Section 1 fire and fire protection Flashcards
a) State the elements of the fire tetrahedron and explain the implications for extinguishing
fire.(5 marks)
b) Explain the term “exothermic reaction”.
(1 mark)
The elements of the fire tetrahedron are:
Oxygen
Heat
Fuel
Chemical chain reaction
For the reaction to be maintained all elements need to be present. Removing one of the elements prevents the chemical chain reaction from being maintained. Elements can be removed by cooling to remove heat i.e. adding water. Smothering removes oxygen. Fuel can be removed by turning off a gas tap.
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that releases heat. As opposed to to endothermic which takes heat.
Describe the ways in which regular fire drills and alarm tests can affect human behaviour in a
fire.
(4 marks)
Regular fire drills can affect behaviour by
1 making people familiar with the sound of the alarm
2 familiarising with escape routes and safe areas
3 Reacting quickly and calmly
4 May become complacent
Explain the difference between passive fire protection and active fire protection and provide
one example of each type of protection.
(6 marks)
Passive fire protection is built into the fabric of a building and does not require any energisation to function. PFP is intended to restrict a fire to its compartment of origin for a given period of time. One example of PFP is a Pipe closure collar fitted around a pipe.
Active fire protection requires a signal or energisation to opperate, which may be from a smoke and fire detection system. Active fire protection functions to suppress a fire or combustion products. An example of this is a smoke control damper which when energised by the fire detection system will open to extract smoke and gasses from a compartment or protected route/area
State the types of fire safety signs that may be found in a building.
(4 marks)
Prohibition signs (fire prevention)
Such signs are represented with a red outline circle and a red diagonal line through it which may cover
a black symbol together with white text over a red block background.
Each sign identifies a specific behaviour that is forbidden for example ‘Do not use lift in the event of a
fire’.
Escape route signs
Such signs are all identified in green, with either white text or symbols to give direction for the
appropriate means of exit or escape.
Escape equipment signs
Such signs are all identified in green with white text and or symbols, to illustrate what action to take
when for example, using an emergency door device.
Mandatory instruction signs (fire action)
These signs, identified in blue require actions or activities that will contribute toward safety and must
be observed.
Each sign will incorporate a blue circle with white text and symbols, for example ‘Fire door keep shut’
Mandatory notices (fire safety management)
Such signs are an amalgamation of a number of instructions which may include mandatory (blue),
evacuation (green), and prohibitive actions and procedures (red).
Such signs will be placed in conspicuous locations throughout the building, for example in lift areas or
by fire alarm call points.
Firefighting equipment location signs
These signs, which are red with white text and symbols, are used to identify the location of the fire
safety equipment within a building, for example portable extinguishers or fire hose reels.
Whilst not formally part of the regulation, but in the UK considered as good practice, such
identification signs may also include other useful information regarding the type of extinguisher and
what it may and may not be used for.
Wayfinding Signage
These signs are for use in stairwells of high-rise residential buildings specifically to enable the fire and
rescue service to correctly identify floors and areas of a building in low light and low-visibility (smoke
filled) areas in accordance with the Fire Safety Regulations (England) 2022.
This signage is now compulsory on all residential buildings with more than three storeys or with an
upper occupied storey over 11m above ground level.
