Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
295 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
How long do fire extinguishers for occupants exhaust their contents?
|
Less than one minute
Users must be familiar and trained with equipment. |
|
Class A - common combustibles
|
wood, paper, cloth, plastic & rubber
Any solid substance that burns, with the exception of metals is a Class A fire when it is burning |
|
Three Dimensional Fire Problem - fire has penetrated into the depth of the material and requires fire attack that penetrates thoroughly
|
Overhaul - a method of seeking out and extinguishing the interior smoldering areas
method to penetrate thoroughly throughout materials in order to root out any embers that are inside |
|
Class B - flammable vs. combustible liquid - properties
|
Flammable liquid - liquid that can be ignited at or below room temperature
Combustible liquid - liquid that must be preheated first |
|
Fires in flammable & combustible liquids burn only on the surface
|
If surface fire can be extinguished, there is no deep smoldering which may go on and re-ignite later
Beware: fire may be re-ignited by a spark from smoldering Class A materials in the area |
|
Class C - fires that occur in energized electrical equipment; because electricity does not burn in and of itself, ALWAYS mixed with another class of fire
|
If electricity is turned off, there is no electrical fire, only whatever else is burning
Danger of electrical shock to person fighting fire; essential to use non-conductive extinguishing agent |
|
Class D - combustible metals that burn at such incredibly high temperatures that most common extingushing methods are not effective
|
Example - water is broken down into it's component parts, hydrogen and oxygen; the oxygen accelerates the rate of combustion of the metal rapidly and the hydrogen reburns as it encounters atmospheric oxygen. Fire becomes explosively violent. Special extinguishing agents that can resist the heat and don't break down are needed
|
|
Extinguisher Ratings - in LA City will list class(es) of fires and a numerical designation
|
Rating for Class - 1A not considered effective on Class A fires; C rating means non-conductive and never given a numeric rating
Common types of agents - water, dry chemical, carbon dioxide & Halon |
|
Water - most common (pressurized type), standard 2 1/2 gallon tank, about 30 lb, 1 minute continous operation
|
Other facts: will squirt 30-40 feet, pressurized to 110 PSI, 1/8 inch tip will scatter light weight materials, can break stream onto spray by bouncing off tip of finger
Can only be used on Class A fires and always important to overhaul |
|
Name two ingredients of dry chemical extinguishers - two categories: BC and ABC
|
BC - bicarbonate of soda or potassium bicarbonate (Purple-K); not particularly effective against common combustible fires
ABC - monoammonium phosphate works on A, B & C |
|
Halon 1301 - bromotrifloromethane
|
Generally used in fixed systems
|
|
List the characteristics of Halon 1211 - bromochlorodifloromethane
|
- used in hand held units
- small unit has BC rating - larger unit has ABC rating - 8-12' range - last 15 second in continuous operation - interferes with chemical reaction - breaks down at 900 degrees - will hang in air longer |
|
What rating is Halon 1211 - larger hand held unit
|
ABC
Pound for pound, will put out same amount of fire as dry chemical extinguisher |
|
Name chemicals that are Halons
|
fluorine, chlorine, bromine & iodine
from family of chemicals called halogens |
|
To get 2A rating (and be accepted for ABC rating) for halon?
|
Must be 14 lbs, self pressured to 150 PSI (all halon are)
|
|
What joins halogens to form HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS?
|
hydrogen + carbon
|
|
How do you check carbon-dioxide and Halon extinguishers?
|
Weight
|
|
Who best services Halon and carbon dioxide extinguishers?
|
service man
|
|
Name another way to easily check pressure?
|
Turn upside down and listen/feel for dry chemical shift and flow. If not flowing; might be caked and will not expell when lever is depressed
|
|
Is there an annual requirement for servicing extinguishers in the home?
|
NO
|
|
Operate extinguishers in vertical position
|
If turned on side, only half of contents are expelled. If turned upside down, only gas pressure comes out
|
|
Overhaul
|
Move materials around to see if any sparks or embers have been missed; elminate all embers. Any Class A fire, or A mixed with another type
|
|
Why is a rekindle especially dangerous?
|
People are not as sensitive to the smoky smell a second time in such a short period of time
|
|
When should commercial extinguishers be serviced?
|
Once a year and/or after each use
|
|
Never step into any part of the area of the fire that has just been extinguished to reach a part further in that is still burning
|
If the fire reflashes, you may be caught; especially true of liquid fires
|
|
SHADOWS
|
The areas where the agent(s) do not reach due to objects such as rubbish, crates, boxes or furniture in the path of the agent as it is expelled toward the fire
|
|
Why should two people fighting a fire never be on opposite sides?
|
The extinguishers will push the fire toward the other person
|
|
Two persons fighting a fire should approach how?
|
From an angle
|
|
What range to start fighting the fire?
|
From maximum range and then move in
|
|
Danger when attacking fire in the open?
|
Direction of the wind; approach from direction that will prevent smoke from blowing in your face
|
|
How many pounds of pressure to break seal?
|
Five
|
|
What is necessary to pull out the pin?
|
Break the seal
|
|
What should you NOT do when trying to remove the pin?
|
Squeeze the trigger/lever
|
|
Aim FE at base of fire or leading edge
|
All extinguishing agents must be applied to base to be effective
|
|
Which handle is operating lever?
|
Upper; lower is used merely for support
|
|
Extinguisher is considered empty when seal is broken?
|
True
|
|
Interior Wet Standpipes
|
1 1/2" hose lines w/ 3/8" tip, 125 galllons per minute
|
|
How many people should operate a fire hose?
|
Three: one @ valve, other two support each other at nozzle
|
|
Fire hoses in buildings are how long?
|
100'
|
|
Name two other types of extinguishers?
|
- gas cartridge
- trigger types |
|
When were inversion extinguishers phased out?
|
Between 1976 & 1981
|
|
What function do gauges serve on a fire extinguisher?
|
Shows the proper amount of pressure required to operate the extinguisher. Safe operating range will be marked usually by color in contrast with rest of gauge
|
|
Main characteristic of metal extinguishing agent?
|
Resistance to being broken down by intense heat
|
|
Two special agents used on some metal fires?
|
Graphite & Metal-x powder
|
|
Major metal extinguishing agent properties
|
Must be applied over the entire surface of the burning metal to form a sufficient blanket to keep the oxygen from it
Because heat does not destroy it, it can be used as both a smothering and a cooling agent |
|
What type of extinguisher is foam?
|
An inversion type extinguisher
New form: aqueous film forming foam in a pressurized vessel |
|
What is the advantage of foam?
|
One of the few extinguishers with an AB rating. Can be used on liquid fires as well as common combustible fires
|
|
Advantages of Carbon Dioxide extinguishers?
|
- clean
- evaporates directly into the atmosphere - leaves no residue Very popular with places concerned about mess and contamination |
|
What types of fires are carbon dioxide extinguishers good on?
|
B & C fires
1/2 - 1/3 effective, pound for pound as BC dry chemical |
|
What is a CO2 extinguisher?
|
Carbon Dioxide
|
|
Range of CO2?
|
Between 3 & 8 feet
|
|
Which type of unit is noisy?
|
CO2 (carbon dioxide)
|
|
Which unit puts out fire by smothering?
|
CO2 (carbon dioxide)
|
|
Why are vessels containing carbon dioxide pressured to 900 PSI?
|
Relatively inert character of the gas and it's heavier than air quality
|
|
A relatively inert character of gas and it's heavier than air quality form a gaseous lid on the fire separating it from the atmospheric oxygen.
|
Carbon dioxide
|
|
How heavy is a 20 lb net CO2 extinguisher?
|
60 lb.
|
|
Are BC & ABC dry chemicals compatible for use on the same fire, at the same time?
|
No
|
|
Which classes of units use a flame inhibiting mechanism which operates on a chemical level by interfering with the chain reaction of the fire?
|
BC & ABC dry chemicals
|
|
Which unit is 2 1/2 gallons and weights about 30 lbs?
|
Water
|
|
What is the PSI for water units?
|
110
|
|
How long does a water unit last under continuous use?
|
About 1 minute
|
|
What unit weight is considered not too heavy for most people to lift?
|
30 lb.
|
|
What class of fires can water be used on?
|
Class A
|
|
ABC dry chemical units work on all three types of fire
|
True
|
|
How long will 2 1/2 lb sized dry chemical unit last?
|
About 8 seconds
|
|
How long will larger ABC dry chemical units last?
|
10-20 seconds
|
|
What ingredient in ABC dry chemical units allow it to work on all three times of fire?
|
Monoammonium phosphate
|
|
Another name for Potassium Bicarbonate?
|
Purple-K
|
|
Ingredients of BC dry chemical units?
|
Bicarbonate of soda or potassium bicarbonate
|
|
Which unit range is the longest?
|
Water @ 35 - 40 feet
|
|
Most common types of extinguishing agents
|
- water
- dry chemical - carbon dioxide - Halon |
|
Two problems of smoke
|
- ability to blind a person
- poisonous content |
|
Carbon monoxide
|
- odorless
- colorless - tasteless - lighter than air Mechanism of poisoning: asphyxia |
|
How does carbon monoxide work?
|
Unites with hemoglobin and prevents it from carrying oxygen to the cell tissues. Hemoglobin has four times the affinity for carbon monoxide over oxygen
|
|
Percentage of carbon monoxide in air to be lethal?
|
1%
|
|
Are pulmonary irritants heavier than air?
|
True
May layer on floor |
|
Signs of presence of pulmonary irritants
|
- very irritating
- sometimes very painful when taken into the lungs Fairly short periods of contact can cause damage to the respiratory tract |
|
What body parts does hydrogen cyanide affect?
|
Affects the nervous system
Prevents the continuous and necessary flow of information from the brain to the various parts of the body |
|
Is breathing apparatus sufficient protection when hydrogen cyanide is present?
|
No
|
|
Which toxin produces the most rapid danger of death?
|
Hydrogen cyanide
|
|
Most fires produce large quantities of hydrogen cyanide
|
False
|
|
Temperature at which kerosene produces vapors?
|
100 degrees
|
|
At what temperature will kerosene products self ignite?
|
410 degrees
|
|
Define Flash Point
|
The temperature of a FLAMMABLE liquid when it gives off ignitable vapors
|
|
Ignition Temperature
|
The temperature at which ignitable vapors burst into flames.
|
|
Is there a flash point and ignition temperature for solid materials?
|
Yes, but it is generally not referred to
|
|
Acetone, flash point and ignition temp?
|
Flash Point - 0
Ignition Temp - 869 |
|
What are the three materials that make up Fuel and what are the classes the types are broken into?
|
solid, liquid or gas
Broken down into fuel types: Class A, B, C & D |
|
Heat
|
- the temperature at which a material will produce vapors in sufficient quantity to ignite
- the temperature at which those vapors will ignite |
|
Name three elements of fire
|
- heat
- fuel - oxygen |
|
Other than oxygen, name two other supporters of combustion
|
- chlorine
- fluorine - nitrous oxide alternate name: oxidizer |
|
Amount of oxygen available to a fire determines how fast it will burn?
|
True
|
|
About how much oxygen in the atmosphere?
|
Roughly 21%
|
|
Highest ignition temperatures?
|
- carbon monoxide (1128)
- methane (1004) |
|
Oxygen burns by itself
|
False
|
|
What is bulk of air?
|
79% nitrogen 21% oxygen
|
|
What will happen if the percentages of oxygen & nitrogen change during a fire?
|
Below 11%, a fire will smolder
At 22% & higher, a fire will burn explosively |
|
Where are higher than normal concentrations of oxygen found?
|
- medical industry
- shops where welding is done No smoking signs required |
|
Define exothermic chemical reaction
|
A chemical reaction where heat, fuel and oxygen are mixed in proper proportions and produce heat
|
|
Why is the production of heat important?
|
Heat is necessary to sustain the vaporization of the fuel
|
|
Heat is transferred by what three methods?
|
- conduction
- radiation - convection |
|
Conduction
|
Transfer by direct contact from one body to another
Solids are better heat conductors then gases |
|
Best commercial insulators
|
Consists of fire particles or fibers, with the spaces between the particles filled with air
Remember: heat conduction cannot be completely stopped by any "heat insulating" material |
|
Heat-insultating materials have a high heat conductivity
|
False
|
|
No matter how thick the insulation, solidly insulating the space between the source of heat and the combustible material may be insufficient to prevent ignition
|
True
|
|
Why should there always be air space or some manner of carrying heat away from an object?
|
The transmission of heat from one substance to another over a long period of time can cause a fire (as much as 2' thick solid concrete)
|
|
Convection
|
Heat is transferred by a circulating medium, either gas or liquid
|
|
Heated air expands and rises
|
True
Generally in an upward direction, although air currents can be made to carry heat in any direction with use of fan or blower |
|
Define Radiation and give examples of one
|
Form of energy traveling through space of materials as an electromagnetic wave (light, radio waves or x-rays)
travels at the speed of light |
|
What happens when radiation arrives at a body?
|
They (the waves) are either absorbed, reflected or transmitted
|
|
What is a common example of radiation?
|
Candle flame
Air heated by the flame rises upward while cooler air moves in toward the candle to supply the flame with more oxygen |
|
Fires involving candles, most of the heat leaves the combustion zone by vertical convection
|
More hazardous fires release about equal amounts of radiative & convection energy
Radiated energy is more dangerous because a stationary surface near the fire will absorb essentially all of the radiation incident upon it |
|
Class A - fires with common combustibles
|
Will continue to burn even after atmospheric oxygen has been removed from the fire
Will smolder for a long time after surface flames have been extinguished; may rekindle later |
|
Class B - fire in flammable or combustible liquids, such as gasoline, acetone, alcohol, fuel oil, grease
|
Only burn at the surface where the vapors of the fuel can mix with the air
These liquids do not smolder because there is not enough oxygen in the depth of fluid to support combustion |
|
Flammable liquids
|
gasoline
Give off enough vapors to be ignited by a spark or match |
|
Combustible Liquids
|
BBQ starter
Liquid must be heated above room temperature before they become hazardous |
|
What is different about Class C fires that involve ENERGIZED electrical equipment?
|
It is the one class of fire that indicates a type of heat source rather than a fuel type
Must be mixed with other types because electricity cannot burn of itself; must involve a class of fuel |
|
Name the metals that can be classified as Class D fires :
|
- magnesium
- sodium - lithium - potassium Difficult to extinguish because they produce their own oxygen as they burn |
|
Most extinguishing agents are effective and quell Class D fires
|
False
Most are ineffective and may make the fire worse |
|
Establishments that work with metals should have the special extinguishing agents for the type of metal on the premises
|
True
|
|
The character of a particular fire is determined most by?
|
Type of fuel also by amount of oxygen available to the fuel
|
|
Fuels that burn most violently have what mixed with the fuel?
|
Oxidizer
|
|
Two most significant factors determining speed of combustion?
|
- amount of oxygen available in the air where the fire is burning
- size of the pieces of fuel |
|
Why do smaller pieces of fuel burn faster?
|
They have a higher surface to air volume
|
|
Why does fire not burn all fuel (oxygen) available to it completely?
|
Because fuel itself gets in the way of the oxygen trying to get to it.
The more of the fuel that is exposed to air, the faster it will burn |
|
Name materials that must change from a solid or a liquid into a vapor or gas before burning
|
wood, paper, cloth, plastics and metals must first vaporize before they burn
Fluids vaporize directly, but common combustibles (like wood) go through process called pyrolysis |
|
Pyrolysis
|
The thermal decomposition of solid materials
Example: wood goes through process at temps as low as 115 degrees, but does not ignite until reaches temperature of 600 degrees |
|
Class A fire suppression methods
|
water - has the ability to absorb large amounts of heat in the process being changed into steam
- ABC dry chemical The heat absorbing ability pulls the heat away from the fuel so that its temperature drops below the ignition point |
|
Class B fire suppression methods
|
- smothering agents
- chain reaction breaking agents Water does NOT work; cause flammable liquids to splash and spread; may cause a steam explosion |
|
Class C fire suppression methods
|
Turn OFF the electrical appliances
Fire would then revert to fuel class fire |
|
Name two Class D suppression materials
|
- graphite
- dry sodium chloride Most important: size of dry chemical material; water is NOT recommended in most of these types of fires |
|
Flammable liquids properties
|
- most are heavier than air
- vapors will hang together for some distance from source - will not break down readily/will stay combustible for extremely long periods of time - must be mixed with correct amount of air - if vapor air mixture is contained and ignited; an explosion will occur - common sparks can easily ignite it - will penetrate container walls - must be kept in proper container - work in well ventilated area - do NOT use gasoline to light BBQ |
|
Flammable liquids can be stored in glass.
|
False
Glass can break, allowing liquid to spread over a wide area |
|
When filling a metal container with flammable liquids, leave about 5% air at the top
|
False
Leave about 10% air at the top to allow for expansion from day's heat |
|
When working with flammable liquids, why must the area be well ventilated?
|
To prevent the vapors from having a chance to build up to flammable concentrations
Make sure no ignition hazards (electric motors, pilot lights) |
|
Why use combustible vs. flammable liquids to light a fire?
|
Combustible liquids are generally safer because they do not produce vapors at a flammable rate at normal room temperature
Heat makes combustible liquids as dangerous as flammable liquids by making them vaporize rapidly |
|
Oxygen is 25% of the air we breath
|
False - It is 21%
|
|
Why is it important that people who work with pressurized equipment to keep their hands free from petroleum based ointments (such as Vaseline)?
|
Oxygen under pressure as it comes directly from the cylinder will react explosively with grease or oils
Never grease or oil an oxygen valve |
|
Pressurized oxygen cylinders are 2200 PSI
|
True
If dropped or knocked over, way break @ weakest point; should be chained when not in use |
|
3 Reasons why so many electrical fires?
|
- wide spread use
- ignorance - negligence |
|
The breaking down of a material by heat in which there is structural and chemical change
|
Pyrolysis
Happens slowly under mild heat, such a toasters (110-130 F) |
|
The accumulation of heat inside a material due to oxidation at a rate sufficiently high that the movement of the air does not carry heat away fast enough to prevent a heat build-up
|
Spontaneous combustion
Heat is given off in the processes of oxidation, but at such a low rate, air currents carry it away; when heat produced is greater than the heat carried away, material may begin to burn |
|
Materials that spontaneously heat
|
- fish meal
- plant food - linseed oil - vegetable meal, oil - nitrate film - copra oil - clothing - wiping & paint rags - charcoal - manure - feed - cut vegetation - lime (calcium oxide) Methods to prevent: - remove air (closed container) - spread out (cut vegetation) |
|
Seconds it takes a fire to travel up a woman's dress, hem to collar?
|
10 seconds
fire, moving in a vertical direction, preheats the material above it and prepares it to burn |
|
Two dangers of upholstery fires?
|
- poisonous products with slowly burning materials
- difficulty of extinguishment |
|
How does carbon monoxide attack a person?
|
Through asphyxia; the respiratory system; joins with hemoglobin the blood 4 times the affinity for carbon monoxide than oxygen
Brain is affected by lack of oxygen - 30 seconds observed |
|
What time has impairment of psychomotor functions been noted?
|
30 seconds
Unconscious in 3 minutes |
|
During the first 5 minutes of a small fire, it can preheat ceiling materials to 900 degrees
|
True - it can preheat up to 1000 degrees
|
|
Flashover
|
When the air becomes rich enough with vapors and moves across the room in one rapid sweep to fully involve the room
10 x 10 room, it can happen in as little as 2 minutes after fire starts |
|
How long will ordinary doors confine a fire?
|
5 minutes
|
|
How far down a hall will gases carry a fire?
|
Observed 100 feet in 10 seconds
|
|
The bottom floor is usually the first wholly consumed by fire
|
False
The top floor; heat rises |
|
The vertical spread of fire up the outside of a building
|
Lapping
|
|
General procedures if a fire is discovered:
|
- save lives
- notify - return & fight the fire - evacuate |
|
How do you immediately begin to save lives?
|
Remove anyone in immediate vicinity; close doors
Do not attempt to fight the fire unless it is the only way you can save a life |
|
Who should be notified in case of a fire?
|
The people in the building & the FD
with: - location - your telephone number - type of fire |
|
Fight the fire
|
OPTIONAL
Once the door is closed; no reason to open the door again |
|
Evacuate
|
Consider moving people away from fire area
In smaller buildings, that may mean outside |
|
Where should you stand if opening a door to a room where a suspected fire is located and the doors swings TOWARD YOU?
|
Stand behind it and use as a shield
This is to ward against the super heated gases and flames that may leave the room |
|
Where should you stand if opening a door to a room where a suspected fire is located and the doors swings AWAY from you?
|
Use the wall as a shield
Stay low |
|
The call to 9-1-1 should be made far away from any victims
|
False
The dispatcher will need more information on the condition of the patient(s) |
|
It is okay to leave a patient to go get water to put a fire out.
|
False
Take the patient with you |
|
Fires do not have to be reported by law
|
False
|
|
Evacuation
|
To withdraw from a place in an organized way especially for protection
The act or process of evacuating |
|
Total evacuation takes place when the danger is very large or the building is so small there is no safe refuge inside the structure
|
True
|
|
Initial evacuation is used when dealing with large evacuations
|
False
Term is used when dealing with people that are in immediate danger |
|
Recommended test of home devices
|
Every 60 days
|
|
What can be used to break a window?
|
An empty drawer - Start at the top, place blanket or bedspread on sill
|
|
Who's job is it to find out what sort of plan is in place where employed?
|
The employee's
|
|
In high rise buildings, stairwells that do not provide roof access must have the stairwell door at the top floor unlocked to prevent entrapments in case they fill up with smoke
|
True
|
|
In hospitals & convalescent homes, the hallways are required to be 10' wide
|
False 8'
|
|
Patients' beds are commonly used tools for evacuating them
|
False
Rarely |
|
Only 1 exit is required in patient areas.
|
False
2 are required, in case 1 is blocked |
|
Taking patients into the elements is only done when there is no other place for them
|
True
|
|
What should be considered when moving patients?
|
- weight
- condition - attitude - strength - adaptability - number of rescuers |
|
When evacuating patients, priority by room should be:
|
- remove ambulatory
- remove lighter - more cooperative - use bed for threatened by fire & non ambulatory - already on floor, drag by blanket |
|
Name problems constructive criticism can help resolve
|
- not hearing alarms
- not hearing paging locations - fire equipment blocked or unusable - fire fighting operations hindered - exits & hallways blocked |
|
You must always incorporate an evacuation drill as part of the fire drill
|
False
|
|
Many walls in modern office buildings are merely partition walls with the area above the ceiling being a common area
|
True
|
|
What is the door attached to a partition called?
|
Smoke barrier
|
|
Stairwell doors are typically rated for one hour
|
False
1 1/2 hours (90 min) |
|
What is the required minimum rating for stairwell doors in LA?
|
1 1/2 hours
|
|
What are rolling steel doors used for?
|
- used in walls to separate buildings
- to divide a building into separate fire areas or compartments |
|
What is the rating for rolling steel doors?
|
3 hours
|
|
Smoke doors may need to be closed manually
|
True
|
|
Wired glass may not be used a vision panel in some types of fire doors
|
False
|
|
Wired glass cannot be used as vision panels
|
False
It can be used in some doors |
|
A glass sheet containing an imbedded net of steel that helps distribute heat, lower thermal stresses and increase the strength of the assembly
|
Wired glass
|
|
When exposed to fire, wired glass cracks, separates and falls out of the frame
|
False
|
|
At what temperature does wired glass deform so badly that it will drop out of the door
|
1600 F
|
|
What is the most significant factor concerning fire control?
|
Time
|
|
What are the appropriate actions after a fire/smoke detector is activated?
|
- alarm
- communication - fire suppression - evacuation - combination of above |
|
Local alarm alerts the neighborhood of a fire
|
False
Alerts the building |
|
Supervised alarm alerts the building of a fire
|
False
Alerts building occupants and an alarm company that calls the fire department |
|
Devices that can activate an alarm
|
- manual pull stations
- smoke detectors - heat detectors - sprinklers |
|
Distance of travel between manual pull stations
|
Will not exceed 100'
|
|
Height of manual pull stations from the floor
|
48"
|
|
Releasing temperature for sprinkler releasing element
|
165-360 F
Depending on application |
|
Wet Pipe Systems
|
Most common where freezing not a factor; water under pressure @ all times; sprinkler heads activated by heat, go off independently; water flows immediately
|
|
Regular Dry Pipe Systems
|
Auto sprinkler heads attached to piping with air or nitrogen under pressure
Used in areas where freezing could result |
|
Preaction Systems
|
Filled with air not under pressure
Detectors (heat, smoke) must turn on valve and supply water to system |
|
Deluge Systems
|
Open sprinkler heads attached to dry pipe; detector activates control valve
Frequently installed in very large open areas to provide water curtains that divide the area into smaller divisions |
|
Highlights of Combined Dry Pipe and Preaction Systems
|
- air under pressure
- supplemental heat detecting device - air exhauster of unheated main feed If fails, will operate as conventional dry pipe system |
|
What do Standpipe Systems do?
|
Provide a means for manual application of water
Always needed where automatic protection is not provider or areas not readily accessible by hose lines from outside hydrants |
|
Class I Systems (standpipe)
|
2 1/2" hose connections for use by FD in high rise non-sprinklered buildings
|
|
Class II Systems (standpipe)
|
1 1/2" hose lines for use by bldg occupants
connected to 3/8 or 1/2 inch tipped open nozzles; normally kept attached to the shutoff valves at the outlets |
|
Standpipe system that does not require a separate standpipe for smaller streams
|
Class II
|
|
Class III Systems (standpipe)
|
2 1/2" & 1 1/2" hose connections
multiple use |
|
What components do Smoke detectors consist of?
|
- electrical assembly
- smoke sensing chamber - alarm sounding appliance - power source (batteries, separate power supply or both) May be either: - ionization - photoelectric - combined |
|
Ionization detectors respond slightly faster to open flaming fires then photoelectric
|
True
|
|
Photoelectric detectors respond slightly faster to smoldering fires
|
True
|
|
Detectors on ceilings should be at least 4" away from the wall
|
True
|
|
Detectors on side walls should be 4 - 12" from the ceiling to the top
|
True
|
|
Detector type that has a small amount of radioactive material that ionizes the air in the sensing chamber, rendering the air "conductive" and permitting a minute current flow through the air between two charged electrodes
|
Ionization
When smoke particles enter the chamber they attach themselves to the ions decreasing the conductance of the air. At a predetermined level, the detector sounds |
|
Type of detector for the home of a light scattering type
|
Photo-electric
Two primary parts of the unit are the light source and the photo-sensitive device, usually a photo-diode or photo-transistor. The smoke enters the unit and crosses the beam of light causing it to scatter and reflect on to the photo-sensitive device making the detector sound |
|
What is the oldest type of automatic fire detection device?
|
Heat detectors
|
|
When can a sprinkler be considered a combined heat activated fire detector and extinguishing device?
|
When the sprinkler system is provided with a water flow indicator connected to the fire alarm control system
Water flow indicators detect either the flow of water through the pipes or the subsequent pressure change upon activation of the system |
|
What has the lowest false alarm rate and are the least expensive?
|
Heat detectors
|
|
What area is a heat detector best suited for?
|
- small, confined space where rapidly building high heat output fires are expected, in
- where ambient conditions would not allow the use of other fire detection devices - where speed of detection is not a prime consideration Generally located on or near the ceiling and response to the convected thermal energy of a fire |
|
When do heat detectors respond?
|
- when a predetermined fixed temperature is reached
- specified rate of temperature change areas not desirable to have smoke detectors: - kitchens - HVAC ducts |
|
Mechanical smoke tower
|
Stairwells with small room leading to the stairwell that will have ventilation ducts to remove smoke before it gets to the stairwell
|
|
Natural smoke tower
|
Stairwell with two fire doors, first opens into a small atrium or balcony with an opening to the outside to allow smoke to escape
|
|
Dual function smoke detectors
|
- hard wired
- contain lithium battery |
|
Who is the person responsible for the testing and maintenance of the smoke detector of apartments/condos in the city of LA?
|
- owner
- manager - or person in charge of occupancy Tested every 6 months, record kept |
|
Other places sprinklers might be located in a multi-unit complex?
|
- corridors
- trash chute - underground parking area - stairwells |
|
Things (several) to consider when choosing an exit stairwell
|
- is there emergency lighting
- which is open to the roof - are the doors going back to the building locked - which stairwells have exits at ground level that go directly outside - what, if any, are pressurized |
|
Does having an Emergency Response Team (ERT) relieve a company from having to call the FD?
|
No
|
|
What are high-rise buildings built after 1974 referred to as?
|
New High Rise Building
|
|
What things happen in a building when smoke detectors in a high rise are activated?
|
- recall the elevators
- deactivate HVAC - notify the FCR - notify occupants |
|
PA system is connected in such a fashion that if the fire destroys a part of the speaker system, the rest of the speakers will still function
|
True
|
|
Where are the handsets for the fireman's jacks located?
|
Fire Control Room (FCR)
|
|
What must be a FULL power with 60 seconds
|
- exit signs and illumination
- elevator car lighting - fire alarm systems - fire detection systems - sprinkler alarm systems - electrically driven fire pumps - building communication systems - smoke control systems - elevators designed for FD & emergency use - lighting circuits supplying elevator lobbies, the FCR, SEP room and fire pump room - exterior window washing equipment |
|
What must ACTIVATE in 10 seconds
|
- exit signs and illumination
- elevator car lighting - fire alarm systems - fire detection systems - sprinkler alarm system |
|
Stairwells should unlock how often?
|
should automatically unlock at least 1 every 5 floors counting down from the top
|
|
What is the first principle of designing a fire safe health care facility?
|
Safety not depend wholly upon any single safeguard
|
|
Name general principles used to establish minimum requirements for life/safety of a structure
|
- fire resistive construction
- subdivision of spaces - protection of vertical openings - provision of adequate exits - provision of exit marking, illumination and emergency power - limits on use of interior finish material - fire alerting facilities - smoke control mechanisms - adequate protection of building service equipment |
|
Visual alarm
|
Strobe
|
|
Alarm sounds
|
- chimes
- bells - whooping noise |
|
Many alarm systems go directly to the fire department
|
False
|
|
Name 2 types of manual pull stations
|
- break the glass
- pull down - outer plastic shield that must be pulled down |
|
Convalescent/hospital doors are rated
|
20 minutes & 4 hours
|
|
Where would you find stand alone type of smoke detectors in a hospital?
|
- patient room
- office areas |
|
Where would you find smoke detectors tied to the system?
|
- elevator lobbies
- both sides of hallway fire doors - kitchen area |
|
Single most important function of a stairwell
|
To allow occupants to safely move vertically through the buidling without exposure to smoke
|
|
What is the constant area for sprinklers in hospitals?
|
The basement
|
|
Kinesthesia
|
The sense of body position, presence or movement resulting from the stimulation of nerves from muscles and tendons and the center of balance
|
|
57.01.01
|
LA Fire Code
|
|
General Precautions Against Fire Code
|
57.20.01
|
|
57.06.01
|
Certificate of Fitness required
|
|
What systems can a C of F inspect/conduct/certify?
|
- automatic sprinkler systems
- Class I, II & III standpipe systems - Combined standpipe systems - automatic elevators - automatic fire assemblies - emergency power systems (generators & batteries) - fire escapes - fire protective signaling systems (alarm, notification, communication) - fire pumps - smoke control systems |
|
Who else can perform Regulation 4 tests?
|
- Chief may allow employees of firm/corp
- members of Dept of Bldg Safety - Uniformed members of LAFD |
|
What can functions can CFH perform?
|
- recharge/service portable fire extinguishers
- blasting operations - Reg 4 testing - fire safety officer - health care facility instructor - high-rise life/safety service |
|
What equipment shall the FCR contain
|
- PA system
- FD voice communication system + handsets - fire detection & alarm annunciator system - elevator recall switch and status panel of location of all elevator cars - telephone connected to public telephone system (outside line) - sprinkler valve and water flow detector annunciator panels - stand by power status indicator - electrical power system status indicator - controls for unlocking stairshaft doors - air handling system control switches and operation indicators - stairwell pressurization system controls - fire pump status - water tank indicator - other fire protection equipment and system controls |
|
What governs the installation, alteration and major repair of the building communication system?
|
Permit of Chaper 9 of the LAMC (electrical code)
|
|
Where should firemen's phone jacks be located?
|
- at every floor level in each enclosed exit stairway
- at every exterior location where an exit stairway exits to a public way - at every enclosed roof exit - in each elevator car - in each elevator lobby - each lobby that exits to a public way |
|
Minimum number of handheld phone sets & cord length?
|
- 6 phones
- 6' cords - one phone handset w/cord long enough to reach all areas of building control station |
|
Rating of elevator vestibules
|
1 hour
|
|
Rating of elevator vestibule doors
|
45 minutes
|
|
Main life safety elements of an elevator system
|
- vestibule construction
- vestibule openings - smoke detector - elevator keys - signage |
|
Fire control elevator
|
one in each bank with controls designed for key switches to recall with standby power - transferable to any car in bank, capable of full load
|
|
Emergency elevator
|
one car serving all levels
|
|
Dimensions of the emergency elevator, minimum clearance & signage requirements
|
- 4' 3" deep by 6' wide
- minimum clearance of 42" - ID'd with permanent sign adj to control panel in FCR |
|
Ambulance stretcher minimum size
|
22" x 78"
|
|
Natural ventilation requirements
|
Openable or tempered glass windows provided at rate of 20 SF per 50 LF of exterior wall in each story & distributed around the perimeter at not more than 50' intervals
|
|
HVAC exchange rates under fire conditions
|
Not less than 6 changes per hour
|
|
SEP shall include, but not limited to
|
- exit signs & illumination
- elevator car lighting - fire alarm systems - fire detection systems - sprinkler alarm systems - electrically driven fire pumps - bldg communication systems - smoke control systems - emergency elevators - lighting circuits to elev lobbies, bldg control station, SEP room, fire pump room - exterior window washing equipment |
|
How much fuel shall SEP have on site at all times?
|
8 hours worth
|
|
Approved barriers can be provided at the ground floor level to prevent persons traveling downward to into basement
|
True
|
|
Methods stairshaft doors can be controlled
|
- manual signal from bldg control system
- activation of fire alarm device - failure of power |
|
Where are sprinkler control valves and water-flow detection devices
|
At the lateral connection to the riser on each floor
|
|
Minimum water on supply
|
Equal to 20 minute demand or 15,000 gallons - whichever is smaller
|
|
What area does a person seeking a CoF need to study?
|
Use of first aid and fire fighting equipment
|
|
How long is the CoF valid for?
|
3 years; may be renewed for additional 3-year periods at the discretion of the Chief
|
|
Who can revoke of CoF?
|
The Chief
|
|
CoFH address changes must be reported to the LAFD in how many days?
|
10 days
|
|
The CFformat includes
|
- state of issuance
- date of issurance - contain identifying information - photo - signature of CoFH - signature of fire marshal also contains other standard language that does not pertain to the identity of the bearer |
|
Any applicant who takes the examination and fails may not re-apply within 30 days
|
True
|
|
The examination may be given to the same person three times in a one-year period.
|
False
2 times in one year |
|
Which division covers new high-rise buildings?
|
118
|
|
Where does 57.118.02 allow for a FCR to be located in a new high-rise building?
|
Near or adjacent to the main entrance to the building
|
|
57.118.01
|
New high-rise buildings
|
|
Natural ventilation windows shall be clearly identified with a two-inch minimum square of lluminour and/or reflective material applied to one of the lower inside corners either directly on the glass or on the frame
|
False - it shall be a 2" minimum diameter disc
|
|
Concerning documentation of fire drills, what information should be included?
|
- what floors participated
- who participated - who did NOT participate |
|
How many sections compromise the Master Manual?
|
3
- staff - floor warden - occupant information |
|
Concerning documentation of training sessions, what information should be included?
|
- who attended
- length of training - subject matter |
|
Who will a properly constructed fire manual spread the duties for emergencies, training & updating to?
|
- FSD
- building staff - floor wardens |
|
What entity is held accountable for compliance with instruction, training & drills?
|
- property owner
- management company |
|
How many floors below the alarm floor should occupants evacuate to?
|
at least 3
|
|
Where should a person unable to walk down the stairs due to physical problem be assisted to?
|
safest stairwell
|
|
How many feet out from a building must a safe refuge area be?
|
minimum of 300'
|
|
How many tabbed chapters make up the manual?
|
11
- table of contents - emergency telephone numbers - fire procedures - evacuation procedures - earthquake procedures - other emergencies - building system and equipment - fire safety director - supplemental - floor warden manual * - occupant instructions * |
|
Where is the building owner/corporation information found in the manual?
|
emergency telephone numbers tab
|
|
What is the alternate number for the LAFD?
|
800-688-8000
|
|
The lists for floor warden and persons who may need assistance is found in the supplemental section of the manual
|
False
they are found in the emergency telephone numbers section |
|
What is the font type that special language specified by the LAFD must be printed in?
|
12 point
|