Fire Behavior Flashcards
Reactions that absorb energy are called: (75)
A. kinetic.
B. exothermic.
C. endothermic.
D. passive reactions.
C
The oldest and simplest model used to describe fire behavior is known as the: (76)
A. fire triangle.
B. ignition line.
C. fire tetrahedron.
D. combustion pathway.
A
Which of the following occurs when burning is localized on or near the fuel’s surface, where it is in contact with oxygen? (76)
A. Flaming combustion
B. Primary combustion
C. Secondary combustion
D. Nonflaming combustion
D
Which of the following exists in many forms including chemical, mechanical, and electrical? (78)
A. Heat
B. Energy
C. Compression
D. Temperature
B
Which type of ignition occurs without any external flame or spark? (79)
A. Autoignition
B. Kinetic ignition
C. Piloted ignition
D. Secondary ignition
A
The most common source of heat in combustion reactions is: (80)
A. light energy.
B. chemical energy.
C. electrical energy.
D. mechanical energy.
B
Which type of heat transfer occurs when a material is heated as a result of direct contact with a heat source? (83)
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Penetration
C
Which process usually involves the transfer of heat through the movement of hot smoke and fire gases? (84)
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Penetration
B
Which type of heat transfer travels through vacuums and air spaces? (87)
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Penetration
A
Materials that absorb heat, but do not contribute fuel in the combustible reaction are known as: (87)
A. passive agents.
B. inactive agents.
C. conductive agents.
D. nonreactive agents.
A
What physical state must fuel be in for flaming combustion to occur? (89)
A. Gas
B. Solid
C. Liquid
D. Either gas or liquid
A
What occurs as solid fuels are heated and begin to decompose and give off combustible vapors? (91)
A. Pyrolysis
B. Autoignition
C. Vaporization
D. Sustained chemical reaction
A
Which type of fire consists of ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, and paper? (96)
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
A
Which type of fire consists of flammable liquids and gases such as gasoline, oil, and methane? (96)
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
B
Which type of fire consists of combustible metals such as aluminum and magnesium? (98)
A. Class B
B. Class C
C. Class D
D. Class K
C
Which type of fire must have an extinguishing agent that uses saponification? (98)
A. Class A
B. Class C
C. Class D
D. Class K
D
All other factors being equal, a fire in a large compartment will develop: (101)
A. more slowly than one in a small compartment.
B. more quickly than one in a small compartment.
C. at the same rate as one in a small compartment.
D. at approximately twice the rate of one in a small compartment.
A
Which of the following thermal properties of a compartment maintains temperature by absorbing and releasing large amounts of heat slowly? (102)
A. Fuel load
B. Retention
C. Insulation
D. Heat reflectivity
B
During what stage is the fire releasing the maximum amount of heat possible for the available fuel and oxygen? (107)
A. Decay
B. Growth
C. Incipient
D. Fully developed
D
Which stage occurs when the oxygen concentration falls to the point that flaming combustion is diminished? (108)
A. Decay
B. Growth
C. Incipient
D. Fully developed
A
Which of the following statements about a physical change is MOST accurate? (74)
A. A physical change does not involve an exchange of energy.
B. A physical change is accompanied by some type of chemical change.
C. The substance undergoes chemical changes that affect size, shape, or appearance.
D. The substance remains chemically the same but changes in size, shape, or appearance.
D
Which of the following is MOST correct about what occurs in a chemical reaction? (75)
A. A chemical reaction occurs very slowly.
B. A chemical reaction only involves one substance.
C. A substance changes in size, shape, or appearance.
D. A substance changes from one type of matter into another.
D
Which occurs with rapid oxidation? (75)
A. Rust
B. Combustion
C. Smoldering
D. Vaporization
B
Reactions that give off energy are called: (75)
A. kinetic.
B. exothermic.
C. endothermic.
D. active reactions.
B
Converting water from a liquid to a gas requires: (75)
A. a kinetic reaction.
B. an active reaction.
C. an exothermic reaction.
D. an endothermic reaction.
D
Which of the following is a characteristic of nonflaming combustion? (76)
A. Occurs when oxygen content is lower
B. Occurs when oxygen content is higher
C. Occurs more slowly at a lower temperature
D. Occurs more slowly at a higher temperature
C
Which of the following is a characteristic of flaming combustion? (76)
A. Smoldering glow on the material’s surface
B. Visible flames above the material’s surface
C. Single color smoke above the material’s surface
D. Puffs of black or gray smoke above the material’s surface
B
Which of the following would extinguish a fire under the simplest model of fire behavior? (76)
A. Addition of oxygen
B. Removal of oxygen
C. Addition of solubles
D. Removal of pathways
B
Which element was added to the basic fire model to create the fire tetrahedron? (76)
A. Fuel
B. Heat
C. Oxygen
D. Uninhibited chemical reaction
D
Which of the following is a chemical process that requires liquid or solid fuels to be vaporized or converted to the gas phase through the addition of heat? (77)
A. Flaming combustion
B. Primary combustion
C. Nonflaming combustion
D. Secondary combustion
A
Which of the following is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a sample of matter? (78)
A. Heat
B. Energy
C. Temperature
D. Compression
C
Energy possessed by a moving object is known as: (78)
A. actual energy.
B. kinetic energy.
C. primary energy.
D. potential energy.
B
Which of the following refers to the rate at which work is performed or energy is converted from one form to another? (78)
A. Work
B. Force
C. Power
D. Transmission
C
The energy that transfers from a high-temperature substance to a low-temperature substance is referred to as: (78)
A. hot energy.
B. active energy
C. thermal energy.
D. potential energy.
C
Which type of ignition occurs when a mixture of fuel and oxygen encounter an external heat source with sufficient heat or thermal energy to start the combustion process? (79)
A. Autoignition
B. Kinetic ignition
C. Piloted ignition
D. Primary ignition
C
Which of the following statements about the autoignition temperature of a substance is MOST accurate? (80)
A. It is always lower than its piloted ignition temperature.
B. It is always higher than its piloted ignition temperature.
C. It is always the same as its piloted ignition temperature.
D. It may be either higher or lower than its piloted ignition temperature.
B
Which of the following refers to unintended resistance heating? (81)
A. Arcing
B. Sparking
C. Smoldering
D. Overcurrent or overload
D
Which of the following refers to a high-temperature luminous electric discharge across a gap or through a medium such as charred insulation? (81)
A. Arcing
B. Sparking
C. Smoldering
D. Overcurrent or overload
A
Which source of heat is generated by friction or compression? (82)
A. Light energy
B. Chemical energy
C. Electrical energy
D. Mechanical energy
D
Insulating materials delay heat transfer primarily by: (84)
A. slowing convection.
B. slowing conduction.
C. increasing conduction.
D. increasing convection.
B
Which type of heat transfer involves the transfer of thermal energy by the circulation or movement of a fluid (liquid or gas)? (84)
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Transmission
B
Which type of heat transfer involves the transmission of energy as electromagnetic waves without an intervening medium? (84)
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Penetration
A
Gypsum board is an example of a: (87)
A. passive agent.
B. blocking agent.
C. nonreactive agent.
D. conductive agent.
A
Which of the following is known as the reducing agent in a combustion reaction? (87)
A. Fuel
B. Heat
C. Oxygen
D. Inert gases
A
Which is an example of a hydrocarbon-based fuel? (87)
A. Paper
B. Wood
C. Plastics
D. Gypsum board
C
Which of the following refers to the total amount of thermal energy released when a specific fuel amount is oxidized? (87)
A. Heat release rate
B. Heat of reactivity
C. Heat of combustion
D. Realized heat energy
C
Which of the following refers to energy released per unit of time as a fuel burns? (88)
A. Heat release rate
B. Heat of reactivity
C. Heat of combustion
D. Realized heat energy
A
Why are fuels such as methane, hydrogen, and acetylene considered some of the most dangerous of all fuel types? (89)
A. They are odorless and colorless.
B. They are unstable under all circumstances.
C. There is no way to know their flammability ranges.
D. They are already in the physical state required for ignition.
D
Which of the following statements about vapor density is MOST accurate? (89)
A. All gases are given a vapor density of 1.
B. Gases with a vapor density less than 1 will rise.
C. Gases with a vapor density greater than 1 will rise.
D. Gases may either rise or sink regardless of vapor density.
B
Water has a specific gravity of: (90)
A. 0.
B. 1.
C. less than 1.
D. greater than 1.
B
Which of the following statements about liquids with a specific gravity of less than 1 is MOST accurate? (90)
A. They will sink in water.
B. They will readily mix with water.
C. They may either float or sink in water.
D. They will float on the surface of water.
D
What is the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapors to ignite but not sustain combustion? (90)
A. Fire point
B. Flash point
C. Vapor point
D. Flame point
B
What is the temperature at which sufficient vapors are generated to sustain the combustion reaction? (90)
A. Fire point
B. Flash point
C. Vapor point
D. Flame point
A
Which of the following is a characteristic of polar solvents? (91)
A. They react with water.
B. They will sink in water.
C. They will not mix with water.
D. They will mix readily with water.
D
In solid fuels, what must occur to generate the flammable vapors required for combustion? (91)
A. Pyrolysis
B. Flame over
C. Ventilation
D. Autoignition
A
Air contains approximately: (92)
A. 14 percent oxygen.
B. 21 percent oxygen.
C. 33 percent oxygen.
D. 50 percent oxygen.
B
Which of the following statements about oxidizers is MOST accurate? (94)
A. Oxidizers are combustible and highly volatile.
B. Oxidizers are neutral and do not affect combustion.
C. Oxidizers are combustible and also support or enhance combustion.
D. Oxidizers are not combustible but they will support or enhance combustion.
D
Materials that burn readily in oxygen-enriched atmospheres: (94)
A. may not burn in normal oxygen levels.
B. generally flame out within several minutes.
C. tend to smolder and not create combustion.
D. will also always burn at normal oxygen levels.
A
What is the minimum concentration of fuel vapor and air that supports combustion? (94)
A. Minimum flash point
B. Maximum flash point
C. Upper flammable limit
D. Lower flammable limit
D
What is the concentration fuel vapor and air above which combustion cannot take place? (94)
A. Minimum flash point
B. Maximum flash point
C. Upper flammable limit
D. Lower flammable limit
C
In a self-sustained chemical reaction, the combustion of methane produces the toxic gases carbon monoxide and: (96)
A. radon.
B. hydrogen.
C. formaldehyde.
D. carbon dioxide.
C
Which of the following causes the largest percentage of fire deaths? (96)
A. Burns
B. Toxic smoke
C. Cardic arrests
D. Injuries during escape attempts
B
The primary method of extinguishment for _____ fires is cooling with water to reduce the temperature of the fuel. (96)
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
A
Which type of fire requires foam/dry chemical as an extinguishing agent? (96)
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
B
Which type of fire involves energized electrical equipment such as computers or electric motors? (98)
A. Class A
B. Class B
C. Class C
D. Class D
C
What type of materials are MOST likely to react violently with water or other extinguishing agents? (98)
A. Class A
B. Class C
C. Class D
D. Class K
C
Which type of fire consists of vegetable-based oils and greases found in commercial kitchens? (98)
A. Class A
B. Class C
C. Class D
D. Class K
D
Which of the following statements about combustible materials with high surface-to-mass ratios is MOST accurate? (99)
A. They ignite but flame out quickly.
B. They are easily ignited and burn quickly.
C. They are difficult to ignite and burn slowly.
D. The surface-to-mass ratio has no effect on burning.
B
Which of the following statements about fires originating in upper levels of a building is MOST accurate? (101)
A. They generally stay contained to upper levels.
B. They generally extend downward very quickly.
C. They are more unpredictable in their behavior.
D. They generally extend downward much more slowly.
D
In a compartment fire that involves the contents of the room, fire development is limited by the available air supply and is said to be: (102)
A. self-containing.
B. ventilation controlled.
C. a limited capacity fire.
D. a reducing oxygen fire.
B
Which of the following thermal properties of a compartment contains heat within the compartment, causing a localized increase in the temperature and fire growth? (102)
A. Fuel load
B. Insulation
C. Retention
D. Heat reflectivity
B
Which of the following statements about fuel load is MOST accurate? (102)
A. Fuel load cannot be accurately estimated.
B. Fuel load does not change within an occupancy.
C. Fuel load for occupancies can be absolutely determined.
D. Fuel load can be estimated using mathematical equations.
D
What stage of fire growth is largely dependent on the characteristics and configuration of the fuel involved (fuel-controlled fire)? (103)
A. Decay
B. Growth
C. Incipient
D. Fully developed
C
During which stage does fire begin to influence the environment within the compartment? (104)
A. Decay
B. Growth
C. Incipient
D. Fully developed
B
Which of the following statements about thermal layering is MOST accurate? (104)
A. Generally, the cooler gases form the upper layer.
B. Generally, the cooler gases gravitate to the middle.
C. Generally, the hottest gases tend to be in the lower layers.
D. Generally, the hottest gases tend to be in the upper layers.
D
The rapid transition from growth stage to fully developed is known as: (106)
A. roll over.
B. backdraft.
C. flashover.
D. complete combustion.
C
Which of the following statements about fires that develop beyond the incipient stage is MOST accurate? (107)
A. They result in roll over.
B. They result in backdraft.
C. They become fuel controlled.
D. They become ventilation controlled.
D
During what stage are flammable products of combustion likely to flow from the compartment of origin into adjacent compartments? (108)
A. Decay
B. Growth
C. Incipient
D. Fully developed
D
During what stage will flames extend out of the compartment openings because there is insufficient oxygen for complete combustion in the compartment? (108)
A. Decay
B. Growth
C. Incipient
D. Fully developed
D
What stage occurs as the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment and the heat release rate begins to decline? (108)
A. Decay
B. Growth
C. Incipient
D. Fully developed
A
Which of the following tasks that an inspector is responsible for enables a system to cool a fire and interrupt its chemical chain reaction? (109)
A. Monitoring and regulating hazardous conditions
B. Checking the installation and maintenance of standpipes and hose systems
C. Verifying proper placement and maintenance of fire extinguishers
D. Verifying that extinguishing systems are installed and functioning correctly
D
An inspector’s responsibilities include checking the installation and maintenance of standpipes and hose systems which: (109)
A. helps limit fire load and reduce the potential for fire growth.
B. enables building occupants the opportunity to extinguish incipient fires.
C. allows the extinguishing system to interrupt a chemical chain reaction and exclude oxygen.
D. provides emergency fire crews with the ability to disrupt combustion on elevated stories.
D
Which of the following is one of the most common methods of fire control and extinguishment and works by reducing temperature? (109)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
C
Which method of extinguishment involves the absorbtion of the heat being generated by combustion? (109)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
C
When water is converted to steam at 212°F (100°C), it expands approximately: (110)
A. 100 times.
B. 870 times.
C. 1,700 times.
D. 3,200 times.
C
Which of the following statements about fuel removal is MOST accurate? (110)
A. It is not a viable option to end an unwanted fire.
B. It is the best option for buildings constructed from combustible materials.
C. It is not possible in occupancies where combustibles are stored or displayed.
D. Isolating the fuel using fire-resistive construction increases the likelihood of ignition.
C
Which method of extinguishment may separate fuels from oxygen by blanketing them with foam? (110)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
B
Which method of extinguishment interrupts the combustion reaction and stops flame production? (111)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
D
For which of the following reasons is chemical flame inhibition effective on gas and liquid fuels? (111)
A. They are less dense
B. They must flame to burn
C. They have a high flash point
D. They have a large surface area
B
Which type of fire would not be easily extinguished by chemical flame inhibition? (111)
A. Mixed fuels
B. Stacked materials
C. Flaming combustion
D. Nonflaming combustion
D
Fire is controlled and extinguished by limiting or interrupting _____ in the combustion process depicted by the fire tetrahedron model. (108)
A. all of the essential elements
B. one or more of the essential elements
C. three or more of the essential elements
D. two or more of the essential elements
B
Which of the following tasks that an inspector is responsible for provides emergency fire crews with the ability to disrupt combustion on elevated stories or in large facilities? (109)
A. Monitoring and regulating hazardous conditions
B. Verifying all occupants have evacuated the building
C. Checking the installation and maintenance of standpipes and hose systems
D. Verifying proper placement and maintenance of fire extinguishers
C
Which of the following tasks that an inspector is responsible for enables building occupants the opportunity to suppress incipient fires? (109)
A. Monitoring and regulating hazardous conditions
B. Verifying all nearby buildings are free of radiant hazards
C. Verifying proper placement and maintenance of fire extinguishers
D. Checking the installation and maintenance of standpipes and hose systems
C
Which of the following tasks that an inspector is responsible for helps reduce fire growth by keeping track of such items as fire load and interior finishes? (109)
A. Monitoring and regulating hazardous conditions
B. Verifying all nearby buildings are free of radiant hazards
C. Checking the installation and maintenance of standpipes and hose systems
D. Verifying proper placement and maintenance of fire extinguishers
A
Which of the following extinguishing methods reduces the temperature of a fuel to a point where it does not produce sufficient vapor to burn? (109)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
C
Which is the most effective method available for extinguishing smoldering fires? (109)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
C
Which of the following statements about extinguishing with water is the MOST accurate? (109)
A. Flash point has no impact on the ability to extinguish by cooling.
B. Solid fuels and liquid fuels with high flash points can be extinguished by cooling.
C. Regardless of flash point, solid fuels and liquid fuels can be extinguished by cooling.
D. Solid fuels and liquid fuels with low flash points can be extinguished by cooling.
B
When cooling with water, enough water must by applied to the burning fuel to: (109)
A. create a barrier to oxygen.
B. allow heat to dissipate over the fuel.
C. completely cover the surface of the fuel.
D. absorb the heat being generated by combustion.
D
Cooling with water cannot sufficiently reduce vapor production to extinguish fires involving: (109)
A. stacked Class A materials.
B. more than one type of material.
C. low flash point flammable liquids and gases.
D. high flash point flammable liquids and gases.
C
When water is used to control burning gases and reduce the temperature of hot products of combustion in the upper layer, this can: (109)
A. reduce the potential for flashover.
B. increase the potential for flashover.
C. increase the pyrolysis process of combustible materials.
D. reduce the overall effectiveness of other extinguishing methods being used.
A
When does water have its greatest effect? (110)
A. When it creates a thin layer
B. When it is vaporized into steam
C. When it is allowed to engulf the fuel
D. When it penetrates the burning fuel
B
When water is converted to steam at 212°F (100°C), it expands: (110)
A. approximately 620 times.
B. approximately 1,700 times.
C. exactly triple its original volume.
D. proportionately until it has released the majority of energy.
B
Which of the following statements about fuel removal is MOST accurate? (110)
A. It must be used in conjunction with oxygen exclusion.
B. It must be used in conjunction with chemical flame inhibition.
C. This method is best used in occupancies where combustibles are stored or displayed.
D. This method is not possible when buildings are constructed from combustible materials.
D
Which method of extinguishment may involve isolating the fuel using fire-resistive construction? (110)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
A
Which method of extinguishment involves flooding an area with an inert gas such as carbon dioxide? (110)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
B
Which of the following statements about oxygen exclusion as an extinguishment method is MOST accurate? (110)
A. It will not work for fires that involve more than one type of fuel.
B. It will not work for fires that have developed past the growth stage.
C. It will not work for oxygen-enhanced fires such as those involving oxidizers.
C. It will increase oxygen content for most fuels when they are blanketed with foam.
C
Which method of extinguishment involves dry chemicals and halon-replacement agents? (111)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
D
Which method would be MOST effective on gas and liquid fuels because they must flame to burn? (111)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
D
Which extinguishing method does not easily extinguish nonflaming combustion? (111)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
D
Which extinguishing method is impractical for smoldering fires because of the high agent concentrations and extended periods necessary for extinguishment? (111)
A. Fuel removal
B. Oxygen exclusion
C. Cooling with water
D. Chemical flame inhibition
D
