Passive Protection

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of passive fire prevention systems?

Answer 1

• To contain fires
• Prevent smoke and flame spread through compartmentation
• Protecting structural elements.

Compartmentation includes fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings.

Question 2

What does compartmentation in passive fire prevention involve?

Answer 2

Fire-rated walls, floors, and ceilings to divide a building into manageable sections.

This helps to restrict fire to the area of origin.

Question 3

What is structural fire protection?

Answer 3

Coating load-bearing structures like steel beams with intumescent coatings to increase their fire resistance.

Intumescent coatings expand when exposed to heat, providing an insulating barrier.

Question 4

How does passive fire protection differ from active fire protection?

Answer 4

• Passive fire protection contains the fire & prevents its spread,
• Active fire protection involves detecting, alerting, & stopping a fire.

Active examples include portable extinguishers and smoke detectors.

Question 5

What is the principle of containment in passive fire protection?

Answer 5

To restrict a fire to the room of origin using fire-resistant construction materials.

This minimizes the risk to other areas of the building.

Question 6

What is a fire compartment?

Answer 6

An area totally separated from the remainder of the building by continuous fire resisting construction.

It forms a complete barrier to heat and smoke from a fire.

Question 7

What are the two aspects of compartmentation?

Answer 7

• Containment of Heat and Smoke within Compartment
• Isolation of Occupants within Compartment from Heat and Smoke

Question 8

What is required for service rooms like kitchens and generator rooms in terms of fire compartmentation?

Answer 8

They must be enclosed in one-hour and two-hour separations depending on the risk involved.

This helps contain potential hazards.

Question 9

What materials should compartment walls be constructed from?

Answer 9

Non-combustible materials.

They must be able to contain fires for a specified period.

Question 10

What is the role of fire-resistant materials in fire compartment walls?

Answer 10

To seal gaps and cracks to prevent fire and smoke from progressing through the compartment wall.

Question 11

How does fire typically spread within a building?

Answer 11

Through openings needed for access, such as doors and provisions for electrical and mechanical services.

It usually does not spread by burning through walls or floors.

Question 12

What is the requirement for fire doors in relation to fire compartments?

Answer 12

A fire door must have the same fire resistance as the fire compartment wall.

Fire doors must be self-closing to limit fire spread.

Question 13

What must fire protected shafts, pipes, and ducts have?

Answer 13

The same fire resistance as the fire resisting compartment wall they pass through.

They must be treated with fire-resistant materials.

Question 14

What is a fire damper, and what is its function?

Answer 14

An automatic shutter that closes to prevent the passage of flames and smoke when a fire occurs.

It is typically held open by a fusible link that melts at around 72°C.

Question 15

What is fire stopping and its importance?

Answer 15

Fire stopping is needed to prevent the passage of flames, heat, and smoke through openings in compartments.

It must be made of non-combustible materials like cement mortar, gypsum-based plaster, or mineral wool.

Question 17

What is the definition of fire resistance in building structures?

Answer 17

The ability to satisfy stability, integrity, and insulation criteria while performing its required function over a defined period such as 1-hour or 2-hour.

The three criteria are essential for assessing the fire resistance of structural elements.

Question 18

What are the three criteria for fire resistance?

Answer 18

• Stability: must not collapse and support its load
• Integrity: must not develop holes or cracks for flames and gases
• Insulation: must not allow excessive temperature rise on the unexposed side

These criteria ensure the safety and functionality of building elements during a fire.

Question 19

What criteria must walls in building structures satisfy?

Answer 19

• Stability
• Integrity
• Insulation

Walls are critical for maintaining fire compartments within a building.

Question 20

What criteria must floors in building structures satisfy?

Answer 20

• Stability
• Integrity
• Insulation

Floors support loads and prevent fire spread, necessitating these criteria.

Question 21

What criteria must doors in building structures satisfy?

Answer 21

• Integrity
• Insulation

Doors primarily function to limit smoke and heat transfer.

Question 22

What is a fire resistance rating?

Answer 22

A measurement of fire resistance assigned to an element of building structure based on testing, expressed in hours or parts thereof.

For example, a wall tested for 75 minutes receives a rating of one hour.

Question 23

What are the three failure criteria for fire resistance testing?

Answer 23

• Stability: must perform load-bearing function without collapse
• Integrity: must not develop cracks or holes allowing smoke or gases
• Insulation: temperature on the cold side must not exceed specified limits

These criteria ensure the tested element meets safety standards during a fire.

Question 24

At what temperature does steel start to lose strength and stiffness?

Answer 24

About 400 °C.

At 600 °C, structural steel can lose two-thirds of its original strength.

Question 25

What fire protection methods are used for structural steel elements?

Answer 25

* Sprayed on compounds * Boards * Mineral wool * Intumescent paint ## Footnote These methods help maintain load-bearing capacity during a fire.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: The fire resistance of an element of structure must satisfy the criteria of ______, integrity, and insulation.

Answer 26

[stability]

Question 27

True or False: Floors and walls in building structures must satisfy the same fire resistance criteria.

Answer 27

True ## Footnote Both elements are essential for maintaining safety and functionality during a fire.

Question 28

What happens to building materials under extreme heat?

Answer 28

They can cause total collapse and destroy a building, necessitating heat limitation in fires. ## Footnote Understanding the effects of fire on materials is crucial for fire safety design.

Question 29

Steel under extreme heat

Answer 29

- Weakens at 400°C - Loses two-thirds of its strength by 600°C (common in domestic fires).

Question 30

Fire Protection of Steel

Answer 30

- Sprayed compounds - board - mineral wool - intumescent paint

Question 31

Concrete in high temperature

Answer 31

- Fire-resistant but relies on steel for strength. - Steel must be insulated cuz overheating. - Low thermal diffusivity slows heating. - Reinforcement bars must be deep enough. - High heat can cause explosive spalling.

Question 32

Wood in extreme temperatures

Answer 32

- Weakens at high temperatures. - Burns and chars at a constant rate. - Char layer protects inner wood. - Timber resists fire well and can be oversized for safety. - Usually left unprotected.

Question 33

Bricks in high temperatures

Answer 33

- one of the best fire-resistant materials - cuz already been kiln-fired at high temperature during manufacture

Question 35

What is fire severity?

Answer 35

Defined as the potential of a fire to destroy or damage a building, its contents, & the adjacent property. ## Footnote It is determined by the maximum temperature achieved and the duration when the maximum temperature persists.

Question 36

What are the two parameters related to fire severity?

Answer 36

* Maximum temperature achieved * Duration when the maximum temperature persists ## Footnote These parameters help assess the destructive impact of a fire.

Question 37

What factors affect fire severity?

Answer 37

* Nature of the fuel * Amount of fuel per unit area * Arrangement of fuel * Size and shape of room * Area and shape of windows * Thermal insulation of walls and ceiling ## Footnote The first three factors relate to combustible contents, while the last three relate to building design.

Question 38

What is meant by 'nature of fuel' in the context of fire severity?

Answer 38

The nature and composition of combustible materials vary according to the type of occupancy, affecting heat release during burning. ## Footnote It includes how much heat is released and how quickly.

Question 39

What is a fire load?

Answer 39

The combustible contents of a building, often expressed in terms of the 'wood equivalent'. ## Footnote It helps in assessing the potential severity of a fire.

Question 40

What is fire load density?

Answer 40

Fire load density is defined as the fire load per unit floor area, expressed in terms of wood equivalent. ## Footnote It is crucial for determining building design to withstand fire effects.

Question 41

True or False: A low fire load density is important in limiting the severity of a fire.

Answer 41

True ## Footnote Lower fire load density can help reduce the destructive potential of a fire.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: The fire load in a building depends on the _______.

Answer 42

[size of the building] ## Footnote Larger buildings typically contain more combustibles.

Question 43

Free card say thank you

Answer 43

Thank you ## Footnote You're welcome

Question 44

What determines how a small fire spreads among combustible materials in a room?

Answer 44

The placement and separation of combustible materials ## Footnote Closer packing of items leads to faster fire spread.

Question 45

What happens to flames when combustible items are tall?

Answer 45

Flames reach the ceiling quickly and spread sideways ## Footnote This is due to the rapid sideways movement of flames under a ceiling.

Question 46

How does the surface area of combustible materials affect their burning rate?

Answer 46

Larger exposed surface area leads to faster burning ## Footnote Wood shavings burn more quickly than solid wood blocks.

Question 47

What are the two factors that control the severity of a fire in a building?

Answer 47

Air supply and loss of heat

Question 48

What is a ventilation-controlled fire?

Answer 48

A fire where the burning rate increases with the size of the window opening

Question 49

What occurs when a fire transitions from ventilation-controlled to fuel-controlled?

Answer 49

The burning rate is determined by the nature and placement of combustible materials

Question 50

What is the fire load per unit window opening value for wood crib fires at the transition point?

Answer 50

160 kg/m2

Question 51

What does Q represent in the context of ventilation-controlled fires?

Answer 51

The amount of ventilation air available for combustion

Question 52

What factors affect the amount of ventilation air for combustion?

Answer 52

Window area (A) and height (H)

Question 53

How does the size and depth of a compartment affect fire severity?

Answer 53

Larger compartments allow more combustible materials, deeper compartments lead to higher temperatures

Question 54

What is the effect of low ceilings on fire spread?

Answer 54

Flames reach the ceiling quickly, facilitating spread

Question 55

What is flame spread?

Answer 55

The propagation of flame across the surface of a material

Question 56

What are the classifications of flame spread?

Answer 56

Class 0, Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, Class 4

Question 57

What does Class 0 represent in flame spread classification?

Answer 57

Surface of no flame spread

Question 58

What is required for wall and ceiling linings in exit areas?

Answer 58

Class 0 performance rating

Question 59

What materials can achieve a Class 0 rating?

Answer 59

Non-combustible materials such as plaster, brickwork, blockwork, or plasterboard

Question 60

What is the minimum surface spread of flame rating for roof covering?

Answer 60

Class 1

Question 61

Why are buildings classified into different purpose groups?

Answer 61

To identify risk elements and apply appropriate fire protection measures

Question 62

What is the function of Purpose Group I?

Answer 62

Small Residential

Question 63

What type of buildings are classified as Purpose Group III?

Answer 63

Institutional, such as schools and hospitals

Question 64

What is the purpose of Purpose Group VI?

Answer 64

Factory Manufacturing

Question 65

Fill in the blank: Purpose Group VII includes _______.

Answer 65

Place of Public Resort, such as cinemas and restaurants

Question 66

True or False: Combustible materials like timber can meet Class 0 performance.

Answer 66

False

Question 67

Provision for External Access to Building for Firefighting

Answer 67

- Fire access panels enable firefighter entry. - Includes wall openings, windows, balcony doors, and glazed panels. - Must be openable from inside and outside. - Keep clear of obstructions (1m minimum). - Should be in occupied spaces, not dead ends or restricted areas. - Marked with a red triangle and "Firefighting Access - Do Not Obstruct." - Spaced max 20m apart.

Question 68

Accessibility of Site to Fire-fighting Appliances

Answer 68

- Access road: For fire trucks to enter building compounds. - Accessway: Paved road for firefighting operations, with higher load and width. - Must be 6m wide and support 30-ton load. - Openings along walls for access. - Marked with "Keep Clear" signs. - Within 18m of breeching inlet for buildings over 10m high.

Question 69

Prevention of External Fire Spread from one Building to Another Building

Answer 69

- Buildings use non-combustible materials and limited openings. - Fire spreads by direct flames, radiated heat, or flying embers. - <1m from boundary: Flames are the main risk. - >1m from boundary: Radiation is the main risk. - Radiation spread depends on fire size, distance, and heat-transmitting surfaces. - Risk factors: space separation, wall construction, and roof combustibility.