Fire Safety Residential Fire Safety 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the maximum recommended distance between smoke alarms on the same floor of a home?
- 20 feet
- 30 feet (Correct answer)
- 40 feet
- 50 feet
Correct answer: 30 feet
Smoke alarms should be installed no more than 30 feet apart on the same floor to ensure adequate coverage.
Question 2: Which type of fire extinguisher is rated safe to use on electrical fires in the home?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C extinguishers use non-conductive agents and are specifically rated for electrical fires.
Question 3: How often should you test your home's smoke alarm batteries if using standard alkaline batteries?
- Once a month (Correct answer)
- Once every six months
- Once a year
- Every two years
Correct answer: Once a month
NFPA recommends pressing the test button on smoke alarms at least once a month to verify functionality.
Question 4: What should you do immediately if you smell gas in your home before a fire starts?
- Turn on lights to inspect the source
- Call 911 from inside the home
- Leave immediately and call the gas company from outside (Correct answer)
- Open windows and wait for the smell to dissipate
Correct answer: Leave immediately and call the gas company from outside
Any spark — including flipping a light switch — can ignite gas, so you must leave first and call from a safe distance.
Question 5: Which common household appliance is the leading cause of home fires in the United States?
- Dryer (Correct answer)
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
Correct answer: Dryer
Clothes dryers, primarily due to lint buildup in the vent, are the leading appliance cause of home fires according to NFPA data.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'fire-resistant' door in a residential garage?
- To prevent carbon monoxide from entering the home
- To slow the spread of fire from the garage into the living area (Correct answer)
- To provide a secondary exit in case of fire
- To reduce heat loss in winter months
Correct answer: To slow the spread of fire from the garage into the living area
A fire-resistant door between the garage and living space is designed to slow fire spread, giving occupants more time to escape.
Question 7: At what height should carbon monoxide detectors be installed in a bedroom?
- Near the floor, under 12 inches
- At knee height, about 18 inches
- At breathing level, about 5 feet (Correct answer)
- Near the ceiling, above 6 feet
Correct answer: At breathing level, about 5 feet
CO detectors should be placed at breathing level (around 5 feet) since CO mixes evenly with air and is inhaled at that height during sleep.
Fire Safety Residential Fire Safety 4
What is the maximum recommended distance between smoke alarms on the same floor of a home?