Fire Midterm Flashcards by Eunise Torreblanca

This phase involves preparing before an
emergency arises, including hazard
identification and developing strategies
for potential fire situations

Pre-planning

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

includes assessing
buildings, structures, or areas for potential fire risks. Firefighters familiarize themselves with layouts, identify firehazards (like flammable materials), and ensure they have the appropriate resources and equipment for quick and effective action

Pre-planning

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ is the initial assessment made by the
incident commander upon arrival at the scene

Size up

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ The goal of size-up is to gather
information about the fire’s size, intensity, location, and the structure involved. Firefighters also assess environmental conditions (e.g., wind) and any other hazards (e.g., hazardous materials, nearby structures) to form a strategy for attack

Size up

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ This phase involves protecting
structures or areas adjacent to the fire
from being damaged by heat, smoke, or flames

Cover exposure

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ Firefighters focus on preventing the fire
from spreading to neighboring
properties, especially when the fire is
out of control. This can include
deploying water to protect exposure
areas or using fire barriers to limit the
fire’s reach

Cover exposure

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ the process of limiting the fire to its current location and preventing it from spreading further

Confinement

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ The objective is to “contain” the fire
within a manageable area by cutting off its supply of oxygen and fuel.
Firefighters may use fire walls, doors,
or other barriers and strategically
deploy resources to stop the fire’s
progression

Confinement

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

involves controlling and
managing smoke, heat, and gases to
make the fire environment safer for
both victims and firefighters

Ventilation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ By creating openings (e.g., windows,
roofs), firefighters allow hot gases and
smoke to escape, which improves visibility
and makes firefighting more effective.
Proper ventilation reduces the risk of
flashover, a deadly phenomenon where
the fire can rapidly spread through the
entire structure

Ventilation

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ Eis the phase where the actual fire is suppressed or completely
put out.

Extinguishment

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ In this phase, firefighters apply water,
foam, dry chemicals, or other
extinguishing agents to the fire to stop it from burning. They use various tactics,
including direct attack (aiming water at the
base of the fire) and indirect attack
(controlling fire behavior through
ventilation and removing heat sources

Extinguishment

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

focuses on protecting property and valuables from damage after the
fire has been controlled

Salvage

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ Firefighters work to remove items that
can be saved and minimize water or
smoke damage. This could include
covering furniture, electronics, or other
assets with tarps and using salvage
covers to protect them from further
destruction

Salvage

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

is the process of ensuring the
fire is completely out by searching for
hidden embers and hotspots

Overhaul

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ This phase is essential to ensure no
rekindling occurs. Firefighters carefully
remove debris, check walls and ceilings
for hidden fire pockets, and continue to
cool down smoldering areas. Overhaul
reduces the chances of a secondary
fire reigniting

Overhaul

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

is the process of ensuring the
fire is completely out by searching for
hidden embers and hotspots

Overhaul

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ This phase focuses on documenting
and analyzing the event after the fire
has been extinguished

Post fire plan

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ After the fire is out, firefighters, incident
commanders, and investigators assess
the cause and origin of the fire. They also
complete reports, review safety protocols,
and possibly debrief to identify what went
well and where improvements could be
made for future operations

Post fire plan

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

is the search for and safe
extraction of individuals trapped in a fire
or dangerous environment

Rescue

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

§ This phase is often prioritized early in an
operation, especially in fires where there
are known or suspected victims inside the
building. Firefighters perform search-and-
rescue operations, ensuring individuals are
evacuated safely and quickly, often before
full fire suppression operations can begin

Rescue

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

are a combination
of technologies, equipment, and strategies
designed to detect, prevent, control, and
extinguish fires to protect lives, property,
and the environment. These systems are
implemented in buildings, industrial
settings, and other structures to minimize
the risk of fire damage

Fire protection system

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

These devices detect smoke particles in the air. They are often installed in
residential, commercial, and industrial buildings to provide early warning of fire.

Smoke detectors

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Detect fast, flaming fires by using ionized air.

Ionization Smoke Detectors

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Detect slow, smoldering fires by sensing changes in light reflection.

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

Detect slow, smoldering fires by sensing changes in light reflection.

Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

These detectors sense changes in temperature. They can be set to activate when the temperature reaches a certain level.

Heat detector

Activated when a specific temperature is reached.

Fixed Temperature Detectors

Triggered when the temperature rises rapidly, indicating a fire.

Rate-of-Rise Detectors

These systems detect the infrared or ultraviolet radiation emitted by flames. They're commonly used in industrial environments

Flame detector

Contain water that is immediately released when the sprinkler head is activated by heat.

Wet pipe sprinklers?

Contain water that is immediately released when the sprinkler head is activated by heat.

Wet pipe sprinklers?

Used in cold environments where water could freeze. They are filled with pressurized air, and water is released when the air pressure drops.

Dry pipe, sprinklers

combination of wet and dry systems that require both heat detection and a specific activation signal to release water.

Pre-action sprinklers

Portable devices used to put out small fires.

Fire extinguisher

For Class A fires (ordinary combustibles).

Water extinguisher

For Class A and Class B fires (flammable liquids).

Foam extinguisher

For electrical fires and Class B fires.

CO2 extinguisher

For a wide range of fire classes (A, B, C

Dry chemical extinguisher

These systems are designed to alert people to the presence of a fire and initiate an evacuation.

Fire alarm system

These allow building occupants to manually trigger an alarm.

Manual pull station

Devices that produce sound (sirens, bells) or visual signals (flashing lights) to notify people of a fire.

Audible and visual alarms

Provide clear, spoken instructions to guide people out of the building

Voice evacuation system

are specially constructed doors designed to withstand fire for a certain period, preventing the spread of flames and smoke

Fire doors

such as walls and partitions, are built to compartmentalize a building and prevent fire from spreading to other areas.

Fire barriers

These doors automatically close when a fire alarm is triggered, helping to prevent the spread of smoke and flames.

Self closing fire door

Often used in commercial buildings, these barriers prevent the spread of fire and smoke across different sections of the building

Fire resistant wall and partitions

These systems provide safe routes for evacuation in the event of a fire.

Fire escape system

Clearly marked exits that lead to safe areas outside the building.

Emergency exit

External stairways or ladders used to evacuate people from upper floors of a building.

Fire escapes

Clearly marked exits that lead to safe areas outside the building.

Emergency exit

Essential for guiding occupants to exits during a power failure caused by a fire

Exit.signage and emergency lighting

These systems are designed to protect high-risk environments.

Fire Protection Equipment and Systems for Special Hazards

Used in commercial kitchens to suppress grease fires. These systems often use wet chemicals to suppress the fire and cool the surfaces.

Kitchen fire suppression system

Found in industrial or transportation applications, such as on vehicles or in warehouses, to suppress fires in engine compartments or other high-risk areas

Vehicle fire suppression system

Used in commercial kitchens to suppress grease fires. These systems often use wet chemicals to suppress the fire and cool the surfaces.

Kitchen fire suppression system

This category includes tools and equipment used by fire fighters to manage fires effectively.

Firefighting equipment

External sources of water used by fire services to fight fires

Hydrant

Essential for applying water or foam to a fire.

Hoses and nozzles

Includes flame-resistant suits, helmets, gloves, and respiratory protection to safeguard firefighters while combating fires

Firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE)

These systems help manage smoke in a building, especially in high-rise structures. They work by either exhausting smoke out of the building or pressurizing certain areas to prevent smoke from entering

Smoke control system

These systems use fans to expel smoke from a building.

Smoke Exhaust Systems:

Helps prevent the spread of smoke in high-rise buildings

Smoke Control in Elevator Shafts

refers to how a fire reacts under different conditions, including how it spreads, grows, and interacts with its environment

Fire behavior

The amount of heat generated by the fire id a primary indicator. A fire's intensity can be observed by the amount of heat radiating from the fire. Significance: A hot, intense fire is often more difficult to control, and rapid heat buildup indicates a fire that could spread quickly or intensify

Heat

The color, volume, and movement of smoke provide critical information about the fire’s intensity and location.

Smoke

Often indicates that the fire is burning synthetic materials (e.g., plastics or rubber) and is high in intensity.

Black smoke

Suggests the fire is consuming natural materials (e.g., wood or paper), often indicating a lower intensity.

White smoke

May suggest that the fire is in the early stages of growth.

Gray

______ of the flames can indicate the fire's intensity and size. Taller flames suggest a larger, more intense fire.

Height of flames

Flames that are erratic and moving can indicate a fast-moving fire, while steady, controlled flames suggest a more predictable fire behavior.

Flame behavior

Wind can significantly affect fire behavior by supplying additional oxygen to the fire, causing it to grow more rapidly.

Air movement and wind

occurs when the temperature in a room or structure becomes high enough to cause all combustible materials to ignite simultaneously, leading to a sudden, intense fire. Significance: Flashover is a deadly event for both firefighters and civilians because it dramatically increases the fire’s intensity and spreads rapidly

Flashover

I s a dangerous phenomenon that occurs when a fire in a confined space has consumed all oxygen, but the fire can reignite when oxygen is introduced (e.g., opening a door or window). Significance: The sudden reintroduction of oxygen causes an explosive burst of flames and heat. Firefighters need to be cautious of this risk in confined spaces

Backdraft

The temperature around the fire and in surrounding areas is a key indicator of fire behavior. Significance: A higher temperature means the fire is more intense and dangerous. Monitoring temperature helps assess the risk of structural collapse or flashover

Temperature

The type of building construction (wood frame, steel, concrete) and available ventilation (natural or forced) can greatly influence fire behavior. Significance: In a well-ventilated area, the fire may spread more quickly, while in a confined area, smoke buildup and heat may intensify rapidly

Building Construction and Ventilation:

refer to the physical marks and characteristics left on a structure or environment by a fire. They are important clues for both firefighters and fire investigators, as they can help understand the fire’s origin, spread, and behavior

Fire patters

These are often seen in the corners of walls where a fire has spread upwards and outward. They indicate the fire's origin was likely at the bottom of the "V."

V-shaped Patterns:

This occurs when the fire spreads upward in a confined space, such as a room. The pattern can help indicate the direction of fire spread.

Inverted Cone Pattern:

Charred floors or blackened areas can show where the fire was most intense and help indicate the fire's point of origin. A floor with an obvious pattern may suggest an accelerant was used

Floor pattern

The depth of charring on materials (wood, carpet, furniture) can help determine the fire’s intensity and duration. Deeper charring indicates a longer or hotter fire. o Significance: The charring pattern can help pinpoint the fire's origin. The intensity of the burn can reveal how the fire spread over time

Charring

are typically found around windows, doors, and vents. The direction of the staining can help determine the path of the smoke, indicating how the fire spread and ventilated. o Significance: The presence of _____ can help locate the origin of the fire and show how ventilation influenced fire spread

Smoke staining

Charring

Glass that is cracked or shattered in a spiderweb-like pattern can indicate exposure to heat. The heat causes glass to expand and fracture. o Significance: The pattern of cracked or broken glass can help identify the fire's direction and potential entry points for heat or smoke

Crazing of glass

When materials like glass, metal, or plastic are exposed to extreme heat, they may melt, bend, or distort. The extent and type of distortion can indicate the temperature the material was exposed to. o Significance: Identifying melted or distorted materials can help investigators understand the intensity and location of the fire

Melting or Distortion of Materials

o After a fire is suppressed, the direction and pattern of water streams used to extinguish the fire can reveal fire intensity and the structure's layout. o Significance: The area where water pooled or collected may help show the areas that were hottest and most affected by the fire

Fire Streams and Water Patterns

These are lines or paths of burn marks that show the fire’s spread. Trails are typically seen along floors or walls and can show how the fire moved from one area to another. o Significance: Fire trails help in understanding the path of least resistance the fire took, which may indicate the use of accelerants or reveal how fire spread through the building

Fire trails

are essential for firefighters to assess the risk and adjust their tactics accordingly.

Fire behavior indicators

provide post-fire clues that can help reconstruct how a fire started, how it spread, and what caused its behavior. They are particularly useful for investigations but can also be helpful during firefighting to understand the fire dynamics.

Fire patterns

Fire Midterm Flashcards

(89 cards)