F60 Emergency Response Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an acceptable method for a fire guard to contain a small torch-ignited fire while waiting for FDNY?
- Pouring gasoline on the fire to create a controlled burn-out
- Using a garden hose or portable extinguisher appropriate for the fire class (Correct answer)
- Covering the fire with roofing felt to smother it
- Leaving the fire unattended to retrieve water from a lower floor
Correct answer: Using a garden hose or portable extinguisher appropriate for the fire class
A garden hose or appropriate portable extinguisher can be used for initial attack on a small fire, but the fire guard must never leave the scene or use inappropriate materials.
Question 2: During an emergency evacuation triggered by a torch-related fire, the fire guard's role is to:
- Stay on the roof to continue monitoring the fire
- Assist with evacuation and serve as a liaison to FDNY upon arrival (Correct answer)
- Secure the torch equipment and propane tanks before leaving
- Wait for the building manager to authorize evacuation
Correct answer: Assist with evacuation and serve as a liaison to FDNY upon arrival
The fire guard assists the evacuation process and provides FDNY with critical site information when they arrive, while ensuring their own safety.
Question 3: A fire guard discovers that propane cylinders near a torch operation have been exposed to fire. What is the CORRECT response?
- Move the cylinders to a safer location immediately
- Evacuate the area, call 911, and keep all personnel away (Correct answer)
- Cool the cylinders with water and continue monitoring
- Shut off the cylinder valves and resume torch operations
Correct answer: Evacuate the area, call 911, and keep all personnel away
Propane cylinders exposed to fire pose a BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) risk; the only safe response is full evacuation and calling 911.
Question 4: After FDNY extinguishes a torch-related fire, can the fire guard permit torch operations to resume?
- Yes, if the fire guard determines the area is safe
- No, torch operations cannot resume until FDNY grants clearance and required permits are re-evaluated (Correct answer)
- Yes, as long as new fire watch is posted
- No, but work may resume if the building owner provides written permission
Correct answer: No, torch operations cannot resume until FDNY grants clearance and required permits are re-evaluated
Following a fire suppressed by FDNY, torch operations may not resume without FDNY clearance and a review of whether permits and conditions remain valid.
Question 5: A fire guard on a multi-story building notices a fire starting on the 8th floor during torch work. Building occupants are present on lower floors. What is the PRIORITY order of actions?
- Extinguish fire, then alarm, then call 911
- Alarm, call 911, begin evacuation assistance (Correct answer)
- Call 911, then wait for instructions before alarming occupants
- Evacuate the 8th floor only, then assess whether to call 911
Correct answer: Alarm, call 911, begin evacuation assistance
Life safety actions follow the sequence: activate the alarm to warn all occupants, call 911 for emergency response, then assist evacuation.
Question 6: When fire is discovered during torch operations and the fire guard uses a portable extinguisher, the PASS technique stands for:
- Prepare, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Pull, Angle, Spread, Secure
- Press, Activate, Shoot, Scan
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS is the standard fire extinguisher technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side.
Question 7: A fire guard observes that smoke is issuing from a building's HVAC intake during torch operations on the adjacent roof. This indicates:
- Normal exhaust from the HVAC system itself
- Smoke may be entering and spreading through the building's ventilation system (Correct answer)
- The HVAC is overheating due to the torch heat
- The roofing membrane is releasing normal off-gassing vapors
Correct answer: Smoke may be entering and spreading through the building's ventilation system
Smoke entering an HVAC intake can be distributed throughout the building, creating a life-safety emergency requiring immediate alarm and evacuation.
F60 Emergency Response Procedures 3
Which of the following is an acceptable method for a fire guard to contain a small torch-ignited fire while waiting for FDNY?