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Glossary N.B.C. Nuclear, Biological and Chemical. N.O.S. Not Otherwise Specified. NARCOSIS Stupor or unconsciousness produced by chemical substances. NATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLAN Policies and procedures that the Federal Government follows in implementing responses to hazardous substances. NATIONAL ELECTRIC CODE A standard for electrical activity prepared by the NFPA National Electrical Code Committee for the purpose of safeguarding persons and buildings. The standard contains basic minimum provisions considered necessary for safety. NATIONAL FIRE CODES A series of volumes, published by the National Fire Protection Association, containing the current standards prepared by various committees and adopted by the association. NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) A nonprofit educational and technical association devoted to the protection of life and property from fire through the development of fire protection standards and public education. Located in Quincy, Massachusetts devoted to protecting life and property from fire by developing fire protection standards and educating the public. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH) A Federal agency, which, among other activities, tests and certifies respiratory protective devices, air-sampling detector tubes, and recommends occupational exposure limits for various substances NATIONAL INTERAGENCY INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIIMS) A standardized systems approach to incident management that consists of five major subdivisions collectively providing a total systems approach to all-risk incident management. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA) Agency responsible to serve as scientific support coordinator for a federal on-scene coordinator. Assists in oil spill and air toxins modeling and meteorological monitoring and oceanic research. NATIONAL PESTICIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK (NPTN) The 24-hour national hotline (1-800/858-PEST) operated by the Texas Tech University School of Medicine providing toll-free information about pesticide safety, application, chemistry, and toxicology to callers in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Questions are answered directly or via next day mail. NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER (NRC) A communications center operated by the United States Coast Guard, headquarters located in Washington, D.C. It provides information on suggested technical emergency actions, and must be notified within 24 hours of any spill of a reportable quantity of a hazardous substance by the spiller. NATIONAL STANDARD THREAD (NST) Screw thread of specific dimensions for fire service use as specified in NFPA 1963, Standard for Fire Hose Connections. NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD (NTSB) Independent federal agency charged with responsibility for investigating serious accidents and emergencies involving the various modes of transportation (e.g., highway, pipeline, air), as well as hazardous materials. Issues investigation reports and nonbinding recommendations for action. NECROSIS Death in a particular part of a living tissue. NEMATICIDE A pesticide used to control nematodes. NEOPRENE Any of a group of synthetic rubbers made from chloroprene. It is superior to natural rubber in oil resistance, etc. NEPHROTOXIC A chemical that is injurious to the kidneys. NERVE AGENTS Compared with industrial chemicals, these very toxic, lethal chemical warfare agents, which include tabun (agent GA); sarin (agent GB), soman (agent GD) and agent VX, are liquid at room temperature but evaporate fast enough to create toxic vapor clouds in confined areas. The most volatile agent, sarin, evaporates about as quickly as water. These agents are cholinesterase inhibitors that interfere with nerve impulse transmission; hence the term "nerve gases." These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. Substances that interfere with the central nervous system. Exposure is primary through contact with the liquid (skin and eyes) and secondarily through inhalation of the vapor. Three distinct symptoms associated with nerve agents are: pinpoint pupils, an extreme headache, and severe tightness in the chest. NET PRESSURE See Net Pump Discharge Pressure. NET PUMP DISCHARGE PRESSURE (NPDP) Actual amount of pressure being produced by the pump. When taking water from a hydrant, it is the difference between the intake pressure and the discharge pressure. When drafting, it is the sum of the intake pressure and the discharge pressure. (NOTE: Intake pressure is credited for lift and intake hose friction loss and is added to the discharge pressure.) Also called Net Pressure or Engine Pressure. NEUROTOXIC A substance that negatively affects the nervous system. NEUROTOXIN A chemical injurious to the nervous system. NEUTRALIZATION The process by which acid or alkaline properties of a solution are altered by addition of certain reagents to bring the hydrogen and hydroxide concentrations to equal value (pH 7 is neutral). NEWTON The force required to impart an acceleration of one meter per second to a mass of one kilogram. NFPA Chemical Protective Standards: Developed by the NFPA's Committee on Fire Service Protective Clothing and Equipment, these three standards (NFPA 1991, 1992 and 1993) provide performance requirements for chemical protective clothing garment materials, gloves, footwear and visors. NFPA 1991 Standard on Vapor-Protective Suits for Hazardous Chemical Emergencies. This standard is the most demanding of the three NFPA standards on chemical protective clothing. NFPA 1992 Standard on Liquid Splash-Protective Suits for Hazardous Chemical Emergencies. NFPA 1993 Standard on Support Function Protective Clothing for Hazardous Chemical Emergencies.NFPA 704 National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 704, which describes a system for marking hazardous materials as to their health hazard, flammability, and reactivity. NHTSA (NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION) A branch of DOT that is responsible for establishing motor vehicle safety standards and regulations for new vehicles. Formerly called National Highway Safety Bureau (NHSB). NIOSH (NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY NIOSH is one of the Centers for Disease Control. Conducts accident investigation, makes recommendations to improve worker safety. NITROPHENOLS Synthetic organic pesticides containing carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen that are used as wood preservatives, fungicides, or disinfectants. Affect liver and central nervous system in the human body. NOAA See National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . NOISE An unwanted signal that interferes with reception of the desired information. NOMEX A fire resistant material typically used in the manufacture of firefighting clothing. NON-AMBULATORY A patient not capable of walking; bedridden. NON-CENTER SILL See Silless. NON-COMBUSTIBLE Incapable of combustion under normal circumstances (a connotation generally associated with liquids or solids). NON-CONFORMING APPARATUS Apparatus that does not conform to the standards set forth by NFPA standards. NON-FERROUS CONTAINER A container that does not contain heavy metals such as iron, chrome, nickel, or copper. These type containers are typically made of plastic or synthetic fibers. NON-FLAMMABLE Incapable of combustion under normal circumstances (a term normally used when referring to liquids or gases). NON-FLAMMABLE GAS A compressed gas not classified as flammable. NON-INTERVENTION TACTICS Essentially "no action." It is useful at certain fire emergencies where the potential costs of action far exceed any benefits (e.g., violent container failure scenario). NON-LIQUIFIED GAS One that is entirely gaseous at a temperature of 70 degrees F (21.11 degrees C). NON-PERSISTENT AGENT An agent that upon release loses its ability to cause casualties after 10 to 15 minutes; has a high evaporation rate and is lighter than air and will disperse rapidly; is considered to be a short-term hazard. However, in small-unventilated areas, the agent will be more persistent. NON-WOVEN Technical textile term used to refer to any fabric that is not woven or knitted, such as unidirectional fabrics and felts. NONBULK PACKAGING Any packaging having a capacity meeting one of the following criteria:
In an open-loop test, the time at which the permeation rate reaches 0.1 ug/cm2lmin. In a closed-loop test, the time at which the mass of chemical permeated reaches 0.25 ug/cm2. NOZZLE An appliance on the end of a discharge hoseline to give a fire stream a definite shape and direction. NOZZLE MAN An individual assigned to operate a fire department nozzle. NOZZLE PRESSURE Velocity pressure at which water is discharged from the nozzle. NOZZLE REACTION The force or thrust directed backward from a nozzle tip as a result of the force of the water being expelled out of the nozzle; counterforce directed against a person holding a nozzle or a device holding a nozzle by the velocity of water being discharged; roughly one pound of nozzle reaction is produced for every two GPM flowing from an open orifice; the human body can withstand approximately 125 PSI nozzle reaction; expressed in formulas as NR. NPTN See National Pesticide Telecommunications Network. NRC See National Response Center. NRTL (NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED TESTING LABORATORIES) OSHA certifies the NRTL for testing safety equipment and environmental samples. NURSE TANKER A water tank truck used to supply a pumper or other equipment at a fire; a very large mobile water supply apparatus that is stationed at the fire scene and serves as a portable reservoir rather than as a shuttle tender. Also called Nurse Tender. |
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