FCTC FCTC Test Technical Reading and Recall Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'When approaching a structure fire, the first-arriving engine company should conduct a 360-degree size-up before committing resources.' What is the PRIMARY purpose of this size-up?
- To determine the number of occupants inside
- To gather information about fire location, building construction, and hazards (Correct answer)
- To establish water supply from the nearest hydrant
- To assign accountability tags to crew members
Correct answer: To gather information about fire location, building construction, and hazards
A 360-degree size-up gathers critical information about fire conditions, building construction, exposures, and potential hazards before committing crews.
Question 2: According to a technical passage on hose streams, a 1¾-inch attack line flows approximately 150–180 GPM at 100 PSI nozzle pressure. If pump discharge pressure must be 150 PSI to account for 50 PSI friction loss, what is the nozzle pressure delivered?
- 50 PSI
- 150 PSI
- 100 PSI (Correct answer)
- 200 PSI
Correct answer: 100 PSI
Nozzle pressure equals pump discharge pressure minus friction loss: 150 PSI − 50 PSI = 100 PSI.
Question 3: A training document explains that 'Class B foam is applied to flammable liquid fires using the roll-in method rather than direct application.' Why does the passage specify this technique?
- Direct application cools the fuel below ignition temperature faster
- Rolling foam in prevents breaking the foam blanket and causing fuel splashing (Correct answer)
- The roll-in method uses less foam concentrate
- Direct application is only used on Class A fires
Correct answer: Rolling foam in prevents breaking the foam blanket and causing fuel splashing
Rolling foam onto a flammable liquid surface prevents disrupting the smothering foam blanket and avoids splashing burning fuel.
Question 4: A rescue protocol passage states: 'In a confined space rescue, the entry team must verify atmospheric conditions show oxygen levels between 19.5% and 23.5% before entry.' What hazard does LOW oxygen indicate?
- Explosive atmosphere
- Toxic gas accumulation that has displaced oxygen (Correct answer)
- Excess carbon dioxide only
- Flammable vapor below LEL
Correct answer: Toxic gas accumulation that has displaced oxygen
Oxygen levels below 19.5% typically indicate a toxic or inert gas has displaced oxygen, creating an immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) atmosphere.
Question 5: A passage on building construction notes: 'Type III (ordinary) construction uses non-combustible exterior walls with interior wood structural members.' Which failure mode does this create during fires?
- Exterior walls collapse outward before the roof
- Interior wood members burn and fail while masonry walls remain standing, creating a façade collapse hazard (Correct answer)
- The entire structure collapses simultaneously
- Only the roof fails due to lightweight wood trusses
Correct answer: Interior wood members burn and fail while masonry walls remain standing, creating a façade collapse hazard
When interior wood members burn away in Type III construction, unsupported masonry walls can collapse outward onto firefighters.
Question 6: According to a passage on SCBA use, a 30-minute SCBA cylinder at a work rate of 40 L/min will last approximately 40 minutes under low activity. A firefighter doing heavy work at 60 L/min should expect the same cylinder to last approximately:
- 40 minutes
- 30 minutes
- 20 minutes (Correct answer)
- 10 minutes
Correct answer: 20 minutes
At 60 L/min consumption versus the rated 40 L/min, the cylinder lasts proportionally less: (40 L/min ÷ 60 L/min) × 30 min ≈ 20 minutes.
Question 7: A passage on fire behavior describes 'flashover' as the transition phase in which: which answer best completes this definition?
- Flames from the initial fuel package ignite the ceiling and spread horizontally
- All exposed combustible surfaces in a compartment ignite nearly simultaneously due to radiant heat (Correct answer)
- A backdraft explosion occurs when air enters an oxygen-depleted space
- Pyrolysis products accumulate at the ceiling but do not yet ignite
Correct answer: All exposed combustible surfaces in a compartment ignite nearly simultaneously due to radiant heat
Flashover occurs when radiant heat raises all combustible surfaces to their ignition temperature, causing near-simultaneous ignition throughout the compartment.
FCTC FCTC Test Technical Reading and Recall Questions and Answers 3
A passage states: 'When approaching a structure fire, the first-arriving engine company should conduct a 360-degree size-up before committing resources.' What is the PRIMARY purpose of this size-up?