Essentials of Fire Fighting (4th Edition)
Complete List of Terms
Accelerant
Flammable or combustible liquid that is used to initiate or increase the speed of a fire.
Adjustable Flow Nozzle
Nozzle designed so that the amount of water flowing through the nozzle can be increased or decreased at the nozzle.
Aerial Fuels
Standing and supported live and dead combustibles not in direct contact with the ground and consisting mainly of foliage, twigs, branches, stems, cones, bark, and vines.
Aerobic Capacity
Measure of cardiovascular fitness that takes into account oxygen capacity and efficiency of the lungs and blood in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Arcing
Luminous discharge that is formed when a current jumps a gap in a circuit or between 2 electrodes.
Arsonist
Person who commits an act of arson.
Aspect
(1) Position facing a particular direction; exposure. (2) Compass direction toward which a slope faces.
Attack Hose
Hose between the attack pumper and the nozzle(s); also, any hose used in a handline to control and extinguish fire. Minimum size is 1 1/2 inch.
Automatic Nozzle
Fog stream nozzle that automatically corrects itself to provide a good stream at the proper nozzle pressure.
Backdraft
Instantaneous explosion or rapid burning of superheated gases that occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen-depleted confined space. It may occur because of inadequate or improper ventilation procedures.
Balloon Throw
Method of spreading a salvage cover that utilizes air trapped under the cover to float it into place over materials to be protected.
Beam
Main structural member of a ladder supporting the rungs or rung blocks.
Bed
Lowest section of a multi-section ladder. Also called Base.
Bight
Element of a knot formed by simply bending the rope back on itself while keeping the sides parallel.
Bird's Nest Coil
Method of coiling rope for storage or washing.
Black
Area already burned by a wildland fire. Synonymous with Burn.
Block Creel
Rope constructed without knots or splices in the fibers.
Boiling Point
Temperature of a substance when the vapor pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure. At this temperature, the rate of evaporation exceeds the rate of condensation. At this point, more liquid is turning into gas than gas is turning back into a liquid.
Bowstring
Truss type used in buildings with large, open spaces, easily denoted by their round appearance.
Breakover Angle
Angle formed by level ground and a line from the point where the rear tires of a vehicle touch the ground to the bottom of the frame at the wheelbase midpoint. This angle should be at least 10 degrees.
Broken Stream
Stream of water that has been broken into coarsely divided drops.
Bromochlorodifluoromethane
Combination of halogens used in the production of Halon 1211.
Burglar Blocks
Metal rod or special device used to block patio sliding doors from opening from the exterior.
Butt
Lower end of a ladder. Also called Heel.
Butt Spurs
Metal safety plates or spikes attached to the butt end of ground ladder beams.
Butterfly Loop
Loop made at the beginning of a self-locking twin donut roll which creates the armhold in the finished roll.
Butterfly Valve
Type of control valve that uses a flat baffle operated by a quarter-turn handle.
Cantilever
Projecting beam or slab supported at one end.
Carboxyhemoglobin
Hemoglobin saturated with carbon monoxide and therefore unable to absorb needed oxygen.
Cascade System
Three or more large air cylinders, each usually with a capacity of 300 cubic feet, that are interconnected and from which smaller SCBA cylinders are recharged.
Casement Window
Window hinged along one side, usually designed to swing outward, with the screen on the inside.
Catchall
Retaining basin, usually made from salvage covers, to impound water dripping from above.
Chain of Command
The process of relaying information through supervisors/leaders to the person responsible for an incident or group.
Checkrail Window
Type of window usually consisting of two sashes, known as the upper and lower sashes, that meet in the center of the window. Checkrail or double-hung windows may be made of either wood or metal, but the construction design is quite similar.
Chemical Asphyxiant
A chemical which, upon entrance into the lungs, prevents oxygen from combining in sufficient quantities with the blood or being used by body tissues.
Chemical Pellet
A type of sprinkler activation mechanism in which a small piece of solder, under compression, within a small cylinder, melts at a predetermined temperature.
Chute
A steep V-shaped drainage area that is critical in regards to wind velocities and wildland fires.
Circulating Feed
Fire hydrant that receives water from two or more directions.
Cistern
Water storage receptacle that is usually underground and may be supplied by a well or rainwater runoff.
Clear Text
Use of plain English in radio communications transmissions. No ten codes or agency specific codes are used when using clear text.
Coagulation
Method of water treatment in which particles are collected into a solid mass.
Cockloft
Concealed space between the top floor and the roof of a structure.
Collapse Zone
A zone equal to 1 1/2 times the height of the building, created when a collapse potential exists.
Combination Attack
Battling a fire by using both a direct and an indirect attack.
Combination System
Water supply system that is a combination of both gravity and direct pumping systems. It is the most common type of municipal water supply system.
Command
Act of directing, ordering, and/or controlling resources by virtue of explicit legal, agency, or delegated authority.
Common Hazard
Condition likely to be found in almost all occupancies and generally not associated with a specific occupancy or activity.
Communications Center
Point through which nearly all information flows, is processed, and then acted upon. Also called CommCenter.
Company
Basic fire fighting organizational unit consisting of firefighters and apparatus; headed by a company officer.
Compartment
One of the parts or spaces into which an area is subdivided.
Compressive Strength
The ability of a material to absorb compressive forces.
Condensed Steam
The visible portion of steam due to cooling and condensation.
Conductivity Test
Test for Class C extinguishing agents to ensure that they do not conduct electricity.
Confined Space
Any space not intended for continuous occupation, having limited openings for entry or exit, and providing unfavorable natural ventilation.
Control Valve
Valve used to turn off the water supply to a system so that maintenance or other operations can occur.
Controlled Breathing
Technique for consciously reducing air consumption by forcing exhalation from the mouth and allowing natural inhalation through the nose.
Convection
Transfer of heat by the movement of fluids or gases; usually in an upward direction.
Core
The inner part of a rope.
Corrugated
Formed into ridges or grooves.
Counterbalanced Fire Door
Fire door with counterweights which act to close the door in case of fire.
Critical Incident Stress
Stress caused by encounters with gruesome, horrific, or disturbing incidents.
Dead End Hydrant
Fire hydrant that receives water from only one direction.
Debriefing
Process of sharing feeling and thoughts about incidents to provide stress relief. Synonymous with Defusing.
Deflector
Part of a sprinkler which redirects and/or reshapes the flow of water.
Defusing
Process of sharing feeling and thoughts about incidents to provide stress relief. Synonymous with Debriefing.
Direct Attack
(1) To attack a natural cover fire directly at or close to the burning edge. (2) Application of a fire stream directly onto a burning fuel.
Direct Line
Phone line which does not have access to the public switch network and do not have a dial tone. Connects Point A and Point B.
Direct Pumping System
Water supply system supplied directly by a system of pumps rather than elevated storage tanks.
Discipline
Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior.
Division
Subunit of the incident command system. It is composed of a number of individual units that are assigned to operate within a defined geographical area.
Door Jamb
Sides of the doorway opening.
Draft
Process of obtaining water from a static source into a pump that is above the source's level. Atmospheric pressure on the water surface forces the water into the pump where a partial vacuum has been created.
Dry Barrel Hydrant
Fire hydrant that has its opening valve at the water main rather than in the barrel of the hydrant. When operating properly, there is no water in the barrel of the hydrant when it is not in use. These hydrants are used in areas where freezing could occur.
Dry Chemical
Any one of a number of powdery extinguishing agents used to extinguish fires. The most common include sodium or potassium bicarbonate, monoammonium phosphate, or potassium chloride.
Dry Powder
Extinguishing agent suitable for use on combustible metal fires.
Drywall
Fire-resistive building material that consists of a layer of highly compacted gypsum material sandwiched between two layers of paper. Also called Wallboard, Plasterboard, or Sheetrock.
Ductile Iron Pipe
Common type of underground water pipe used to convey large amounts of water.
Duff
Matted, partly decomposed leaves, twigs, and bark beneath trees and brush.
Dutchman
Extra fold placed along the length of a section of hose as it is loaded so that its coupling rests in proper position.
Dynamic Rope
Rope that stretches farther than a static rope stretches.
Eddy
A current of air or water moving against or in a different direction than the main current.
Edema
Condition in which fluid escapes into the body tissues and causes local or generalized swelling.
Elevation
Height of a point above sea level or some datum point.
Emergency Traffic
Urgent radio traffic; a request for other unit to clear the radio waves for an urgent message. Also called Priority Traffic.
Escape Plan
Predetermined route of evacuation and specified meeting location for a building or residence.
Etiologic Agents
Living microorganisms, like germs, that can cause human disease; a biologically hazardous material.
Evidence
Items which lead to a conclusion or judgment about a fire and that can be used in court for conviction of a crime.
Expansion Ring
Malleable metal band that binds fire hose to a threaded coupling by compressing the hose tightly against the inner surface of the coupling.
Female Coupling
Threaded swivel device on a hose or appliance made to receive a male coupling of the same thread and diameter.
Fiber
Basic unit of material used to construct ropes. Can be natural or synthetic.
Fire Door
Rated assembly designed to automatically close and cover a doorway in a fire wall during a fire.
Fire Hazard
Any material, condition, or act that contributes to the start of a fire or that increases the extent or severity of fire.
Fire Inspector
Fire prevention specialist and/or fire or arson investigator.
Fire Load
Maximum amount of heat that can be produced if all the combustible materials in a given area burn.
Fire Resistive
Ability of a structure or a material to provide a predetermined degree of fire resistance; usually according to building and fire prevention codes and given in hour ratings.
Fire Safety Inspection
Inspection to ensure that citizens have a safe environment in which to live, work, study, worship, and play.
Fire Stop
Solid material, such as wood block, placed within a wall void to retard or prevent the spread of fire through the void.
Fire Stream
Stream of water or other water-based extinguishing agent after it leaves the fire hose and nozzle until it reaches the desired point.
Flammable Limit
Percentage of a substance in air that will burn once it is ignited. Most substances have an upper (too rich) and lower (too lean) flammable limit. Also called Explosive Limit and Flammable Range.
Flank
Sides of a natural cover fire.
Flash Point
Minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapors to form an ignitable mixture with air near the liquid's surface.
Flashover
Stage of a fire at which all surfaces and objects within a space have been heated to their ignition temperature, and flame breaks out almost at once over the surface of all objects in the space.
Floor Runner
Heavy plastic or canvas placed on a floor to protect the floor's surface or covering from firefighter traffic; used during salvage operations.
Fly
Extendable section of ground extension or aerial ladder.
Fog Stream
Water stream of finely divided particles used for fire control.
Footpads
Rubber or neoprene skid-proof plates attached to the end of some ladders.
Forced Ventilation
Any means other than natural ventilation. This type of ventilation may involve the use of fans, blowers, smoke ejectors, and fire streams. Also called Mechanical Ventilation.
Forward Lay
Method of laying hose from the water supply to the fire scene.
Frangible Bulb
A small liquid filled bulb with an air bubble that holds the orifice of a sprinkler shut.
Friction Loss
Loss of pressure created by the turbulence of water moving against the interior walls of the hose or pipe.
Fuel Hazard
Any material that can contribute to the start of a fire or that increases the extent or severity of fire.
Fusible Link
Connecting link device that fuses or melts when exposed to heat. Used in sprinkler heads, fire doors, dampers, and ventilators.
Gabled Roof
Style of pitched roof with square ends in which the end walls of the building form triangular areas beneath the roof.
Gate Valve
Control valve with a solid plate operated by a handle and screw mechanism. Rotating the handle moves the plate into or out of the waterway.
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.
Green
Area of unburned fuels, not necessarily green in color, adjacent to but not involved in a wildland fire.
Ground Gradient
The tendency of an energized electrical conductors to pass its current along the path of least resistance (from highest to lowest potential) to the ground.
Group
Subunit of the incident command system. It is composed of a number of individual units that are assigned to perform a particular function.
Guides
Wood or metal strips that guide the fly section of a multi-section ladder.
Gypsum
Inorganic product from which plaster and plasterboard are constructed.
Halon
Halogenated agent; extinguishes fire by inhibiting the chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen. Phased out in the year 2000.
Halyard
Rope used on extension ladders to extend the fly sections. Also called Fly Rope.
Handline Stream
Streams supplied by 1 1/2 to 3 inch hose which flows from 40 to 350 gpm.
Hard Suction Hose
Non-collapsible, rubberized length of hose with a steel core that connects a pump to a source of water and is used for drafting. Also called Hard Sleeve.
Hasp
Fastening device consisting of a loop, eye, or staple and a slotted hinge or bar; commonly used with a padlock.
Heat Of Combustion
Amount of heat generated by the combustion (oxidation) reaction.
Heat Of Compression
Amount of heat generated by the the expansion of gases within an enclosed space.
Heat Sensor Label
Label affixed to the ladder beam near the tip to provide a warning that the ladder has been subjected to excessive heat.
Heat Source Hazard
Any condition that contributes to the start of a fire or that increases the extent or severity of fire. Examples are chemical, electrical, mechanical, and nuclear.
Heavy Content Fire Loading
Storing of combustible materials in high piles that are placed close together.
Heavy Timber Construction
Type of construction where the load-bearing structure is composed of large wooden beams and trusses.
Heeler
Firefighter who carries the butt end of the ladder and/or who subsequently heels or secures it from slipping during operations.
Higbee Cut
Special cut at the beginning of the thread to provide positive identification of the first thread and to eliminate cross threading. Also called Blunt Start.
Higbee Indicator
Notch or groove cut into coupling lug to identify by touch or sight the exact location of the Higbee Cut.
Hitch
Loop of rope that secures the rope but that is not a part of a standard rope knot.
Hollow Core Door
Doors constructed with a core of a web or grid of glued wood strips over which several layers of plywood veneer panels are glued.
Hooks
Curved metal devices installed on the tip end of roof ladders to secure the ladder to the highest point on the roof of a building.
Horizontal Ventilation
Any technique by which heat, smoke, and other products of combustion are channeled out of a structure by way of existing or created horizontal openings such as windows, doors, or other holes in walls.