ERT ERT Fire Safety & Suppression 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym RACE stand for in hospital/workplace fire response protocols?
- Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate (Correct answer)
- Remove, Alert, Control, Escape
- Respond, Activate, Contain, Exit
- Rescue, Alert, Call, Evacuate
Correct answer: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate
RACE (Rescue anyone in danger, Activate the alarm, Confine the fire by closing doors, Extinguish if safe or Evacuate) is the standard fire response sequence.
Question 2: A Class C fire involves which type of hazard?
- Energized electrical equipment (Correct answer)
- Flammable metals
- Flammable liquids and gases
- Ordinary combustibles
Correct answer: Energized electrical equipment
Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment; water-based extinguishers must never be used because they conduct electricity and can cause electrocution.
Question 3: What hazard is associated with a 'backdraft' event during firefighting operations?
- Explosive ignition when oxygen is suddenly introduced to a smoldering, oxygen-depleted fire (Correct answer)
- Sudden collapse of a fire-weakened roof
- Flashover in a fully involved room
- Toxic gas release from burning synthetics
Correct answer: Explosive ignition when oxygen is suddenly introduced to a smoldering, oxygen-depleted fire
Backdraft occurs when a smoldering fire in an oxygen-depleted space suddenly receives fresh air, causing a rapid, explosive combustion of accumulated gases.
Question 4: Which sprinkler head type activates individually when the heat from a nearby fire melts a fusible link?
- Wet pipe closed-head sprinkler (Correct answer)
- Deluge sprinkler
- Pre-action sprinkler
- Dry pipe sprinkler
Correct answer: Wet pipe closed-head sprinkler
Wet pipe closed-head sprinklers remain sealed by a heat-sensitive fusible link and open individually when directly exposed to fire heat, limiting water damage.
Question 5: What is the minimum distance ERT members should maintain from a Class D (combustible metal) fire without specialized training and equipment?
- Isolate the area and do not attempt to extinguish (Correct answer)
- 10 feet with a dry sand extinguisher
- At least 50 feet with a CO2 extinguisher
- Standard extinguisher distance of 6–8 feet
Correct answer: Isolate the area and do not attempt to extinguish
Class D fires (burning metals like magnesium or sodium) require specialized dry powder agents and are extremely dangerous; untrained ERTs should isolate and evacuate.
Question 6: In fire safety, what does 'compartmentalization' refer to?
- Using fire-rated walls and doors to limit fire and smoke spread (Correct answer)
- Storing flammable materials in separate containers
- Dividing personnel into fire response teams
- Segregating hazardous chemicals by class
Correct answer: Using fire-rated walls and doors to limit fire and smoke spread
Compartmentalization uses fire-rated construction elements like walls, floors, and fire doors to contain fire and smoke within a zone, giving occupants time to evacuate.
ERT ERT Fire Safety & Suppression 2
What does the acronym RACE stand for in hospital/workplace fire response protocols?