AB Firefighting and Emergency Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Flash point is defined as the lowest temperature at which a liquid:
- Begins to boil and vaporize
- Produces enough vapor to ignite momentarily when exposed to an ignition source (Correct answer)
- Burns continuously without an external flame
- Undergoes spontaneous combustion
Correct answer: Produces enough vapor to ignite momentarily when exposed to an ignition source
Flash point is the minimum temperature at which a liquid produces sufficient vapor to ignite briefly when an ignition source is applied.
Question 2: A fire in the ship's paint locker is BEST fought with which fixed system?
- CO2 total flooding system (Correct answer)
- Sprinkler system
- Foam monitors
- Halon 1301 system
Correct answer: CO2 total flooding system
Paint lockers are typically protected by CO2 fixed flooding systems because they are enclosed spaces with flammable liquids.
Question 3: What is the purpose of a fire damper in a ship's ventilation system?
- To increase airflow to a fire to aid suppression
- To prevent fire and smoke from spreading through ductwork (Correct answer)
- To supply fresh air to firefighters in enclosed spaces
- To exhaust CO2 after system activation
Correct answer: To prevent fire and smoke from spreading through ductwork
Fire dampers automatically close in a fire, preventing flames and smoke from traveling through ventilation ducts to other compartments.
Question 4: When approaching a closed door during a fire investigation, you should:
- Open it quickly to check for fire
- Feel the door and handle for heat before opening (Correct answer)
- Crack it open and look through the gap immediately
- Knock loudly and wait 30 seconds
Correct answer: Feel the door and handle for heat before opening
A hot door or handle indicates fire on the other side; opening it could cause backdraft or sudden flame spread.
Question 5: Which condition is represented by the 'fuel' side of the fire triangle?
- Oxygen concentration above 16%
- Any combustible material that can oxidize (Correct answer)
- A temperature above the auto-ignition point
- An electrical arc or open flame
Correct answer: Any combustible material that can oxidize
Fuel is any combustible substance (solid, liquid, or gas) that can undergo oxidation, forming one leg of the fire triangle.
Question 6: During a fire drill, crew members assigned to the fire party should muster at the fire with:
- Only their personal life jackets
- Fire hoses, breathing apparatus, and protective clothing (Correct answer)
- Emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs)
- Immersion suits and flares
Correct answer: Fire hoses, breathing apparatus, and protective clothing
The fire party responds with appropriate PPE including fire suits, SCBA, and charged hose lines to safely combat the fire.
Question 7: What is the correct procedure if a crewmember's clothing catches fire?
- Run to the nearest fire station for assistance
- Stop, drop, and roll on the deck (Correct answer)
- Jump overboard to extinguish the flames
- Remove the clothing as quickly as possible
Correct answer: Stop, drop, and roll on the deck
Stop, drop, and roll smothers flames by cutting off airflow, and is the universally correct response to burning clothing.
AB Firefighting and Emergency Procedures 5
Flash point is defined as the lowest temperature at which a liquid: