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UEL |
The Upper
Explosive Limit is the highest concentration of the material in air that
can be detonated. The highest concentration of a vapor or gas in air
that will produce a flash when an ignition source is present |
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UFL |
Upper
flammable limit |
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UHF |
Ultrahigh
frequencies ranging from 300 to 3000 MHz. |
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UL (Underwriters' Laboratories) |
An
independent testing agency that checks electrical devices and other
components for possible safety hazards. Laboratories maintained by
capital stock fire insurance companies, which test, and list various
items for fire equipment meeting good practice and safety standards. |
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Ultimate capacity
|
Total
capacity of a water supply system, including residential and industrial
consumption, available fire flow, and all other taxes on the system. |
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Ultra high pressure |
A container
designed to withstand pressures from 3,000 to 6,000 psi. |
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Umbilical air respirator |
A breathing
device whereby an air or oxygen hose is supplied (in an unlimited
amount) by a remote compressor or supply tank. |
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UN/NA Identification number |
The four-digit identification number assigned
to a hazardous material by the Department of Transportation; on shipping
documents may be found with the prefix "UN" (United Nations) or "NA" (North
American). The ID numbers are not unique and more than one material may have
the same ID number. |
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Undercoat |
A coating applied prior to the finishing or
top coats of a paint job. It may be the first of two or the second of three
coats. Sometimes called the Prime coat. |
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Underground plumbing |
The plumbing drain and waste lines that are
installed beneath a basement floor. |
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Underground Storage Tank [UST] |
A storage tank located underground. Typically
used to store gasoline (i.e., at gas stations), other oil products, or
hazardous substances. There are requirements for depth and cover, corrosion
protection, venting, etc. |
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Underlayment |
A
¼" material placed over the subfloor plywood sheeting and under finish
coverings, such as vinyl flooring, to provide a smooth, even surface. Also a
secondary roofing layer that is waterproof or water-resistant, installed on
the roof deck and beneath shingles or other roof-finishing layer. |
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Underpinning |
A foundation replacement or reinforcement for
temporary braced supports. |
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Undressed lumber |
Lumber that is not squared or finished
smooth. |
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Unified Area Command (UAC) |
A Unified Area Command is established when incidents under an Area
Command are multi-jurisdictional. (See Area Command and Unified Command.) |
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Unified Command
|
An application of ICS used when
there is more than one agency with incident jurisdiction or when incidents
cross political jurisdictions. Agencies work together through the designated
members of the Unified Command, often the senior person from agencies and/or
disciplines participating in the Unified Command, to establish a common set
of objectives and strategies and a single Incident Action Plan. The process
of determining overall incident strategies and tactical objectives by having
all agencies, organizations, or individuals who have jurisdictional
responsibility, and in some cases those who have functional responsibility
at the incident, participate in the decision-making process. |
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Union |
A plumbing fitting that joins pipes
end-to-end so they can be dismantled. |
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Unit |
The
organizational element having functional responsibility for a specific
incident Planning, Logistics, or Finance/Administration activity. |
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Unity of Command |
The concept by which each person
within an organization reports to one and only one designated person. The
purpose of unity of command is to ensure unity of effort under one
responsible commander for every objective. |
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Universal coupling |
A coupling device that permits unlike
couplings to be connected. See Adapter. |
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Unlined fire hose |
Fire hose,
commonly of synthetic fiber construction, without rubber lining; most
frequently used in interior standpipe systems and in forest fire fighting.
See Linen Hose. |
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Unloading site |
Place in the water shuttle operation where
tankers unload their water into portable tanks. Also called the Dump Site. |
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Unprotected openings |
Openings in floors, walls, or partitions that
are not protected against the passage of smoke, flame, and heat; generally
used in reference to such openings in fire walls. |
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Unprotected steel
|
Steel structural members that are not
protected against exposure to heat. |
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Up and Over
|
A standard ventilation operation
conducted by a team of firefighters wherein ladders are raised at a working
fire involving a row house-type dwelling to gain access to the roof to allow
the firefighters to ventilate the involved dwelling. The intent is to get
the upper floor opened up as quickly as possible. This is accomplished by
opening skylights and/or scuttles and ensuring windows in the rear and front
are taken out at the same time. The advantage of this operation is that many
times, it is difficult to bring portable ladders to the rear of a row-type
dwelling in some areas due to trash-strewn, overgrown, narrow, winding
alley-ways. A 6-foot hook allows the one firefighter venting the rear to
reach down (carefully where wires are involved) and take out (break) the
windows. Any blinds, curtains, or drapes can be snagged with the hook to
remove them and thereby facilitate the speedy evacuation of super-heated
smoke and gases. |
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Upper Explosive Limit [UEL] |
The highest concentration of a vapor or gas
in air that will produce a flash when an ignition source is present |
|
Upper Flammable Limit [UFL] |
See upper explosive limit |
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Upwind |
In or towards the direction from which the
wind blows. To be upwind of an item, the wind would be blowing from your
position to the item. This is an important element in resource positioning.
The fire service general rule of thumb is up hill and up wind. |
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US&R |
Urban Search and Rescue |
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Utility easement |
The
area of the earth that has electric, gas, or telephone lines. These areas
may be owned by the homeowner, but the utility company has the legal right
to enter the area as necessary to repair or service the lines. |
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Utility map |
A site drawing
indicating the location of underground utilities, such as gas, water,
electricity, or other piping. |
