CITB Fire Safety 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the three elements of the fire triangle required to sustain a fire?
- Heat, light, and smoke
- Fuel, oxygen, and heat (ignition) (Correct answer)
- Fuel, nitrogen, and pressure
- Electricity, combustible material, and wind
Correct answer: Fuel, oxygen, and heat (ignition)
Fire requires all three elements: fuel, oxygen, and heat — remove any one and the fire goes out, which is the basis of all fire prevention and fighting strategies.
Question 2: Which extinguisher type is safe to use on electrical fires?
- Water
- CO2 (carbon dioxide) (Correct answer)
- Foam
- Dry powder only
Correct answer: CO2 (carbon dioxide)
CO2 extinguishers are non-conductive and leave no residue, making them the correct choice for live electrical equipment fires; water and foam conduct electricity.
Question 3: Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, who is responsible for fire safety in a workplace?
- The local fire brigade
- The 'responsible person' — typically the employer, owner, or person in control of the premises (Correct answer)
- The fire safety officer employed by the local authority
- The building's structural engineer
Correct answer: The 'responsible person' — typically the employer, owner, or person in control of the premises
The RRO 2005 places the duty on the 'responsible person' to conduct fire risk assessments, implement preventive measures, train staff, and maintain fire precautions.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a fire risk assessment on a construction site?
- To satisfy an insurance requirement only
- To identify fire hazards, people at risk, and measures needed to eliminate or reduce those risks (Correct answer)
- To certify that the site is compliant with fire regulations
- To record all previous fires on the site
Correct answer: To identify fire hazards, people at risk, and measures needed to eliminate or reduce those risks
A fire risk assessment systematically examines the site to find sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen; identifies who may be harmed; and determines what control measures are needed.
Question 5: What does a green fire safety sign indicate on a construction site?
- A fire extinguisher location
- An emergency escape route, exit, or assembly point (Correct answer)
- A fire hazard area
- A fire suppression zone
Correct answer: An emergency escape route, exit, or assembly point
Green signs indicate safe conditions — in fire safety they identify escape routes, emergency exits, and assembly points to guide people to safety during evacuation.
Question 6: How often should fire extinguishers on a construction site be inspected?
- Every five years by a competent person
- At least annually by a competent person, with monthly visual checks by site staff (Correct answer)
- Only when they have been used or discharged
- Upon delivery to site, then never again
Correct answer: At least annually by a competent person, with monthly visual checks by site staff
Fire extinguishers require an annual service by a competent person under BS 5306-3, with regular visual checks to confirm the safety pin is in place, pressure is correct, and there is no visible damage.
CITB Fire Safety 1
What are the three elements of the fire triangle required to sustain a fire?