Fire Protection Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a fire alarm system?

To initiate firefighting efforts.

To protect lives. (correct)

To prevent fires from starting.

To minimize property damage.

Which of the following is NOT considered a stage of fire protection?

Fire Containment and Extinguishment

Fire Detection and Alarm

Fire Investigation (correct)

Fire Prevention

What is the most common method of fire extinction mentioned in the text?

Smothering

Cooling (correct)

Interrupting the chain reaction

Starvation

How does the principle of 'smothering' work to extinguish a fire?

By depriving the fire of oxygen. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following techniques is NOT described as a method of fire extinction in the text?

Introducing a flammable substance (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the best way to fight a fire, according to the text?

Preventing it from starting (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of 'starvation' as a fire extinction principle?

Shutting off a gas line supplying the fire. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of heat in the chain reaction of fire?

Heat provides the energy to break down fuel and produce flammable vapors. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of combustion where decomposition occurs at the surface of the fuel?

Incipient Stage (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT required for a fire to occur?

Carbon dioxide (C) Signup and view all the answers

During which stage of combustion are fumes primarily invisible to the eye?

Incipient Stage (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the Flaming Stage, what has occurred with vapors from the fuel?

They have ignited and are self-propagating. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of the Smoldering Stage of combustion?

Less than 10% of the decomposing products are visible. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a reason for using a two-stage alarm system in fire safety?

To allow for programmed evacuations (D) Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario is a voice communication system necessary according to the regulations?

When the top storey is more than 36 m above grade (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire alarm system can be used in a high-rise office tower?

Both single-stage and 2-stage systems (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of poorly trained supervisory staff regarding fire alarm systems?

Reduced credibility of the alarm system (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which occupancy type is suitable for a single-stage fire alarm system?

Group F, Division 1 (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a fire extinguisher?

To apply an extinguishing agent to control a fire (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fire extinguisher is specifically effective against burning liquid fires?

Carbon Dioxide (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do fire extinguishers primarily function to put out a fire?

By cooling the fire and displacing oxygen (C) Signup and view all the answers

What mechanism is used in a fire extinguisher when the handle is compressed?

A canister opens to release high-pressure gas (B) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic differentiates a two-stage fire alarm system from a one-stage system?

It has an automatic alarm if not acknowledged within 5 minutes (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher?

To displace oxygen from the fire area (D) Signup and view all the answers

In a two-stage fire alarm system, what occurs if the alert signal is not acknowledged?

An automatic alarm is triggered (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of personnel is a two-stage fire alarm system designed for?

Trained and qualified supervisory staff (D) Signup and view all the answers

What primary role do fire extinguishers serve?

To control and extinguish small fires (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is responsible for creating fire safety standards in Canada?

Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) (C), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which code is specifically related to electrical safety in Ontario?

Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the National Fire Code (NFC) address?

Fire prevention and safety measures (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of the fire safety standards landscape in Canada?

International Fire Safety Council (IFSC) (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym NFPA stand for?

National Fire Prevention Association (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which agency is involved in fire safety research in Canada?

National Research Council (NRC) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What intended use do fire extinguishers have according to the content?

To extinguish or control small fires (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Ontario Building Code (OBC) specifically aim to regulate?

Construction standards for buildings (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which organization focuses on the education and training of fire safety professionals?

Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course code: ECME-214
Course title: Instrumentation 2 & Monitoring Systems
School: School of Engineering Technology & Applied Science (SETAS)
Week: 1
Topic: Course Overview and Fire Alarm Introduction

Fire Alarm Introduction

Objectives:
- Examine basic fire alarm concepts, components, fire anatomy, and fire group classifications.
- Identify the codes, standards, and regulations pertaining to fire alarm systems.
- Identify one and two-stage fire alarm systems.

Fires to Exist

Four elements:
- Enough oxygen to sustain combustion.
- Enough heat to raise material to its ignition temperature.
- Some sort of fuel or combustible material.
- The chemical, exothermic reaction that is fire.

The Four Stages of Combustion

Four stages, excluding explosions:
- Incipient Stage: Decomposition occurring at the fuel surface due to heat. Products are invisible.
- Smoldering Stage: Up to 10% of decomposing products visible at the fuel surface.
- Flaming Stage: Vapors ignited, self-propagating flames.
- Heat Stage: Burning progresses, sufficient heat warms surrounding air, sending warm combustion products upwards by convection.

Historical Fire Protection

Videos: Two videos of significant historical fires are referenced.

Purpose of Fire Alarm Systems

Primary purpose: Protect lives.
Secondary purpose: Protect property and initiate fire-fighting in the event of a fire.

Fire Protection Stages

A three-stage process:
- Fire Prevention
- Fire Detection and Alarm
- Fire Containment and Extinguishment

Fire Protection Summary (1992-2001)

Table includes data on estimated population, number of fires, $ losses, deaths, and injuries for each year.
- Data shows trends in fire incidents over the period.

Chemistry of Fire Extinction

Principles: Elimination or removal of one or more of the four fire elements.
- Cooling: Water absorbs heat, cooling the fuel until it no longer produces flammable vapors.
- Smothering: Removing oxygen to extinguish the fire.
- Starvation: Removal of the fuel burning in the fire, such as by shutting off gas valves or fuel flows.
- Stop Chain Reaction: Stopping or interrupting the chain reaction between fuel, heat, and oxygen.

Government Agencies and Organizations in Fire Alarm Industry

Diagram shows a network of organizations involved in fire safety codes and standards.

Codes & Standards in Canada (Central and Eastern Canada)

Diagram shows the different fire codes and standards used by provinces and territories in Canada.

Fire Extinguishers and Fire Classes

Fire extinguishers are designed to control small fires.
Important to equip facilities with appropriate extinguishers.

Four Classes of Fires

Class A: Wood-based fuels (paper, wood, cloth).
Class B: Flammable liquids (petroleum products, greases, oils).
Class C: Energized electrical equipment.
Class D: Combustible metals (sodium, potassium, magnesium).

How Fire Extinguishers Work

Portable extinguishers apply an extinguishing agent to cool, displace, or remove oxygen, or stop the chemical reaction.
A pressure gas forces the extinguishing agent from the main cylinder to the nozzle.

Fire Extinguisher Summary

Table showing extinguisher types, their method of working, and what type of fire they are effective against.
- Pressurized Water: Cooling.
- Carbon Dioxide: Smothering.
- Multipurpose Dry Chemical: Smothering.

One Stage Fire Alarm Systems

Any manual station, waterflow detection device, or fire detector trigger an alarm signal on all audible devices in the system.

Two Stage Fire Alarm Systems

Alerts upon the trigger of any manual station, waterflow device, or fire sensor.
Automatic alarm if not acknowledged within five minutes.
Manual stations with key switches trigger alarms on activation.

Two Stage Fire Alarm Systems (cont)

Two-stage systems are intended for use in specific situations such as multi-story buildings or health care facilities.

Types of Fire Alarm Systems

Single-stage systems in specific occupancies.
Two-stage systems in different occupancies.

Types of Fire Alarm Systems (cont)

Specific criteria for single- and two-stage systems related to occupancy group, division, and building height are noted.

Types of Evacuations

Total Evacuation: Single-stage evacuation affecting all building occupants.
Staged Evacuation: Two-stage, where the initial alarm is sent to the affected floor or area, and others receive notification during evacuation.

Voice Communication

Voice systems are required in specified high-rises.

Problem with Supervisory Staff Training and Availability

Supervisory staff may lack adequate training or confidence in using the system.
This issue can negatively impact the credibility of the alarm system and response time.

Human Behavior During Fire

Confidence in emergency procedures through clear communication from supervisory staff improves occupant confidence in, and response to, overall alarm systems.
Voice communications improve alarm recognition time by providing reinforcing queues.

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Description

Test your knowledge on fire alarm systems and fire protection techniques with this comprehensive quiz. Explore key concepts like combustion stages, methods of fire extinction, and safety measures. Perfect for those studying fire safety and emergency management.