Fire Prevention & Control

What is a 'fire risk assessment' and when must it be carried out?

• ADispensed with where extinguishers have been provided and a fire point is clearly signed at each site entrance
• BSystematic evaluation of fire hazards, identifying risks and control measures; required for all premises✓
• CAn investigation carried out after a fire to establish how it started and who should meet the cost of the damage
• DAn assessment needed only where hot works, LPG or flammable liquids are present

Answer: A fire risk assessment identifies: fire hazards (ignition sources, fuel, oxygen), persons at risk, existing controls, emergency procedures, and measures to reduce risk.

What are the three elements required for fire (the fire triangle)?

• AOxygen, heat, and fuel✓
• BOxygen, nitrogen, and water
• CHeat, water, sand
• DSmoke, flames, heat

Answer: The fire triangle consists of: oxygen (air), heat (ignition source), and fuel (combustible material). Remove any element to prevent fire.

What is 'hot works' in the context of fire prevention?

• AActivities generating heat or sparks (welding, cutting, grinding) that can ignite flammable materials✓
• BWelding and brazing work, since the sparks produced by cutting and grinding discs are too small to start a fire
• CWork carried out in hot weather, when materials such as bitumen and solvents are more likely to ignite
• DWork carried out close to the site heating or drying equipment

Answer: Hot works include welding, cutting, grinding, soldering, and other activities generating heat/sparks. These are high fire risk and require formal control via permits.

What must a 'hot works permit' include?

• AThe operative's trade qualification number and the name of their employer
• BThe general site induction rules and the contractor's insurance policy details, signed by the operative before starting the task on site
• CThe hire charges for the welding and cutting equipment, so that the site manager can recover the costs from the other trades later
• DLocation, work description, hazards, fire watches, fire-fighting equipment, start/end times, and competent person authorization✓

Answer: A hot works permit specifies: work location and duration, hazards identified, fire watches assigned, fire suppression equipment in place, and supervisor authorization.

What is a 'fire watch' and when is it needed?

• AAn optional precaution for gangs that have been trained in the use of the site's fire extinguishers and hose reels
• BA competent person monitoring for fire during/after hot works or in high-risk areas; needed during all hot work✓
• CA watch needed only during welding, since cutting and grinding do not produce sparks capable of travelling any distance
• DWholly unnecessary where a fire extinguisher has been placed next to the operative who is carrying out the hot work

Answer: A fire watch is a trained person who monitors during and after hot works to detect and respond to any fire. Smouldering can start well after the work stops, so the fire watch normally continues for at least 60 minutes after hot work ends before the area is checked and the permit closed.

What are 'means of escape' in fire safety?

• ARoutes and exits allowing safe evacuation in fire; must be unobstructed, clearly marked, and regularly practised✓
• BThe final exit doors only, excluding corridors, stairs and protected routes
• COnly emergency exits
• DOnly in large buildings

Answer: Means of escape includes: evacuation routes, emergency exits, signage, lighting, unobstructed pathways, and regular fire drills to test procedures.

What are the responsibilities of a 'fire marshal' or 'fire warden'?

• ASounding the alarm, fighting the fire and re-entering to search for missing persons
• BSuperseded where professional firefighters are nearby
• CDuties which begin only once a fire has actually started somewhere on the site premises
• DCheck evacuation routes, organise emergency assembly, take roll call, report status to site manager, and assist disabled persons✓

Answer: Fire marshals/wardens are trained personnel who: guide evacuation, check that all persons are accounted for, manage assembly points, and report status to the incident commander.

What must be in place for emergency evacuation procedures?

• AA fire alarm that can be heard across the whole site, which is enough on its own to get everyone clear of the building safely
• BA signed assembly point at the site entrance, which is sufficient provided that everyone on site knows where it is located
• CClear routes, marked exits, emergency assembly points, roll call procedures, disabled person support, and trained wardens✓
• DExit signs above every door, so that anyone unfamiliar with the building can find their own way out of the building in an emergency

Answer: Emergency procedures include: evacuation routes, marked exits, emergency assembly areas away from the building, roll call procedures, and trained fire marshals.

What is the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002?

• ARegulations covering explosives, fireworks and blasting licences
• BRegulations controlling fire and explosion risks from dangerous substances, such as flammable liquids and gases, at work✓
• CRegulations governing the storage of fuel, but not its use on site
• DRegulations that apply to chemical manufacturing plants and refineries rather than to ordinary construction sites

Answer: DSEAR 2002 requires employers to assess and control the fire and explosion risks from dangerous substances, such as petrol, LPG, solvents and combustible dusts, and to classify and protect places where an explosive atmosphere may occur. It applies at every workplace, construction sites included. Health risks from hazardous substances fall under COSHH instead, and the licensing of explosives under the Explosives Regulations 2014.

What are the storage requirements for flammable liquids under DSEAR?

• ADesigned flammable storage cabinets, away from ignition sources, ventilated, with spill containment✓
• BA lidded container, kept in the general site store out of the weather
• CIn sealed plastic buckets
• DIn site vans

Answer: Flammable liquids must be stored in: purpose-designed flammable cabinets, well-ventilated areas, away from ignition sources, with spill containment, and properly labelled.

What is an 'explosive atmosphere' and when may one form?

• AA condition that arises when the oxygen level in the air falls below 19.5 percent, which makes vapours and dusts more likely to ignite
• BA pressurised gas pipe
• CA blasting operation
• DMixture of air and flammable substance that can ignite and cause explosion; forms in paint shops, fuel areas, dusty environments✓

Answer: Explosive atmospheres form when flammable substances (gases, vapours, dusts) mix with air in the right proportions. Common areas: paint shops, fuel storage, grain handling.

What is the role of 'DSEAR' zones in explosive atmosphere management?

• AA set of insurance categories used to price cover for sites that hold flammable liquids, which has no bearing on the equipment selected for use there
• BZones used to mark out the areas of a site where flammable liquids are stored, with no effect on the choice of electrical equipment used there
• CA classification scheme used in the offshore and petrochemical industries, which does not apply to temporary construction work anywhere in the UK
• DDSEAR zones classify areas by frequency of explosive atmospheres; determines equipment type required (electrical equipment certification)✓

Answer: Under DSEAR 2002, places are classified into zones by how often an explosive atmosphere occurs. Zone 0 is continuous or long periods, Zone 1 is likely in normal operation, Zone 2 is unlikely and short-lived. Different equipment is required for each zone.

What must be included in a 'fire prevention plan' for a construction site?

• AA list of emergency telephone numbers displayed in the site office and on the welfare cabin door for visitors to see
• BA plan drawn up by the local fire and rescue service, which the client then issues to each of the contractors on site
• CA schedule of the fire extinguishers provided and their inspection dates
• DHazards, risk assessment, controls (housekeeping, hot works, electrical, storage), procedures, evacuation plan✓

Answer: A site fire prevention plan should cover: identified fire hazards, risk assessment findings, control measures (housekeeping, hot works control, storage), emergency procedures, and evacuation arrangements.

What is 'fire-fighting equipment' and what types may be needed?

• AFire extinguishers (various types), hoses, hydrants, sprinkler systems; type depends on fire class and hazards✓
• BEquipment that is optional where a site can be evacuated within minutes
• CWater extinguishers throughout, since they suit most construction fires
• DOnly water hoses which are connected directly to the mains water supply on site

Answer: Fire-fighting equipment includes extinguishers, hoses, fire blankets and sprinklers, chosen to suit the fire class. Portable extinguishers come in water, foam, CO₂ and dry powder types, and the type depends on the fire class risks.

What are the different classes of fire and appropriate extinguishers?

• AClass A (solids), B (liquids), C (gases), D (metals), F (cooking oils); different extinguishers suit different classes✓
• BFires are graded 1 to 5
• CClassed by fire size
• DWater is effective on burning liquids and gases, provided it is applied from a safe distance using a hose reel

Answer: Fire classes are A (solids such as wood), B (flammable liquids), C (gases such as LPG), D (metals such as magnesium) and F (cooking oils). Electrical fires are not a separate class: isolate the supply and use a CO2 extinguisher. Each class needs a suitable extinguisher.

What is 'site housekeeping' in fire prevention?

• AUnrelated to fire, since housekeeping is about the appearance of the site rather than the materials stored on it
• BA matter of appearance only, since waste in a skip cannot catch light while it is still out in the open
• CRegular removal of waste, combustible materials, and debris to reduce fuel and ignition sources✓
• DSweeping the floors at the end of each week so that the site looks tidy for the client's next inspection

Answer: Good housekeeping reduces fire risk by: removing combustible waste, storing flammable properly, clearing escape routes, and reducing fuel for fire to spread.

What must be done regarding 'electrical safety' for fire prevention?

• AOrdinary care
• BUse 230 V site tools
• CReplacing damaged leads whenever a fault is noticed, which is taken to remove the need for a planned inspection or testing regime on the site
• DRegular inspection of electrical equipment, safe condition certification, proper earthing, safe wire routing, protection from damage✓

Answer: Electrical fire prevention includes: regular inspection by competent persons, proper earthing, protection from damage/water/impacts, no overloading, and maintenance of portable tools.

What is 'emergency communication' in fire safety?

• ARadio contact between the crane driver and the slinger during lifts
• BAn audible fire alarm, which replaces the need to contact emergency services
• CA list of phone numbers, kept in the site office and updated monthly
• DSystems to alert occupants (alarms, intercoms) and contact emergency services (fire service, ambulance)✓

Answer: Emergency communication includes: audible/visible fire alarms, public address systems, direct emergency services contact (999), and communication with assembly points.

What is the purpose of a 'fire safety induction' for site workers?

• AAdditional training offered to volunteers who act as site fire marshals
• BA briefing given to the site management team so that they can decide what to tell the workforce if a fire occurs
• CTo inform workers of fire hazards, controls, evacuation procedures, assembly points, and responsibilities✓
• DAn induction given only to fire marshals and supervisors, as the other workers simply follow them out of the building

Answer: Fire induction educates all workers on: identified fire hazards, prevention measures, emergency alarm sounds, evacuation routes, assembly point, and their role in emergency response.

What must be reviewed and tested regularly in fire safety?

• AA single check each year carried out by the alarm contractor during the annual maintenance visit to the site office
• BSystems are checked after an incident or a false alarm, since testing at other times would disrupt the works programme
• CThe site's insurance policy, which is renewed once each year
• DEvacuation procedures (drills), alarm systems, emergency lighting, escape routes, and competency of fire marshals✓

Answer: Regular fire safety testing includes: evacuation drills (at least 6 monthly), alarm testing, emergency lighting checks, escape route inspections, and fire marshal competency refresher.