RFT 001/002/003 (Real Fire) Flashcards
What is an irreversible chemical reaction producing heat and light?
Combustion
What are the three components of the fire triangle?
• Heat
• Fuel
• Oxygen
What is heat measured in?
Joules per kilogram
What factor is present in any combustion process and takes no part in the chemical reaction of combustion?
Passive agent (e.g. brick)
What does the following describe? The substances making up the surface of the solid reacts with oxygen. The heat will be felt and seen as a glowing of the surface.
Surface oxidisation
Define pyrolysis
The decomposition of a substance by heat
Flash points are the lowest temperature at which…
…sufficient vapours are produced.
A momentary flash occurs when…
…an ignition source is introduced.
The burning of vapours (re flash points) does not continue once…
…the ignition source is removed.
What is the lowest temperature at which a fuel will ignite and continue to burn without the need for an ignition source to be introduced?
Auto-ignition temperature (AIT)
What is the meaning of SIT?
Spontaneous Ignition Temperature
What are the three ways fires can spread?
• Convection
• Conduction
• Radiation
In which three ways does water reduce the amount of fuel available to a fire?
• The rapid expansion of water to steam dilutes the flammable gases
• Reduces further production of flammable gases by the pyrolysis because of the reduction of heat
• The expansion of water to steam drives out some of the existing fire gases
By starving a fire, which component of the triangle of fire will you be removing?
Fuel
By smothering a fire, which component of the triangle will you be removing?
Oxygen
What class of fire is carbonaceous solids?
Class A
What is a Class C fire?
Gasses and liquefied gasses
What extinguishing medium would be used on an electrical fire?
C02
What are four passive agents?
• CO2
• Ceiling
• Water vapour
• Walls
Convection is the mass movement of a hotter, less dense gas through…
…its cooler, denser surroundings.
Conduction is the passage of heat through…
…a material.
Radiation is the transfer of heat energy as…
…electromagnetic waves.
The 3 correct descriptions of a flash point:
• the lowest temperature at which sufficient vapours are being produced
• a momentary flash to occur when an ignition source is introduced
• the burning of the vapours does not continue once the ignition source is removed
Diffused Flame
• gases are not mixed before ignition
• unclean burn
• burn cooler
• flame colour orange/red
• less noisy
• lower velocity of the deflagration
• defined outline of the lower flame
• less efficient burning
Premixed Flame
• gases are mixed before ignition
• burn cleaner
• burn hotter
• flame colour blue
• more noisy
• higher velocity of the deflagration
• more stable flame but harder to discern edges due to blurred flame
• more efficient burning
Flashover Rule of Thumb
4-2-1
Corner 4 mins (x1)
On wall 8 mins (x2)
Centre of compartment 16 mins (x4)
Signs of Backdraught
• fire with limited or no ventilation
• fire has been burning for some time
• fire gases being pushed out under pressure from gaps
• windows blackened with no visible sign of flame
• fire gases pulsing out from gaps
Signs of Flashover
• a ventilated fire with an adequate oxygen supply
• flames visible in the fire gasses at ceiling level
• combustible material gassing-off due to pyrolysis
• high temperatures and an increasing rate of combustion
• neutral plane moving down
• a sudden increase in fire development
• pyrolysis at floor level in the compartment
Specific heat capacity of water
4.18 kilo joules per kilogram
How many kilojoules does it take to turn 1 kilogram of water into steam?
2260kj
The 3 water application techniques:
• indirect
• direct
• gas cooling
Any occurrence dealt with by the brigade which does not involve fire or the suspicion of fire is described as what?
Special service
What are the 3 functions of AFA?
• detect the fire
• give an alarm to a remote centre
• give an alarm and indicate the whereabouts of a fire
At a fire, you are sent to the sprinkler main stop valve. At the main valve which two things should be done?
Open the valve on orders of IC if closed
Insure that the valve is not closed on orders of the IC
What are the 3 signs of building collapse?
Collapse of arches above openings
Spalling of concrete
Collums or beams bending or failing
What are the affects of the direct extinguisher method?
• Possible water damage
• Entrained air into the
compartment intensifying the fire if used properly
• Extinguishes the fire
• Worsen conditions for
firefighters/casualties
How is the initial command pump identified at an incident and what item should appliance commander hand in
@ ICP?
• Nominal roll board
• Blue flashing lights left on
All new buildings over ? meters high must have a wet riser as of 2006?
50
List four actions that should
be considered when firefighting in a sprinklered building?
• Always check the area sprinkler had actuated to insure fire is out
• One crew member should be sent to the stop valve
• If extra water is needed it should not be taken from same main
• A pump should be set into the inlet if available
If possible what should you get below before applying any water when entering a basement?
The heat barrier
In what 3 ways does the tactical mode procedure support and enhance lC risk
management?
• Sharing the outcome of the IC ORA (operational risk assessment)
• Insuring that the fire service operations are being carried out by crew
• Recording the outcome of the ORA
What are the four effects of the indirect fire extinguishing method?
• Large quantities of steam
produced to smother the fire
• Cools and dilutes the fire gases
• Cools the structure of the compartment
• Lowers the neutral plane
Choose what word best describes ventilation and heat barrier difficulties?
Hazards
When would an incident be declared tactical mode delta?
When the operation is being tackled from outside the perceived hazard area
Why does the effect of the fire on floors cause the building to collapse?
High walls unsupported
At a high rise incident what should firefighters do to mitigate the hazard of falling objects?
• Staff and appliances should be kept at safe distances
• Full PPE
• Cordons should be placed around the building
Basements can be fitted with openings to provide access for goods or ventilation. Choose 5 more examples?
• smoke extracts
• cellar flaps/doors
• chutes
• stall board lights
• pavement lights
What class of fire is carbonaceous
solids?
Class A
What colour is the tabard worn by the IC?
White
The number of jets flow settings selected and size of hose is used to extinguish the fire is known as what?
Weight of attack
Which best describes solid construction?
Has load bearing walls of brick
Sampling detector is one of 5 main types of AfA detectors. List the other 4:
• optical
• heat
• radiation
• ionisation
What factor is present in any combustion process and doesn’t take part in chemical reaction?
Passives
Choose 3 ways fire can
spread?
• convection
• radiation
• conduction
The fire resistance of timber depends on what 3 factors?
• The type of wood
• The thickness
• Any treatments that have been applied
Dry rising mains are a common
feature of multi storey buildings and must be installed over how many meters?
18
Expansion on the interface of a wall due to heat bowing the wall out of vertical will cause what?
Building collapse
State 6 of the CPO (Command Pump Officer) responsibilities:
• Notify control of the call sign of ICP
• Notify oncoming officers of requirements
• Maintain radio contact with IC
• Place nominal roll board in ICW (Initial Command Wallet)
• Collect nominal roll boards and switch of blue lights
• Incident information board is filled in
Unprotected structural steel loses how much of its strength at 600 degrees?
⅔
What best describes this condition; the entrance to the basement always gets much hotter than the basement floor?
Heat barrier
When gas cooling what should the initial flow setting on the branch be?
250
Definition; The lowest temperature at which a fuel will ignite and continue to burn without the need of an ignition source is?
Auto-ignition
State 6 of the sources of information available on route to incident?
• Call slip
• ORD (Operational Risk Database)
• Visual signs
• Local knowledge
• Further radio messages
• MDT (Mobile Data Terminal)
3 correct descriptions of a flashpoint:
• The lowest temperature at which sufficient vapours are being produced
• A momentary flash to occur when an ignition source is introduced
• The burning of the vapours does not continue
How does water reduce the amount of fuel available to a fire.
List 3:
• The rapid expansion of water to steam dilutes the flammable gases
• Expansion of water to steam drives out existing fire gases
• Reduces the further of flammable gas by pyrolysis
Wet rising mains are found in all buildings over how many meters
high?
60
At a fire what are the two
main reasons for cutting away?
• Investigate a suspected fire
• Locate and extinguish
inaccessible fire
Which of these four types are a special service?
• Person locked in
• Trapped animals
• Trapped person
• A person threatening to jump from a high place
What is the role of a support team with a second jet at a basement fire?
To protect the route incase it becomes necessary to withdraw
What effect will the operation of the fire switch have on the fire lift?
• Deactivate the landing call buttons
• Enable firefighters to control the lift using the buttons
List four advantages of using a dry rising main:
• Staircase is left clear of hose
• Reduces the frictional loss
• Reduces the amount of hose
• Less equipment needed
• reduced effort and time
Looking for fire around the building, name four things that would show signs of fire before committing teams?
• Characteristic odours can indicate material burning
• Consult AFA panel
• Eye witness/premises owner
• Feel for hot doors or walls
When entering a basement a BA team must have what size jet as a minimum weight of attack?
45mm
Choose the two statements that together define Incident Command?
• Through the deliberate allocation and direction of resources
• A system to promote the safe and effective resolution of events
Describe the risk of gang nailed roof trusses in the event of a fire?
Immediate collapse
What are the 3 main headings which water application techniques can be grouped?
• Gas cooling
• Indirect
• Direct
Primary purpose of an IC
• Save life
• Prevent further spread / loss / risk if injury
• Mitigate damage
• Mitigate damage to environment
• Minimise abruption to community
Extinguisher on a Class B fire
Dilute
Isolate
Form
Intercept
Cool
Difficulties encountered at a high rise
• heat stress
• delays in operations
• vandalism
• communication difficulties
• fire and smoke travel
• wind effects
• falling objects
• evacuation of occupants
• damaged fixed installations
Bridgehead in a high rise incident is located where?
Lobby Sector (at least 2 floors below fire floor)
Where should fire lift stop when ascending a high rise
• Two floors below fire
• Cautious survey using staircase, proceed to known safe point
Principle of Tactical Ventilation
• hot gases released at highest point and fresh air enters at lowest point (high vent first, down wind of the low vent)
• cold air come in low
• if backdraught is suspected, ventilate from outside
• outlet vent to be covered by firefighter in B.A with branch
Defensive ventilation
Not in the fire. Used to facilitate evacuation/ safe passage
Venting adjoining/outer compartments after the fire compartment has been isolated
Describe heat barrier (3 marks)
The rise of escaping hotter smoke and fire gases from the basement. The entrance will be hotter than the ground. Results in a chemny
3 types of ventilation
Self
Automatic
Tactical
What is specific heat capacity
How much energy is required to heat 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree
As part of the emergency procedure press DSU when
Lost or disoriented
Confused or distressed
Trapped/ injured
Problems with BA
What are the offensive and defensive tactical modes
Offensive - Oscar
Defensive - Delta
