Firefighting quiz for January 2002

January 2002

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

1. All florescent lights employ some form of ballast device which contains pitch. True or False?

Answer: False. All Contain some form of ballast device, but not all contain pitch..

2. You are called to an oil burner fire and are met with a heavy black smoke condition. The burner is located in the cellar and there is no windows to vent, other than the stairway you must descend. You attack this fire using a fog stream. Do you think the choice of nozzle is wise? Why or why not?.

Answer: A fog stream can push smoke ahead of the nozzle team only if it has somewhere to go. This cellar has no windows and the smoke and steam created will have no place to go. Steam burns may be the result. In this case, the fog nozzle is not a wise choice. If there were vent ahead of the attacking line, it would be a wise choice..

3. Because of the explosion potential of natural gas, a gas fed fire in a structure should be quickly extinguished and then the gas should be shut off. True or false?

Answer: False - Because of the explosion potential, the gas should be shut down before the fire is extinguished. A hose line should be used to prevent extension while shutting down the gas.

4. The Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends the elimination of the early warning signal in CO alarms. Why?

Answer: They think that the signal will confuse the purchaser.
Note: Since my book was published, there have been changes in UL 2034 The new detectors do not have an early warning signal.

5. Various electric fans vent exhaust to the exterior of a home. This can create a positive pressure inside, drawing gases back down the flue of the heating unit. The result will be a build up of CO in the home. True or false?

Answer: False. It is false because the pressure created is a negative pressure which draws the gasses back into the home.

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