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Mine Rescue Training > Firefighting > Flashcards

Firefighting Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of fire?

A

The chemical reaction that occurs when a material unites with oxygen so rapidly that it produces heat and light energy in the form of flame.

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2
Q

What are the four elements of the fire tetrahedron?

A
  • Heat
  • Oxygen
  • Fuel
  • Chemical Chain Reaction
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3
Q

What percentage of oxygen is typically found in normal air?

A

About 21 percent

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4
Q

What is the minimum oxygen percentage required for fire?

A

About 16 percent

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5
Q

What types of materials can be considered fuel?

A
  • Solid
  • Liquid
  • Gas
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6
Q

What must happen to most solids and liquids before they will burn?

A

They must become a vapour or gas.

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7
Q

What is the role of heat in the fire tetrahedron?

A

Heat is the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient vapours are given off for ignition to occur.

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8
Q

What is a chemical chain reaction in the context of fire?

A

Oxidation that can occur when oxygen, fuel, and heat are present in the proper conditions and proportions.

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9
Q

True or False: Fire can be prevented or extinguished by removing any one element of the fire tetrahedron.

A

True

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10
Q

Fill in the blank: Fire occurs when rapid oxidation, or ________, takes place.

A

[combustion]

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11
Q

What are the primary classifications of underground fires?

A

The primary classifications are:
* Diesel-powered equipment
* Electrical
* Burning and welding
* Friction
* Spontaneous combustion
* Smoking or open flame

These categories reflect the sources of ignition for underground fires.

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12
Q

Which type of equipment is responsible for almost 70 percent of underground fires?

A

Diesel-powered equipment

Diesel equipment is the leading cause of underground fires based on recent occurrence data.

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13
Q

What percentage of underground fires are attributed to electrical equipment and burning/welding combined?

A

20 percent

This percentage indicates the significant role of electrical sources and welding activities in fire incidents.

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14
Q

Fill in the blank: The category of fire caused by the use of compressed gases and electrical welding is known as _______.

A

[Burning and welding]

This category includes any activities that involve heat generation through welding processes.

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15
Q

True or False: Spontaneous combustion can occur due to the accumulation of combustible materials.

A

True

Spontaneous combustion is a fire risk associated with certain materials, such as sulphide ores and tailings.

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16
Q

What factors contribute to friction-related fires in underground environments?

A

Factors include:
* Conveyor belts
* Drive units
* Brakes and clutches
* Gear boxes

These mechanical components can generate heat and sparks, leading to fires.

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17
Q

Fill in the blank: Smoking or open flame fires can be either _______ or accidental.

A

[deliberate]

This highlights the risk associated with human activities in underground settings.

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18
Q

What are the four classes of fires?

A

Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D

Class D fires involve combustible metals.

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19
Q

What materials are involved in Class A fires?

A

Ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics

These materials require cooling effects of water or certain dry chemicals for suppression.

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20
Q

What is the primary method for extinguishing Class A fires?

A

Water or water solutions, or certain dry chemicals that retard combustion

The cooling effect of water is essential for Class A fires.

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21
Q

What distinguishes Class B fires from other classes?

A

They occur in the vapour-air mixture over the surface of flammable liquids

Class B fires are related to combustion in vapours or flammable liquids.

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22
Q

What are some extinguishing agents for Class B fires?

A

Dry chemical, foam, vapourizing liquids, carbon dioxide, or water fog

The choice of agent depends on the circumstances of the fire.

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23
Q

What is a key safety consideration for Class C fires?

A

Use of electrically non-conductive extinguishing agents

This is to ensure safety for the operator of the extinguisher.

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24
Q

Which extinguishing agents are suitable for Class C fires?

A

Dry chemical and carbon dioxide

Foam, water, and water-type agents conduct electricity and can be dangerous.

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25
Q

What is an exception for using water on Class C fires?

A

Water mist stored-pressure extinguishers with non-ionized water

These are approved and safe to use on electrical fires.

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26
Q

True or False: Class A or B extinguishers can be used on Class C fires when electric power is disconnected.

A

True

It is safe to use Class A or B extinguishers after disconnecting power.

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27
Q

What is the main characteristic of Class D fires?

A

Involves combustible metals

Specific methods and agents are required for Class D fires.

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28
Q

What are the four elements of the fire tetrahedron?

A

Heat, fuel, oxygen, and chain reaction

The fire tetrahedron represents the four components necessary for fire to occur.

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29
Q

What is the most common method of extinguishing fire?

A

Cooling the burning material with water

This method lowers the temperature of the fuel below its combustion point.

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30
Q

How does cooling with water extinguish fire?

A

It lowers the temperature of the fuel to below its combustion point

Enough water must be applied to absorb the heat generated by combustion.

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31
Q

Why is cooling with water ineffective on gas and most liquid fires?

A

Because it cannot effectively lower the temperature of the fuel

Water may not mix well with certain fuels, making it ineffective.

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32
Q

What does fuel removal involve?

A

Stopping the flow of gaseous or liquid fuel or removing solid fuel

Allowing a fire to burn until all fuel is consumed is also a method of fuel removal.

33
Q

What is oxygen starvation in the context of fire extinguishing?

A

Removing or reducing the oxygen available for combustion

It can occur by displacing oxygen with an inert gas or covering the fire.

34
Q

What is an example of an inert gas used for oxygen starvation?

A

Carbon dioxide

This gas can displace oxygen, helping to extinguish the fire.

35
Q

What are chain reaction inhibitors?

A

Extinguishing agents that interrupt the chemical reaction of fire

Halon is a commonly known chain breaker, effective on various types of fires.

36
Q

Which types of fires are chain reaction inhibitors particularly effective on?

A

Gas, liquid, and metal fires

These agents can disrupt the ongoing chemical reactions that sustain the fire.

37
Q

What is a common combination of extinguishing principles used in firefighting?

A

Cooling with water and using foam to smother the fire

Cooling can create steam that helps starve the fire of oxygen.

38
Q

Fill in the blank: Fire can be extinguished by removing any one element of the _______.

A

tetrahedron

The tetrahedron represents the four essential components of fire.

39
Q

What type of foam do foam extinguishers, Type AB, use?

A

AFFF or aqueous film-forming foam

40
Q

Foam extinguishers, Type AB, are effective on which classes of fires?

A

Class A and B fires

41
Q

True or False: Foam extinguishers can be used on electrical fires.

A

False

42
Q

What is the extinguishing agent in carbon dioxide extinguishers, Type BC?

A

Carbon dioxide

43
Q

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are safe to use on which classes of fires?

A

Class A, B, and C fires

44
Q

What is the primary use of wet chemical extinguishers, Type AK?

A

Class K, cooking oil, fires

45
Q

What is the extinguishing agent in wet chemical extinguishers?

A

Potassium acetate

46
Q

List the general procedures when using a fire extinguisher.

A
  • Check extinguisher type
  • Pull the pin
  • Test range with a short burst
  • Approach within range
  • Aim low at the base
  • Squeeze the lever
  • Sweep from side to side
47
Q

What does the mnemonic ‘PASS’ stand for in fire extinguisher use?

A
  • Pull the pin
  • Aim at the base
  • Squeeze the lever
  • Sweep from side to side
48
Q

Why should a second fire extinguisher be available during a fire?

A

To support the initial attack and allow the initial firefighter to back away

49
Q

What action should be taken if the fire does not go out after using the extinguisher?

A

Immediately leave the area

50
Q

What should you do when leaving an active fire area?

A

Pay attention to the fire and never turn your back

51
Q

What should you watch for after extinguishing a fire?

A

Re-ignition

52
Q

Fill in the blank: The extinguishing agent in carbon dioxide extinguishers is _______.

A

carbon dioxide

53
Q

True or False: Carbon dioxide extinguishers leave a chemical residue.

A

False

54
Q

What could carbon dioxide extinguishers potentially damage?

A

Sensitive electronic equipment

55
Q

What are fire hoses and nozzles classified based on?

A

Flow capacity

Nozzles are usually adjustable to create different water streams.

56
Q

What is a standard length for fire hoses?

A

15 metres (50 ft)

Shorter lengths are also available.

57
Q

What is the first step in using a hose and nozzle in firefighting?

A

Check the standpipe or water source for adequate water pressure

58
Q

Fill in the blank: The procedure for using a hose and nozzle includes deploying the _______.

A

full length of the hose

59
Q

What is water fog used for in firefighting?

A

Class A and B fires

60
Q

Describe water fog.

A

Composed of fine particles of water expelled through a special high-pressure nozzle

61
Q

What happens when water fog hits the fire?

A

Water is turned to steam, reducing heat and cutting off oxygen

62
Q

True or False: Water fog causes more water damage than straight stream nozzles.

A

False

63
Q

What is a benefit of using water fog for rescue teams?

A

Acts as a heat barrier

64
Q

What are the types of streams that nozzles can create?

A

Solid, broken, fog

65
Q

What is the procedure to charge a hose?

A

Test the charged hose for water pressure

66
Q

Fill in the blank: Hose and nozzle are also used in several types of _______ applications.

A

foam

67
Q

What is fire?

A

Fire is the chemical reaction that occurs when a material unites with oxygen so rapidly that it produces heat and light energy in the form of flame.

68
Q

What are the four elements of the fire tetrahedron?

A
  • Oxygen
  • Fuel
  • Heat
  • Chemical chain reaction
69
Q

True or False: Removing any element from the fire tetrahedron can prevent or extinguish a fire.

A

True

70
Q

What are the classifications of fires based on the fuel that feeds them?

A
  • Class A - wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics
  • Class B - flammable liquids such as greases, gasoline, and lubricating oils
  • Class C - live electrical equipment
  • Class D - combustible metals, such as magnesium
  • Class K - cooking oils
71
Q

What type of fire extinguisher is most effective on Class A fires?

A

Type A - Water extinguishers

72
Q

Fill in the blank: Type ______ extinguishers are multi-purpose dry chemical extinguishers.

A

ABC

73
Q

What type of extinguishers are used for Class B fires?

A
  • Type BC - Dry chemical extinguishers
  • Type BC - Carbon dioxide extinguishers
74
Q

What is the function of foam in firefighting?

A

Foam works by converting heat to steam and cutting off fuel from oxygen.

75
Q

What type of foam is effective for Class A and B fires?

A

AFFF or low expansion foams

76
Q

What type of foam works best on three-dimensional fires?

A

High expansion foam

77
Q

What standard firefighting equipment is used regardless of the method?

A

A fire hose and nozzle

78
Q

Fill in the blank: A fire hose and nozzle can use water streams, water fog, or _______ agents.

A

foaming

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