Semester 1 2025 - DUE 30 April 2025; 100% correct
solutions and explanations.
Question 1
The primary cause of the Bank of Lisbon Building Fire was
determined to be an electrical fault. According to sources, the
fire started in the electrical supply room located on one of the
top storeys of the building. Electrical faults can arise from
several issues, such as defective wiring, overloaded circuits,
damaged equipment, and poor maintenance. These factors
can lead to sparks, overheating, or short circuits, which may
ignite flammable materials and cause a fire.
In this case, the combination of the electrical fault and the
building's safety deficiencies—such as inadequate fire
detection, suppression systems, blocked stairwells, and defective
emergency exits—allowed the fire to spread rapidly, making it
difficult for both occupants and firefighters to manage the
situation effectively. The presence of these safety weaknesses
contributed significantly to the intensity and rapid escalation of
the fire.
Question 2
The electrical fault in the Bank of Lisbon Building, combined
with the building's safety deficiencies, significantly contributed
to the rapid spread of the fire. The electrical fault likely
initiated the fire, but several factors exacerbated its intensity and