OS Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What three elements must be present simultaneously to sustain a fire (the fire triangle)?
- Heat, fuel, and oxygen (Correct answer)
- Heat, water, and oxygen
- Fuel, smoke, and nitrogen
- Heat, fuel, and carbon dioxide
Correct answer: Heat, fuel, and oxygen
The fire triangle consists of heat, fuel, and oxygen — removing any one of these three elements will extinguish or prevent a fire.
Question 2: Which class of fire specifically involves flammable liquids such as fuel oil, diesel, and paint?
- Class A
- Class B (Correct answer)
- Class C
- Class D
Correct answer: Class B
Class B fires involve flammable and combustible liquids such as oil, diesel, gasoline, and paint — common hazards aboard ships.
Question 3: Which type of fire extinguisher should NEVER be used on an electrical fire?
- CO2 extinguisher
- Dry chemical extinguisher
- Water extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Halon extinguisher
Correct answer: Water extinguisher
Water conducts electricity, so using a water extinguisher on an energized electrical fire creates a serious risk of electrocution to the operator.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of a fire damper installed in a ship's ventilation system?
- To increase airflow to assist firefighting efforts
- To prevent fire and smoke from spreading through ventilation ducts (Correct answer)
- To supply fresh air to the engine room during emergencies
- To cool the fixed fire suppression system components
Correct answer: To prevent fire and smoke from spreading through ventilation ducts
Fire dampers are designed to close automatically and isolate sections of the ventilation system, preventing fire and smoke from traveling to other compartments.
Question 5: What is the correct technique for an ordinary seaman advancing toward a fire with a hose?
- Run directly toward the fire while spraying at full jet
- Stay low, advance slowly while maintaining a water spray curtain (Correct answer)
- Stand upright to maintain a clear view of the fire
- Spray water on the overhead first to cool the space above
Correct answer: Stay low, advance slowly while maintaining a water spray curtain
Advancing low reduces exposure to heat and toxic smoke, and a spray pattern provides protection and cools surrounding surfaces while approaching the fire.
Question 6: Which fixed fire suppression system is most commonly installed in ship engine rooms?
- Water sprinkler deluge system
- CO2 total flooding system (Correct answer)
- Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) system
- Dry powder suppression system
Correct answer: CO2 total flooding system
CO2 total flooding systems are standard in engine rooms because CO2 displaces oxygen to smother the fire without damaging machinery or creating water damage.
Question 7: What is the FIRST action an ordinary seaman should take upon discovering a fire on board?
- Immediately attempt to extinguish the fire using the nearest extinguisher
- Sound the general alarm and alert the crew (Correct answer)
- Close all watertight and fireproof doors throughout the vessel
- Proceed directly to the lifeboat muster station
Correct answer: Sound the general alarm and alert the crew
Alerting the crew by sounding the alarm is the top priority so all hands can respond in a coordinated manner before attempting to fight the fire.
OS Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention 1
What three elements must be present simultaneously to sustain a fire (the fire triangle)?