees
• Soluble in water
• Vapors are slightly heavier than air
• Will flow along the ground collecting in low areas
• Burns cleanly - little smoke
• Pale blue flame may be difficult to see in bright sunlight

Question 1

NYC Transit operators both MTA and private NO LONGER HAVE

Answer 1

Methanol fueled buses in operation

Question 2

Methanol fuel operations

Answer 2

• On cool days when the ambient temperature is below the flashpoint of 54 degrees the danger of fire and explosion is reduced and delayed
• Keep the spill as cool as possible
• Blanket pools of liquid with alcohol foam to inhibit vapor generation
• Methanol is destructive to ordinary foam
• Alcohol type foam must be used
• Small fires use type B extinguisher
• Purple K is the most effective dry Chem extinguisher on methanol

Question 3

The most effective dry chemical extinguisher for methanol is

Answer 3

Purple K

Question 4

What foam must be used for Methanol fires

Answer 4

Alcohol type foam must be used

Question 5

Compressed natural gas vehicles

Answer 5

• Required warning placards on front and rear bumpers
• ID #1971
• Lighter than air (2/3 as heavy)
• Some states require no ID placards on the vehicle
• Command buses have 1/4 turn shutoff near front

Question 6

Natural gas is

Answer 6

• Non toxic
• Flammable
• Lighter than air
• Composed of 95% methane and 5% other gasses

Question 7

The term natural gas and methane are used

Answer 7

Interchangeably

Question 8

Inherent hazards of CNG

Answer 8

• Pressurized in cylinders up to 3000 psi
• Cylinders protected with a fusible plug pressure relief device which will open when the cylinder is exposed to heat or fire
• CNG cylinders are subject to failure, but NOT BLEVE because they do not contain liquid

Question 9

Operations at CNG vehicle incidents

Answer 9

• Don’t extinguish the fire until the leak is controlled
• ALL VEHICLES have emergency shutoffs
• Look for sign on outside “Emergency Shutoff”
• Shutoff is a common 1/4 gas valve
• Each cylinder can be shut off
• If gas cannot be shut off just let it burn

Question 10

For CNG leaks

Answer 10

• Eliminate ignition sources
• Evacuate the area downwind & where life hazard is the greatest
• Use fog stream to direct flow of vapors & protect exposures
• Stretch precautionary line and cool cylinders
• Stretch line to protect occupants & members