Fire Safety

What are the three elements of the fire triangle?

• AHeat, light, and smoke
• BFuel, oxygen, and heat✓
• CWood, gas, and electricity
• DTemperature, pressure, and time

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?

• ABig and small fires
• BClasses A (solids), B (liquids), C (gases), D (metals), E (electrical), F (cooking)✓
• CHot and cold fires
• DInside and outside 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
• BUse on fires with classes A, B, or C; aim at base, use short bursts✓
• COnly on red fires
• DJust spray the smoke

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?

• ANothing, just run
• BRoutes, assembly points, responsible persons, disabled access, communication, and regular practice✓
• COnly exit signs
• DJust the office manager knows

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 look nice
• BTo slow fire spread and give occupants time to escape✓
• CTo be completely fireproof
• DOnly for decoration

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?

• ANothing needs to be clear
• BAll obstructions; items must not block access to safety equipment✓
• COnly large items
• DJust in front of them

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?

• ATry to put it out immediately
• BAlert others, activate alarm, evacuate, report to assembly point✓
• CHide from it
• DCall your boss

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'?

• AWatching fire in a fireplace
• BAuthorization system for high-risk work like welding with controlled hazard precautions✓
• CJust monitoring the exit
• DNot necessary

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?

• ANone exist
• BOverheating of cables, overcurrent, damaged insulation, arcing, and improper terminations✓
• COnly in old buildings
• DNo hazards from electricity

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?

• AOnly sound an alarm
• BDetects fire automatically through smoke/heat sensors and triggers alarms and possibly suppression systems✓
• CPuts out fires
• DPrevents fires

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 hard a material is
• BThe ability of a material to burn or catch fire easily✓
• CHow heavy a material is
• DHow shiny a material is

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?

• AIgnore it, keep working
• BEvacuate immediately using designated routes to assembly point✓
• CCheck for fire first
• DGather your belongings

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.