Emergency Management Concepts

The area where responders enter and exit the contaminated zone and where decontamination takes place.

The area free from contamination, used for planning and staging.

The process of removing contaminants from people, equipment, or the environment.

A liquid with a flash point between 140°F and 200°F.

A liquid with a flash point below 140°F.

The lowest temperature at which a substance will self-ignite in air.

A test method to assess the surface burning characteristics of building materials.

A substance that promotes combustion by providing oxygen or other oxidizing agents, often used in manufacturing and research.

A rapid chemical reaction that produces heat and expands rapidly, often causing a sudden increase in pressure.

A type of explosion where the reaction spreads through the material at a speed less than the speed of sound.

A type of explosion where the reaction spreads through the material at a speed greater than the speed of sound.

A type of detonation that occurs in solid or liquid materials, like explosives.

An explosion that happens when a flammable gas or liquid ignites inside a closed container.

The ratio of the length of a container to its diameter, used to predict the likelihood and severity of an explosion.

The pressure that builds up inside a container during an explosion.

A type of explosion occurring in containers with a high length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio, where pressures can increase considerably, often reaching 15-20 atmospheres.

A powerful explosion caused by the rapid combustion of a dust cloud suspended in air, requiring fuel, oxygen, and confinement.

A catastrophic event where a container holding a liquid above its boiling point ruptures, causing rapid vaporization and expansion. This results in significant force and potential fireball.

A pressure vessel explosion involving non-reactive materials that fails due to structural weakness. The explosion is less violent than a BLEVE, but still causes significant damage.

An explosion that occurs when a flammable vapor cloud in open air is ignited and the flame accelerates rapidly enough to create a destructive blast wave.

A violent deflagration that occurs when a fuel is dispersed in a fog or mist and reaches flammable limits, leading to rapid burning.

A dangerous situation where a chemical reaction within a containment vessel produces too much pressure, often due to insufficient cooling, stirring, or excessive catalyst.

The damaging blast wave emanating from an explosion, causing physical damage and injury.

A large container holding liquid above its boiling point, susceptible to BLEVE.

The ratio of a container's length to its diameter.

A system that uses a numerical rating (0-4) to categorize the severity of hazards related to health, flammability, reactivity, and special risks of a material.

Fire extinguishers should be clearly marked with a red rectangle above them, making their location easy to find.

These sprinklers are designed for residential use and prioritize evacuation, considering the limited water supply found in homes.

These detectors respond to a predetermined rate of temperature increase. Think of them as sensitive thermometers.

These detectors are completely mechanical and work using pressure changes caused by temperature increases. They are ideal in areas where electricity is dangerous.

A visual deterrent, such as fences, lighting, gates, barriers, or signs, intended to prevent unauthorized entry.

Methods used to detect trespassers, like motion sensors, CCTV cameras, and other electronic surveillance systems.

Access control measures that restrict entry to specific areas or the entire site. Examples include manned gates, card swipe systems, and employee badges.

Security elements that slow down intruders, providing time to respond to a security breach. Examples include parking controls, road blockers, and interior barriers.

The final stage of security where the intruder is apprehended, typically by a security team or the police.

The maximum distance permitted in a high-explosion hazard area without a sprinkler system.

The maximum distance permitted in a high-explosion hazard area with an approved sprinkler system.

The agency responsible for the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

The individual tasked with ensuring safe operations at an incident scene, with authority to terminate unsafe activities, even overriding the Incident Commander.

The person responsible for communicating information about the incident to the public and the media.