Ch 7-8

Question 1

One of the very first codes written by the NFPA was the national electric code. This is known as:

Answer 1

NFPA 70 national electric Code

Question 2

Electrical wires or conductors range in size depend depending on the current or? That is being flowed through them.

Answer 2

Current or amperage

Question 3

EMT. RMC, and ENT refer to

Answer 3

Different types of electrical conduit

Sheathing is not the same as conduit. Metallic sheathing is commonly known as BX cable
Non-metallic sheathing is known as Romex

Question 4

NFPA 110

Secondary source or emergency power systems are required to provide power within:

Standby power systems should supply power within:

Answer 4

Emergency power systems within 10 seconds of a power outage

Standby systems within 60 seconds for less critical systems

Question 5

NFPA 855 energy storage systems

Set the requirements for battery system array requiring 3 feet between each system.

Hazards with battery systems include

Answer 5

Lithium batteries, flammable, gases, gas explosions

Question 6

HVAC, and in particular heat systems use different types of heating methods, including

Answer 6

Draft furnaces
Forced draft furnaces
Induced drift furnaces
Condensing furnaces
Boilers

Question 7

Boilers are pressure vessels. Pressures and safety devices include:

Answer 7

12 to 30 psi normally
Up to 160 psi for hot water and commercial boilers
Up to 4 million BTUs
All boilers are required to have pressure relief devices to prevent overpressurization

Question 8

HVAC systems have been using air conditioning since World War II. One of the biggest HVAC issues for firefighters is:

Answer 8

Controlling smoke movement and circulation during a fire.

Smoke detectors are required in return air ducts to automatically shut down HVAC systems

Question 9

In reference to the capacity of air-conditioning systems and chillers, they are measured in their ability to remove heat in BTUs. The measurement is in tons. This equals.

Answer 9

1 ton is the equivalent to the removal of 12,000 BTU per hour

Question 10

In regards to plumbing systems, the difference between piping and tubing materials

Answer 10

Piping usually means plastic, steel, or iron

Tubing typically means copper

Question 11

NFPA 54 fuel gas code

When natural gas is used inside buildings, gas pressures are reduced to?

Answer 11

Natural gas pressures in the gas mains may be up to 100 psi.

Regulators reduce this down to .25–.5 psi internally, or as much as 5 psi in commercial buildings

Question 12

Elevators are grouped into two general types:

Answer 12

Traction elevators- uses a steel rope (cable) and electric motor at the top of the shaft

Hydraulic elevators- uses hydraulic fluid and a piston (jack) at the bottom of the shaft. Usually limited to 6 stories or less.

Question 13

A critical element in the safety of elevators are that:

Answer 13

Each individual elevator car has an electrical shut down and a lockout tag out

Question 14

Traction elevator use an electric motor to spool the rope up and down.
Other elements include:

Answer 14

A governor to control speed
A counterweight to assist with a way to the car

Question 16

The two phases of operations for elevators under fire conditions are:

Answer 16

Phase 1 – elevator recall usually to the floor first floor lobby, doors open and remain open

Phase 2 – firefighters select elevators and control, using a special key in a set of procedures to access upper levels

Question 17

Phase III operation.
Used prior to phase 1 operations and usually before the arrival of firefighters.

Occupant evacuation elevators are intended for self evacuation of occupants in which buildings?

Answer 17

Buildings >420’ as an alternative to an extra mandated stairwell

During phase III operations, Green signs main the elevator can be used for egress. Red colored signs tell occupants to use the stairwell.

Question 18

Fire service access elevators are found in new buildings > 120’
These also have special features:

Answer 18

Illuminated hoistways
Lobbies > 150 ft.²
Class 1 hose outlets in the fire rated stairwell

Question 19

Elevator door restrictors are metal bars that prevent occupants from opening doors between floors. These are engaged when:

Answer 19

The elevator cab is located 18 inches above or below the landing zone.

Elevator door keys typically do not bypass restrictors

Question 20

Some of the parts of escalators, as interest to firefighters include:

Answer 20

The truss– the overall steel frame that supports the escalator
Electric motor with a chain and gear drive system
Cast aluminum or wood steps
A handrail which may have its own drive gear

Question 21

For an escalator or a moving sidewalk, the emergency shutoff switch does not:

Answer 21

Does not remove power from the system.
You must use the main disconnect switch near the motor or under the inspection plate.

Question 22

Many of the fires within an escalators or moving sidewalks are due to

Answer 22

Cigarettes or overheated equipment, igniting, trash, oil, or grease.
Sprinkler protection in the systems are rare

Question 23

In regards to refrigeration systems, various temperature classes include these (4)

Answer 23

Cooler Storage – 32°F – 65°F
Chill rooms – 16°F – 35°F
Freezer or holding rooms – 10°F – 5°F
Sharp freezer – 35°F – 0°F

Question 24

New refrigerant, have been developed recently, to reduce their effects on global warming potential. The trade-off is increasing flammability.
The new refrigerant classification rates, flammability and toxicity. The letters and the numbers are:

Answer 24

Toxicity – A is lower, B is higher

Flammability – 1 does not propagate a flame, 2 is low, flammability, 3 is high flammability

Example, propane is A3; CO2 is A1, ammonia is B2L

Question 25

New standards in NFPA 1 include the requirements for flammable and toxic, refrigerants, such as

Answer 25

Automatic emergency pressure control systems to shut down compressors Refrigerant leak alarm and detection systems Flaring systems to burn off flammable refrigerant 

Question 26

Ammonia, refrigerant systems include diffusion systems to dump the ammonia in the case of an emergency, on the high and low pressure size of the system. These pipes terminate outside the building and labeled control boxes. The flammability range of ammonia is

Answer 26

16 to 25% In the diffusion system, of permanent water supply, capable of at least 2 gallons of water per each pound of ammonia must be provided. Additionally, an FDC is required at the diffusion system

Question 27

In hospitals, other medical facilities, medical gases are supplied throughout the facilities with fixed piping systems. Distribution piping is usually seamless copper tubing. These gases may be under pressure or stored cryogenically. Medical gases include:

Answer 27

Oxygen Nitrous oxide Nitrogen Carbon dioxide Helium Medical air Instrument air Ethylene

Question 28

In carbon dioxide beverage systems, concerns are based on:

Answer 28

Possible leaks, because CO2 is a deadly asphyxiant, and have everything air, so it will collect in low points. Must use SCBA.

Question 29

Always use gas detectors in the presence of natural gas. Gas may not always have the odor because

Answer 29

Mercaptan might be stripped away from the gas as it travels through soil in underground leaks

Question 30

In reference to a stalled elevator car, turning the power off and back on again May allow the car to move to its normal location. But:

Answer 30

This procedure should only be used once.

Question 31

End matched lumber is also known as

Answer 31

Tongue and groove lumber

Question 32

A curtain wall is a non-loadbearing wall. The opposite of this is termed:

Answer 32

Wall bearing, indicating that the entire structural load is carried on the walls.

Question 33

Dimensionally, heavy timber is lumber that is:

Answer 33

8 inches or more in its smallest dimension. 

Question 34

Identifiable traits in a post and frame building include

Answer 34

Mortise and tenon joints Trunnels - wooden pegs used to pin joints English Tudor construction is a balloon frame house with exterior finishes to resemble post and frame.

Question 35

Balloon frame construction is likely in buildings built before 1940 Identifiable traits of a balloon frame construction is:

Answer 35

Studs that run two or more stories high from the foundation Horizontal ribbon boards Unimpeded stud channels from the cellar to the attic. No fire stopping.

Question 36

Platform frame construction is typically no more than three stories tall. Each story is built on the subfloor above the previous story. Potential fire problems in platform construction are:

Answer 36

Open stairwells A soffit usually behind cabinets in the kitchen or under side of stairways and projecting eaves. Soffit may be interconnected for utility openings.

Question 37

In platform frame buildings, joists are usually spaced 16–24 inches on centers. To keep the joists vertical ?? Is used

Answer 37

Bridging or crossbracing is placed between the joists to keep them erect and vertical.

Question 38

The three main parts of stairs are:

Answer 38

Treads Risers Stringers 

Question 39

The main benefits of a plank and beam construction building is

Answer 39

Instead of using joist that are 16” OC, and plywood, subfloor, heavy beams spaced farther apart, and tongue and groove planks are used for the floors

Question 40

Where is a hammerbeam trust used?

Answer 40

In churches and other monumental Gothic structures

Question 41

An example of the weight reduction of modern buildings has decreased from:

Answer 41

23 pounds per cubic foot in the Empire State building 8 pounds per cubic foot in modern high rises

Question 42

Trusses are typically beams, but they may also be used as columns. Some qualities of trusses that satisfy newer building requirements are:

Answer 42

Lighter weight and solid construction Provides long clear spans Can be delivered to the job site pre-fabricated

Question 43

One of the major hazards of lightweight wood truss roofs are the lack of:

Answer 43

The lack of a ridge board. The hooks of roof ladders will only hang on the plywood sheathing.

Question 44

The truss void refers to:

Answer 44

Also known as a trussloft, the truss void is a concealed hidden void in roofs, floors, and ceilings where explosive CO can accumulate. The flammability range of CO is 12.5–74%, ignition temperature is 1128°F.

Question 45

Engineered wood I beam or I joists use 2 x 4 for the upper and lower flanges and OSB for the web. These are glued together and may be as long as: Failure in fire may be:

Answer 45

May be as long as 60 feet. It’s very common for the webs to have holes for utilities and no fire stopping Recent fire tests have shown failure in just over 6 minutes. According to the book, these can be considered the most dangerous of all structural members to firefighters today.

Question 46

The most dangerous of all structural members to firefighters today, per Branigan’s, are:

Answer 46

Engineered wooden I-joists and lightweight wood trusses

Question 47

The difference between firestopping, and draftstopping

Answer 47

Firestops typically limits vertical movement and small concealed passages Draftstops limit horizontal movement through large concealed passages, typically with gypsum board, plywood, or sheet metal

Question 48

Different types of firestops include

Answer 48

Inherent firestopping- this is the use of sole plates and top plates in a wall Legal firestopping is usually ineffective, only to meet code requirements

Question 49

Wood cannot be made fireproof or noncombustible. It can be made fire retardant by: Treated lumber is often called FRT or fire retardant treated wood

Answer 49

Impregnation with mineral salts, to slow the rate of burning. This is sometimes called pressure-treated wood In UL testing, pressure treated Wood could withstand 30 minutes instead of the usual 10 minutes of the test

Question 50

Intumescent coatings on wood will swell when heated. This can reduce fire hazard or flame spread. A major problem with this surface coating is.

Answer 50

There’s a tenancy for it to be spread thinner than recommended It also needs to be reapplied at certain intervals

Question 51

Spliced and laminated timbers are used for construction Splice timbers use metal connections to transfer the loads Laminated timbers are glued under pressure. These are known as.

Answer 51

Glulam, which is also the trade name. Laminated timbers burn like solid, heavy timbers, and do not delaminate like plywood

Question 52

Wood chips glued together in sheets are known as

Answer 52

Chipboard or particleboard.

Question 53

Exterior sheathing can be done with different material materials, such as

Answer 53

Low density fiberboard, known as Celotex Plywood Gypsum sheathing Foamed plastic

Question 54

Building siding is installed over the sheathing. Different siding examples are.

Answer 54

Wood siding, usually novelty siding. Often called clapboard Board and batten siding, vertical boards Plywood siding, also called T1-11 Asbestos cement shingles Asbestos felt siding, known as gasoline siding Vinyl siding Metal siding and corrugated metal siding Stucco, thin concrete surface

Question 56

Exterior veneer walls can include

Answer 56

Brick veneer, attached with brick ties Stone, veneer, natural, or artificial stone PermaStone is one brand

Question 57

In regards to wood roofs, the difference between shakes and shingles are

Answer 57

Shakes are larger than shingles. They are both likely to propagate and spread fire

Question 58

In a balloon frame structure, the fastest and most effective way to attack a fire is to

Answer 58

Remove its exterior siding.

Question 59

Type V construction includes six types of wood frame structures

Answer 59

Log cabin Post and frame Balloon frame Platform frame Plank and beam Truss frame