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SECTION 2-S17E OPERATIONS PLAN Page 2-20 <br /> 2.2.4.2 Landfill Subsurface Fires <br /> Evidence of subsurface fires can be detected by unusual or rapid settlement, cracks, venting of <br /> smoke,high concentrations of carbon monoxide(CO), and/or elevated surface temperatures. The <br /> location and extent of the fire can usually be determined by thermographic scans, excavation, <br /> boring and test wells. <br /> A landfill fire near the surface will be exposed, the burning wastes transported to a designated <br /> area and spread so that the can be covered with soil or saturated with water. At the City's <br /> discretion, suppressing foam may also be available for fires that are more difficult to extinguish. <br /> Underground fires that are several feet deep in the refuse and have been burning an indefinite <br /> length of time should be dug out a few feet at a time and allowed to cool down. Then another <br /> few feet should be dug out until finally the entire fire has been quenched. The burning material <br /> should be displaced to another isolated area of the site to prevent fire from smoldering and <br /> spreading underground, threatening the entire landfill. Excavating burning wastes is a dangerous <br /> procedure and should be accomplished with extreme caution and under the supervision of the <br /> Fire Deoartment. Excavating equipment and personnel should be protected from hazards <br /> associated with this activity. <br /> For deeper fires where excavation is not practical,surface areas producing smoke will be isolated <br /> and monitored daily for carbon monoxide and temperature. All other surface openings that could <br /> supply oxygen to the fire will be sealed off with soil. If carbon monoxide and temperature <br /> measurements do not show any significant decrease after a period of time, it will be necessary <br /> to extinguish the fire by cooling the burning mass in place and restricting the available oxygen. <br /> In such cases, wells will be drilled into the solid waste to allow the application of water or inert <br /> gas. Closing off cracks and fissures will limit the oxygen. Injection of water or liquid carbon <br /> dioxide (CO2) will both cool and displace oxygen. Any openings caused by the increased <br /> pressure will be sealed. <br /> 2.2.4.3 Equipment Fires <br /> Equipment related incidents that can cause fires include faulty electrical wiring,vehicle accidents, <br /> and ignition of materials by equipment-generated heat. Fires in the equipment can best be <br /> prevented by a regular maintenance and cleaning program and by having an alert operator. At <br /> the first sign of a fire in the equipment, the operator should immediately cut the engine off, <br /> evacuate the vehicle, and use a fire extinguisher on the machine or activate any built-in fire <br /> suppression system. A second equipment operator should alert the immediate supervisor or <br /> landfill office to summon emergency assistance, and then provide assistance with an additional <br /> fire extinguisher. <br /> 2.2.4.4 Fire Response Procedures <br /> General fire response procedures are described below: <br /> o If the fire is small, attempt to extinguish it with soil or a hand-held fire extinguisher, . <br /> whichever is appropriate. <br /> R.W.@acK arc Associates City a'S:ockton <br /> 1811.^..^2 <br />