CPS Fire Behavior and Combustion 3

Question 1

What is a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion)?

Accepted Answer

An explosion caused when a container holding pressurized liquid fails while the liquid is at or above its boiling point

Answer

A backdraft occurring in a basement fire

Answer

A chemical fire involving bleach and ammonia

Answer

A building collapse triggered by fire weakening structural steel

Question 2

Which type of heat transfer does NOT require a physical medium and can travel through a vacuum?

Accepted Answer

Radiation

Answer

Conduction

Answer

Convection

Answer

Combustion

Question 3

What primary warning sign indicates a backdraft may be imminent when approaching a structure?

Accepted Answer

Smoke-stained windows, smoke puffing in and out of openings, and little or no visible flame

Answer

Flames visible in all windows

Answer

Heavy black smoke pouring from the roof

Answer

Sprinkler heads activating on the exterior

Question 4

Which extinguishing method works by removing heat from the combustion process?

Accepted Answer

Cooling

Answer

Smothering

Answer

Fuel removal

Answer

Chemical inhibition

Question 5

What does 'auto-ignition temperature' mean for a fuel?

Accepted Answer

The minimum temperature at which a fuel will spontaneously ignite without an external ignition source

Answer

The temperature at which a fuel begins producing flammable vapors

Answer

The temperature at which water will extinguish the fuel

Answer

The temperature at which fuel reaches its flashpoint

Question 6

During the incipient (early) stage of a fire, what is the primary characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Heat, smoke, and flame production are minimal and the fire is still small

Answer

Fully developed flames engulf the room

Answer

All combustibles in the compartment are burning

Answer

Structural collapse becomes imminent

Question 7

What effect does wind have on wildland and structural fire behavior?

Accepted Answer

Wind increases fire spread rate, drives fire toward unburned fuel, and increases oxygen supply to the fire

Answer

Wind always slows fire spread by cooling burning materials

Answer

Wind has no significant effect on interior structure fires

Answer

Wind primarily affects fire color but not spread rate