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Glossary A END The end opposite the handbrake or "B" end of the tank car. A-FRAME LADDERS The type of ladders that are hinged in the middle and can be used as either A-frame stepladders or as baby extension ladders. A/B SWITCH A switch that selects one of two inputs (A or B) for routing to a common output. AAR Abbreviation for American Association of Railroads. AAR is a subdivision of the Department of Transportation. ABATEMENT The actions taken to reduce the amount, degree of the hazard, or intensity of the release or threatened release of a hazardous material. ABSORBENT A solid material that takes in liquids (like a sponge). Penetration can be capillary, osmotic, solvent, or chemical. Some of the materials typically used, as absorbents are sawdust, clays, charcoal, and polyolefin type fibers. ABSORPTION The process of an agent being taken in by a surface (clothing, fabrics, wood, etc.,) much like a sponge and water. A route of exposure. It occurs when a toxic material contacts the skin, and then enters the bloodstream by passing through the skin. ACADEMY A training school; a place to train, learn, study, and achieve. ACCELERANT Any material used to initiate or promote the spread of a fire. The most common accelerants are flammable or combustible liquids. ACCELERATOR A device attached to a dry-pipe sprinkler system for the rapid removal of the air in the system; a device to control the speed of a vehicle by regulating the fuel supply. ACCEPTABLE RISK A risk, judged to be outweighed by corresponding benefits, or one that is of such a degree that it is considered to pose minimal potential for adverse effects. ACCESS CORRIDOR A designated geographic area through which entrance into the "hot" or exclusion mitigation personnel permit zone. Typically, the access corridor serves as, or is near, the decontamination corridor and borders the hot and warm zones. ACCIDENT An unexpected event generally resulting in injury, loss of property or disruption of services. ACCORDION FOLD A fold for salvage covers. ACCORDION LOAD A system of loading hose in a hose bed of the fire truck. ACETYLCHOLINE A chemical compound formed from an acid and an alcohol that causes muscles to contract (neurotransmitter). It is found in various organs and tissues of the body. It is rapidly broken down by an enzyme, cholinesterase. ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE An enzyme (a protein produced in the cells) which stops (inactivates) the action of acetylcholine by separating the acetylcholine into its components of acetic and chorine. This occurs as soon as acetylcholine has produced a muscle contraction. Nerve agents combine with acetylcholinesterase to prevent it from performing its inactivation of acetylcholine. ACGIH (THE AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS) A professional society devoted to the administrative and technical aspects of occupational and environmental health. The mission of the ACGIH is to be an indispensable resource for industrial hygienists and related professionals worldwide in a way that promotes excellence in environmental and occupational health; provides technical information of the highest quality; benefits the occupational health and well being of people worldwide; and serves the membership and continually improves the organization, including its financial and human resources. ACID A hydrogen-containing corrosive material that reacts with water to produce hydrogen ions; a proton donor. Any of a class of chemical compounds whose aqueous solutions turn litmus paper red (have a pH less than 7) or reacts with and dissolves certain metals or reacts with bases to form salts. A compound capable of transferring a hydrogen ion in solution. A molecule or ion that combines with another molecule or ion by forming a covalent bond with two electrons from the other species. ACID OR AMMONIA SUITS Special protective clothing that prevents toxic or corrosive substances or vapors from coming in contact with the body. ACQUIFER A saturated water bearing formation of permeable rock sand or gravel. ACTION LEVEL A qualitative limit of chemical, biological, or radiological agent at which actions are taken to prevent or reduce exposure or contact. ACTIVE INGREDIENT The chemical that has pesticide action. Active ingredients are listed in order on a pesticide label as percentage by weight or as pounds per gallon of concentrate. See Inert Ingredients. ACTUAL BREAKTHROUGH TIME The average time elapsed between initial contact of the chemical with the outside surface of the fabric and the detection time. ACTUATE To set into operation; especially, an installed fire protection system. ACUTE EFFECTS An adverse effect on a human or animal body, with symptoms developing rapidly. See Chronic Effects. ACUTE EXPOSURE A dose that is delivered to the body in a single event or in a short period of time. The adverse effects resulting from a single dose or exposure to a material. Ordinarily used to denote effects observed in experimental animals. ACUTE POISONING Poisoning by a single exposure to a toxic chemical. ACUTE TOXICITY Any harmful effect produced by a single short-term exposure that may result in severe biological harm or death. ADAPTER A device for making a connection when the threads do not match or when they are different sizes. ADIABATIC COMPRESSION A term used to describe the generation of heat when a liquid or gas is compressed. If a flammable mixture is compressed rapidly, heat produced by the compression may be sufficient to raise the temperature of the mixture to its ignition point. ADSORPTION The process of an agent sticking to or becoming chemically attached to a surface. ADVANCING A LINE A line in the fire service is a line of hose. Advancing a line, therefore, is to move a line of hose forward. AERIAL LADDERS A mechanically operated ladder on a turntable attached to a ladder truck chassis and manufactured in various lengths, generally from 65 to I00 feet. AERIAL PLATFORM APPARATUS See Elevating Platform Apparatus. AEROSOL Fine liquid or solid particles suspended in air; for example, fog or smoke. The dispersion of very fine particles of a solid or liquid in a gas, fog, foam, or mist. AEROSOLS Micron-size liquid droplets or solid particles dispersed in air by pressurized gases. When liquid droplets reach micron dimensions, their behavior becomes similar to solid particles of the same size. A suspension or dispersion of small particles (solids or liquids) in a gaseous medium. AFFF (AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM) An extinguishing agent designed to flow on a burning liquid. AGENT Agent refers to extinguishing material used in the fire service. AGENT DOSAGE The concentration of a toxic vapor in the air multiplied by the time that the concentration is present AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS Chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and fertilizers used in agricultural applications to control pests and disease or control/promote growth. The toxicity of agricultural chemicals is classified from I to IV, with class I being the most toxic. There are specific OSHA regulations governing worker safety in the presence of agricultural chemicals. AIHA (AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE ASSOCIATION) An organization of professionals trained in the recognition and control of health hazards and the prevention of illness related thereto. It promotes the study and control of environmental factors affecting the health of industrial workers and provides information and communication services pertaining to industrial hygiene. AIR BILL A shipping paper prepared from a bill of landing that accompanies each piece of an air shipment. The name for the shipping paper on aircraft. The air bill is kept in the pilots possession and contains information about the quantity, and weight of each hazardous package, the proper shipping name, and hazard class of the materials being transported. The shipping paper will also contain information about the shipper and consignee of the shipment. AIR CHAMBER A chamber filled with air and that serves to eliminate the pulsations caused by the operation of piston or rotary-gear pumps; a pulsator eliminator. AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM The means by which cooling and/or breathing air is delivered to and distributed in a protective suit. AIR FOAM A term used to describe mechanical foam, as differentiated from chemical foam; the type of foam concentrate that is added to the water and agitated or aerated to produce the Class B agent. AIR INVERSION A meteorological condition in the earth's atmosphere in which the temperature of the air some distance above the earth's surface is higher than the air temperature of the surface. Normally, air temperatures decrease progressively as altitude increases. Such a condition traps air and released gases and vapors near the earth's surface, thus impeding their dispersion. AIR LOCK A situation that can develop in a centrifugal pump that has not been properly primed. The rapid revolution of the impeller may create an air lock, which prevents priming of the pump. AIR MASK OR AIR PACK Worn by firefighters, a type of self-contained breathing equipment that provides a supply of air from tanks through a regulator. See breathing equipment. AIR POCKET A condition that occurs when a portion of non-collapsible intake hose is elevated higher than the intake of the pump when drafting; a void created by a cave-in; a confined space where air is trapped in the top of a car that has sunk beneath the water. AIR PRESSURE SPRINKLER SYSTEM A term used to describe a sprinkler system in which air pressure is used to force water from a storage tank into the system. AIR PURIFICATION RESPIRATOR (APR) A device worn to filter particulates and contaminants from the air. An APR should only be worn in atmospheres where the type, size, and quantity of the contaminants are known and sufficient oxygen is present. AIR REACTIVE MATERIALS Substances that will ignite at normal temperatures when exposed to air. AIR SPRING A flexible air-inflated chamber in which the air pressure is controlled and varied to support the load and absorb road shocks; formerly called air bag. AIR-BORNE CONTAMINANTS Solid, liquid or gaseous materials that are mixed in the air and spread with air movements. Chemical vapors will readily mix with moving air. In still air, heavier gases-such as chlorine and gasoline fumes- will settle, whereas lighter gases-such as natural gas or hydrogen-will rise. Aerosols consisting of micron-size solid particles and liquid droplets can also be suspended in moving air but will settle at low air velocities or larger sizes. Asbestos, lead paint dusts, some agricultural chemicals, silica, radioactive particles, viruses, fungal spores, pollen and bacteria are examples of other airborne contaminants of concern. AIRCRAFT EMERGENCIES Alert 1: In-bound aircraft with possible onboard dilemma. Emergency response forces maintain readiness at response station for further development. Alert 2: In-bound aircraft with confirmed onboard dilemma. Emergency response forces respond to predetermined standby position(s) as defined by the nature of the in-flight urgency. Alert 3: Aircraft crisis in progress. Emergency response forces proceed to incident site as defined by emergency protocols. Alert 4/5: Levels used by certain airports to identify additional levels of response tactics, such as bomb threats, hijacking, hostage crisis, etc. AIRLINE MASK Masks worn by firefighters, connected to a source of air supply that is outside the contaminated area. AIRWAY A metal or plastic framework designed to fit the curvature of the mouth and throat to prevent the air passageways from closing. AL See Aluminum Alloy. ALARM Any signal indicating the need for emergency response of the fire service; also, the device that transmits the alarm. ALARM CIRCUIT An electrical circuit connecting any two points in an alarm system: for example, from the signal device to the fire station, from the central alarm center to all fire stations, and from the alarm sending device to the audible alarm devices. ALCOHOL FOAM Blankets fires in the same manner as conventional foam, but it are intended for use with liquids, which are soluble in water, such as alcohol and acetone. It must be applied more carefully than regular foam because the mechanical strength of the bubbles is less. ALIGNMENT The process of fine-tuning a dish or an electronic circuit to maximize its sensitivity and signal receiving capability. ALKALI A hydroxide-containing corrosive material that is soluble in water, neutralizes acids and is irritating or destructive to tissue. ALKALINE Any compound having the qualities of a base. Simplified, a substance that readily ionizes in aqueous solution to yield hydroxyl (OH-) anions. Alkalis have a pH greater than 7 and turn litmus paper blue. ALL SERVICE MASKS Title given to a canister-type filter mask resembling gas mask canisters; no longer approved or recognized; obsolete. ALLIGATORING Convex portions of a carbonized material, separated by cracks or crevasses that form on the surface of char. Commonly forming on materials such as wood, as the result of pyrolysis or burning. Also called Char Blistering. ALPHA RAYS Made up of very large particles, which are the same as the nucleus of the helium atom. ALUMINUM ALLOY A physical blend of metals with aluminum as the major constituent. Aluminum is a common material used for containerizing materials for transport because of its lightweight property. ALUMINUM ALLOY LADDER A ladder that is made of aluminum and other materials such as magnesium to make the ladder lightweight but strong. AMBIENT AIR QUALITY Quality of the surrounding atmosphere or circulating air. AMBIENT TEMPERATURE The temperature of the surrounding area. Room temperature is an example of ambient temperature. AMBULATORY A patient capable of walking; one who is not bedridden. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROADS An agency authorizing standards to which a tank car is Railroad Specification built and can be identified, by a specification marking. The specification marking is both stamped into the head of the tank and stenciled on the sides of the car. American Association of Railroad tank cars are identified by an "AAR" stenciled prior to the series of numbers and/or letters. AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF PROFESSIONAL GOVERNMENTAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS (ACGIH) A society of persons responsible for full-time industrial hygiene programs, who are employed by official governmental units. Primary function is to encourage the interchange of experience among governmental industrial hygienists, and to collect and make available information of value to them. Also promotes standards and techniques in industrial hygiene, and coordinates governmental activities with community agencies. AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS Serves as a clearinghouse for nationally coordinated Institute (ANSI) voluntary safety, engineering, and industrial standards developed by industrial firms, trade associations, technical societies, consumer organizations, and government agencies. AMMONIUM LON (NH4+) A polyatomic cation. AMPLIFIER A device used to increase the power of a signal. ANALYSIS The chemical determination of the composition of a substance. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUE A procedure whereby the concentration of a chemical in a collection medium is quantitatively determined. ANCHORAGE A place in the port or harbor area designated for the placement of vessels. ANERGOLS Mixtures of fuels and oxidizers that do not react or ignite when combined. ANFO An ammonium nitrate and fuel oil mixture, commonly used as a blasting agent. The manufacturer or user determines the proportions. It is commonly mixed with the addition of an "enhancer" such as magnesium or aluminum to increase the rate of burn. ANGLE OF APPROACH Angle formed by level ground and a line from the point where the front tires of a vehicle touch the ground to the lowest projection at the front of the apparatus. ANGLE OF DEPARTURE Angle formed by level ground and a line from the point where the rear tires of a vehicle touch the ground to the lowest projection at the rear of the apparatus ANGLE VALVE A valve with intake or exit ports at right angles. ANHYDROUS Free from water, dry. Being without water, especially water of crystallization. ANISOTROPIC Non-symmetrical performance. ANSI See American National Standards Institute. ANSI (THE AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE) A clearinghouse for nationally coordinated voluntary safety, engineering and industrial standards developed by industrial firms, trade associations, technical societies, consumer organizations and government agencies. ANTENNA A device that collects and focuses electromagnetic energy, i.e., contributes an energy gain. ANTI-ELECTROCUTION PLATFORM Slide-out platform mounted beneath the side running board or rear step of an apparatus equipped with an aerial device. This platform is designed to minimize the chance of the driver/ operator being electrocuted should the aerial device come in contact with energized electrical wires or equipment. ANTIBIOTIC A substance that inhibits the growth of or kills microorganisms. ANTICHOLINERGIC An agent or chemical that blocks or impedes the action of acetylcholine, such as the (also cholinolytic) antidote atropine. ANTICHOLINESTERASE A substance that blocks the action of cholinesterase (acetylcholinesterase) such as nerve agents. ANTIDOTE A substance, which neutralizes toxic agents or their effects. ANTISERA The liquid part of blood containing antibodies. AOA (AIR OPERATIONS AREA) A location identified by the Federal Aviation Administration specifically for air transportation rules and enforcement. A safety fence and high levels of security often identify this region. API-ASME CONTAINER (OR TANK) A container constructed in accordance with the pressure vessel code jointly developed by the American Petroleum Institute and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. APPARATUS An engine-driven fire truck of any variety, or a group of fire trucks. The word is used for both singular and plural construction. APPARATUS BAY/ROOM That area of the fire station in which apparatus is parked and stored. APPLIANCE Generic term applied to any nozzle, wye, siamese, deluge monitor, or other piece of hardware used in conjunction with fire hose for the purpose of delivering water; a thing that water passes through is termed an appliance. APPLICATOR A special pipe or nozzle attachment for applying an extinguishing agent. APPLICATOR PIPE Curved pipe attached to a nozzle for precisely applying water over a burning object. APPRENTICESHIP Apprenticeship training is not less than three years, supplemented by the required hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices are subject to probationary periods, the length of which is stipulated in local programs. The fire service apprenticeship-training program was developed by the International Association of Fire Fighters and approved by the United States Department of Labor, Federal Committee on Apprenticeship, February 18, 1972. APPROACH SUIT Personal protective equipment used with SCBA, which allows response personnel to operate in high temperature atmosphere atmospheres for short periods of time. Direct flame impingement is not permitted when using this garment. APPURTENANCES Items connected to a container opening needed to make a container gas tight. These include pressure relief devices, shut-off, backflow, excess flow, internal valves, liquid level gauging devices, pressure relief devices, pressure gauges, and plugs. AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM (AFFF) Synthetic foam concentrate that, when combined with water, is a highly effective extinguishing and blanketing agent on hydrocarbon fuels. AREA OF ORIGIN The room or area where a fire began. See also Point of Origin. ARFF Acronym for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting. ARMAMENTS War equipment and supplies, such as guns, shells, bombs, electronic detection devices, missiles, and all other offensive and defensive equipment of a fort, ship, airplane, quick response vehicle, or the like, are armaments. ARSENICAL Pertaining to or containing arsenic; a reference to the vesicant lewisite. ARSON Arson is the willful and malicious burning of the property of another. This meaning has been broadened by statute in many jurisdictions to include one's own property. Arson is usually classified in two or more degrees, the severity of which is determined by several factors - the type of property involved, whether or not the property is occupied, if the crime was committed at night or during the daytime, and if there was any danger to human life. ARSON SQUAD/TASK FORCE A group of individuals, generally consisting of both police and fire officers, who are assigned to investigate suspicious fires. ARSONIST Any person who commits the crime of arson. ARTICULATING AERIAL PLATFORM Aerial device that consists of two or more booms that are attached with hinges and operate in a folding manner. A passenger-carrying platform is attached to the working end of the device. ARTICULATING BOOM Arm portion of the articulating aerial platform. ARTIFICIAL RESUSCITATION (also artificial ventilation or artificial respiration) Breathing maintained by an artificial means. ASBESTOS A known carcinogen, asbestos is a group of small, jagged sub- micron mineral fibers. Common types of asbestos include chrysotile, crocidolite and anthophyllite. Inhaling substantial quantities of asbestos may cause asbestosis (a disease that blocks the lungs with thick, fibrous tissue); bronchogenic cancer (cancer of the bronchial tubes); or mesothelioma (a rare and fatal cancer of the lining of the chest or abdomen). ASEPTIC Sterile, free from viable microbiological contamination. ASME Abbreviation for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASME makes recommendations on designs and materials to be used for handling hazardous materials. ASME CODE The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section VIII, "Rules for the Construction of Unfired Pressure Vessels") of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. ASPHYXIA Lack of oxygen and interference with oxygenation of the blood. Can lead to unconsciousness. ASPHYXIANT A vapor or gas that can cause unconsciousness or death by suffocation (lack of oxygen). Most simple asphyxiants are harmful to the body when they become so concentrated that they reduce (displace) the available oxygen in air (normally about 21%) to dangerous levels (18% or lower). Chemical asphyxiants, like carbon monoxide (CO), reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen or, like cyanide, interfere with the body's utilization of oxygen. ASPHYXIATING MATERIALS Substances that can cause death through displacing the oxygen in the air. ASPHYXIATION Asphyxia or suffocation. Asphyxiation is one of the principal potential hazards of working in confined spaces. ASPIRATOR A device for removing undesirable material from the throat of a victim. ASSAY Analysis of a mixture to determine the presence or concentration of a particular component. ASSAY FLUID A sterile liquid used to wash the test specimen surface to determine microbiological penetration. ASSESSMENT The process of determining the nature and degree of hazard of a hazardous material or hazardous materials incident. The act of estimating the merit of a mitigation procedure. This evaluation should weigh the risk verses the overall objective of the incident. A proper assessment will consider hazards associated with each phase of operation. ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS (AAR) Professional trade association which coordinates technical information and research within the United States railroad industry. Publisher of emergency response guidebooks. ASTM Abbreviation for the American Society for Testing and Materials. This organization devises consensus standards for materials characterization and use. ASTM (AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS) ASTM is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for producers, users, ultimate consumers, and those having a general interest to meet on common ground and write standards for materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM COMMITTEE F23 ON PROTECTIVE APPAREL A broad cross-section of users, manufacturers and consultants, this committee developed most of the industry standard test methods for chemical, thermal and fire protection clothing materials. ASTM D1682 "Standard Test Method for Breaking Load and Elongation of Textile Fabrics (Strip Tensile Test)". Along with ASTM D751, this test is used to determine breaking strength and elongation of a fabric sample. The difference between ASTM D751 and ASTM D1682 is the size of the clamps relative to the size of the test sample. SEE ASTM D751. ASTM D2136 "Standard Test Method for Coated Fabrics — Low Temperature Bend Test." This simple pass/fail test determines if a material will crack when bent at low temperature. ASTM D2582 "Standard Test Method for Puncture Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and Thin Sheeting." This test determines the effort needed to puncture and then tear a material. ASTM D3786 "Standard Test Method for Hydraulic Bursting Strength of Knitted Goods and Nonwoven Fabrics — Diaphragm Bursting Strength Tester Method." Along with ASTM D751, this test measures the pressure required to burst a material. ASTM D4533 "Standard Test Method for Trapezoidal Tearing Strength of Geotextiles." This test determines the effort required to continue a tear across a fiber. ASTM D747 "Standard Test Method for Apparent Bending Modulus of Plastics by Means of a Cantilever Beam." This test relates stiffness to the effort needed to bend a strip of material. ASTM D751 "Standard Test Method for Coated Fabrics (Grab Tensile Test)." Used in conjunction with ASTM D3786, this test measures the breaking strength of a material. Also used with ASTM D1682 to determine breaking strength and elongation of a fabric sample. Breaking strength is the effort required to break the sample, and elongation is how much the sample has stretched when it breaks. ASTM F1001 "Standard Guide for Selection of Chemicals to Evaluate Protective Clothing Standards," is a standard battery of 21 chemical liquids and vapors chosen to compare the permeation performance of chemical barrier fabrics. ASTM F1052 "Standard Practice for Pressure Testing of Gas-Tight Totally Encapsulating Chemical-Protective Suits." A technique used to determine whether vapor-protective suits maintain 4 in. positive air pressure with up to a 20% drop in pressure after four minutes. ASTM F1154 Developed by the ASTM Committee F23 on Protective Apparel, this series of exercises evaluates garment fit and function for chemical ensembles only. ASTM F739 "Standard Test Method for Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Permeation by Liquids or Gases Under Conditions of Continuous Contact." This is the standard test used in North America for measuring the permeation of chemical protective apparel material. Specifically, it is used to determine whether or not a challenge chemical permeates through a nonporous barrier. ASTM F903 "Standard Test Method for Resistance of Protective Clothing Materials to Penetration by Liquids." This pass/fail test determines if a material is porous to potentially hazardous liquids at a given pressure. ATF (BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS) A division of the U.S. Department of Treasury; regulates the storage, handling, and transportation of explosives. ATMOSPHERIC CEILING The level in the atmosphere at which a heated column ceases to rise and levels off. ATMOSPHERIC CONTAINER A type of container that holds products at atmospheric pressure (760 mm). ATMOSPHERIC DISPLACEMENT A system or method of applying water fog in a superheated area, causing the water to be converted into steam, which expands and displaces the atmosphere in a burning room or building. ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE Pressure exerted by the atmosphere at the surface of the earth due to the weight of air. Atmospheric pressure at sea level is about 14.7 psi (101 kPa). Atmospheric pressure increases as elevation is de-creased below sea level and decreases as elevation increases above sea level. ATOM The smallest particle of an element that can exist. ATOMIC NUMBER The number of protons in an atom. ATOMIC WEIGHTS Atomic weights relate to the weights of molecules and atoms. A standard for atomic weights has been adapted to a relative scale in which that for carbon has been set at 12 although its atomic weight is 12.01115. The relative mass of an atom based on a scale in which a specific carbon atom (carbon-12) is assigned a mass of 12. Basically, it equals the number of protons plus neutrons. Abbreviated at. wt. ATOMIZATION The process of changing a liquid into a spray of very small drops. This physical action fragmentizes the liquid into atoms (the smallest possible particles). ATROPINE A medication used as an antidote for nerve agents. An anticholinergic used as an antidote for nerve agents to counteract excessive amounts of acetylcholine. It also has other medical uses. ATTACK Any action to control fire. ATTACK HOSE Hose between the attack pumper and the nozzle(s); also, any hose used in a handline to control and extinguish fire. Minimum size is 1 1/2 inch (38 mm). ATTACK LINES Hoselines or fire streams used to attack, contain, or prevent the spread of a fire. ATTACK PUMPER Pumper that is positioned at the fire scene and is directly supplying attack lines. ATTENUATION The decrease in signal power that occurs in a device or when a signal travels to reach a destination point (path loss). ATTENUATOR A passive device that reduces the power of a signal. Attenuators are rated according to the amount of signal attenuation. ATTIC LADDER A collapsible ladder especially usable for inside work; comes in lengths of 6 to 12 feet. AUDITORIUM RAISE (also, church raise or steeple raise) A system of extending a ladder perpendicular and holding it in place from four opposite points of the compass by four guy ropes attached to the top of the ladder. AUSTENTIC STAINLESS STEEL (SS) A stainless steel alloy consisting of chromium and nickel thus giving more resistance to chemical corrosion. AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE The same as ignition temperature except that no external ignition source is required for ignition since the material itself has been heated to its ignition temperature. The spontaneous ignition of the gases or vapor given off by a heated material. See ignition temperature AUTOMATIC ALARM An alarm actuated by heat, smoke, flame-sensing devices, or the waterflow in a sprinkler system, conveyed to the local alarm bells and/or to the fire station. Also applies to alarm boxes that automatically transmit a coded signal to the fire station to give the location of the alarm box. AUTOMATIC NOZZLE Fog stream nozzle that automatically corrects itself to provide a good stream at the proper nozzle pressure. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER KIT An automatic sprinkler kit contains the tools and equipment required for closing and servicing a sprinkler head that has been opened. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM A fire protection device consisting of a series of intricately combined pipes and valves arranged to automatically distribute sufficient quantities of water to either extinguish a fire or to hold it in check until firefighters arrive. AUXILIARY Additional fire fighting equipment or manpower that is not a part of the regular complement assigned to the fire service. AVERAGE DAILY CONSUMPTION Average of the total amount of water used each day during a one-year period. AVIATION GASOLINE A high-octane gasoline prepared especially for use in aircraft with reciprocating engines. AXE, FIRE A fire axe has a pick head or flat head on one side and a blade on the other. AXIS Any of three lines about which an aircraft, missile, rocket vehicle, or the like, can or does revolve. One is through the center of gravity, the other two through the center of gravity and perpendicular to each other and to the lengthwise axis. The axes are longitudinal, lateral, and vertical. AXLE WEIGHT Amount of weight transmitted to the ground by one axle or the combined weight of the two axles in a tandem assembly. AZIMUTH A compass bearing expressed in degrees of rotation clockwise from true north. It is one of the two coordinates (azimuth and elevation) used to align a satellite antenna. |
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