Firefighting quiz for March 2002

March 2002

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

1. The new UL 2034 now requires that all new CO detectors have a reset button. This button will silence a sounding alarm in most new detectors for __A__minutes. If after the __A__ minutes, the CO level remains at __B__ ppm or more, it will sound again.

Ans. A - Six minutes.
B - 100 ppm

2. Attempting to overhaul the contents of a dumpster, manually, can result in strain and sprain injuries to firefighters. In addition, hazardous materials, sharp objects and pressurized containers could injure firefighters. How can you overhaul these fires safely?

Ans. Hydraulically. If you must do it manually, do not enter the dumpster.

3. Fires tend to burrow into mattresses, so we often remove a burned mattress from the building so that it does not reignite at a later time. You can:
A. Throw it out the window.
B. Carry it down the stairs.
C. Bring it down in the elevator.
You have a mattress fire in a four story multiple dwelling. Arrange these three choices in order of preference, with the best choice first.

Ans. A, B, C

4. You respond to a kitchen fire. A pot of oil is burning on the stove. You remove it to the stove and open the faucet on it to extinguish the fire.
A. Is this a good practice? Why?

Ans. No. The water will turn to steam and the hot, vaporized oil will rise with the steam cloud, ignite and result in a high flame burning over the pan. In stead, cover the pan to smother the fire.

5. Why is it important to chock the wheels of a car, burning on level ground?

Answer: If the car is a standard transmission, and the car is in gear, it is possible for the engine to start as the result of a short. The result would be the vehicle lurching forward and possibly injuring firefighters.

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