fire systems midterm Flashcards
Which of the following is a geometric depiction, developed through ongoing research, showing how fire is sustained by a chain reaction?
The fire tetrahedron
This type of fire is the most recognizable, can be seen by lighting a match, and requires the presence of a combustible gas because the visible flame is a gaseous reaction.
Diffusion flame
Which of the following stages of fire occurs when the heat source, fuel, and oxygen come together to generate more heat than is dissipated, thus promoting the uninhibited chain reaction?
Incipient stage
In this transition stage, the temperature in a room or space reaches a point at which all the surfaces of the room or space simultaneously ignite, immediately leading to full room involvement.
Flashover stage
Of the different methods of heat transfer, which is the transfer of heat from one body of material to another by direct contact?
Conduction
___________ is the most effective suppression agent for Class A fires because it has the ability to absorb the heat and reduce the temperature below the material’s ignition temperature.
Water
This type of fire requires an appropriate amount of gas fuel and air to mix before ignition or combustion occurs.
Premixed flame
Which type of fire involves cooking appliances using combustible vegetable or animal oils or fats?
Class K
Which type of fire, usually seen with charcoal briquettes and burning cigarettes, has no flame but still generates significant heat?
Smoldering
At which stage will a fire survive by consuming the air and materials necessary to generate the flammable gas and sustain combustion?
Free burning stage
______ are a system of rules, regulations, or laws that are usually put into effect by government and have statutory authority to be enforced.
Codes
Which of the following refers to a system of rules, regulations, or laws typically developed by private, not-for-profit organizations?
Model code
In which stage of the NFPA code development process does the responsible technical committee meet to review and take action on all of the submitted comments resulting from the first draft report?
Comment stage
The model codes are the _______ acceptable level of performance or risk, and therefore there may be an instance in which the code is not adequate for the circumstances?
minimum
Which of the following is NOT a primary determination for whether fire protections systems are required?
Distance to the closest firehouse
When having new construction done in an existing building, what must be followed in the area of the building where the construction is taking place?
Current code requirements
Aside from protecting human life, why would a building owner install a fire protection system to protect the structure and the contents?
Doing so makes good business sense.
Data compiled by the NFPA between 2007 and 2011 revealed that certain occupancies equipped with __________ had an average fire loss that was between 31 and 76 percent less than properties without these systems.
automatic fire sprinkler systems
To ensure utilization and adoption of the best methods, standards, and practices, the authors of the model codes reference which of the following to meet the required performance characteristic or design intent?
Documents published by nationally recognized organizations
At the time of the origin of the NFPA in 1895, there were _________ different fire sprinkler system design and installation standards within _________ miles of Boston, Massachusetts.
9;100
In order to determine if the delivery system is adequate for manual firefighter, what must the engineers calculate?
Needed fire flow
Which type of system manages a water system by using pumps to fill water towers and gravity to supply homes and businesses?
Combined system
A(n) ________ is a valve with a freestanding post that houses the stem extension of an underground valve control. The position of the valve is shown in a small window.
wall post indicator valve
Which of the following hydrant styles always has water in it for immediate use by fire fighters and is controlled by separate valves for each opening?
Wet barrel
Which of the following hydrants is designed for use in cold climates where freezing is a problem?
Dry barrel
__________ is/are considered the most important part (s) of any fire alarm system?
The notification appliance
Which type of signal should spur occupants to immediately leave the building, call the fire department, or take other appropriate action to ensure life safety?
Alarm signal
Which signal sounds when there is a problem with the system’s integrity, such as a power or component failure, device removal, communication fault or failure, ground fault, or break in the system wiring?
Trouble signal
Which signal sounds when there is a change in the normal ready status of other fire protection systems or devices that are connected to or integrated with the fire alarm panel?
Supervisory signal
Which initiating device requires a person to pull a handle on the device to initiate an alarm?
Manual fire alarm box
Which component of a fire alarm system utilizes a flexible round plastic paddle or vane that inserts into the wet sprinkler system piping?
Water flow switch
Visible appliances produce the flashing lights that can be seen when a fire alarm system activates. They are used primarily for people with which type of disability?
Deaf
When fire fighters enter a building, the first thing they look for is the __________. This provides valuable information concerning the initiating device, the system involved, and the area of the building where the fire is located.
annunciation panel
Which of the following are used when fire system designers discover that the existing fire alarm control panels do not have the power capacity to support all of the additional notification devices?
Power expander panels
Which NFPA standard, titled National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, lists sytem classifications for fire alarm systems?
NFPA 72
Which of the following fire alarm systems is found in homes and consists of smoke detectors and possibly a combination detector covering smoke and heat that operates independently from other alarm systems and detectors?
Single Station
Which of the following is NOT a component of a smoke detector?
Smoke generator
Which system involves a number of interconnected smoke alarm units that all sound together throughout a facility as soon as one is activated?
Multiple Station
Which of the following systems consists of fire warning equipment, burglar alarms, medical alert, and other sensing equipment such as carbon monoxide detectors?
Combination
Which system provides audible and visual notification within the property it is protecting to alert occupants of a fire emergency?
Protected premises fire alarm system
What system permits first responders and, in some cases, building occupants to communicate between specific locations within the building and the fire control room via an internal communications system?
In-building emergency voice/alarm communication system
Some smoke and fire doors are held open by magnets or other devices to allow easy movement from one part of a building to another, but upon activation of this function, which of the following happens?
The device holding the door open releases so the door can close to create a smoke or fire barrier.
Which function of a fire alarm system is caused by interfacing fire dampers with the fire alarm system to prevent propagation of smoke, hot gases, and flame?
The exit doors unlock so that they can be used to gain entry into the building.
What is the first factor used to determine any fire alarm installation requirements of a building?
Use and occupancy
A(n) _________ is a network of underground and overhead piping fed by an automatic water supply that, upon activation, uses devices connected to the piping at specific intervals to apply water over a fire area.
automatic fire sprinkler system
Which of the following is a myth that requires further education in order to dispel the public’s opinion of automatic fire sprinkler systems?
They cause more damage than they are worth.
Which of the following fire sprinkler system components provide a conduit for the water to flow from the water source to the fire sprinkler heads?
Pipes and fittings
Which fire sprinkler components help fire fighters, sprinkler system contractors, and building maintenance workers determine the available water or air pressure at the gauge location?
Gauges
Which element of a fire sprinkler head is attached to the frame of the sprinkler head and holds the orifice cap in place until it is released at the critical activation temperature?
Heat-sensitive element
What type of the fire sprinkler head is installed with its deflector pointing down toward the floor?
Pendant sprinkler head
_________ are installed above the ceiling and are hidden by a flush cover plate that can be factory painted to match the ceiling.
Concealed heads
Which type of sprinkler system is the least expensive, most frequently installed, easiest to maintain, easiest to modify, and most reliable type of fire sprinkler system available?
Wet pipe system
Which of the following NFPA standards was one of the first standards published by the NFPA, though it was first known by another name?
NFPA 13
Most of the earliest requirements to install fire sprinkler systems came directly from:
insurance companies.
