E X T E R I O R L I V E P R O P A N E F I R E P R O P Gina Gonzales Created: July 11, 2016 Version 1 NFPA 1403 P R O C E D U R E S F O R U S I N G T H E P R O P A N E P R O P Prior to using any of the Propane Props on LFRA Training Center Property, you MUST follow NFPA 1403 Standards for Live Fire Training Evolutions, Chapters 4, 6, and 8. LFRA requires that a minimum of 3 instructors be present at all live fire evolutions, with at least one of them being an LFRA burn instructor or certified 1403 burn instructor. All instructors and participants MUST be in full structural PPE. In accordance with NFPA 1403, Chapter 8, Exterior Live Fire Training Props, PRIOR TO LIVE FIRE TRAINING EVOLUTIONS, INSTRUCTORS MUST: o Inspect all exterior props visually for damage, o Ensure ground cover debris and hazards are removed, o Ensure all valves to all props and control stations are closed, o Have an emergency procedure plan in place, P R O C E D U R E S F O R U S I N G T H E P R O P A N E P R O P Turn on the power to the Propane Prop Pump at the electrical panel on the tower (Figure 1 & 2). NOTE: The Emergency Shutoff cuts power to the Main TC Gate, Tower lights, as well as the Propane Tank Pump Figure 1: Training Center Tower. Electrical box and emergency shutoff on right (east) side. Figure 2: Breaker #14 for Propane Tank, and Emergency Shutoff on left of box. NOTE: Emergency shutoff cuts power to Main Gate, Propane Tank Pump, and Tower Lights Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 1
Check at least a week or two prior to training to ensure tank is filled to a level that will support the training needs. This will allow time for AmeriGas to come fill it up if needed. The dome on top is for fill only, and visualizing tank fill percentage (Figures 3-5). Percentage correlates to hundreds of gallons. For example, 80% correlates to 800 gallons. Top Valve Bottom Valve Main Valve P u m p Figure 3: Main propane tank for all live propane fire props Figure 4: Dome on main tank for fill only, and gauge for tank level. Figure 5: Fill gauge (in % of total volume of tank) For example, 80% correlates to 800 gallons Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 2
Turning on the main tank, ensure all valves are closed at the two prop control stations, the top valves of the two tank props, and the tree valve are all closed. Ensure all instructors are ready and fire suppression operations are in place, to safely coordinate ignition procedures prior to moving to the next step! At the main tank, open the top valve (gas) for either the north or south control stations. The bottom valve (liquid) is ONLY for the north control station! Liquid propane is NOT TO BE USED ON THE SOUTH PROPS! Then open the main valve on the east side of the pump (Figures 6-8). EMERGENCY SHUTOFF PROCEDURES: Shut valves off in the reverse order they were opened at the tank. Main valve, Bottom valve (using the Emergency Shut off Pull chain, Figure 9), Top valve. The emergency power shutoff at the Tower will only cut power to the tank pump and will not shut the tank off. LEFT is ON position Figure 6: Top valve. Turn counterclockwise for gas flow Figure 7: Bottom valve. Push to LEFT for ON position for liquid flow. Emergency pull chain will shut off Bottom valve only. Liquid propane is NOT TO BE USED ON SOUTH PROPS! Figure 8: Main gas valve at ground on east side of tank and pump. Turn clockwise to turn on flow. Figure 9: Emergency pull chain for Bottom valve only. Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 3
Set ups and other important information! ***After each burn is completed and the gas is turned off at the main control valves, the service valves on all the props (both tank props and the tree) need to be opened up while flowing a fog stream from the nozzles toward the props. This will disperse the propane gas and will relieve unused product between the service valves and the control valves. The service valves on the props need to stay in the open position for use during the next evolution. ***It is important to have an understanding of how the attack lines, safety lines, and apparatus placement will aid in using these props. Here are two diagrams for placement for the 500 gal tank prop and for the north props. Single Company Propane Prop N Control Valves Valve Safety Burn Building Ignitions Safety Instructor ENGINE 1 3/4 Attack Line ( 100' each ) 1 3/4 Attack Line ( 100' each ) 2 1/2 " Attack Line (100' each) 5" Supply (as needed) LPG Props LPG Supply Valves North Left Attack Line Right Attack Line LPG Supply Tank Right Safety Line Left Safety Line EP=170 EP=170 Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 4
Control Station at the North prop: o The North propane prop consists of a 1,000 gal tank and a tree (Figure 11). o At the North prop control station (Figure 12), turn on the pump power switch on the left. This pump pushes the liquid propane through to give more gas to the pressure relief valve prop. o Gas control valves (Figure 12): Open the left one first. This the main line for the north prop and will give gas to the service valve on the tank prop for ignition (Figure 13). Figure 11: North prop consists of a 1,000gal tank and a tree. Figure 12: North prop control station. Pump power switch on left. Gas control valves from left to right: ignition, blow off (visual demo for pressure relief valve), and tree prop. Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 5
o The middle control valve (Figure 12), will open the line for the simulated pressure relief valve on the tank prop (Figure 13). o (Figure 14) The north valve is used to fill the tank with water in the event that multiple burns are going to take place. Filling the tank with water will help preserve the integrity of the tank during long periods of burning. It can also be used in conjunction with the valve at the bottom of the prop for a spill scenario for HMO JPR 04138. o The right control valve (Figure 12), will open the line for the tree prop (Figure 15). Figure 14: Valve on right of tank is used to fill tank with water. Figure 13: 1,000 gal tank prop. Simulated pressure relief valve on left.. Service valve on right (for ignition and simulation shutoff valve). Figure 15: Propane tree prop. Working 1/4 turn valve is at base of tree. Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 6
Control Station at the South prop o The South prop consists of a Simulated liquid fire prop, Vehicle prop, and 500 gal tank. (Figures 16-18). Figure 16: Simulated liquid fire prop. Figure 17: Vehicle fire prop Figure 18: 500 gal propane tank prop o The South prop control valves are just to the northeast of the South props. See Figure 19. Figure 19: South propane prop control station. Valves from left to right: Simulated liquid fire pit, 500gal tank prop, Vehicle fire passenger compartment, Vehicle fire engine compartment. Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 7
o o o The Simulated liquid fire pit must be filled with water at least a few inches above the gas lines before use. When igniting, stand upwind and ensure sustained winds are below 10 mph for safe use. Do NOT open control valve until ignitions person is at the corner of the pit. Then open valve slowly. The 500 gal tank prop has a service valve under the top cap which must be in the off position prior to live fire evolutions (Figure 20). When using this prop, open the top valve on the prop and close the lid just PRIOR to ignition. The Vehicle fire prop. Open the control valve to the engine compartment for ignition (Figure 19). Then slowly open the control valve to the passenger compartment, and it will autoignite from the engine compartment (Figures 21, 22). Figure 20: 500 gal tank prop with service valve. For ignition, open valve and close lid prior to ignition. Figure 21: Vehicle fire prop, engine compartment. Figure 22: Vehicle fire prop. Passenger compartment. Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 8
S H U T T I N G D O W N T H E L I V E F I R E P R O P A N E P R O P S *** THESE PROCEDURES ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE TRAINING CENTER WHILE THE PROPS ARE NOT IN USE*** PLEASE FOLLOW EACH STEP! 1. FIRST, Shut down the top and bottom valves to the tank. 2. Open valves at the prop and control valves to release any residual propane in the lines. 3. If necessary, open up fog stream nozzles above the props to assist in dispersing the residual propane gas in the air. 4. Shut off the main valve at the main tank. 5. Shut off the control station valves. 6. Shut off the service valves on the props. 7. Turn off the pump power switch at the North prop control station, then the main power to the pump at the electrical panel on the Tower. 8. Report the final tank level to the Training Lt or Training Chief. R E F E R E N C E I N F O R M A T I O N NFPA 1403, Chapters 4, 6, 8, and 9 Live Fire Propane Prop Operations Page 9