|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glossary OCCLUSION The physical process of covering a chemical that has been applied to or spilled on the skin, thereby disallowing its evaporation and generally increasing its absorption through the skin. OCCUPANCIES The classifications given to structures for the National Building Code by the American Insurance Association. These include assembly, business, education, high hazard, industrial, institutional, mercantile, residential, and storage. ODOR A quality of something that affects the sense of smell; fragrance. ODOR THRESHOLD The lowest concentration in the atmosphere that can be detected by the human sense of smell. Often, this is a poor indicator of toxicity risk. The greatest dilution of a sample with odor-free water to yield the least definitely perceptible odor. OFF-LOADING VALVE An outlet valve for the discharge of product. OFF-SITE Presence outside of the worksite. OFF-SITE SPECIALIST EMPLOYEE A Those persons who are specially trained to handle incidents involving chemicals and/or containers for chemicals used in their organization's area of specialization. Consistent with the organization's response plan and standard operating procedures, the Off-Site Specialist Employee A shall have the ability to analyze an incident involving chemicals within the organization's area of specialization, plan a response to that incident, implement the planned response within the capabilities of the resources available, and evaluate the progress of the planned response. OFF-SITE SPECIALIST EMPLOYEE B Those persons who in the course of their regular job duties work with or are trained in the hazards of specific chemicals and/or containers for chemicals used in their individual area of specialization. Because of their education, training, or work experience, the Off-Site Specialist Employee B may be called upon to gather and record information, provide technical advice, and provide technical assistance (including work within the hot zone) at an incident involving chemicals consistent with their organization's emergency response plan and standard operating procedures and the local emergency response plan. OFF-SITE SPECIALIST EMPLOYEE C The Off-Site Specialist C should be able to provide information on a specific chemical or container and have the organizational contacts needed to acquire additional technical assistance. This individual need not have the skills or training necessary to conduct control operations. This individual is generally found at the command post ,providing the IC or their designee with technical assistance. OFFENSIVE TACTICS Aggressive leak, vapor control, and fire control tactics designed to quickly control or mitigate the problem. Although increasing risks to emergency responders, offensive tactics may be justified if rescue operations can be quickly achieved, if the spill can be rapidly confined or contained, or if the fire can be quickly extinguished. OFFICER Any member of the fire service with supervisory responsibilities, company-officer level and above. OFFSET FEED A feed that is offset from the center of a reflector for use in satellite receiving systems. Most PWPL antennas have offset feeds. OIL Any of numerous mineral, vegetable and synthetic substances and vegetable and animal fats that is generally slippery, combustible, viscous, liquid or liquefiable at room temperature. OIL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS-TECHNICIAN ASSISTANCE DATA SYSTEM (OHM- TADS) Organization within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provides information on some hazardous substances to emergency teams responding to spills. OLFACTORY Pertaining to the sense of smell. ON-SCENE INCIDENT COMMANDER (See Incident Commander.) ON-SITE Presence within the boundaries of the worksite. ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT) A system of training firefighters in which personal contact of the firefighter with the immediate supervisor is used to the fullest. Placing the trainee physically and psychologically in the position the trainee will be performing. OPACITY The capacity to obstruct the transmission of radiant energy such as heat. OPEN HEAD SYSTEM A fire protection sprinkler system having open heads without fusible links and controlled by a valve that may be operated manually or by a thermostatic device. OPEN-UP To ventilate a smoke-filled building or room to aid in the advance of hoselines and extinguishment of the fire and to avoid concentration of the unburned heated smoke and gases. Also used in reference to forcible entry. OPERATIONS SECTION Responsible for all tactical operations at the incident. The Hazmat Branch falls within the Operations Section. ORAL TOXICITY Adverse effects resulting from taking a substance into the body through the mouth. ORDINANCE Weaponry, guns, or armaments. ORGANIC A material that comes from living plants or animals, such as waste or decay products. Distinguished from mineral matter. For chemical purposes, organic chemistry deals with materials that contain the element carbon (C). ORGANIC CHEMISTRY The branch of chemistry that deals with compounds containing carbon. ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Compounds principally made of carbon in combination with hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen. Generally, organic compounds are found in living organisms. ORGANIC PEROXIDE Strong oxidizers, often chemically unstable, containing the -0-0- structure; react readily with solvents or fuels, resulting in an explosion or fire. Any organic compound containing oxygen (O) in the bivalent -O-O- structure and which may be considered a derivative of hydrogen peroxide, where one or more of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by organic radicals. ORGANIC VAPOR ANALYZER A type of monitoring equipment used to detect hydrocarbon and hydrocarbon derivatives. May also be referred to as a FID or flame ionization detector. ORGANISM Any individual living thing, whether animal or plant. ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS (CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS) Synthetic organic pesticides that contain chlorine, carbon, and hydrogen. These pesticides affect the central nervous system. Examples; DDT and Endrin. ORGANOPHOSPHATES Synthetic organic pesticides that contain carbon, hydrogen and phosphorous; toxic to humans because they prevent proper transmission of the nerve impulses; a compound with a specific phosphate group which inhibits acetycholinesterase; used in chemical warfare and as an insecticide. Examples include Parathion and Malathion. ORGANOPHOSPHORUS COMPOUND A compound, containing the elements phosphorus and carbon, whose physiological effects include inhibitation of acetylcholinesterase. Many pesticides (malathion and parathion) and virtually all nerve agents are organophosphorus compounds. ORMS (OTHER REGULATED MATERIALS) Materials that do not meet the definition of hazardous materials, but possess enough hazardous characteristics that they require some regulation. OS&Y VALVE A type of outside screw and yoke valve used on piping or in pits connected to sprinkler systems. The position of the stem shows the valve to be either open or closed. OSHA (OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION) OSHA is an agency within the Department of Labor responsible for regulations of safety in the workplace. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120 Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. These civilian standards for protection against chemical warfare agents are more stringent than military standards. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 Addresses specific requirements for eye and face protection. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.135 Addresses specific requirements for head protection. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.136 Addresses specific requirements for foot protection. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138 Addresses specific requirements for hand protection. OSHA PPE STANDARD This standard is contained in 29 CFR 1910, Subpart 1, and includes General Requirements (.132); Eye and Face Protection (.133); Respiratory Protection (.134); Head Protection (.135); Occupational Foot Protection (.136); Electrical Protective Devices (.137); Hand Protection (.138); and Non-Mandatory Compliance Guidelines for Hazard Assessment and PPE Selection (Appendix B). Other OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Regulations have specific paragraphs dealing with PPE, including HAZWOPER (.120); Blood-Borne Pathogens (.130); Electrical Safety (.335); Welding, Cutting and Brazing (.252); and Electrical Power Generation (.269). OSHA TECHNICAL MANUAL This manual serves as a guidance document for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers in current occupational safety and health technical procedures and information. It also provides safety professionals with technical information and guidance to promote hazard recognition and the establishment of sound safety and health programs. OUT-OF-SERVICE DAMAGE Equipment rendered incapable of performing adequately due to defectiveness or uncleanliness. OUTAGE The space left in a vessel filled with a flammable liquid. OUTLET VALVE The valve farthest downstream in tank piping system, to which the discharge hose is attached. OUTRIGGER Structural load-carrying members attached to and extending outward from the main longitudinal frame members of a trailer; stabilizers for elevating apparatus. OUTSIDE SPRINKLER A sprinkler system with open heads, automatically or manually operated, to protect a structure or window openings against a severe exposure hazard. Also called Water Curtain. OUTSIDE STANDPIPE A standpipe riser on the exterior of a building and equipped with a fire department siamese connection. OVA Abbreviation for Organic Vapor Analyzer OVERHAULING A process involving the final extinguishment of embers after the main body of a fire has been extinguished; searching for any hidden remaining trace of fire or embers; determining the cause of the fire and preserving any evidence of arson. OVERPACK The act of putting a smaller container into a bigger one to prevent product leakage; often used for product transport or disposal after a hazardous materials incident has occurred. The larger of two containers of which the smaller fits into the larger/ the larger can be sealed. OVERPRESSURE SHUT-OFF DEVICE A device that shuts off the flow of LP-Gas vapor when the outlet pressure of the regulator reaches a predetermined maximum allowable pressure. OVERTURN PROTECTION For fittings on top of a tank in case of rollover. May be combined with flashing rail or flashing box. OXIDATION The act or process of oxidizing; to combine a substance with oxygen. OXIDIZER A chemical, other than a blasting agent or explosive, that initiates or promotes combustion in other materials, thereby causing fire either of itself or through the release of oxygen or other gases; any substance that will oxidize. Most oxidizers are compounds of oxygen. Fluorine, chlorine, and bromine are elements that are also used as oxidizers. Also referred to as an oxidizing agent, causes another substance to lose electrons. Oxygen is the most common oxidizer in our environment. Oxidizers are said to be reduced when they gain the electrons lost by the material, which they are oxidizing. OXIDIZING MATERIAL A substance that yields oxygen readily stimulates the combustion of organic matter and inorganic matter. OXYGEN DEFICIENCY Insufficient oxygen to support life or flame; atmospheric lower limits of 16 percent oxygen is needed for flame production and supporting human life. Defined by OSHA as ambient air containing less than 19.5% oxygen concentration. OXYGEN ENRICHED Defined by OSHA as ambient air containing above 23.5% oxygen concentration. OXYGENATOR A simplified, convenient oxygen administration system for home use where prolonged administration of oxygen is necessary. See Inhalator. |
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 |