Element 4 - Fire Protection In Buildings

Question 1

Give 6 elements of a structure as according to approved document b

Answer 1

Structural frame 
Load bearing walls 
Floor
Gallery 
External wall 
Compartment wall

Question 2

8 reasons compartmentation is used to inhibit the spread of fire

Answer 2

Physical barrier
Contains fire to zone of origin for a time
Reduces amount of people at risk
Reducded travel distance
Reduces spread of smoke and heat
Reduces chance of smoke entering fire routes
Enables phased evacuation
Provides safe refuges for vulnerable people

Question 3

4 classes of fire retardent materials

Answer 3

1 - very low flame spread
2 - low
3 medium
4 rapid

Question 4

5 materials that limit spread of fire

Answer 4

Brickwork 
Mineral fibre board 
Block work 
Skimmed plasterboard 
Fire retardent coatings

Question 5

Give 2 things In relation to lining materials that should be considered when selecting them

Answer 5

Ignition point
How fast the flames will spread across it .
How much smoke is produced
How fast heat is released from the material

Question 6

6 considerations of stairs to be used as an escape route

Answer 6

Closed fire doors
No combustible materials
Width of stairs not narrower than the exit
Wide stairs should have a centre rail as well as sides
Slip resistant and In good condition
Stairways protected by fire resistant material

Question 7

8 things to consider in relation to emg routes and exits

Answer 7

Must lead as directly as possible to a place of safety
Evacuate quickly and safely
Number and size of emg routes must be adequate
Emg doors must open in direction of escape
Not use sliding or revolving doors
Emg doors must not be locked
Must have signs
Emg lighting

Question 8

Where must a final exit lead to

Answer 8

A place of total safety

Question 9

Define horizontal evacuation

Answer 9

Staged evacuation one area at a time

Question 10

How do we help disabled people evacuate during fire

3 marks

Answer 10

Peeps
Personal emg evacuation plans

Evacuation lifts

Refuges

Question 11

Give 5 types of fire alarm

Answer 11

Manual - shouting 
Manual electrical - break glass buttons 
Automatic fire alarm - goes off when smoke or heat detected 
Voice alarm - recorded message 
Staff alarm system

Question 12

Manual electrical fire alarm considerations

8 marks

Answer 12

Siting 
Distance 
Uniformity throughout premises 
Safe position 
Conspicuous 
Height 
Operation - same operation across building 
Cover to stop being knocked accidentally

Question 13

Describe 5 types of fire detection

Answer 13

Spot - static covering a certain area of the building

Line - heat detector cables around specific area

Beam- covers large areas usually infra red

Sampling air samples from an area

Video scanning- large areas

Question 14

2 types of smoke detector

Answer 14

Ionization chamber - Chemical reacts with smoke and decreases electrical current tripping the alarm

Photo electric cell

When light is obscured by smoke alarm goes off

Question 15

2 types of heat detectors

Answer 15

Fixed

Rate of rise 1

Question 16

Give 5 types of life risk alarm system

Answer 16

L1 - total coverage of premises
L2 - detection in high risk areas only
L3 - detection in all rooms off escape route
L4 - areas where fire may grow undetected
L5 - non prescriptive areas other than L1 - L4

Question 17

Give two examples of property risk alarms

Answer 17

P1 - automatic detection throughout entire building

P2 - automatic detection in designated areas

Question 18

Other than life and property risk alarms what is there?

Answer 18

Manual systems - push alarms

Question 19

8 things that can cause a false alarm

Answer 19

Steam 
Dust 
Aerosol sprays 
Cigarette smoke 
Cooking 
Malfunction 
Hot works 
Horseplay 
False alarms with good intent ie seeing smoke

Question 20

What should be considered when placing fire extinguishers

8 marks

Answer 20

Convenient place 
Easy to access- not obstructed 
Ready for immediate use 
Carrying handle about a metre off the floor 
Not more than 30m away 
Conspicuous on exit route 
Signage 
Same position on all floors

Question 21

5 types of sprinkler system

Answer 21

Wet pipe- water in pipe
Dry pipe- no water stored in pipe
Alternate wet and dry - dry in winter to stop freezing wet in summer
Tail end - parts of system that can freeze are kept dry
Pre action- dry system that becomes wet as heat rises

Question 22

7 main parts of a sprinkler system.

Answer 22

Main supply pipe 
Water tank 
Pump 
Control valves 
Pressure gauge 
Distribution pipes 
Sprinkler heads

Question 23

8 types of flooding or drencher systems

Answer 23

Co2 
Nitrogen 
Water mist 
Foam 
High expansion foam 
Dry powder 
Inert gases fm200

Question 24

4 considerations for fire fighter crews accessing a site

Answer 24

Vehicle access
Access for personnel - lifts and stairs
Fire main in tall buildings
Venting for heat and smoke in basements

Question 25

4 ways to limit the impact of a fire on the environment

Answer 25

Prevention of fire 
Detection 
Containment of fire water 
Bunds 
Tanks 
Sacrificial area 
Booms 
Drain seals 

Mitigation- using less water