ASP / CSP Preparation

Domain 4
Fire Prevention and Protection

Self Exam 01
Correct answer: It redirects current toward the ground rather than
the worker

Improper grounding is one of the most frequently cited violations of

OSHA standards. Grounding creates a low-resistance path from a
tool to the earth to disperse unwanted current. When a short
occurs, energy flows to the ground, protecting the worker from
electrical shock or death.
Grounding does not redirect current toward tools or overhead
power lines, as both of these would be significant safety hazards.
Bonding, not grounding, is the process of equalizing the potential
charge between two objects to control static electricity.
Correct answer: 150° C

A red sprinkler head indicates a maximum ceiling

temperature of 150 °C, per the sprinkler head color code:
•White: 66 °C
•Blue: 107 °C
•Green: 190 °C
Correct answer: 300 °F

Sprinkler heads have varying degrees of temperature sensitivity

and are color-coded. A red sprinkler head means the sprinkler is
activated at a maximum ceiling temperature of 300 °F.

A white sprinkler head has a maximum ceiling temperature of 150

°F. A blue sprinkler head has a maximum ceiling temperature of
225 °F, and a green sprinkler head has a maximum ceiling
temperature of 375 °F.
Correct answer: Without the presence of certain components,
fires would not exist

There are four components necessary to sustain combustion.

Without the presence of all four components, fires would not
exist. The four components are fuel, oxygen, heat, and a chain
reaction; they are shown in illustrations of the fire tetrahedron.

There are several different methods of extinguishing fires. Fires

are preventable through training, and equipment can provide
protection from fires, but neither of these concepts is
demonstrated by the fire tetrahedron.
Correct answer: 10% of the LEL

Flammable gas detectors are set to some percentage value of the LEL
(lower explosive limit) of the gas they are calibrated against. Many
manufacturers calibrate against methane and set the default value to
10%.

If you don't know at which value the alarm is set to ring, refer to your
operator's manual.

The UEL (upper explosive limit) indicates that the atmosphere is too
rich (i.e., not enough oxygen) to burn.
Correct answer: 35 feet

OSHA requires a minimum of a 35-foot radius from combustible

materials for designated hot work areas. The minimum distance
ensures adequate safe space for the hot work to be conducted
while minimizing the risk of activating the combustible material.
See OSHA 1910.252(a)(2)(iii) Fire watch.
Correct answer: Use crossovers and other means of covering the
hoses and cords

In an effort to reduce accidents, employees should use crossovers

and other means of covering the hoses and cords and place the
hoses and cords away from walkways.

Reducing the use of hoses and cords will eliminate the hazard but
can limit operation. Training employees to pay attention is not an
adequate option. Painting the hoses and cords is often done already.
Correct answer: Rate-compensation

A rate-compensation detection system is designed to activate an

alarm when the temperature in the space is above the predetermined
threshold.

A rate-of-rise detector only activates at a rapid rise in temperature.

The purpose of this delay is to compensate for changes in ambient
temperature from non-fire events. Smoke and heat detection systems
will alert when smoke or high temperature is detected.
Correct answer: Condensation

Heat always moves from a warmer place to a cooler place. Hot objects
in a cooler room will eventually cool to room temperature, while cold
objects in a warmer room will heat up to room temperature.
Condensation occurs when water changes from a gas into a liquid.

Radiation heat is the amount of thermal radiation between two or

more objects. Convection is the process whereby thermal energy is
transferred by the movement of a heated fluid such as liquid or air.
Conduction is the transfer of thermal energy between two objects in
contact with each other.
Correct answer: Class A

Fires are classified by the material they are burning.

Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as

wood, paper, cloth, etc.
Class B fires involve combustible liquids.
Class C fires involve electrical energy.
Class D fires involve combustible metals.
Class K fires are kitchen fires and involve cooking oil or grease.
Correct answer: It is the richest mixture that is still combustible

Flammability limits, or explosive limits, give the proportion of

combustible gases in a mixture. Concentrations between the lower
and upper limits of the mixture are flammable or explosive. The UFL
(or upper explosive limit, UEL) is the richest mixture that is still
flammable or combustible.

A lower flammable limit (LFL) or lower explosive limit (LEL) is the

leanest mixture that is still flammable or explosive. These
concentrations are given in percentage of air, not water.
Correct answer: Boiling point

The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which the vapor

pressure of the liquid is equal to the environmental pressure
surrounding the liquid. It is the temperature point where the liquid is
converted into a vapor.

The flash point is the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off
vapor within a test vessel in sufficient concentration to form an
ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid. The fire point is
defined as the temperature at which a substance will give off a vapor
that will burn continuously after ignition. The autoignition temperature,
or kindling point, is the lowest temperature at which a substance will
ignite in a normal atmosphere without an external source of ignition
from a spark or flame.
Correct answer: Disorganization

Disorganization is a reflection of poor housekeeping, but

the real costs include fires, injuries, and health concerns.
Correct answer: Between 140 °F and 200 °F

A combustible liquid is any liquid with a flash point at or above 140 °F

and below 200 °F. A flash point is the minimum temperature at which
a liquid gives off vapor within a test vessel in sufficient concentration
to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid.
The flash point is normally an indication of susceptibility to ignition.
Correct answer: Engineering control

The most common type of control for combustible dust is

engineering control, due to the complexity and risk of
explosion. A common inexpensive engineering control for
combustible dust is explosive venting by providing a path for
the flame and pressure to escape.

Administrative control, personal protective equipment, and

visual control are not adequate for the hazards produced by
combustible dust (see OSHA's "Combustible Dust: An
Explosion Hazard").
Correct answer: NFPA 70

Some important standards from the National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA) that safety professionals should memorize are:

NFPA 10 - Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers

NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 30 - Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code
Correct answer: Drilling

Drilling is not an activity that would require a hot work permit

due to the absence of a spark, flame, or heat.

Welding and brazing involve the use of portable gas and produce
a high amount of heat in the process. The use of an open flame is
a common hot work process that requires a hot work permit.
Correct answer: Combustible material

In order for a fire to occur, four elements are required; heat,

fuel, oxygen, and a chain reaction.

Combustible material is a source of fuel but not one of the

required elements.
Correct answer: The hydrant has a flow rate of 1,000–1,500 GPM

A fire hydrant is an active fire protection measure that provides a source

of water from the municipal water system or other sources. Fire hydrants
are color-coded to indicate their specific water flow rate. A fire hydrant
with a green top has a flow rate of 1,000–1,500 gallons per minute
(GPM).

A fire hydrant with a red top has a flow rate of 500 GPM. A fire hydrant
with an orange top has a flow rate of 500–1,000 GPM. A fire hydrant
with a blue top has a flow rate of over 1,500 GPM.
Correct answer: 0.025 seconds

GFCIs are able to "trip" quickly. This typically happens in 0.02–

0.03 seconds (0.025 seconds on average).

The purpose of a GFCI is to detect a difference in current and

open the circuit to prevent serious injury or death (see OSHA 29
CFR Part 1910 Electrical Standard: Final Rule Para H. Branch
Circuits - Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupters for Employees).
Correct answer: Class A

Class A fires involve common combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, trash,
and plastics. These types of combustibles can be extinguished safely with water.
Class B fires involve flammable liquids, gasses, solvents, oil, gasoline, paint, lacquers,
tar, and other synthetic or oil-based products. Applying water in most cases would
cause the fuel to scatter, which would spread the flames.
Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment such as wiring, controls, motors,
data processing panels, or appliances. Water should never be used to put out a Class C
fire, as this would present a serious shock hazard.
Class D fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, and sodium.
Water can fuel Class D fires, making them worse! For example, when you add water to
a magnesium fire, the magnesium will react with water to produce hydrogen, and the
hydrogen will then ignite.
Correct answer: Fire tetrahedron

There are four components necessary to sustain combustion.

Without the presence of all four components, fires would not exist.
The four components include fuel, oxygen, heat, and a chain
reaction; they are demonstrated by the fire tetrahedron.
The transfer of heat is important when understanding fire
prevention, but the components listed are not necessarily part of
this process. Dry and wet pipe systems are two types of automatic
sprinkler systems.
Correct answer: Flash point

The flash point is the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off
vapor within a test vessel in sufficient concentration to form an ignitable
mixture with air near the surface of the liquid. The flash point is
normally an indication of susceptibility to ignition.
The lower flammability limit is the lower end of the concentration range
of a flammable solvent at a given temperature and pressure at which air
and vapor mixtures can ignite. The heat of combustion is the amount of
heat in calories evolved by the combustion of 1 g weight of a substance.
The upper flammability limit is the maximum concentration of a
combustible substance capable of propagating a flame through a
homogeneous combustible mixture.
Correct answer: Solids, liquids, gasses, and vapors
Fuels can include solids, liquids, gasses, and vapors. The type of
fuel in a fire will determine the type of extinguishing medium that
must be used.
Correct answer: Aim

PASS, sometimes referred to as PASSword, is a mnemonic device for

using a fire extinguisher.

P - Pull
A - Aim
S - Squeeze
S - Sweep
This is to remind the user to pull the pin, aim the extinguisher,
squeeze the handle, and sweep the device from side to side. See
OHSA eTools "Evacuation Plans and Procedures: Emergency
Standards - Portable Fire Extinguishers - Fire Extinguisher Use."
Correct answer: A trained and qualified person who watches for fire
during and after the completion of work

OSHA defines an employee on fire watch duty as a trained and

qualified person to detect fires that occur in a hot work activity
area. The employee shall have a clear view of the area and be able
to activate the alarm when a fire does occur. A fire watch employee
should not be completing other tasks while on duty; their sole focus
must be on the hot work activity.

A fire watch employee does not need to be ready with a fire

extinguisher but should be aware of where it is located (see OHSA -
Shipyard employment tool training).
Correct answer: Bonded containers

To transfer flammable liquid from one container to another, the

containers should be bonded to eliminate the buildup of static
electricity.
A fire extinguisher nearby is good practice and required for fire
response, but it is not a requirement for the transfer of flammable
liquids. Fire watches and hot work permits are both related to hot
work procedures and performing hot work.
Correct answer: Shortest path to the outside

The shortest path to the outside is important during a fire. For

general housekeeping, OSHA requires each walkway to be an
adequate passage, free of debris, and clear of tools and
equipment.
Correct answer: Fires involving paper

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fires

can be classified as A, B, C, D, or K. Class A fires involve common
combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, trash, and plastics.
They primarily happen in commercial and home settings but can
occur anywhere these materials are found.
Class B fires involve flammable liquids, gasses, solvents, oil, gasoline,
paint, lacquers, tar, and other synthetic or oil-based products. Class C
fires involve energized electrical equipment such as wiring, controls,
motors, data processing panels, or appliances. Class D fires involve
combustible metals such as magnesium and sodium.
Correct answer: Flash point

The flash point is the minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off
vapor within a test vessel in sufficient concentration to form an
ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the liquid. The flash
point is normally an indication of susceptibility to ignition.
The vapor pressure of a liquid is defined as the pressure exerted by
the molecules that escape from the liquid to form a separate vapor
phase above the liquid surface. The fire point is defined as the
temperature at which a substance will give off a vapor that will burn
continuously after ignition. The autoignition temperature, or kindling
point, is the lowest temperature at which a substance will ignite in a
normal atmosphere without an external source of ignition from a
spark or flame.
Correct answer: They are common in home settings

Class B fires involve flammable liquids, gasses, solvents, oil, gasoline,

paint, lacquers, tar, and other synthetic or oil-based products. Class B
fires often spread rapidly and, unless properly secured, can reflash
after the flames are extinguished.
Class A, not Class B, fires are common in home settings. Class B fires
are much more common in commercial settings.
Correct answer: Ammonium phosphate

Ammonium phosphate is a dry chemical agent commonly used in Class

A firefighting.
Sodium bicarbonate is commonly known as baking soda. Sodium
hypochlorite is the chemical name for bleach.
Correct answer: One pint

OSHA has clear standards for the maximum allowable size of containers for
flammable and combustible liquids. The maximum allowable size for a
Class IA flammable liquid in glass or plastic containers is one pint.

The maximum allowable size for a Class IB flammable liquid is one quart.
The maximum allowable size for a Class IC flammable liquid or for a metal
container for a Class IA liquid is one gallon. The maximum allowable size of
a safety can for a Class IA flammable liquid is two gallons.
Correct answer: NFPA 10

Some important standards from the National Fire Protection Association

(NFPA) that safety professionals should memorize are:
•NFPA 10 - Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
•NFPA 13 - Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
•NFPA 30 - Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
•NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code
See OSHA eTools "Evacuation Plans and Procedures: Emergency Standards
- Portable Fire Extinguishers - Extinguisher Placement and Spacing."
Correct answer: Above 140 °F and below 199.4 °F

•Category 4 flammable liquid has a flashpoint above 140 °F and below

199.4 °F.
•Category 3 flammable liquid has a flashpoint above 73.4 °F and below
140 °F.
•Category 2 flammable liquid has a flashpoint below 73.4 °F and a boiling
point above 95 °F.
•Category 1 flammable liquid has a flashpoint below 73.4 °F and a boiling
point below 95 °F.
See OSHA 1910.106 - Flammable liquids 1910.106 (a)(19)(iv).
Correct answer: Reduction in conductivity

An ionization detector operates by using a small amount of radioactive

material to ionize the air within a sensing chamber inside the detector.
The ionization of the air permits the air to conduct electricity between
two electrodes within this chamber. As smoke enters the chamber, the
smoke particles become ionized and reduce the conductivity of the air
between the electrodes. This reduction in conductivity between the
electrodes is sensed and will cause the detector to respond.
Condensation, the conversion of water from a liquid to a gaseous state,
does not play a role in whether a smoke detector is activated.
Correct answer: Alpha-keratin

Alpha-keratin is the protein that makes up fingernails and toenails, but

it is not part of the skin. The three layers of the skin are:
•Epidermis
•Dermis
•Subcutaneous
Correct answer: 12%

Electricity can be incredibly dangerous. Electricity as low as 50 mA

can cause death. Approximately five workers in the construction
industry are electrocuted each week, and electricity causes 12% of
work-related deaths among young workers each year.
In addition, where electricity is present, there is a significant risk of
causing fires.
Correct answer: Use insulated tools when working on fuses with
electrical terminals

To protect workers from electrical shock, insulated tools should be used

when working on fuses with electrical terminals. In addition, use
barriers and guards to prevent passage through areas of exposed
energized equipment, preplan work, post hazard warnings, keep
working spaces and walkways clear of cords, and do not use worn or
frayed cords and cables.
Fastening extension cords with staples and suspending cords by wire
are both electrical hazards. Individuals working with electricity should
avoid overhead power lines, avoid wet conditions, and remove all
jewelry.
Correct answer: Use only cords that are 2-wire type

To control the hazards associated with damaged or defective cords or

wires, insulate live wires and inspect all cords and wires before each
use. Also, use only cords marked for hard or extra-hard usage; use only
cords, connection devices, and fittings equipped with strain relief;
remove cords by pulling on the plugs, not the cord; and immediately
take out service cords not marked for hard or extra-hard use.
The only type of cord that should be used is 3-wire, not 2-wire, type.
Correct answer: Static collectors

Static collectors, or controllers, are devices that collect static electricity

and can be used on moving belts, plastic film, and similar non-conductive
materials. Examples of static collectors include needle-pointed copper
combs, spring copper brushes, and metallic tinsel bars. To be effective,
collectors must be properly grounded.
Antistatic additives, such as fuels, can also be used to control static
electricity. Copper combs and metallic tinsel bars are examples of
controllers, not hazards or humidifiers.
Correct answer: Carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide

Combustion is a chemical reaction that occurs between a fuel and

an oxidizing agent that produces energy, usually in the form of
heat and light. When a fuel is burned, the carbon reacts with
oxygen and can form either carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide.
Correct answer: Class K

Fires are classified by the material that is burning. The fire classes
include the following:
•Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood,
paper, cloth, etc.
•Class B fires involve combustible liquids.
•Class C fires involve electrical energy.
•Class D fires involve combustible metals.
•Class K fires are kitchen fires and involve cooking oil or grease.
Correct answer: NFPA 600

NFPA 600 covers industrial fire brigades.

NFPA 101 is the Life Safety Code. NFPA 96 covers ventilation control
and fire protection of commercial cooking operations. NFPA 17A
covers wet chemical extinguishing systems.

See OSHA's Standard Interpretations - "Response to IDLH or

Potential IDLH atmospheres."
Correct answer: Keep materials in and around the buildings

Keeping materials in and around the buildings is not a sign of

good housekeeping, and OSHA's standard prevents this during
the course of construction.
Removing materials with protruding nails and debris while
clearing passageways are all OSHA standards for housekeeping.
Correct answer: 60 gallons

The maximum allowable container size for Class III combustible

liquids in a metal drum is 60 gallons. It is the same allowable
container size for Class II combustible liquid in a metal drum.
Correct answer: Lightning

According to Factory Mutual, the three leading causes of fire in the

United States are:
•electrical
•smoking
•hot surfaces
See OSHA's "Fire Safety Hazards and Possible Solutions."
Correct answer: 5 gallons

The maximum size of container for a Category 2 flammable liquid

in a safety can is 5 gallons. The same volume is allowed for
Category 3 and 4 flammable liquids, while the Category 1
flammable liquid allowance is 2 gallons.

See OSHA's 1910.106 - Flammable liquids 1910.106 (d)(2)(iii)(b).

Correct answer: Foam water sprinkler system

For special applications, a foam water sprinkler system may be used.

Foam water sprinkler systems discharge a mixture of water and low-
expansion foam concentrate, which results in a foam spray from the
sprinkler head. These systems are usually used in areas that have high-
challenge fires, such as flammable liquid storage areas and airport
hangars.
Dry pipe systems are used in areas that have a high potential for
freezing. Water spray systems are designed to cover a uniquely
configured area. A pre-action system is placed in areas where accidental
discharge is undesirable.