BFP History in the Philippines: Quiz and Flashcards

12 Questions

What was the year when the first fire department in Manila was established?

1900

Which act established a separate Bureau of Fire Protection in the Philippines?

Republic Act No. 6975

What is the most dangerous aspect of fire mentioned in the text?

People die because of the smoke and toxic gases

What percentage of oxygen in the air is normal?

21%

What does fire need to make the fuel ignite and burn?

Heat

Which element is required for fire but at least 16% and preferably 21%?

Oxygen

What type of materials are classified under Class A in terms of fire safety?

Ordinary combustible materials like wood and cloth

What type of heat transfer involves the movement of heated fluids spreading the fire to other objects?

Convection

During which stage of a fire does the smoke layer become thicker and the fire spreads to other furniture?

Growth stage

What is the main purpose of using foam in fire extinguishing?

Cooling - temperature reduction

Which of the following is NOT a class of fire based on the content provided?

Class E - Electronic devices

What happens during the flash over stage of a fire?

All materials are burning and maximum heat is released

Study Notes

Brief History of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)

1900: First fire department established in Manila
1940: Fire departments established in neighboring cities and towns
1975: Integration of local fire departments in the city
1977: First fire code in the Philippines enacted
1990: Republic Act No. 6975 established a separate Bureau of Fire Protection
2008: Republic Act No. 9514 revised fire code of the Philippines enacted

What is Fire?

Fire is a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process of combustible materials
Accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of varying intensity
Fire spreads quickly, becoming life-threatening in 2 minutes and engulfing in flames in 5 minutes
Fire produces deadly smoke and toxic gases, making it difficult to breathe and causing disorientation

Elements of Fire

Oxygen: at least 16% required, but normal is 21%
Heat: enough to make the fuel ignite and burn
Fuel: something that burns, such as paper, plastic, cloth, wood, or flammable liquids like alcohol

Tetrahedron of Fire

Oxygen sources: some fuel materials contain oxygen to support burning
Heat sources: open flames, sun, hot surfaces, sparks, arcs, friction, chemical action, electrical energy, and compression of gases
Fuel: solid, liquid, or gas

Stages of Fire

Ignition/incipient stage: fire is small, hard to detect, and confined to the fuel that ignited
Growth stage: temperature and smoke increase, oxygen level decreases, and fuel is dried out
Flashover stage: huge smoke is present, and fire is spreading to other furniture
Fully developed stage: all materials are burning, and maximum heat is released
Decay stage: intensity of fire is decreasing due to lack of fuel

How Fire Spreads

Direct heat transfer (conduction)
Convection: transfer of heat through the movement of heated fluids
Radiation: transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves

Classes of Fire

Class A: ordinary combustible materials (wood, cloth, paper, plastic, etc.)
Class B: flammable or combustible liquids (gasoline, alcohol, paint, hairspray, etc.)
Class C: energized electrical equipment (electric fan, microwave, TV, stove, etc.)
Class D: combustible metals (magnesium, titanium, sodium, potassium, etc.)
Class K: cooking media

How to Put Out a Fire

Cooling: reducing temperature
Smothering: excluding oxygen
Fuel removal: removing the fuel source
Inhibition: breaking the chemical reaction
Reduction of heat: using something that absorbs heat, such as water or foam
Exclusion of oxygen: closing the door, diluting oxygen, or blanketing with a wet blanket or foam
Removal of fuel: turning off fuel supply or moving combustible materials
Inhibition of chain reaction: breaking the chain reaction

Fire Extinguisher Use

P: Pull the pin
A: Aim at the base of the fire

History of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)