CH 16

Question 1

Which type of building material is affected by size and moisture content during fire conditions? (783) [5.3.2]

A. Glass
B. Wood
C. Masonry
D. Concrete

Answer 1

B. Wood

Question 2

How does the size of a wooden structural member affect how it reacts to fire? (783) [5.3.2]

A. Size has no effect on how easy a piece of wood will ignite.
B. Heavy timbers remain strong even after exposure to direct flame.
C. Heavy timbers lose structural stability quickly when exposed to direct flame.
D. Engineered wood products burn slower than natural wood because they have a lower moisture content.

Answer 2

B. Heavy timbers remain strong even after exposure to direct flame.

Question 3

How does heat affect masonry? (784) [5.3.2]

A. Bricks may experience spalling when they are heated.
B. Bricks will crumble after minimal exposure to heat and flame.
C. Stones and concrete will crumble after exposure to direct flame.
D. Stones and concrete may experience spalling when they are heated.

Answer 3

D. Stones and concrete may experience spalling when they are heated.

Question 4

Cast iron may crack or shatter when it is: (786) [5.3.2]

A. heated indirectly.
B. rapidly cooled with water.
C. in contact with direct flames.
D. used as a decorative structural element.

Answer 4

B. rapidly cooled with water.

Question 5

When heated, steel structural members tend to: (787) [5.3.2]

A. spall.
B. crumble.
C. elongate and push walls outward.
D. contract and cause walls to fall inward.

Answer 5

C. elongate and push walls outward.

Question 6

Which factor is likely to affect the speed with which a steel structural member fails under fire conditions? (787) [5.3.2]

A. Age
B. Size
C. Exposure to foam extinguishing agents
D. Where the steel is located in the structure

Answer 6

B. Size

Question 7

How does reinforced concrete react to exposure to fire? (790) [5.3.2]

A. It takes longer to fail after exposure to fire.
B. It contracts and forces building walls inward.
C. It elongates and pushes building walls outward.
D. It performs well, but can lose strength through spalling.

Answer 7

D. It performs well, but can lose strength through spalling.

Question 8

Which type of building material is used to protect other materials because its moisture content gives it excellent heat resistance? (790) [5.3.2]

A. Reinforced steel
B. Lath and plaster
C. Gypsum wallboard
D. Reinforced concrete

Answer 8

C. Gypsum wallboard

Question 9

What is a concern about lath and plaster during a fire? (790) [5.3.2]

A. Stretches when heated
B. Releases toxic gases when heated
C. Shows signs of spalling when exposed to fire
D. Conceals hidden fires and adds fuel to the fire

Answer 9

D. Conceals hidden fires and adds fuel to the fire

Question 10

Which statement describes how glass will react under fire conditions? (791) [5.3.2]

A. Heated glass may crack when water is applied.
B. Glass can add a significant amount of fuel to the fire.
C. It will break or melt, causing the surrounding walls to weaken.
D. Glass generally is not affected by fire conditions, but may be broken during forcible entry.

Answer 10

A. Heated glass may crack when water is applied.

Question 11

Which type of building material can produce toxic gases and rapidly deteriorate under fire conditions? (793) [5.3.2]

A. Steel
B. Glass
C. Lath and plaster
D. Oriented strand board (OSB)

Answer 11

D. Oriented strand board (OSB)

Question 12

Which building material can potentially be harmful to firefighters because it contains a glue called urea formaldehyde that gives off a hazardous gas when it is heated? (794) [5.3.2]

A. Plywood
B. Cellulose
C. Mineral wool
D. Particle board

Answer 12

D. Particle board

Question 13

When should firefighters begin considering the potential that a building will collapse? (794) [5.3.2]

A. During preincident surveys and size-up
B. Once the fire reaches the growth stage
C. Immediately upon arrival at the incident
D. Once the fire reaches the fully involved stage

Answer 13

A. During preincident surveys and size-up

Question 14

Which type of collapse is common for a Type V construction building? (795) [5.3.2]

A. Balloon collapse
B. Walls collapsing inward
C. Collapse of a single compartment
D. Walls collapsing in one piece or crumbling

Answer 14

B. Walls collapsing inward

Question 15

Why can abandoned buildings pose great danger of fire and collapse? (797) [5.3.2]

A. The interior may be gutted and altered.
B. The interior may be compartmentalized.
C. The exterior may be made of lightweight components.
D. The exterior may be covered with flammable materials.

Answer 15

A. The interior may be gutted and altered.

Question 16

In which stage of fire development does structural collapse become likely due to the weakened state of structural members and buildup of water? (797) [5.3.2]

A. Incipient
B. Growth
C. Fully developed
D. Decay

Answer 16

D. Decay

Question 17

How do a building’s contents affect fire growth and structural collapse? (798) [5.3.2]

A. Contents create barriers that help block fire spread.
B. Contents can retain water and increase the stress on structural members.
C. Contents help distribute the weight in the building evenly, which adds structural stability.
D. Contents burn more slowly than structural members, so it takes longer for the fire to grow.

Answer 17

B. Contents can retain water and increase the stress on structural members.

Question 18

Little or no water runoff from the interior of the structure can be an indicator that: (798) [5.3.2]

A. fire suppression was effective.
B. fire suppression was not effective.
C. the structure is retaining water and at risk of collapse.
D. the structure is stable, because the fire has been put out.

Answer 18

C. the structure is retaining water and at risk of collapse.

Question 19

What is an indicator of structural collapse? (798) [5.3.2]

A. Fire in the incipient stage
B. Distorted structural members
C. Absence of reinforcing tie rods
D. Smoke movement through windows

Answer 19

B. Distorted structural members

Question 20

When establishing collapse zones,: (798) [53.2]

A. apparatus must not be positioned in the collapse zone.
B. the size of the collapse zone depends on the width of the building.
C. interior crews should be allowed to finish tasks before exiting the structure.
D. the IC should wait to cordon the zones off until an offensive strategy has been adopted.

Answer 20

A. apparatus must not be positioned in the collapse zone.

Question 21

Traditionally, how large is the collapse zone? (798) [5.3.2]

A. 1 1/2 times the width of the structure
B. 2 1/2 times the width of the structure
C. 1 1/2 times the height of the structure
D. 2 1/2 times the height of the structure

Answer 21

C. 1 1/2 times the height of the structure

Question 22

When should a collapse zone be established at a structure fire? (799) [5.3.2]

A. After mutual aid is requested
B. As soon as interior operations begin
C. Once a defensive strategy is adopted
D. Before cordoning off the hot, warm, and cold zones

Answer 22

C. Once a defensive strategy is adopted

Question 23

Once it is determined that collapse is imminent,: (799) [5.3.2]

A. the collapse zone should be cleared as soon as possible.
B. the interior crews should remain working until they recover all victims.
C. the primary search must be completed, and then the building should be evacuated.
D. everyone who is not directly related in suppression or rescue must leave the collapse zone.

Answer 23

A. the collapse zone should be cleared as soon as possible.

Question 24

What should take place immediately after the collapse zone is cleared? (799) [5.3.2]

A. Size-up
B. After-action report
C. Personnel accountability report
D. Personnel return to the staging area

Answer 24

C. Personnel accountability report

Question 25

Which statement accurately describes how building materials and configuration affect fire behavior in a structure? (800) [53.2]

A. Buildings with lightweight engineered components are less likely to collapse unexpectedly.
B. Buildings with a high level of compartmentation are more susceptible to rapid fire spread.
C. Fires in structures with a low fuel load have a lower tolerance to fire and will burn hotter than other fires.
D. The longer the fire has burned, the more likely it is that structural integrity has been compromised.

Answer 25

D. The longer the fire has burned, the more likely it is that structural integrity has been compromised.

Question 26

Why are buildings under construction more susceptible to fire spread? (800) [5.3.2]

A. High fuel loads
B. Structurally unsound construction
C. Presence of Type I construction materials
D. Sprinklers and FDCs are not yet operational

Answer 26

D. Sprinklers and FDCs are not yet operational

Question 27

How can HVAC systems affect tactical ventilation? (800) [5.3.2]

A. Provide fresh air to ventilation crews
B. Move products of combustion to unaffected areas
C. Cool the air in the fire room to weaken the fire’s intensity
D. Help extinguish the fire by changing the pressure in the structure

Answer 27

B. Move products of combustion to unaffected areas

Question 28

How can water from fire suppression affect a building’s structural stability? (801) [5.3.2]

A. Water has minimal effect on a structure’s stability.
B. Water adds weight, but does not add stress to the structure.
C. Water weight added from suppression can cause floors to collapse.
D. Water has a positive impact on stability since it reduces the structure’s fuel load.

Answer 28

C. Water weight added from suppression can cause floors to collapse.

Question 29

Overhaul operations may affect a structure’s stability when: (801) [5.3.2]

A. salvage covers are placed to protect furnishings.
B. ventilation fans are used to clear smoke from the area.
C. furniture and other movable fixtures are removed from the structure.
D. firefighters accidentally cut through load bearing components.

Answer 29

D. firefighters accidentally cut through load bearing components.