CITB Managers Fire Safety Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, how often must a fire risk assessment be reviewed?
- Every 12 months as a legal requirement
- Every 6 months
- Regularly, and whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change (Correct answer)
- Only after a fire incident
Correct answer: Regularly, and whenever there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or there has been a significant change
The Order requires the fire risk assessment to be kept under review, particularly when there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid or when there has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates. On construction sites, this means reviewing it as the project progresses and conditions change.
Question 2: A construction site has multiple levels of temporary accommodation (site offices and welfare facilities). What specific fire safety provision is essential?
- At least two independent escape routes from each level (Correct answer)
- A single central staircase is always sufficient
- Escape routes only need to be planned for the ground floor
- Fire safety provisions are not required for temporary buildings
Correct answer: At least two independent escape routes from each level
Multi-storey temporary accommodation requires at least two independent means of escape from each level to ensure that if one route is blocked by fire, an alternative is available. The escape routes should lead to a place of safety and be clearly signed and maintained free of obstruction.
Question 3: What type of fire extinguisher is most appropriate for use on electrical fires?
- Water extinguisher
- Foam extinguisher
- CO2 extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Wet chemical extinguisher
Correct answer: CO2 extinguisher
CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are suitable for electrical fires as they do not leave a conductive residue and the gas does not conduct electricity. They work by displacing oxygen around the fire. The electrical equipment should also be isolated if possible before fighting the fire.
Question 4: What is the purpose of compartmentation in fire safety management on a construction site?
- To create storage areas for flammable materials
- To divide the building into fire-resisting compartments to limit fire spread and protect escape routes (Correct answer)
- To separate different trades working on site
- To control access to the site
Correct answer: To divide the building into fire-resisting compartments to limit fire spread and protect escape routes
Compartmentation divides a building into sections using fire-resisting construction (walls, floors, doors) to contain a fire within its area of origin, limit its spread, and protect escape routes. During construction, maintaining existing compartmentation is critical, and any breaches must be managed with fire stopping.
Question 5: A manager discovers that emergency escape routes on a construction site are being used to store materials. What should they do?
- Allow it if the materials are non-combustible
- Immediately clear the escape routes and implement measures to prevent recurrence (Correct answer)
- Report it at the next site meeting
- Only clear the routes during fire drills
Correct answer: Immediately clear the escape routes and implement measures to prevent recurrence
Escape routes must be kept clear and available for use at all times. Storing materials in escape routes is a serious fire safety breach that could prevent evacuation in an emergency. The routes must be cleared immediately, and measures such as regular inspections, signage, and toolbox talks should prevent recurrence.
Question 6: Under HSE construction site fire safety guidance, what information must be included on a site fire safety plan?
- Only the location of fire extinguishers
- The location of fire hazards, escape routes, assembly points, firefighting equipment, and emergency contacts (Correct answer)
- Only the emergency phone numbers
- Only the assembly point location
Correct answer: The location of fire hazards, escape routes, assembly points, firefighting equipment, and emergency contacts
A comprehensive site fire safety plan should include: locations of fire hazards and flammable material storage, escape routes and exits, assembly points, fire alarm call points, firefighting equipment locations, emergency procedures, and emergency contact information. It should be displayed prominently and updated as the site changes.
CITB Managers Fire Safety Management 2
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, how often must a fire risk assessment be reviewed?