|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glossary D O D U .S. Department of Defense. D O E U.S. Department of Energy. D O J U.S. Department of Justice. DAM A physical barrier used to reduce a quantity of liquid flowing into the environment. Materials used to make dams are concrete, earth, and other barriers temporarily or permanently constructed to hold back the spill or leak. DAMAGE ASSESSMENT Evaluation of the degree of actual or imminent destruction of a hazardous materials incident. DANGEROUS CARGO MANIFESTS A cargo manifest used on ships that contains a list of all the hazardous materials on board, including their location. A list of the hazardous materials carried as cargo on board a vessel and the location of the hazardous material on the vessel kept with the captain. DANGEROUS WHEN WET Materials that when exposed to water allow a chemical reaction to take place and often produce flammable or poisonous gases, heat, and a caustic solution. An example is sodium and water. DEA Abbreviation for the Drug Enforcement Agency. DEAD-END HYDRANT Fire hydrant that receives water from only one direction. DEAD-END MAIN A water main supplied from only one direction, usually resulting in poor flow. Water main that is not looped and in which water can flow in only one direction. DEBRIDEMENT The cleansing of a wound by cutting away dead or infected tissue, foreign matter, etc. DEBRIEFING An element of incident termination which focuses on the following factors:
Metric prefix for 10 1, 10.0, abbreviated DA. DECI Metric prefix for 10-1, 0.1, abbreviated D. DECK (SHIP) A floor or platform extending from side to side and often from end to end of a ship. The upper, main, middle, and lower decks of a ship are somewhat like the stories of a house. Often the upper deck has no roof over it. DECK GUN See Turret Pipe/ Deck Pipe. DECK PIPE One of several master stream appliances, a deck pipe is mounted on a fire department pumper of a fireboat and connected directly to the pump. Deck pipes are sometimes referred to as deck guns or turret pipe. DECKING The material used in constructing a deck. DECOMPOSITION Breaking down of a substance to a less complex form. This can be accomplished by the introduction of heat, through the addition of neutralized chemicals, or through biodegradation. DECON Popular abbreviation referring to the process of decontamination. DECONTAMINATION The process of making any person, object, or area safe by absorbing, destroying, neutralizing, making harmless, or removing the hazardous material. Physical or chemical means to remove, deactivate or destroy hazardous materials in the surface and in the matrix of protective clothing. In the case of hazardous material emergencies, a preliminary decontamination is done near the scene to allow the wearer to safely remove a chemical protective garment. However, before the exposed garment can be worn again, it must be thoroughly decontaminated to remove any chemical that may have been absorbed into the protective barrier. The physical and/or chemical process of reducing and preventing the spread of contamination from persons and equipment used at a hazardous materials incident. DECONTAMINATION CORRIDOR An exit passageway usually located at the edge of the exclusion zone (hot zone) where decontamination takes place. It leads to the cold zone. DECONTAMINATION SHOWER An emergency shower common to industrial facility locations to remove product contamination. DEFENSIVE TACTICS These are less aggressive spill and fire control tactics where certain areas may be "conceded" to the emergency, with response efforts directed toward limiting the overall size or spread of the problem. DEFIBRILLATION The use of direct current electric shock to terminate ventricular fibrillation and restore effective cardiac function. DEFLAGRATION The intense burning rate of some explosives; black powder being one example, fireworks. To burn intensely. A chemical reaction producing vigorous evolution of heat and sparks or flame and moving through the material (as black powder or smokeless powder) at a speed less than that of sound. The rate of oxidation is less than 1000 feet per second. A major difference among explosives is the speed of the reaction. DEFOLIANT A herbicide used to remove unwanted plant growth without killing the whole plant. DEGRADATION An unfavorable change in a protective clothing material. This includes a change in color, embrittlement, cracking or hole formation. Just because a material does not degrade in the presence of a chemical does not necessarily mean it provides protection. See Chemical Resistance. DEGRADATION (CHEMICAL) The molecular breakdown of the spilled or released material to render it less hazardous. DEGRADATION (SUIT) A chemical action involving the physical breakdown of protective clothing materials due to contact with a chemical. DEGREE OF HAZARD A relative measure of how much harm a substance can do. DEGREE OF SOLUBILITY An indication of the solubility and/or miscibility of the material. Negligible&emdash;less than 0.1% Slight&emdash;0.1 to 1.0% Moderate&emdash;1 to 10% Appreciable&emdash;greater than 10% Complete&emdash;soluble at all proportions DEHYDRATION The removal of water. DELUGE SYSTEM A fire protection sprinkler system in which the sprinkler heads are always open. The system is controlled by a valve that is operated automatically or by a thermostatically actuated device. DENSITY OF MATERIALS A term used to denote the weight by unit volume of a substance. The density of any body is obtained by dividing the weight by the volume. DENT Deformation in container metal caused by impact with a relatively blunt object. DEODORIZING Action taken to remove the odor and contaminants from an atmosphere following a fire. See Fogging Devices. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SPECIFICATION Tank car specification consisting of a class designation followed by identifying letters and numbers. The second set of numerals, where present, indicates tank test pressure in psi, followed by type of tank material and lining or thermal protection that may be present. In all classes except Classes 103, 104, and 113, the two number series are separated by an "A" which has no special significance. Specification markings may be as simple as DOT-103 or as detailed as DOT-111 A60ALW1. DESICCANT A substance, such as silica gel, that removes moisture (water vapor) from the air to maintain a dry atmosphere in containers of food or chemical packaging. DESORPTION The reverse process of absorption. The agent will be “removed” from the surface (out gassing). DESUITING The removing of chemical protection equipment. See Doffing. DETECTION LIMIT A number, expressed in units of concentration (or amount), that describes the lowest concentration level (or amount) that an analyst can determine to be different from an analytical blank (background level). DETONATION A wave that passes along the body of an explosive, instantaneously converting the explosive into gas, e.g., dynamite. An explosion at speeds above 3,300 feet per second. DEW POINT The temperature at which air, by cooling, becomes saturated with vapor, and droplets begin to form. DEWATERING The process of removing water, especially by draining or pumping. DIFFERENTIAL DRY-PIPE VALVE A valve in dry-pipe sprinkler systems in which air pressure is used to hold the valve closed and thus holds the water back. DIFFERENTIAL MANOMETER Device whose primary application is to reflect the difference in pressures between two points in a system. DIKE A physical barrier used as a defense against the flowing of a liquid material into the environment. Refers to concrete, earth, and other barriers temporarily constructed to hold back the spill or leak. See Dam. DILUENT Any liquid or solid material used to carry or dilute an active ingredient. DILUTION The application of water-to-water miscible hazardous materials. The goal is to reduce the hazard of a material to safe levels-by reducing its concentration. DILUTION FACTOR Dilution of contaminated air with uncontaminated air in a general area, room, or building for the purpose of health hazard or nuisance control, and/or for heating and cooling. DIP STICKS Method of gauging using a measuring pole inserted in the tank to determine the depth of liquid in the tank. Then, using the appropriate innage/outage tables, the amount of commodity in the tank is determined. DIP TUBE Installed for pressure unloading of product out the top of the tank. DIRECT CONTAMINATION The process whereby a spilled or released material physically contacts a person or thing. This is referred to as primary contamination. DIRECT PUMPING SYSTEM Water supply system supplied directly by a system of pumps rather than elevated storage tanks. DIRECT-READING INSTRUMENTS A portable device that measures and displays, in a short time period, the concentration of a contaminant in the environment. DIRTY Equipment contaminated by exposure to chemicals. DISCHARGE VELOCITY Rate at which water travels from an orifice. DISINFECTANT A pesticide that controls germs. The destruction of disease germs. DISPERSION The spreading, scattering, or diffusing of a substance through air, soil, surface, or groundwater. DISPLACEMENT Volume or weight of a fluid displaced by a floating body of equal weight; amount of water forced into the pump thus displacing air. DISTILLATION Going from the liquid to gaseous to liquid state. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM That part of an overall water supply system that receives the water from the pumping station and delivers it throughout the area to be served. DISTRIBUTOR NOZZLE Nozzle used to create a broken stream that is usually used on basement fires. DIVERSION A term that can apply to a dam or dike used to change the flow direction of a liquid. DIVISIONS As used in NFPA 70&emdash;The National Electric Code, describe the types of location that may generate or release a flammable material. There are two divisions: Division I&emdash;Location where the vapors, dusts, or fibers are continuously generated and released. The only element necessary for a hazardous situation is a source of ignition. Division II&emdash;Location where the vapors, dusts, or fibers are generated and released as a result of an emergency or a failure in the containment system. DOFFING The process of taking off or removing (chemical protective clothing, etc.). DOME The circular fixture on the top of a tank cat that contains valves and relief devices. DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION Water consumed from the water supply system by residential and commercial occupancies. DON To put on an article of clothing. DONNING The process of putting on (chemical protective clothing, etc.). DOSAGE The concentration of a chemical agent in the atmosphere (C) multiplied by the time (t) the concentration remains, expressed as mg-min/m. The dosage (Ct) received by a person depends upon how long he is exposed to the concentration. That is, the respiratory dosage in mg-min/m is equal to the time in minutes as individual is unmasked in an agent cloud multiplied by the concentration of the cloud. The dosage is equal to the time of exposure in minutes of an individual’s unprotected skin multiplied by the concentration of the agent cloud. DOSE The amount of substance ingested, absorbed and/or inhaled per exposure period. The accumulated amount of a chemical to which a person is exposed. DOSIMETER Designed for measuring accumulated exposure doses of gamma radiation to emergency response personnel. DOT (DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION) The administrative body of the executive branch of the federal government responsible for transportation policy, regulations, and enforcement. Regulates transportation of materials to protect the public as well as fire, law, and other emergency-response personnel. DOT 103 The classification of an insulated or uninsulated nonpressure tank car with an expansion dome of 1%. Can be constructed of carbon steel, aluminum, nickel, or alloy steel. A bottom outlet or washout is allowed, depending on specification. DOT 104 The classification of an insulated carbon steel, nonpressure tank car with a minimum expansion dome of 2%. Bottom outlet and washout are optional. DOT 105 The classification of an insulated pressure tank car designed for top loading and unloading. May be constructed of carbon steel or aluminum alloy. No bottom outlet or washout; only one opening in tank. DOT 111 The classification of an insulated or uninsulated nonpressure tank car without an expansion capacity built into the tank. These tanks have varied fittings according to specification. This tank car is the most common one in service. DOT 112 The classification of an uninsulated carbon steel pressure tank car designed for top loading and unloading. Bottom outlet and washout are prohibited. Thermal protection is designed to meet specific criteria. DOT 113 The classification of an insulated vacuum tank car for cryogenic service having an inner container and carbon steel outer shell. The insulation system is designed for protection for thirty days, not protection from fire (thermal). DOT 114 The classification similar to the DOT 112 class, except bottom outlets and washouts are allowed. DOT 115 The classification of a tank car with an inner tank, a layer of polyurethane insulation (supporting the inner tank) and an outer tank constructed of carbon steel. Bottom washout and outlets are optional. DOUBLES Trailer combination consisting of a truck trailer, semi trailer, and a full trailer coupled together. Formerly called double trailer or double bottom. DOWNWIND DISTANCE The distance a toxic agent vapor cloud will travel from its point of origin, with the wind. DRAFT Process of obtaining water from a static source into a pump that is above the source's level. Atmospheric pressure on the water surface forces the water into the pump where a partial vacuum had been created. The level below the waterline on a ship. DRAFT MARKS Various marks required by law to be painted at the bow and stern of a ship to show how much water it draws. Also on bridges to show clearance and changes in water levels. DRAFTING PIT An underground reservoir of water usually located at a training center for the purpose of drafting water with a pumper. DRAG A procedure of dragging hooks through water when conducting a search for drowned victims. DRAIN VALVE Valve on a pump discharge that facilitates the removal of pressure from a hoseline after the discharge has been closed. DRILL SCHEDULE A schedule for the training of firefighters or fire companies in manipulative skills. DRILL TOWER A training structure used by training personnel to develop realistic fire service situations. Normally over three stories. DRIVER REACTION DISTANCE Distance a vehicle travels while a driver is transferring the foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal after perceiving the need for stopping. DRIVER/OPERATOR See Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator. DRUG LAB Often referred to as a clandestine laboratory, an illegal site for the manufacture of chemicals or drugs. DRUM A cylindrical packaging made of metal, plastic, fiberboard, plywood, or other suitable materials used for containerizing liquids and solids. Metal and plastic drums can vary in size up to 23 inches in diameter and 34 inches high. Drums are sometimes called buckets, cans, or pails. DRY BULK A type of container used to carry large amounts of solid materials (more than 882 pounds, or 400 kilograms). It can either be placed on or in a transport vehicle or vessel constructed as an integral part of the transport vehicle. DRY CHEMICAL A special fire-extinguishing chemical, sodium or potassium bicarbonate or monosodium phosphate power, usually available from semi-fixed or portable extinguisher. Suitable for combating appropriately sized Class B and C fires. A term applied to an extinguishing agent suitable for use on flammable liquids and electrical fires. DRY HOSELINE Hoseline without water in it; an un-charged hoseline. DRY HYDRANT Permanently installed pipe that has pumper suction connections installed at static water sources to speed drafting operations. DRY PARTICULATES Micron-sized dry chemicals or materials. DRY POWDER A term applied to the extinguishing agent suitable for use on combustible metals. DRY STANDPIPE SYSTEM Standpipe system that has closed water supply valves or that lacks a fixed water supply. DRY-BARREL HYDRANT Fire hydrant that has its opening valve at the water main rather than in the barrel of the hydrant. When operating properly, there is no water in the barrel of the hydrant when it is not in use. These hydrants are used in areas where freezing could occur. DUAL PUMPING Operation where a strong hydrant is used to supply two pumpers by connecting the pumpers intake-to-intake. The second pumper receives the excess water not being pumped by the first pumper, which is directly connected to the water supply source. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as tandem pumping. DUMMY COUPLER A fitting used to seal the opening in an air brake hose connection (gladheads) when the connection is not in use; a dust cap. DUST EXPLOSION An explosion of any combustible dust. Dust explosions generally are a cause-effect phenomenon that are, in fact, two explosions. A small explosion or shock wave creates additional dust in an atmosphere and the second and larger explosion is a result of the dust formed by the first explosion. |
home | community | join NCFD | apparatus | firehouse | photos | links All material herein Copyright © 2002 - 2009 New City Fire Engine Company No. 1 All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited Site designed/produced by Eric Weisler |