10.3 Fire alarms and fire-fighting

Written by Imran Qureshi (NEBOSH)

NEBOSH IGC · Workplace hazards · 15 questions

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

Which extinguishing medium is suitable for cooking oil fires?
- A Wet chemical
- B Foam only
- C Dry powder only
- D Water
Water should not be used on:
- A Paper fires
- B Wood fires
- C Textile fires
- D Live electrical fires
Portable fire-fighting equipment should be:
- A Used only by the fire service
- B Never inspected
- C Hidden
- D Sited, maintained and used by trained people
A manual call point is:
- A A smoke detector
- B A device for a person to raise the alarm
- C A sprinkler
- D A fire extinguisher
A smoke detector responds to:
- A Smoke particles
- B Light
- C Heat only
- D Noise
A heat detector is better than a smoke detector in:
- A An office stairway
- B A bedroom
- C A corridor with no cooking
- D A kitchen where smoke or steam may cause false alarms
Which medium is suitable for a class A fire?
- A Water
- B Sand only
- C Wet chemical
- D Carbon dioxide only
Carbon dioxide extinguishers:
- A Can be used on electrical and liquid fires and leave no residue
- B Provide strong cooling
- C Are for cooking oils only
- D Are the best for wood fires
Dry powder extinguishers are suitable for:
- A Liquids, gases and some metal fires
- B No fires
- C Cooking oil fires only
- D Only wood fires
Foam is suitable for:
- A Liquids and solids
- B Metal fires only
- C Live electrical fires
- D Gas jet fires
Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for:
- A Electrical fires
- B Cooking oil and fat fires
- C Metal fires
- D Gas fires
Portable extinguishers should be sited:
- A Hidden away
- B Far from the risk
- C Locked in cupboards
- D Near exits where people can find them
Fire detection and alarm systems must be:
- A Left untested
- B Maintained and tested regularly
- C Disabled at night
- D Disconnected for false alarms
Access for fire and rescue vehicles should be:
- A Blocked by parking
- B Locked
- C Unmarked
- D Planned and kept clear
Using the wrong extinguisher on a fire can:
- A Cool it more
- B Be harmless
- C Make the fire worse or endanger the user
- D Always put it out

Answer key

1. A, 2. D, 3. D, 4. B, 5. A, 6. D, 7. A, 8. A, 9. A, 10. A, 11. B, 12. D, 13. B, 14. D, 15. C

Wet chemical is designed for cooking oil and fat fires.
Water conducts electricity.
Siting, maintenance and training are all required.
It is part of a detection and alarm system.
Heat detectors respond to temperature.
Place the type according to the risk.
Water cools and works on ordinary solids.
They give little cooling.
They have advantages and limits.
Foam is water based and conducts electricity.
They are a special type for deep fat fryers.
They must be maintained and used by trained people.
Regular tests find faults early.
It helps firefighters reach the fire.
Choose by the fire type.