TB 5 - Automobile Fires

Question 1

Freon gas used in air conditioners is under pressure and may emit the toxic gases ______ and ______ if heated to the point of decomposition.

Answer 1

phosgene and fluoride

Question 2

_______ malfunction is a leading cause of fires in the engine compartment.

Answer 2

Fuel system

Question 3

When working in the engine compartment there is an EXPLOSION hazard with the VEHICLE BATTERY (hydrogen vapors).

When working in this area, always wear _______.

Answer 3

-Safety goggles Or SCBA face piece.

Question 4

Apparatus Spotting

California Highway Patrol research has indicated that the use of excessive warning lights may cause _______, particularly in drunk drivers.

Answer 4

focus fixation

Question 5

Energy Absorbing Bumpers

Hydraulic - Consists of a gas chamber filled with a mixture of inert, non-flammable nitrogen/helium gas pressurized to 150 PSI and a hydraulic fluid chamber which is filled with a petroleum based fluid.

Bumper travel is up to ______ inches.

Answer 5

3 inches

Question 6

Energy Absorbing Bumpers

Mechanical - Employs a heavy spring to absorb impact.

These units travel up to _____ inches

Answer 6

4 inches

Question 7

Unusually high pressure developing from fire conditions may result in the sudden release of the bumper assembly causing serious injury to personnel.

At an incident in the valley, a bumper assembly traveled a distance of _____ feet.

Answer 7

25 ft

Question 8

Overheated brakes and/or underinflation are the usual causes of ______ fires. Large quantities of water are required for cooling and extinguishment

Answer 8

tire fires

Question 9

Most auto glass is tempered and will break out in small chips. The exception is the front windshield, which should be _____ glass.

Answer 9

safety glass

Question 10

You should not remove the vehicles gas cap during a vehicle fire.

Removing the gas cap from a fuel tank, under heat and pressure conditions, could result in ________.

Answer 10

a REFLASH or EXPLOSION .

Question 11

Fuel tanks can be constructed using what two materials?

Answer 11

-Metal (sheet metal with crimped and welded seams)

-Plastic

Question 12

Gasoline Fuel Specs

Flash Point: ?

Specific Gravity: ?

Answer 12

Flash Point: -45 F

Specific Gravity: 0.8

Question 13

Diesel Fuel Specs

Flash Point: ?

Specific Gravity: ?

Answer 13

Flash Point : 125 f

Specific Gravity: less than 1.0

Question 14

What are the 3 practices of handling fuel spills?

Answer 14

1. Containment - diking using sawdust, sand, ect.
2. Absorption - small spills using sand, sawdust, ect.
3. Dilution - NEVER wash fuel spills into storm drains. If fuel has already entered the drainage system, attempt to dilute the product by flushing with copious amounts of water.

Question 15

Vehicle Fire IDLH

Any member working within the IDLH of any vehicle fire prior to extinguishment or before being determined to be safe by the IC shall be fully encapsulated.

Working within _____ feet of any vehicle fire constitutes working in an IDLH.

Answer 15

30 ft

Question 16

Applying Water to Vehicle Fires

Firefighters should be aware that the fire may initially _______ with the application of water.

FULL ENCAPSULATION will provide an additional layer of protection for Firefighters from reactions to water.

Answer 16

intensify and react violently

Question 17

Standard operating procedure involves the minimum deployment of what equipment?

Answer 17

•1-1/2” hose line for fire SUPPRESSION

•dry chemical extinguisher for personnel PROTECTION (to both ff and civilian).

Question 18

Equipment Placement

1. When possible, position dry chemical extinguisher on ______ side of vehicle.
2. The effective range of a 20 pound extinguisher is ____ to _____ feet.

Answer 18

1. windward
2. 15 to 20ft

Question 19

Conditions fostering flashover or backdraft can be present at incidents involving vehicle fires.

The potential for backdraft can be reduced through cross ventilation of the vehicle by ________.

Answer 19

breaking out windows.

Question 20

Cooling the vehicle fuel tank is an advisable safety precaution if fire IMPINGEMENT on the tank is suspected. This will prevent a possible ________.

(Do not allow water to enter the fuel tank as this may cause fuel to overflow from the tank creating an additional hazard.)

Answer 20

BLEVE - Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion

Question 21

BLEVE Hazard in Vehicles utilizing LPG

A pressure relief valve is required at the storage cylinder. ALLOW the relief valve to operate as designed.

What actions are taken if the vapors coming from the relief valve have been ignited?

Answer 21

-ALLOW LPG to burn and protect exposures

(If fire is IMPINGING on the LPG storage cylinder, take action to CONTROL the FIRE and COOL the CYLINDER.)

Question 22

Recorded BLEVES have occurred within _____ minutes of fire exposure.

Answer 22

10 mins

Question 23

Some vehicles have various parts constructed of combustible metals, such as engine blocks, heads, wheels, headlight casings, etc.

These metals are normally an alloy of _______ and ______.

Answer 23

aluminum and magnesium.

Question 24

Vehicle Extrication

1. A safe ____ft minimum working area must be established.
2. The first arriving Engine Company shall, as a minimum, deploy and maintain throughout the duration of the incident, a charged 1-1/2” hose line with ______ as backup.

Answer 24

1. 30 ft
2. dry chemical extinguisher

Question 25

Vehicle Extrication

The Engine Company Captain will normally assume the role of _______.

Answer 25

-Safety Officer.

(This officer will also control access to the work area excluding unauthorized/unnecessary personnel whether they be fire, EMS, police, news media or civilian. Use police assistance when necessary.)