OS Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym PASS stand for when operating a portable fire extinguisher?
- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Correct answer)
- Push, Aim, Spray, Secure
- Pull, Arm, Squeeze, Spread
- Point, Activate, Squeeze, Spray
Correct answer: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side — the standard technique for using a portable extinguisher.
Question 2: A Class A fire involves which type of combustible material?
- Flammable liquids such as gasoline or fuel oil
- Energized electrical equipment and wiring
- Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth (Correct answer)
- Combustible metals such as magnesium or titanium
Correct answer: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth
Class A fires involve ordinary combustibles — wood, paper, cloth, and similar solid materials — which are commonly found in crew quarters and cargo holds.
Question 3: How many crew members are generally required to safely and effectively operate a charged fire hose aboard a merchant vessel?
- One crew member
- Two crew members (Correct answer)
- Four crew members
- Six crew members
Correct answer: Two crew members
A minimum of two crew members is required to operate a fire hose effectively — one to control the nozzle and one to manage the hose and provide support against the reaction force.
Question 4: Which firefighting agent is most effective for extinguishing a Class B fire involving flammable liquid spills?
- Straight water jet
- Foam (AFFF or protein foam) (Correct answer)
- Compressed air applied directly
- Sand applied in thin layers
Correct answer: Foam (AFFF or protein foam)
Foam smothers Class B fires by forming a vapor-sealing blanket over the liquid surface, cutting off the oxygen supply and preventing re-ignition.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) used during shipboard firefighting?
- To supply extra oxygen directly into the fire area
- To protect the wearer from smoke inhalation and toxic gases (Correct answer)
- To cool the firefighter's body temperature during hot operations
- To enable radio communication with the bridge while inside a compartment
Correct answer: To protect the wearer from smoke inhalation and toxic gases
An SCBA provides the wearer with a clean air supply, protecting against smoke, toxic combustion gases, and oxygen-deficient atmospheres encountered during firefighting.
Question 6: Which area of a ship presents the greatest fire risk due to the concentration of fuel and high-heat machinery?
- Crew berthing and accommodation spaces
- The navigation bridge
- The engine room and machinery spaces (Correct answer)
- The forward cargo hold
Correct answer: The engine room and machinery spaces
The engine room contains fuel oil, lubricating oil, high-temperature machinery, and electrical equipment, making it the highest fire risk area aboard any vessel.
Question 7: According to SOLAS requirements, how frequently must fire and boat drills be conducted on merchant vessels?
- Once per year for each type of drill
- Once every six months
- At least once per month (Correct answer)
- Once per week while at sea
Correct answer: At least once per month
SOLAS regulation III/19 requires that fire drills and abandon ship drills be held at least once a month to ensure crew readiness and familiarity with emergency procedures.
OS Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention 2
What does the acronym PASS stand for when operating a portable fire extinguisher?