Fire Safety

What are the three elements of the fire triangle?

• AFuel, oxygen, and heat✓
• BHeat, light, and smoke
• CTemperature, pressure, and time
• DWood, gas, and electricity

Answer: The fire triangle consists of three essential elements: fuel (combustible material), oxygen (air), and heat (ignition source). Remove any one and fire cannot burn.

What are the main classes of fire?

• AInside fires and outside fires, with a different extinguisher kept for each of the two kinds
• BBig and small fires
• CClasses A (solids), B (liquids), C (gases), D (metals), E (electrical), F (cooking)✓
• DHot and cold fires

Answer: Fire classes are: A (ordinary combustibles - wood, paper), B (flammable liquids), C (gases), D (metals), E (electrical equipment - now Class F for cooking oils).

What is the correct use of an ABC fire extinguisher?

• ASpray it anywhere in the general direction of the fire until it stops
• BUse on fires with classes A, B, or C; aim at base, use short bursts✓
• COnly on red fires
• DJust spray at the smoke above the flames until it has all cleared away

Answer: ABC extinguishers work on ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and gases. Point at the base of the fire using short bursts; don't spray the flames above.

What should be included in a fire evacuation plan?

• ARoutes, assembly points, responsible persons, disabled access, communication, and regular practice✓
• BOnly exit signs
• CSimply run for it
• DThe office manager is the only person who needs to know it, and will direct everyone else on the day

Answer: A fire plan should include: clearly marked escape routes and exits, assembly points, designated marshals, procedures for disabled persons, communication methods, and regular drills.

What is the purpose of fire-rated doors and walls?

• ATo slow fire spread and give occupants time to escape✓
• BTo be completely fireproof so that fire can never pass through
• CTo make the corridors look neat and tidy for any visitors
• DThey are fitted only for decoration and serve no other purpose

Answer: Fire-rated construction slows the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants time to evacuate safely. The rating indicates how long it maintains integrity.

What should be kept clear of fire extinguishers and emergency exits?

• AItems may be stored in front of them, as long as they can be moved quickly
• BAll obstructions; items must not block access to safety equipment✓
• CJust the floor directly in front of them, up to about a metre away
• DOnly large items

Answer: Fire exits, extinguishers, and emergency equipment must never be blocked or obstructed. Keep access clear at all times for immediate availability in an emergency.

What action should be taken if you discover a fire?

• ATelephone your line manager and wait for them to tell you what to do
• BAlert others, activate alarm, evacuate, report to assembly point✓
• CHide away from the fire in a nearby room and wait there to be found
• DTry to put it out yourself immediately before telling anyone else on site

Answer: Correct action: raise the alarm, evacuate the area, go to the designated assembly point, and only attempt to fight the fire if small and escape route is clear.

What is a 'fire watch' or 'hot work permit'?

• AAuthorization system for high-risk work like welding with controlled hazard precautions✓
• BKeeping watch over a fire in a fireplace or brazier used to warm the site huts in the winter
• CJust monitoring the exit
• DPurely optional

Answer: A hot work permit authorizes work with high ignition risk (welding, cutting, etc.) and requires: risk assessment, fire extinguishers present, spotter assigned, and post-work inspection.

In electrical installations, what fire hazards must be controlled?

• AOverheating of cables, overcurrent, damaged insulation, arcing, and improper terminations✓
• BThey only arise in old buildings where the wiring was installed before the current standards applied
• CElectricity poses no fire risk
• DAbsent altogether

Answer: Electrical fire hazards include: overloaded circuits causing overheating, damaged cable insulation, poor connections causing arcing, and non-compliant equipment.

What does an automatic fire detection system do?

• AIt only sounds an alarm bell, and someone must then telephone the fire service and start the evacuation themselves
• BPrevents fires
• CPuts out fires
• DDetects fire automatically through smoke/heat sensors and triggers alarms and possibly suppression systems✓

Answer: Fire detection systems use smoke and heat sensors to automatically detect fire, trigger alarms, notify emergency services, and may activate suppression systems.

What is 'combustibility' in the context of materials?

• AHow heavy a material is for its size and the volume it takes up
• BThe ability of a material to burn or catch fire easily✓
• CHow hard a material is and how easily it can be scratched
• DHow shiny the surface of a material is once it has been polished

Answer: Combustibility refers to how easily a material will ignite and burn. Combustible materials (wood, plastics) are greater fire risks than non-combustible (metal, stone).

What should be the first action on hearing a fire alarm?

• ACheck the building for signs of fire before doing anything else
• BIgnore it and keep working until a supervisor tells you to stop
• CGather up your belongings and tools before leaving the building
• DEvacuate immediately using designated routes to assembly point✓

Answer: On hearing a fire alarm, evacuate immediately via the nearest designated route to the assembly point. Do not stop to collect belongings. Do not use lifts.

What is the purpose of fire extinguisher training?

• AA formality only
• BTo replace the professional fire service so that the brigade does not have to be called out to small fires
• CTo fight all fires
• DTo understand types, limitations, and safe use for small fires; when to evacuate instead✓

Answer: Training ensures workers understand extinguisher types, appropriate uses, proper technique, and critically, when fires are too large and evacuation is the correct response.

What is a 'fire separation' in building design?

• AJust a gap
• BThe distance kept between a fire and the nearest water supply point on site
• CPhysical barrier (wall, door) preventing fire spread between compartments✓
• DThe open space that is kept around the outside of a building for fire engines

Answer: Fire separation uses rated walls and doors to compartmentalize buildings, slowing fire spread and containing smoke to allow occupants in other areas to evacuate safely.

What electrical items pose fire risks that must be managed?

• AAny electrical item is safe from fire once it has been tested and given a pass certificate
• BOnly old installations
• COnly in wet areas
• DOverloaded circuits, damaged cables, poor connections, and non-compliant equipment✓

Answer: Electrical fire risks: overloaded circuits, damaged insulation on cables, poor terminal connections causing arcing, and non-compliant or damaged electrical equipment.