Steam

Question 1

Steam Vaults?

Answer 1

concrete slabs..with access manholes in pairs

Question 2

Steam is invisible…

Answer 2

white mist is the condensate formed when steam cools

Question 3

Steam pressures?

Answer 3

generating plants 2000 psi- 900 degrees

buries supply piping and buildings- 170 psi- 350 degrees

Question 4

Con Ed refers to steam pipe rupture as ?

Answer 4

HELB

high energy line break

Question 5

HELB in GENERATING PLANT?

Answer 5

-high temp/high pressure
-obscured vision
-ASBESTOS release
-pinhole leak, capable of cutting steel bolt
NEVER enter Con Ed plant without con ed personnel- respond to muster site
FDNy only enter to perform search and rescue for missing PLANT PERSONNEL
-contact White Hat

Question 6

HELB in STREET?

Answer 6

• A Steam MAIN BREAK is HAZMAT INCIDENT- ASBESTOS RELEASE
• may drawn into structures by ventilation equipment
• pressure can cause street collapse
• debris hurled at 200 mph
• burns
• breathing steam can cause resp. burns
• can damage gas and electric underground
• noise will make it communication difficult
• steam can project manhole covers in the air

stay upwind and clear of vapor plume

• consult white hat
• prevent occupants from exiting to Exclusion Zone
• consider evacuating Buildings from REAR or SIDEs to avoid evacuation into Exclusion zone
• Prepare for Decon
• CONSIDER SHUTTING HVAC NEARBY BUILDINGS

Question 7

Steam Leak in Street?

Answer 7

more often, water from rain or leaking sewer or water main, contacting pipe and turning into steam

Con Ed vent stacks: BLUE STRIPE indicates STEAM FROM WATER LEAK…not main

Question 8

HELB in a BUILDING..

Answer 8

• LEAKING RADIATOR to high pressure steam riser rupture
• high pressure steam risers found in walls
• typically insulated with asbestos
• superheated steam scalds occupants and make atmosphere oxygen deficient
• HIGH HEAT may make rescue impossible, until steam is shut
• operating in live steam is debilitating-relief required

Question 9

Building Shutoff..

Answer 9

-steam control room, filled with pipes
-Do NOT RANDOMLY shut valves
-EMERGENCY- members may shut THE INSIDE SERVICE VALVE ( labeled and sealed) if possible, wait for Con ED
-do not re open steam valves
NOTIFY CON ED if valve is shut
-FD MEMBERS SHOULD NOT shut building steam shutoff OUTSIDE THE BUILDING..CON ED ONLY
-adjoining areas to steam leak, must be searched

Question 10

Command consideration

Answer 10

Presence of asbestos make it Hazardous incident until proven otherwise
Transmit proper 10-80 code
Prepare for Decon.
IC may consider APR