STSC Fire Prevention and Protection in Construction 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A fire breaks out in a pile of oily rags stored in a metal container with a lid on a construction site. This is an example of what type of fire cause?
- Spontaneous combustion (Correct answer)
- Electrical fault
- Arson
- Open flame ignition
Correct answer: Spontaneous combustion
Oily rags generate heat through oxidation, and when confined, the heat builds until spontaneous ignition occurs.
Question 2: When installing a temporary fire suppression system in a high-rise construction project, which standard primarily governs sprinkler system design and installation?
- NFPA 13 (Correct answer)
- NFPA 10
- NFPA 72
- OSHA 1926.150
Correct answer: NFPA 13
NFPA 13 is the standard for the installation of sprinkler systems, including temporary systems on construction sites.
Question 3: A construction supervisor notices that a fire extinguisher inspection tag shows the last monthly inspection was 45 days ago. The correct action is to:
- Remove the extinguisher from service and have it inspected immediately (Correct answer)
- Document the missed inspection and continue using it
- Replace the extinguisher with a new one
- Increase the frequency of future inspections to compensate
Correct answer: Remove the extinguisher from service and have it inspected immediately
An extinguisher that has not received its required monthly inspection must be removed from service and inspected before being returned to duty.
Question 4: Which type of fire extinguisher is PROHIBITED for use on electrical fires (Class C) due to the risk of electrical conductivity?
- Water (stored pressure) (Correct answer)
- CO2
- Halotron
- Dry chemical ABC
Correct answer: Water (stored pressure)
Water is electrically conductive and can cause electrocution if used on energized electrical equipment fires.
Question 5: Under the hierarchy of fire prevention controls, which measure is considered the most effective for reducing fire risk on a construction site?
- Eliminating ignition sources and combustible materials from the work area (Correct answer)
- Installing fire extinguishers throughout the site
- Training all workers in fire extinguisher use
- Posting fire emergency contact numbers
Correct answer: Eliminating ignition sources and combustible materials from the work area
Elimination — removing the hazard entirely — is the highest-order control and most effective at preventing fires.
Question 6: What OSHA standard specifically addresses fire brigades and employee emergency response teams for construction sites?
- 29 CFR 1910.156 (applied by reference for construction sites) (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1926.150
- 29 CFR 1926.35
- 29 CFR 1910.38
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.156 (applied by reference for construction sites)
OSHA 1910.156 governs fire brigades and is referenced and applied to construction workplaces requiring organized fire response teams.
Question 7: A standpipe system installed in a multi-story construction building must supply a minimum residual pressure of how many psi at the topmost outlet while flowing 250 gpm?
- 100 psi (Correct answer)
- 65 psi
- 50 psi
- 150 psi
Correct answer: 100 psi
NFPA 14 requires Class I and III standpipe systems to maintain a minimum 100 psi residual pressure at the highest outlet during flow conditions.
STSC Fire Prevention and Protection in Construction 5
A fire breaks out in a pile of oily rags stored in a metal container with a lid on a construction site.
This is an example of what type of fire cause?