FE FE Emergency Response & Extinguisher Selection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When is it appropriate for a trained occupant to attempt to fight a fire with a portable extinguisher?
- Always — extinguishers are provided for this purpose
- Only when the fire is small, confined, the alarm is activated, an exit is behind them, and they are trained (Correct answer)
- Only professional firefighters should use extinguishers
- Only when the sprinkler system has already activated
Correct answer: Only when the fire is small, confined, the alarm is activated, an exit is behind them, and they are trained
Occupant use is appropriate only for small, incipient-stage fires when conditions are safe: alarm active, exit available, and the person is trained.
Question 2: A fire in a propane storage area is best addressed with which type of extinguisher?
- Water extinguisher
- Class B dry chemical (BC or ABC) extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Class A water mist extinguisher
- Class D dry powder extinguisher
Correct answer: Class B dry chemical (BC or ABC) extinguisher
Propane is a flammable gas (Class B fuel), so a BC or ABC dry chemical extinguisher is the correct choice.
Question 3: Why should ABC dry chemical extinguishers generally NOT be used in a restaurant kitchen to suppress a grease fire?
- ABC chemical is too expensive for restaurant use
- ABC dry chemical does not cool the oil and the fire can re-ignite; wet chemical is required (Correct answer)
- ABC chemical reacts violently with cooking oils
- ABC extinguishers are too small for kitchen fires
Correct answer: ABC dry chemical does not cool the oil and the fire can re-ignite; wet chemical is required
ABC dry chemical can momentarily knock down the flames but does not cool the oil below its ignition temperature, allowing the fire to re-ignite.
Question 4: What is the most important safety rule when using a CO2 extinguisher in a confined space?
- Aim at the ceiling, not the base of the fire
- Evacuate the area immediately after use — CO2 displaces oxygen and creates an asphyxiation hazard (Correct answer)
- Use only half the charge to avoid over-discharge
- Turn off all lights before discharging
Correct answer: Evacuate the area immediately after use — CO2 displaces oxygen and creates an asphyxiation hazard
CO2 displaces oxygen and in an enclosed space can cause unconsciousness or death; all personnel must evacuate immediately.
Question 5: Which type of extinguisher is most appropriate for a printing facility with large quantities of paper (Class A) and ink solvents (Class B)?
- Water-only extinguisher
- ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher (Correct answer)
- CO2 extinguisher only
- Class D powder extinguisher
Correct answer: ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher
ABC multipurpose dry chemical addresses both Class A (paper) and Class B (solvent) hazards, making it the correct choice for mixed-hazard facilities.
Question 6: What should an operator do if a fire is not extinguished after one full discharge of the extinguisher?
- Continue to aim the empty extinguisher at the fire
- Immediately evacuate — do not re-enter to try a second extinguisher unless trained and conditions are safe (Correct answer)
- Try to smother the fire with a cloth
- Open windows to reduce smoke before re-attempting
Correct answer: Immediately evacuate — do not re-enter to try a second extinguisher unless trained and conditions are safe
If a full discharge fails to extinguish the fire, the operator should evacuate immediately; a growing fire quickly becomes life-threatening.
FE FE Emergency Response & Extinguisher Selection 2
When is it appropriate for a trained occupant to attempt to fight a fire with a portable extinguisher?