module 15

Question 1

why is FFE provided ?

Answer 1

.. First aid fire fighting

Securing the means of escape?

Legal requirement

Question 2

what is the BS for extinguishers?

Answer 2

BS 5306 part 8 2012

Question 3

what are the 4 main extinguisher types?

Answer 3

water
dry powder
CO2
Foam

Question 4

explain extinguisher rating?

Answer 4

.. Extinguisher Ratings
•Extinguishers are rated for the size of fire that they can extinguish. The results are given as A & B ratings. Extinguishers can have a rating for either or both.
•A traditional 9 litre water extinguisher is rated as 13A.

Question 5

typical extinguisher rating?

Answer 5

water

9L = 13A, 6L = 8A, 6L with additive 21A, 3L with additive = 13A

foam-

9L = 21A ( 233B) , 6 L = 13A ( 144B) and 2L = 5A ( 89B)

powder:

9kg = 43A ( 233B) , 6Kg = 34A ( 233B) , 3kgs = 21A ( 89B)

co2:

5kg = 70B and 2kg = 34B

wet chemical :

6L =   75 F
6L = 13A

Question 6

what is the formula for calculating extinguisher coverage?

Answer 6

. Calculate overall ‘A’ rating required for each floor using the formula:

Floor area x 0.065 = ‘A’ rating

• Floor area in m2
• 0.065 is a constant
• Minimum ‘A’ rating is 26.

Question 7

example of floor coverage and extinghsers required

Answer 7

Therefore, for a building 40m x 40m, the ‘A’ rating would be

1600 x 0.065 = 104A

To estimate how many 9 litre water (13A) extinguishers are required, the overall ‘A’ rating is divided by 13:

104  13 = 8

So 8 13A extinguishers required

Question 8

what is the minimum rating for most floors?

Answer 8

26A

Question 9

minimum rating for floors under 100 M2 ?

Answer 9

13A with risk assessment

Question 10

siting of extinguishers should be ?

Answer 10

near exits
on exit routes
within 30 M travel distance of any point of building
near specific risks

Question 11

what is the formula to calculate extinguisher coverage? and calculate A rating

Answer 11

0.065

Question 12

formula to calculate flammable liquid spills and extinguisher requirements?

Answer 12

max spill = 10 ltrs

10 x 10 = 100

100B extinguisher required.

Question 13

FFE Placement should be ?

Answer 13

bracket or otherwise suitable base with the handle at a suitable height

up to 4kgs = 1.5 M

over 4 kgs. = 1M

Question 14

advantages and disadvantages of water

Answer 14

.. Advantages
•Cools & extinguishes solid fuel fires quickly & safely
•Can be used as a jet or a spray

Disadvantages
•Must not be used on electrical fires or cooking oils/ fats (flammable liquid fires).

Question 15

advantages and disadvantages of foam?

Answer 15

.. Advantages
•Cools & smothers fires
•Can be used on flammable liquid fires, i.e. running fuel fires
Disadvantages
•Not to be used on chip pans
•If foam blanket breaks, re-ignition may occur.

Question 16

advantages and disadvantages of dry powder

Answer 16

.. Advantages
•Can be used on class A, B & C fires
•Safe to use on electrical fires
Disadvantages
•Does not cool, so fires may re-ignite
•Messy in operation
•Do not use on chip pans.

Question 17

consideration when using dry powder ?

Answer 17

.. Avoid inhaling powders, especially if chloride based
•Beware of re-ignition when the extinguisher is expended
•Wind & moisture will affect efficiency outdoors
•Visibility will be reduced
•Powders always create a mess
•Although they are non-conductors, they will damage delicate electrical equipment.

Question 18

advantages and disadvantages of Co2?

Answer 18

.. Advantages
•Ideal for electrical fires when power cannot be isolated
•Can be used on class B fires
Disadvantages
•Very little cooling capability
•Noisy in operation
•Visibility may be impaired
•Discharge horn becomes cold.

Question 19

inspection periods ?

Answer 19

water and water based:
12 month, extended service 5 years

Dry powder :
12 month, extended service 5 years

powder primary sealed:
12 month, extended service 10 years

Halon:
12 month, and overhall every 10 years

CO2 :
12 month, and overall every 10 years