COSS Emergency Action Plans and Fire Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a fire brigade in a workplace as defined by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.156?
- To replace municipal fire department response
- To perform interior structural firefighting and emergency rescue at the facility (Correct answer)
- Only to conduct monthly fire drills
- To inspect fire suppression systems
Correct answer: To perform interior structural firefighting and emergency rescue at the facility
An organized fire brigade under 29 CFR 1910.156 is established to perform emergency actions including interior structural firefighting, incipient-stage firefighting, and rescue operations at the facility.
Question 2: The OSHA standard that covers fixed extinguishing systems in general industry is:
- 29 CFR 1910.155
- 29 CFR 1910.159 (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.157
- 29 CFR 1910.38
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.159
29 CFR 1910.159 covers automatic sprinkler systems, which are the most common type of fixed fire extinguishing system regulated under OSHA's general industry standards.
Question 3: In fire risk assessment, what does 'fire loading' refer to?
- The electrical load that causes ignition
- The total amount of combustible material in a space expressed in terms of heat release potential (Correct answer)
- The weight capacity of a fire exit stairway
- The number of occupants in a building during a fire
Correct answer: The total amount of combustible material in a space expressed in terms of heat release potential
Fire loading (or fire load) refers to the total quantity of combustible materials in a space, expressed as the amount of heat that would be released per unit area if all materials burned.
Question 4: What does the 'A' rating on a portable fire extinguisher indicate?
- The extinguisher is approved for all fire classes
- The extinguisher's effectiveness on ordinary combustibles like wood and paper (Correct answer)
- The agent type (aqueous)
- The annual inspection status
Correct answer: The extinguisher's effectiveness on ordinary combustibles like wood and paper
The 'A' rating on an extinguisher indicates its effectiveness on Class A fires (ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and plastics), with a numerical prefix indicating relative capacity.
Question 5: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157, employers who provide portable fire extinguishers for employee use must ensure employees receive training in which frequency?
- Once at initial employment only
- Upon initial assignment and annually thereafter (Correct answer)
- Every three years
- Only when a new extinguisher type is introduced
Correct answer: Upon initial assignment and annually thereafter
29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2) requires employers to provide training upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter for employees expected to use portable fire extinguishers.
Question 6: Which NFPA standard is the primary reference for emergency egress and exit requirements in occupational safety?
- NFPA 10
- NFPA 13
- NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) (Correct answer)
- NFPA 72
Correct answer: NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code)
NFPA 101, the Life Safety Code, is the primary NFPA standard governing means of egress, occupant safety, and exit requirements for various occupancies.
COSS Emergency Action Plans and Fire Safety 2
What is the primary purpose of a fire brigade in a workplace as defined by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.156?