Element 6

Question 1

Identify the 3 things that must be present for a fire to start.

Answer 1

• Oxygen.
• Fuel.
• Heat.

Question 2

Explain why the “Fire Triangle” is used?

Answer 2

• Fire prevention: Keeping the 3 elements apart means that the fire cannot start.
• Fire-Fighting: By removing one of the elements, the fire will go out.

Question 3

Define “Flammable”?

Answer 3

A technical term indicating the substance gives off a vapour that can be ignited.

Question 4

Identify 4 different methods by which a fire can spread?

Answer 4

• Direct Burning.
• Convection.
• Conduction.
• Radiation.

Question 5

Identify some of the most common causes of workplace fires?

Answer 5

• Electrical equipment.
• Deliberate ignition.
• Hot work.
• Smoking.
• Cooking appliances.
• Heating appliances.
• Unsafe use and storage of flammable liquids and gases.
• Mechanical heat.
• Chemical reactions.

Question 6

Identify the 3 main reasons for carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment?

Answer 6

• Prevent harm to people.
• Comply with the law.
• Minimise the cost of fire at the workplace.

Question 7

What does RRFSO stand for?

Answer 7

• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Question 8

What does IIERR stand for?

Answer 8

• Identify the risk.
• Identify the people at risk.
• Evaluate/Reduce the risk.
• Record the findings.
• Review the assessment.

Question 9

Identify the fire hazards?

Answer 9

• Source of fuel.
• Source of Ignition/heat.
• Source of oxygen.

Question 10

Give the fire precautions that are required?

Answer 10

• Fire prevention.
• Prevention of the spread of smoke and flames.
• Fire detection and alarm.
• Fire-fighting equipment.
• Means of escape.
• Signs and notices.
• Lighting.

Question 11

Identify who might be more at risk in a fire situation?

Answer 11

• Lone workers (cleaners).
• People working in isolated areas (plant room).
• The young (toddlers in a crèche).
• The elderly (residents in a care home).
• The disabled (wheelchair users).

Question 12

Outline typical precautions for control of hot work?

Answer 12

• Flammable materials are removed from the work area.
• Items that cannot be removed are covered with fire-retardant blankets.
• The floor is swept clean.
• Wooden floor is damped down.
• A suitable fire extinguisher is at hand.
• A “Fire Watcher” is present in the area.
• The work area is visited routinely after the work has finished to check the area for smouldering.

Question 13

Outline the key criteria with regard to safe use of flammable liquids?

Answer 13

• Use the minimum volume of liquid required.
• Liquid should be in a properly labelled container.
• Ideally the container will be metal with a self-closing lid.
• Use a metal tray to catch spills and have absorbent material available.
• Use away from heat and ignition sources.
• Ensure that the workplace is well ventilated.
• Return containers to safe storage after use.

Question 14

Outline the key criteria with regard to safe storage of flammable liquids in work rooms?

Answer 14

• Store minimal volumes only.
• Store in a purpose built flammables cabinet (fire resistant/metal, lockable doors, clearly signed, built in catch tray).
• Store away from potential ignition sources.

Question 15

Outline the key criteria with regard to safe storage of flammable liquids?

Answer 15

• Store in purpose built, single storey flammables store.
• The store built of non-combustible materials.
• The store having a lightweight roof for explosion relief.
• Ideally the store built outdoors away from other buildings or having firewall protection.
• The store suitably fenced in a secure area.
• All electrical systems are intrinsically safe.
• All other ignition sources are eliminated.
• The store being well ventilated at high and low levels.
• All access doors lockable with sill to contains spillages.
• Adequate fire-fighting equipment.
• Suitable fire safety signs.
• Regular checks for security, secure and safe storage, leaks of liquids, etc.
• Having clear, safe access for the fire service.

Question 16

Give some typical characteristics of a fire door?

Answer 16

• Rated to withstand fire for a minimum period of time (e.g. 20-30 mins).
• Fitted with:
  A self closing device.
  An instrument strip.
  A cold smoke seal.
  A vision panel of fire resistant glass.
• Clearly labelled (e.g. Fire door - Keep shut).

Question 17

Give some characteristics of heavier fire doors?

Answer 17

• Contain fire within compartments that contain greater risk of fire risk (e.g. Plant room).
• Keep fire out if compartments that contain fire-sensitive contents (e.g. Computer room). Therefore a higher rating will be required to withstand the fire (e.g. 1 to 2 hours).

Question 18

Outline some common building materials and their effect in a fire?

Answer 18

• Concrete: usually very resistant to fire and does not collapse catastrophically. It may spall/throw off small chunks.
• Steel: severely affected by high temperatures. Expansion occurs, pushing structural elements apart. Steel may twist and warp, leading to building collapse.
• Brick: very resistant to fire.
• Timber: thin timber will burn, however thick beams may not fully burn. Thick timber will fail slowly rather than suddenly.

Question 19

Identify other materials that can make a difference to fire resistance?

Answer 19

• Insulation: wall insulation.

- Wall coverings: paint or wallpaper.

Question 20

Explain what “The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)” requires from an employer?

Answer 20

• Classify hazardous locations (where an explosive atmosphere might be created due to the presence of a dangerous substance or combustible dust), into “Zones”, and then control the fire and explosion risks appropriately.

Question 21

Outline an employers Zone classifications for gases, vapours and mists?

Answer 21

• Zone 0 (Zone 20 for dusts): a place in which an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.
• Zone 1 (Zone 21 for dusts): a place in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
• Zone 2 (Zone 22 for dusts): a place in which an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

Question 22

Identify the some general principles to be applied when deciding upon appropriate fire detection and alarm systems?

Answer 22

• The simplest system.
• Simple with more noise.
• Manually operated fire alarm.
• Interlinked smoke alarms.
• Automatic fire detection and alarm (Smoke detectors/Heat detectors).

Question 23

Identify some types of portable fire fighting equipment?

Answer 23

• Portable fire extinguisher.
• Fire blankets.
• Hose reels.
• Sprinkler systems.

Question 24

Outline some basic siting considerations of fire extinguishers?

Answer 24

• On fire exit routes.
• Near exit doors.
• Close to hazards that they are supposed to protect against (fire blanket next to a gas hob in a kitchen).
• No one should have to travel further than 30 metres to reach an extinguisher.
• Fixed to walls at comfortable heights (1 metre for large extinguishers/1.5 metres for smaller ones).
• Clearly visible and labelled.

Question 25

Give the 5 types of fire extinguisher?

Answer 25

- Water: used for Class A fires. - Carbon dioxide: used for Class A & B fires. - Foam: used for Class A & B fires. - Dry powder: used for all Classes. - Wet chemical: used for Class F fires.

Question 26

Give a definition of a "Fire Main"?

Answer 26

- A water supply pipe installed specifically for fire-fighting purposes.

Question 27

Outline the factors to be considered when developing a fire plan?

Answer 27

- Details of who is likely to be in the building: Workers Visitors Contractors Vulnerable persons - Action to be taken by the person who finds the fire: How will the alarm be raised How will the emergency services be contacted - Escape routes: Number and location Travel distances Provision of fire exit route signs Emergency lighting of escape corridors and stairwells - Fire fighting equipment: Provision of portable equipment - Action to be taken after evacuation: Roll call Fire Marshalls to check building is evacuated - Training in: Use of equipment Fire drills Co-operation with other employers on site

Question 28

Give some considerations when planning "escape routes" or "means of escape" in the event of an evacuation of a workplace?

Answer 28

- Means of escape. - Travel distances. - Stairs and passageways. - Doors. - Emergency escape lighting. - Exit and directional signs. - Assembly points. - Fire marshals. - Training and information. - Fire drills. - Roll call.

Question 29

Explain the 5 classes of fire?

Answer 29

- Class A: Solid materials, usually organic, such as paper, wood, coal and textiles. - Class B: Flammable liquids, such as petrol, oil and solvents. - Class C: Gases, such as methane, propane and acetylene. - Class D: Metals, such as aluminium or magnesium. - Class F: High-temperature fats and oils, such as cooking fat fire.