Fire Prevention and Protection

Question 1

Fire triangle vs. Fire tetrahedron. Define and explain differences

Answer 1

Fire Triangle: Fuel, Heat, Oxygen - 3 variables that are required to initiate a fire - Fire prevention involves taking steps to prevent these 3 variables from combining Fire Tetrahedron: Fuel, Oxygen, Heat, and chemical reactions - 4 variables required to sustain a fire, once initiated - Fire Protection assumes fire will occur and focuses on eliminating or controlling the variables in the fire tetrahedron

Question 2

Oxidizers - 3 examples and how to store

Answer 2

Sodium hypochlorite, Benzoyl Peroxide, Potassium Permanganate - Store in cabinet of non-combustible material - separate from flammable and combustible materials

Question 3

Non-flammable solvents with flash points above 37.7 degrees C - 2 examples and how to store

Answer 3

Carbon tetrachloride, ethylene glycol - store in flammable cabinet - separate from oxidizing materials

Question 4

Non-volatile, non-reactive solids - 3 examples and how to store

Answer 4

Agar, NaCl, Sodium bicarbonate - Store in cabinets or open shelves with edge guards

Question 5

What is the role and major activity of Factory Mutual

Answer 5

Provides engineering and inspection services, develops standard and conducts fire research

Question 6

Class A fire

Answer 6

Fire that involves ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, cloth, rubber, plastics). Best extinguished by water by penetrating fuels and absorbing heat.

Question 7

3 components of the fire safety tree

Answer 7

1. Fire Safety Objectives
2. Prevent Fire Ignition
3. Manage Fire Impact

Question 8

NFPA 600

Answer 8

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 600: Industrial Fire Brigades.

• Fire Brigades are essential part of every plan emergency organization. Fire Brigades utilize manual fire fighting methods for fire suppression. NFPA provide minimum requirements for organizing, operating, training, and equipping industrial fire brigades. Also covers minimum requirements for brigade members.

Question 9

Deluge System

Answer 9

Type of sprinkler system that is not plugged by fusible links or bulbs. All sprinkler heads are connected to a sprinkler valve. If a fire is detected the valve opens up and water is supplied.

Question 10

Class K Fire

Answer 10

There fires most often occur where cooking media (fats, oils, and greases) are used and most of the time are found in commercial cooking operations. Class K fire extinguishers are required in any location that cooks oils, grease, or animal fat. Any location that fries should have a class K fire extinguisher as well as any commercial kitchen.

Question 11

What is a flammable chemical? What is a combustible chemical?

Answer 11

Flammable: Any solid, liquid, vapouror gas material that will ignite easily and burn rapidly. Flashpoint of <100 degrees F (37.7 degrees C) Combustible: Solids that are difficult to ignite and burn relatively slowly, and liquids having a flash point between 100 degrees F and 200 degrees F (93.3 degrees C)

Question 12

Class C Fire

Answer 12

Involves energized equipment. Non-conductive extinguishing agents are necessary such as CO2.

Question 13

Flashpoint

Answer 13

Temperature at which a liquid or volatile solid gives off vapours that will ignite when exposed to an ignition source

Question 14

Pre-action system

Answer 14

Combination of a dry sprinkler system and an alarm system. pre-action detectors typically activate at a lower temperature than sprinkler heads and allows for time for human intervention before water flow is initiated.

Question 15

Class B Fire

Answer 15

Fire that involves flammable or combiustible liquids (gasoline, alcohols, propane)

Common extinguishing agents: foam, carbon dioxide, and dry chemicals.

Question 16

3 stages of fire

Answer 16

1. Incipent stage 2. Free-burning stage 3. Smouldering stage

Question 17

Class D Fire

Answer 17

Fire that involves combustible metals such as Mg, Na, Ti, powdered Al, K, and Zr. Require special extinguishing agents that are usually produced for the specific metal.

Question 18

4 hazard classifications indicated on an NFPA Diamond and what are the colours?

Answer 18

1. Health (Blue) 2. Flammability (Red) 3. Reactivity (Yellow) 4. Special Hazards (White)

Question 19

Which type of sprinkler system would best be used to protect a high hazard area where a fast spreading fire would be anticipated due to the high fire load?

Answer 19

A deluge sprinkler system would best be used to protect a high hazard area where a fast spreading fire would be anticipated due to the high fire load. With this system the sprinkler orifices are kept open and are not protected by fusible links. If a fire is detected water is pumped and immediately flows from all of the sprinkler heads.

6.3.6

Question 20

What are the four types of ignition sources?

Answer 20

Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Nuclear

6.3.6

Question 21

Which extinguishing agent would work best on a “deep seated” or well established fire?

Answer 21

Water

Question 22

Which type of sprinkler has the slowest reaction time?

Answer 22

Dry pipe sprinkler systems - These remain pressurized with air or nitrogen. Water is not maintained in the distribution piping. As a result they have the slowest reaction time

6.3.6