PLRD Fire Safety and Prevention — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What fire safety responsibilities does a security officer have in Singapore?
- No fire safety responsibilities
- Monitor fire safety systems, conduct fire safety checks during patrols, respond to fire alarms, assist with evacuation, and maintain knowledge of firefighting equipment locations (Correct answer)
- Only check fire extinguishers once a year
- Only call SCDF during a fire
Correct answer: Monitor fire safety systems, conduct fire safety checks during patrols, respond to fire alarms, assist with evacuation, and maintain knowledge of firefighting equipment locations
Security officers play a critical role in fire safety: monitoring fire alarm panels, conducting fire safety checks during patrols, responding to alarms, guiding evacuation, and ensuring fire exits are clear.
Question 2: What are the different classes of fire and the appropriate extinguisher for each?
- All fires can be fought with water
- Class A (ordinary combustibles — water), Class B (flammable liquids — foam/CO₂), Class C (electrical — CO₂/dry powder), Class K (cooking oils — wet chemical) (Correct answer)
- Only one type of extinguisher exists
- Fire classes are not used in Singapore
Correct answer: Class A (ordinary combustibles — water), Class B (flammable liquids — foam/CO₂), Class C (electrical — CO₂/dry powder), Class K (cooking oils — wet chemical)
Different fire types require different extinguishing agents. Using the wrong type can be dangerous — water on an electrical fire causes electrocution, water on a grease fire spreads the fire.
Question 3: How does a security officer operate a fire extinguisher using the PASS technique?
- Point, Aim, Squeeze, Spray
- Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side (Correct answer)
- Push, Activate, Spray, Stop
- Pick up, Aim high, Shake, Spray
Correct answer: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side
PASS: Pull the safety pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire (not the flames), Squeeze the handle to discharge, and Sweep from side to side across the base of the fire.
Question 4: What should a security officer check for during fire safety patrols?
- Only whether the fire alarm panel is green
- Blocked fire exits, obstructed fire equipment, damaged smoke detectors, propped-open fire doors, combustible materials near heat sources, and non-functional emergency lighting (Correct answer)
- Only the nearest fire extinguisher
- Nothing specific — just walk around
Correct answer: Blocked fire exits, obstructed fire equipment, damaged smoke detectors, propped-open fire doors, combustible materials near heat sources, and non-functional emergency lighting
Fire safety patrol checks include: fire exits clear and unlocked, fire equipment accessible and serviced, smoke detectors functional, fire doors properly closed, no combustible material accumulation, and emergency lighting working.
Question 5: What is the security officer's role when the fire alarm panel shows a fault signal?
- Ignore it until it goes away
- Investigate the fault, identify the affected zone, report to the building management and fire safety manager, and arrange for maintenance to repair the system (Correct answer)
- Reset the panel and continue normal duties
- Evacuate the building
Correct answer: Investigate the fault, identify the affected zone, report to the building management and fire safety manager, and arrange for maintenance to repair the system
A fault signal (different from a fire alarm) indicates a system problem. Investigate the zone, report to the fire safety manager, arrange repair, and ensure alternative monitoring is in place until fixed.
Question 6: What is a 'fire safety manager' and how does the security officer interact with them?
- The security supervisor
- A registered professional responsible for the building's fire safety management plan; the security officer reports fire safety concerns and coordinates fire drills with them (Correct answer)
- A SCDF officer stationed at the building
- A role that does not exist in Singapore
Correct answer: A registered professional responsible for the building's fire safety management plan; the security officer reports fire safety concerns and coordinates fire drills with them
Fire Safety Managers (FSMs) are registered with SCDF and responsible for the building's fire safety plan. Security officers report fire hazards to the FSM and support fire drills and emergency procedures.
PLRD Fire Safety and Prevention
What fire safety responsibilities does a security officer have in Singapore?