NEBOSH Fire Safety Management 3

Question 1

A wet chemical fire extinguisher is identified by which colour band and is primarily designed for which fire class?

Accepted Answer

Yellow band, Class F fires (cooking oils and fats)

Answer

A wet chemical extinguisher has a yellow colour band and is specifically designed for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats. It works by reacting with the hot oil to form a soapy film (saponification) that seals the surface and cools the oil below its auto-ignition temperature.

Question 2

In the fire triangle, removing the oxygen element is known as which method of fire extinction?

Accepted Answer

Smothering (or starving of oxygen)

Answer

Smothering removes the oxygen supply from the fire, preventing the combustion reaction from continuing. Methods include using fire blankets, CO2 extinguishers, foam blankets, or closing doors and windows. The oxygen concentration must typically drop below approximately 16% to extinguish most fires.

Question 3

What is the recommended maximum travel distance in a normal-risk area where alternative escape routes are available?

Accepted Answer

45 metres

Answer

Where alternative escape routes are available in a normal-risk area, the maximum recommended travel distance is 45 metres. Alternative routes mean the occupant can travel in more than one direction to reach a final exit, significantly reducing the risk of being trapped by a fire blocking a single route.

Question 4

Which detection system provides both an alarm AND automatic fire suppression?

Accepted Answer

Automatic sprinkler systems

Answer

Automatic sprinkler systems provide both detection and suppression. Each sprinkler head contains a heat-sensitive element (glass bulb or fusible link) that activates individually when the local temperature reaches its rated value. Water is then discharged directly onto the fire. The water flow also triggers an alarm signal.

Question 5

Why should a dry powder extinguisher generally NOT be used in a small enclosed space?

Accepted Answer

The powder cloud can obscure vision and cause breathing difficulties, making evacuation hazardous

Answer

Dry powder extinguishers discharge a large cloud of fine chemical powder that severely reduces visibility and can cause breathing difficulties if inhaled in a confined space. This creates a secondary hazard to the user and others trying to evacuate, potentially trapping them in a disoriented and oxygen-depleted environment.

NEBOSH IGC Practice Test

NEBOSH IGC Practice Test

NEBOSH Fire Safety Management 3