FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE FIGHTING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR ORAL EXAM

FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE FIGHTING – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

1. Basic Understanding

  1. What are the three elements of the fire triangle?
    Answer: Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen.

  2. What is the difference between fire triangle and fire tetrahedron?
    Answer: Fire triangle has three elements – Heat, Fuel, Oxygen. Fire tetrahedron includes a fourth element – Chemical Chain Reaction.

  3. Name the classes of fire and give one example for each.
    Answer:

    • Class A – Wood, Paper

    • Class B – Oil, Paint

    • Class C – Electrical

    • Class D – Metal

    • Class K (F) – Cooking oil/fats (used in galley)

  4. What is spontaneous combustion? Give one example.
    Answer: Fire started without external flame due to heat build-up; e.g., oily rags in engine room.

  5. How do you prevent oil fires in the engine room?
    Answer: Regular cleaning, checking for leaks, proper insulation of hot surfaces, and proper storage of flammable items.

2. Types and Classes of Fire

  1. What is a Class A fire?
    Answer: Fire involving solid combustibles like wood, paper, or cloth.

  2. What is a Class B fire?
    Answer: Fire involving flammable liquids like oil, paint, or petrol.

  3. What extinguisher is used for electrical fires (Class C)?
    Answer: CO₂ or Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) extinguisher.

  4. Why is water not used on oil fires?
    Answer: Water spreads the burning oil and can cause explosions.

  5. What is a Class D fire and where can it occur on ships?
    Answer: Fire involving metals like magnesium or aluminum; may occur in workshop or machinery handling certain metals.

3. Fire Extinguishers

  1. Name different types of portable fire extinguishers.
    Answer: Water, Foam, CO₂, Dry Powder, Wet Chemical.

  2. How does a CO₂ fire extinguisher work?
    Answer: It displaces oxygen and cools the fire, suffocating it.

  3. What safety precautions should be taken while using CO₂ extinguisher?
    Answer: Avoid holding the horn (it can cause frostbite), ensure ventilation after use, and do not use in confined space without SCBA.

  4. How do you identify if a fire extinguisher is full or needs refilling?
    Answer: By checking the pressure gauge or weighing it.

  5. What colour code is used for:

  • Water extinguisher – Red

  • Foam extinguisher – Cream

  • CO₂ extinguisher – Black

  • Dry powder extinguisher – Blue

4. Fire Detection & Alarm

  1. What types of fire detectors are used onboard?
    Answer: Smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors.

  2. What does the fire alarm signal sound like?
    Answer: Continuous ringing of the ship’s general alarm bell.

  3. Where is the fire alarm control panel usually located?
    Answer: On the bridge and in the engine control room.

  4. What is the importance of a fire control plan on board ship?
    Answer: It shows locations of fire fighting equipment, escape routes, and helps in emergency response.

  5. What is the purpose of a fire patrol?
    Answer: To detect fire early and ensure all fire fighting systems are in good condition.

5. Firefighting Equipment & Procedures

  1. Name different types of fire hoses and nozzles.
    Answer: Canvas hose, Rubber-lined hose; Nozzles – Jet, Spray, Dual-purpose nozzles.

  2. What is a fire hydrant?
    Answer: A shipboard water outlet for connecting fire hoses.

  3. What is the purpose of an emergency fire pump?
    Answer: To supply water to fire main system during power failure.

  4. Describe how to don and use a fireman’s outfit.
    Answer: Wear the fire suit, helmet, boots, gloves, SCBA; check air pressure, open valve, and enter smoke-filled area safely.

  5. What are the contents of a fireman’s outfit?
    Answer: Fire-resistant suit, boots, helmet, gloves, SCBA, axe, flashlight, lifeline.

6. Fixed Fire Fighting Systems

  1. What is the function of the CO₂ flooding system?
    Answer: To suppress fire by displacing oxygen in enclosed spaces like engine room.

  2. Why is the engine room ventilator closed before releasing CO₂?
    Answer: To prevent escape of CO₂ and ensure effective fire suppression.

  3. What precautions should be taken before using fixed foam system?
    Answer: Ensure area is evacuated, isolate fuel source, and activate from safe location.

  4. What is the role of the fire damper?
    Answer: To block airflow and prevent fire/smoke from spreading through ventilation ducts.

  5. What is the meaning of “boundary cooling” during fire?
    Answer: Spraying water on surrounding bulkheads to prevent fire from spreading.

7. Emergency Situations

  1. What is your action if you discover a fire?
    Answer: Raise alarm, try to extinguish if safe, inform bridge/engine room, close ventilation.

  2. What is your action if you hear the fire alarm?
    Answer: Report to muster station, wear PPE, follow orders from fire party commander.

  3. What is meant by fire boundary?
    Answer: The area immediately surrounding the fire that needs cooling to prevent spread.

  4. What is backdraft?
    Answer: Sudden explosion due to re-entry of oxygen into a space with smoldering fire.

  5. How do you prevent re-ignition of fire?
    Answer: Cool the area properly, remove residual fuel, monitor temperature.

8. Teamwork and Communication

  1. Who is in charge of the fire party on board ship?
    Answer: Chief Officer or the designated fire team leader.

  2. What is the role of G.P. Rating during fire fighting operation?
    Answer: Assist in hose handling, boundary cooling, communication, and securing the area.

  3. How do you communicate during fire emergency on board?
    Answer: By portable radios, sound-powered phones, hand signals if needed.

  4. What is the role of the bridge during a fire?
    Answer: Coordinate response, sound alarms, shut ventilation, and inform authorities.

  5. What signals are used to abandon fire-fighting and abandon ship?
    Answer: Continuous sounding of the general alarm and ship’s whistle as per Muster List.

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