F-01 - F-01 Fireguard Portable Fire Extinguisher Use Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Fire Guard discovers a small fire in a trash can involving paper and wood. Which class of fire extinguisher is the correct type to use on this fire?
- Class B
- Class C
- Class A (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class A
Class A fire extinguishers are used for fires involving ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth. Class B is for flammable liquids, Class C is for energized electrical equipment, and Class D is for combustible metals.
Question 2: When operating a portable fire extinguisher, the acronym P.A.S.S. is a critical memory aid. What does the 'A' in P.A.S.S. stand for?
- Alert the Fire Department
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire (Correct answer)
- Assess the size of the fire
- Activate the building's fire alarm
Correct answer: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
The P.A.S.S. method stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. The 'A' specifically instructs the user to aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, which is the fuel source, to be most effective.
Question 3: A Fire Guard is responding to a fire and has selected the appropriate extinguisher. Before attempting to extinguish the fire, which of the following is the MOST critical safety consideration?
- Check the extinguisher's inspection tag for the last service date
- Ensure there is a clear and unobstructed exit path behind them (Correct answer)
- Notify the building supervisor of the intent to use the extinguisher
- Estimate the potential cost of the property damage
Correct answer: Ensure there is a clear and unobstructed exit path behind them
A Fire Guard's personal safety is paramount. Before engaging a fire, they must ensure they have a clear path of retreat in case the fire grows beyond their ability to control it with the extinguisher.
Question 4: Which of the following situations would indicate that a portable fire extinguisher should NOT be used and an immediate evacuation is necessary?
- The fire is confined to a small wastebasket.
- The fire involves energized electrical equipment and a Class C extinguisher is available.
- The room is quickly filling with thick, black smoke, making it difficult to see. (Correct answer)
- The fire alarm has already been activated and is sounding.
Correct answer: The room is quickly filling with thick, black smoke, making it difficult to see.
Portable fire extinguishers are only for small, incipient-stage fires. If the fire is producing large amounts of smoke that obscure vision and indicate it is growing rapidly, the situation is too dangerous, and immediate evacuation is the correct action.
Question 5: A Fire Guard encounters a fire involving a flammable liquid that has spilled on the floor. What is the correct sweeping motion to use with the fire extinguisher?
- Sweep the nozzle in a circular motion around the fire's perimeter.
- Aim directly at the center of the fire until the extinguisher is empty.
- Start at the top of the flames and sweep downwards.
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire.
The final step of the P.A.S.S. method is 'Sweep'. The operator should sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire to cover the entire fuel area and extinguish the flames.
Question 6: According to FDNY guidelines, a Fire Guard must be knowledgeable about the fire extinguishers in their patrol area. What information is typically found on the extinguisher's symbol label?
- The date the extinguisher was manufactured.
- The name of the Fire Guard who last inspected it.
- Symbols indicating the classes of fire it is safe and effective to use on. (Correct answer)
- The phone number for the extinguisher servicing company.
Correct answer: Symbols indicating the classes of fire it is safe and effective to use on.
The symbols on a fire extinguisher's label are crucial for quick identification. They show the class or classes of fire (e.g., A, B, C) the extinguisher is designed for. A symbol with a slash through it indicates what it should NOT be used on.
F-01 - F-01 Fireguard Portable Fire Extinguisher Use Questions and Answers 1
A Fire Guard discovers a small fire in a trash can involving paper and wood.
Which class of fire extinguisher is the correct type to use on this fire?