FCTC Test Hazardous Materials Awareness for Firefighters

Question 1

A tanker truck is involved in a highway accident. You observe a diamond-shaped placard with the number '1993' and the word 'FLAMMABLE.' What does the four-digit number on the placard represent?

Accepted Answer

The UN/NA identification number used to look up the specific hazardous material in reference guides

Answer

The tank's capacity in gallons

Answer

The temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at which the material ignites

Answer

The carrier's federal permit number for transporting hazardous cargo

Question 2

A chemical storage facility has an NFPA 704 placard posted on the door. The placard shows: Blue = 3, Red = 2, Yellow = 1, White = W (no water). What does the blue section (Health = 3) indicate?

Accepted Answer

The material can cause serious or permanent injury with short-term exposure

Answer

The material requires three separate types of personal protective equipment

Answer

The material has a three-hour fire resistance rating

Answer

Three hours of fresh air ventilation are required before entry

Question 3

A hazardous materials incident involves an unknown liquid leaking from a derailed tank car. Which of the following should be the first action taken by arriving firefighters?

Accepted Answer

Approach from upwind and uphill, establish a safe perimeter, and identify the material from a distance using placards or the Emergency Response Guidebook

Answer

Immediately don SCBA and approach the car to read the shipping papers

Answer

Begin decontaminating bystanders who may have been exposed to the liquid

Answer

Apply water fog to neutralize the leak before identifying the substance

Question 4

A chemical has a vapor density of 1.8. What does this property mean for firefighter operations at an incident involving this material?

Accepted Answer

The vapor is heavier than air and will sink, accumulating in low areas such as basements, drains, and pits

Answer

The vapor rises rapidly and accumulates near ceilings; ventilate by opening rooftop hatches

Answer

The material is a solid at room temperature and produces no vapor hazard

Answer

The vapor disperses evenly and presents no stratification hazard

Question 5

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is organized so that responders can find a material by:

Accepted Answer

The material's name (yellow pages), UN/NA number (orange pages), or placard type (white pages at the back)

Answer

The color of the placard on the vehicle only

Answer

The material's melting point, listed alphabetically by chemical family

Answer

The manufacturer's name and product line, listed in the green index

Question 6

At a hazmat incident, what does the term 'IDLH' mean, and why is it significant for firefighters?

Accepted Answer

Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health — it is the concentration at which exposure would cause irreversible harm or death within 30 minutes

Answer

Initial Dispatch Level Hazard — it defines which companies respond first

Answer

Integrated Detection of Liquid Hazards — it refers to the sensitivity rating of monitoring equipment

Answer

Incident Damage and Loss History — it is used by insurance investigators after the incident