AFFF_Operator

Question 1

What is the prerequisite for 311 AFFF Operator?

Answer 1

306 Basic Damage Control.

Question 2

What is required to test out of 311?

Answer 2

Pass written test before oral board; PQS fully completed; check POD for dates.

Question 3

What is AFFF and its purpose?

Answer 3

Aqueous Film Forming Foam; creates film over flammable liquids to exclude oxygen, prevent vapor formation, and cool surface.

Question 4

What is AFFF composition?

Answer 4

94% seawater, 6% concentrate.

Question 5

What types of fires is AFFF used for?

Answer 5

Primarily Class Bravo and Class Alpha fires.

Question 6

What is H2S?

Answer 6

Hydrogen sulfide, colorless, flammable, poisonous gas with rotten egg smell; toxic, corrosive; found in CHT, firemain, AFFF piping/tanks.

Question 7

What actions if H2S suspected?

Answer 7

Stop, evacuate, report to Fire Marshal/DCC immediately.

Question 8

What are environmental rules for AFFF discharge?

Answer 8

Authorized beyond 12 nm. Between 3–12 nm allowed if ship speed ≤10 knots. In port must discharge to tank/barge/truck.

Question 9

Where are Essex’s AFFF stations?

Answer 9

Station 1: FWD STBD outside Hazmat. Station 2: by Repair 2A. Station 3: I-10 P-way. Station 4: CHAPS P-way. Station 5: Aft hangar bay by Repair 3. Station 6: Mid hangar bay port by 1H.

Question 10

What are piping colors for AFFF?

Answer 10

Red/Blue = concentrate. Red/Green = mixture. Red = firemain.

Question 11

What is the AFFF tank capacity and material?

Answer 11

2000 gal, copper-nickel construction.

Question 12

What pumps are installed?

Answer 12

2 pumps: Alpha (groups/zones), Bravo (hose reels).

Question 13

What does Master SOPV do?

Answer 13

Starts AFFF pump, opens hycheck and powercheck valves.

Question 14

What does Service SOPV do?

Answer 14

Routes AFFF to designated group, zone, or hose reel.

Question 15

What does the power panel indicate?

Answer 15

Shows available power at station.

Question 16

What do hose reels provide?

Answer 16

50 ft rubber hose with 1?-in vari nozzle.

Question 17

What is the powercheck valve?

Answer 17

Diaphragm, seawater pressure operated; gateway for mixing AFFF with firemain; prevents backflow.

Question 18

What is the hycheck valve?

Answer 18

Diaphragm, seawater operated; controls station output of AFFF to spaces.

Question 19

What is the powertrol valve?

Answer 19

Normally closed diaphragm valve; seawater operated; allows finished foam to flow to designated spaces.

Question 20

What is the sound-powered phone circuit for AFFF?

Answer 20

X50J, connects station to DC Central; backup = messenger/runner/Hydra radio.

Question 21

What is required of AFFF operator during ops?

Answer 21

Remain on station, maintain comms with DCC.

Question 22

What is an in-line AFFF eductor and how does it work?

Answer 22

Used with 95 GPM nozzle; seawater passes through eductor creating suction; draws concentrate from 5-gal container/55-gal drum; mixes at ~6% when inlet pressure = 100 PSIG; ~5 gal/min concentrate consumed.

Question 23

What document provides valve alignment steps?

Answer 23

Engineering Operational Sequencing System (EOSS).

Question 24

What must operator verify on station before ops?

Answer 24

Power panel light white, FM gauges 165–170 PSI, TLI >95%, alignment correct.

Question 25

What are the 2 ways to operate AFFF?

Answer 25

Manually: open Master & Service SOPVs with T-handles. Remotely: from DC Central, Pri-Fly, Bridge, Conflag stations, or local push button.

Question 26

What are AFFF system operating requirements?

Answer 26

Pump runs 65 GPM, 100 PSI.

Question 27

What makes AFFF effective against Bravo fires?

Answer 27

Foam lighter than petroleum/water, forms vapor barrier, prevents reflash.

Question 28

What is AFFF concentrate shelf life?

Answer 28

Unlimited; biodegradable; freezes below 32°F, must be stored protected in cold climates.

Question 29

What is recirculation and when used?

Answer 29

Station alignment so AFFF flows back to tank, not out; used during loss of firemain or not applying foam.

Question 30

What valves must be shut for recirc?

Answer 30

Discharge, firemain supply, station isolation. Suction valves must remain open.

Question 31

What happens if firemain is lost?

Answer 31

AFFF stations useless; must be placed in recirc to prevent proportioner mixing without water.

Question 32

What backup exists for loss of electrical power?

Answer 32

Automatic Bus Transfer (ABT); provides emergency power; white indicator light = ready.

Question 33

What are Groups vs Zones in AFFF?

Answer 33

Group = inside spaces covered. Zone = flight deck segments covered by AFFF sprinklers.

Question 34

What indicates spaces covered by station?

Answer 34

Red placard inside station shows areas covered.

Question 35

How many AFFF hose reels on flight deck?

Answer 35

21 total; 2?-in, 150-ft hoses, 250 GPM nozzles.

Question 36

What are specs of inside hose reels?

Answer 36

1? or 1?-in hoses, 50–175 ft; 125 GPM nozzles (95 GPM in machinery).

Question 37

What are flight deck hose reel specs?

Answer 37

2?-in Navy standard, 150 ft, 250 GPM nozzle; some have 150–200 ft hard rubber hose with 125 GPM nozzle.