Small Gear & Ladders

Question 1

What are the classes of fire?

(Name, definition & example)

Answer 1

A - Fire involving solid carbonaceous materials e.g. wood, paper
B - Fire involving flammable liquids e.g. petrol, solvents, alcohol
C - Fire involving flammable gases e.g. LPG, acetylene
D - Fire involving combustible metals e.g. magnesium
(E) - Fire involving energised electrical equipment (electricty is not a fuel, its a hazard) e.g. switchboard
F - Fire involving cooking oils or fats e.g. deep fryer

Question 2

Explain how each of the (4) fire extingiushers impact the fire tetrahedron?

Answer 2

CO2 - suffocates -> oxygen side
Dry Chemical - interupts the elements important in propagating the reaction of combustion -> chemical reaction side
Foam - smothers & cools -> oxygen & heat sided
Water - cools & suffocates (slightly via steam production) -> heat & oxygen sides

Question 3

What are the (13) components of a GAAM standpipe?

Answer 3

1. Spindle handle
2. Stuffing box
3. Blank cap
4. Head
5. Collar
6. Shipping handles
7. Barrel
8. Spindle
9. Spindle thread
10. Lugs
11. Bell
12. Washer
13. Foot

Question 4

What are the siting considerations for ladders?

Answer 4

Height
- Minimum 3 rungs above target
- Red and white markers to help

Projection
- The ratio of the length of the ladder to the projection should be approximately 4:1 or 75 degress.

Plumbing
- Ladder is perpendicular. At 90 degrees to the supporting surface, not leaning left or right.

Clearance
- Ensure there are no hazards when pitching.

Ground
- Ensure ground conditions are firm, stable and level.

Question 5

What is are the mechanical advantage of the holigan tool?

Answer 5

Adze
Length = 150mm = 5:1
Width = 50mm = 15:1

Question 6

What type of extingusihers are most effective for each class of fire?

Answer 6

A - Need cooling = Water (but all types may be used)
B - Need smothering or interupting = Foam (CO2 and Dry Chem may be used)
C - Needs interrupting or starving = Dry Chem (or starving fire by turning off fuel)
D - Need smothering = Ternary Eutectoc powers (or special smothering agents such as dry sand and powdered glass)
E - Need inhibiting or smothering = Dry Chem (CO2 may be used)
F - Need smothering = Wet Chem (Foam may be used)

Water extinguishers can be dangerous on any class except A

Question 7

What are the (14) components of an extension ladder?

Answer 7

1. Head
2. Guide wheels
3. Extension pulley
4. Safety pawl
5. Extension stops
6. Rungs
7. Strings
8. Extension rope
9. Base section
10. Fly section
11. Anchor pawl
12. Stabilising bar
13. Non-skid feet (with gravel spike)
14. Foot