|
|
|
P
trap |
Curved, "U"
section of drain pipe that holds a water seal to prevent sewer gasses
from entering the home through a fixtures water drain. |
|
Palladian window |
A window
arrangement with a half-round window on top of a wider rectangular
window. |
|
Panel |
A thin flat
piece of wood, plywood, or similar material, framed by stiles and rails
as in a door (or cabinet door), or fitted into grooves of thicker
material with molded edges for decorative wall treatment. |
|
Panic
Hardware |
Hardware mounted on exit doors in public buildings; permits the door to
open when pressure is applied to the hardware. |
|
Parallel
operation |
Operation of a multistage pump when each of its impellers receives water
from a common source and contributes volume directly to the discharge.
(Also called volume.) |
|
Parapet |
Extension of a fire wall above a roof to prevent fire from extending.
See fire wall. |
|
Part
Paid
(call) |
Firefighters who are paid on the basis of time that they are used. |
|
Particle board |
Plywood substitute made of course sawdust
that is mixed with resin and pressed into sheets. Used for closet shelving,
floor underlayment, stair treads, etc. |
|
Particulates
|
Small airborne particles |
|
Parting stop or strip |
A small wood piece used in the side and head
jambs of double hung windows to separate the upper sash from the lower sash. |
|
Partition |
An interior wall that separates two rooms.
|
|
Partner decontamination |
The process whereby the entry team members,
upon exiting the hot or exclusion zone, will decontaminate (gross) each
other, avoiding unnecessary or excessive chemical exposure to
decontamination team members. |
|
Party wall |
Wall common to adjoining buildings in which
both owners share, such as a wall between row houses or condominiums. |
|
Pascal |
The pressure obtained when a force of one
Newton acts on an area of one square meter. |
|
PASS |
This acronym
stands for personal alert safety system. It is a device worn by firefighters
that will emit a loud sound if a firefighter does not move for a set period
of time. It can also be activated manually. They are used to help other
firefighters find an injured or lost firefighter. Sometimes known as a PAL,
or personal alarm. |
|
Passive vent |
An opening in the building exterior that is a
planned exit point for exfiltration air |
|
Passport |
This is just one type, of many, personnel
accountability systems in use today. In the past, command would just try to
keep track on the personnel in a hazardous environment or situation by just
writing down vehicle numbers. But that was not very accurate at times. Today
each company has some type of object with each person's name on it. The
names can be written on or they can have a name tag that is affixed by a
clip or velcro. The officer gives this object to command or the sector
officer prior to entering a hazard zone. This way someone can always tell
exactly who is where. If it becomes necessary to divide up companies, this
can be done by moving names around and attaching them to other boards. |
|
Patching |
The use of compatible plugs or materials to
reduce or temporarily stop the flow of substances from small holes, rips,
tears, or gashes in containers. The repaired container may not be reused
without proper inspection and certification. |
|
Pathogen
|
Any microorganism or substance that causes
disease. An obligate pathogen requires a living host for survival. An
opportunistic pathogen is an organism normally found in the flora of the
human body or the environment that causes disease under unusual
circumstances |
|
Pattern |
The shape of the water stream as
it is discharged from a fog nozzle. |
|
PBI |
Polybenzimidazole, a synthetic polymer
designed for high temperature applications. Used as an adhesive, composite,
and a coating with metals and as a fabric for structural fire fighting gear. |
|
PDP |
Abbreviation for Pump Discharge Pressure. |
|
Peak hourly consumption |
Maximum amount of water used during any hour
of a day. |
|
Pedestal,
control |
A panel on the turntable that has
all of the controls and instruments for controlling, hoisting, extending,
and rotating aerial ladders. |
|
Pediment |
A triangular space formed in the middle of a
gable; also used as a decoration above a door. |
|
PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) |
Abbreviation
for Permissible Exposure Limit. Term used by OSHA for its health standards
covering exposures to hazardous chemicals. PEL generally relates to legally
enforceable TLV limits. An occupational health term used to describe
exposure limits for employees. Usually described in time weighted averages
(TWA) or short term exposure limits (STEL). The maximum time-weighted
concentration at which 95% of exposed, healthy adults suffer no adverse
effects over a 40-hour work week and are comparable to ACGIH's TLV/TWA. PELs
are used by OSHA and are based on an eight-hour, time-weighted average
concentration. |
|
Pendant
sprinkler |
An automatic sprinkler head designed for placement and operation with
the head pointing downward from the piping. |
|
Click here to return to top of this page |
|
Penetration |
The flow of a liquid through closures, porous
materials, seams and pinholes or other imperfections in a protective
clothing material on a nonmolecular level. |
|
Penny |
As applied to nails, it originally indicated
the price per hundred. The term now series as a measure of nail length and
is abbreviated by the letter "d". Normally, 16d (16 "penny") nails are used
for framing |
|
Pergola |
Open, structural framework over an outdoor
area, usually covered with climbing vines to form an arbor. |
|
Permit |
A
governmental municipal authorization to perform a building process as
in: Zoning\Use permit - Authorization to use a property for a specific
use e.g. a garage, a single family residence etc. Demolition permit -
Authorization to tear down and remove an existing structure. Building
permit - Authorization to build or modify a structure. Electrical permit
- A separate permit required for most electrical work. Plumbing permit -
A separate permit required for new plumbing and larger modifications of
existing plumbing systems. |
|
Personnel Accountability |
The ability to account for the location and welfare of incident
personnel. It is accomplished when supervisors ensure that ICS
principles and processes are functional and that personnel are working
within established incident management guidelines. |
|
Personnel Accountability Report (PAR) |
At various points during a operation command
will call for a "PAR" (or some similar acronym). This might also be referred
to as a "Roll Call". All company officers will report that they have their
crew in sight or physical contact. They will respond with, "Engine 3 has
PAR." or "Truck 9, PAR." An accountability report happens at timed intervals
or when they situation has changed. Examples would be: Partial structure
collapse, Fire Under Control, Change in tactics, Report of lost or injured
firefighter. |
|
pH |
pH is a measure of the acid or base of a
water based solution. The scale ranges from 0 to 14 with pH 7 as neutral,
acids below pH 7 and bases above pH 7.The pH number increases as alkalinity
increases and decreases as acidity rises. It is technically the negative
logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration. Sometimes referred to as the
"Power of Hydrogen" since a change in the pH of 1 is equal to a change in
concentration of ten times. Like wise a change in pH of 2 is a change of
concentration of 10x10x10 or 100; a pH change of 3 is a concentration change
of 10x10x10, and so on. This is an exponential relationship and pH is really
the mathematical "power" or exponent of the concentration |
|
Phase
|
Classification of an alternating current
circuit usually single-phase, two wire or three wire; two-phase, three wire
or four wire; or three-phase, three wire or four wire. |
|
Phases
of
fire |
The degree of flame progression. Phase I: fire in incipient
stage and beginning to grow. Phase II: free burning, flame propagation at
its greatest. Phase III: oxygen deficient in the burn area producing
smoldering. |
|
Phonetic alphabet |
An alphabet devised by the International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), used in radio-telephone conversations,
in which a word is used phonetically in the place of letters. Example, A is
alpha. |
|
Photo ionization |
The formation of an ion by the bombardment of
an atom by ultraviolet light. The bombardment "knocks" an electron off the
atom. Some smoke detectors use this type of engineering to detect the
presence of smoke particles. See PID |
|
Physical properties |
Properties of a material that relate to the
physical states common to all substances, i.e. a solid, a liquid, or a gas.
A property of matter that describes only its condition, not the way it
reacts with other substances. Examples are size, density, color, and
electrical conductivity. |
|
Physiology |
The science dealing with the normal functions
of living things or their organs (i.e., physiology of the blood). |
|
Pickup plate |
A sloped plate and structure of a trailer,
located forward of the kingpin and designed to facilitate engagement of
fifth wheel to kingpin. |
|
PID |
Abbreviation for Photo Ionization Detector. A
monitoring device, which ionizes sample using ultraviolet light. Electrons
"knocked" loose from the sample are collected and electronically amplified
to provide the user with a signal or display value. Typically these
instruments are used for materials in the concentration range of 0.10 to
2,000 ppm. |
|
Pier |
A column of
masonry, usually rectangular in horizontal cross section, used to support
other structural members. Also see Caisson. |
|
Piercing nozzle |
Nozzle with an angled, case-hardened steel
tip that can be driven through a wall, roof, or ceiling to extinguish hidden
fire. Also called Puncture Nozzle. |
|
Piezometer tube |
An instrument joined to a pipe or hose for
indicating the pressure of a liquid or a gas; device that uses the heights
of liquid columns to illustrate the pressures existing in hydraulic systems. |
|
Pig (pipeline) |
A solid plug inserted into a pipeline either
to separate products or to clean and purge the line. |
|
Pigtails, electrical |
The electric cord that the electrician
provides and installs on an appliance such as a garbage disposal,
dishwasher, or range hood. |
|
Pike
pole |
A sharp prong and hook of metal
on a wood, metal, plastic, or fiber glass handle used for pulling, dragging,
probing, and other purposes. These tools come in a variety of sizes, handle
lengths and heads. They are generally used in overhaul operations to open up
areas of a structure to check for any extension of the fire. They are also
used to break windows open when ventilation of a structure is required, to
move hot objects, to break apart burning hay bales and other firefighting
tasks. |
|
Click here to return to top of this page |
|
Pilaster |
Rectangular
pier attached to a wall for the purpose of strengthening the wall; also a
decorative column attached to a wall. |
|
Piles |
Long posts driven into the soil in swampy
locations, or whenever it is difficult to secure a firm foundation, upon
which the foundation footing is laid. |
|
Pillar |
A column used for supporting parts of a
structure. |
|
Pin lug couplings |
Hose couplings with round lugs in the shape
of a pin. |
|
Pinnacle |
Projecting or ornamental cap on the high
point of a roof. |
|
PIO |
See Public Information Officer. |
|
Piston
pump |
A positive-displacement pump
using one or more reciprocating pistons to force water from the pump
chambers |
|
Piston valve |
Valve with an internal piston that moves
within a cylinder to control the flow of water through the valve. |
|
Pitch |
The incline slope of a roof or the ratio of
the total rise to the total width of a house, i.e., a 6-foot rise and
24-foot width is a one-fourth pitch roof. Roof slope is expressed in the
inches of rise, per foot of horizontal run. as a measurement is the ratio of
the rise of roof to the span of the building. It indicates the incline of a
roof as a ratio. The ratio of the vertical rise to twice the horizontal run
(span). It is expressed as a fraction. For example if the rise of a roof is
4 ft. and the run is 12 ft., the roof is designated as having a pitch of
1/6. |
|
Pitot
tube |
A curved tube having an opening
that is inserted into a stream of water and to which a pressure gauge is
attached that indicates the discharge pressure of the stream; instrument
containing a Bourdon tube that is inserted into a stream of water to measure
the velocity pressure of the stream; the gauge reads in units of pounds per
square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). |
|
Placards |
10-3/4 in. (273.0 mm)-square diamond markers
required on the transporting vehicle such as a truck or tank car, or a
freight container 640 cu ft (18.lm3) or larger. There are many
configurations of placards. The placard indicates what type or
classification the product is. Many transporters carry loads of mixed
classifications. |
|
Plan view |
Drawing of a structure with the view from
overhead, looking down. |
|
Planning Meeting |
A meeting held as needed
throughout the duration of an incident, to select specific strategies and
tactics for incident control operations, and for service and support
planning. On larger incidents, the Planning Meeting is a major element in
the development of the Incident Action Plan. |
|
Planning Section |
Responsible for the collection,
evaluation, and dissemination of information related to the incident, and
for the preparation and documentation of the Incident Action Plan. The
Section also maintains information on the current and forecasted situation,
and on the status of resources assigned to the incident. Includes the
Situation, Resources, Documentation, and Demobilization Units, as well as
Technical Specialists. |
|
Plaster
hook |
A barbed collapsible hook on a
pole for puncturing and pulling down materials. |
|
Plasterboard
|
A board made of plastering material covered
on both sides with heavy paper. |
|
Plastic |
Any of a wide
range of natural or synthetic organic materials of high molecular weight
that can be formed by pressure, heat, extrusion, and other methods into
desired shapes. Plastics are usually made from resins, polymers, cellulose
derivatives, caseins, and proteins. The principal type are thermosetting and
thermoplastic. |
|
Plate |
Normally a 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 that lays
horizontally within a framed structure, such as: Sill plate- A horizontal
member anchored to a concrete or masonry wall. Sole plate- Bottom horizontal
member of a frame wall. Top plate- Top horizontal member of a frame wall
supporting ceiling joists, rafters, or other members. |
|
Platform |
a) Framing in which each story is built upon
the other. B) a type of aerial ladder truck that has a platform on the end
of the ladder from which firefighters work when the ladder is extended. |
|
Platoon |
The entire shift of a fire department; may,
however, indicate only those in one section or district who are on or off
duty. |
|
Play
a
stream |
To direct a stream of water at the fire that extends from
the hose coupling to the shutoff. |
|
Play pipe |
Used to describe the base part of a
three-part nozzle, from the coupling to the shutoff. |
|
Click here to return to top of this page |
|
Plenum
|
Air compartment connected to a duct or ducts
in the HVAC system. Plenum the portions of the air distribution system that
makes use of the building structure, and the sheet metal that connects
distribution ductwork to an air handling unit. Many buildings use the space
above a dropped ceiling as a plenum |
|
Plot plan |
An overhead view plan that shows the location
of a structure on the lot. Includes all easements, property lines, set
backs, and legal descriptions of the home. Provided by the surveyor. |
|
Plough, plow |
To cut a lengthwise groove in a board or
plank. An exterior handrail normally has a ploughed groove for hand gripping
purposes |
|
Plug |
A nickname for a fire hydrant.
Early firefighters had to dig into the ground and bore a hole into the
wooden water main to obtain water from the water supply mains of a city.
These mains were made of hollowed trees. Once the water was no longer
needed, they would plug the hole with a wooden stake. Some plugs were left
uncovered with dirt and a cover was placed over the hole. This made ready
identification of where the main was plugged for future use. |
|
Plug
pressure |
The pressure available at the
hydrant; generally refers to static pressure, but could refer to residual
pressure during operations. |
|
Plumb |
Exactly vertical and perpendicular. |
|
Plumb bob |
A lead weight attached to a string. It is the
tool used in determining plumb. |
|
Plumbing boots |
Metal saddles used to strengthen a bearing
wall/vertical stud(s) where a plumbing drain line has been cut through and
installed. |
|
Plumbing jacks |
Sleeves that fit around drain and waste vent
pipes at, and are nailed to, the roof sheeting. |
|
Plumbing stack |
A plumbing vent pipe that penetrates the
roof. |
|
Plumbing waste line |
Plastic pipe used to collect and drain sewage
waste. |
|
Plume |
A vapor, liquid, dust, or gaseous cloud
formation which has shape and buoyancy. The column of hot gases flames, and
smoke rising above a fire. Also called convection column, thermal updraft,
or thermal column. |
|
Ply |
A term to denote the number of layers of
roofing felt, veneer in plywood, or layers in built-up materials, in any
finished piece of such material. |
|
Plywood |
A panel (normally 4' X 8') of wood made of
three or more layers of veneer, compressed and joined with glue, and usually
laid with the grain of adjoining plies at right angles to give the sheet
strength. |
|
Pneumatic power |
Power derived by using the
properties of compressed air at rest or in motion; generally used with a
pressure regulator. |
|
Point load |
A point where a bearing/structural weight is
concentrated and transferred to the foundation. |
|
Point of Origin |
The exact physical location where a heat
source and a fuel come in contact with each other and a fire begins. |
|
Pointer |
The difference in height of a series of fire
damaged vertical wood members ranging from higher being farthest away from a
source of heating to the shorter being closer. |
|
Poison |
Any substance (solid, liquid, or gas), which
by reason of an inherent deleterious property tends to destroy life or
impair health. |
|
Polar solvent liquids |
Those liquids that mix (are miscible) with
water. |
|
Pole |
The sliding pole from upper
stories to the apparatus area of a fire station; ladder poles to assist in
raising; a pike pole. |
|
POLREP |
Pollution Report |
|
Polymerization |
A chemical reaction, usually carried out with
a catalyst, heat or light-and often under high pressure-that generates high
temperature and may be violent when uncontrolled. A chemical reaction in
which one or more small molecules combine to form larger molecules. A
hazardous polymerization is such a reaction that takes place at a rate that
releases large amounts of energy that can cause fires or explosions or burst
containers. Materials that can polymerize usually contain inhibitors that
can delay the reactions. |
|
Pompier |
A scaling ladder with a single
beam and a large curved metal hook that can be put over windowsills for
climbing. |
|
Pompier belt |
Life belt. |
|
Click here to return to top of this page |
|
Portable hydrant |
See Manifold. |
|
Portable ladder pipe
|
A portable, elevated master stream device
clamped to the top two rungs of the aerial ladder when needed and supplied
by a 3 or 31/2-inch fire hose. |
|
Portable pump |
A small gasoline-driven fire pump
designed to be transported on fire apparatus and capable of supplying nozzle
streams through hose or relaying to a fire department pumper. |
|
Porte cochere |
A covered, drive-through structure that
extends from the side of a home, providing shelter for people getting in and
out of vehicles. |
|
Portico |
A roof supported by columns; often used at an
entry. |
|
Portland cement |
Cement made by heating clay and crushed
limestone into a brick and then grinding to a pulverized powder state. |
|
Position |
Specific assignment during a fire
operation. |
|
Positive displacement pump |
Any number of a variety of piston or rotary-gear pumps that
move a given quantity of water through the pump chamber with each stroke or
cycle; self-priming pump that moves a given amount of water or hydraulic oil
through the pump chamber with each stroke or rotation; pumps used as
hydraulic pumps on aerial device hydraulic systems and for priming pumps on
centrifugal fire pumps. |
|
Positive Pressure
|
Air will move from the space to outside the
space where the pressure is lower. |
|
Positive Pressure Apparatus |
Breathing apparatus with a regulator that supplies air when
the wearer inhales and also allows a small, constant flow to the face piece.
This lessens the likelihood that contaminants can enter the face piece. Also
known as pressure-demand apparatus. Constant airflow gives the face piece a
slight positive pressure |
|
Positive Pressure Ventilation
(PPV) |
A forced ventilation technique that uses the principle of
creating pressure differentials. By using high volume fans, a higher
pressure is created inside a building than the outside environment. Positive
pressure ventilation is a technique in which large fans (usually gasoline
powered, but sometimes electric) are used to force air through a structure
for extremely fast ventilation. This creates a much higher pressure inside
the structure than what exists outside thereby pushing the smoke and heat
outside. |
|
Post |
A vertical framing member usually designed to
carry a beam. Often a 4" x 4", a 6" x 6", or a metal pipe with a flat plate
on top and bottom. |
|
Post and beam |
A basic building method that uses just a few
hefty posts and beams to support an entire structure. Contrasts with stud
framing. Most common type of wall framing, using posts which carry
horizontal beams on which joists are supported. It allows for fewer bearing
partitions, and less material. |
|
Post fire operations
|
The operations of overhauling to search for and extinguish hidden
fires, determining the cause of fire, identifying and preserving evidence of
arson, and making the building and area safe; returning to quarters;
preparing equipment for future use; and writing reports. |
|
Post incident analysis |
A formal evaluation conducted after an
incident to determine strengths and weaknesses of the participating
members/companies/departments. The termination phase of an incident that
includes completion of the required forms and documentation for conducting a
critique. |
|
Post indicator valve (PIV) |
A valve that provides a visual
means of indicating “open” or “shut” position; found on the supply main of
installed fire protection systems. |
|
Power |
Or energy rate is measured in watts. It
measures the rate at which power or energy is used. Power equals voltage
times amps. or W = E x 1. The heavier the flow of amps at a given supply,
the higher the rate at which energy is being supplied and used. |
|
Power take off (PTO) |
Rotating shaft that transfers power from the
engine to auxiliary equipment. |
|
Power train |
A means of transferring power
from an engine to a pump; includes all power-transmitting components. |
|
Power vent |
A vent that includes a fan to speed up air
flow. Often installed on roofs or gable end of an attic. |
|
PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment or Personal Protective Ensemble) |
Personal safety equipment to include gloves,
helmets, glasses, hard-toed shoes, garments, face shields and ear plugs; may
include approved hood, gloves, helmet, boots, pants and coat. The equipment
provided to shield or isolates a person from the chemical, physical, and
thermal hazards that may be encountered at a hazardous material incident.
PPE includes both personal protective clothing and respiratory protection.
Adequate personal protective equipment should protect the respiratory
system, skin, eyes, face, hands, feet, head, body, and hearing. |
|
PPM |
Parts per million. Measurement of
concentration that refers to the parts of one material in a whole of a
million. Typically used to describe very dilute solutions or air born
contaminants. |
|
Pre-action system |
A type of automatic sprinkler
system in which thermostatic devices charge the system with water before
individual sprinkler heads are fused. |
|
Precast
|
Concrete shapes made separately before being
used in a structure. |
|
Click here to return to top of this page |
|
Preconnected |
A procedure whereby hose is
connected to the intake or the outlet of the pump before a fire to expedite
hose operations and fire fighting procedures. |
|
Prefabricated buildings
|
Buildings that are built in sections or
component parts in a factory, and then assembled at the site. |
|
Pre-incident planning |
The act of preparing to fight a fire in a particular building or
group of buildings by advance planning of possible fire fighting operations. |
|
Preparedness
|
The range of deliberate, critical
tasks and activities necessary to build, sustain, and improve the
operational capability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover
from domestic incidents. Preparedness is a continuous process. Preparedness
involves efforts at all levels of government and between government and
private-sector and nongovernmental organizations to identify threats,
determine vulnerabilities, and identify required resources. Within the NIMS,
preparedness is operationally focused on establishing guidelines, protocols,
and standards for planning, training and exercises, personnel qualification
and certification, equipment certification, and publication management. |
|
Preparedness Organizations |
The groups that provide interagency coordination for domestic
incident management activities in a non-emergency context. Preparedness
organizations can include all agencies with a role in incident management,
for prevention, preparedness, response, or recovery activities. They
represent a wide variety of committees, planning groups, and other
organizations that meet and coordinate to ensure the proper level of
planning, training, equipping, and other preparedness requirements within a
jurisdiction or area. |
|
Prescribed fire
|
A fire ignited under known conditions of
fuel, weather, and topography to achieve specific objectives. Also called
prescribed or controlled burn |
|
Preservation |
Application or use of measures to prevent
damage, change or alteration, or deterioration. |
|
Pre-service tests |
Tests performed on fire pumps or aerial
devices before they are placed into service. These tests are broken down
into manufacturer's tests, certification tests, and acceptance tests. |
|
Pressure |
A force applied over a given area. Force per
unit area measured in pounds per square inch (psi) or kilopascals (kPa). |
|
Pressure governor |
Pressure control device that controls engine
speed and therefore eliminates hazardous conditions that result from
excessive pressures. |
|
Pressure operation
|
Operation of a two (or more) stage
centrifugal pump in which water passes consecutively through each impeller
to provide high-pressures at a reduced volume. Also called Series Operation. |
|
Pressure regulator
|
A device used to maintain a
constant pressure within a pump while operating. |
|
Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) |
A device
mounted on a hot water heater or boiler which is designed to release any
high steam pressure in the tank to prevent tank explosions. A type of
pressure relief device designed to open and close to maintain internal fluid
pressure. Pressure relief valves are divided into the following types:
External Pressure Relief Valve, Flush Type Full Internal Pressure Relief
Valve, Full Internal Pressure Relief Valve, Internal Spring-Type Pressure
Relief Valve, and Sump-Type Full Internal Pressure Relief Valve. |
|
Pressure tank |
A system of storing water in
tanks under pressure for fire fighting or fire protection purposes; used
instead of elevated tanks or auxiliary pumps in private fire protection. |
|
Pressure, Static |
In
flowing air, the total pressure minus velocity pressure. The portion of the
pressure that pushes equally in all directions. |
|
Pressure, Total
|
In
flowing air, the sum of the static pressure and the velocity pressure.
|
|
Pressure, Velocity |
In flowing air, the pressure due to the
velocity and density of the air. |
|
Pressure-demand system |
See positive-pressure apparatus. |
|
Prevention |
Actions to avoid an incident or
to intervene to stop an incident from occurring. Prevention involves actions
to protect lives and property. It involves applying intelligence and other
information to a range of activities that may include such countermeasures
as deterrence operations; heightened inspections; improved surveillance and
security operations; investigations to determine the full nature and source
of the threat; public health and agricultural surveillance and testing
processes; immunizations, isolation, or quarantine; and, as appropriate,
specific law enforcement operations aimed at deterring, preempting,
interdicting, or disrupting illegal activity and apprehending potential
perpetrators and bringing them to justice. |
|
Primary feeder |
Large
pipes (mains), with relatively widespread spacing, that convey large
quantities of water to various points of the system for local distribution
to the smaller mains. |
|
Primary Search |
Very early in any fire or hazardous
environment search or rescue Command will call for a "Primary Search". This
is a quick search of all compartments in a structure for victims. The crews
involved in the search should report, "Primary Search, All Clear." |
|
Click here to return to top of this page |
|
Prime |
To remove all air from a pump and intake hose
in preparation for receiving fluid under pressure. |
|
Primer oil tank |
A tank of oil used to seal and
lubricate the priming pump. |
|
Priming |
A procedure of filling the pump
with water to prepare for pumping. |
|
Priming pump |
Any number of a
variety of small positive-displacement pumps or devices used to prime a
centrifugal pump by removing or replacing the air to permit water to flow
into the pump impeller; a small positive-displacement pump used to evacuate
air from a centrifugal pump housing and hard suction hose; evacuating air
allows the centrifugal pump to receive water from a static water supply
source. Also called Primer. |
|
Private connection |
Connections to water supplies other than the
standard municipal water supply system; may include connection within a
large industrial facility, a farm, or a private housing development. |
|
Private hydrant |
Hydrant provided on private
property or on private water systems to protect private property. See yard
hydrant. |
|
Private Sector |
Organizations and entities that
are not part of any governmental structure. It includes for-profit and
not-for-profit organizations, formal and informal structures, commerce and
industry, and private voluntary organizations (PVO) |
|
Procurement Unit |
Functional Unit within the
Finance/Administration Section responsible for financial matters involving
vendor contracts. |
|
Products of combustion |
Materials produced and released during burning. |
|
Proportioner |
A device to introduce the correct
amount of agent into streams of water especially foam and wetting agents. |
|
Proportioning valve |
Valve used to balance or divide the air
supply between the aeration system and the discharge manifold of a foam
system. |
|
Proprietary System |
A fire protection system owned
and operated by the property owner. |
|
Protective Clothing |
A general term used to describe firefighters clothing including helmets,
coats, boots, pants, gloves, and self-contained breathing apparatus. A
garment used for the purpose of isolating parts of the body from potential
contact with a hazard. Special clothing that is worn to protect a worker
from exposure to or contact with hazardous materials. Level A: Provides the
highest level of protection from chemical hazards for both contact and
respiratory protection. Level B: Provides the highest level of protection
for respiration, but decreased skin protection. Level C: Provides minimum
respiratory and skin protection and is used where there is no skin
absorption hazard. Level D: No specific respiratory or skin protection is
needed, and common work clothes are adequate. |
|
Protective clothing material |
Any material or combination of materials used in an item of clothing for
the purpose of isolating parts of the body from a potential hazard. |
|
Protein foam |
Protein foams are chemically broken down
(hydrolyzed) protein solids. The end product of this chemical digestion is
protein liquid concentrate. |
|
Proximate Cause |
The cause that directly produces the effect
without the intervention of any other cause. |
|
Proximity Suit |
Proximity clothing includes
hoods, coats, trousers, and mittens that have outer surfaces with better
heat reflection properties than normal or traditional bunker clothing and
that let the wearer get closer to the fire. A suit that provides short
duration and close proximity protection at radiant heat temperatures as high
as 2,000F and may withstand some exposure to water and steam. Respiratory
protection must be provided with proximity suits. |
|
PSI |
Pounds per square inch
(kilopascals). Pressure measurement usually used for pump pressure, nozzle
pressure, friction loss, and pressure losses in appliances, hose, and
hydrants. |
|
PSIA |
Pounds per square inch
(kilopascals absolute). Absolute pressure equals atmospheric pressure (14.7
psi) plus the gauge pressure. At 100 psig, absolute pressure equals 114.7
psia. |
|
PSIG |
Pounds per square inch
(kiloPascals) gauge. The pressure above atmospheric pressure. At sea level,
0 psig (0 kPa gauge) is equal to 14.7 psia (100 kPa absolute). |
|
Public Information Officer
(PIO)
|
A member of the Command Staff responsible for interfacing with the
public and media or with other agencies with incident-related information
requirements. |
|
Public protective actions
|
The strategy used by the Incident Commander
to protect unexposed people from the hazardous materials release by
evacuating or protecting-in-place. This strategy is usually implemented
after the IC has established an isolation perimeter and defined the Hazard
Control Zones for emergency responders. |
|
Publications Management
|
The publications management
subsystem includes materials development, publication control, publication
supply, and distribution. The development and distribution of NIMS materials
is managed through this subsystem. Consistent documentation is critical to
success, because it ensures that all responders are familiar with the
documentation used in a particular incident regardless of the location or
the responding agencies involved. |
|
Click here to return to top of this page |
|
Pulmonary |
Pertaining to the lungs. |
|
Pulmonary Resuscitation |
See artificial resuscitation. |
|
Pump and roll |
Ability of an apparatus to pump water while
the vehicle is in motion. |
|
Pump can |
Another term for a water filled
pump-type extinguisher. See pump tank. |
|
Pump capacity rating |
Maximum amount of water a pump will deliver
at the indicated pressure. |
|
Pump discharge pressure (PDP) |
Actual velocity pressure (measured in pounds
per square inch) of the water as it leaves the pump and enters the hose
line. |
|
Pump drain |
Drain located at the lowest part of the pump
to help remove all water from the pump; eliminates the danger of damage due
to freezing. |
|
Pump operator |
A firefighter
charged with operating the pump and determining the pressures required to
operate it efficiently. Also called Engineer, Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO)
or Driver. The pump operator can tell what amount of water pressure is
coming into the apparatus and how much the pressure is changed when sent out
to the various hand lines (hoses), deck guns, or another apparatus or a
combination of any of those. The operator must ensure that the outgoing
water does not exceed the incoming water for long periods of time while also
ensuring that the firefighters operating the hoses, deck guns or other
equipment are getting the water pressure that they need. He or she performs
other tasks at an emergency scene as necessary. |
|
Pump panel |
An instrument panel located on the pump
operator's side of the apparatus. This area is used to control the heart of
the fire engine (the pump) and to select where the output from the pump
goes. |
|
Pump tank |
A small water filled fire
extinguisher having a built-in hand pump and an attached hose and nozzle. |
|
Pumper |
A fire
department pumping engine of generally 1,000 gallons per minute rated
capacity and carrying hose and other firefighting equipment. In most
cases, a pumper carries small ground ladders, supply line to connect it with
a hydrant, hand lines to fight the fire with and a tank holding between 500
and 1,000 gallons of water. See Pumper company and Engine |
|
Pumper, Class A |
A pumper that will deliver its
rated capacity of 150 psi net pump pressure at a lift of not more than 10
feet with a motor speed of not more than 80 percent of the certified peak
of the brake horsepower curve; will deliver 70 percent of rated capacity at
200 psi and 50 percent of rated capacity at 250 psi. Also called an Engine |
|
Pumper, Class B |
A pumper that will deliver its
rated capacity of 120 psi net pump pressure with not more than 10 foot lift
and motor speed not exceeding 80 percent of the certified peak of the brake
horsepower curve; will deliver 50 percent of its rated capacity at 200 psi
and 33 1/3 percent of its rated capacity at 250 psi. Class B pumps have not
been manufactured since the mid 1950s. |
|
Pumper/tanker |
A mobile water supply apparatus equipped with
a fire pump; term used to differentiate a fire pump equipped mobile water
supply apparatus whose main purpose is to attack the fire. |
|
Puncture nozzle |
Nozzle with an angled, case-hardened steel
tip that can be driven through a wall, roof, or ceiling to extinguish hidden
fire. A specially designed nozzle for puncturing and inserting into walls to
extinguish hidden fires. Also Bayonet or Piercing Nozzle. |
|
PVC or CPVC |
Poly Vinyl Chloride-A type of white or light
gray plastic pipe sometimes used for water supply lines and waste pipe. |
|
Pyrolysis |
The transformation of a compound into one or
more other substances by heat alone. Pyrolysis often precedes combustion. |
|
Pyromania |
An irresistible impulse to start
fires. A pathological fire setter as contrasted with a person’s starting
fires to defraud or to cover up other crime. |
|
Pyrometer |
A device used to measure
temperatures by wavelength or electrical generation. Pyrometers connected to
thermocouples record the heat at various points. See thermocouple. |
|
Pyrophorics |
Chemicals that will ignite or
react violently on contact with air or oxygen; must be maintained under an
inert atmosphere. |
|
Pyrotechnics |
Fireworks |
