|
F |
|
Face
nail |
To install nails into the vertical face of a
bearing header or beam. |
|
Face
piece |
The portion of a self-contained
breathing apparatus that fits over the face by means of an adjustable
harness. It may or may not have the regulator attached to it. |
|
Faced
concrete |
To finish the front and all vertical sides of
a concrete porch, step(s), or patio. Normally the "face" is broom finished. |
|
Facilities
unit |
Functional Unit within the Support Branch of the Logistics Section
that provides fixed facilities for the incident. These facilities may
include the Incident Base, feeding areas, sleeping areas, sanitary
facilities, etc. |
|
Facing
brick |
The brick used and exposed on the outside of
a wall. Usually these have a finished texture. |
|
Failure |
Distortion, breakage, deterioration, or other
fault in an item, component, system, assembly, or structure that results in
unsatisfactory performance of the function for which it was designed. |
|
Failure analysis
|
A logical, systematic examination of an item,
component, system, assembly, or structure and its place and function in a
system, to identify and analyze the probability, causes, and consequences of
potential and real failures. |
|
Fall down
|
The spread of fire by the dropping or falling
of burning materials. Synonymous with Drop Down |
|
False
alarm |
An alarm for which no fire existed or for
which the Fire Department response was unnecessary or due to accidental
operation of fire alarm devices or a malicious act. |
|
False
ceiling |
An additional suspended ceiling below the true original ceiling
forming a concealed space. |
|
False
front |
An additional facade on a building applied after the
original construction or for decoration that creates a concealed space. |
|
Fascia |
Horizontal boards attached to rafter/truss
ends at the eaves and along gables. Roof drain gutters are attached to the
fascia. |
|
FAST (Firefighter Assist and
Safety Team) Truck |
A FAST truck is a company of firefighters
(usually from a truck or rescue company) whose sole function at a fire is to
stand by in case a firefighter becomes injured or trapped and needs
assistance. The company assigned to the FAST truck is usually a highly
trained group and reports only to the incident commander. In some
departments, this group is call a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team). |
|
Fast
attack |
Fast attack is when the first arriving engine company attacks the
fire using water carried in the booster tank, relying on the second company
to secure a water supply. This tactic is used when the fire is in its first
stages and most likely can be controlled until additional help arrives. |
|
Fast attack
mode |
When the first arriving unit at a fire makes an offensive attack on
the fire. |
|
FD
|
Fire Department |
|
FDIC (Fire Department
Instructors Conference) |
Annual meeting of fire department officials. |
|
Federal
Siren |
The electric siren that emits the loud, long,
high pitched squeal that is heard almost continuously while the apparatus is
in motion. It is used in conjunction with the quieter (relatively) two tone,
yelp sirens. Majority of these are manufactured by Federal Signal
Corporation. Also has been referred to as a "Federal Q" |
|
Feeder |
A line used for water supply. Usually 4" or
5" LDH. Also known as a supply line. Common fire ground orders are to "lay a
line" |
|
Felt |
Tar paper. Installed under the roof shingles.
Normally 15 lb. or 30 lb. |
|
FEMA
|
Federal Emergency Management
Agency |
|
Ferrule |
Metal tubes used to keep roof gutters "open".
Long nails (ferrule spikes) are driven through these tubes and hold the
gutters in place along the fascia of the home. |
|
FHA strap
|
Metal straps that are used to repair a
bearing wall "cut-out", and to "tie together" wall corners, splices, and
bearing headers. Also, they are used to hang stairs and landings to bearing
headers. |
|
FHWA |
Federal Highway Administration; the DOT
division concerned with highway construction and usage. Other similar
divisions of DOT relate to air, rail, and water transportation. |
|
Field Operations Guide
(FOG) |
A pocket-size manual of instructions on the
application of the Incident Command System. |
|
Fifth wheel |
A device used
to connect a truck tractor or converter dolly to a semi trailer in order to
permit articulation between the units. It generally is composed of a lower
part consisting of a trunnion, plate, and latching mechanism mounted on the
truck tractor (or dolly) and a king pin assembly mounted on the semi
trailer. |
|
Fifth wheel pickup ramp
|
A steel plate designed to lift the front end
of a semi trailer to facilitate engagement to the kingpin into the fifth
wheel. |
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|
Fill
hose |
A short section of hose carried
on apparatus equipped with booster tanks to fill the tank from a hydrant or
another truck. |
|
Fill
opening |
An opening in top of a tank used for filling
the tank. Usually incorporated in a manhole cover. |
|
Fill
valve |
An inlet valve assembly used for loading
product into a tank. |
|
Finance/Administration
Section |
The Section responsible for all incident costs and financial
considerations. Includes the Time Unit, Procurement Unit,
Compensation/Claims Unit, and Cost Unit. |
|
Finger
joint |
A manufacturing process of interlocking two
shorter pieces of wood end to end to create a longer piece of dimensional
lumber or molding. Often used in jambs and casings and are normally painted
(instead of stained). |
|
Fire |
The rapid oxidation of
combustible materials accompanied by a release of energy in the form of heat
and light. Also, referred to as combustion. |
|
Fire
alarm |
An audible or visual signal
indicating a hostile fire. |
|
Fire
analysis |
The process of determining the origin, cause,
development, and responsibility as well as the failure analysis of a fire or
explosion. |
|
Fire area
|
An area of a building that is separated from
the remainder of me building by construction, having a fire resistance of at
least one hour and having all communicating openings properly protected by
an assembly having a fire rating of at least one hour. |
|
Fire
behavior |
The manner in which fuel ignites, flames develop, and heat and fire
spread. Sometimes used to refer to the characteristics of a particular fire. |
|
Fire
block |
Short horizontal members sometimes nailed
between studs, usually about halfway up a wall. See also 'Fire stop'. |
|
Fire
break |
An open, clear area maintained through ground
cover such as grass, brush, and trees to prevent the spread of fire. In rare
instances some structures are demolished ahead of a conflagration to attain
the same effect as a wildland fire. |
|
Fire
brick |
Brick made of refractory ceramic material
which will resist high temperatures. Used in a fireplace and boiler. |
|
Fire
brigade |
An organization of industrial plant personnel trained to use fire
fighting equipment within the plant and to carry out fire prevention
activities. In Canada, the local fire department may be referred to as the
fire brigade. |
|
Fire
broom |
A broom used in ground cover fire
fighting. The broom material maybe made out of thin wire or coarse wooden
sticks. The use is to sweep small amounts of combustibles away from a fire
line or to separate what is burning. |
|
Fire
bucket |
A bucket with a round bottom usually painted red and marked with
the word fire to discourage use for purposes other than fire fighting;
frequently kept filled with water, sand, or other fire extinguishing
material. Also called a fire pail. |
|
Fire
buff |
Person interested in firefighting operations,
fire equipment, and firefighters. A fire service enthusiast. |
|
Fire
bug |
A common term to describe an
arsonist or pyromaniac. Also describes a person who does not only set fires,
but enjoys watching them. |
|
Fire
building |
Used to describe the training building in which fire fighting is
practiced; the building in which a fire is in progress. |
|
Fire cause
|
The combination of fuel supply, heat source,
and a hazardous act that results in a fire. The circumstances, conditions,
or agencies that bring together a fuel, ignition source, and oxidizer (such
as air or oxygen) resulting in a fire or a combustion explosion. |
|
Fire
classes |
Fire is
classified by the material being burned. Class A fires are fires in
ordinary combustible materials (e.g., paper, wood, cloth); Class B fires
are those in combustible or flammable liquids, flammable gases, greases,
and similar materials; Class C fires are those in electrical equipment;
and Class D fires are those in combustible metals (e.g.. magnesium,
sodium, potassium, etc.). |
|
Fire
damper |
Device
installed in ductwork in which the duct passes through fire separations
to aid in preventing the spread of a fire. |
|
Fire Department
connection |
Applied to the connections at ground level through which the
fire department supplies sprinkler systems and/or standpipe systems. |
|
Fire detection
devices |
The devices and connections installed in a building to
detect heat, smoke, or flame. |
|
Fire
District |
A designated geographic area where fire protection is provided,
usually through a supporting tax, or an area where fire prevention codes
are enforced. |
|
Fire door |
A specially constructed, tested, and approved door installed to prevent
fire spread. Doors that building codes and the NFPA classify according
to a rating system related to their fire resistance, such as 3-hour, 1
1/2-hour, 1-hour, etc. |
|
Fire entry
suits |
Suits which
offer complete, effective protection for short-duration entry into a
total flame environment. Designed to withstand exposures to radiant heat
levels up to 2,000 F. Entry suits consist of a coat, pants, and separate
hood assembly. They are constructed of several layers of flame-retardant
materials, with the outer layer often aluminized. Typically used in
aircraft crash recovery firefighting. See proximity suits. Used with
SCBA's. |
|
Fire
escape |
A means of escaping from a building in case of fire; usually an
interior or exterior stairway, or slide independently supported and made
of fire-resistive material. |
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|
Fire extinguishers, classes |
Class A extinguishers rated for Class A fires may contain water,
aqueous-film-forming foam, dry chemical, or a halogen compound; Class B
extinguishers for Class B fires may contain carbon dioxide, dry
chemical, aqueous-film-forming foam, or halogenated agents; Class C
extinguishers for Class C fires may contain carbon dioxide, dry
chemical, or a halogenated compound; and Class D extinguishers for use
on Class D fires contain specially prepared materials, such as Met-L-X
powder, T.E.C. powder, etc. |
|
Fire
flow |
The volume of water required for fire protection in a given area. Fire
flow is measured in gpm and required duration. Water for fire flow is in
addition to the water supply required for normal consumption. |
|
Fire flow
test |
A procedure to test the rate of flow in gallons per minute (L/min)
in a predetermined area. |
|
Fire gases |
Those gases produced as combustion occurs and remain when products of
combustion are cooled to normal temperature. |
|
Fire
ground |
An area
around a fire or the area occupied by fire fighting forces. |
|
Fire
guard |
A person trained and assigned to watch for fires and life safety for
specific periods or events. Sometimes called fire watch. |
|
Fire hazards |
Conditions conducive to fire or that are likely to increase the
extent or severity of fire. The terms hazard or hazardous are also used
to indicate the type of material or rate of burning. |
|
Fire hose
float |
A water-rescue flotation device made from inflated fire hose. |
|
Fire
Investigation |
The process
of determining the origin, cause, and development of a fire or
explosion. |
|
Fire lane |
An area
around a commercial establishment where parking is restricted and left
open for fire department access. |
|
Fire
lines |
Boundaries established around a fire area to prevent access except for
emergency vehicles and persons having a right and need to be present.
Also used in ground cover fire fighting to describe a line scraped clean
of combustibles around the fire perimeter to remove fuel and contain the
fire |
|
Fire
load |
The weight of the combustible materials found in the structure and
contents of a building; expressed as weight per square foot. This
measure is employed frequently to calculate the degree of fire
resistance required to withstand a fire or to judge the rate of
application and quantity of extinguishing agent needed to control or
extinguish a fire. |
|
Fire mark |
A distinctive metal marker once produced by insurance companies for
their policyholders' buildings. |
|
Fire
Marshal |
The highest fire prevention officer of a state, province, county or
municipality. |
|
Fire partition
|
A partition
that serves to restrict the spread of a fire, but does not qualify as a
fire wall. |
|
Fire point |
The temperature at which a material evolves sufficient vapors that when
ignited will continue to burn. See ignition temperature. |
|
Fire
prevention |
That part of the science of fire protection that deals with
preventing the outbreak of fire and to minimize loss when fire does
occur by eliminating fire hazards through inspection, education, and
investigation programs. |
|
Fire Prevention Bureau
|
A division of the fire service responsible for conducting fire
prevention programs of inspection, education, and investigation. |
|
Fire Prevention Code or Ordinance |
A law enacted by a political jurisdiction to enforce fire
prevention and safety regulations. |
|
Fire prevention
week |
A week proclaimed each year by the President of the United
States to commemorate the anniversary of the great Chicago conflagration
of October 9, 1871; takes place the week in which October 9 falls. |
|
Fire
propagation |
See Fire
Spread. |
|
Fire Protection Engineer |
A graduate of an accredited institution of higher learning who has
specialized in engineering problems related to fire protection. |
|
Fire
pump |
A water pump used in private fire protection to provide water supply to
installed fire protection systems. Also, the water pump on fire
apparatus. |
|
Fire
report |
The official report on a fire, generally prepared by the officer in
charge of the fire operation, and kept as a permanent record. |
|
Fire resistance |
A relative term referring to the amount of time a material will
resist a normal fire as measured on a standard time-temperature curve. |
|
Fire resistance rating
|
The time
period, in hours or fractions thereof, that a building member or
assembly will resist a code-specified fire test without failure. For
example, a 2-hour rating indicates that the assembly withstood the
standard test for greater than two hours without failure by any of the
failure criteria listed in the fire test protocol. |
|
Fire
resistive |
Material and
design of building construction meant to withstand the maximum effect of
a fire for a specific period of time. |
|
Fire retardant
|
Chemicals,
paints, or coatings used for the treatment of combustible building
materials that provide a lesser degree of protection than a
fire-resistant material would have. |
|
Fire retardant chemical
|
A chemical
or preparation of chemicals used to reduce the flammability of a
material or to retard the spread of flame. |
|
Fire scene reconstruction
|
The process
of recreating the physical scene during fire scene analysis through the
removal of debris and the replacement of contents or structural elements
in their pre fire positions. |
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|
Fire separation |
The distance
in feet measured from the building face to the closest interior lot
line, to the center of a street or public way, or to an imaginary line
between two buildings on the same property and or adjoining property.
|
|
Fire
service |
Organized fire prevention, fire protection, and fire fighting
services; members of fire prevention, suppression, and training
organizations individually and collectively; all allied organizations
who assist in preventing and combating fires. |
|
Fire
spread |
The movement
of fire from one place to another. |
|
Fire station |
The building in which fire suppression forces are housed. |
|
Fire
stop |
A solid,
tight closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the spread of fire
and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually
consist of 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs. Work performed to slow
the spread of fire and smoke in the walls and ceiling (behind the
drywall). Includes stuffing wire holes in the top and bottom plates with
insulation, and installing blocks of wood between the wall studs at the
drop soffit line. This is integral to passing a Rough Frame inspection.
See also 'Fire block'. |
|
Fire
stopping |
Blocking off concealed spaces within the walls, floors, and
ceilings of structures to prevent the unseen spread of fire through
these areas. |
|
Fire storm |
An atmospheric disturbance caused by heat rising from a conflagration.
Violent convection caused by a rising column of heated air creates
intense winds toward the fire center encompassing the entire fire area. |
|
Fire
stream |
A stream of water from a fire nozzle used to control and combat
fires. |
|
Fire Suppression Rating Schedule |
A schedule
of by which underwriters insurance grade the fire defense of a
community. The grading schedule takes into account water supply, the
fire department, fire alarms and communications and other factors.
Community classifications run from Class 1, receiving the highest rate
recognition to Class 10, receiving no recognition. The lower the number
equates to better protection for that community. A community’s
classification can determine fire insurance rates. Typically these
ratings are used to calculate commercial property owners' insurance
premiums, but some insurance carriers use apply this to residential
property owners rates. |
|
Fire tetrahedron |
A model of the four elements required to have a fire. The four
sides represent fuel, heat, oxygen, and chemical chain reaction. |
|
Fire trap |
Usually an old structure in such a deteriorated state that it is highly
susceptible to fire, with inadequate protective equipment and exits, and
considered likely to contribute to major loss of life in case of fire. |
|
Fire triangle |
A plane geometric figure in which the three sides of an equilateral
triangle represent oxygen, heat, and fuel, the elements necessary to
sustain combustion. Keeping the three elements of the fire triangle
apart is the key to preventing fires, and removing one or more of these
elements is the key to extinguishing fires that do start. |
|
Fire wall |
A solid wall of masonry or other noncombustible material capable of
resisting fire for a prescribed time period. Fire walls extend through
roofs and use parapets above the roof to divide large sections of
buildings to prevent the overlapping or spread of fire. |
|
Fire watch
|
Individual
provided with fire extinguishing equipment and training in its use who
is posted (1) in the immediate area of welding or cutting operations
when other than a minor fire might develop; (2) where there is an
appreciable amount of combustible building material nearby; (3) where
sparks could ignite nearby combustibles; or (4) where combustible
materials are adjacent to the opposite side of metal partitions, walls,
ceilings, or roofs and are likely lo be ignited by conduction or
radiation (5) where large assembly of people reach maximum occupancy
load and exiting may become compromised. See Fire guard |
|
Fire whirlwind |
A revolving mass of air created by a fire, normally a forest fire. |
|
Fireboat |
A specially-built boat for fighting fires. |
|
Firefighter |
An enrolled,
active member of a fire department. |
|
Firefighter's axe |
A hand forcible entry tool equipped with a blade on one side and a
pick or flat head on the other. |
|
Firefighter's carry |
One of several methods of lifting and carrying a disabled victim to
safety. |
|
Fireplace chase flashing pan |
A large sheet of metal that is installed around and perpendicular to the
fireplace flue pipe. It's purpose is to confine and limit the spread of
fire and smoke to a small area. |
|
Fireproof |
The word fireproof is a misnomer because it means that something will
not burn. Other terms, such as fire resistive or fire resistant should
be used to indicate the degree of resistance to fire, since most items
will burn at some temperature. |
|
Fire-resistive or Fire rated |
Applies to
materials that are not combustible in the temperatures of ordinary fires
and will withstand such fires for at least 1 hour. Drywall used in the
garage and party walls are to be fire rated, 5/8", Type X. |
|
First alarm |
The initial alarm signal and fire department response. After the
emergency is evaluated, successive alarms may be issued, i.e., 2nd, 3rd,
etc., automatically calling for additional companies. |
|
First -in |
The
first company or apparatus to arrive at a fire location. |
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|
First responder |
The first
trained personnel to arrive on the scene of a hazardous material
incident. Usually officials from local emergency services, firefighters,
and police. |
|
First responder, awareness
level |
Individuals
who are likely to witness or discover a hazardous substance release who
have been trained to initiate an emergency response sequence by
notifying the proper authorities of the release. They would take no
further action beyond notifying the authorities of the release. |
|
First responder, operations
level |
Individuals
who respond to releases or potential releases of hazardous substances as
part of the initial response to the site for the purpose of protecting
nearby persons, property, or the environment from the effects of the
release. They are trained to respond in a defensive fashion without
actually trying to stop the release. Their function is to contain the
release from a safe distance, keep it from spreading, and prevent
exposures. |
|
Fish tape |
A long strip
of spring steel used for fishing cables and for pulling wires through
conduit. |
|
Fishplate (gusset) |
A wood or
plywood piece used to fasten the ends of two members together at a butt
joint with nails or bolts. Sometimes used at the junction of opposite
rafters near the ridge line. Sometimes called a gang nail plate. |
|
Fit check (respiratory
protection) |
Action by a
respirator user to determine if the respirator is properly seated to the
face. A positive or negative pressure check is made to ensure proper
respirator facepiece seal. |
|
Flagstone (flagging or
flags) |
Flat stones (1 to 4 inches thick) used for walks, steps, floors, and
vertical veneer (in lieu of brick) |
|
Flakeboard |
A
manufactured wood panel made out of 1"- 2" wood chips and glue. Often
used as a substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof
sheathing. Also called OSB or wafer board. |
|
Flame |
The burning gas or vapor of a fire that is visible as light of various
colors. |
|
Flame arrester
|
Device used
in gas vent lines and other similar locations to arrest or prevent the
passage of flame into an enclosed space, such as a container or
flammable liquid storage cabinet. |
|
Flame
front |
The outermost edge or surface of the flame. |
|
Flame
impingement |
The points
where flames contact the surface of a container |
|
Flame
interface |
The area or surface between the gases or vapors and the visible
flame. |
|
Flame propagation rate
|
The velocity at which combustion travels through a gas or over the
surface of a liquid or solid. |
|
Flame
resistant |
Resisting
the spread of flame along the surface and having material or surface of
a nature that does not propagate flame once an outside source of flame
has been removed; flame retardant. |
|
Flame retardant
|
The use of
chemicals, paints, or coatings for the treatment of materials to retard
both the rate of burning and the rate at which fuel is contributed by
the treated material. The degree to which an ignited material will
extinguish itself. |
|
Flame retention burner
|
An oil
burner, designed to hold the flame near the nozzle surface. Generally
the most efficient type for residential use. |
|
Flame
spread |
The movement of a flame away from the ignition source. |
|
Flameover |
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 Rollover. |
|
Flammability |
The degree
to which a material will catch fire and support combustion. Flammability
also refers to the rate at which a material will be consumed by fire. |
|
Flammable |
The term used to refer to combustible material that ignites easily,
burns rapidly, or has a rapid rate of flame spread. Also see flammable
liquids. |
|
Flammable compressed gas
|
Any
flammable material or mixture in a container having a pressure exceeding
psi at 100 degrees F. |
|
Flammable gas |
Any
compressed gas that will burn. |
|
Flammable limits |
The upper and lower limits beyond which a vapor-oxygen mixture is
too rich or too lean to ignite or sustain combustion. (Also called
explosive limits.) The percent by volume limits (i.e., upper and lower
flammable limits) of flame propagation does not occur on contact with a
source of ignition. See flammable range. The upper or lower
concentration limits at a specified temperature and pressure of a
flammable gas or a vapor of an ignitable liquid and air, expressed as a
percentage of fuel by volume that can be ignited. The range of gas or
vapor concentrations (percent by volume in air) that will burn or
explode if an ignition source is present. Limiting concentrations are
commonly called the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and the Upper Explosive
Level (UEL). Below the LEL the mixture is too lean to burn, and above
the UEL it is too rich to burn. |
|
Flammable
liquids |
Any of
numerous liquids which readily ignite and burn at temperatures below 100
degrees F. Sometimes classed by whether they will "flash" (give off
flammable vapors), above or below 100 degrees F. into combustible and
flammable liquids. Any flammable liquid may be dangerous in the presence
of flaming or glowing materials and may be explosive when its vapor is
mixed with certain percentages of air or oxygen. Liquid having a flash
point below IOO°F and a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 pounds per
square inch (absolute) at 100°F is a Class I flammable liquid. Class I
flammable liquids are subdivided inio Class IA, which have a flash point
below 73°F and a boiling point below 100°F; Class IB. which have a flash
point below 73°F and a boiling point above 100°F; and Class 1C, which
have a flash point at or above 73°F and below 100°F. (See also
Combustible Liquid.) |
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Flammable material |
A
substance that is capable of being easily ignited and of burning
rapidly. |
|
Flammable range |
All
concentrations of a mixture of a flammable vapor or gas in air in which
a flash will occur or a flame will travel if the mixture is ignited. The
lowest percentage at which this will occur is the lower explosive limit,
and the highest percentage is the upper explosive limit. The difference
between the lower and upper flammable limits. See flammable limits |
|
Flammable solid
|
Any
material, other than an explosive, that is liable to cause fires through
friction, retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or that can be
ignited readily and when ignited burns so vigorously and persistently as
to create a serious transportation hazard. It is liable to cause fires
under ordinary conditions or during transportation through friction or
retained heat from manufacturing or processing. It burns so vigorously
and persistently as to create a serious transportation hazard. Included
in this class are spontaneously combustible and water reactive
materials. Example: white phosphorous. |
|
Flash
back |
The tendency
of flammable liquid fires to re-ignite from a source of ignition after
they have been extinguished. Also, the vapors of flammable liquids may
serve as a fuse leading from a source of ignition back to the flammable
liquid's container. Also called Backflash. |
|
Flash fire |
A fire that
spreads rapidly through a diffuse fuel, such as dust, gas, or the vapors
of an ignitable liquid, without the production of damaging pressure. A
rapid burning of flammable gases characterized by high temperature,
short duration and a considerable shock wave. A type of fire that
spreads rapidly through a vapor environment. |
|
Flash
point |
The lowest temperature at which a substance will emit sufficient
vapors to ignite momentarily near the substance surface. This fire will
not continue to burn because vapors are not being emitted rapidly enough
to sustain combustion. The minimum temperature of a liquid at which it
gives off vapors sufficiently fast to form an ignitable mixture with air
and will flash when subjected to an external ignition source (but will
not continue to burn). The lowest temperatures at which a substance will
emit sufficient vapors to ignite momentarily near the surface of the
substance. This fire will not continue to burn. Vapors are not being
emitted rapidly enough to sustain combustion. See Burnpoint. |
|
Flashing |
Sheet metal
or other material used in roof and wall construction to protect a
building from water seepage. Material, usually metal, used to prevent
seepage of wind & water at any roof intersection or projection such as
vent pipes, valleys, chimneys, dormers etc. Flashing is done before
applying the shingles |
|
Flashover |
The stage of a fire in which a room or other confined area becomes
heated so much that flames flash over the entire surface of the area.
The sudden ignition of all flammable material in a room or
structure. As the fire burns and heat is generated and stored in the
room on fire, it is possible for the heat to accumulate
faster than it can use fuel. Once this reaches critical mass, the heat
then turns all items that can burn in a room into burning fuel at one
time. The danger is that this causes an inversion of the thermal layers
because the new fuel is almost always near the floor. Despite superb
protective gear, a firefighter has less than two seconds to evacuate a
room that has a flashover. |
|
Flat
load |
An arrangement of fire hose in a hose bed or compartment in which the
hose lies flat with successive layers 4 one upon the other. |
|
Flat
mold |
Thin wood
strips installed over the butt seam of cabinet skins. |
|
Flat raise |
The raising of a ladder with the heel of both beams touching the ground. |
|
Flatwork |
Common word
for concrete floors, driveways, basements, and sidewalks. |
|
Floating
wall |
A
non-bearing wall built on a concrete floor. It is constructed so that
the bottom two horizontal plates can compress or pull apart if the
concrete floor moves up or down. Normally built on basements and garage
slabs. |
|
Floor runner |
A salvage tool usually of canvas or similar fabric placed on a
floor before firefighters walk on it to protect the floor surface or
covering. |
|
Flue |
Large pipe
through which fumes escape from a gas water heater, furnace, or
fireplace. Normally these flue pipes are double walled, galvanized sheet
metal pipe and sometimes referred to as a "B Vent". Fireplace flue pipes
are normally triple walled. In addition, nothing combustible shall be
within one inch from the flue pipe. |
|
Flue
collar |
Round metal ring which fits around the heat flue pipe after the pipe
passes out of the roof. |
|
Flue damper |
An automatic
door located in the flue that closes it off when the burner turns off;
purpose is to reduce heat loss up the flue from the still-warm furnace
or boiler. |
|
Flue
lining |
2-foot
lengths, fire clay or terra-cotta pipe (round or square) and usually
made in all ordinary flue sizes. Used for the inner lining of chimneys
with the brick or masonry work done around the outside. Flue linings in
chimneys runs from one foot below the flue connection to the top of the
chimney. |
|
Flush
hydrant |
A hydrant installed in a pit below wound level such as near the
runway area of airports or other locations where above ground hydrants
would be unsuitable. |
|
Fly |
The extendable sections of an extension or aerial ladder. |
|
Fly
rafters |
End rafters of the gable overhang supported by roof sheathing and
lookouts. |
|
Fly
rope |
The rope used to hoist fly sections of extension ladders. Also called a
halyard. |
|
FMANA |
Fire
Marshals Association of North America. |
|
Foam |
An extinguishing agent formed by mixing a foam-producing compound with
water and aerating the solution for expansion. Foam may be protein,
synthetic, aqueous film forming, high expansion, or alcohol type. Foam
is applied to any material that is on fire or could potentially catch
fire. The foam creates a barrier between the material and the heat,
preventing ignition of flammable gases. Foam is commonly used
on flammable liquid fires (gas or oil), but is also being used in some
areas for automobile & structure fire applications |
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|
Foam
blanket |
A covering
of foam applied over a burning surface to produce a smothering effect;
can be used on non-burning surfaces to prevent ignition. |
|
Foam concentrate |
Raw chemical
compound solution that is mixed with water and air to produce foam. |
|
Foam
eductors |
Devices for mixing foam concentrate in proper proportions with a
stream of water to produce foam solution. |
|
Foam
proportioner |
Device that
injects the correct amount of foam concentrate into the water stream to
make the foam solution. |
|
Foam solution |
Mixture of
foam concentrate and water after it leaves the proportioner but before
it is discharged from the nozzle and air is added to it. |
|
Fog |
Finely
divided particles of water used for fire control. |
|
Fog
pattern |
The angular description of the water spray as it leaves the fog
nozzle. |
|
Fog stream |
A water stream of finely-divided particles used for fire control. |
|
Fold A
tank |
See Portable
Tank. |
|
Folding
ladder |
A short, collapsible ladder easy to maneuver in tight places for
reaching through openings in attics and lofts. |
|
Food Unit |
Functional Unit within the Service Branch of the Logistics Section
responsible for providing meals for incident personnel. |
|
Footer,
footing |
Continuous
8" or 10" thick concrete pad installed before and supports the
foundation wall or monopost. |
|
Foothead |
The term
used to describe the amount of pressure at the base of a column of
water. The pressure exerted at the base equals 0.434 psi for each foot
of elevation. |
|
Forced air heating |
A common
form of heating with natural gas, propane, oil or electricity as a fuel.
Air is heated in the furnace and distributed through a set of metal
ducts to various areas of the house. |
|
Forcible
Entry |
Techniques used by the fire service to get into buildings,
automobiles, aircraft, or other areas of confinement when normal means
of entry are locked or blocked. Frequently, firefighters must force
open doors that are locked or remove security doors and bars in order
to enter a structure to search for victims & extinguish a fire.
A variety of hand, power & hydraulic tools can be used for forcible
entry. |
|
Forestry
Line |
A forestry line is a small-diameter, cotton-jacketed handline used
to fight brush and forest fires. Its construction reduces the weight a
firefighter has to pull and therefore reduces fatigue. Also used to
replace booster or red lines. |
|
Formula |
Any variety of mathematical computations used primarily in the fire
service to determine pressures, flows, and gallons per minute. |
|
Forward Lay |
A technique
in which hose lines are laid from a fire hydrant to the fire scene,
usually being pulled from the hose bed as the engine drives forward. See
also Reverse Lay. |
|
Foundation |
The
supporting portion of a structure below the first floor construction, or
below grade, including the footings. |
|
Foundation ties |
Metal wires
that hold the foundation wall panels and rebar in place during the
concrete pour. |
|
Foundation waterproofing |
High-quality
below-grade moisture protection. Used for below-grade exterior concrete
and masonry wall damp-proofing to seal out moisture and prevent
corrosion. Normally looks like black tar. |
|
Four way hydrant valve
|
Device that
permits a pumper to boost the pressure in a supply line connected to a
hydrant without interrupting the water flow. |
|
Framing |
Lumber or
metal used for the structural members of a building, such as studs,
joists, and rafters. |
|
Frangible disk |
A part of a
safety vent made of metal (lead or steel), plastic, rubber, or a
combination metal. Under normal conditions the device is closed; once
ruptured, the frangible disk does not re-close. Also called a rupture
disk. |
|
Free
burning |
The second phase of burning in which materials or structures burn
in the presence of adequate oxygen. |
|
Freezing
point |
The
temperature of degrees C or degrees F at which a liquid solidifies; the
temperature at which matter converts into a solid. |
|
Friction loss |
The part of
the total pressure loss experienced by water while it travels through
pipe, hose, fittings, adapters, and appliances on its way to the nozzle.
The basis for fire hose friction loss calculations are the size of the
hose, the amount of water flowing (gpm), the length of the hose lay, the
age of hose, and the condition of the lining. Friction loss calculations
are taken into account when determining what pressure the pump operator
needs to deliver to different lines in order to give the fire personnel
the appropriate amount of water. Friction loss is measured in psi per
100 feet or kilopascals per 30 meters. |
|
Frieze |
In house
construction a horizontal member connecting the top of the siding with
the soffit of the cornice. |
|
Front mount
pump |
A fire department pump mounted in front of the radiator of a vehicle and
powered off the crankshaft. |
|
Fuel |
A material that produces heat through combustion. |
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|
Fuel
cells |
A device
that produces electricity directly from a chemical reaction between
oxygen and a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide. A unit of
a device that supplies the fuel typically for locomotion. |
|
Fuel controlled
fire |
A fire in
which the heat release rate and growth rate are controlled by the
characteristics of the fuel, i.e., quantity and geometry, and adequate
air for combustion is available. |
|
Fuel
gas |
Natural gas,
manufactured gas, LP-Gas, and similar gases commonly used for commercial
or residential purposes, i.e., heating, cooling, or cooking. |
|
Full assignment |
This term
refers to an alarm where the dispatcher notifies all agencies that are
in that particular dispatch plan. |
|
Full face respirator |
A respirator
that covers the entire face from chin to hairline and from ear to ear
that provides added eye protection and a better seal between the
respirator body and the face. |
|
Full protective
clothing |
Clothing
that will prevent gases, vapors, liquids and solids from coming in
contact with the skin. Full protective clothing includes the helmet
self-contained breathing apparatus, coat and pants customarily worn by
fire fighters (turnout or bunker coat and pants), rubber boots, gloves,
bands around legs, wrist and waist. As well as covering for the neck,
ears and other parts of the head not protected by the helmet, breathing
apparatus, or face mask by use of a hood typically made of Nomex.
Sometimes referred to as PPE (personal protective equipment) or
ensemble. See full turnouts, bunker gear |
|
Full
turnout |
Often called
bunker gear or structural firefighting clothing, the protective clothing
normally worn by firefighters during structural firefighting operations. |
|
Fully involved |
When an entire area of a building is completely involved in heat,
smoke and flame. Immediate access to the interior is not possible until
some control measures are taken to make the interior attack possible. |
|
Fumes |
An airborne
dispersion consisting of minute solid particles arising from the heating
of a solid (such as molten metal, welding). This heating is often
accompanied by a chemical reaction where the particles react with oxygen
to form an oxide. |
|
Function |
Function
refers to the five major activities in ICS: Command, Operations,
Planning, Logistics, and Finance/Administration. The term function is
also used when describing the activity involved, e.g., the planning
function. A sixth function, Intelligence, may be established, if
required, to meet incident management needs. |
|
Furring strips |
Strips of
wood, often 1 X 2 and used to shim out and provide a level fastening
surface for a wall or ceiling. |
|
Fuse
|
A device
often found in older homes designed to prevent overloads in electrical
lines. This protects against fire. See also 'circuit breakers'. |
|
Fused
head |
Automatic sprinkler head that has operated from exposure to heat. |
|
Fusible
link |
A connecting
link device that fuses or melts when exposed to heat. Used in sprinkler
heads, fire doors, and ventilators. A piece of material (usually low
melting point metals) designed to fail in a fire or under stress to
activate a safety device such as a fire door. |
