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G |
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Gauge pressure
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The pressure with respect to atmospheric
pressure or above atmospheric pressure as indicated on an appropriate
pressure gage. The abbreviation for this pressure reading is psig. |
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Gable |
The end, upper, triangular area of a home,
beneath the roof. |
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Gallon |
Unit of liquid measure. One
U.S. gallon (3.785 L) has the volume of 231 cubic inches (3785 cubic
meters). One imperial gallon (4.546 L) equals 1.201 U.S. gallons (4.546 L). |
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Gambrel roof
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A roof with 2 slopes on each side, the lower
slope steeper than the upper. |
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Gamma ray |
Short wavelength electromagnetic radiation
of nuclear origin. Gamma rays are highly penetrating and present an external
radiation hazard. A form of electromagnetic radiation similar to x-rays. |
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Gang nail plate |
A steel plate attached to both sides at each
joint of a truss. Sometimes called a fishplate or gusset. |
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Gas |
The physical state of a substance that has
no shape or volume of its own and will expand to take the shape and volume
of the container or enclosure it occupies. A formless fluid that occupies
the space of its enclosure. It can settle to the bottom or top of an
enclosure when mixed with other chemicals. It can be changed to its liquid
or solid state only by increased pressure and decreased temperature. |
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Gas chromatograph-mass
spectrometer |
Refers to both an analytical method as well
as the apparatus used in the analysis. The gas chromatograph serves to
separate the components of the sample, and the mass spectrometer serves to
identify them by exposing the eluted components to a beam of electrons,
which causes ionization to occur. The ions produced are accelerated by an
electric impulse, passed through a magnetic field, separated, and identified
based on their mass. |
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Gaskets |
Rubber seals used in fire hose couplings and
pump intakes to prevent the leakage of water at connections. |
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Gate valve
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A type of control valve with a
solid plate operated by a handle and screw mechanism acts as a gate.
Operation of the handle moves the plate down into and up out of the
waterway. |
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Gated wye |
A hose appliance with one
female inlet and two or more male outlets with a gate valve on each of the
male outlets. |
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Gauges |
Instruments
to show the operating conditions of an appliance or piece of equipment. |
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General alarm
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An alarm called because a
large fire requires calling additional firefighters and equipment. |
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General order |
A standing order, usually
written, that is communicated through channels to all units and remains in
effect until further notice. |
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General Staff |
A group of incident management
personnel organized according to function and reporting to the Incident
Commander. The General Staff normally consists of the Operations Section
Chief, Planning Section Chief, Logistics Section Chief, and
Finance/Administration Section Chief. |
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Generator |
Auxiliary electrical power generating
device. Portable generators are powered by small gasoline or diesel engines
and generally have 110 and/or 220-volt capacities. |
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GFCI, GFI |
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter- an ultra
sensitive plug designed to shut off all electric current. Used in bathrooms,
kitchens, exterior waterproof outlets, garage outlets, and "wet areas". Has
a small reset button on the plug. |
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Gin poles |
Poles held upright at an angle
by guy lines used with a block and tackle for lifting. |
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Girder |
A large or principal beam of wood or steel
used to support concentrated loads at isolated points along its length. |
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Glazing |
The process of installing glass, which
commonly is secured with glazier's points and glazing compound. |
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Gloves |
Hand protection necessary to
complete the firefighters protective clothing ensemble. |
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Glow |
Visible, flameless combustion of the solid
phase of a material. |
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Glowing Combustion |
Luminous burning of solid material without a
visible flame. |
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Glued Laminated Beam
(Gluelam) |
A structural beam composed of wood
laminations or lams. The lams are pressure bonded with adhesives to attain a
typical thickness of 1 ˝" . (It looks like 5 or more 2 X 4's are glued
together). |
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Golden Hour
|
This is known in the medical field as the
time that a critically injured patient has, from the time the injury
occurred until care is provided at a medical facility, in which to affect a
favorable outcome. |
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Gong |
A large cymbal or bell used to alert
firefighters. A water gong is a audible ringing device attached to the
outside of a building for the automatic sprinkler system to indicate water
is flowing somewhere through the system. |
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Governor |
A
built-in pressure regulating device to control pump discharge pressure by
manipulating engine rpm; a device that governs the maximum rpm of an engine. |
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GPM |
Gallons per minute; the
measure of water flow used to measure the output of fire department pumpers,
hose streams, nozzles, hydrants, and water mains. |
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Grade |
Natural, unaltered ground level. |
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Grade beam |
A foundation wall that is poured at level
with or just below the grade of the earth. An example is the area where the
8' or 16' overhead garage door "block out" is located, or a lower (walk out
basement) foundation wall is poured |
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Grading schedule |
A schedule of deficiency
points by which insurance engineers grade the fire defenses of a community.
See Fire Suppression Rating Schedule |
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Gram calorie |
One gram-calorie is the amount of heat
necessary to raise one gram of water one degree centigrade from 14.5 degrees
C to 15.5 degrees C. |
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Gravity system |
Water supply system that relies entirely on
the force of gravity to propel the water throughout the system. This type of
system is generally used in conjunction with an elevated water storage
source. |
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Gravity tank |
An elevated water storage tank
for fire protection and community water service. A water level of 100 feet
(30 m) provides a static pressure head of 43.4 psi (300 kPa) minus friction
losses in piping when water is flowing. |
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Grid map |
A map of an area overlaid with
a grid system of rectangular coordinates or azimuth bearings (polar
coordinates) that are used to identify ground locations. |
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Grid system water mains |
An interconnecting system of
water mains in a criss-cross or rectangular pattern. |
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Gross decontamination |
An emergency wash for victims or mitigation
personnel when immediate action is required to remove a chemical. Also
called primary decontamination. |
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Ground |
Refers to electricity's habit of seeking the
shortest route to earth. Neutral wires carry it there in all circuits. An
additional grounding wire or the sheathing of the metal-clad cable or
conduit—protects against shock if the neutral leg is interrupted. |
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Ground cover fire |
Any fire involving natural
ground cover like grass, brush, or timber. |
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Ground fault - Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter (GFCI, GFI) |
An ultra sensitive plug designed to shut off
all electric current. Used in bathrooms, kitchens, exterior waterproof
outlets, garage outlets, and "wet areas". Has a small reset button on the
plug. |
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Ground iron |
The plumbing drain and waste lines that are
installed beneath the basement floor. Cast iron was once used, but black
plastic pipe (ABS) is now widely used. |
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Ground jack |
A heavy jack attached to the
frame or chassis of an aerial ladder truck to provide additional stability
before raising the ladder. |
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Ground ladder |
A descriptive term to
designate the difference between ladders raised on the ground and those
raised hydraulically on the apparatus. |
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Ground Support Unit |
Functional Unit within the
Support Branch of the Logistics Section responsible for the fueling,
maintaining, and repairing of vehicles, and the transportation of personnel
and supplies. |
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Grounding |
A method that prevents static electricity
from discharging sparks and producing subsequent ignition points. A method
whereby activities, which may generate static electricity, will be prevented
from discharging a spark and thereby not produce an ignition point. |
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Groundwater |
Water in a saturated zone or formation
beneath the surface of land or water. |
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Group
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Groups are established to
divide the incident into functional areas of operation. Groups are composed
of resources assembled to perform a special function not necessarily within
a single geographic division. (See Division.) Groups are located between
Branches (when activated) and Resources in the Operations Section.
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Gusset |
A flat
wood, plywood, or similar type member used to provide a connection at
the intersection of wood members. Most commonly used at joints of wood
trusses. They are fastened by nails, screws, bolts, or adhesives. |
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Gypsum plaster |
Gypsum
formulated to be used with the addition of sand and water for base-coat
plaster. |
