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Glossary B END End of the tank car on which the handbrake is located. If the car has two handbrakes, the "B" end is the end toward which the body-mounted brake cylinder piston moves when brakes are applied. B-NICE Pertaining to biological, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, or explosives. BACK FLUSHING The cleaning of a fire pump or piping by flowing water through it in the opposite direction of normal flow. BACK PRESSURE The pressure created by gravity at the base of a column of water. See Head Pressure. BACKDRAFT An explosion or rapid burning of heated gases in a confined structure. A backdraft may occur because of improper ventilation procedures. The degree of force of the backdraft will be dependent upon such variables as the size of the confined area, the extent to which smoldering has taken place (thus providing fuel), the degree of heating of the atmosphere, and the rate at which air or oxygen is introduced BACKPACK A tank-type extinguisher carried on the back of the firefighters with straps to hold it in place and a pump built into the nozzle. Used extensively in natural cover fire fighting. Also, a pack used to carry hose on firefighters' backs. BACTERIA Single-celled organisms that multiply by cell division and that can cause disease in humans, plants or animals. BACTERIAL PENETRATION The infiltration of bacteria through protective clothing materials. BACTERICIDE A pesticide used to control bacteria. BACTERIOPHAGE A type of virus that infects bacteria. BAFFLE(S) A wall or screen for controlling the flow of air, water, etc., by hindering its movement or changing its course. An intermediate partial bulkhead that reduces the surge effect in a partially loaded tank. Baffles are perforated dividers placed in fire department water tanks to prevent the rapid shifting of water loads while the apparatus is in motion. Baffles are also used to divide beds of hose into two or more compartments. BALANCED PRESSURE PROPORTIONER A foam concentrate proportioner that operates in tandem with a fire pump to ensure a proper foam concentrate-to- BALL VALVE Valve having a ball-shaped internal component with a hole through its center that permits water to flow through when aligned with the waterway. BALLOON THROW The balloon throw traps air underneath a salvage cover to assist in spreading the cover. BANGOR LADDER (also, pole ladder) A very large extension ladder that requires tormentor poles to steady the ladder as it is raised and lowered; usually 40 to 50 feet. BARGE A large non-self-propelled (usually towed), flat-bottomed vessel used for carrying materials on waterways. BARREL A varying unit of dry or liquid measure, ranging from about 86.5 to 105 quarts of dry measure, and from 31 to 42 gallons of liquid measure. Abbreviated bbl. The cylindrical body of a tank vehicle. BARRIER In protective clothing, barrier is the ability to isolate the body from a chemical, physical, biological, radioactive or thermal hazard, among others. BARRIER CLOTHING Protective clothing that provides a barrier against hazards, such as dry particulates, chemical liquids, vapors and solids, biological agents, radiation, fire or heat. BARRIER DURABILITY How well a garment retains its barrier after being worn or after being conditioned in a way that simulates the effects of actual wearing, such as abrasion, stretching or flexing. BARRIER PERFORMANCE The degree to which a fabric or garment provides barrier against a hazard. Permeation barrier performance is measured by breakthrough times and permeation rates. The pressure required to force a liquid through the fabric measures liquid penetration performance. Particle barrier performance is measured by the fraction of particles that impact and penetrate a barrier material. BASE (CHEMICAL) A hydroxide-containing corrosive material that, when in a water solution, is bitter, more or less irritating or caustic to the skin. A chemical compound that reacts with an acid to form a salt. The term is applied to the hydroxides of the metals, to certain metallic oxides, and to groups of atoms containing one or more hydroxyl groups (OH-) in which hydrogen is replaceable by an acid radical. Sodium hydroxide is an example of a base. See Alkaline. BASE METAL Any of the metals on the lower end of the electrochemical series. Examples are aluminum and magnesium. BATF (BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS) A division of the U.S. Department of Treasury; regulates the storage, handling, and transportation of explosives. BATTALION A fire department subdivision consisting of all fire service equipment and personnel in a designated geographical area. The battalion chief is the senior officer. BDO (BATTLE DRESS OVERGARMENT) Multi-piece suit used by the military for protection against chemical warfare agents. BEAM The main structural member of a ladder supporting the rungs and rung blocks. BEAM RAISE Raising a ladder on the side of either beam instead of on both beams. BED LADDER The lowermost section of a multi-section ladder. BED LADDER PIPE Non-telescoping section of pipe, usually 3 or 3 1/2 inches (77 mm or 90 mm) in diameter, attached to the underside of the bed section of the aerial ladder for the purpose of deploying an elevated master stream. BELLY VALVE Any type of tank valving located on the bottom of the tank. BETA RAYS Smaller than alpha rays, beta radiation is made up of electrons. BIG LINE A line of 21/2-inch or larger diameter fire hose especially when used as a handline. BIG STICK A mechanically raised main ladder on an aerial ladder truck. Originally aerial ladders were constructed of wood and the term "big stick" was applied to the main bed of the aerial ladder. BILL OF LADING A shipping paper for transportation by highway. This paper is typically the bill of sale and can give very valuable information about the exact weights and contents of containers and the shipper and consignee of the shipments. BIO-REGULATORS Bio-chemicals that regulate bodily functions. Bio-regulators that are produced by the body are termed "endogenous." Some of these same bio-regulators can be chemically synthesized. BIOACCUMULATION Absorption and storage of toxic chemicals from the environment in an organism, usually in body fat. BIOCHEMICALS The chemicals that make up or are produced by living things. BIOHAZARD Infectious agents presenting a risk or potential risk to living organisms, either directly through infection or indirectly through disruption of the environment. Those organisms that have a pathogenic effect on life and the environment and can exist in normal ambient environments. These hazards can represent themselves as disease germs, and viruses. BIOLOGICAL AGENTS Biological materials that is capable of causing acute or long-term damage to living organisms. BIOLOGICAL MONITORING The chemical analysis of chemicals or metabolites, or both, from a worker's blood, urine, fingernails, sweat, breath, etc. BIOLOGICAL WARFARE The intentional use of biological agents as weapons to kill or injure humans, animals, or plants, or to damage equipment. BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS Living organisms or the materials derived from them that cause disease in or harm humans, animals, or plants, or cause deterioration of material. Biological agents may be used as liquid droplets, aerosols, or dry powders. BIPYRIDYLS A group of synthetic organic pesticides that include the herbicide paraquat. BIRD Jargon or nickname for communications satellite. BLACKOUT (also, blacken) As the flame is extinguished, the fire is said to be blacked out. To "knock down" a fire; to reduce a fire by extinguishing all visible flame. See Knock Down. BLAST AREA The area affected by the blast wave from an explosion. BLASTING AGENT A material designed for blasting which has been tested in accordance with Sec. 13.114a (49 CFR). It must be so insensitive that there is very little probability of accidental explosion or going from burning to detonation. BLEEDER VALVE Valve on a gate intake that allows air from an incoming supply line to be bled off before allowing the water into the pump. BLEVE See Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. BLEVE (BOILING LIQUID-EXPANDING VAPOR EXPLOSION) A major container failure, into two or more pieces, at a moment in time when the contained liquid is at a temperature well above its boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure. BLISTERING AGENTS (VESICANTS) These toxic warfare chemical agents, which include mustard (agent HD) and lewisite (agent L), destroy skin and eyes on contact, and if ingested or inhaled, destroy internal tissues as well. Mustard is insidious because of the delayed onset of symptoms, where as lethal effects are immediate. Mustard is a systemic poison, causing damage to the internal organs and structures of the body, and a carcinogen. A chemical warfare agent which produces local irritation and damage to the skin (vesicant) and mucous membranes, pain and injury to the eyes, reddening and blistering of the skin, and when inhaled, damage to the respiratory tract. Substances that cause blistering of the skin. Exposure is through liquid or vapor contact with any exposed skin (eyes, skin, lunge). BLOOD AGENTS Substances that injure a person by interfering with cell respiration (the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between blood and tissues). A chemical warfare agent, which is inhaled and absorbed into the blood. The blood (cyanogen) carries the agent to all body tissues where it interferes with the tissue oxygenation process. BLOOD ASPHYXIANT A chemical that is absorbed by the blood and changes or prevents the blood from flowing or carrying oxygen to cells. An example is carbon monoxide poisoning. BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGEN A pathogenic microorganism that is present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. OSHA 29CFRI910.1030 is the regulation covering the protection of workers from blood-borne pathogens. BLOW DOWN VALVE A manually operated valve whose function is to quickly reduce tank pressure to atmosphere. BMCS (BUREAU OF MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY) Under the Federal Highway Administration of DOT. Responsible for establishing regulations for in-service motor vehicles and their operators (drivers). BNC CONNECTOR A weatherproof twist- lock coax connector standard on commercial video equipment and used on some brands of satellite receivers. BODY FLUID Any liquid produced, secreted or excreted by the human body. BODY FLUID SIMULANT A liquid that is used to act as a model for human body liquids. BODY MEASUREMENT In anthropometry, a standardized distance between two specified points on the human anatomy. BOILER A steam-generating unit used aboard a ship to provide steam for propulsion. A boiler is also used for heating as well as other auxiliary purposes. BOILING LIQUID EXPANDING VAPOR EXPLOSION (BLEVE) A container failure with a release of energy, often rapidly and violently, that is accompanied by a release of gas to the atmosphere and propulsion of the container or container pieces due to an overpressure rupture. The explosion associated with the sudden failure of a container whose contents is a flammable liquefied compressed gas. Typically a BLEVE is due to flame impingement, which causes an increased pressure inside the vessel and a weakening of the vessel material. Upon rupture, the pressure inside the vessel is immediately reduced to atmospheric pressure. At atmospheric pressure, the contents of the vessel instantly boil and vaporize. The vapors of the material occupy several hundred times the space that the liquid had required. This produces a quickly expanding vapor cloud that can be ignited causing a massive explosion and fireball BOILING POINT The temperature at which the vapor pressure of a liquid equals the atmospheric pressure. The boiling point is an indicator of the vapor pressure of a substance. A liquid with a low boiling point (less than 100 degree F (37.7 degree C) has a higher vapor pressure. The temperature at which the transition from the liquid to the gaseous phase occurs. At this temperature, vapor pressure of a liquid now equals the surrounding atmospheric pressure so that the liquid rapidly becomes a vapor. Flammable materials with low BPs generally present special fire hazards (i.e., butane, BP = 31 •F). BOILOVER The overflow of a flammable liquid from its container because of excessive heat or improper application of water. BONNET A cover or cap to cover the openings in valve assemblies. BOOBY TRAP A bomb or chemical arrangement designed to explode or react when an object is pushed, moved, or grasped. Booby traps are commonly found in clandestine drug labs to eliminate evidence of illicit activity. BOOM To confine, extend, move, or manipulate (by means of logs or the like) a body of water. A long spar projecting from a ship used variously to extend the foot of a sail or facilitate handling of cargo or mooring. The horizontal part of a crane. BOOMING The process of containing a spilled material on waterways, especially those that float on the surface of water, such as oil. BOOSTER HOSE A reinforced, rubber-covered, rubber-lined fabric hose. Booster hose is generally carried on apparatus on a mounted reel and is used for the initial attack and for extinguishing incipient and smoldering fires. BOOSTER PUMP A pump with less than 500 gallons per minute rating; usually an auxiliary to other pumps on fire apparatus. Used to supply water through booster hose. Fire pump used to boost the pressure of the existing water supply within a fixed fire protection system. BOOSTER REEL A mounted reel on which booster hose is carried. BOOTIE An extension of protective apparel that covers the foot. Unless specifically constructed with a durable sole, booties should be worn on the inside of durable shoes or boots. BOOTS Specially designed firefighter's rubber boots are required, to complete a set of protective clothing, or bunker gear. BOTTOM LOADING A method of placing materials into a tank from the bottom. Usually accomplished by use of a belly valve. BOUND SEAM A seam construction in which a seam material is sandwiched by an extra strip of fabric during sewing. BOURDON TUBE A thin, curved, hollow, pressure-sensitive tube that is found in some pressure gauges and operates the needle of the gauge. Part of a pressure gauge that has a curved, flat tube that changes its curvature as pressure changes. This movement is then transferred mechanically to a pointer on the dial. BOX A public or private fire alarm box. BOYLE'S LAW When the temperature and mass of a gas are kept constant, the product of the pressure and volume is equal to a constant. Boyle's Law states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at a given temperature. This law relates to the compressibility of gas and the effect of temperature and volume on the pressure in a pressurized container. BRAKE HOSES A flexible conductor for the transmission of fluid pressure in the brake system. BRAKE LIMITING VALVE Valve that allows the vehicle's brakes to be adjusted for the current road conditions. BRAKING DISTANCE Distance the vehicle travels from the time the brakes are applied until it comes to a complete stop. BRANCH That organizational level within the Incident Management System having functional /geographic responsibility for major segments of incident operations (e.g., Hazmat Branch). The Branch level is organizationally between Section and Division/Sector/Group. BRASS Brasswork or brass appliances carried on fire apparatus. BREACH An opening made in a wall to permit rescue, operation of hoselines, or for other reasons. The physical action of breaking or damaging a container. BREAK A LINE To disconnect hoselines for any purpose; especially to break and roll up hose after a fire operation; to disconnect a hose coupling. BREAKING STRENGTH The effort required to break a garment sample. BREAKOVER ANGLE Angle formed by level ground and a line from the point where the rear tires of a vehicle touch the ground to the bottom of the frame at the wheelbase midpoint. BREAKTHROUGH TIME The elapsed time between initial contact of the hazardous chemical with the outside surface of a barrier, such as protective clothing material, and the time at which the chemical can be detected on the inside surface of the material. Refers to permeation testing of chemical-resistant suit materials (from one side to the other). "Break-through" will vary over time and with exposure to different chemicals and suit materials. BREATHABILITY The ability of air to flow through a material. Airflow is a more effective principal cooling mechanism with clothing fabrics. Moisture vapor transport rate (MVTR), a measure of the static water vapor diffusion rate, is sometimes mistakenly represented as a measure of breathability BREATHER VENT A small vent in an otherwise airtight enclosure for maintaining equality of pressure within and without. Examples are oil tanks, transformers, crankcases or instrument cases. BREATHING EQUIPMENT Normally used to describe self-contained breathing equipment consisting of air or oxygen tank, connecting hoses, regulators, and facepiece. BRICK-JOISTED Brick or masonry wall structure with wooden floors and roof joists. BRIDGE To place a ladder so as to span a gap between two structures. A hose bridge to prevent damage to the hose by traffic passing over it. The process of spanning a space. A ship’s structure, topside and usually forward, that contains control and visual communication stations. BRIDGE GUN See line gun. BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU) The amount of heat necessary to raise one pound of water, one degree Fahrenheit in temperature from 63 degrees F to 64 degrees F. BROADBAND A device that processes a signal(s) spanning a relatively broad range of input frequencies. BROKEN STREAM Stream of water that has been broken into coarsely divided drops. BRUSH APPARATUS Fire department apparatus designed specifically for fighting wildland fires. Also called Booster Apparatus, Brush Patrol, Brush Pumper, and Field Unit. BUDDY SYSTEM A means of organizing employee work groups whereby each participant is matched with another so that prompt assistance can be rendered in the case of any emergency. A system of organizing employees into work groups in such a manner that each employee of the work group is designated to be observed by at least one other employee in the work group (29 CFR 191 0.1 20(a)(3)). BUFF A person, other than firefighters who is interested in fires, fire departments, and firefighters. BUGLES Insignia depicting early speaking trumpets and used to designate the rank of fire department personnel. BUILDING CODES There are several building codes that are widely adopted throughout the United States: The Southern Standard Building Code, The Uniform Building Code, and The Basic Building Code. The National Building Code, and The Building Official Conference of America (BOCA). The purpose of the building codes is to regulate the safe Construction of buildings. BULK CONTAINER A cargo container, such as that attached to a tank truck or tank car, used for transporting materials in bulk quantity. BULK FACILITY A location or plant that stores or manufactures large quantities of chemicals (such as fuels). BULK PACKAGING Bulk packaging has an internal volume greater than 119 gallons (450 liters) for liquids, a capacity greater than 882 pounds (400 kg) for solids, or a water capacity greater than 1,000 pounds (453.6 kg) for gases. It can be an integral part of a transport vehicle (e.g., cargo tank truck, railroad tank car, and barges), packaging placed on or in a transport vehicle (e.g., portable tanks, intermodal portable tanks, ton containers), or fixed or processing containers. BULK PLANT OR TERMINAL A facility with the primary purpose of distribution of gas that receives propane by tank car, tank truck, or piping, and distributes this gas to the end user by portable container delivery, by tank truck, or through gas piping. Such plants have bulk storage of at least 2,000 gallons (7.6 m3) water capacity or more and have container filling and truck loading facilities on the premises. BULK TANK A storage container that holds large quantities of product, usually in excess of 2,000 gallons. BULKHEAD A structure used to protect against damage caused by shifting cargo and/or to separate loads. A name given to any vertical partition which separates different compartments or spaces from one another, such as on a ship or in a tank. BUMPER LINE Pre-connected hoseline located on the apparatus bumper. BUNG A cap or screw used to cover the small opening in the top of a metal drum or barrel. A stopper or cap to close the side or top of a drum or barrel. BUNK A firefighter's bed. BUNKER CLOTHES (also, turnout clothes) An entire set of firefighter's protective clothing. BUNKROOM The dormitory area in which firefighters sleep. BURNING POINT A temperature point at which a material evolves sufficient vapors that when ignited will continue to burn. See Flash Point. BURNING, PHASES OF A fire normally progresses through three distinct phases of burning or stages of burning: incipient, free burning, smoldering; newer terms include incipient, steady state, decay state. BURNOUT A building that has been denuded of almost all-combustible material as a result of fire. BURNS, DEGREES OF First degree: reddened skin; second degree: blisters; third degree: deep skin destruction. Major types of burns: heat, chemical, electrical, and radiation. The degree of burns traditionally classified according to the depth of tissue damage that is produced. BUTT One coupling of a fire hose; a hydrant outlet; the heel (lower end) of a ladder; also, the act of steadying a ladder that is being climbed. BUTT WELD A joint between two abutting members lying approximately in the same plane. A welded butt joint may contain a variety of grooves. BUTTERFLY VALVES A type of control valve used in water supply distribution systems. Type of control valve that uses a flat baffle operated by a quarter-turn handle. BUTYL RUBBER A synthetic rubber used in chemical protective suits. A material commonly used in the manufacture of chemical protective clothing. A synthetic rubber, made by the copolymerization of butylene with butadiene or isoprene. |
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