PLRD Fire Safety and Prevention 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the common causes of fire in Singapore commercial buildings?
- Only arson
- Electrical faults, overloaded circuits, smoking in prohibited areas, cooking mishaps, improper storage of flammable materials, and discarded cigarette butts (Correct answer)
- Only cooking
- Only lightning strikes
Correct answer: Electrical faults, overloaded circuits, smoking in prohibited areas, cooking mishaps, improper storage of flammable materials, and discarded cigarette butts
The most common causes include electrical overloading, short circuits, improper use of electrical equipment, careless smoking, unattended cooking, and storage of flammable materials near heat sources.
Question 2: What is the purpose of fire doors and what must security officers ensure about them?
- Fire doors are decorative
- Fire doors resist fire spread for a rated period; security officers must ensure they close automatically, are never propped open, and their seals are intact (Correct answer)
- Fire doors should always be locked
- Fire doors are optional in modern buildings
Correct answer: Fire doors resist fire spread for a rated period; security officers must ensure they close automatically, are never propped open, and their seals are intact
Fire doors are rated to resist fire for 30-120 minutes, containing fire to one area. They must be self-closing (never propped open), have intact smoke seals, and be unobstructed on both sides.
Question 3: What is a 'fire warden' and can a security officer serve as one?
- Fire wardens are only from SCDF
- A person trained to lead floor evacuation during fire emergencies; security officers often serve as fire wardens for their assigned areas (Correct answer)
- Fire wardens fight fires
- Only management can be fire wardens
Correct answer: A person trained to lead floor evacuation during fire emergencies; security officers often serve as fire wardens for their assigned areas
Fire wardens are trained to lead evacuation on their assigned floor, check rooms, assist disabled persons, and report to the control point. Security officers frequently serve as fire wardens.
Question 4: What is the minimum number of fire drills required per year in Singapore?
- One
- At least two fire drills per year as required under the Fire Safety Act (Correct answer)
- Four — one per quarter
- None — fire drills are voluntary
Correct answer: At least two fire drills per year as required under the Fire Safety Act
The Fire Safety Act requires at least two fire drills per year (every 6 months) for most commercial and residential buildings in Singapore. Security officers play key roles in organising and conducting drills.
Question 5: How should a security officer respond to a fire alarm activation?
- Wait for 5 minutes to see if it stops
- Check the fire alarm panel for the zone, investigate the zone for fire or smoke, call 995 if fire is confirmed, initiate evacuation, and guide occupants to assembly points (Correct answer)
- Silence the alarm immediately
- Only respond if they can see fire
Correct answer: Check the fire alarm panel for the zone, investigate the zone for fire or smoke, call 995 if fire is confirmed, initiate evacuation, and guide occupants to assembly points
Every alarm must be investigated immediately. Check the panel zone, physically inspect the area. If fire/smoke is found, call 995, activate full evacuation. If false alarm, reset after confirming with the FSM.
Question 6: What should security officers know about sprinkler systems in Singapore buildings?
- All sprinklers activate at once during a fire
- Individual sprinkler heads activate only when heat reaches their activation temperature; each head operates independently; never obstruct sprinkler heads (Correct answer)
- Sprinklers are optional
- Security officers maintain sprinkler systems
Correct answer: Individual sprinkler heads activate only when heat reaches their activation temperature; each head operates independently; never obstruct sprinkler heads
A common misconception is that all sprinklers activate together. In reality, each head activates independently when heated to its rated temperature (typically 68°C). Security must ensure nothing obstructs the sprinkler heads.
PLRD Fire Safety and Prevention 2
What are the common causes of fire in Singapore commercial buildings?