|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glossary H.A.D. (HEAT ACTUATING DEVICES) Thermostatically controlled devices used to activate fire equipment, alarms, or appliances. HALF FACE RESPIRATOR A respirator, which covers the nose, mouth, and chin. The mask consists of purifying elements such as filters, chemical cartridges, or canisters that can be attached directly or by use of a breathing hose, depending on the size and weight. HALF LIFE The period of time required for any radioactive substance to lose half of its strength or reduce by one-half its total present energy. The length of time it takes for one-half of a given amount of radioactive substance to change into the next element. HALLIGAN TOOL A metal forcible entry tool of many uses. HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS The compounds formed when the atoms of the halogens replace the atoms of hydrogen in simple hydrocarbons. Many halogenated hydrocarbons can be used as extinguishing agents. HALOGENS The name given to the family of elements that includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. A chemical family that includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. HALON Halogenated extinguishing agent. Halon extinguishes fires by inhibiting the chemical reaction of fuel and oxygen. Halogenated hydrocarbons (contain the element F, Cl, Br, or l) used to suppress or prevent combustion. See Tetrahedron. HALYARD Rope used with extension ladders to extend the fly sections. HANDLINE Small hoselines that can be handled and maneuvered without mechanical assistance. HARD SLEEVE See Hard Intake Hose. HARD SUCTION HOSE Also see Hard Intake Hose. HATCH PLAN A schematic drawing of the location of all cargo on a ship. HAZARD A circumstance or condition that can do harm. Hazards are catorized into four groups: biological, chemical, radiation and physical. HAZARD AND RISK EVALUATION Evaluation of hazard information and the assessment of the relative risks of a hazmat incident. Evaluation process leads to the development of Incident Action Plan. HAZARD ASSESSMENT The determination of the lack of safety or degree of risk based on all integral parts of an exposure situation, including the characteristics of the chemicals) to which one is exposed and the conditions that determine degree of exposure. A process used to qualitatively or quantitatively assesses risk factors to determine incident operations. HAZARD CLASS A group of materials, as designated by the Department of Transportation, that share a common major hazardous property, i.e., flammable liquids, explosives gases, oxidizers, radioactive materials, corrosives, flammable solids, poisonous and infectious substances, and dangerous substances. One of nine classes of hazardous materials as categorized and defined by the Department of Transportation in 49 CFR. HAZARD COMMUNICATION (HAZCOM) OSHA regulation (29 CFR 1910.1200) which requires hazmat manufacturers to develop MSDSs on specific types of hazardous chemicals and provide hazmat health information to both employees and emergency responders. HAZARD CONTROL ZONES The areas at a hazardous materials incident that are designated based upon the degree of hazard. Many terms are used to describe these zones; however, for the purposes of this text, these zones are defined as the Hot, Warm and Cold zones. HAZARD EVALUATION The impact or risk the hazardous substance poses to public health and the environment. HAZARDOUS Capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health and safety (Dept. of Transportation). Capable of doing harm. HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL Either a chemical that can cause chronic or acute harm upon exposure or a chemical listed in a specific EPA, OSHA, FDA, USDA or DOT regulation. HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EMERGENCY Any emergency involving a hazardous chemical. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL A substance or material in a quantity or form that may pose an unreasonable risk to health and safety, or property, when transported in commerce. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL EMERGENCY An uncontrolled or unexpected release of a hazardous material. HAZARDOUS MATERIAL FOAM A special vapor suppressing mix which can be applied to liquids or solids to prevent off-gassing . HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE TEAM (HMRT) An organized group of trained response personnel operating under an emergency response plan and appropriate standard operating procedures who handle and control actual or potential leaks or spills of hazardous substances requiring possible close approach to the material. The team members respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous materials for the purpose of control or stabilization of the incident. An HMRT may be a separate component of a fire brigade or a fire department or other appropriately trained and equipped units from public or private agencies. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPECIALISTS Individuals who respond and provide support to Hazardous Materials Technicians. While their duties parallel those of the Technician, they require a more detailed or specific knowledge of the various substances they may be called upon to contain. Would also act as a liaison with federal, state, local and other governmental authorities in regard to site activities. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TECHNICIANS Individuals who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous materials for the purposes of stopping the leak. They generally assume a more aggressive role in that they are able to approach the point of a release in order to plug, patch, or otherwise stop the release of a hazardous substance. HAZARDOUS SAMPLE Samples that are considered to contain high concentrations of contaminants. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE 1) A material and its mixtures or solutions that is identified by the letter "E" in column (1) of the Hazardous Materials Table, 49 CFR 172.101, when offered for transportation in, one package or in one transport vehicle if not packaged, and when the quantity of the material therein equals or exceeds the reportable quantity. 2) Any substance designated pursuant to Section 31 1 (b)(2)
Any material that is subject to the hazardous waste manifest requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency specified in 40 CFR, Part 262 or would be subject to these requirements in the absence of an interim authorization to a State under 40 CFR Part 123, Subpart F. HAZARDOUS WASTE MANIFEST The shipping document, originated and signed by the uniform (EPA Usage) waste generator or an authorized representative, that contains the information required and must accompany shipments of hazardous waste. (40 CFR 262, Subpart B.) HAZWOPER (HAZARDOUS WASTE OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE) The OSHA regulation regarding the protection of worker health and safety in situations exposing them to hazardous materials. This includes cleanup operations; remediation after cleanup; hazardous waste disposal; treatment or storage; or response to a hazardous material emergency. The regulation also includes a section on training, documentation and personal protective equipment and clothing. HEAD The front and rear closure of a tank shell; water pressure due to elevation. For every 1-foot increase in elevation, 0.434 psi is gained (for every 1 meter increase in elevation, 10 kPa is gained). Also called Head Pressure. HEAD END The portion of a TV system where all desired signals are received and processed for subsequent distribution. HEAD PRESSURE Pressure resulting from the elevation of water: 0.434 psi per foot of elevation. Same as Back Pressure. HEAD SHIELDING Devices built into the jacket while others are visible either as "half head" or trapezoidal shaped plate of steel mounted on both ends of the tank car. Applied to the lower portion of both heads (some may cover the entire head) to protect them against punctures. HEALTH HAZARD A chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence that acute or chronic health effects may occur in an exposed human population. The term "health hazard" includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. HEAT Heat is a form of energy measured in degrees of temperature to signify its intensity. The quality or condition of being hot; high temperature. The sensation or perception of hotness or warmth as by the effect produced with contact or nearness to fire. HEAT CRAMP A muscle cramp accompanied by pain and nausea, caused by loss of salt and water through excessive perspiration. HEAT EXHAUSTION A condition caused by excessive exposure to heat and characterized by a cold, clammy skin and general symptoms of shock; heat prostration. HEAT OF FUSION The quantity of heat that must be supplied to a material at its melting point to convert it completely to a liquid at the same temperature. HEAT RASH An eruption on the body typically with little or no temperature elevation: prickly, heat. HEAT STRESS The strain placed on the body as it attempts to cope with excess internal heat. A physical, chemical, or emotional factor (as trauma or fear) to which an individual fails to make a satisfactory adaptation. It causes physiologic tensions that may be a contributory cause of disease. The state or condition of strain and especially of intense constraining forces due to excessive heat exposure. HEAT STROKE Severe exhaustion and collapse or sudden illness caused by overexposure to heat, as from the infrared rays of the sun. HEAT TRANSFER The movement and dispersion of heat. See Law of Heat Flow. HEAT-AFFECTED ZONE Area in the undisturbed tank metal next to the actual weld material. This area is less ductile than either the weld or the steel plate due to the effect of the heat of the welding process. This zone is most vulnerable to damage as cracks are likely to start here. HEATING TUBE A tube installed inside a tank used to heat the contents. Also may be called "fire tube". HEAVY DUTY APPLIANCES Master stream equipment with large tips generally fed by two or more separate hoselines. HEAVY METALS High-density metallic elements that may demonstrate health hazards as a result of exposure and may contribute to contamination of the environment, including chromium (Cr); beryllium (Be); lead (Pb); mercury (Hg); zinc (Zn); copper (Cu); cadmium (Cd); and others HEAVY RESCUE VEHICLE Large rescue vehicle that may be constructed on a custom or commercial chassis. Additional equipment carried by the heavy rescue unit includes A-frames or gin poles, cascade systems, larger power plants, trench and storing equipment, small pumps and foam equipment, large winches, hydraulic booms, large quantities of rope and rigging equipment, air compressors, and ladders. HEAVY STREAM A large stream too heavy for conventional manual operation. A stream of 400 gpm or more. See Master Stream. HECTO A metric prefix for 10 2. 100.0, abbreviated h. HEEL The base of a ladder; the heel plates. To steady a ladder that is in a raised position. HEELPLATE A metal reinforcement at the heel end or butt end of a ladder, generally shaped to give the ladder more stability. HELMET The regulation protective headwear for firefighters. HELMET SHIELD The insignia or plaque fastened to the front of the firefighter's helmet and that generally displays the name of the city, department, initials, unit, or rank. Also, a clear protective plastic shield attached to a helmet to protect the face of the firefighters. HEMATOPOLETIC Referring to the process of blood formation in the body. HEMISPHERICAL HEAD A head that is half a sphere in shape. Used on MC-331 high -pressure tanks. HEPATOXIN A chemical that is injurious to the liver. HERBICIDE Pesticide that controls plant life. HERTZ An abbreviation for the frequency measurement of one cycle per second. Named after Heinrich Hertz, the German scientist who first described the properties of radio waves. HIGBEE CUT A special type of thread arrangement that is cut at the beginning of the thread to provide positive identification of the first thread and to eliminate cross threading. HIGBEE INDICATORS Notches or grooves cut into coupling lugs to identify by touch or sight the exact location of the Higbee cut. HIGH-CARBON STEEL A steel alloy with more than 0.7% carbon. Characterized by high hardness and low tensile strength. Ideal combination of properties for bearing applications where wear resistance is important and the compressive loading minimizes brittle fracture that might develop on tensile loading. This material is used in over 90% of tank cars today. HIGH-EXPANSION FOAM Detergent-base foam that expands in ratio of 1,000 to 1. A special generator that normally uses some type of fan or blower projecting the foam solution against a screen makes the finished foam. HIGH-ORDER EXPLOSIVE Materials that require moderate heat and reducing agents to initiate combustion. HIGH-PRESSURE CONTAINER A container designed to withstand pressures from 100 to 3,000 psi. HIGH-PRESSURE FOG Fog stream operated at pressures above 400 psi. Fog stream operated at high pressures and discharged through small diameter hose. HIGH-PRESSURE HOSE Hose leading from the air cylinder to the regulator; may be at cylinder pressure or reduced to some lower pressure. HIGH-PRESSURE NOZZLE Fire stream nozzle that is designed to be operated in excess of the 100 psi (700 kPa) to which ordinary fog nozzles are designed. HIGH-RISE BUILDING Any building that requires firefighting methods other than ground-based operations. HIGH-STRENGTH, LOW-ALLOY (HSLA) A lightweight, high-strength corrosion-resistant metal typically an aluminum- or magnesium-based alloy. The versatility and low specific gravity of these materials has made them very popular for structural applications in aircraft, transportation, materials-handling, portable-tool, and equipment industries. HIGH-TEMPERATURE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING Protective clothing designed to protect the wearer against short-term high-temperature exposures. Includes both proximity suits and fire entry suits. This type of clothing is usually of limited use in dealing with chemical exposures. HIGH-VALUE DISTRICT A section of a city in which valuable property is located and in which additional companies and apparatus would be needed to combat a fire. HITCH A loop of rope that secures the rope but is not part of a standard rope knot. A connecting device at the rear of a vehicle used to pull a trailer with provision for easy coupling. HOLD The interior of a ship below decks (cargo deck of a ship), or the interior of a plane (cargo compartment). A place of temporary refuge or shelter. HOOK Curved metal devices installed on the tip end of roof ladders to secure the ladder to the highest point on the roof of a building. Plaster hooks on a device resembling a pike pole are also required for pulling down plaster and ceilings. HOOK AND LADDER A term for the ladder truck. HOOKING UP Connecting a fire department pumper to a hydrant and to the discharge hose. HOPPER Sloping panels at bottom of tank that direct dry bulk solids to the outlet piping. HOPPER CAR A freight car, either open or covered, designed for handling bulk commodities such as coal or grain. Hopper cars have floor sheets that slope from the car sides and ends to form a series of pickets, or hoppers, which when opened, can discharge the bulk lading by gravity through hopper doors operated from outside the car. HORSESHOELOAD Hose loaded around the periphery of the hose bed compartment in the form of a horseshoe. HOSE BED Main hose-carrying area of a pumper or other piece of apparatus designed for carrying hose. Also called Hose Body. HOSE BELT A belt or strap with a metal device attached to the end, used for securing and handling charged hoselines. Also Hose Strap. HOSE BODY The main hose compartment of a pumper or other piece of apparatus designed for carrying hose. Also Hose Bed. HOSE BRIDGE A device placed astride hose to permit traffic to pass over. HOSE CLAMP Mechanical or hydraulic device used to compress fire hose to stop the flow of water. HOSE CONTROL DEVICE Device used to hold a charged hoseline in a stationary position for an extended period of time. HOSE COUPLINGS Metal fasteners used to connect fire hose together. HOSE DRYER An enclosed cabinet containing racks on which fire hose is placed to be dried. HOSE HOIST A metal device having roller that can be placed over a windowsill or roof's edge to protect a hose and make it easier to hoist. HOSE RACK Racks for storing and drying fire hose. HOSE RAISE (also factory raise) A method of raising a fire department extension ladder in line with several windows so individuals can simultaneously escape from more than one floor. HOSE REEL Cylinders around which fire hose may be manually or mechanically rolled to keep it neat and orderly. HOSE TOWER A part of a fire station or a building designed so fire hose can be hung vertically to drain and dry. HOSE TUBE A housing used on tank and bulk commodity trailers for the storage of cargo-handling hoses. Also called Hose Troughs. HOST An animal or plant that harbors or nourishes another organism. HOT TAPPING An offensive technique used by highly qualified specialists for welding on and cutting holes through liquid and/or compressed gas vessels and piping for the purposes of relieving the internal pressure and/or removing the product. Hot tapping is not performed on MC-330/331 cargo tank trucks. HOT ZONE An area immediately surrounding a hazardous materials incident that extends far enough to prevent adverse effects from hazardous materials releases to personnel outside the zone. This area is also referred to as the "exclusion zone," the "red zone" and the "restricted zone" in other documents. HOUSE LIGHTS The lights throughout the fire station that are controlled from the alarm or watch desk, making it possible to illuminate the entire station in the event of an emergency. HOUSE WATCH (also phone watch) In a fire station, maintaining the alarm center for a prescribed period of time HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (HHW) Hazardous materials, such as paints, pesticides, motor oil and batteries, that require careful storage and proper disposal. HUM BARS A form of interference seen as horizontal bars or black regions passing across the field of a television screen. HYDRANT ADAPTER An adapter, fitting, or coupling for connecting hose or pumper intake hose to a fire hydrant. HYDRANT PRESSURE Amount of pressure being supplied by a hydrant without assistance. HYDRANT WRENCH A specially designed tool used to open or close a hydrant and to remove hydrant caps. HYDRATION The combining of a substance with water. HYDRAULICS The study of the use and movement of fluids at rest and in motion. Operated, moved, or effected by means of water; of or relating to water or other liquid in motion; operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a quantity of liquid is forced through a comparatively small orifice or through a tube; branch of fluid mechanics dealing with the mechanical properties of liquids and the application of these properties in engineering. HYDROCARBONS Combinations of hydrogen and carbon that form many different compounds. Petroleum products and natural gas are mixtures of several different hydrocarbons. HYDROLYSIS The reaction of any chemical substance with water by which decomposition of the substance occurs and one or more new substances are produced. HYGROSCOPIC A substance, such as silica gel, that has the property of absorbing moisture from the air. HYPERGOLIC A chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer that causes immediate ignition on contact without the presence of air. An example is the contact of red fuming nitric acid and UDMH (unsymmetrical dimethyl hydrazine). Two chemical substances that spontaneously ignite upon mixing. A term used to describe two substances that spontaneously ignite upon mixing. HYPERGOLIC MIXTURES Certain fuels and oxidizers that will ignite on contact with each other without an ignition source. HYPOVOLEMIA An abnormally decreased volume of circulating fluid (plasma) in the body. HYPOVOLEMIC CARDIOVASCULAR INSUFFICIENCY A condition pertaining to or characterized by hypovolemia. HYPOVOLEMIC SHOCK The failure of tissue perfusion caused by a deficient fluid volume in the body. |
home | community | join NCFD | apparatus | firehouse | photos | links All material herein Copyright © 2002 - 2010 New City Fire Engine Company No. 1 All rights reserved. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited Site designed/produced by Eric Weisler |