Ch. 8 - Portable Fire Extinguishers Quiz

Questions and Answers

Which class of fire involves combustible metals?

What is one advantage of portable fire extinguishers over hose lines?

They are quicker to deploy and use.

At which temperature are dry chemicals subject to freezing?

They are not subject to freezing.

What is the body of a portable fire extinguisher called?

The cylinder. Signup and view all the answers

What is the substance called that is contained in a portable fire extinguisher and puts out the fire?

Extinguishing Agent. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if normal extinguishing agents are tried on Class D fires?

They may react violently, even explosively. Signup and view all the answers

What is another word for when a material begins to burn?

Ignition point. Signup and view all the answers

What residue, if any, does a CO2 fire extinguisher leave when discharged?

It does not leave any residue. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common extinguishing agent for Class A fires?

Water. Signup and view all the answers

Which motion best accomplishes the removal of the pin and tamper seal from a portable fire extinguisher?

Twisting motion. Signup and view all the answers

What can be added to water extinguishers to reduce the surface area of water to aid in extinguishment of fuels such as baled cotton or fibrous materials?

Wetting agent. Signup and view all the answers

Which hazard category is represented by auto showrooms, parking garages, and retail stores?

Ordinary. Signup and view all the answers

How many gallons of water are contained in a Class A Fire Extinguisher with a numeral rating of 2?

2.5. Signup and view all the answers

According to NFPA 10, the maximum floor area that can be protected by each extinguisher depends on:

The occupancy type. Signup and view all the answers

Non-rechargeable extinguishers must be replaced after any use.

True Signup and view all the answers

When approaching a fire with an extinguisher in hand, fire fighters should always have what behind them?

An exit. Signup and view all the answers

How are fires and fire extinguishers grouped?

Both are grouped into classes. Signup and view all the answers

Is it ever appropriate to have two different types of fire extinguisher in the same area?

False Signup and view all the answers

Firefighters use portable fire extinguishers to put out small fires that do not require the use of what?

Hose lines. Signup and view all the answers

Which hazard category is represented by woodworking shops, service or repair facilities for cars, and cooking areas with deep fryers?

Extra. Signup and view all the answers

Bromochlorodifluoromethane should be recognized by firefighters as a certain type of extinguishing agent. Which agent?

Halon 1211. Signup and view all the answers

When should fire extinguishers on apparatus be inspected?

Along with regular apparatus equipment checks. Signup and view all the answers

All portable fire extinguishers use what means for expelling their contents?

Pressure. Signup and view all the answers

Besides putting out incipient fires, what is another use for portable fire extinguishers?

Controlling fires where traditional methods of suppression are not recommended. Signup and view all the answers

What, if anything, do the chemicals in multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers do to prevent rekindling of Class A materials?

They form a crust over the fuel. Signup and view all the answers

Why can dry chemical extinguishers be used on Class C fires?

Because dry chemicals do not conduct electricity. Signup and view all the answers

Why would a fire extinguisher class icon have a red slash through it?

Because using the extinguisher on that class would create additional risk. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a light hazard environment?

Self-storage. Signup and view all the answers

Class B foam extinguishers are not suitable for which particular type of flammable liquid fire?

Cooking Oil. Signup and view all the answers

The classification system for fire extinguishers uses which two types of symbols?

Letters and Numbers. Signup and view all the answers

When determining what risk classification to assign a certain building area, which two factors contribute?

Amount and type of combustibles present. Signup and view all the answers

Fire extinguishers are rated for their ability to control a specific type of fire and:

Ability to prevent rekindling. Signup and view all the answers

Which extinguishing method is being used when a foam blanket is placed over the surface of a burning liquid?

Cutting off the oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it dangerous to apply a stream of water to energized electrical equipment?

Because water can conduct electricity back to the extinguisher. Signup and view all the answers

The dry chemicals in fire extinguishers work in two ways. What is one of those ways?

They interrupt the chemical chain reactions of combustion. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of fire is depicted in the pictograph system by a burning trash can beside a wood fire?

A. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the use of halon agents strictly controlled?

It damages the ozone layer. Signup and view all the answers

Portable fire extinguishers have two primary uses. What is one?

To extinguish incipient fires. Signup and view all the answers

What is one chemical used as a dry chemical extinguishing agent?

Ammonium phosphate. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of fire involves ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and some plastics?

A. Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of CO2 extinguishers?

Short discharge range. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the C in the following fire extinguisher rating? 2-A:10-B:C

It means that this extinguisher can be used on energized electrical equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What is the weight of carbon dioxide in comparison to air?

1.5. Signup and view all the answers

For an area to qualify for the classification of light hazard, most of the combustibles present must meet one of two requirements. What is one of those?

They must be noncombustible. Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage of CO2 extinguishers compared to other extinguishers?

Short discharge range. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of fire involves combustible cooking oils and fats?

K. Signup and view all the answers

How is the numerical rating of Class K portable fire extinguishers assigned, if there is such a rating?

There is no such rating assigned. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of fire is depicted on the pictograph system by a flame and an electrical plug and socket?

C. Signup and view all the answers

A Class B extinguisher with a rating of 40-B would be expected to extinguish which size flammable liquid surface fire?

40 square feet. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes how relatively easy or hard it would be for a trained person to extinguish a fire in a wastebasket, with a suitable portable fire extinguisher?

It would be easy. Signup and view all the answers

Fire prevention programs encourage citizens to keep fire extinguishers in their homes, especially in the:

Kitchen. Signup and view all the answers

Which NFPA Standard lists the requirements for placing and mounting portable fire extinguishers?

NFPA 10. Signup and view all the answers

What is the safest and surest way to extinguish a Class C fire?

Turn off the power and treat it as a Class A or Class B fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of a 2.5-gallon water extinguisher expelled in a solid stream?

35-40 feet. Signup and view all the answers

How are occupancy use category and hazard classification related, if at all?

False Signup and view all the answers

Which traditional letter label is represented by a red square?

B. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for water-soluble flammable liquids such as alcohols, acetone, and others?

Polar solvents. Signup and view all the answers

What is generally the maximum distance a CO2 extinguisher can be expected to reach?

8 feet. Signup and view all the answers

Light hazard environments usually contain a limited amount of combustibles of which class?

Class A. Signup and view all the answers

What is the test used to measure the ability of a cylinder to withstand internal pressure?

Hydrostatic testing. Signup and view all the answers

Select the true statement regarding Class A and Class B foam fire extinguishers and their use on the unintended class of fire.

False Signup and view all the answers

For an area to qualify as a light hazard, the majority of materials must meet one of two requirements. What is one of those?

They must be noncombustible. Signup and view all the answers

What is one extinguishing agent that will not conduct electricity?

Carbon Dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

Does it matter which type of dry powder extinguisher is used on which type of burning metal?

False Signup and view all the answers

Which class of fire is depicted in the pictograph system by a flame and gasoline can?

B. Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of portable fire extinguishers?

Portability. Signup and view all the answers

When operating a fire extinguisher, the acronym PASS can be used to assist you in the steps. What does the acronym stand for?

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Signup and view all the answers

What one characteristic makes an extinguishing agent suitable for fighting Class C fires?

It must not conduct electricity. Signup and view all the answers

If a fire extinguisher containing ammonium phosphate is used on a Class K fire, not only will it be ineffective, but it can actually worsen the problem. How?

It can counteract the foaming properties of any alkaline agent applied to the fire. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of fire would involve energized building wiring, fuse boxes, transformers, or generators?

C. Signup and view all the answers

Do fire apparatuses usually carry portable fire extinguishers?

False Signup and view all the answers

Which class of fire is depicted in the pictograph system by a fire in a frying pan?

K. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship, if any, between dry powder and dry chemical extinguishing agents?

False Signup and view all the answers

All fires require three basic ingredients, one of which is fuel. What is another?

Heat. Signup and view all the answers

Which class of fire involves flammable or combustible liquids?

B. Signup and view all the answers

Which classes of fire extinguisher include a number in their classification?

A and B. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fire Classes and Extinguishing Agents

Class D fires involve combustible metals that can ignite and burn.
The most common extinguishing agent for Class A fires is water.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers do not leave any residue upon discharge.
Dry chemicals do not conduct electricity, making them suitable for Class C fires.

Functionality and Use of Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers are quick to deploy compared to hose lines, enhancing emergency response.
The expulsion of contents in all portable fire extinguishers is accomplished through pressure.
Fire extinguishers are rated for their ability to control specific fire types and to prevent rekindling.
An extinguisher's numerical rating reflects the amount of flammable material it can handle (e.g., a Class A extinguisher with a numeral rating of 2 contains 2.5 gallons of water).

Fire Extinguisher Composition

The cylinder is the body of a portable fire extinguisher.
The substance contained in extinguishers that puts out fires is called the extinguishing agent.
Ammonium phosphate is an example of a chemical used as a dry chemical extinguishing agent.

Safety and Procedures

NFPA 10 lists requirements for placing and mounting portable fire extinguishers.
The safest way to extinguish a Class C fire is to turn off the power and treat it as a Class A or B fire.
To approach a fire safely, firefighters should always have an exit behind them.

Limitations and Risks

It is dangerous to apply water on energized electrical equipment due to the risk of electrical conduction.
Class B foam extinguishers are unsuitable for cooking oil fires, which are classified as Class K.
Normal extinguishing agents should not be used on Class D fires, as they may react violently.

Extinguisher Maintenance

Non-rechargeable extinguishers must be replaced after any use to ensure effectiveness.
Regular inspections of fire extinguishers are crucial along with apparatus equipment checks.

Fire Hazard Classification

Occupancy type influences the maximum floor area that can be protected by extinguishers.
Light hazard environments typically contain a limited amount of ordinary combustibles.
There are specific classifications for fire extinguishers to identify their appropriate use, indicated by letters and numbers.

Miscellaneous

Dry powder agents are marked for use on specific combustible metal fires, differentiating them from ordinary extinguishing agents.
The acronym PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) is a guideline for operating fire extinguishers effectively.
The C rating in fire extinguishers indicates suitability for use on energized electrical equipment.

Summarized Topics

Classifications: Classes A, B, C, D, and K cover various combustibles.
Benefits of Portability: Portable extinguishers offer an advantage in terms of ease of transportation and rapid deployment.
Inspection and Safety Guidelines: Adhering to NFPA standards and conducting regular checks are vital for effective fire safety.

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Test your knowledge on portable fire extinguishers with these flashcards. This quiz covers various topics including classes of fire, advantages of extinguishers, and more. Perfect for fire safety training or review.