Terminology

Question 1

Conduction

Answer 1

Fires spread through direct contact between materials.

Question 2

Convection

Answer 2

Heat from a fire is trapped by a ceiling or rooftop and then spreads horizontally.

Question 3

Radiation

Answer 3

The transfer of heat in the air due to electromagnetic waves. This heat can travel in multiple directions.

Question 4

Direct burning

Answer 4

Heat comes into contact with a combustible material.

Question 5

The four methods heat can be transferred.

Answer 5

Conduction - Convection - Radiation - Direct burning.

Question 6

The three basic stages of combustion are…

Answer 6

Induction - Fire growth - Decay

Question 7

Two phenomena that increase the risk of a fire

Answer 7

Flashover - Backdraught

Question 8

Flashover

Answer 8

The near-simultaneous ignition of most directly exposed combustible material in an enclosed area.

Question 9

Backdraught

Answer 9

The abrupt burning of superheated gases in a fire is caused when oxygen rapidly enters a hot, oxygen-depleted environment; for example, when a window or door to an enclosed space is opened or broken

Question 10

What is the fire triangle?

Answer 10

Oxygen - Heat - Fuel

Question 11

The three main reasons why an organisation has to maintain good fire safety standards are -

Answer 11

Social - Economic - Moral

Question 12

What is a Primary Fire?

Answer 12

Has casualties - Involves a property - Attendance of at least five appliances - Involved a rescue.

Question 13

What is a Secondary Fire?

Answer 13

Attendance of four or fewer appliances - Did not involve a rescue, casualties or property

Question 14

RRFSO

Answer 14

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

Question 15

ILO

Answer 15

International Labour Organisation.

Question 16

ISO

Answer 16

International Organisation for Standardisation.

Question 17

Flash point

Answer 17

The lowest temperature at which there is sufficient vapourisation of a substance capable of producing a flash momentarily when an ignition source is applied.

Question 18

Fire point

Answer 18

The temperature at which a fuel will continue to burn after ignition. (Five seconds or more).

Question 19

Ignition point

Answer 19

The temperature at which a material has to be heated for sustained combustion to be initiated by a pilot source.

Question 20

Auto ignition temperature

Answer 20

The lowest temperature a substance or material will ignite spontaneously without the presence of a pilot source of ignition. Also known as kindling point.

Question 21

Vapour density (Mass of vapour per unit volume) or Relative vapour density (Density of vapour relative to air).

Answer 21

Indicates whether a flammable vapour is likely to rise in the air or, more commonly, sink and accumulate in low-lying areas.

Question 22

Vapour pressure

Answer 22

The pressure exerted by a vapour when a liquid and a vapour are in equilibrium (such as a closed vessel). It increases with temperature and high vapour pressure at a given temperature means the liquid in extremely volatile and likely to produce a flammable vapour.

Question 23

Flammable liquid

Answer 23

The flash point of between 23 degrees C and 60 degrees C. Around ambient temperature.

Question 24

Highly flammable liquid

Answer 24

The flash point of less than 23 degrees C and a boiling point of 35 degrees or more.

Question 25

Extremely flammable liquids

Answer 25

Liquids having a flash point of less than 23 degrees C and a boiling point of less than 35 degrees C. High volatility.

Question 26

LFL and LEL

Answer 26

Lower flammable limit and lower explosive limit

Question 27

UFL and UEL

Answer 27

Upper flammable limit and upper explosive limit

Question 28

Inerting

Answer 28

The introduction of an inert (non-combustible) gas into a closed system (e.g. a container or a process vessel) to make a flammable atmosphere oxygen deficient and non-ignitable

Question 29

Lower flammable limit

Answer 29

When mixed with air, the lowest gas concentration will support a self-emitting flame. Below the lower flammability limit, there is not enough fuel to support combustion

Question 30

Upper flammable limit

Answer 30

The upper flammable limit (UFL) identifies the richest flammable mixture.

Question 31

The basic conditions required for ignition to occur are

Answer 31

A mixture of fuel and oxygen in a concentration in the flammable range. The input of sufficient heat energy.

Question 32

The two basic categories of explosion

Answer 32

Detonation - Deflagration

Question 33

UVCE

Answer 33

Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion

Question 34

CVCE

Answer 34

Confined Vapour Cloud Explosion

Question 35

BLEVE

Answer 35

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion

Question 36

The four types of explosions

Answer 36

UVCE - CVCE - BLEVE - Dust explosion

Question 37

What are the main factors and conditions determining the likelihood of a dust explosion? - 5

Answer 37

The presence of an ignition source - Combustibility or explosibility of the substance - Moisture content - Particle size - Concentration in the air.