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Glossary RADIATION Heat transfer by electromagnetic waves. RADIATION HEAT The transmission of heat through the medium of heat rays. See conduction and convection. RADIATION, NUCLEAR Nuclear radiation is the product of a process known as radioactivity, and is the emission of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. RADIATOR FILL LINE A small waterline leading from the fire pump to the radiator of the apparatus, used to refill the radiator during periods of pumping at a fire scene. RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) The approximately 10 kHz to 100 GHz electromagnetic band of frequencies used for man-made communication. RF signals are modulated signals, generally carried on coaxial cables. RADIO SYSTEMS REGULATIONS FCC rules that govern the operation of radio systems. RADIOACTIVE Capable of spontaneously emitting ionizing radiation. RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Any material, or combination of materials, that spontaneously emits ionizing radiation and has a specific activity greater than 0.002 microcuries per gram. Those materials that emit ionizing radiation. RADIOACTIVITY The process whereby isotopes of certain elements spontaneously emit particles and/or rays from radioactive materials. Any process by which unstable nuclei increase their stability by shooting out particles (alpha or beta) or gamma rays. RADIOISOTOPES Artificially radioactive elements. RAIL BURN A deformation in the shell of the tank. Actually a long dent with a gouge at the bottom of the inward dent. Rail burn can be oriented circumferentially or longitudinally in relation to the tank shell. The longitudinal ones are more serious because they have the tendency to cross a weld. Generally caused by the tank passing over a stationary object, typically a railhead or wheel flange. RAIL TRUCK The complete assembly of parts including wheels, axles, bearings, side frames, bolster, brake rigging, springs, and all associated connecting components, the function of which is to provide support, mobility, and guidance to a railcar. RAISE Any one of a variety of accepted methods of raising and placing into service fire ladders. RAPID INTERVENTION VEHICLE (RIV) Small, quick-response fire fighting vehicle carrying at least 600 gallons (2400 L) of water for producing AFFF, in addition to at least 500 pounds (225 kg) of either dry chemical or Halon 1211. RAPPEL A method of descending by means of a rope passed under one thigh, across the body, and over the opposite shoulder. RATE OF ACTION The rate at which the body reacts to or is affected by a chemical substance or material. RATE OF DETOXIFICATION The rate at which the body can counteract the effects of a poisonous chemical substance. RATE OF EXPLOSION Rate of decomposition measured in feet per second in relation to the speed of sound. If subsonic, the rate is described as a deflagration. If supersonic, the rate of decomposition is defined as a detonation. RATE OF HYDROLYSIS The rate at which the various chemical agents or compounds are decomposed by water. RATE OF RISE ALARM SYSTEM One of the systems installed for detecting fire by an abnormal rate of increase of heat; operates when a normal amount of air in a pneumatic tube expands rapidly when heated and exerts pressure on diaphragms. RATING BUREAU See Insurance Services Office (ISO). RCA CONNECTOR A standard push-on connector used most frequently with baseband audio and video signals. REACTION, CHEMICAL Any change in the composition of matter that involves a change in the chemical energy of the substances involved. REACTIVE MATERIALS Substances capable of or tending to react chemically with other substances. REACTIVITY The degree of ability of one substance to undergo a chemical combination with another substance. RECALL To call off-duty firefighters back to the fire station. RECON Abbreviation for reconnaissance. An exploratory or preliminary survey, inspection, or examination made to gain information. RECONNAISSANCE (RECON) A primary survey to gather information. REDUCER COUPLINGS Couplings with a large and small connector for connecting hose couplings of two different sizes. REDUCING AGENT A fuel that becomes chemically changed in the oxidizing process. A substance that gives electrons to (and thereby reduces) another substance. The reducing agent is thus oxidized since it loses electron. Fuels are reducing agents. REDUCING WYE Wye that has two outlets smaller in diameter than the inlet valve. Sometimes called a Leader Line Wye. REED VAPOR PRESSURE Equilibrium pressure exerted by vapor over the liquid at I 00 degrees F (37.78 degrees C) as expressed in pounds per square inch absolute, as defined in 46 CFR 30.10-59. REEFER A common slang term for a Refrigerator Car. REFRIGERATION UNIT Cargo space cooling equipment. REGULATED MATERIAL A substance or material that is subject to regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, or any other federal agency. REHYDRATION The state or condition of becoming a hydrate again (supplied with water). REID VAPOR PRESSURE The pressure exerted by the vapors released from an oil at a given temperature when enclosed in an airtight container. REINFORCING RINGS Those rings placed around a container to make it stronger to withstand additional force and weight. An example is rings found on an MC-312, which carry heavy corrosive materials in transport. REKINDLE The re-ignition of a fire because of latent heat, sparks, or smoldering embers; can be prevented by proper overhaul. RELATIVE HUMIDITY The percentage of moisture in the air compared with the maximum amount of moisture that air will hold at a given temperature. RELAY The use of two or more pumpers to move water over distances that would require excessive pressures if only one pumper were employed. RELAY EMERGENCY VALVE A combination valve in an air brake system, which controls brake application and which also provides for automatic emergency brake application should the trailer become disconnected from the towing vehicle. RELAY OPERATION Using two or more pumpers to move water over a long distance by operating them in series. Water discharged from one-pumper flows through hoses to the inlet of the next pumper, and so on. Also called Relay Pumping. RELAY VALVE Pressure-relief device on the supply side of the pump designed to protect the hose and pump from damaging pressure surges common in relay pumping operations. RELAY VALVE, IN-LINE Special valve that is inserted in the middle of a long relay hose; allows an additional pumper to connect to the line to boost pressure without having to interrupt the current flow of water. RELAY-SUPPLY HOSE Hose between the water source and the attack pumper, laid to provide large volumes of water at low pressure. Also called Feeder Line or Supply Hose. RELEASE The escape of a material from its container. RELIEF VALVE A spring-loaded device used to bypass water in a pump when pressures exceed preset operating pressures; designed to eliminate hazardous conditions resulting from excessive pressures by allowing this pressure to bypass to the intake side of the pump. REMEDIAL ACTIONS As in the National Contingency Plan, responses to releases on the National Priority List that are consistent with permanent remedy to prevent or mitigate the migration of a release of hazardous substances into the environment. REMEDIATION In environmental situations, this term refers to the removal, disposal, deactivation, neutralization, entombment or decontamination of hazardous materials from a contaminated parcel of land. REPORTABLE QUANTITY As set forth in the Clean Water Act, the minimum amount (pounds or kilograms) of a substance that may be discharged in a 24 hour period that require notification of the appropriate government agency. REPORTING MARKS AND NUMBER The set of initials and a number stenciled on both sides and both ends of railroad cars. These markings can be used to obtain information on the contents of the car from either the railroad or the shipper. RESCUE The saving of a life from fire or accident; the removal of a victim from an untenable or unhealthy atmosphere; to conveying a victim to a place of safety. RESCUE PUMPER Specially designed apparatus that combines the functions of both a rescue vehicle and a fire department pumper. RESIDUE A material remaining in a package after its contents have been emptied and before the package is refilled or cleaned and purged of vapor to remove any potential hazard. Whatever remains after a part is taken; the remainder. RESOURCES All of the immediate or supportive assistance available to help control an incident; including personnel, equipment, control agents, agencies and printed emergency guides. RESPIRATOR A device usually worn over the nose and mouth to prevent a person from inhaling harmful substances in contaminated air. RESPIRATORY ASPHYXIANT A material that prevents or reduces the available oxygen necessary for normal breathing. Divided into simple and chemical asphyxiants. RESPIRATORY DOSAGE This is equal to the time in minutes an individual is unmasked in an agent cloud multiplied by the concentration of the cloud. RESPIRATORY PROTECTION Equipment designed to protect the wearer from the inhalation of contaminants. Respiratory protection is divided into three types: positive pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), positive pressure airline respirators (SARs), and air purifying respirators. RESPONDER UNIT Emergency medical unit that carries first aid and/or advanced life support equipment but is not equipped for patient transport. RESPONSE ACTIVITIES Activities taken to recognize, evaluate and control an incident. Also known as response activities. RESPONSE OPERATIONS Same as Response Activities. RETROFIT EXTERNAL FLOATER A bulk liquid storage tank of floating roof design, fitted with a weather protective cover. RHINORRHEA A runny nose. RICKETTSIA Any of a family (Rickettsiaceae) of pleomorphic rod-shaped nonfilterable microorganisms that cause various diseases (as typhus). RISK The probability that an unwanted event (harm) will occur. RISK ANALYSIS A process to analyze the probability that harm may occur to life, property, and the environment and to note the risks to be taken to identify the incident objectives. RISK ASSESSMENT The use of factual base to define the health effects of exposure of individuals or populations to hazardous materials and situations. RISK MANAGEMENT The process of weighing policy alternatives and selecting the most appropriate regulatory action integrating the results of risk assessment with engineering data and with social and economic concerns to reach a decision. RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS Required under EPA's proposed 40 CFR Part 68, risk management programs consist of three elements: (1) hazard assessment of the facility; (2) prevention program; and (3) emergency response considerations. RO/RO VESSEL Roll On/Roll Off vessel. A transport vessel in which the cargo is on or in a motorized container such as a car ferry. ROAD TESTS Pre-service apparatus maneuverability tests designed to determine the road-worthiness of a new vehicle. ROLL OVER PROTECTION Any of various types of structural design that limits or protects the container in an accident such as the metal railings around the manways on top of a tank truck. ROLLOVER Condition that occurs when a portion of the fire gases trapped at the upper level of a room ignites, spreading flame across the ceiling of the room. Also called Flameover. ROTARY GEAR POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMP Type of positive displacement pump commonly used in hydraulic systems. The pump imparts pressure on the hydraulic fluid by having two intermeshing rotary gears that force the supply of hydraulic oil into the pump casing chamber. ROTARY GUAGE A gauge for determining the liquid level in a pressurized tank. ROTARY VANE PUMP Type of positive displacement pump used commonly in hydraulic systems. A rotor with attached vanes is mounted off-center inside the pump housing. Pressure is imparted on the water as the space between the rotor and the pump housing wall decreases. ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT Commonly referred to as a helicopter. Unlike a conventional airplane, lift is provided by the use of rotating wings, acting as airfoils. These airfoils are sometimes called blades. ROUTES OF EXPOSURE The manner in which a chemical contaminant enters the body. Ways in which chemicals get in contact with or enter the body. These are inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, or injection. RQ Abbreviation for Reportable Quantity. An amount of a substance that, if released into the environment, must be reported to EPA’s National Response Center (NRC), as well as to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and the community emergency coordinator for areas likely to be affected by the release. Reportable quantity amounts vary for different chemicals. RTECS (REGISTRY OF TOXIC EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES) A chemical database available through the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland. RUNAWAY CRACKING Cracking occurring in closed containers under pressure, such as liquid drums or pressure vessels. A small crack in a closed container suddenly develops into a rapidly growing crack which circles the container. As a result, the container will generally break into two or more pieces. RUNNING LIGHTS Marker, clearance, and identification lights required by regulations. RUNWAY A strip of land having a hard surface on which aircraft take off and land. A suspended horizontal walkway. RUPTURE DISK A safety device in the form of a metal disk that closes the relief channel under normal conditions. The disk bursts at a set pressure to permit the escape of gas. |
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