Definitions
The standard unit for measuring pressure.
(Acronym Answers Not Accepted)
Pounds per square inch (psi)
Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting
NFPA 1971
What are the 3 layers of turnout gear
Outer Shell, Moisture Barrier, Thermal Barrier
Outer Shell: Can withstand elevated temperatures for a limited time, repel water, and provide protection from abrasions and sharp objects.
Moisture Barrier: Keeps liquids and vapors, such as hot water/steam, from reaching skin.
Thermal Barrier: Multilayered or quilted material that insulates the body from external temps.
When checking the remote pressure gauge and the air cylinder pressure gauge within what percent should the be from each other.
The reading for these gauges should be within 10% of each other.
Normal outside or room air contains approximately what percentage of oxygen?
21%
A device that continually monitors for lack of movement of the wearer and automatically activates an alarm signal, indicating the wearer is in need of assistance; can also be manually activated to trigger the alarm signal.
(Acronym Answers Not Accepted)
Personal alert safety system (PASS)
Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems (PASS)
NFPA 1982
What type of fabric materials are generally safer to wear in work clothing?
Clothing made of natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, is generally safer to wear.
Clothing containing nylon or polyester, should NOT be worn in a firefighting environment.
List the 2 learned breathing techniques.
Skip-breathing: FF takes a short breath, holds it, takes a second short breath (without exhaling in b/w breaths), and then relaxes with a long exhale. Each breath should be 5 secs.
Reilly (humming) technique: Humming allows for a longer exhalation, and this slows the breathing rate. Slowly inhaling and then exhaling while making a humming sound.
An atmosphere with an oxygen concentration of what percentage or less is considered oxygen deficient?
19.5%
The part of the SCBA that reduces the high pressure in the cylinder to a usable lower pressure and controls the flow of air to the user.
Regulator
Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting
NFPA 1977
List all of the parts that make up the full ensemble of PPE needed for Structural firefighting (not including SCBA & face piece)
Turnout Coat/Pants, Nomex, Helmet, Gloves, & Boots
List at least 3 factors that can affect getting a good seal with your SCBA face piece.
Facial hair, sideburns, or beard, Low hairline, Ponytails or buns, skull cap that projects under the face piece or temple pieces, Absence of teeth, & Improper size face piece.
This is a cancer-causing substance that is identified in one of several published lists, including, but not limited to, NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference, and the ACGIH 2007 TLVs and BEIs.
Carcinogen
This is any condition that would pose an immediate or delayed threat to life, cause irreversible adverse health effects, or interfere with an individual’s ability to escape unaided from a hazardous environment.
(Acronym Answers Not Accepted)
Immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH)
What standard requires that fire fighters have their face pieces fit-tested annually to ensure they have the proper size
NFPA 1500
List at least 3 types of protection that structural firefighting PPE offers.
Provides thermal protection, Repels water, Provides impact protection, Protects against cuts and abrasions, Furnishes padding against injury, Provides respiratory protection.
What are the air pressure ranges for an SCBA bottle, and what are the 4 different minutes of use they can be rated for?
Air pressure ranges from 2200 to 5500 PSI (greater the pressure more air that is stored).
Air cylinders can be rated for either 30, 45, 60, or 75 minutes of use (although SCBA bottles generally have a realistic useful life of no more than 50% of the rated time).
What are the 3 highly toxic products of combustion or physical states of matter contained in smoke?
Particles, Vapors, & Gases
Particles (Solids): unburned, partially burned, and completely burned substances
Vapors: Aerosols—are similar to fog, which consists of small water droplets suspended in the air. Example: When oil-based compounds burn, they produce small hydrocarbon droplets that become part of the smoke.
Gases: There can be many gases present.
A test performed by filling pressure- containing components completely with water or other incompressible fluid while expelling all contained air, closing or capping all open ports of the pressure-containing components, and then raising and maintaining the contained pressure to pressurize the pressure-containing components to a prescribed value through an externally supplied pressure-generating device.
Hydrostatic Testing
List at least 3 standards developed directly related to SCBAs in particular.
NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program
NFPA 1404: Standard for Fire Service Respiratory Protection Training
NFPA 1852: Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
NFPA 1981: Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services
List at least 2 limitations in using a full Structural Firefighting Ensemble and it's consequences on the body.
PPE is heavy, accounting for nearly 50 lb (23 kg) of extra weight. Resulting in increased strength and energy and limiting mobility.
PPE retains body heat & sweat, making it harder for the body to cool itself which = overheating.
PPE decreases normal sensory abilities (e.g. wearing heavy gloves reduces the sense of touch).
SCBA size/shape may make it difficult for you to fit through tight openings, what are 2 tips you can use to make it easier to fit into narrow spaces.
Change your body position: Rotate your body by 45 degrees and try again.
Loosen one shoulder strap and change the location of the SCBA on your back.
Last resort: remove SCBA, do NOT let go of the harness & keep the unit in front of you as you go through the tight space, reattach once through.
Many of the gases produced by residential or commercial fires are highly toxic, name 2 of the 3 gases that are often present in smoke.
Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen cyanide, and phosgene