CFM Fire Behavior & Combustion Principles 2

Question 1

What does the term 'fuel load' refer to in fire science?

Accepted Answer

The weight of combustible materials per unit area in a given space

Answer

The amount of fuel used by firefighting equipment

Answer

The rate at which a fire consumes oxygen

Answer

The number of ignition sources present in a building

Question 2

Which mechanism of fire spread involves the movement of hot gases and smoke carrying heat to unburned areas?

Accepted Answer

Convection

Answer

Conduction

Answer

Radiation

Answer

Direct flame contact

Question 3

Backdraft occurs when a fire in an oxygen-limited environment suddenly:

Accepted Answer

Receives a sudden influx of oxygen

Answer

Runs out of fuel and self-extinguishes

Answer

Reaches its auto-ignition temperature

Answer

Produces excessive amounts of carbon monoxide

Question 4

The rate of heat release (HRR) from a burning material is most commonly expressed in:

Accepted Answer

BTUs per hour or kilowatts (kW)

Answer

Pounds per square foot per minute

Answer

Degrees Fahrenheit per second

Answer

Parts per million of combustion gases

Question 5

Smoldering combustion is best characterized by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Burning at the fuel surface without producing a visible flame

Answer

Rapid flame spread and very high temperatures

Answer

Complete and efficient oxidation of all combustible materials

Answer

Simultaneous ignition of all combustible contents in a room

Question 6

What is pyrolysis in the context of fire behavior?

Accepted Answer

The thermal decomposition of materials producing combustible gases

Answer

The chemical process of rapid oxidation producing heat and light

Answer

The spread of fire through radiant heat energy transfer

Answer

The process of extinguishing fire using chemical suppression agents

Question 7

The upper explosive limit (UEL) of a flammable gas or vapor refers to:

Accepted Answer

The maximum concentration above which the mixture is too fuel-rich to ignite

Answer

The highest temperature at which combustion can occur

Answer

The highest pressure at which ignition can take place

Answer

The temperature at which a fire reaches flashover conditions