Firefighting quiz for February 2002

February 2002

After taking the quiz, you can post your answers or comments on Fire Talk.

1. You respond to a fire in an electrical manhole and heavy black smoke is pushing out from under the manhole cover. You should be aware that this smoke contains high levels of carbon monoxide. What hazards are posed by CO?

Answer: CO is both poisonous and explosive. Wherever it collects, it can cause CO poisoning in those exposed and may ignite explosively if in the explosive range.

2. Smoke and high heat emanating from the basement or the vicinity of the oil burner is an indication of an oil burner emergency. True or False?

Answer: False. It indicates an oil burner fire. The fire is probably out of the combustion chamber. If the smoke were cool, it would probably be an oil burner emergency.

3. You respond to a mattress fire in a two story private home. The fire is in the second floor bedroom. After extinguishing the fire, you plan to remove the burnt mattress from the building. What should you consider doing before moving the mattress?

Answer: Consider folding it in half and tying it with a length of rope. This will prevent the mattress from flaring up as it is moved. As you move the mattress, air is pumped into the interior. If any fire is smoldering inside, this air may cause the mattress to flare up. Tying up the mattress also makes it easier to move and control.

4. In kitchen fires, fire can extend to the boxed out area over the cabinets and from there extend to areas remote from the stove. What is this boxed out area called?

Answer: The Soffit.

5. Name two ways you can keep the hood of a car open while you extinguish the fire or overhaul?

Answer: Prop it up with a six pike pole or bend the hinge about ninety; degrees
with the fork of a halligan tool.

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