FIRE PREVENTION AND FIRE FIGHTING – QUESTIONS & ANSWERS1. Basic UnderstandingWhat are the three elements of the fire triangle?Answer: Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen.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.Name the classes of fire and give one example for each.Answer:Class A – Wood, PaperClass B – Oil, PaintClass C – ElectricalClass D – MetalClass K (F) – Cooking oil/fats (used in galley)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.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 FireWhat is a Class A fire?Answer: Fire involving solid combustibles like wood, paper, or cloth.What is a Class B fire?Answer: Fire involving flammable liquids like oil, paint, or petrol.What extinguisher is used for electrical fires (Class C)?Answer: CO₂ or Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) extinguisher.Why is water not used on oil fires?Answer: Water spreads the burning oil and can cause explosions.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 ExtinguishersName different types of portable fire extinguishers.Answer: Water, Foam, CO₂, Dry Powder, Wet Chemical.How does a CO₂ fire extinguisher work?Answer: It displaces oxygen and cools the fire, suffocating it.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.How do you identify if a fire extinguisher is full or needs refilling?Answer: By checking the pressure gauge or weighing it.What colour code is used for:Water extinguisher – RedFoam extinguisher – CreamCO₂ extinguisher – BlackDry powder extinguisher – Blue4. Fire Detection & AlarmWhat types of fire detectors are used onboard?Answer: Smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors.What does the fire alarm signal sound like?Answer: Continuous ringing of the ship's general alarm bell.Where is the fire alarm control panel usually located?Answer: On the bridge and in the engine control room.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.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 & ProceduresName different types of fire hoses and nozzles.Answer: Canvas hose, Rubber-lined hose; Nozzles – Jet, Spray, Dual-purpose nozzles.What is a fire hydrant?Answer: A shipboard water outlet for connecting fire hoses.What is the purpose of an emergency fire pump?Answer: To supply water to fire main system during power failure.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.What are the contents of a fireman’s outfit?Answer: Fire-resistant suit, boots, helmet, gloves, SCBA, axe, flashlight, lifeline.6. Fixed Fire Fighting SystemsWhat is the function of the CO₂ flooding system?Answer: To suppress fire by displacing oxygen in enclosed spaces like engine room.Why is the engine room ventilator closed before releasing CO₂?Answer: To prevent escape of CO₂ and ensure effective fire suppression.What precautions should be taken before using fixed foam system?Answer: Ensure area is evacuated, isolate fuel source, and activate from safe location.What is the role of the fire damper?Answer: To block airflow and prevent fire/smoke from spreading through ventilation ducts.What is the meaning of “boundary cooling” during fire?Answer: Spraying water on surrounding bulkheads to prevent fire from spreading.7. Emergency SituationsWhat is your action if you discover a fire?Answer: Raise alarm, try to extinguish if safe, inform bridge/engine room, close ventilation.What is your action if you hear the fire alarm?Answer: Report to muster station, wear PPE, follow orders from fire party commander.What is meant by fire boundary?Answer: The area immediately surrounding the fire that needs cooling to prevent spread.What is backdraft?Answer: Sudden explosion due to re-entry of oxygen into a space with smoldering fire.How do you prevent re-ignition of fire?Answer: Cool the area properly, remove residual fuel, monitor temperature.8. Teamwork and CommunicationWho is in charge of the fire party on board ship?Answer: Chief Officer or the designated fire team leader.What is the role of G.P. Rating during fire fighting operation?Answer: Assist in hose handling, boundary cooling, communication, and securing the area.How do you communicate during fire emergency on board?Answer: By portable radios, sound-powered phones, hand signals if needed.What is the role of the bridge during a fire?Answer: Coordinate response, sound alarms, shut ventilation, and inform authorities.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.