http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:32:47 PDT Tue, 21 May 2013 15:32:47 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=86701 The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG2004) was developed jointly by the US Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation of Mexico (SCT) for use by firefighters, police, and other emergency services personnel who may be the first to arrive at the scene of a transportation incident involving a hazardous material. It is primarily a guide to aid first responders in (1) quickly identifying the specific or generic classification of the material(s) involved in the incident, and (2) protecting themselves and the general public during this initial response phase of the incident. The ERG is updated every three to four years to accommodate new products and technology. The next version is scheduled for 2008. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438667 In this Building Collapse video, Professor Paul Grant discusses how fire can affect a standing structure. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438707 Jim Pharr explores burn patterns. A burn pattern has a line of demarcation where charred materials are very close to the uncharred materials, and they have a very clear pattern. An investigator must prove what caused the irregular burn pattern – and it’s not always an ignitable liquid. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438662 In this Building Collapse video, Professor Paul Grant examines what buildings are susceptible to collapse in earthquakes. The total collapse of steel framed buildings appears to be an extremely rare event, even when larger earth quakes are involved. In the Kobe and Mexico City earthquakes, many such buildings were severely damaged, and some experienced partial collapse. A 21 story office building in Mexico City appears to be the only such structure that has suffered a collapsed described as total as a result of stress other than controlled demolition. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438659 Professor Paul Grant details the specific instances where you need to be concerned with building collapse. These include fires which are affecting truss constructed roof support systems and fires in heavy timber construction buildings. Otherwise most collapse scenarios that you respond to as a fire department will involve some type of incident which has already taken place before your arrival. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438679 Professor William D. Hicks details examples of successful fire service evacuations. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438725 Jim Pharr examines a fire in a small house where three different fires were present. In the house, there were two divisions in the house that left very different results: The front of the house was destroyed, but the back of the house had more clues to investigate. He did not find an ignition source, but there was an ignitable liquid present on all three fires. There was no way that each one was related, but he was able to prove that it was an incendiary fire. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438684 Jim Pharr examines gasoline and the explosive range. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438671 Professor William D. Hicks details hazard control zones. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=438686 Shane Lacount explains a seemingly minor incident involving hazardous materials can quickly become a major problem if not handled expeditiously.